Misty rain.

The weather on Great Britain is indeed not great; just as the front line stabilized, it rained continuously for two or three days.

A group of Knights hastily traveled along the muddy road.

"No way."

"The paved roads built by the empire back then still need some repair."

Duncan looked at the fortress in the distance, pulling his warhorse to a halt and said: "Take a break for now and avoid the rain."

Great Britain doesn't have Four Directions Avenue.

In many places, there's only a dusty road, while better places have paved roads; however, they haven't been maintained for decades and are almost like muddy roads. The strength of an empire can be somewhat understood by looking at its roads, as the Central Plains dynasty places great importance on the official roads and stations.

Eighty-mile urgent relay is a test of the roads.

Clegane led the Sarmatian riders, safeguarding Duncan all around. He glanced at the sky and said: "Sir, we should arrive before nightfall."

After speaking, he passed a signal to the people beside him.

Several Sarmatian riders immediately began handing out food and water to others, primarily those sworn in allegiance to Duke of Dingtiger's guards.

Clegane said in a low voice: "Sir."

"I secretly made contact with them; many are willing to swear allegiance to you!"

The weather grew colder.

Put an extra coat on Sir!

Clegane's intention was clear; that is, if Duncan wanted to seize the Duke of Dingtiger's position, most would support him.

The position of Duke—Duncan could sit whenever he wished.

Duncan glanced at him indifferently, calmly saying: "I understand."

All decisions rest with him.

Though Cornwall is the old home of Duke of Dingtiger, where many might still be loyal to him, if Duncan truly wished to seize power, none could stop him.

A man wins fame on the battlefield!

Duncan's war record and prestige are enough to intimidate and forcibly subdue others.

But doing so would certainly gain a poor reputation; Duncan had been on Great Britain briefly before seizing the Duke of Dingtiger's title and legacy.

Some might not express it but inwardly feel fear.

The coup marked by the yellow robe gains a poor reputation; Duncan has his own other plans.

He too must showcase his grand stature across the entire Great Britain!

Borrowing a phrase from Three Kingdoms—"Ah, heroes have grand ambitions and great schemes, concealing the universe and swallowing heaven and earth."

The sky gradually darkened.

Duncan led a troop of cavalry back to Cornwall before dark; his return stirred cheers from the town walls as many soldiers had heard of his prestige. Now, Duke of Dingtiger was gravely ill, and everyone felt anxious, urgently needing a leader to stand forth.

"Gather all the Lord Knights immediately, also summon the commanders of the army, Centurion level and above, to the castle."

Duncan in full armor, radiating heroism, strode into the castle; guards on both sides respectfully bowed their heads, intimidated by his famed legend, with some even kneeling on one knee.

Crow Queen Triss greeted ahead, her expression joyful; she felt Duncan had already seized the hearts of the people here.

"Yes!" said Clegane, looking thrilled.

He didn't know what Duncan intended to do, but this order was somewhat exciting.

"Light the torches!"

"Everyone gather in the Lord's Hall for a meeting!"

Duncan nodded slightly toward Crow Queen Triss, noticing behind her another person—an enchanting witch with silver-gray stars, likely one of the founders of the witches' assembly, she wore a veil, her eyes slightly bright, curiously examining Duncan.

"Bring Duke of Dingtiger here, and also bring the Duchess and her three daughters."

Duncan kept giving orders, and others responded accordingly.

The sound of footsteps resounded.

Duncan directly sat at the main seat in the Lord's Hall, and a group of attendants couldn't prop up the dying Duke of Dingtiger, so they had to lift both him and the chair together, placing him below Duncan.

After several days.

Duke of Dingtiger's complexion was extremely bleak, virtually lifeless, only hanging by a thread.

His murky eyes glanced at Duncan seated at the Lord's position, showing a bit of gloom, utterly despairing, seemingly having long foreseen this situation.

This fellow too is a pitiable man; his wife had been unfaithful, his land and estate, and the title of Duke were close to being lost.

Within the Lord's Hall.

People began entering one after another. Some Knights saw Duncan seated at the main position, their expressions changed, while others showed anger. Many looked at Duke of Dingtiger with a touch of pity, for they had once sworn loyalty to him.

But Duncan's prestige was too daunting!

No one present dared to move rashly.

Crow Queen Triss naturally stood behind Duncan, two witches flanked on either side, ready to suppress the situation; coupled with Duncan's might, forcibly overpowering everyone present was not difficult.

Firelight flickered.

Duchess Igraine appeared trembling, with the expressions of three young daughters in terror, she wore a worn-out long dress, no longer retaining her initial grandeur and beauty, even the exposed skin on her arms bore bruises.

Her eyes looked toward the immobile, dying Duke of Dingtiger in front, showing a bit of grievance, a bit of resentment, a bit of pity, and a bit of emotion, with gaze so complex it was impossible to interpret, for she too was merely a victim.

She devotedly served her husband returned from the war; what's wrong with that?

King Uther disguised as her husband's image, how could she, an ordinary woman, know?

So many guards kept it secret.

King Uther was an old man over fifty; upon knowing the truth, she felt fearful all day, almost vomiting several times, and desperately washed herself countless times, nearly scrubbing her skin to bleeding.

But what could be done?

After her husband unexpectedly discovered the truth, he imprisoned her immediately and even beat her.

To whom should she vent the grievance and resentment in her heart?

Ultimately, she was just a weak woman, unable to choose her destiny; Merlin could easily confuse her, and her husband could easily execute her.

Hiss!

Upon seeing the Duchess Igraine, Duke of Dingtiger's face was filled with agitation and hatred, holding his wife responsible for his current state.

From a god's perspective.

Duncan's expression suddenly changed slightly when he saw a 'Servant Demon' mark on the map.

Merlin was indeed keeping an eye on everything here.

Duke of Dingtiger, in his excitement, nearly lost his breath, and the surrounding lordly knights also looked at the beautiful duchess, their expressions ranging from disdain and contempt to sympathy and pity. Nowadays, rumors were rampant outside, with all sorts of stories.

In the most vile rumors, Duchess Igraine's actions were extremely disgraceful.

Finally.

The duchess, with equally gray eyes, looked up at Duncan sitting in the lord's seat. The man's presence in the main seat was self-explanatory.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she slowly knelt down, spreading her arms to embrace her three young daughters beside her.

This was a plea!

Not for herself, but for the children.

Duchess Igraine humbly lowered her head to submit to the man before her, pleading for him to spare her children.

Clang!

In the firelight, Duncan drew the Oathkeeper Longsword from his waist.

He walked down the steps, glanced at the speechless Duke of Dingtiger, his gaze firm. In that moment of eye contact, Duke of Dingtiger seemed to understand something and surprisingly resumed breathing more steadily.

Duncan stood before the eldest little girl, and spoke in a deep voice, "What is your name?"

The little girl shrank fearfully into her mother's arms, about seven or eight years old, holding her two shivering sisters, softly replied, "Moloss."

Duncan held the sword horizontally and said, "Kneel."

The lordly knights present stirred in commotion, many exchanging glances because Duncan's gesture with the sword reminded them of something.

In an instant, Duchess Igraine's eyes shone with a glimmer of hope!

She patted her eldest daughter's shoulder, signaling her to kneel.

Moloss, being just a little girl, did not fully understand, and directly knelt on both knees. Duncan promptly reached out to lift her, solemnly stating, "Kneel on one knee."

The lord's hall was abuzz with noise, everyone watching the scene in shock.

Moloss seemed to comprehend something as well.

This seven or eight-year-old girl looked up at the imposing Duncan, not daring to breathe. Her two sisters also looked up, one with a spirited gaze, remarkably marked as a one-star unit witch. Duchess Igraine indeed had some unique qualities, giving birth to a natural-born witch and later King Arthur.

"In the name of God and the gods!"

Duncan placed the Oathkeeper Longsword gently on Moloss' small shoulder. This sword named 'Oathkeeper' also appeared in the tales heard by the Britons.

He looked down at all present and said in a deep voice, "I, the lord of Southampton, the one who shot the King of Kent, defeated the leader of Hosa's allied forces, successfully repelled the invading Saxon pirates on Great Britain."

"Hereby officially confer the Duke of Dingtiger's eldest daughter, Moloss, as the next Duchess of Cornwall!"

"Cornwall County will remain her enfeoffed land."

"She will rightfully inherit the Duke of Dingtiger's estate, including castles, manors, lands, and more."

Duncan did not slap this little girl as he would a knight during knighting; that would be too brutal.

The entire lord's hall was silent as death.

Not only Duchess Igraine, but even Duke of Dingtiger, on the brink of death, sat up, breathing rapidly as if experiencing a flash of resurgence. He stared at Duncan with shock, seemingly not expecting Duncan to be so generous.

King Arthur was not his son, but these three daughters were his own flesh and blood.

Duncan wanted only military power and armies; the Duke of Dingtiger's wealth could be kept, and the title of Duke of Cornwall would be inherited by his eldest daughter. This might be the first underage female duke on Great Britain!

"I know some of you expected I would seize the duke's title, usurp Duke of Dingtiger's wealth."

Duncan sneered with disdain, stating slowly, "But everything I desire, I will take on the battlefield!"

"Since the alliance remains, let the Oathkeeper witness all that transpires today!"

In the lord's hall, Clegane was visibly moved, leading the Sarmatian riders in kneeling on one knee. Subsequently, those lordly knights loyal to Duke of Dingtiger also knelt on one knee.

Crow Queen Triss breathed heavily, her eyes fixed on Duncan, never shifting away for a moment.

Beside her, the veiled witch's eyes suddenly gleamed brightly!

Below the steps.

Duncan took Moloss' small hand and walked up to the lord's throne but didn't let her sit down, allowing her instead to stand by his side.

Many lordly knights slightly bowed their heads and said, "Duchess Moloss!"

They knelt on one knee to Duncan, but to Moloss, they only slightly bowed their heads to show respect for the duchess's position.

All came to an end.

Duke of Dingtiger took one last look at Duchess Igraine, his expression seemingly showing a trace of relief, his hand slowly fell, and before dying, his gaze was on Moloss beside Duncan, revealing the last smiling hint of comfort.

A true man takes the world on horseback, no need to bully orphans and widows!

With Duke of Dingtiger's violent demise, Duncan formally conferred his eldest daughter, Moloss, as the next Duchess of Cornwall in the lord's hall. Everything that happened today spread like the wind across Great Britain.

— Oathkeeper Duncan.

King Uther never had a chance to touch any of this; Duncan had already effectively taken control of all of Duke of Dingtiger's domain.

.........

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