"One of the volumes is sealed within Brittania, I can sense it's within the Borelion Duchy. My godson, it's time, it's time to unfold our plan, we've been preparing for years."

"The Blood Red Duke has proven to be incompetent; pure warfare can't defeat these knights riddled with Chivalry Syndrome. We need to infiltrate, and then collapse this country from within."

"I will definitely destroy this hypocritical realm built upon lies and deceit, Godfather!" the young voice was filled with hatred and pain: "I will end it all with my own hands and longsword."

"Very well." The hoarse voice was filled with a kind of unexplained joy: "Besides, we have another target."

"And that is... she's always been elusive, but we can..."

"Let's begin the action."

......

Five days later, Laine happily awaited the meeting with Surya.

The female knight came with her maid Sylvia, along with five knight escorts. They were loyal Winford family knights, specifically here to protect their lady and attend to her travels.

At this level, Surya, being a Marchioness, naturally wouldn't handle any trivial matters herself, and her maid Sylvia rarely did so either. Proper preparations for travels were left to the servants.

Laine also didn't plan to bring too many people; as per his plan, he only brought Amelia and his steward Kasenberg, along with five soldiers. It took just over a day to travel from Baron Gene's Domain to Bodlukes, and the journey wasn't dangerous.

Conveniently, Laine had a luxurious carriage prepared, so he arranged for the three girls to rest inside, while he rode on his pure-blooded elf warhorse Grapes, positioned in front of the carriage, chatting with his steward Kasenberg.

"The weather is getting colder; once we're back in Gene, we can start preparing for winter." Laine lifted his head; the cold autumn wind cut like a bone-chilling blade, howling past. Compared to Nord, Brittania wasn't as cold, yet its coastal and humid climate made the chill of the wind remarkably strong. The somewhat frail Amelia was directly ushered back into the carriage by Laine to wrap herself in blankets for warmth.

"Indeed, this year has been a bountiful one, my Baron. We can have a good year; it's all thanks to the Lady's blessing." Kasenberg nodded, a look of satisfaction on the steward's face: "My Baron, may I speak to you honestly?"

"Go ahead."

"I always thought that as a Holy Grail Knight, you wouldn't be too interested in governing your territory, but my Baron, your talent in internal affairs is truly outstanding. It seems like you don't need much assistance; you handle many things well on your own." Kasenberg spoke calmly.

"But it's because of that, I need you all. I am ultimately a Holy Grail Knight serving the Lady, not a courtier." Laine first nodded, then shook his head: "My main focus will still be on warfare."

"Then please allow me to continue assisting you, my Baron." Kasenberg immediately said: "We need each other."

"Perhaps that's the case." Laine agreed to the steward's request; based on the past few months' performance, he was indeed very competent: "By the way, can you tell me about your past? What was your family's occupation?"

"Executioners, my Baron. I am a descendant of Baron Bafel; of course, that was five or six generations ago. Baron Bafel was once a renowned executioner in Winford, specializing in executing rebels and cultists, who were tied to the pyre and pierced to death, then completely burned to ashes."

"Oh, that's quite a bloody profession," Laine remarked.

"Yes, my Baron, but unfortunately, as I'm not from the direct line, I couldn't inherit any position or fief. My family couldn't afford to equip me as a knight, but I knew I could become a courtier. I believed it was my destiny; when Lord Laine appeared before me, I knew it was time to seek opportunities." Kasenberg continued.

"That's indeed the case..."

Outside the carriage, the conversation continued, while inside the carriage, the three girls were whispering among themselves.

Amelia wore a brown leather jacket, with a white blouse underneath, a blue scarf, and a brown skirt. Her deerskin boots were placed by the carriage door, her legs wrapped in black thigh-high stockings. She bundled herself in a blanket, prompting teasing from the other two female knights: "Amelia, we told you, Brittania isn't like the Empire or Nord; the climate here is damp and feels very cold."

"Ugh, Sister Surya, Sister Sylvia, please don't tease me anymore," Amelia said a bit aggrieved: "I just... I just..."

"Hahaha~" Sylvia and Surya both laughed, fully aware of Amelia's little thoughts, as they themselves were also dressed in short skirts and stockings but with more experience, they wore long cotton socks over their stockings and specially wore warm bear fur coats.

Seeing Surya's dignified and graceful demeanor, Amelia felt a mix of heartache and self-pity. Almost nonchalantly, she mentioned: "How nice, Sister Surya, Mr. Laine invited you as his companion. When we were in Marinburg, he used to say if he couldn't find a companion, he'd take me instead."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.