Warhammer Divine Throne

”Alright.”

...…

The following seven or eight days turned out to be the most special time Laine experienced since arriving in Brittania. Despite his persistent concern about the unresolved knightly war, he found that time flew by quickly in the company of the duke’s daughter and the maidservant. Together, the three explored numerous sights large and small throughout the city, enjoying a unique joy under the beautiful autumn sunshine.

Meanwhile, at Kulona Palace, within the Throne Hall.

In the dim atmosphere, only a scant amount of light from the ceiling’s glass entered from above. Several magic lamps flickered with bright light.

The elderly Knight King Dinua Jean Richard de Le Anglong sat behind a tall wooden table, which was covered with numerous books and various artworks. Beside him hung a large map—precisely the map of Brittania’s twelve duchies.

The family crest of the Connaught Duchy was obscured by a prop tool, a painful acknowledgment that Brittania had already lost this duchy. During the last knightly war, Knight King Richard gathered the forces of five northern duchies, engaging the Blood Red Duke in a fierce battle under the capital of Connaught Duchy, Musillon City. Both sides suffered severe losses—the Blood Red Duke was defeated, retreating into Musillon with his ambitions curtailed, while the heavily wounded knights returned empty-handed again.

Richard felt agitated by the consecutive days of meetings. Even the best Dragon’s Saliva Fragrance burned in the room could not calm his mind. At times, he questioned whether he truly was the king of this country. Why couldn’t he host a grand funeral to posthumously honor his grandnephew?

The Arthur statue made of jade was placed at the back of the throne hall, accompanied by Jules—a knightly king who led Brittania to its peak, sacrificing himself for the nation in the end.

Richard never anticipated encountering such fierce opposition, creating unprecedented obstacles for the knightly king’s plans.

First came the opposition from Duke Francois of Winford and Duke Bohemond of Bastogne—as he foresaw.

Then, the resistance from Duke Louis of Connet—as he considered.

Next, the unexpected opposition from Duke Bodric of Boldro.

Lastly, even Duke Hagen of Jisoleox made clear objections to his proposal of a state funeral for Marquis Angxi, which was something Richard never anticipated.

”My truly trusted and most revered partner, Hagen, why do you choose to support Francois and Bohemond?” Richard privately found an opportunity to inquire of Hagen.

”It’s Marinburg,” Hagen shook his head, troubled. ”You know, that young man is Marinburg’s Guardian, and I owe Lord Schultz a substantial sum, quite a large amount.”

The king’s stance grew increasingly unfavorable in the throne hall. Despite all dukes agreeing to declare the war a victory, there remained no consensus on the rewards for Marquis Angxi and Baron Laine.

Francois, with a demeanor of confident control thanks to the Blessing of the Holy Grail, exhibited no fatigue during several days of meetings. He continued presenting his views: ”My Majesty, I hope you understand a fact—that Angxi did not devise this plan. Laine’s raid on Ten Thousand Demon Rock was entirely his own decision. Please do not discuss this matter with the pretext that ’this was part of Angxi’s plan.’ We all know the process.”

At this moment, another duke spoke:

”Indeed, precisely because of his foolishness, the entire force was wiped out. After failing to forcibly take Yulsen, he should have sought a rendezvous with Laine’s Right Army or retreated from the forest toward the nearest duchy, either Bastogne or Jisoleox, for assistance, instead of blindly charging at Yulsen Castle, ultimately leading to such a painful defeat.”

Bodric de Boldro, Grand Master of the Sea God Knight Order, Duke Boldro, Divine Chosen Champion of Sea God Manannan—his opposition stuck like a bone choke for Richard. This duke commanded over 80% of the kingdom’s naval fleets, forcing the king to consider his opinions in many matters.

Additionally, the seldom-speaking Bohemond further caused Richard deep unease, given the special status of Red Dragon Duke in this country, prompting necessary caution from the king.

”So, we believe that not holding a victory parade is acceptable, but first, the kingdom must bestow a First-class Grand Cross Medal on Baron Laine Macado, reward him with no less than two thousand Gold Crowns, equip no fewer than fifty soldiers with brand new gear, while simultaneously publicly honoring Baron Laine throughout the whole nation. Moreover, given the considerable losses the duchies incurred in this war, the kingdom must not initiate a new knightly war for at least three years, and exempt eighteen months of fixed military tax—that is our condition.” Francois maintained his poised expression: ”If His Majesty can agree to this condition, we might negotiate further on Angxi Desmond’s matter.”

Before Richard could respond, Duke of Leonais, Dalheid, was already finding the situation unbearable. This duke, too, was quite exhausted, gently tapping the long table before him, speaking in a muffled voice: ”We finally reached some consensus in certain areas, Francois, but allow me to remind you that it’s precisely Marquis Angxi’s sacrifice that enabled Baron Laine’s victory in the knightly war, and he never renounced his faith in the Lady, fighting to the last soldier. I believe he played an even more crucial role in this war, warranting a state funeral and a First-class Grand Cross Medal.”

”Additionally, I think we can renegotiate the rewards for Laine.”

”That’s my stance too. I know Laine Macado is Lady’s Champion, but I also think a First-class Grand Cross Medal is excessive—a Third-class Iron Knight Medal might be a more suitable reward. As for two thousand Gold Crowns? Goodness, doesn’t Baron Gene’s Domain annual revenue stand below eight hundred Gold Crowns? Moreover, isn’t the baron rumored to have amassed considerable spoils? Let’s go with eight hundred Gold Crowns?” suggested Duke of Montfort, siding with the king.

”I concur; thus, a Third-class Iron Knight Medal, eight hundred Gold Crowns, fifty sets of new soldier armor, is already an impressive reward,” Richard supplemented, feeling somewhat irritable: ”Regarding other matters, I promise not to launch a new knightly war within two years and to exempt one year’s fixed military tax.”

”So, about the state funeral and the First-class Grand Cross Medal, perhaps we can discuss further.” Francois realized after days of arduous negotiation, both sides had nearly laid out all their cards. Laine’s willingness to compromise offered some relief to Richard, though the cost shouldn’t diminish.

”This matter circles back to the core issue: holding a state funeral and granting the First-class Grand Cross Medal for Angxi is non-negotiable. He sacrificed his life for the knightly path! Francois, I don’t understand why you’re continually challenging a knight who died for the Lady over accolades.” Richard continued, his wrinkles growing more pronounced. Already over a century old, the king appeared increasingly aged following this ordeal.

This predicament also vexed Francois, for as he analyzed, it wasn’t suitable for Laine to compete with deceased for glory. Shifting his tone, the duke himself spoke: ”Then I also don’t comprehend your insistence on a state funeral and granting the First-class Grand Cross Medal’s significance—are you planning to ensure every marshal killed in knightly wars receives the same honor? If so, the state funeral and First-class Grand Cross Medal become overly cheapened.”

A tedious prolonged negotiation wound down as today’s meeting appeared set to conclude without resolution.

At precisely this moment, the throne hall’s doors gently opened under some formidable force, with an attendant swiftly jogging in from outside, rushing to Richard’s side to whisper.

”What? Her Highness Mogiana is here!” The king was very surprised: ”She’s already in the palace?”

”Yes, my Majesty.” The attendant said, somewhat fearfully. ”Her Highness Mogiana is on her way to the throne hall!”

Hearing this, all the dukes instinctively rose, anticipating the arrival of the fairy’s earthly spokesperson—the Lake God Witch Mogiana.

Twenty-five years ago, the Lake God Witch’s status in this country was completely realized during that event—she led the Holy Grail Knights into the Kulona Palace, promptly abolishing John II’s knightly king throne, rendering the tyrant mute and kneeling during the entire process.

Duke Francois of Winford curled his lips. He knew Mogiana came for someone.

The outcome was decided.