Warhammer Divine Throne

”I have never, at any time or place, forbidden knights from using artillery, my champion.” The Lake Fairy immediately understood Laine’s meaning, the Goddess smiled and shook her head repeatedly: ”My champion, if you can obtain artillery technology from the dwarves, that would naturally be the best. However, you must note that the descendants of Charlemagne on the other side of the mountain have agreements with the dwarves. They jointly guard the secret of gunpowder. The dwarves are a stubborn bunch, you should first think about how to make them willingly manufacture artillery for you.”

”I have a way for this, my Lady, as long as you allow me to use it.” Laine nodded repeatedly, with the Lake Fairy’s approval, this matter would be much easier.

The Divine Chosen Champion faintly sensed that the Lake Fairy was actually a Goddess who understood compromise and weighing pros and cons very well. The Eight Virtues of Chivalry she left behind were over-interpreted by knights as rigid dogma. Firm belief is beneficial in resisting Chaos corruption, Brittania’s Chaos corruption is relatively lower compared to the Empire, but it also leads knights towards conservatism and arrogance. We can only say everything has its pros and cons.

”Once your tower is built, it will be my permanent residence in the future, my champion, close your eyes, I have a gift for you.” The Lake Fairy signaled Laine to close his eyes.

After Laine closed his eyes, he felt a soft dragonfly-like touch on his face.

What is this?!

”Hahaha~” The Lake Fairy’s laughter still echoed inside the room, but apart from the brightness and the fragrance of the iris flowers on her body, there was no trace of the Goddess in the Prayer Room.

Laine opened his mouth, unsure of what to say, and after a long time, he felt exhausted, so he left the Prayer Room, returned to his main bedroom, took a casual shower, and fell asleep instantly.

Laine, having had a large amount of spiritual energy extracted, rested for more than a day. After all, he is the Emperor’s son and the Genetic Primarch of the Grey Knights, recovers quickly. The Baron couldn’t rest indefinitely, as there were many matters in the territory that required his attention.

In early November, Brittania finally welcomed the first snow after entering winter.

In the early morning, Laine woke up, the Holy Grail Knight fetched a bucket of hot water, and then comfortably soaked in a bath, hanging his legs on the edge of the wooden tub, with Ollica serving beside him.

”Awake so early, my Great Knight?” The lazy Jialan Witch lay on the master bedroom’s large bed, resting against the soft pillows, her face full of a flush, evidently having a good time last night: ”Won’t you rest for a bit longer?”

Outside the window, large feather-like snowflakes were falling, this year’s climate was somewhat unusual, normally, the first snow wouldn’t be so heavy.

”Today I need to check the situation at the workshop, I heard from Kasenberg that about seven or eight dwarf craftsmen came to the workshop and requested to reorganize the entire facility, demanding a lot of manpower to help them out, just returned with other matters, now as the lord, I should go check it out and maybe have a talk with him too.” Laine stood up directly from the wooden tub without reservation, Ollica took out a towel to dry him, then he dressed himself: ”Want to go with me?”

”Hmm~ Speaking of which, dear, I thought you were already preparing that tower for me when I saw it, quite unexpected…” Veronica uncovered the quilt, the witch didn’t explicitly say, but Laine, who understood her, knew the witch was planning to go with him to check out the workshop: ”Let’s talk on the way.”

”Hmm.”

The two changed clothes, summoned Tax Officer Gaspardon and Steward Kasenberg, and took a few soldiers along downstream of the Xinong River. Along the way, the flying snow covered the ground, turning the entire Baron’s Domain into a vast expanse of white. The biting cold wind swept across the fields; most peasants had locked their doors tightly, only a few were still working.

On the road, Laine happened to meet Half-Elf Estelle, accompanied by two Eternal Guards and several Woodland Guards. The Half-Elf and Wood Elf were clad in fur coats. Upon seeing Laine, Estelle paused for a moment and called out: ”Lord Laine? You are back?”

”Yes, I’ve returned, what’s up Estelle? Where are you headed?” Laine asked.

”Ah, I am taking them to the riverside blacksmith workshop to retrieve weapons; winter has arrived, the tree spirits have fallen asleep, and our king stepped into the flames turning to ashes, only returning in the spring.” Estelle’s face didn’t look well, as he explained: ”So, during winter, the forest can only be guarded by ourselves, we need sufficient weaponry.”

The Wood Elf’s King of the Forest, Olein, and his wife Airel would die in the flames each winter and revive the following spring. Summer is the time when their mana is strongest.

”Just right, I’m headed to the blacksmith workshop as well, let’s go together.” Laine nodded, signaling everyone to proceed together.

The Wood Elf’s Eternal Guards were somewhat unwilling, first using disdainful glances at Laine’s followers and Gaspardon and Kasenberg behind him, then looking at Laine and Veronica with awe before finally agreeing. One of the Eternal Guards greeted in Elf Language: ”Hello, Lord Laine, I am Anas, captain of the Eternal Guard from the Eternal Forest. With winter arriving, we urgently need more ironware, ores, and food. But your subordinates cannot meet our demands, and that dwarf craftsman refused our orders. I hope you can help us.”

”Dear Anas, I have just returned to the domain and am not familiar with the current situation.” Laine shook his head: ”I believe based on our original agreement, our production here should meet your requirements. Did Eslelin add more orders or make emergency requests?”

The Eternal Guard remained silent, Estelle seeing this, smiled wryly, and spoke to Laine: ”Laine, we encountered trouble. Val Anvil Forest was invaded by the Shadow Demon Beast Group, severely affecting iron production, and for ores, we are almost entirely reliant on imports from your side, which is why we temporarily need some ready weapons.”

”I understand, how about this, let’s talk while we walk.” Laine suggested.

So along the withering river, the group proceeded and conversed, Veronica constantly holding Laine’s arm, silent as a vase.

Interestingly, Tax Officer Gaspardon was quite enthusiastic with these Wood Elves, while the Eternal Guards tried conversing with him in broken Low Gothic, and Gaspardon was always responsive, whereas Steward Kasenberg showed no friendliness towards the Wood Elves.

No wonder, Wood Elves’ appearance and trade brought Laine great benefits, their exquisite handicrafts and jewelry necklaces were the most sought after by human nobles, consequently, the Wood Elves’ trading post provided Laine’s domain with lavish tax revenue. Gaspardon predicted this year’s tax revenue for the barony would exceed a thousand Gold Crowns.

But Kasenberg didn’t think the same. The Wood Elves’ relationship with human residents wasn’t good, peasants were afraid yet wary of the Sharp Ears, causing some incidents; Wood Elves and residents had disputes, all handled by Kasenberg, such conflicts were hard to resolve due to the Wood Elves’ special status in Laine’s territory, hence, Kasenberg showed no friendliness.

Along the way, they briefly discussed the existing issues, and along the Xinong River, Laine and the group arrived at the Blacksmith Workshop hosted by Dwarf Blacksmith Delong-Feinson. The black walls and roofs were now covered by the snow, with black smoke occasionally emanating from the chimneys.

”Eh?” Laine squinted, noticing a large human figure hammering iron inside the blacksmith workshop.

Brother?