NOVEL WEB Chapter 414: Chapter 415: Reflection
"This matter must be handled cautiously. We can't afford to lose more troops," Mathubad said, sitting in the black carriage, his face filled with hatred and resentment. After two inexplicable losses, Mousilon's undead army was at its historical lowest point.
When Arkhan left, he took most of the combat-ready troops, leaving Mathubad with a group of the old, weak, and sick. The most elite remaining were two Tomb Ghoul units, two Grave Guard regiments, a group of Bloodthirsty Ghouls, and a squad of Blood Knights.
Then there were the last ten Black Grail Knights.
The Black Grail Knights were extraordinarily powerful, stronger than ordinary Grail Knights. Thanks to Arkhan's special formations and secret methods, each Black Grail Knight's death transferred all their remaining power, combat skills, and experience to Mathubad, ultimately leading to his transformation.
However, now was not the time to sacrifice all the Black Grail Knights for his own power. Mathubad had other plans for this elite unit.
"Penetrating Bordeleaux won't be easy, my duke, especially during the banquet. The wizards hired by Duke Bodrick will raise a barrier around the venue, detecting any unwelcome guests. Without being able to infiltrate, the Black Grail Knights can't ambush the nobles," the necromancer Fatahir said in his dry voice. "We need a way to get inside the banquet."
"There's only one invitation, for two guests." Mathubad took out the invitation, looking at the gold-embossed text with a flicker of emotion.
He had obtained it through Fiona, the granddaughter of Duke Theodoric of Berleon. Fiona still harbored feelings for him, believing he had left without a word due to a misunderstanding. She waited in Couronne for three months before returning to Berleon, refusing to believe Mathubad was a traitor. She thought he was a wronged knight oppressed by the nobles, caught by Sulia and her group. The invitation was secured through her, exploiting the chaos in Berleon's court after Theodoric's downfall.
"One invitation isn't enough for all the Black Grail Knights to infiltrate," Fatahir shook his head. "The nobles are also formidable knights. In this country, no noble can't ride or wield a lance. We have only one chance. If the nobles prepare for battle, we'll lose the opportunity."
"I know, Fatahir! You don't need to instruct me! The archmage left you to help me destroy this country, not to command me!" Mathubad's unnaturally handsome face twisted with anger. "I have my ways. You just need to follow my orders."
"Yes." The necromancer's face shifted, but he ultimately bowed his head.
"Bordeleaux's defenses are strong but not flawless." Mathubad pointed to the map. "The wizards will raise a barrier, but there will be no defense above the castle. We need to create chaos at the banquet, then send you in from above. You can then teleport the Black Grail Knights into the banquet hall for the slaughter."
"Create chaos? But the attendees are..." Fatahir still doubted, shaking his head. "The guests are nobles, wizards, and guards. What chaos could make them neglect the dukes' safety?"
"There is a way. You might not know, but Bordeleaux has a traditional performance for grand celebrations and banquets." Mathubad's eyes gleamed as he pointed to the map. "It's called 'Hero vs. Dragon.'"
"This is our perfect opportunity to create chaos."
The black carriage, carrying dark secrets, entered a narrow alley. Mathubad had a hideout here where they would begin preparing their plan.
...
"The banquet preparations are underway. We've prepared hundreds of livestock for slaughter, along with a large quantity of flour, fresh vegetables, and fish. Although I think it's unnecessary to go to such lengths, my father insists," Federmond explained to Ryan and his group as they walked through Bordeleaux's streets. "Moreover, the famous performance 'Hero vs. Dragon,' which hasn't been held for twenty years, will be staged in Bordeleaux Castle's banquet hall. It will be a magnificent spectacle."
"Oh, I've always heard of a magical dance in the Empire called the Bretonnian Dance. I must see it this time," Templar Knight Alfred said excitedly, looking around. "Wow, so many seafood dishes. I've heard Bordeleaux's cod has a unique flavor."
"Yes, this banquet will certainly satisfy you." Federmond's gaze lingered on Ryan and Sulia, the Grail Knight forcing a smile. "I'm sorry I couldn't attend your wedding."
Ryan, unsure how to respond, simply shook his head to indicate it was fine.
The young count pondered the significance of Duke Bodrick sending his heir to welcome him and show him around Bordeleaux.
Duke Bodrick was sending a political signal, subtly expressing support. By having his heir welcome Ryan, it showed that the Duchy of Bordeleaux stood with him or, at least, did not oppose him in the royal contest.
The main point was the wealth Ryan could bring. Watching the bustling castle, Ryan thought.
The question now was how to secure a duchy title before Lauen ascended to the throne.
The issues were complex, and Ryan decided to set them aside for now. The throne would ultimately need to be discussed with the Lady of the Lake. However, the elf gods were once again embroiled in internal conflicts. A dark elf black ark fleet had landed in the kingdom of Chrace on Ulthuan, poisoning the water sources and causing a plague. Hoeth, the god of wisdom, proposed using divine magic to cure the infected elves, but Phoenix King Asuryan refused, ordering the destruction of Hoeth's scrolls. This sparked a new round of disputes among the elf gods. As a high elf moon goddess, Lilith had to personally attempt to concoct a cure, so she hadn't appeared recently.
"Which dukes will attend the banquet, Lord Federmond?" Seeing Ryan deep in thought, Sulia smoothly took over the conversation.
"Duke Lauen of Connet, Duke Hubald of Carcassonne, Duke Berchemont of Bastonne, Duke Fulcard of Montfort, Duke Hagen of Gisoreux, and Duke Aldrel of Lyonnaise will attend. The king's representative, Count Taubert, is also expected," Federmond politely nodded to Sulia. The new Grail Knight thought Ryan's wife was indeed a great beauty. He wondered how Countess Eva, his father's chosen bride, would compare.
After showing them around, Federmond excused himself. Left were Ryan, Alfred, Sulia, and Amelia. Sulia held Ryan's hand while the young maid clung to the marquess' arm. Alfred watched Federmond leave and said to Ryan, "I don't think I can match him."
"If all goes well, it won't be long before he becomes the new Duke of Bordeleaux," Ryan whispered to Alfred. "Building a good relationship now is necessary for me."
"Are you seeking the Sea God Knights' help to attack the Blackstone stronghold?" Alfred asked with a smile. "How large an army are you planning to organize?"
"I don't intend for the Sea God Knights to help. I just hope they won't stab us in the back." Ryan glanced at the Sea God Knights patrolling the streets. Mountain combat wasn't suited for large numbers, and the Sea God Knights excelled in sea and plains battles.
"Has that talkative dwarf king agreed on the attack timing?" Alfred continued. As usual, Ryan's childhood friend rarely removed his armor, even for a banquet, emphasizing vigilance against both external and internal chaos.
Belagar Ironhammer, king of the Angrund clan, naturally wanted to borrow enough knights from the kingdom to reclaim Karak Eight Peaks. It took Ryan three days to convince him that knights' duty was to protect their homeland, making it challenging to organize a large knightly army for such an expedition. Even as the Lady's champion, Ryan couldn't command knights without justification.
Ryan promised that if Belagar assembled a dwarf army to help Bretonnia conquer the Blackstone stronghold, the stronghold would be given to Belagar's clan as a temporary base and future colony. With such a fortress, Belagar could gather his people, resume production, and prepare to reclaim Karak Eight Peaks.
Like the dwarfs, Bretonnian knights valued chivalry. After helping the kingdom solve a major problem, Ryan could persuade the Fay Enchantress Morgiana to call for a knightly army to aid Belagar in reclaiming Karak Eight Peaks.
This was justifiable.
Convincing stubborn dwarfs was difficult, but Belagar wasn't foolish. After three failed attempts to reclaim Karak Eight Peaks, he knew a powerful cavalry force was essential. Dwarfs often struggled against greenskins, unable to achieve total victory due to their lack of cavalry.
Dwarf-human relations thrived on complementarity. Dwarfs enjoyed "collaborating" with Empire knights to offset their lack of cavalry. Belagar thought that Imperial knights were lesser compared to Bretonnian knights, so they needed the best.
Belagar set three conditions: Ryan must personally participate in the Karak Eight Peaks attack; Bretonnia must bear all costs for the Blackstone stronghold assault; the knightly army for Karak Eight Peaks must number at least three thousand.
In return, if successful, Belagar promised the Angrund clan would form a "Holy Alliance" with Ryan, sharing one-fifth of Karak Eight Peaks' wealth.
Having reached a tentative agreement, Ryan sought his father-in-law, François, who immediately agreed to cover the costs for attacking the Blackstone stronghold. The Duke of Winford had a personal vendetta against
the necromancer Heinrich Kemmler and dreamed of decapitating him.
"The attack is tentatively scheduled for after next year's spring planting. The kingdom needs time to recover. Belagar is writing to dwarf kings and his scattered clan for help, which takes time," Ryan told Alfred. "Let's prepare."
"Yes, we can only wait." Alfred looked up, realizing they had arrived at a shop with a large bird logo—a pink-faced echo bird perched on a branch.
The shop's sign featured a large purple "X" emblem and the name "Marc Dorcel."
This was the renowned Bretonnian fashion brand 'Woodpecker,' known throughout the Old World. Marc Dorcel was the founder's name, selling various women's clothing, shoes, and accessories.
"Let's go in!" Sulia and Amelia's eyes lit up, and the marquess pulled the young maid into the shop. Alfred, following behind, quipped to Ryan, "Why is the logo an echo bird, the founder Marc Dorcel, yet we call it Woodpecker?"
"It seems a translation issue. A knight king misidentified the echo bird as a woodpecker, and the name stuck. After centuries, everyone calls it Woodpecker out of habit," Ryan replied casually. He knew the brand well, as Amelia and Olica's maid outfits, stockings, and high heels were custom-made from this brand.
"That explains it!"
"Ah! It's you!" A rude voice rang out behind them. "What are two men doing here? Disgusting! Get out!"
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