The goddess's descent greatly boosted the morale of the expeditionary army. The knights and soldiers now felt the presence of the Lady of the Lake among them, realizing that their expedition had captured the attention of a deity.
What did this mean? It signified that the war had transcended the mortal realm—it had become a battle between gods. The expeditionary army understood that every battle from now on would be fought under the watchful eyes of the Lady of the Lake and the dwarven goddess Valaya. This realization, coupled with the goddess's blessing, caused the previously weary and battle-worn soldiers to brim with enthusiasm, eager to fight again.
However, both Belagar and Ryan remained calm and cautious about the situation. They knew the army needed rest, and the dwarven runesmiths required time to repair and upgrade the ancient ancestral armor. Thus, the expeditionary force continued to rest at the Temple of Valaya. In the meantime, dwarven rangers and Grail Knights organized two small scouting teams to explore the underground paths leading toward Eight Peaks Mountain. They confirmed once more that the greenskins and Skaven had not discovered the existence of this network of tunnels.
The Lady of the Lake didn't leave immediately. Instead, she made herself comfortable in Ryan's royal tent, sharing governance with him and helping manage internal affairs. Occasionally, she met with outsiders, though many knights lingered around the royal tent hoping to receive divine guidance or revelations. However, the Lady rarely appeared in public and seldom spoke with anyone below the rank of Grail Knights or baronial knights.
The only exception was the Old Guard, the elite force Ryan had personally assembled. The goddess favored this ironclad unit. She met with its officers three times, bestowing upon them the golden Fleur-de-Lis and the emblem of the Lake Goddess's crown. She blessed their banner and personally promoted one hundred peasant soldiers, who had performed heroically at the Battle of Valaya's Gate, into the ranks of the Old Guard.
This act of favor from the goddess left many knights feeling envious. After all, they had fought bravely too! Why hadn't the goddess granted them an audience?
Fortunately, the fighting prowess of the Old Guard had already won the knights' recognition and respect. Since this elite unit was mostly composed of native Bretonnians, the knights didn't hold a grudge, though some made snide remarks about not having the opportunity to prove themselves, vowing to earn their glory in future battles.
Among the promotions, two knights rose to the rank of Saint-level: Sir Julian Cahoun from the Duchy of Bastogne and Sir Touras de Changel from Lyonnaise. The Lady of the Lake granted Sir Touras, who was still an expedition knight, the honor of drinking from the Grail. Furthermore, she arranged for Sir Julian and Sir Touras, who had been assigned to guard a sacred site, to join Ryan's retinue.
Ryan immediately conferred titles upon them. Julian Cahoun was made the new Count of Rennes, taking charge of the northern stronghold of Rennes, ceded from Lyonnaise. Touras was named Baron of Loire, with responsibility for guarding the Arden Forest border of the Duchy of Mousillon.
Several other personnel changes followed. Durant replaced Blackheart Rep as commander of the severely depleted Bretonnian Independent Regiment, which had dwindled to around 200 men. Durant also received Blackheart Rep's sword, Blood of Valor, and Ryan promised to help replenish the regiment with the best weapons and ammunition, as well as restore its ranks, with the caveat that this would happen after the successful conclusion of the Eight Peaks Mountain expedition.
Durant, who had never imagined such fortune, was overcome with joy. The former mercenary leader couldn't contain his laughter, even though he was still mourning his comrades. His tearful yet jubilant expression drew sneers from many witches, though Ryan, understanding his emotional state, said nothing.
After the death of Estel, another half-elf named Dias took over the leadership of the Rangers, though Ryan wasn't particularly familiar with him. The promotion of Amedeo's lieutenant, Raymond, to legendary rank was also finalized, with another commander taking over the longbow company. The children of these fallen Old Guard members would automatically be granted reserve status and provided with basic education.
That evening, inside Ryan's royal blue-and-red tent lined with furs and rugs, the Lady of the Lake sat on Ryan's lap, one arm wrapped around his neck as she fed him grapes.
This was the favor Ryan had agreed to—an intimate gesture that left him both amused and speechless. The goddess had gone through all that trouble to extract this small act of affection, but her care and attentiveness made Ryan feel warm inside.
Watching Ryan's expression, the Lady of the Lake felt a surge of satisfaction. Despite his strength, Ryan was still too young and inexperienced in some ways. Her gentle methods were enough to keep him under control.
These grapes, cultivated in the valley of her tower, were a rare treat, personally nurtured by the goddess. She had brought them from afar for Ryan to enjoy. Fresh fruit had been scarce for the expeditionary force, with only dried fruit available in the supply line.
Still wearing the light, translucent white silk dress from the earlier military inspection, the Lady of the Lake snuggled up to Ryan, feeding him grape after grape. Her black silk stockings-clad legs swung playfully, her high heels dangling from her toes as she exuded the scent of irises. Clearly, she was relishing the moment. "Your Old Guard also shouts 'Hurrah,' don't they?"
"All over the Old World, except in the Southern Realms, people shout 'Hurrah.' It's an ancient battle cry used by the people of Turingia, Bretonnia, and Kislev. The exact meaning has been lost to time, but it always expresses a feeling of excitement and fervor," Ryan explained with a smile. "Back when Charlemagne founded the Empire, the White Wolf God of Battle, Ulric, made it the official battle cry of the Empire. But over time, people realized shouting a god's name in battle could sometimes catch their attention and even grant power. So 'Hurrah' fell out of use, except in Kislev."
"You could have the Old Guard shout my name instead," the Lady of the Lake said with a playful glint in her green eyes. "I'm more than willing to bless them."
Thanks to Ryan's reforms and his series of victories, the Lady of the Lake's divine power had reached its highest point in centuries. The fanatical devotion of the populace, the surging tithes, and the expansion of new territories had made her strong enough to rival the Elven Trinity.
"Next time, definitely next time," Ryan smiled, thinking that the goddess was trying to exert her influence over the Old Guard as well. Looking at her stunning beauty, he couldn't help but feel captivated, leaning in to kiss her soft, pink lips and gently redirecting the conversation. "Lilith, why are you wearing black stockings today? They don't quite match your outfit or jewelry."
"I never used to wear stockings," the goddess replied with a slight pout. "I only started because you like them!"
"But white stockings would match your outfit better today," Ryan teased as his hand slid along her black-stockinged calf, then he kissed her delicate foot encased in the sheer fabric.
"You're the one who said, 'Blonde is precious, but black stockings are even more so,' and now you're complaining?" The goddess, a bit annoyed, added, "Fine, I won't wear them anymore."
"No, don't do that," Ryan chuckled, pulling her closer. "I love anything you wear. You always look beautiful, no matter what."
"Do you say the same to Sulia?" the Lady of the Lake asked, her tone softening with a smile. "So charming with your words?"
"Occasionally, you already know that," Ryan responded, thinking to himself that she was always watching him anyway.
"Just make sure you treat me the same way you treat Sulia! Don't forget, I'm also little Devonshire's mother!" the goddess teased.
"Lilith, have you really fulfilled your role as a mother?"
"Of course, I have!"
In the underground temple of Valaya, where day and night were indistinguishable, Ryan and the Lady of the Lake found their own private joy.
... [Fun Divider Line] ...
While the expeditionary army rested in the underground temple, the news of the army's disappearance and loss of contact had spread throughout the Old World.
The dwarves at Seagate Pass and the garrison at Karak Kadrin were in a difficult position. The 4,000-strong garrison at Karak Kadrin didn't know whether they should attempt to rescue the expeditionary force or withdraw for help. Sending aid risked them never returning, but retreating would mean abandoning their allies.
King Beornoth of Seagate Pass also hesitated, unsure whether to send troops deep into the mountains to search for the missing army. But both the dwarves of Seagate Pass and the garrison had some faith in the expeditionary force, believing it unlikely that such a large army had been entirely wiped out. For the time being, they chose to stick to the original plan and remain in place.
In the Empire, the initial reaction to the news was concern. Emperor Karl Franz, who lacked sufficient troops for a grand expedition, was particularly worried about Ryan. The Empire had only recently formed an alliance and a peaceful relationship with Bretonnia. If something happened to Ryan, would the Kingdom of Knights uphold their agreements?
In the Empire, it was not uncommon for new rulers to immediately disregard prior treaties signed by their predecessors.
In response, Karl Franz summoned Rick Marshal Kurt Helborg
, ordering three units of the Reiksguard to be dispatched under the leadership of Rudolf Lichtenstein. They, along with a squad of pistoliers, were sent to Seagate Pass to gather information.
Meanwhile, in Bretonnia, the people refused to believe the rumors. After years of wars, Ryan had built an unshakable reputation and inspired limitless confidence in his people. Everyone from nobles to peasants had benefited from the expedition, and no one could imagine that the army had truly been lost. They simply waited for new updates.
Nonetheless, the lack of communication from the expeditionary force and its uncertain whereabouts began to affect the entire Old World. Rumors spread like wildfire. The once popular bonds of Eight Peaks Mountain quickly turned into a curse, with people fearing that they had invested in a lost cause. Panic spread, and citizens who had bought these bonds were filled with terror, especially the more anxious ones. They were quick to believe the worst, cursing their decision to trust the Bretonnians and rushing to sell their bonds, convinced they'd never see their money again.
The markets were thrown into turmoil. The bonds for Eight Peaks Mountain weren't just unsellable; the places selling them were swarmed by furious citizens, who hurled insults, vegetables, and graffiti at the sellers. Soon, all the places outside Bretonnia—particularly in Marienburg and the Empire—where bonds were sold had to shut down completely.
One group of people had been waiting for this moment for a long time: the merchant princes of Marienburg.
Their conflict with Ryan and the Eight Peaks Mountain expedition had been discussed many times before, so it needs no further elaboration.
After the news of the expedition's early victories, the merchant princes had felt as if they had been slapped in the face. They had been forced to watch as the Oliver Trading Company, Hadrian Trading Company, and the Estalian Merchants' Guild made immense profits from the expedition's spoils. The wealth generated by the expedition had created a new class of merchant nobles, and even the small-time traders who had followed the army to Seagate Pass, Karak Kadrin, and Iron Rock had made considerable money.
But the merchant princes could only watch enviously, drooling at the success of others.
Now, however, it was their time to strike back.
As soon as the news broke, a wave of media manipulation swept across Marienburg. The merchant princes, who controlled many newspapers, began a propaganda blitz. They printed countless copies of sensational stories and distributed them far and wide, even at a loss, ensuring that the news spread quickly throughout the Old World.
"Shocking! Citizens' hard-earned money is gone forever—he's behind the biggest scam of the century!"
"Unbelievable! To sell bonds, the Knight Kingdom resorted to this?"
"An in-depth look at King Ryan's closest women—what will become of them after the expedition's failure?"
"Top Ten Failed Human Expeditions—Eight Peaks Mountain only ranks sixth; you won't believe what's first!"
"How to Get Rid of Your Eight Peaks Mountain Bonds Quickly—Three Tips You Can't Afford to Miss!"
"The Current State of the Expeditionary Army: Men Will Be Silent, Women Will Cry. Don't Miss This Shocking Tale!"
"Terrifying! Eight Peaks Mountain Bonds Are on the Verge of Collapse—Explosive Secrets from Seagate Pass!"
By spreading fear and panic, the value of Eight Peaks Mountain bonds began to plummet. Countless citizens scrambled to sell their bonds, even at half the price.
In the chill of October, at the grand venue on Amber Avenue in Marienburg, the merchant princes gathered, laughing as they discussed how to drive Bretonnia to ruin.
Present at the banquet were the leaders of Marienburg's second-largest trading guild, the Gentlemen's Alliance, headed by Casanova; the Jutten Trading Guild, led by Van Hughmans; and the head of the city's underground organization, the "Charming Thief" Adabe Hensman. Also present were Claude Jonker of the Lucen Trading Guild and several other wealthy merchants.
The banquet hall was filled with fine wine, beautiful women, and exotic delicacies from across the Old World. Each merchant held a woman in one arm and a glass of wine in the other, laughing and chatting loudly.
"Our next move is to short-sell the bonds, then lead all the bondholders into a panic withdrawal. The first phase of bonds is almost due, and we'll make sure everyone demands their payout all at once," laughed Van Hughmans, the head of the Jutten Trading Guild. "Remember, there are two main points to emphasize. First, only accept gold and silver currency—no other forms of payment. Second, no delays allowed. Demand immediate payment, same day! We must ensure the Bretonnian royal family's credit and cash flow collapse!"
"Heh heh~" Adabe Hensman grinned with glee. "I'll personally go to Couronne to meet Queen Sulia. I'll even offer to raise money for a mercenary force to rescue her husband, or perhaps offer them a loan to help their royal family out of this mess~"
"But on one condition: she must dine with me."
"Hahaha!" The banquet echoed with raucous laughter.
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