The son of the God-Emperor in Warhammer Fantasy

Spring, Count of Glamorgan's Territory, Lake Fairy Tower.

In the tower corridor, Ryan, dressed in an earl's suit, followed behind Morgiana, reporting a series of events that had occurred in Bordereaux.

Morgiana, wearing a vanilla rose-scented silk gown and a floral crown, floated barefoot in the air. She listened attentively to Ryan's report, her brows furrowed: "So, you believe the intruder was Matthew Bard, and it was Fiona, Duke Berleon's granddaughter, who brought him in?"

"Is there any other explanation?" Ryan spread his hands, helplessly saying, "Unfortunately, there's no evidence."

Ryan detailed to Morgiana the sequence of events from before the banquet began until its hasty conclusion.

After the banquet, through checking the guest list and questioning the guards, Fiona from Berleon was immediately listed as a suspect. Firstly, her male companion, Dominic, mysteriously disappeared. This knight from the Duchy of Berleon was last seen near the corner tower, the same place where the intruder escaped the castle.

The guards also confirmed that Fiona and Dominic had rudely refused a search while together, leading to her being put under house arrest, awaiting further judgment.

However, the subsequent search yielded surprising results: the real Dominic's body was found in the castle garden. He had been killed on the day of the banquet, clearly indicating that the intruder had impersonated Dominic to enter the castle. Fiona claimed to be a victim as well, stating she had no idea Dominic had been killed.

Ryan knew there was definitely something fishy going on. Fiona undoubtedly brought Matthew Bard into the castle, but due to the evidence favoring Fiona and her firm claim of innocence, the privileged Fiona was released. She immediately left Bordereaux amidst curses, returning to Berleon.

Many at the banquet had suspicions, but without concrete evidence, they couldn't judge a member of the first generation of the Twelve Holy Grail Knights' families. The case was temporarily closed and reported to the king and the Lake Witch.

Only the king and the Lake Witch had the authority to deal with Fiona.

For Ryan, the matter wasn't over. He came to discuss with Morgiana how to punish Fiona and exploit her relationship with Matthew Bard, as he had accidentally discovered their connection during a date with Sulia.

He had informed Morgiana about this, hence his visit to her now.

Initially, Morgiana was pleased to see Ryan visit outside their scheduled "once a week" time. The Lake Witch suggested they cook dinner together, but her mood soured upon realizing Ryan came to report a situation.

However, once Ryan promised to stay for dinner, Morgiana's demeanor brightened, and she listened intently to his report.

This Lake Witch's mood was indeed unpredictable, Ryan thought to himself.

"I know about Fiona," Morgiana said, walking alongside Ryan, contemplating the complexities: "Ryan, this isn't Korona. In Korona, I could personally have the Holy Grail Knights arrest Fiona for questioning. Now, with Fiona back in the Duchy of Berleon, she's protected by the kingdom's laws. The Lady's oracle states that members of the first generation of the Twelve Holy Grail Knights' families cannot be accused or privately punished without major crimes and solid evidence. You did the right thing."

"That's why she dared to challenge me and bring Matthew Bard to the banquet. She relies on her ancestral privilege," Ryan nodded helplessly, "Unfortunately, we have no solid evidence to prove Fiona's connection with the vampires. If I hadn't overheard their conversation in the windmill, I wouldn't have made the connection."

Such situations were frustrating, like what Ryan encountered. Bretonnia's requirements for punishing knights were stringent, especially for the first generation of the Twelve Holy Grail Knights' families. Without conclusive evidence and a trial by the king or the Lake Witch, no one could detain, arrest, or interrogate these noble members.

Members of the first generation of the Twelve Holy Grail Knights' families could not be accused or punished without charges of treason or blasphemy.

Given Ryan's relationship with the Lake Fairy, he might barely manage to accuse Fiona of treason or blasphemy. But doing so would disqualify him from being a Holy Grail Knight, making him no different from Fiona, who misused her privilege.

Ryan wouldn't succumb to such behaviors.

However, this didn't mean Ryan had no means to deal with Fiona's arrogance.

"Fiona clearly has ties with Matthew Bard, whether active or passive, but that doesn't matter. We should turn the situation around, Your Highness. Please order the Lake Seer to launch an investigation into Fiona. We have enough reason to suspect her of colluding with the vampires. During the investigation, temporarily strip her of the privileges of being a member of the first generation of the Twelve Holy Grail Knights' families," Ryan's eyes were sharp. "By extending the investigation, Fiona will truly experience the consequences of losing her family status, which will be devastating for her. That's our opportunity."

"Agreed." Morgiana immediately understood Ryan's idea.

The investigation would essentially yield nothing, but that didn't matter. Ryan's true intention was to strip Fiona of the protective aura of the Berleon Ducal family.

The status drop from a highly esteemed position to being under suspicion was enormous. Ryan knew Fiona well; her spoiled and privileged upbringing would make her crumble under such pressure. Eventually, she would instinctively seek help.

From whom? Duke Theodoric?

That man was already gathering over two hundred knights to seclude in the Lady's convent in Bastogne.

The only one left was Matthew Bard.

Morgiana quickly grasped the cunning nature of Ryan's plan. It adhered to the kingdom's laws and the Lake Fairy's rules but carried a ruthless courtier's touch. In his sixth year in Bretonnia, this champion chosen by the gods, now in his thirties, was maturing politically.

Ryan's main reason for visiting the Lake Fairy Tower was to discuss this matter with Morgiana. Once decided, he relaxed, and the two walked through the corridor. He casually asked Morgiana, "My Lady, are you feeling better recently?"

"My movements are no longer an issue, and my magic has mostly recovered. Currently, my strength is back to the legendary peak. To fully restore my divine power, I need to retrieve the Elixir Grail." Morgiana, seeing Ryan's concern, looked slightly happier as she replied, "Don't worry about me. I'm fine here. You just need to visit me on time."

"Retrieve the Elixir Grail? I have no idea where the vampires might have hidden it. Perhaps we need to send someone to investigate Mousilon." Ryan was very concerned about Morgiana regaining her strength. The Lake Witch's power could change the entire knight kingdom's fate, both in battle and daily life.

"The whereabouts of the Elixir Grail remain unclear. I still need some time to recover until I can sense its location. Once I have a clue, I'll inform you."

"Alright." Ryan and Morgiana entered the dining room, where the ingredients were already prepared.

This wasn't Ryan's first time tasting Morgiana's cooking. Since moving into the Lake Fairy Tower, Morgiana had ample free time. Besides occasionally issuing the Lady's oracles and admonitions to the knights seeking enlightenment, she was very free. Her main tasks were tending to the herbs and a small vineyard left by the Lake Fairy.

For certain purposes, she began practicing cooking, gradually trying to make food and some pastries, which she served to Ryan during his weekly visits.

The dining room had a distinctive high elven style, emphasizing nature's integration with architecture. The design focused on a natural return to the soul, giving off a rich atmosphere. The open-space structure, ubiquitous flowers and greenery, and finely carved furniture created an idyllic vibe. Everywhere, from the bedside lamp's floral patterns to the gently rocking chair by the window, exuded a sense of leisurely and sunny contentment.

The dining room layout was clear, with the dining table and chairs all in off-white, slightly engraved, their curved armrests and legs giving an elegant and noble feel. Paired with white scroll-patterned curtains, crystal chandeliers, floor lamps, and vases of lilies, a fresh romanticism permeated the room.

"Ryan, try this." Morgiana opened the oven and took out a freshly baked Bretonnian pie, her exquisite and cold face now showing a faint joy. She placed a plate of pie before Ryan: "Tonight's first dish is a traditional dish from northern Bretonnia, the famous Cornish pasty."

The golden-brown crust, resembling a large dumpling, encased the steaming filling. Ryan took the pie from Morgiana, bit into it, and soon squinted with pleasure: "Delicious. Hmm... beef, cabbage, potatoes, onions, and pepper. Morgiana, did you add some pepper?"

"Pepper to remove the gaminess." Morgiana, seeing Ryan enjoy it, had a rare look of satisfaction on her typically cold and serious face. She sat beside Ryan, her hands clasped on the table: "The Cornish pasty comes from Cornet, invented by the Cornwall family, the family of Lawn-Lion Cornwall. It's not difficult to make and is one of our traditional foods since the kingdom's founding."

"Indeed, it's delicious, soft, and flavorful." Ryan nodded, eating two pies in a row.

Next, Morgiana served grilled lamb chops and fish and chips. According to her, she was currently studying various dishes from the northern coastal regions of Bretonnia.

Unlike the affluent and fertile southern Bretonnia, the northern coast, constantly raided by northern barbarian pirates and dark elf raiders, was not abundant in resources. The locals' food was simpler, with quick preparation and immediate consumption, favoring pasties, pies, fries, grilled

 meat, and jellied fish.

In southern Bretonnia, the dishes' delicate flavors, delicious sauces, and ornate table settings were almost an art form. For example, in the Duchy of Winford and the Duchy of Bordereaux, the variety of dishes and unique cooking methods were unparalleled.

The two used knives and forks to cut the lamb chops, the tender fat and fibers releasing a pleasant aroma under the silver cutlery. Ryan gently lifted a piece of lamb chop and, seeing Morgiana also picking up her cutlery, decided to strike up a conversation: "Speaking of which, I thought Duke Theodoric, after committing such a grave offense, wouldn't have many knights supporting him. But I heard that hundreds of knights wish to follow him."

"Theodoric de Berleon is a direct descendant of the first Duke of Berleon, Baldwin. As you know, Theodoric is a drunkard and a womanizer," Morgiana answered, her expression somewhat conflicted. "But you might not know that he is also a very powerful warrior."

"I know that," Ryan nodded. He hadn't seen Duke Theodoric's prowess firsthand, but there were plenty of reports within the kingdom. The duke always fought with a battle axe blessed by the Lake Fairy, reaping enemies with it. He neither used a lance nor a sword and shield. Many formidable foes had met their end under his axe. In terms of martial skills and brute strength, he was among the top warriors in Bretonnia.

Years ago, at the knight tournament, the final contenders were François and Theodoric. It was said that Theodoric still harbored resentment over his defeat, which spoke volumes about his strength.

Unfortunately, he was also a womanizer, especially fond of various illicit relationships, and it was no coincidence that he was caught having affairs with many noblewomen.

"The Theodoric you see is like two different people. On the battlefield, he's proud and brave, always leading the charge and returning with injuries. He treats his soldiers well, often dining with knights and soldiers, sharing hardships, which makes many knights in Berleon idolize him. In life, he is a patron of poets and bards, a lover of creating poetry, especially celebrating forbidden love," Morgiana continued, "This leads to a polarized reputation in his duchy. Many adore him, and many loathe him. When his opponents demand his exile, he never lacks supporters."

"Yes," Ryan acknowledged. A person couldn't be simply categorized as good or bad. People were always complex.

The atmosphere at Morgiana's dinner was harmonious. Watching Ryan eat her meal, Morgiana felt deeply satisfied. After several dishes, Morgiana brought out a tray from the oven: "This is the last dish, Ryan. This is the most famous dish from northern Bretonnia."

Ryan carefully observed the tray. The food looked like a baked pastry with bacon, parsley, and minced onions on top.

But that wasn't the main point.

The main point was that the baked pastry had eight fried sardine heads sticking out, their "cute" faces all facing upwards, mouths half-open, looking at the ceiling.

"This dish is called 'Stargazy Pie.' Try it, Ryan."

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