Chapter 1304 - 559: Kingdom Out of Control, Missing Horse

Chapter 1304: Chapter 559: Kingdom Out of Control, Missing Horse

The lights are lit every night in Kulona. The flames vary in different areas, some are advanced magic lamps while others are simple torches. Squads of mercenaries and peasant soldiers patrol the city walls and streets, and the millennia-old capital has shed the shadow of the undead, restoring order.

Within the private chapel of the Kulona Palace, the dome made of colorful glass reflects a kaleidoscope of hues. Imported carpets from Tiriel and exquisite tapestries woven by the Lake God Prophets decorate the room. Paintings and sculptures recording the great stories of ancestors abound, most notably the illustrious deeds of the first Duke of Connet, Caliod the Brave.

Caliod the Brave and the first Duke of Leonais, "The Bold" Sirulf, were brothers. As youths, they hunted together, encountering a lion unexpectedly while on the hunt. The surprising outcome was that the brothers teamed up to take down a grown lion, then wore the lion’s hide, becoming renowned throughout Brittania. After Arthur’s rise, Sirulf and Caliod joined the ranks of the Holy Grail Companions one after the other.

Thus, in the family crest, Connet features a red and blue leaping lion, while Leonais showcases a white background with a red flame-spewing lion. The choice of the lion as a main component of the emblems stems from this reason.

Later, the Duke of Connet (also known as Connet) more frequently occupied the position of Knight King, primarily because the capital Kulona is located within the Connet Duchy, giving the Duke of Connet more opportunities.

Lorne-Rio Cornwall, fully armed, kneels alone in his family’s private chapel room, carrying the weakness of one recovering from a severe illness.

The northern part of Brittania has become a nightmare land, plagued by undead havoc and incessant riots. Mathew Bade and his Undead Army have reached the front of Kulona, almost destroying the country.

Upon waking, Lorne found order restored, yet the remnants left to him were a shattered knightly class and struggling peasants in hunger. The capital remained untouched perhaps as the only good news, but the city buzzed with discussions about a dreadful matter: "Viper" Mathew Bade is the illegitimate son of Duke Lorne.

Lorne cannot offer any explanations. He neither wants to plead nor make excuses. An honorable Holy Grail Knight does not lie. He never intended to deny that Mathew Bade was indeed his bastard son. It is his sin, which he must bear alone.

The face of the mother of the child occasionally flashes before Lorne’s eyes. The Duke is engulfed in profound sorrow.

"Ultimately, I could protect nothing, not my family, not my children, not my subordinates, not even myself."

"Viper" Mathew Bade has perished on the banks of the Sannes River, defeated by Count Laine... who should now be the Duke of Musillon, leading a vast alliance army composed of Brittania Knights, Empire mercenaries, Dwarf allies, and the Wood Elf Army, sweeping across Musillon in an effort to reclaim the Kingdom’s territory lost for over three hundred years, while Lorne spent weeks recovering from severe illness and injuries.

Outside Richard Castle, Lorne nearly succumbed under Mathew Bade’s Viper Sword. It was his Horned Eagle Beast, Biquis, that saved him. For a long period, Lorne and his Horned Eagle Beast struggled to survive in the wild with grievous injuries, lacking food, medicine, and nearly losing their way in the wilderness.

The only salvation was the Kulona Sword in his hand. This divine artifact emitted bright radiance under any conditions, showing him the way. Warm currents incessantly flowed from the sword into his body, helping replenish his strength. The northern wilderness of Brittania was not a safe place, with raiding Norsca people, scattered Green Skin Tribes, and occasional undead nearly driving Lorne to despair.

He finally returned to Kulona, only to fall gravely ill.

Pain, guilt, sorrow, and shame nearly crushed Lorne. Many times, he was close to succumbing to the power of illness, and felt the call of hell. Only the Lady spoke to him in his consciousness. The voice of the Lake Fairy was gentle like unicorn fur, infusing Lorne with strength. Her divine power flowed into Lorne’s body, helping sustain his life. The Goddess encouraged Lorne to muster courage to face everything anew.

At that moment, Lorne was in extreme pain, unwilling to awaken to face reality. The Duke prayed to the Goddess to let him leave this world peacefully, grant him relief, end his duties and mission, and redeem his soul.

But his mistress refused. The Lake Fairy’s voice then turned sharp and cruel like the blade’s edge, coldly denying Lorne’s request. She calmly told Lorne that he could not end his duties, he could not seek relief in such a manner. Having enjoyed the gifts and honors of the Holy Grail, he must pay a corresponding price. He cannot just pass away. The Lake Fairy does not permit his cowardice and evasion. She does not agree.

A lifetime of knightly honor and pious devotion predetermined Lorne’s choice. He cannot refuse the Lake Fairy’s demands. He will comply; he must comply.