Warhammer Divine Throne

Looking at the man in his early thirties before her, as a Female Elder of the Jialan Council and a Holy Sanctuary Powerhouse, Lady Aurora felt overwhelmed with emotions.

When she first met Laine, he was still a somewhat shy Ranger Knight. Aside from thinking that this young man was quite handsome, Aurora did not regard him at all. During their chance meeting, Laine stood throughout and talked to her, but Aurora paid him no mind.

This is a common issue among the female spellcasters of the Jialan Council.

Later, when Laine, at the age of twenty-two, defeated the Beastman Beast King "Sharp Fang" Gor, was knighted as a Kingdom Knight, and joined the White Wolf Knight Order, Aurora began to think this young man was different. She started to claim herself as "Norman’s savior," and when Norman was old and suffering from rheumatism, Aurora reached out to help and visited the Autene Territory twice.

This meant Aurora was nurturing her ambition; her daughter was growing up, and she needed to choose a good husband. As for the impoverished Veronica? She thought a little maneuvering on her part, and Veronica wouldn’t be able to hold onto Laine.

So did Laine have feelings for her and her daughter?

It was certain that he didn’t have ill feelings, because during Laine’s ceremony as a Kingdom Knight, he pretended his spoon fell off the table and secretly peeked at them... such black history.

This was why she sent her daughter Teresa to work with Laine on a quest. The Holy Sanctuary Witch indeed harbored some thoughts; she viewed Laine as very promising and potentially the future real powerholder to aid her and her daughter outside the council.

Inside the council, Aurora and Speaker Margarita’s internal strife had lasted for decades, both needing more external support.

However, Laine’s growth far exceeded Aurora’s expectations, as this young man had now become a human hero renowned throughout the Old World and a Holy Sanctuary Holy Grail Knight.

Not only did Aurora fail to achieve her goal, but she also lost a daughter.

No one knew how Teresa was utterly captivated by Laine, not only building a Wizard Tower here but not even returning to the council. Watching the smiling Laine in person, Aurora was quite annoyed internally, recalling ten years ago this young man had to speak respectfully with his head bowed before her, yet now he seemed to take the lead subtly.

Yet she had to maintain enthusiasm on her face because Laine was no longer the same; he was now a real Count, one of the most powerful nobles in southern Brittania, and he had backing from the Lake Fairy Church and the Holy Grail Knight Order.

Aurora barely had time to ponder as Laine began applauding, and with his gesture, the dozen knights and dozens of fully armed soldiers near the wine estate simultaneously started applauding.

"Your territory is truly a gem of southern Brittania; your achievements... as radiant as the Morning Star in the northern sky." Aurora’s voice was deep as she painstakingly squeezed out this enthusiastic phrase: "I trust you’ve been well, Teresa, my daughter, how have you been lately?"

"I’ve been great, Mother, and I hope you have the honor this time to tour my Wizard Tower." Teresa was very excited about Aurora’s arrival,

"I’m looking forward to it." Seeing her daughter’s rosy complexion and the wealthy attire she wore, Aurora nodded internally.

When was the last time she spoke such flattering words? Aurora could hardly remember.

But times had changed, becoming a Holy Sanctuary Powerhouse at thirty versus sixty were two different concepts. Facing Laine’s current status, even Aurora had to lower her stature and engage as equals.

"Hahaha, Lady Aurora, we’ve known each other for many years, you don’t need to praise me like this, it’s uncomfortable for me, and I think you feel awkward saying it." Laine said with a smile: "It’s cold outside, I’ve arranged a banquet, welcoming the visitors from the Jialan Council to join us."

Too official! Too formal! Listening to Laine’s speech, Aurora almost instinctively frowned.

Had that shy teenager of his teens turned into such a mature, prudent man full of noble pleasantries, deeply strategic?

The mature lady felt somewhat agitated inside; she preferred the young Ranger Knight under twenty who spoke with his head bowed before her rather than the Divine Chosen Champion from the Lake Fairy before her now.

The slight agitation inside didn’t affect the long-sleeved adept Holy Sanctuary Great Witch, who wore a warm smile and slightly stepped aside. Only then did everyone notice roughly twenty witches stepping out behind Aurora. They uniformly wore fiery red Jialan Robes with standard knee-length dresses made of exquisite fabric. Among them were twelve official witches and eight witch apprentices, all under sixteen, seemingly the next group lucky to be sent to learn with Teresa.

It was very cold, and most witch apprentices were shivering, looking at Laine eagerly with hopeful eyes towards Aurora.

"Alright then, let’s go inside, please!"