Chapter 1168 - 506: First Meeting
The young Flame Sun Knight was still sighing when they finally arrived at Gene Town.
Everyone dispersed here, with Veronica and Alfred parting ways. Veronica took a bag of Gold Crowns and returned to her Wizard Tower, eager to seize the summer days for training and experiments, while Alfred needed to head back to the Justice Church with a pile of unfinished business to attend to.
Only Laine, Juan, and Ollica were left returning to the winery. The Dark Elf hated the hot weather and spent her journey sleeping inside the carriage.
"Lord Laine, don’t you usually stay at the castle?" Juan asked curiously, his brown curly hair and dark eyes full of curiosity. Throughout the journey, this young Flame Sun Knight was a constant questioner, even inquiring about Laine’s breakfast preferences.
Ollica had already shown signs of impatience. The Dark Elf Maid just wanted to retreat to her room and rest. However, Laine, exhibiting great patience, explained to Juan, "Currently, my castle is under renovation, so I am temporarily residing at the winery."
"Oh, I see!" Juan didn’t care much about the answer; the young man was merely seeking conversation opportunities with Laine.
"Listen, Juan." Standing at the entrance of the winery, Laine began earnestly, "Now that you are in Brittania, you must abide by the rules here. Let me emphasize a few key points, and then I will introduce you to my wife, Surya."
"I am all ears." Juan nodded seriously.
"You might think that in Brittania, life will be akin to what you’re used to in Estalia, but you’d be gravely mistaken." Laine began his elaboration.
"Indeed, here in Brittania, a week consists of seven days, a year contains twelve months, people pray on Sundays, and just like in Estalia, we enjoy the same sun and moon."
"However, in this country, there is one aspect deemed of utmost importance: respect for the Lady." Laine continued.
"The Lady, the Lady of the Lake, the Guardian God of Brittania?" Juan held his helmet adorned with a golden sun ring sculpture, always insisting on being fully armed.
"Correct, and I’m sure you’re aware of Brittania’s history. This fertile land is a gift from the Goddess." Laine nodded, "For thousands of years, faith in the Lady has been deeply rooted here. I’m telling you this: you may choose not to believe in her, which is perfectly fine. People here have the freedom to choose their deities, be it the War Goddess Mirmidia, the God of Nature Tal, or the Merciful Goddess Shalya."
"But you must maintain respect toward her. Every year during major public holidays and special occasions, the Holy Grail Church hosts numerous events. I suggest you, as a new knight, participate more. I hope you learn about the Holy Grail faith to quickly integrate into our community. You can pray to the Mirmidia Goddess on Sundays without any issues, but when the knights gather to discuss the Lady’s blessings and the sacred Holy Grail, you must show your familiarity; otherwise, you’ll be considered an outsider."
"Understood! It’s like attending a class!" Juan said with a cheeky grin, "I will."
"Next is speech." Laine felt a bit helpless seeing Juan’s playful demeanor, but he couldn’t criticize him much, so he continued, "Dear Juan, I hope you realize that this isn’t Estalia. The lands here are noticeably closer to threats from the north’s Chaos. Certainly, the Chaos Evil God exists, and their threats persist in the world’s south and north. You must stay vigilant for traces of Chaos Corruption."
"But simultaneously, please refrain from discussing it in the same casual manner you would in Estalia’s streets. Even the most conservative discussions can attract the attention of the Lake God Prophet and Holy Grail Knights. In this country, things like human rights either do not exist or are incomplete. If the Lake God Prophet and Holy Grail Knights perceive that you are corrupted by Chaos, they can sentence you and execute punishment without a court or my permission. Though this is unlikely due to my presence, I still don’t want you to risk losing your life casually."
"I understand!" Juan now became serious, as no one wants to lose their life.
"Next is about the peasants." Laine maintained a calm expression, "In Brittania, peasants are regarded as the property of the Lords, who have the right to dispose of them, even if that disposal is unreasonable. This unreasonable phenomenon indeed exists, and I’m working to change it. However, under current laws, you must put away your tedious sense of justice. If peasants face unjust treatment, the knights they belong to or the village elder council will adjudicate the entire process. Even if you find the outcome unfair, please refrain from interfering."
"Understood." Juan’s expression gradually turned serious.
"Lastly, I must say, Brittania is not Estalia. In Estalia, you can travel along the main road, and danger is rarely encountered within twenty or thirty kilometers. But here, despite my yearly deployment to eliminate threats, the wilds still harbor traces of Greenskins, Beastmen, and bandits. For safety, until you reach the Legendary Tier, whenever you need to travel in the wild or forest, ensure you bring adequate escort or seek companionship from convoys or patrolling knights."