Warhammer Divine Throne

"Ah! Is Lord Laine leaving tomorrow?!" Juan was evidently surprised by this news.

"Could we be fortunate enough to invite Lord Laine to the pavilion for a few words?" Duke Margaret Rubio sincerely invited: "Our Sunwatcher Family has a small request."

Sunwatcher Family... The name of the Sun Chaser Family flashed in Laine’s mind; that family was indeed a major table set.

Estalia naturally was also one of the High Elf colonies in the Old World; supposedly the surname of the Sunwatcher Family originates from the High Elves, and this human family possesses traces of elf blood, although it’s already quite diluted, faint signs can still be seen in Rubio and Juan’s brows and eyes.

As a guest, Laine need to respect the host.

Under the escort of many Flying Eagle Knights, the three sat in the pavilion, an attendant offered tea and snacks, Duke Margaret Rubio earnestly and seriously expressed his request to Laine.

He wishes to send his son Juan Carlos the Sunwatcher to serve under Laine and become an official knight under his command, not as an intern but permanently, and in the future, Juan would fight as Laine’s subordinate.

The Duke sending his legitimate son to become Laine’s subordinate is not something particularly surprising for Laine, in fact, he was quite accustomed to it, as many Ranger Knights and even Kingdom Knights under his command hailed from noble families of Brittania.

Noble families that produce knights often send their sons to other knight families for training, and many great noble families also regularly send non-heirs to serve other lords, letting them find ways to earn a noble title, there’s nothing strange about this; given Laine’s reputation, he has this confidence, as an acclaimed human hero of the Old World, many nobles send their children to serve under him.

"Are you serious, Rubio? If he becomes my subordinate, he must abide by the knightly spirit and the Knightly Path, fighting against evil to the death. I will neither show him favor due to being a duke’s legitimate son nor will I oppress him deliberately because of his status; his future path depends entirely on himself." After hearing Rubio’s purpose, Laine said seriously.

"I swear by the name of Mirmidia! I will dedicate my life to Lord Laine!" The young Flame Sun Knight’s eyes burned with fervent fire, he clenched his fists, knelt on one knee, his short curly brown hair slightly messy, and spoke loudly: "Please believe me, Lord Laine!"

"Juan is my son, Lord Laine, I entrust him to you until Juan earns his noble title or until my death; all his wages will be drawn from the Margaret Duchy’s treasury." Rubio added, "I have already prepared Juan’s full set of knight equipment and warhorse; attendants and escorts as well."

With matters settled, Laine had no objections. Juan himself was a formal Flame Sun Knight who completed all courses at the War Goddess Academy through self-reliance; his strength was roughly Elite Middle Tier, a potential asset delivered without maintenance cost — Laine had no reason to refuse.

Seeing Laine nod, Juan cheered loudly several times, the young Flame Sun Knight immersed in joy, eager to proclaim it to everyone in the duchy.

Inspired by the young man’s exuberant expression, Laine smiled, knowing the lad might not sleep well tonight — a common issue among youth, reminiscent of his own experience when he received his knight title for military merits.

Today’s Juan, yesterday’s Laine; knightly legacy thus passes through generations, like the flower of hope, binding knights together.

After briefly instructing about tomorrow’s departure time, Laine bid farewell to Duke Margaret and his future subordinate and agreed to meet in the morning; it was getting late, and he realized it was time to return.

The banquet at the Eastern Palace was also drawing to a close, Knight Order Grand Master Enzo Moretti, after finally reaching a reconciliation agreement, had two drinks with Fidmund and left; Veronica indulged in a few more cups to pave more trade routes, Jialan Witch took this chance to acquaint with key members of the Estalia Merchant Alliance.

There weren’t few banquets in Laine’s territory; as the hostess, Surya was always a master of graceful hospitality; a few words from Surya sufficed in hosting every attendee well. Compared to naturally gifted Surya, Veronica was slightly lacking in this regard; however, Jialan Witch diligently learned and had done quite well; the major merchants knowing she was Laine’s female courtier, enjoying legal status and protection, were willing to show her respect, maintaining a relatively harmonious scene.

The most desolate was Temple Knight Alfred; Laine’s blond, blue-eyed childhood friend was drinking sullenly alone, as the merchants evidently disliked engaging with "overly righteous" Temple Knights. Seeing Laine arrive, Alfred stood up excitedly: "Laine, you’ve finally returned!"

"Why so eager for my return, Afu?" Laine chuckled, "Want to see your Miss Claudia? I think she may have finished her shift."

"No..." Alfred’s irritation rose upon hearing Laine’s words, "Best friend, you and Fidmund spent half an hour specifically advising me; do I seem like someone who can’t understand advice? I simply meant it’s time to return to the State Guesthouse to rest."

Laine pondered for a moment; he suddenly whispered to Alfred: "Afu, if you’re serious, if you truly fancy Miss Claudia, mention her name to Mr. Amancio now; it will aid your pursuit significantly, but ponder carefully over potential future happenings, nobody can predict them."

This was indeed a shortcut, at least Amancio surely would give Laine face, but it doesn’t guarantee the lady attendant would accept Alfred; the affair’s odds were more towards being a fleeting romance; in the open Southern Realm, such relationships were commonplace, Estalia’s fiery unmarried female citizens disregarded such matters.

This too was a plainly priced transaction.

Alfred fell silent, the slightly intoxicated Temple Knight straightforwardly spoke Laine’s subtext: "So she will be sent wrapped in a blanket to my room?"

"The choice is yours." Laine laughed, "Want to serenade in your room?"

"..." Alfred’s eyes flickered uncertainly, appearing contemplative; Fidmund also carried his glass over to the pair, the Holy Grail Knight spoke softly: "It’s about time, Lord Laine, let Lady Veronica and Mr. Alfred rest early, we depart from Margaret Duchy tomorrow morning, father’s Sea God Fleet is already near the coastline, ready to land."

"Hm." Laine nodded; it was indeed time to wrap up.

"Forget it." Alfred then gave his answer, the Temple Knight’s face seemed both diminished and augmented: "This holds no meaning; regarding this, I concur with you, Laine, you know my desire isn’t this."

"Glad to hear Mr. Afu has made his choice." Laine laughed heartily; he wasn’t surprised by his childhood companion’s decision.

Following his conversation with Amancio, the evening banquet officially concluded, the group returned to the State Guesthouse.

Under the envious and resentful gaze of several female attendants, Laine wrapped his arms around the radiant Veronica and carried her into the room.

"Dear~" The alluring Jialan Witch nestled in Laine’s embrace, her slender feet wrapped in flesh-colored stockings teasing the tips of black peep-toe high heels; Veronica’s cheeks blushingly red, her arms wound around Laine’s neck: "Want to serenade with me tonight just as you advised Alfred?"

"Absolutely." Laine gently kissed Veronica, "I can’t wait anymore."

...I am the lines marking a serenade...

Two days later, Estalia, on the Moros Plains.

Over a hundred yellow-blue tents emblazoned with the Sea God Trident sprawled over a kilometer.

Duke Boldro Bodrick lead the Sea God Knight Order and a few Escort Army units already stationed here; they’ll ambush the Rogue Knights.

The theft of the Sea God Trident was about to reach its conclusion.