Warhammer Divine Throne

"Today’s battle was truly perilous, we almost failed." Mogiana said softly, the Lake God Witch leaning against Laine’s chest, "Are you injured?"

"It’s nothing, mostly bruises and scratches. A day or two of rest will be enough." Laine shook his head, "Now that we’ve successfully defended the Sharp-Top Palace, the next step is to mobilize the Free People to transport supplies, and after the spring planting concludes, we’ll gather all the troops and completely recapture Musillon along the Grismore River!"

"I should have displayed more combat power, but I’ve just recovered the Potion Chalice." Mogiana complained somewhat discontentedly, "The mana stored in the Potion Chalice has been out of my hands for too long. It’ll take me a while to regain control over it."

"It’s okay, you’ve done well already." Laine said softly, drawing Mogiana into his arms and kissing her on the lips, "Rest for now, you’re tired too."

"I’m tired, but are you?" Mogiana indeed felt exhausted; the Lake God Witch closed her eyes. A small foot wrapped in thin flesh-colored stockings hooked onto Laine’s calf, she lightly tapped his chest, "One more time before we rest? Whatever you like, it’s up to you."

"...Alright."

... A separation line of exhaustion ...

Meanwhile, north of Musillon, near Richard Castle, along Musillon’s coastline.

Lorne-Rio Cornwall, along with his attendants, was staring afar beyond the coastline. The cold winter’s sea breeze howled with an icy chill. Among the waves crashing against the rocks, Duke Lorne-Rio Cornwall stood together with Duke Aldred of Leonais and the Holy Sanctuary Holy Grail Knight, Count Kaled-Galament, gazing at a spire beyond the coast—a black granite tower struck by relentless waves, carrying a hint of the Elf Empire’s architectural style.

The spire faced constant battering by the sea waves and storms; now it has fallen into disrepair, yet this place bears Brittania’s most haunting memories. Lorne and the others revisited these grounds, and many knights sighed at the sight of the spire.

The tower stood far from the coast; the narrow stone bridge had collapsed. Knights now had to brave the sea and storms by boat to reach the spire, climb to the top, and leap into the tower.

This tower was the famous Dor Tower where the most renowned "Dor Tower Incident," also called the "Fake Holy Grail Incident," occurred.

In brief, after the Mad Duke Meroving incident, the Duchy of Musillon was drastically demoted, with most northern lands granted to Leonais, while the remaining ducal title was changed to Duke of Connaught. Duke Madred of Connaught possessed a narrow yet prosperous Duchy of Connaught, plotting constantly to restore his past glory, conspiring for years with his magic consultant Marford.

The opportunity arose unexpectedly—the Knight King "Justice Julius," fighting the Northern Barbarians’ invasion north of Leonais, perished alongside a Chaos Champion. With the Knight Kingdom’s throne vacant, Julius having no heir nor appointing a successor, his daughter proclaimed a matrimonial challenge across the Knight Kingdom: whoever avenged Julius might marry her, succeeding Julius’s Leonais ducal titles; the vacant Knight’s Throne meant another King Selection Council had to be convened.

Madred saw his chance, proclaiming with his magic consultant Marford that they had swiftly found the Holy Grail and lured the then Lake God Witch to Musillon. At Musillon, Orianna, the ruling Lake God Witch was ensnared in a trap and imprisoned in Dor Tower.

Two versions of the story follow: the first claims Madred publicly pronounced marriage to the Lake Fairy (some say Lake God Witch), affirming his legitimate claim to the Knight’s Throne; the second alleges Madred publicly proclaimed finding the Holy Grail and was chosen by the Lake Fairy as Knight King.

Later events unfolded as many knew: with the Lake God Witch missing, the link between the Lake Fairy and Mortal World was severed. Despite Holy Grail Knights dreaming revelations that Madred’s Holy Grail was counterfeit, they couldn’t prove it, sparking civil war until "Rose Knight" Taylor rescued the Lake God Witch passing by Dor Tower.

The Dor Tower Incident marked Brittania’s Golden Era ending, plunging the Knight Kingdom into decline following this event. The crowd gazed at the distant Dor Tower, mostly left with sighs.

Silence lingered a while until Lorne-Rio Cornwall spoke, the duke looked somewhat vexed, "When will our allied forces arrive?"

Duke Aldred of Leonais remained silent, Lorne’s immediate close attendant responded, "Imperial reinforcements have already reached the Le Anglong Duchy; they’ll arrive shortly."

"Hmm, we need the Imperial Army’s assistance." On hearing this, Lorne’s furrowed brows finally relaxed somewhat.

Standing nearby, Kaled felt an emotion stir within himself, yet said nothing.

Kaled-Galament undoubtedly shared a closer relationship with Laine; typically, he’d be within Laine’s ranks. However, Kaled remained influenced by the late Jules’s stance—Jules served multiple times as head of the Holy Grail Knight Order’s branch in Kulona and maintained closer ties with Richard. To Kaled, Jules had been both mentor and friend and even considered a brother-in-law. When Lorne extended a heartfelt request for assistance through a letter, Kaled found it hard to refuse. Bearing the intent of offering Richard one final aid, he led his dozens of escorts, departing Bastogne to report to Leonais.