End of March, Old World, Brettonia, Boldro, Manannan Dry Dock.

Merchant ships and passenger vessels from all over the Old World are arriving at this excellent deep-water port to dock and load or unload goods. In recent years, due to the partial opening of Brittania, the number of adventurers seeking opportunities has gradually increased.

High Elves’ ocean-going giant ships also appeared at the dock.

"Welcome to Boldro, Boldro Manannan Dry Dock No. 3 is here to remind you, there are thousands of routes at sea, safety is the first. If you don’t navigate by the rules, your family will weep twice."

The dock tax collector appointed by Duke Boldro Bodric is leading the tax collectors, loudly saying the warnings embellished by the court courtiers.

Recently, Duke Bodric of Boldro has been in a great mood. Due to the trade agreement signed by Laine and Tygris, which specifies that trade must go through Boldro’s port, this Duke has gained a very substantial profit from this trade agreement.

Following that was the return of Fidmund, the eldest son of Bodric, who completed the Holy Grail expedition after 18 years. Recently, Bodric’s mood has been excellent. He requested his courtiers to come up with a port slogan that is warm and friendly enough, and does not contain any threatening or warning words.

The courtiers racked their brains and came up with this barely satisfactory slogan. Although Bodric felt it was quite different from what he had imagined, the Duke, in a great mood, did not care about these details anymore.

Under the spring sunlight, Bodric was walking on the walls of Boldro Castle with his eldest son. He was wearing a sea god-blessed full mithril plate armor in yellow and blue, with a giant Sea God Trident cloak at his back. He walked to the edge of the battlements, looked at his prosperous and rich territory, and said to Fidmund standing behind him, "The future here will belong to you, my son."

"Father... why host such a grand banquet?" Fidmund directed his gaze at the ocean-going giant ship of the High Elves. The Holy Grail Knight also wore a sea god-blessed full mithril plate armor in yellow and blue, but his cloak had a golden Holy Grail pattern emblazoned on it. At the top of his cross helmet, a golden sea monster held a Holy Grail, standing proudly before others. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"What’s bad about it? I want the whole kingdom to know that my son has completed the Holy Grail expedition and has become an honorable Holy Grail Knight." Bodric turned his head to look at his son, casting a meaningful glance at Fidmund’s face: "Of course, more importantly, introducing you to the great nobles of the kingdom. You have been on an expedition for eighteen years, the situation of the entire kingdom is already different, Richard is about to abdicate, in the ever-changing royal court, our Boldro Duchy should also make our choices."

"I thought after drinking the elixir from the Lady’s Holy Grail, I wouldn’t need to consider these things anymore, but it seems that’s not the case." Fidmund, whose appearance looked no more than twenty, was actually nearing fifty. The newly ascended Holy Grail Knight spoke with determination: "I’ve heard bits of the kingdom’s affairs during my travels, and after returning here, I spent quite some time understanding them. The Knightly War, the Battle of Kulona’s plains, the invasions from the Northern Barbarians, and so on. It’s a shame about the death of Knight Commander Jules. His Majesty Richard’s rule is too old-fashioned. As for Count Laine Macado, whom you often mention, I can’t judge him yet. He is a man of both ambition and strength, and seeing his actions, it’s clear why the Lady chose him as her Divine Chosen Champion. That’s all I can say."

"Laine Macado is a human hero that words can hardly describe." Duke Bodric nodded, his crow’s feet deep at the corners of his eyes: "How you perceive him is up to you, soon you’ll meet him and his wife, Marchioness Surya. Laine is the Lady’s Divine Chosen Champion, and Marchioness Surya is also a Knight favored by the Lady. And his brother... Anyway, you will know then."

"As usual, the old rascals Bohemond and Francois are still sitting in their duke positions. Bohemond is approaching a hundred years old, but with his Holy Sanctuary Peak strength, he likely has three hundred more years to live." Duke Bodric strolled slowly, his armor clinking with metallic sounds: "Francois’s strength is not much inferior to Bohemond’s. He’s also chosen a good son-in-law, ensuring at least several hundred years of peace for him and his family. These two old bastards had the qualifications to compete for the king’s position at the last King Selection Council. However, they both had their reservations. Francois’s lack of interest in the throne is one thing; his presence suppresses the kingdom’s borders. With him around, the Undead Grand Mage Heinrich Kemler can only hide in the Gray Mountain Range without daring to make a move. Bohemond, on the other hand, has no interest in being king at all. Among all the dukes in the kingdom, his internal affairs ability is probably the worst. He clearly prefers fighting as a Holy Grail Knight, rather than getting involved in the royal court’s whirlpool."

Fidmund remained silent, following behind Duke Bodric, listening quietly to his father’s analysis.

"Moreover, other current contenders for the throne include Duke of Connet, Lorne-Rio Cornwall and Duke Hubert of Kakasong." Bodric continued: "Among them, Richard favors Lorne-Rio Cornwall as a successor. Despite being only in his forties, Lorne-Rio Cornwall is already a Legendary High-Tier Holy Grail Knight. He’s not only adept in commanding, excels in personal martial valor, but also possesses outstanding internal affairs ability, and is one of the champions chosen by the Lady."