Laine just felt it was a difficult question to answer, so he simply shook his head to indicate that it was okay.

The young Count pondered the significance of Duke Bodric sending his legitimate son to welcome him and show him around Boldro. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Duke Bodric was releasing a political signal, aiming to subtly express support to Laine. His heir coming to greet Laine indicated that, in the royal contention, the Boldro Duchy was standing on his side, or at least not opposing him.

Most importantly, it’s because he can bring substantial benefits. Looking at the bustling castle, Laine thought to himself.

So the question arises, how can he obtain the Duke title before Lorne inherits the throne?

The issue is complex, Laine decided not to think about it for now. Regarding the throne, he knew it ultimately had to be discussed with the Lake Fairy, but the damned Elf Gods were in yet another internal feud. A fleet of Dark Elf Black Arks landed in Ossuan’s Cosque Kingdom and poisoned all the water sources, leading to a rampant plague. The High Elf God of Wisdom, Hos, proposed using Secret Divine Art to cure the afflicted elves but was refused by the Lord of Phoenix Asuyan. Asuyan not only refused to let Hos treat the High Elves of Cosque Kingdom but also ordered the burning of Hos’s Divine Art Scrolls, thus triggering a new round of disputes among the Elf Gods. As the Moon Goddess among the High Elves, Lilith had to personally try to concoct potions herself, which is why she hasn’t appeared for some time.

"Which dukes will be arriving at the banquet this time, Lord Fidmund?" Seeing Laine not speaking, Surya knew her husband was thinking again, so she smoothly took over the topic.

"Duke Lorne of Connet, Duke Hubeard of Kakasong, Duke Bohemond of Bastogne, Duke Fulcard of Montfort, and Duke Hagen of Jisoleox, Duke Aldred of Leonais will arrive here to congratulate. It’s said Count Taobot, the king’s representative, will also arrive." Fidmund nodded politely to Surya, thinking that Laine’s wife is indeed a beauty, just not sure how Countess Eva chosen by his father compares to Marchioness Surya.

Fidmund took everyone around for a while and then took his leave, leaving Laine, Alfred, Surya, and Amelia. Surya held Laine’s hand and stood aside, while the little maid held the Marchioness’s hand following on one side. Alfred watched Fidmund’s departing figure and said to Laine: "I think I’m not his match."

"Unexpectedly, it won’t be long before he becomes the new Duke of Boldro." Laine whispered to Alfred, "It’s very necessary for me to maintain a good relationship beforehand."

"Are you also seeking the help of the Sea God Knights, asking them to assist you in attacking the Black Stone Stronghold?" Alfred laughed, "Good friend, how big of an army are you planning to organize?"

"I don’t plan to ask the Sea God Knights for help; I just hope they won’t stab me in the back when the time comes." Laine watched the Sea God Knights patrolling the streets, knowing that mountain combat doesn’t benefit from larger numbers, as Sea God Knights excel in naval and plain battles.

"Has that chatterbox Dwarf King agreed on a time to launch the attack?" Alfred continued questioning, as always, this childhood friend of Laine rarely takes off his armor, even when attending a banquet, he remains fully armed.

This is a kind of asceticism, the Templar Order knights emphasize through this method that victory cannot last forever. As guardians of order and opponents of evil, they must remain vigilant at all times, as the great threat of Chaos often comes not from outside, but from internal corruption and degradation.

Belgar Iron Hammer naturally hoped to borrow enough knights from the Knight Kingdom to capture Eight Peaks Mountain. However, Laine spent three whole days convincing this Angland Clan king, sincerely expressing that the duty of knights is to defend the homeland. Organizing a massive knightly army for such a large-scale expedition is extremely difficult, even as the Lake Fairy’s Divine Chosen Champion, Laine could not do it; knights must have justifiable reasons.

Laine promised Belgar that if he was willing to gather a dwarf army to assist Brittania in capturing the Black Stone Stronghold, the stronghold would be directly given to Belgar and his Angland Clan as a temporary resting place, base, and future colony. After having such a fortress, Belgar could gather his clansmen, resume production, preparing for retaking Eight Peaks Mountain.

Similar to dwarfs, Brittania knights believe in the Knightly Path. After the dwarfs lend a hand to help the Knight Kingdom solve a significant problem, Laine would have reason and excuse to persuade Lake God Witch Mogiana to call upon the kingdom to organize a knightly army to assist Belgar in reclaiming Eight Peaks Mountain.

This is called having a justified reason.

Persuading stubborn dwarfs is indeed very difficult. Fortunately, Belgar is not a fool, especially after three failed attempts to reclaim Eight Peaks Mountain. The King of Eight Peaks, having learned lessons, knows dwarfs desperately need such a powerful heavy cavalry unit. When dwarfs and Greenskins fight, they often only rout the enemy; losing means they can’t run, winning means they can’t catch up. The main reason for failing to achieve complete victory is dwarfs lack cavalry.

One crucial reason for the good relationship between dwarfs and humans is complementary advantages. Dwarfs with powerful infantry corps like to collaborate with the Imperial Knight Order during combat, aiming to fill the gap of lacking cavalry. Belgar thought Imperial knights are mere juniors compared to Brittania knights; dwarfs need the best.

Belgar proposed three conditions: Laine must personally participate in the attack on Eight Peaks Mountain; all supplies and commissions for attacking the Black Stone Stronghold must be borne by the Knight Kingdom; the knightly army for attacking Eight Peaks Mountain must consist of no fewer than three thousand knights.

As a return, if Eight Peaks Mountain is successfully recaptured, Belgar promised Angland Clan could sign a "Holy Alliance" with Laine (similar to the empires’ pact with the Dwarf Supreme King) and share one-fifth of all wealth sealed in Eight Peaks Mountain.

The terms were reluctantly agreed upon. Laine immediately sought his father-in-law, Francois, who promptly stated the commission and supplies for attacking the Black Stone Stronghold would be borne by Winford Duchy. Duke of Winford’s Family and Heinrich Kemler, the Undead Grand Mage, have a blood feud; Francois dreams of splitting the remaining half of Kemler’s head into two.

"The time for dispatching troops is tentatively scheduled after next year’s spring harvest ends; the Knight Kingdom needs time to recover. Belgar has already written to dwarf kings and his estranged clansmen seeking help, all of which take time." Laine said to Alfred, "Prepare first."

"Hmm, it can only be this way." Alfred looked up to find the group at the door of a shop with a large bird logo, depicting a pink-faced Echo Bird perched on a branch.

The shop sign featured a huge purple "X" Ring Seal symbol and the store name "Marc Dorcel" written behind.

This is the renowned Brittania fashion brand ’Woodpecker’, famous throughout the Old World. Marc Dorcel is the founder’s name of this fashion store, selling various women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories inside.

"Let’s go in and take a look!" Surya and Amelia saw the store, their eyes shining, the Countess immediately pulled the little maid into the shop to shop, with Alfred following up to complain to Laine, "Speaking of which, why is the logo an Echo Bird, the founder is Marc Dorcel, yet we call it Woodpecker?"

"It seems to be a translation issue. Initially, there was a Knight King who didn’t recognize the Echo Bird and adamantly called it a Woodpecker, so the name stuck. Hundreds of years later everyone calls it Woodpecker, used to it and never changed." Laine casually responded, being quite familiar with the brand as Amelia and Ollica’s maid outfits, stockings, and high heels at home are custom-made from this brand.

"So that’s how it is!"

"Ah! It’s you!" At this moment, an arrogant and unreasonable voice rang out behind the two men: "What are two men doing here?! So disgusting, hurry and get out!"