PS: Finally had time to code the second update today, asking everyone for more support!

Walking alone in the castle courtyard garden, Mathew Bade’s face gradually turned grim and mad.

Even the most reckless Duke of Musillon, Akhan’s godson, Mathew Bade knew that time was running out for him. Musillon’s situation was deteriorating, and the vampires’ grip on that land was slowly weakening.

When did the situation start to spiral out of control?

Mathew Bade recalled the situation. It was probably five years ago when the flood in Musillon began, summoned by the Lake Fairy, which destroyed the entire Duchy of Connaught. Since then, Musillon’s condition had worsened every year.

The whole Blood Knight Banner Team disappeared while attacking Laine’s territory, followed by the Battle of Turis Castle. The Red Duke died, and Akhan tried to sneak attack Laine’s territory but encountered some extremely terrifying entity, resulting in the annihilation of the elite vampire army.

This was a fatal blow to Musillon. Due to the failure of the plan, Akhan had to set out in search of the Witchcraft Crown, Nagash’s Crown, while Vampire Count Manfred was ordered to attack Skaven’s Magic City to find Nagash’s Sword.

Otherwise, the army that Musillon had accumulated over hundreds of years wouldn’t dare say it could confront all of Brittania; at least, it could handle the alliance army of three or four dukes.

After these several huge setbacks, the army left to Mathew Bade was very few, and he had no choice but to take this desperate measure. Didn’t Mathew Bade know his plan was very risky?

No, he knew too well, but he had no choice. If he continued being content with the status quo, he would be waiting for death! How long had it been since Duke Lorne’s knightly army reached Musillon City’s gates? The corpse of the Blood Red Duke, who died outside Turis Castle, was still silently watching Mathew Bade, the self-proclaimed new Duke of Musillon!

He had no choice but to gamble for a chance to reverse the situation; otherwise, it was a slow death. Mathew Bade, taught by Akhan since childhood, knew well what he should do.

Vampires were also lurking in Boldro. Undead Mage Farah and several vampires infiltrated and bribed Duke Bodric’s quartermaster, buying an already obsolete catapult at a high price. This catapult was severely damaged and couldn’t be repaired. Its load could no longer hurl stones; at most, it could throw something weighing one or two hundred kilograms. The quartermaster considered it useless and reported to Duke Bodric to dispose of it as scrap, transferring it at a low price, which was approved.

The catapult couldn’t throw boulders, but it was enough to hurl a person. The vampires planned to tie Farah to the catapult and use it to launch the undead mage into the castle. Once the undead mage bypassed the castle’s barrier, he could directly summon the Black Chalice Knights lurking outside into the castle! 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

He just checked, and as expected, weapons were prohibited at the banquet venue. Even several dukes didn’t carry weapons, except that damned Temple Knight who was still fully armed. Mathew Bade noticed only Mr. and Mrs. Laine and their little maid had swords, which was against the rules, but since it was Laine, the guards said nothing.

Once those powerful Black Chalice Knights storm into the banquet venue, it would be a massacre.

"Ma... Dominic, what are you doing here? Washing your hands all the way to the garden?" While Mathew Bade was pondering, the sound of high heels came from beside him, and Fiona walked up with an impatient face: "Did you come into the castle just to admire the flowers?"

"Why aren’t you at the banquet venue?" Of course, Mathew Bade wouldn’t go to the banquet center; he was still somewhat afraid of being discovered, especially by Duke Bohemond and Laine, both real powerhouses whom Laine and Surya had seen before.

Luckily, there were many people today, with hundreds at the banquet venue.

"What’s so good about staying at the banquet venue? It’s just a bunch of Holy Grail Knights boasting to each other." Fiona stared at Mathew Bade, her expression shifting back and forth on her face, and she continued: "Now can you tell me why you insisted on attending this banquet?"

"Fiona, I’m sorry about the previous incident. I hope you can understand me; I have my reasons, Fiona." Mathew Bade immediately acted pitiful, looking like a wandering knight disheartened, very glum: "I’m now a fugitive wanted by the Kingdom. Just because of winning the runner-up in the Knight Contest later, and lacking evidence, these master knights don’t dare to publicly deal with me. I must find a way to clear my name."

"I’ll support you." Fiona didn’t quite understand how Mathew Bade intended to clear his name, but the noble lady was determined to support this "poor soul" before her eyes.

For it wasn’t Mathew Bade who was wrong, but the entire Knight Kingdom’s decaying aristocratic system. To clear Mathew Bade’s injustice, Fiona was willing to face the whole world with him.

Duke of Borelion’s granddaughter made up her mind; no matter what, she would stand by Mathew Bade.

"Alright, let’s go into the castle to see where the wizard is."

"Okay."

...

At the banquet venue, Laine, Bohemond, Hubert, and Lorne-Rio Cornwall, along with other Holy Grail Knights, were gathered around the central round table. This was an honor exclusive to Holy Grail Knights, as in this country, only Holy Grail Knights could sit at such a cherry wood round table at the banquet.