Antelme’s request left Laine with no reason to refuse; he needed the power of the Quenalis Champion Knights Brotherhood, and naturally had to take on corresponding responsibilities.

However, he made it clear that Surya would not participate in this military action. Attacking the Black Stone Stronghold posed considerable risks, and his wife, the female knight, was more useful staying on the estate than going on the expedition.

Dinner was a delicious southern Brittania feast, including baked snails, wine chicken, pan-fried goose liver, fish soup, sirloin steak, baked snails, and grilled lobster. With the meticulous cooking of the chef brought by Surya, the food was especially tasty, and the chef carefully added truffles to the dishes, ensuring a joyful experience for both guests and hosts.

In passing, these southern great nobles also took the chance to disdain the northern people’s poor culinary skills and monotonous dishes.

After dinner, under the night sky, Antelme took the initiative to borrow some of Laine’s time for a walk, and Laine nodded, knowing the Count had things to say to him.

Under the boundless starry sky, the two Holy Grail Knights walked slowly through the forest near the forest cottage, illuminated by starlight. Laine fell half a step behind, pondering what Antelme might say to him.

He did not know much about the Count, only that Antelme was a very powerful Holy Grail Knight, adept with both spear and sword, around fifty to sixty years old, with many achievements to his name; he was Francois’ trusted cousin and an influential great noble of the Winford Duchy, doting on Surya.

He was considered an elder to Laine, and giving him some respect was necessary.

"Young man, I’ve watched all the events since you arrived in this kingdom; your ambition is great, you know?" The two walked through the forest for five minutes before Antelme pondered and continued, "Some might say, too great."

"I’m not really sure what you mean by that, Uncle Antelme." Laine naturally followed Surya’s example in calling Antelme uncle. In fact, upon arriving in this world, he found that addressing relatives here was far less complicated than in his past life in the Celestial Dynasty. One either called elders grandpa or grandma, uncle or aunt, regardless if they were cousins or not.

"Laine, I’ll call you that. You’re an outsider; marrying Surya is your fortune. In principle, our family generally wouldn’t marry a Duke’s daughter to a foreigner." Antelme turned to look at Laine. "But since it’s you, I have no strong objections. After all, you are the Lady’s divine chosen champion."

"And so?" Just from that, Laine could not discern what his uncle meant.

"However, Surya’s willingness to marry you does not mean you qualify to compete for the throne." Antelme continued, "I know you may be favored by the divine, you may be incredibly strong, you may be a hero of the kingdom, but to compete for the throne, you’re not qualified enough."

"I’m not a Duke." Laine nodded.

"Even as a Duke, you’re not qualified," Antelme retorted. The fine wrinkles at his eyes moved up and down as he spoke, "Laine, becoming a king is not so straightforward. Lorne has the support of the entire northern kingdom, and you? At most, only your cousins would stand up for you, right? Yes, you have good relations with Bastogne and Boldro, but so what? Duke Bohemond of Bastogne already has the power to compete for the throne. Boldro’s Bodric might just lean slightly toward you, but he won’t declare it before the situation is settled."

"I understand." Antelme’s words were harsh but true. Laine was ultimately too shallow-rooted in this country, and he humbly accepted the criticism.

"What you need to do now is not to think about the throne, but to first pocket a Duke title." Antelme continued, "The only title in this country you can pursue is Duke of Musillon; fortunately, if you were like a hungry wolf eager for the Duke title, I wouldn’t have come to find you today."

Laine’s face darkened. He indeed hoped to first seize Musillon, then consider the matter of Black Stone Stronghold, but Surya’s words made him realize some things.

Yes, attacking Musillon and Black Stone Stronghold both countered the Undead, yet attacking Musillon primarily benefited Laine himself, while attacking Black Stone Stronghold primarily benefited the entire kingdom threatened by Kemler.

Beyond that, Antelme need not say more, as Laine understood. The clarity of what needed to be said between them was unnecessary.

Finally, Antelme firmly patted Laine’s shoulder, "Fortunately, you know how to control yourself. If you really did everything by leveraging the Lady and relying on her favor and oracle for title advancement, then I might continually ponder, ’Why not me?’"

"???" Laine’s boots pressed into the somewhat damp forest ground, leaving a footprint.

"Why can’t I become the Lady’s divine champion? Am I not good enough? I completed the Holy Grail Expedition in my forties; am I not strong enough? I single-handedly killed a Two-legged Flying Dragon, exterminated a Goblin Tribe alone, and killed a Bile Giant. I had great hopes for inheriting the Duke title, even if my cousin inherited the Duke title, I’m still third in line after Surya. Why can’t I become the Lady’s champion?" Antelme said with a smile, "Couldn’t I be king? Why choose you, not me? Just because you’re my cousin’s son-in-law? Does that mean I have to recognize the situation and give you the chance? Why?" Laine, you’re just a country bumpkin from Nord, and I’m still a direct heir of the Duke of Winford’s Clan!"