A professional army is a completely different matter, with costs for food, salaries, and maintenance being unimaginable. In his past life, Laine heard many people boast, claiming that a mercenary system was the best, conscription second, and draft the worst, and that everyone should adopt a mercenary system to separate soldiers and farmers and build a strong army.

But brother, Laine surely knows that mercenary armies are the most powerful. But what about the money? Where does the money come from? Does it fall from the sky? Get dug up from the ground? Float in the water? Or is it funded by the United Nations?

No, none of these. I, Lord of Pigeon, have no money, nor do I have food. In the end, this cost still falls on the heads of the people under my leadership, leading again to the old path of raising taxes, and the public trust Laine painstakingly built over the years will be destroyed.

Even the empire across the mountains is composed mainly of semi-professional armies and mercenary corps, conscripted for war during idle times, and ensuring enough manpower for farming during busy seasons. Without farming, there is no stability; without food, soldiers cannot eat well, and salaries cannot be paid. Who would then fight for the Master Knight?

Laine’s land is already considered quite wealthy in Brittania, with last year’s tax revenue nearing eight thousand gold crowns. Even so, he still cautiously engages in semi-professional military development. These troops train three days a week, farm or work for three days, and have rest days on weekends. Laine provides half of their salaries during peacetime and lets them enjoy some benefits, only paying in full during wartime.

"My prophecy has changed, Laine. Do you remember that my prophecy stated there wouldn’t be any major wars in Brittania within the next few years?" The Lake Fairy picked up her teacup, her golden eyebrows furrowed. "Yet, in recent prophecies, a figure of the Chaos Evil God has surfaced. I saw you and Francois joining forces against an extremely powerful Chaos Champion."

"An extremely powerful Chaos Champion? Are you saying Brittania is about to have another major war?" The Lake Fairy’s prophecy caught Laine’s attention, and he immediately inquired, "Strange, we are about to attack the Black Stone Stronghold, and the opponent to face off against should either be Musillon’s undead or the Ancient Tomb Legion at Black Stone Stronghold. Chaos is temporarily powerless to advance south; vampires are Brittania’s main threat, so why a Chaos Champion appearance?"

"I can’t grasp what a Chaos Champion means in the prophecy either, dear Laine, my champion. You must be careful during this attack on Black Stone Stronghold... If necessary, Mogiana can assist you as well." The Lake Fairy gently caressed Laine’s face, her voice filled with concern. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Mogiana also directed her gaze toward Laine, visibly eager to assist.

"Your Highness Mogiana should wait until fully recovered and the Potion Chalice is found." Laine shook his head. Although the aid of the Lake God Witch is a great asset, Mogiana has yet to recover from past injuries. Her current strength equates to a Legendary Peak Sky Element and Life Element Witch, capable of providing some help, but if captured by vampires again, it would be troublesome!

"Francois and I will handle the situation ourselves, my lady. You don’t need to worry; it’s just that this war may have to be advanced." Laine stood up and paced about the balcony. "The allocation of food supplies is largely in place, and both Francois and I are prepared for war. The only concern is the current lack of combat cooperation between knights and the infantry corps with the dwarves, but there’s no time for that now. The battlefield is the best training ground."

The Lake God Witch’s face dimmed as she listened to Laine’s opinion of not wishing to expose herself to risk. Mogiana had already imagined many times fighting shoulder to shoulder with Laine on the battlefield, casting magic and divine art, sweeping through armies, with Laine charging ahead, capturing enemy flags.

Yet, the Lake Fairy was present. Since she did not oppose, neither could Mogiana; the only thing she could do was continue to discuss. "In this case, do you plan to move up the advance on Black Stone Stronghold?"

The Lake Fairy’s long sleeves were lined with irises-shaped golden ornaments and gemstone necklaces, hanging straight to the ground as she held a golden Holy Grail. The crystal-clear sacred liquid within shimmered brightly, waiting for Laine’s response.

"After the autumn harvest, Francois and my alliance army will advance on Black Stone Stronghold." Laine pondered for a while, deciding to wait until after the harvest since it was ongoing, and soldiers’ minds were not on war. The abundant food and taxes from the harvest could then be directly used for war.

"So, Laine, I will have Mogiana immediately issue an oracle, sending a team of Holy Grail Knights to accompany you! For the kingdom!" The Lake Fairy announced loudly, setting down the Holy Grail and wrapping her arms around Laine from behind, whispering softly into his ear, "My champion, isn’t this generous enough?"

"Extremely generous." Laine could only feel two soft bulges pressing against his back, changing shape smoothly. Feeling awkward as the Lake Fairy’s Divine Chosen Champion, he gently pushed her away, aware that his wife Surya, sleeping beside him, wholeheartedly approved of whatever relationship he had with the Lake Fairy. Yet, Laine always had an inexplicable uneasy feeling.

"Once this issue is resolved, Laine, there’s another matter. Knight King Richard’s retirement is already known throughout the kingdom, and his designated successor is Duke Lorne-Rio Cornwall. Lorne is also one of my chosen champions, qualified to inherit the throne, with ability beyond reproach. But... you still desire to inherit the throne, correct?" The Lake Fairy sat down again, her eyebrows furrowed. "I would certainly want you as the king, my champion, but as the guardian deity and order’s maker, I can’t break the rules, especially the ones I initially agreed upon with Arthur."

"I understand." Laine felt troubled by this too.

The Lake Fairy, being an order-side deity, naturally needed to uphold order’s rules and expand them. She couldn’t break the ones she set herself; and even though Laine came to Brittania through the Lake Fairy’s introduction, his journey’s reputation and prestige were earned by his own efforts.

Like Surya’s uncle, Count Antelme, Francois’ cousin said, Laine relied on his own power to reach this point, so many Holy Grail Knights and great nobles, headed by Antelme, acknowledge Laine’s achievements and position. Even if numerous dukes disliked this outsider (which was inevitable, since Laine was not Brittania-born), they didn’t make too many secret moves.

If Laine, truly relying on the Lake Fairy’s favor, acted recklessly to seize titles and bully others, no great noble in the kingdom would submit to him, nor could he marry Surya.

In his past life, Laine read many online novels back in the Celestial Dynasty that followed this pattern: while portraying a boastful showoff defeating various heirs and declarations to beware of youth poverty, the protagonist leaned heavily on big players’ powers to bully others, yet ultimately it was lineage that determined everything.

Essentially, everyone enjoys being a boastful heir themselves, disliking it seen in others. One can’t escape the Sweet Smell theorem, as "Do not bully young poverty" is often spoken by outsiders when evaluating a young person.

"But you still wish to seize the throne, yet you are not a duke yet." The Lake Fairy also seemed perplexed. "I know you plan to prepare early for the arrival of the Moment of Destruction."

"Lord Lorne is a Holy Grail Knight, and after he inherits the throne, he can sit upon it for at least a hundred years." Laine attempted to remark. "I don’t mean to belittle Lorne’s strength or governance capability, but I think I can do better."

"In this case, there remains one solution." Recognizing Laine’s opinion, the Lake Fairy pondered for a while, acknowledging his view. "Then it’s about a competition."

"A fair, just, and open competition, so that everyone feels completely at ease."

"You shall become Brittania’s king!"

......I am the dividing line in the secret discussion......

By the time Laine and the newly awoken Surya emerged from the Fairy Tower, Francois’ cousin, Sir Jerald was already waiting outside. Upon seeing Laine, Jerald anxiously spoke, "Laine, something major has happened!"

"A massive undead army attacked the Montfort Duchy! Tens of thousands died in this assault!"

"Duke of Montfort Fulcard is seeking our assistance!"