Chapter 185: Bodrick's Plan

In the Old World, in Britannia, within the Duchy of Bordelaux, Bodricks.

The banquet was reaching its peak, with guests indulging in laughter and various activities unfolding one after the other.

"Ah! It's you!" "Oh! Sir Ryan, we meet again." While Ryan and Sulia were trying out a painting activity, a handsome male noble accompanied by a girl with short golden hair and a petite figure appeared before them.

The girl, with her beautiful azure eyes, looked disgusted as if seeing something dirty. Reluctantly, out of politeness, she greeted, "Greetings, Sir Ryan, may your pond be as clear as a fishpond."

Ryan almost laughed at this clearly sarcastic remark but chose not to stoop to the girl's level. "Greetings, Miss Fiona, Mister Matthewbard!"

"Oh, what a perfect couple! Sir Ryan, I'm so envious of you for having Miss Sulia as a companion." Matthewbard seemed very enthusiastic as he extended his hand. "Hello, Miss Sulia, may I have the honor of making your acquaintance? I am Matthewbard from the Duchy of Connaught."

Sulia, maintaining composure, switched her genuinely bright smile to a standard, formal noble smile. Seeing Matthewbard's hand lingering in the air, she finally shook it.

In normal noble interactions, a gentleman should not extend his hand unless the lady does so first.

Matthewbard's etiquette was impeccable, only applying a slight pressure before letting go and then warmly approaching Ryan. "I told you, Mr. Ryan, we would meet again."

"Yes, indeed we meet again." Faced with such enthusiasm, Ryan responded politely. Curiously, he looked at Fiona, who was clinging to Matthewbard's arm, with interest. "Could you share how you became Miss Fiona's companion?"

"That's not something I can easily share," Matthewbard said, unable to hide his pride, yet deciding to keep it a secret.

In fact, just as Matthewbard said, he found the Duke's granddaughter easier to deal with than expected.

Before meeting Fiona, she, as usual, was looking to cause trouble in Bordelaux. She bought a piece of jewelry from a shop, then accused the shopkeeper of poor craftsmanship, demanding an exchange. During the process, she unreasonably chose a more expensive piece as a "lesson" and "compensation" for the shopkeeper.

It was clear harassment, but Fiona always succeeded since merchants didn't want to offend a noble of her stature.

So, after observing Fiona's temper and character, Matthewbard made his move.

As a handsome, energetic young knight, Matthewbard instantly gained three points of favor from Fiona. He first inquired politely about the incident and then "righteously" mediated between the merchant and the noblewoman. In doing so, he leaned towards Fiona, but also cleverly spoke some good words for the merchant, eventually reaching a compromise.

This opened the door for him, and through his performance, he easily befriended Fiona. After subtly revealing he had no companion and extending an invitation, Fiona naturally became his partner.

"Sir Ryan, we truly have fate. Could it be the Lady of the Lake's blessing that we meet again and again? Perhaps we could find a place to have a drink and chat more?" Matthewbard extended another invitation, but Fiona turned her head away, clearly uninterested.

"What do you think, Sulia?" Ryan was indecisive. In this world, unlike on Earth, it was indeed a matter of fate to meet someone repeatedly.

"I'll follow your lead," Sulia said softly, leaving the decision to Ryan.

"Then..." As Ryan was about to accept, a noble, dressed extravagantly in a feathered hat and loose-fitting attire, emerged from the crowd and approached Ryan: "Sir Ryan? The Duke requests a moment of your time."

Ryan recognized him as Baron Tristan-le-Mans, a vassal of Duke Bodrick and a formidable naval commander.

"Apologies, Mr. Matthewbard, it seems I must excuse myself." Ryan couldn't refuse the Duke's request at his own banquet. "Sulia, wait for me a moment; I'll be right back."

The lavishly dressed duchess's daughter nodded. "No worries, I'll wait for your return."

After an apologetic gesture, Ryan followed Baron Tristan away, leaving Sulia and Matthewbard to chat.

As a new dance began among the crowd, Matthewbard immediately turned to Fiona. "Miss Fiona, may I have the honor of a dance with you?"

"Boring, uninteresting." Fiona sought the novelty of the banquet, but having tried various games already, large banquets were no longer a novelty for her. She declined: "I'm not interested."

"Uh," Matthewbard scratched his head, then turned to Sulia, extending his hand: "Then… Miss Sulia?"

"No, thank you, I'm tired and would like to find a place to rest," Sulia declined politely. "I'm sure many ladies would be delighted to accept Mr. Matthewbard's invitation, wouldn't they?"

After these words, the knight politely nodded to Fiona and headed to a corner.

"Hmph, so boring. I don't know why Sister Sulia accepted such a person's invitation," Fiona grumbled impatiently. "Enough, I'm fed up. Really boring. Let's go, Matthewbard."

Matthewbard quickly agreed, bowing. "Yes, let's go. But where shall we head next, Miss Fiona?"

"You always wanted to see the harbor, right? Let's go there!"

"Alright."

...

Entering the inner courtyard, Duke Bodrick of Bordelaux stood in a turret awaiting Ryan.

In the distance, the Bordelaux port glittered in the dark night.

Bodricks' docks were still operational. Even from afar, workers could be seen loading and unloading goods by torchlight. Near the docks, a small town had formed, inhabited by residents who lived off the port. Several dirty taverns were also present.

Hence, Bodrick ordered complete separation between the port and the castle, guarded by fully armed infantry, to prevent the nobility from being tainted by the port's filth and bandits.

The Duke planned to clean up the area at every opportunity. If an epidemic broke out, he would order the area razed, thoroughly cleaned, and rebuilt. In fact, since Bodrick's succession, this had happened thrice.

"My Duke, you wanted to see me?" Ryan entered the turret, noticing the High Elf Mage Anatole, the grand merchant Ismeral, a Lake God prophet, and the witch hunter Abel, who was accompanied by a beautiful redhead witch, Jelena.

"Ryan, Ryan Macado, the Champion of the Lady." Bodrick stood before the turret, motioning Ryan to join him in overlooking Bodricks' docks. "Look, this is Britannia's largest port and also a blessed site of Manann. Countless ships depart here daily for Marienburg, the Southern Realms, Osuuna, Lustria, the Sea Gates, even the Northern Wastes."

"I understand, my Duke." Ryan touched his chin, still youthful and beardless: "This is the jewel of western Britannia."

"But this jewel is constantly harassed by Dark Elves. These beasts seize every opportunity to raid, kill, and plunder, taking captives and trophies." Bodrick lifted his wine glass, the dark red 'Manann's Delight' shimmering in the moonlight. "I have a plan, Ryan. Would you like to hear it?"

"I cannot decide before hearing it, my Duke." The sea breeze caressed Ryan's face and fluttered his black middle-parted hair, unusually helmetless compared to other knights.

"I plan a thorough counterattack against these damned Dark Elves." Bodrick clinked his glass with Ryan's. "I need enough manpower, beyond my direct vassals."

Ryan leaned against the windowsill, letting the wind blow his face. Understanding the Duke's intent, he seemed hesitant. "My Duke, it seems we should first deal with the Red Duke."

"No, the Red Duke's matter has proven to be a time and effort sink with no resolution. I've given up wasting more energy on this mess." Bodrick shook his head disdainfully. "We can defeat the Red Duke time and again, but as soon as we near Mousillon, we return empty-handed. I'm tired of this cat-and-mouse game. Now, my main focus is on combating the Dark Elf pirates."

Ryan opened his mouth but realized it was inappropriate to argue. He followed Bodrick's lead: "Then how can I assist you, my Duke?"

"Your valor is the best help, along with the others present." Bodrick nodded to everyone. "I need your help to eradicate these Dark Elf pirates once and for all."

"After they're eliminated, I can relinquish my duties and pursue the Grail in peace."

"Of course, that's why I'm here." High Elf Mage Anatole agreed: "Dark Elves are our common enemy."

Witch Hunter Abel, however, shook his head: "Sorry, my Duke, witch hunters don't involve in these worldly disputes. Our rules forbid it."

Bodrick frowned, his tone pressuring: "Are you sure, my witch hunter? You know whom you're refusing? You'll become unwelcome in Bordelaux, and the witch you seek will also be driven away because of your decision."

Abel furrowed his brow, realizing his dilemma. Agreeing would violate the witch hunters' code, but refusing would endanger the witch Eirena he finally found: "This..."

"Wait, my Duke, can you tell me when you plan to act?" Ryan interrupted Bodrick, seemingly displeased with the Duke's assertiveness. "Dark Elf pirates are unpredictable. We can't possibly wait here indefinitely, can we?"

"...Currently, my plan is still in the gathering stage. The last Dark Elf raid was two years ago; the next might take two to three years." Bodrick's focus shifted due to Ryan's interjection, gritting his teeth. "During their last raid, these damned raiders turned an entire village to ash and skinned the guards, nailing them to stakes at the village entrance."

"My Duke, witch hunters need commissions to survive; they can't live off sunlight or moon essence." Ryan joked, easing the tension, before continuing: "Similarly, I can't wait in your castle for the Dark Elves. But perhaps we can cooperate. Dark Elves are a threat to everyone."

"Ha ha~ Maybe you're right, Champion of the Lady. I was a bit hasty. You know, I don't have much time left." Bodrick, amused by Ryan, relaxed. "I'm over eighty this year, Ryan. Time to pursue the Grail dwindles. I hope you can understand an old man's desire for the Grail."

"I will, Duke Bodrick."

The discussion in the turret continued.

On Bodricks' streets, a carriage slowly passed.

"It seems lively in the city tonight, like Duke Bordelaux is hosting a grand banquet."

"Want to go down and take a look, Catherine?" A mature, sweet female voice emerged from inside.

"Um... no, Councilor, let's hurry to Baron Jean's domain," a gentle voice hesitantly responded.

"Heh," the mature voice neither agreed nor disagreed, soon noticing something. "Huh? Isn't that girl... Catherine, help me see, that girl, yes, that one."

"Ah! Councilor, isn't that Miss Emilia?"

"Yes, what is she doing here?"

...

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