Chapter 498: The Weight of the Crown

In May, in the Old World, the capital of Bretonnia, Couronne, the royal palace.

A private dinner was being held in the banquet hall. The current King of Knights, Richard, was hosting Duke Luan Leocornwall of Conne. 

The feast was lavish. The appetizer consisted of vast ocean halibut fillets with lobster mousse. The main course included Couronne roasted venison served with Cornwall soft cake, truffle sauce, braised red cabbage, roasted potatoes, and baked walnuts, pumpkin, and celeriac.

The only sounds at the table were the clinking of cutlery. It was a private dinner for just the two of them, making it an intimate affair. Apart from the palace guard captain, Count Talbot, and two attendants, Richard had dismissed everyone else.

The wrinkles on Richard's face had deepened. Luan Leocornwall looked at his uncle's graying beard and felt a pang of sorrow.

Richard was nearing one hundred and twenty years old. Seeing his frail appearance, the deep lines on his face, and his slightly hunched posture, it was hard for Luan to reconcile this elderly man with the once-vigorous young knight who had been chosen as the King of Knights and who had fought alongside the high elf prince Imrik against the Beastman hordes.

Back then, Richard, in his early eighties, had been chosen as king after John II was deposed. As a new king, he had been a formidable paladin, leading the knightly armies in battle multiple times.

Time had flown by, and over thirty years had passed. Luan felt a mixture of nostalgia and sadness.

After his failure to suppress Ryan and taking the blame for Ulris' death during the Egil invasion, Richard had retreated into a semi-retirement. The actual governance of the kingdom had fallen to the regent, Duke Luan, with Richard only making appearances for necessary ceremonies and events.

"So, Bodrick and Ryan together recovered the Sea God Trident and even helped the Empire in a battle?" The old King of Knights spoke in a steady tone as he ate. "And what was the outcome?"

"The result was a victory for the human coalition. Vampire Baron Leopold Harken was slain by Ryan, and the necromancer king was turned into gold by the Empire's Grand Alchemist, Balthasar Gelt." Luan nodded, setting down his knife and fork, his tone light and somewhat cheerful. "Another victory. Our kingdom is currently enjoying the most peaceful period in decades. The vampires of Mousilon have been severely weakened, and the threats from Beastmen, Greenskins, undead, and Chaos from the north have all been temporarily subdued. We've won a rare period of respite and space."

"Ryan Macado will be your biggest rival for the throne." Surprisingly, Richard did not show much joy but rather furrowed his brow deeper. "Leocorn, are you prepared to compete with him?"

"Of course." Luan nodded, looking optimistic and even a bit excited. "Ryan and I have agreed to see who can capture Mousilon first."

Richard said nothing, focusing intently on his meal. He carefully picked out the bones from the fish and sliced the venison, slowly chewing the meat.

Luan fell silent as well, awaiting his uncle's guidance.

Venison was the finest meat in Bretonnia, with laws stating that only nobles could consume it. When it was scarce, only great nobles and Holy Grail Knights were entitled to it.

Richard loved venison. In his younger days, he frequently went hunting in the mountains. Luan thought to himself that despite the many years, his uncle's fondness for venison hadn't changed.

"Luan, how many years ago did Ryan become a Grail Knight?" Richard asked slowly as they finished eating.

"Eight and a half years ago... almost nine now," Luan replied respectfully.

"And François?" Richard continued.

"Around thirty years ago."

"Bercymond?"

"Over fifty years ago." Luan answered each question.

"And you?" Richard's cloudy eyes focused on Luan, their expression unreadable.

"Six years." Luan answered, feeling a tinge of confusion but still following along.

"And Karad?" Richard asked next.

"Karad Galamant? He just returned home as a Grail Knight and reclaimed his title as Count of Galamant about a month ago." Luan was increasingly puzzled. He had been discussing the campaign against Mousilon, so why was his uncle asking these questions?

"Ryan, François, Bercymond, and Karad, all of them are High Domain Grail Knights. Each has fought countless battles, earned numerous honors, and shared the battlefield with half the knights of the kingdom. Yet here you are, a peak legendary Grail Knight, not thinking about how to build alliances with them or thank them for their contributions to the kingdom's peace. Instead, all you think about is conquering Mousilon? Where is your respect? Do you think when it comes time to compete with Ryan, many knights will rally to your cause?" 

Luan remained silent, feeling as if he had been struck by a powerful blow that left him dizzy.

"As a lord, the most crucial aspects are manpower and financial control. As a candidate for the throne, you need the support of all the kingdom's knightly nobles and the approval of the Lady." Richard's expression grew stern. "Do you believe you have an assured victory just because Ryan doesn't hold a ducal title?"

"But Mousilon is the kingdom's cancer! We must remove it at any cost." Luan did not admit fault under Richard's verbal onslaught. His voice was firm. "Whether it's me, Ryan, or anyone else, we cannot avoid dealing with Mousilon. The Lady's oracle is clear—whoever conquers Mousilon will be the new Duke of Mousilon!"

Richard gently stroked his goatee, looking at Luan for a long moment before nodding. "Yes, on this principle, you are correct. Leocorn, some issues are matters of principle. Our internal conflicts are one thing, but external threats are another. On matters of great importance, you must stand firm. If you had told me to give up on Mousilon now, I would have written to Lady Morgiana tomorrow, telling her that I also support Ryan taking the throne."

Luan felt a cold sweat break out on his back.

Indeed, despite recent missteps, Richard was still the same king who had stabilized the kingdom after John II's deposition, ensuring that Bretonnia did not collapse in internal strife.

Even though he had failed to suppress Ryan and had faltered in recent battles, Richard had kept the kingdom's court running smoothly. The mustering of the chivalric armies and the recovery of production after the Chaos invasion had been possible thanks to his support.

"Leocorn, think carefully. If we held a council to choose the next king now, how many dukes would support you?" Richard stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Think carefully. I count as one, you count as one, Duke Aldrerd of Lyonace counts as one, and Duke Theodoric of Brionne... let's count him as one. And then?"

"..." Luan thought of Montfort but quickly realized that Duke Fulcard had recently been saved by Ryan.

Similarly, Duke Hagen of Gisoreux was also off the table, and Duke Casvanne of Parravon was uncertain.

"And then there's the Lady's stance. Don't forget, Lady Morgiana currently resides in Ryan's territory." Richard's sneer was unrelenting. "Ryan is also the Lady's chosen champion. Your advantage is not as secure as you think, Leocorn."

After a pause, seeing his nephew deep in thought, Richard nodded and continued. "Despite this, you still have an advantage. You are the legitimate heir to the throne and my designated successor. But you need to understand why you are the successor and why we chose you. So, be cautious in your actions!"

"The foundation beneath the throne must not be shaken."

Richard's words struck at the heart of Luan's deepest fears.

During his travels as an Errant Knight, Luan had keenly observed the flaws within the Knight Kingdom. Bretonnia lagged behind the Empire across the mountains in terms of technology and societal dynamism.

As one of the Lady's chosen champions, Luan was no fool. He understood that reform was essential. After assuming his role, he had initiated tax reductions and actively engaged with the Empire and the dwarves of the Grey Mountains.

He sought to introduce Imperial firearms and cannons, bring in Imperial engineers, and had engaged in numerous negotiations with the Empire and the dwarves to secure stable arms contracts and attract industry to Couronne.

Richard had not only supported these measures but actively encouraged them. However, when Luan pushed for deeper reforms similar to those Ryan had implemented in his domain, Richard's stance took a sharp turn. The old king firmly opposed any changes to the existing feudal system.

As Richard said, the foundation of the throne must not be moved. Luan's status as the leading candidate was built on the current system. If he showed any intent to alter it, the nobles backing him might swiftly abandon him in favor of another candidate.

This was Luan's greatest challenge.

To achieve meaningful change and fundamentally transform the kingdom, he had to become king.

But to become king, he could not disrupt the existing order upon which his candidacy depended.

"Leocorn, you are not like Ryan Macado." Richard's tired eyes fixed on the mango, lemon dark chocolate, and fruit desserts being served. He continued, "Ryan's territory was little more than a barren wasteland when he took it. He built it up from nothing, with the full support of the Lady and Lady Morgiana. His success doesn't harm anyone else's interests.

 But you are different. Look at your duchy and this capital. How many families here have centuries of accumulated wealth?"

"So François married Sulia to Ryan and used Ryan's territory as a testing ground? Only after Ryan successfully implemented his reforms did François gradually follow suit." Luan nodded. "Why can't we do the same?"

"Why not?" Richard shook his head repeatedly. "Ryan could immediately trade with the wood elves when he arrived in his territory. Can you do that? Ryan could quickly set up factories with the dwarves. Can you? Ryan has strong ties with the Empire and regular trade. Can you replicate that? Ryan could have High Elf Archmage Teclis travel across the ocean to attend his wedding. Can you match that?"

"Ryan is very shrewd. The significant trade benefits and land development profits he brings do not stay with him. Instead, his system doesn't harm others' interests." Richard continued. "Because his system generates large profits that satisfy François, Bodrick, and other supporting nobles without harming their interests, they are willing to join Ryan in his reforms! That's the fundamental difference between you and him! You don't have a blank slate!"

Richard's words left Luan speechless. The Grail Knight and Duke of Conne felt pale, realizing the enormous challenge before him.

"That's why I considered abdicating when I didn't need to but now refuse to abdicate even when I should." Richard chuckled. "Being king isn't about simply sitting on the throne and issuing commands. It's about earning the right to lead and command the nobles. The throne is a gift from the Lady, but whether the nobles heed the king's orders is their choice."

"To wear the crown, one must bear its weight." Richard's voice carried a weary tone. He laughed softly. "Before I became king, I was full of ideas about reform. But after being chosen as king, I had to act according to the expectations of the dukes. Everyone wants to be king, but few realize the responsibility it entails. If you lack the courage to face these burdens, you don't deserve to be king!"

"So... Uncle, how do I resolve this dilemma?" Luan, nearly fifty years old, asked his uncle, nearing one hundred and twenty, with a furrowed brow.

"It's still about Mousilon," Richard said quietly, closing his eyes.

"Mousilon again?" Luan felt like he was on the verge of a revelation.

"Yes, Mousilon. If you can finally rid the kingdom of this blight and reclaim the land that has been lost for centuries, you will gain the nobles' support and trust. Achievements bring prestige, and prestige brings trust." Richard sighed deeply. "With trust and support, you can push for reforms. That's why I fought several campaigns against Mousilon after ascending the throne."

Looking at his aging uncle, Duke Luan Leocornwall felt a surge of emotion. He could see that Richard was old and that his last bit of sharpness had faded after the failure to suppress Ryan and the death of Ulris.

"Uncle, if you step down, who will support me in advancing the reforms?" Luan's voice trembled. He swallowed hard, feeling the heavy weight of expectations and responsibility pressing down on him.

"Everyone ages, Leocorn." Richard's wrinkled face softened into a smile. "One day, my time will come. I've been King of Knights for over thirty years, a relatively short reign compared to past kings. But I feel it's enough. Let me stand watch for one last time. The future belongs to you... or Ryan Macado."

As he left the palace, Duke Luan Leocornwall felt as if a mist had clouded his vision. He opened his mouth, looking up at the vast night sky, but no words came out.

Bretonnia, the Kingdom of Knights, where would its future lie?

No one knew for certain, but Luan knew he would strive towards that future.

Until his final breath.

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