Chapter 574: I'll Deal with You in Three Days

After finishing his bath, Ryan left the bathroom with water splashed everywhere. Night had fallen, and Sylvia firmly refused to let Ryan spend the night with Sulia, so he had to leave the Lady of the Lake's tower and stay in the main bedroom on the fourth floor of the castle.

Ryan had no objections to this. Even without Sylvia's insistence, he wouldn't have shared a room with Sulia, who was over eight months pregnant and in a delicate state. When Ryan returned, merely holding Sulia on his lap for a short conversation had caused her to blush and show an expression only Ryan had ever seen before. It startled everyone present, and it took Sulia over ten minutes to recover, during which she fainted from embarrassment in front of the Lady of the Lake.

Consequently, Sylvia now guarded Ryan like a wolf, loudly forbidding him from touching Sulia until she gave birth. He was only allowed to hold her hand, especially at night.

Olica, the Dark Elf, had changed into a deep, alluring, simple-style velvet nightgown with diagonal clasps, paired with purple high-heeled sandals. Her jade feet, painted with purple nail polish, were wrapped in white velvet stockings. She followed Ryan closely, her hands crossed at her abdomen, speaking softly: "Master, you were away for months. If I had known, I would have gone with you."

"I didn't want to take you for your own good, Olica. Don't you prefer not being disturbed?" Ryan looked refreshed, giving his maid a playful glance. "Besides, you're not suited for it. If I remember correctly, you aren't good at large-scale damage spells."

The Dark Elf's eyes flickered, and she eventually whispered, "Master, you don't understand dark magic. Compared to the Winds of Magic, the dark magic of Goddess Hekarti is more powerful and varied, not to mention Aurora's ice magic."

"Olica, do the Druchii also have ice magic in Naggaroth?" Ryan's interest was piqued. With Theresa and Veronica still returning with the army and Morgiana handling matters in Couronne, Olica was his only source of magical knowledge.

"Ice magic isn't that complex, master," Olica shook her head. "Do you know the origin of ice magic?"

"The Kislev Queen, Miska?" Ryan ventured.

"Hmph, foolish humans think their history is long enough." Olica's face turned red as she clung to Ryan's arm, her tone filled with deep disdain. "Ice magic dates back over seven thousand years. The unbroken Elven Empire discovered ancient relics left by the Old Ones in the far north during their explorations of Naggaroth. These relics contained unique ice pillars emitting pure ice energy, a powerful magic not part of the Eight Winds. Do you understand, master?"

"So, ice magic's origin is a gift from the Old Ones?!" Ryan's eyes widened in realization. "No wonder! The Old Ones traveled the world, and Kislev must have such relics. No wonder only Kislev, Nordland, and Ostland produce ice witches! And why Tsarina Katarin never leaves her ice palace! Olica, why didn't you tell me something so important?"

"Because you never asked, master," Olica smiled mischievously, her amber eyes gleaming slyly. "If you don't ask, I don't tell!"

"Cunning girl~" Ryan gently flicked Olica's nose. "You must not hide anything from your master in the future!"

"Master, you must show sincerity~" Olica felt elated, being the only one by Ryan's side. "Without motivation, it won't work!"

However, the fun was short-lived. As Olica opened the door to the master bedroom, her smile froze.

The Lady of the Lake, wearing a pink chiffon pleated short dress with light floral patterns, was sitting in the master chair. Her legs, clad in flesh-colored stockings, were crossed, and she smiled at Ryan and his maid. "My champion, you took a long bath, didn't you?"

"I have the freedom to manage my time, my lady." Ryan suspected the goddess had plans to stir up trouble again.

Having spent so much time together, Ryan knew the High Elf goddess well. She was both aloof and stern but also had a mischievous side. Though she was somewhat pessimistic about the future, she still tried to fight against the End Times by all means.

In such a situation, direction was crucial. If the direction was wrong, the Lady of the Lake's efforts would not only be in vain but would also empower the Chaos gods because she was trying to change things.

"Don't forget, Sulia entrusted you to me~" The Lady of the Lake smiled playfully, extending her foot in flesh-colored stockings. "Ryan, my shoe fell off. Help me put it back on~"

"Ryan, my champion, you looked quite charming putting my shoe on, even if you were a bit flustered when you promised Sulia," the Lady of the Lake teased.

"Oh, Lilith, you always enjoy this," Ryan thought of how the goddess had stayed with Sulia during his half-year absence, feeling a warmth in his heart. He sat down beside the goddess, pulling Olica with him. "Good evening, my lady. Would you like a drink?"

"No, thank you," the Lady of the Lake shook her head, her gaze fixed on Ryan. She sighed. "I came to discuss our future plans. Ryan, my champion, you've done well in solving the Knight Kingdom's internal and external problems, but the Old World has more than one force for order."

"I understand, my lady. Have your prophecies revealed anything new?" Ryan sensed there was more to her words.

"Yes, my prophecies show that the Empire will face several severe tests. My champion, while the kingdom is under your control, we cannot let the Empire collapse. It's the gateway against the northern tides of chaos. The Empire must not fall. When necessary, even without benefits, you must support the Empire. Can you do that?" The Lady of the Lake's face turned serious, her beautiful features reflecting her concern.

"Of course, I understand." Ryan nodded repeatedly. On crucial issues, he was clear-headed. The Empire's fall would spell disaster for Bretonnia, making it almost impossible to withstand Chaos's onslaught.

"Good." The Lady of the Lake nodded. "Ryan, my champion, you've done much for me, and I've given you everything. As you become the Knight King, there's nothing more I can offer in this world. From now on, it's up to you."

"Next year, I plan to visit the Empire. First, I'll meet with Emmanuelle in Brunswick to watch the selection of the new Royal Chief Wizard, the 'Night of a Thousand Spells,' and discuss population migration with Emperor Karl-Franz. Then I'll go to Nuln, the southern industrial and academic center, to seek enough talent," Ryan explained his plans.

"Who will you take with you?" The Lady of the Lake nodded.

"Theresa and Veronica won't go this time. I'll take Olica. As for Sulia, it depends on her recovery after childbirth," Ryan said seriously.

"Good, I'll have a surprise for you then." The Lady of the Lake looked at the silent Dark Elf and then at Ryan, now in his thirties, with a hint of complex emotion in her eyes.

The goddess and Ryan were now closely bound, a tight alliance. Through various arrangements, the Lady of the Lake had tied Ryan firmly to her cause. But she had paid a great price, involving not just Sulia and Morgiana, but even herself.

"Ryan, are you really planning to build a canal? How many laborers will you recruit?" Having received satisfactory answers, the Lady of the Lake deftly shifted the topic, asking softly, "Aren't you afraid of causing trouble with so many people gathered?"

"Just a public works project," Ryan laughed. "In these times, there are plenty willing to work for food. Karsonberg's statistics show we can easily recruit tens of thousands with a simple announcement."

Do you think I'm Emperor Yang of Sui? Actually, I'm Roosevelt!

After a few more words, the time came for the Lady of the Lake to hesitate before extending a delicate finger to touch Ryan's forehead. "Sulia entrusted you to me recently, so I'll stay here tonight. But if you misbehave, I'll leave immediately!"

"If you don't want me to misbehave, why stay here?" Ryan joked. "Do you want me to be a beast or worse than one?"

His humorous words made the Lady of the Lake and the Dark Elf maid stifle their laughter.

"Hahaha~" The Lady of the Lake giggled, then shook her head. "Forget it, spend the night with this Dark Elf. I won't stay. Our union must wait for the right moment, as planned."

"I don't need you, you b*tch goddess, to point fingers at my time with the master!" Olica was unhappy, glaring at the Lady of the Lake. "Lilith, your power isn't as invincible as you think!"

The Lady of the Lake's gaze turned icy. "What... what did you learn from the Pale Queen?!"

"Hmph~" The Dark Elf hid behind Ryan, clinging to his back, murmuring, "Master, your goddess is bullying me!"

"Alright, I'm leaving. Have a pleasant night." The Lady of the Lake adjusted her dress and stood up, pecking Ryan on the lips. "Goodnight, my champion."

"Goodnight, my lady."

After the Lady of the Lake left, the Dark Elf maid hugged Ryan's neck angrily. "I hate her, master. Don't you think she's a b*tch? Controlling and always stirring trouble."

"Alright, O

lica, divine blessings come with obligations. The Lady has given me unparalleled grace, even greater than Teclis. Without her full support, I wouldn't have become king in just ten years," Ryan smiled. "Taking benefits without responsibilities is selfish. Without the Lady's help, I wouldn't be king."

"Master, when you're ready, let me know." The Dark Elf smiled, a fierce light in her amber eyes. "I have a 'gift' prepared for Lilith that will leave her weak."

"I'm looking forward to it... Olica, how's your soul recovery?" Ryan asked.

"Fully restored, master!"

"Then, let me see?"

...Line break...

A week later, in the southern part of the Old World, Estalia, at the port of Magritta.

The Ash Legion had arrived, unloading their well-equipped expeditionary army at the docks. The deep draft of the ships and the clinking of crates revealed the wealth of this army, yet no one dared covet it, given the soldiers' fierce presence.

Each soldier exuded battle readiness and confidence, the aura of a battle-hardened force.

As they unloaded crates of wealth, the port tax officer appointed by Duke Rubio of Magritta was calculating the taxes owed by the fleet.

Thorgan strode down from the ship. Luigi's trading company president, Hadrian, was waiting. "Lord Thorgan, welcome to Magritta. We've arranged your accommodations. Estalian Merchant Alliance president Amancio Perez has prepared a banquet at the Eastern Palace, awaiting your presence."

"Very well." Thorgan nodded but was distracted by an incident at the dock. "Hmm?"

A woman in simple, revealing fur shorts and a crop top, with a crossbow on her back and two short swords at her waist, was stopped by the tax officer. She stood about 1.85 meters tall, muscular yet not overly so, with four-pack abs, a wolfish blue gaze, and brown hair. Her tall, slender frame was complemented by simple boots, exposing her tanned legs.

She was surrounded by a group.

The leader was a Kislevite, bald with a battle axe and a handgun at his waist. His attitude was tough and arrogant. "I told you, Norscan, this is the south, not the north. This is a free land. To enter this city, you must pay a 'protection fee'!"

"Protection fee? I've already paid the taxes! And I'm a Norscan, but I don't worship those gods! My ancestors moved to Nord centuries ago!" The woman was furious. "Get lost, or I'll make you! You bastards!"

"Who are those people?" Thorgan asked Hadrian.

"The Kislevite Bear Gang, one of the dock gangs. They like to bully outsiders, especially lone adventurers who aren't from the Empire, Bretonnia, or locals." Hadrian looked amused. "The leader is called Gubayanov."

"Gubayanov?"

The gang leader was also enraged. "Bastard? Tal's teeth, you filthy brat, wait three days, and I'll deal with you, Norscan! I'll scatter your ashes!"

"No need for three days, let's settle it now!"

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