Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Six The Duke of Winford Long-legged Francois
In early April, along the mountain road behind Baron Jean, a group of knights were riding their horses.
Sulia did not come alone. Two kingdom knights led many knights-errant to protect the Duke's daughter. The internal security of Britannia, especially near the Principality of Winford, was not very good. Even though there were elite female knights,
High-level strength cannot come alone.
The knights of the kingdom sent by the Duke to protect his daughter are naturally good. These two knights of the kingdom have elite peak strength and also have their own titles. One is called Bull Knight Baptiste, and the other is called Stag Knight Gus.
Suddenly, they were all over thirty years old, wearing fine knight plate armor, with long swords hanging on their waists, and shields hanging on the hind legs of their horses. They carefully paid attention to the movements on both sides of the road.
Only the Knight of the Holy Grail rode on his horse with an indifferent expression, chatting with the Duke's daughter: "So, the security in Winford is not as good as imagined?"
"Yes, Sir Ryan, we spend a lot of energy on eradicating bandits every year." The female knight rode on her pure-blooded elf war horse and explained to the baron seriously: "Many bandit fortresses are built in the principality.
On the border, or hidden in the forest, we also lost many knights in order to eliminate them."
"There is no reason?" Ryan complained: "Can't the knights of the principality solve this threat?"
As soon as these words came out, many young knights errant in the knight team looked hesitant, but because the person in front of them was the Holy Grail Knight, they could not say anything. At most, they muttered a few words: "It's not that we don't work hard.
, all the thieves are too cunning."
The bull knight Baptiste had a beautiful mustache and a shaved head. Hearing what Ryan said, the knight said with some embarrassment: "Please tell me, Sir Ryan, that bandits are very cunning. They often attack villages. Once they hear about it,
When the knights gather together, they will hide deep in the mountains or deep forests, and hide in those fortresses to defend themselves."
"Then you don't know how to attack the city?" Ryan then asked, not wanting to save face for these knights at all.
The virtue of the Holy Grail Knight cannot be doubted. The knights present were a little ashamed. Seeing this, Sulia took the initiative to take over the conversation: "It's like this, Mr. Ryan, the siege equipment is bulky and difficult to carry deep into the forest or into the mountains. It is cunning.
The bandits never confront us head-on. When they defend the castle, it will be difficult for us to conquer those fortresses."
"Hmm~" Ryan touched his chin, he really thought about this issue.
Britannia, the kingdom of knights and the home of knights, has the most powerful heavy cavalry force in the entire old world.
The group charge of knights is indeed powerful in field battles, but this has advantages and disadvantages. When the whole country is devoted to raising knights, the lack of powerful siege weapons and powerful long-range troops in the Kingdom of Knights is one of the disadvantages. This country has no artillery.
When the bandits built their castles deep in the forests or inside rugged mountains, the heavy trebuchets, unlike artillery, could not be transported inside, and the knights had to dismount to fight.
Therefore, the knights felt quite helpless towards these bandits and could only defend passively. The cost of recruiting an army was too expensive and was not an option considered by the Duke.
Thinking of this, Ryan somewhat understood why the female knight found him.
"Does Miss Sulia want me to help the Duke solve this problem?" Ryan was still smiling, and he looked very calm.
"Yes, we want to ask Mr. Lane to help us. Otherwise, these bandits' attacks every year will cause considerable losses to the principality. People will be displaced, caravans will be robbed and killed, and cultivated farmland will be destroyed." The female knight reached out and held out a wisp of rays.
Her blond hair was tucked behind her ears, and her figure was like a blooming iris. Her face was full of sincerity and seriousness: "I hope Sir Ryan can lend a helping hand to us. This is my personal request."
Having said this, Ryan did not hesitate at all. He immediately agreed: "No problem, I agreed. Miss Sulia and Yuli are both my friends. The Aintree family is my friend, Ryan Macado.
They helped me a lot along the way, so I have no reason not to agree."
"That's great, thank you very much." A smile bloomed on Lidya Su's delicate face.
Ryan also smiled kindly and responded.
This eldest lady is gentle and can talk. She and the family behind her have repeatedly expressed goodwill. Ryan has no reason to refuse. The Aintree family has helped all the way from Marienburg to Britannia.
He has a lot.
The virtue of chivalry does not allow him to turn a blind eye to this. He is a shameless person who is only willing to accept benefits without paying for them.
Entering the interior of the Principality of Winford, the air is filled with sweet fragrance. This principality is surrounded by the Oracle Mountains. The Chinon River originates from the depths of the mountains. The land here is fertile and wild. The climate here is cold in winter and cool in summer. It has the best quality in the old world.
wine estates and olive oil manufacturing workshops.
Looking up, in the clear blue sky, only the sun is warming the earth. The hard-working serfs are farming. The stone-paved roads are full of travelers, caravans and villagers.
"What a land full of vitality and vitality!" Ryan praised: "This is simply paradise on earth."
Hearing the praise of the Holy Grail Knight, the knights errant and the two kingdom knights all felt honored. Gaston, the stag knight, immediately responded loudly: "Exactly, Mr. Ryan, whenever I see this
Regardless of the beautiful scenery, I am willing to dedicate my life to this land. When I am fighting in the field, the lady and Winford are the strongest beliefs in my heart."
Along the wide road, the knights headed towards Helenhilde, the capital of the Duchy of Winford.
This is a huge city like a garden, built in the middle of the river valley. The clear water of the Chinon River flows through the fields next to the city. On the high city gate hangs the "Pure White Horse" of the Aintree family.
The coat of arms, the golden ducal crest is located above the coat of arms, telling that ancient history.
The houses in the city are all built of bricks and stones, with white walls and red roofs. The streets are extremely lively with people coming and going. Many trees are planted in the middle of the streets, and there are flowers and shade everywhere.
The Duke's castle is located deep in the city with mountains on its back. The towering city walls and pointed towers form the Duke of Winford's giant castle. This huge castle has three floors inside and outside, rising in a conical shape, with a circumference of thousands of meters.
It is built of towering granite stone and is a symbol of the Duke's wealth and power.
The castle is close to the Chinon River. There is a square main castle in the middle, and six huge conical turrets on both sides. Surrounding the surroundings, the 30-meter-high pure white horse statue directly in front of the main castle brings a strong visual shock, as if it was back then.
The first Duke of Winford, who followed Arthur in all directions, returned to the world.
On the roads, among the flowers, and in the squares, minstrels and acrobats were performing various shows. The knights passed through the main entrance of the castle, and the lush sea of flowers came into view, but Ryan and others were not here.
Instead of staying, he followed the Duke's daughter straight to the inner court, where he would pay a visit to the Grand Knight of the Sanctuary, the Knight of the Holy Grail, and the Duke of Winford "Long Legs" Francois Antry.
Today's luck was not good. His Excellency the Duke did not stay in the inner courtyard of his own castle. The loyal maid told the Duke's daughter that the Duke was tasting wine in the pavilion outside.
"Mr. Lane, please go and meet with your father first. I will meet you after I change my clothes." The Duke's daughter tactfully expressed that she wanted to stay first, and Lane nodded friendly: "Okay."
Then, under the guidance of the bull knight Baptiste and the stag knight Gaston, along the marble courtyard, Ryan came to the pavilion in the castle.
The pavilion in the castle is built on a hill. Standing in the pavilion, you can overlook the entire Helenschild and even the surrounding wilderness.
In front of the pavilion, there was a long queue of people. Countless people were waiting in line to be received by His Excellency the Duke. Among them were leaders of various trade unions, businessmen from other places, manor owners from the dukedom, and even some from
The wandering knights outside of Brittany are all eager to see the Duke in person, either to promote themselves or to tell them about their difficulties.
They were going to be disappointed today. As Baron Jean, who was wearing a full Breton baronial dress and with the emblem of the Holy Grail Knight on his chest, requested to see the Duke, the guards and knights on duty in the castle immediately received a notice from the Duke.
:Today's meeting is over. The two Holy Grail Knights will discuss an important matter.
So with reluctance and regret, those who were waiting had no choice but to disband on their own.
In the pavilion, several knights-errant wearing bright silver full-body plate armor were standing guard. In the pavilion, a tall and majestic figure stood with his back to the visitor. His height was slightly taller than Ryan, about 1.9 meters.
Looking at this majestic figure, Bull Knight Baptiste and Buck Knight Gaston never concealed the enthusiasm and love in their eyes. They stood respectfully with their hands lowered, indicating that Ryan could step forward.
"It's been a few years since I've seen you. Dear Guardian of Wingford, owner of the Oracle Mountains, the beloved Sir Francois Aintry de Wingford, Knight of the Holy Grail Lion Malcador, hereby wish you good health.
Healthy." Ryan leaned down, put his hand on his left chest, and paid respect to this majestic figure.
Like his godfather, Winford "Long-Legs" Francois is also a truly respectable person. This Duke became a knight errant when he came of age at the age of 18 and participated in several major and minor wars.
He won the crown in the tournament in the capital of Kurona and was named a knight of the kingdom. At the age of 5, he embarked on the road to the Holy Grail. At the age of 9, he killed a wyvern and a doomsday bull by himself, successfully completing the Holy Grail.
After the trial, he returned to the territory and inherited his father's position as Duke of Winford.
The difference between Francois and the other dukes was that this Grand Duke was extremely good at internal affairs, and his many years of military service had never affected his wisdom. Under his governance, the already wealthy Dukedom of Winford went a step further and became almost a human being.
A heavenly look.
His military ability has never been neglected. 11 years ago, the undead great wizard Heinrich Kemmler led the undead army to invade Britannia. It was Archduke François who led the knights to stop him.
This attack completely drove the undead from the borders of Britannia.
"Welcome to Winford, the champion of ladies, the guardian of Marienburg, and the winner of the championship showdown, Ryan Malcador~" The Grand Duke turned around.
Like Julius and Sulia, the Duke has bright golden hair and sea-blue eyes. His thick short hair makes him look extremely energetic, with finger-wide eyebrows, a high nose bridge, and a beautiful short character.
Hu was taken care of very energetically. It was hard to imagine that the Grand Duke was already in his early seventies. He was so handsome that he looked like he was in his thirties.
But when Ryan turned his gaze to his eyes, the impression of the Duke's appearance had faded. These were a pair of eyes as deep as the sea. These were a pair of eyes that could truly see through people's hearts. Wisdom was surging in this rough sea.
The ocean is rolling, brewing, waiting for the next wave to come.
A silk costume of the Grand Duke of Brittany adorned his majestic body. It seemed that because there were no formal events today, the Duke himself was dressed more casually: "I've been waiting for several days and you didn't come to visit me, so
I have no choice but to invite you over, my baron?"
The Duke's voice is heavy and full of magnetism, with a strong sense of age.
After confirming that the Duke's face was full of smiles, Ryan replied carefully: "I was negligent. I just arrived in the territory and there are a lot of things. I planned to come to visit you after handling them."
"Wise decision! This is a qualified lord." The Duke first affirmed Ryan's approach, and then smiled: "You are outstanding. Even if I knew that you were Ivan's godson, I did not expect you to be so outstanding."
"Reality is always more incredible than imagination, my Duke." Who knew that Ryan smiled unnaturally: "I didn't expect that there would be such a day. When I felt desperate in the championship showdown, it was the lady who gave me the
It gave me the strength to fight on.”
"And your feats along the way are worthy of the name of the lady's champion. This is the reason why I welcome you. Sit down, there is nothing more comfortable than drinking a glass of wine together on this beautiful spring day." The Duke said towards him.
The waiter behind him checked the color. The waiter immediately brought two ivory cups. A bottle of very old wine was opened, and the dark red wine was poured into the jade-white ivory cup: "This is 146 years old."
Young wine, for the ladies!”
"For the lady!" Ryan took the wine glass. The red wine in his mouth had a mellow taste, a long history, and a strong smell of smoke and baking.
"emmm~Truffles, mint, leather, black cherry, and a little bit of the smell of dwarf miners, hard and soft, with clear layers." Ryan closed his eyes and tasted it.
Before Duke Winford could reply, a voice with some surprise came from behind the Baron: "I didn't expect Mr. Lane to be a person who knows how to drink?"
The Baron opened his eyes subconsciously, turned around and looked behind him. (To be continued)