"You know what happened afterward. At my mother’s request, I started my adventure with him in Nord..."

Surya picked up her teacup with interest and said with a smile, "Backup? It probably refers to a spare and a candidate. Actually, Lady Teresa, when Laine truly gained recognition and became a hero admired by all, he wasn’t even on the selection list anymore. For example, by the time you came here looking for Laine, he was already preordained by my father to be my husband."

"But in reality, I used to find men without titles, status, or strength disdainful, unwilling to even offer basic respect. But when I encountered someone like Laine... How could someone like him ever marry a witch? This isn’t Kislev!" Teresa sighed helplessly, "I’m just... not reconciled, even though I was first."

"You need to learn to adapt, Lady Teresa. What I want to say is, regarding my marriage with Laine, I’m not the one with the advantageous family background, because you don’t know Laine’s true origins," Surya said with deep meaning, "It seems, we’ve temporarily reached a consensus."

"Real... family background?" Teresa frowned in confusion, feeling like she’d missed something, "Can... you elaborate?"

"No," Surya shook her head, "Let’s change the topic, Lady Teresa, why don’t you invite your mother over here? As Laine’s female courtier, I’d preferably chat with Lady Aurora."

"Alright..."

......

"Meeting with Caroline? That’s an encounter I’d rather forget."

Laine, holding Amelia’s hand, strolled leisurely with Mr. Alfred through the corridors of the Justice Church. He asked humorously and with some amusement, "Afu, why are you interested in this?"

"News from Nord recently said Princess Caroline married a baron from the Midland Territory, and it made me recall this event," Mr. Alfred, now sporting a golden beard, looked mature and steady, yet his smile as a Temple Knight remained as warm and bright as ever.

"Tell me, tell me~ Laine, please," Little Maid Amelia’s eyes sparkled as she tugged on Laine’s sleeve, incessantly pressing for answers, "I’m very interested."

"Ten men," Laine said, swayed by Amelia, "Ten men lined up, entering the palace together to meet Princess Caroline. We couldn’t directly gaze at the princess’s face, nor turn our backs to her, nor sit down. Without the princess’s permission, we couldn’t speak voluntarily. When asked a question by the princess, we had to first say, ’Answering your question, honorable and dearly loved Princess,’ before we could respond, and we had to keep it brief."

"No wonder, only a Nord Country Bumpkin would have these rules," Amelia scoffed, showing disdain on her face, "A bunch of country folk, only aware of using these convoluted rules to maintain their status. True power doesn’t come from superficial appearances but from a strong inner self."

"No wonder, I recall after that meeting, you were determined to leave Nord," Mr. Alfred laughed heartily, "It was like a ritual of inspecting merchandise, and you were the merchandise."

"Forget it, let’s not mention this," Laine felt his past embarrassments as he remembered, and then inquired of Mr. Alfred, "So, lately, Lorgar has been staying with you?"

"Yes, he’s been here with me, preaching, training hard, and spreading the gospel. Occasionally, he complains that this level of faith isn’t high enough, not meeting his standards," Mr. Alfred said with a wry smile, "I’m not sure if he’s here to help me or hinder me, but after he preached, the locals readily chose to believe in the God of Justice. However, they prefer to shout ’For the Emperor,’ and all those whom Mr. Lorgar preached to started showing excessive zeal, even attempting self-harm to demonstrate their devotion. I quickly stopped this from happening."

"I really..." Laine shook his head, rubbing his chin, "Never mind, he won’t stay long with me. You just have to endure it for now."

"Actually, Mr. Lorgar isn’t that difficult to get along with. His thirst for and understanding of knowledge even makes me feel inferior. In just two weeks, he’s almost read all the books in my collection, peppering his speech with maxims," Mr. Alfred said, feeling troubled, "I think we have many similar views. He said he wanted to compile a new pamphlet filled with his summarized Holy Words, and I’ve agreed to help him with editing."

Indeed! Lorgar is spreading corruption! Laine’s face turned blue instantly.

This guy needs to be taken away by his father quickly! Wherever he goes, trouble follows!

The Count looked disdainful.

"Speaking of which, Laine, Mr. Lorgar doesn’t seem as formidable as Mr. Angerong, does he?" Amelia asked, "I saw his duel with Marquis Julius ended inconclusively."

"Do you know why Marquis Julius chose to concede, dear Amelia?" Laine smiled as he held the little maid’s hand.

"Why?" Amelia’s heart filled with amusement, pretending to be curious.

Men sometimes need a bit of room for pride.

"Because he had no chance of winning," Laine narrowed his eyes, "On the surface, it looked like Lorgar and Julius were evenly matched. However, the problem was, how was Julius going to win? Lorgar’s stamina and energy were nearly infinite, growing stronger in repeated frenzy, while Julius grew tired and almost couldn’t hold his sword anymore."

"I see, though I think Marquis Julius made several strong counterattacks," Amelia continued.

"There were counterattacks, but the effect was minor, so he felt there was no point in continuing," Laine nodded, "Julius is a martial fanatic, and he’s certainly found opportunities to improve his skills. My brother-in-law’s abilities are already quite advanced among the young knights, with high talent, focusing all his energy on practicing horsemanship and swordsmanship."

"Bravery is one of the few means by which we can protect ourselves in this dark world, Miss Amelia," Mr. Alfred said as he grabbed the longsword on his waist, "Especially for Lords, they need to know some martial skills when they go to battle. Battlegrounds are the best places to build prestige. Laine gained his prestige through countless wars... Laine, are you here to enjoy the hot springs?"

"Then let’s trouble Mr. Alfred to arrange it," Amelia interjected, taking over the conversation before Laine could answer.

"Certainly," Mr. Alfred glanced back to Laine, seeing no objection, the Temple Knight nodded, "Please wait a moment, I’ll make the arrangements."

Meanwhile, in the New World, Lustria, at the Norsca people enclave, Skogji Port.

This former prosperous Barbarian port is engulfed in endless warfare. The well-equipped Ash Legion, reinforced by many Lizardmen allies, is driving the last of the Barbarians into their final stronghold.

Watching the surrounding devastation and the unstoppable charge of the Human Expeditionary Army, Skogji’s Chief, Chaos Champion Rostlinksen-Kur, stood atop the Chaos Altar, despairingly eyeing his collapsing Barbarian soldiers.

Unable to do anything.

For a tall man stood before him, impossibly handsome, with silk-like silver hair swirling in the air like an ancient god descending to earth.

"You’re here?"

"In the name of the Divine Emperor, I bring you judgment," the newcomer said, not allowing the Chaos Champion further words, as his golden power sword flicked, transforming him into a blur of purple light.

The Chaos Champion still reaching for his axe.

"Swish~" In the next instant, a great head soared high, blood splattering the entire Chaos Altar.

"Die!"