Build high walls, accumulate grain, and wait to claim kingship.
Ryan had thought deeply about this. He had carefully considered this issue after the war.
Francois and Bohemond had no intention of leaving. Francois took out a bottle of fine wine from a premier winery in Winford, a vintage Latour: "Care for a drink, Ryan?"
Duke Bohemond also sat down. The servants of the Red Dragon Duke brought in a small round table, placing it by the bed and setting up various foods.
"If you're injured, you shouldn't drink," Ryan shook his head. He lowered his head and thought for a moment before continuing, "It seems Richard has dug a pit for me to jump into."
"A pit?" Bohemond was confused. He stuffed a piece of roast beef into his mouth, mumbling, "Richard was quite decisive about abdicating. He said he could step down tomorrow if possible. So why do you say that?"
Ryan smiled and looked out the window, not answering, just shaking his head.
"Because the conditions aren't met," Francois said, adjusting his golden hair. The wise father-in-law said lightly, "Bohemond, have you forgotten the condition to compete for the throne?"
"Isn't Ryan already the Duke of Mousilon?" Bohemond thought for a moment, then suddenly understood, slapping his thigh. "Ah! I get it, Ryan is still a 'landless duke'!"
"Exactly, the condition to be king is to reclaim Mousilon," Ryan nodded. "I did defeat Matthew Bard and win the champion duel, but I haven't reclaimed Mousilon yet!"
Francois nodded, his blue eyes full of wisdom. He sipped his wine and said, "At this moment, Richard suddenly proposing to pass the throne to Ryan might seem like he is weary of being king. His eldest son Charles's rebellion greatly diminished his prestige, and his failed attempts to die in battle have left him wanting to abdicate and retreat from everything."
"But if viewed maliciously, Richard is setting a trap for Ryan. If Ryan excitedly agrees immediately, Richard would abdicate at once. But how would the knights think? How would the Lady think? The condition to compete for the throne is to reclaim Mousilon. If Ryan hastily claims the throne without achieving this, it would disappoint many and taint his hard-earned victory over the viper."
"That old fox! So cunning and full of schemes!" Bohemond finally understood. The Red Dragon Duke grumbled, "This is why I hate court and politics—so filthy!"
"It's not necessarily so," Ryan defended Richard. "In my view, his intentions are mostly benign. Richard has long been weary. The betrayal by Baron Charles was a heavy blow. He likely doesn't think so much now, and the throne feels like a hot potato he can't wait to pass to me."
Sitting beside them, the witch Veronica felt indignant for Ryan and interrupted, "Maybe he wants to mess with you one last time before abdicating. He hasn't always treated you well—remember when he wanted you to lead the knightly crusade to count the stars in the Necahara Desert?"
Bohemond glared at Veronica, displeased. "What does the Round Table of Holy Grail Knights have to do with you? This is not a topic for a witch. Do we now need witches to advise us on kingdom affairs?"
Veronica's face turned pale with anger. She clenched her fists, struggling to contain her rage. Normally, she would have argued or even dueled with someone who insulted her. As a senior member of the Garland Council with her own team and tower, she no longer needed to tolerate such treatment. But unfortunately, Bohemond was not just anyone. As the highest-ranking duke of Bretonnia and a super-strong knight, offending him would make her life in the kingdom very difficult, even with Ryan's protection.
She had to endure.
A hand reached out from under the blanket and held Veronica's small hand. Ryan smiled at her, signaling not to worry. He then addressed Bohemond, "Veronica is my court lady. She has the right to advise me. I apologize for her misunderstanding of the Round Table requirements."
"Fine, so what is your suggestion, witch?" Bohemond's golden beard quivered as he asked, "Are you planning to drag Richard off the throne in the throne room? Or suggest we prepare for a civil war with the northern nobles?"
"I don't mean that..." Veronica realized she couldn't answer, feeling both aggrieved and angry.
"Then be quiet!" Bohemond sneered. He was about to say more when Francois intervened, "Enough, Bohemond. Veronica means well for Ryan. Don't be too harsh on her."
"Either provide a solution or be quiet. Complaining is useless," Bohemond grumbled. "Now, where were we?"
Ryan reassured Veronica by holding her hand and said, "We were discussing Richard's intentions. I believe his attitude is mostly benign because the question is simple: if he hinders my kingship, who benefits? Is it Lawen?"
"Certainly not. All the nobles know that even if Lawen were alive, he couldn't inherit the throne," Francois continued. "Matthew Bard has been confirmed as Lawen's illegitimate son. In this context, Lawen lost his right to the throne. Now, only Ryan is qualified. It's his by default."
"Regarding Matthew Bard's rebellion, I think he was destined to fail," Ryan said, sipping orange juice. "His actions were contradictory."
"He was torn," Francois said, spearing a piece of steak. "On one hand, he believed himself the rightful heir, entitled to reclaim his inheritance and avenge his mother. On the other, as the Lich King Arkaim's godson, he was bound to the undead. This duality made him a duke and leader of the undead, putting him at odds with the kingdom's affairs, leading everyone to oppose him."
Ryan smiled wryly, "Indeed, he was a contradictory figure. If he sought only revenge and legitimate power, he should have become a Holy Grail Knight and sought a glorious duel to defeat Lawen. If he wanted to destroy the kingdom, he should have turned everyone into undead and fought to the death, especially after submitting to Chaos and seeking the gods' help. But he didn't. His dual identity made him lose his way, unable to balance being a human and undead, leading to his tragic decisions. Living and dead cannot coexist, nor can mortals and Chaos."
"He was a pawn, willingly so. His life was a tragedy," Francois agreed. "Born of a laundress, burdened by a heavy life, consumed by revenge, he could have been a great knight."
"Now the viper is dead," Bohemond sighed. "Let's change the subject. Ryan, do you plan to reclaim Mousilon and then ascend the throne?"
"Not so fast," Ryan said, gathering his thoughts. "Even if we take Mousilon, I need two to three years to stabilize before considering the throne."
"Why?" Bohemond was puzzled. "Don't you want to be King of Knights?"
Ryan and Francois exchanged helpless glances.
"Bohemond, remember, Ryan will be king as Duke of Mousilon," Francois explained. "But Mousilon is desolate, possibly with less than ten thousand people. Rebuilding is a massive project. If Ryan rushes to the throne without a solid foundation and restored production, he won't hold it."
Ryan nodded. "It's not about having the title but gaining everyone's support first. To be a true king, I must rebuild Mousilon, establish a strong army, wealth, and loyal retainers, which I lack now."
Count Glamorgan is prosperous, and Ryan's army is elite, but still too small.
Seeing his son-in-law's understanding and long-term plan, Francois felt satisfied. Marrying Sulia to Ryan was his proudest decision, and his pride grew with Ryan's progress.
"My daughter, you are now a duchess," Francois thought with pride, which showed on his face. Bohemond and Veronica noticed, each reacting differently.
Thinking of his daughter, Francois asked, "When you reclaim Mousilon, will you move Sulia there?"
"Not immediately," Ryan shook his head. "At least one or two years, after Sulia gives birth and recovers, and Mousilon is cleansed of corruption. I might even set the duchy's capital in Gene, depending on the situation."
"Alright," Francois was satisfied with Ryan's response. Despite Ryan having many women, he genuinely cared for Sulia, and his daughter felt happy in this political marriage. With their firstborn, everything was set.
"Francois, Bohemond, I'm inheriting the old duchy of Mousilon, not the diminished Connet Duchy."
"You want to reclaim the old Mousilon territories in southern Leonasse?" Francois realized Ryan's intention.
"Those lands rightfully belong to me," Ryan said seriously. "I hope you support me."
"Reclaiming Mousilon's old lands... is a good time," Francois said, frowning. "Southern Leonasse knights have sworn allegiance to you. With your lineage and strength, the former traitors won't dare oppose. Northern Leonasse is in ruins, with less than eight hundred knights. Duke Alderreld is dead, and Richard is seeking the atonement crusader Duke Darlheid. Though difficult, it's the best time to reclaim the old lands. We'll see how you handle it."
"We must negotiate," Ryan said thoughtfully. "Food aid, help to quell rebellions, and rebuilding homes?"
"Yes, some financial compensation will also be necessary. These conditions will make it hard for Leonasse's nobles to refuse," Francois admitted. "But reclaiming
the old lands will be a tough process. First, focus on reclaiming all of Mousilon. As for the old nobles, there's a precedent in Caronburg."
Francois referred to Caronburg in the Empire's Middenland, under the White Wolf Elector's domain but loyal to Emperor Karl-Franz in Reikland.
As Ryan and Francois discussed the plans, a young servant entered and whispered something to Duke Bohemond, who looked troubled.
"Excuse me, Ryan, Francois. We have a new issue," Bohemond said, clearly vexed.
"What issue?" Francois knew it had to be serious to trouble Bohemond.
"Lawen has returned, brought back by his steed, the griffin Bequis. He's gravely injured, feverish, and delirious."
"How should we handle Lawen, father of the viper Matthew Bard, kingdom regent, Duke of Connet, Lady's champion, and last direct descendant of the original twelve Holy Grail Knights, Cariode the Brave?"
Ryan and Francois were equally troubled.
"Perhaps..."
I've detailed all the factors before, but some keep asking, so here's an explanation of Mousilon's situation and Matthew Bard's rebellion.
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