On the Empire's side, the Church of Justice suffered heavy losses in the martyrdom battle at Tal Gorge over three years ago. After barely recovering in three years, they were now forced to muster their forces once again. Alfred, the Cardinal of the West Bretonnia Diocese and the Church of Justice, quickly received the summons. Reluctantly, he had no choice but to rally the church forces of the Freyja Old Parish once more.
In the Duchy of Parravon, the grand banquet symbolizing the military alliance between Bretonnia and Athel Loren was nearing its end.
After a day of bustling activity, the newlyweds finally had some time alone. Although the various ceremonies and socializing with the heroes could be handled perfectly thanks to the innate talents inherited from the Sigil Bearer, Devonshire, who was experiencing such an event as the main character for the first time, felt a bit dizzy from the non-stop activities. By the time he realized it, the large bridal chamber was empty except for the Twilight Sisters and himself.
The Imperial Saint-Grandson didn't know how to start the conversation. He hid his anticipation in awkwardness as he gazed at the two maids. The Twilight Sisters had changed out of their daytime formal attire and stockings, now wearing semi-transparent nightgowns made of Cathayan silk and daring fishnet stockings. Their masks had been replaced with beautiful hairpins. This was the first time Devonshire saw Nestra with lipstick and Alora with a faint blush on her pale cheeks. The sisters looked completely different from how they appeared during the day, presenting the most enchanting side of the Asrai maidens to the young man.
As Devonshire glanced back and forth at the sisters, the Twilight Sisters also peeked at their young lover through their long lashes. Both their own feelings and the introductions from the two goddesses had ignited an unusually intense affection for the Sun Prince. While much of it was curiosity and a fondness for the "pure young human boy," there was also a sense of attachment.
For the Twilight Sisters, Ariel's command was absolute. If she wanted them to marry Devonshire, they would marry him. If she wanted them to love this human, they would love him. And indeed, Devonshire was quite likable.
Devonshire's youthful body and face radiated the vitality and purity expected of a human boy. The pure cleansing power that quietly surrounded him, warding off evil, the surging vitality of a long-lived being, and the budding wisdom, insight, and loyalty to order and humanity that could be faintly sensed in his young body were like the sweetest spring in Athel Loren, irresistibly drawing the sisters to him.
The three newlyweds stared at each other for a while. While the Twilight Sisters were still hesitating through their soul-link, Devonshire remembered his father's teachings and mustered the courage to reach out and take the hands of the two sisters who were about to become his personal maids. Interestingly, the usually passionate Nestra shyly covered her face with her other hand, while the typically cold Alora actively grasped Devonshire's hand and placed it on her chest.
Was this what his father called... "gap moe"?
Before the young prince could speak, the sisters leaned in, and a spark of psychic energy flashed. Devonshire's mind was flooded with the sweet, loving murmurs from the sisters' soul-link—just as his lips were sealed by four crimson petals. At this moment, even the moon shyly hid behind the clouds... However, Lilith, the Moon Goddess, showed no such restraint. As the mastermind behind the "Grand Marriage Plan," she shamelessly spied on her son and his new brides through the moonlight, finding great delight and satisfaction in the unfolding events.
Though it was his first time, Devonshire seemed to have inherited the "experience of the Master of Mankind," employing various family techniques tailored for the tall and slender elves. His youthful stamina and primarch genes allowed him to recover far faster than an ordinary human. Just as Ryan had predicted, the sisters' soul-link enabled the inexperienced Devonshire to fight on two fronts simultaneously.
Nevertheless, Devonshire was still somewhat overwhelmed.
On the side of the Twilight Sisters, their rebirth ensured that their souls and bodies remained as youthful, pure, and vibrant as ever. Years of cooperation had given them exceptional默契 in almost everything, and the bloodline of Queen Ariel granted them the stamina and desire to withstand the direct assault of a primarch's descendant.
More importantly, the supernova-like purity and intensity of the Grey Knight Primarch's soul flame in the Warp scorched any evil that coveted the elves' desires. In his presence, the elves could freely release the long-suppressed emotions of their kind. Nestra's passionate and adorable nature evoked a protective instinct, while Alora's cold dominance stirred a desire to conquer. These emotions alternated rapidly, overwhelming the young Devonshire, who was experiencing such pleasures for the first time, leaving him lost in the contrast between ice and fire.
In the end, everything concluded with Devonshire, remembering his father's advice to "surrender early and lose only half," begging his two elder sisters for mercy. Nestra and Alora magnanimously let him off.
There would be plenty of time in the future, after all.
As the Twilight Sisters fell asleep, their psychic connection remained strong, as if they were utterly captivated by the sense of security that came from being intertwined both physically and spiritually.
Meanwhile, the blushing elder who had been spying felt both joy at the seamless harmony between elf and human souls, which boded well for her plans, and satisfaction at seeing a certain supreme being once again express displeasure at the cross-species love that drifted uncontrollably from the light of order, yet unable to bring himself to chastise Devonshire. She then floated contentedly toward King Ryan's chambers.
The plan to establish a galactic empire reuniting humans and eldar had taken its first step.
...I am the dividing line of the first step...
The next afternoon, Devonshire and the Twilight Sisters went to pay their respects to the Sun King, Ryan.
By then, new troops had arrived in Parravon, and the Bretonnian army was gathering. After handling a series of military and political matters, Ryan strode into the manor where he was temporarily staying. The wooden floor of the study was covered with a thick carpet, and the three young people's steps were a bit unsteady. The Twilight Sisters flanked Devonshire as they all knelt on one knee.
"Father."
"Stepfather." *2
"Rise. From now on, we are family. There's no need for all this kneeling," Ryan said, carefully observing Devonshire. Though his son looked somewhat tired with dark circles under his eyes, his spirit was still strong, and his psychic energy was not depleted. Ryan breathed a sigh of relief, having genuinely worried that his inexperienced son might have been completely drained.
Confirming that his son seemed unharmed and even quite happy, Ryan nodded. "How do you feel? Are you getting along well?"
Devonshire blushed and lowered his head, unable to speak. The Twilight Sisters, however, were more composed. Nestra cheerfully said, "It feels wonderful, Stepfather!"
"Not bad," Alora coldly nodded, though a faint blush crossed her face.
"You're still young, so don't get too caught up in such matters," Ryan's tone was as imposing as a mountain, but he quickly softened it before the newlyweds could feel pressured or fearful. He admonished, "Moderation is key. Nestra, Alora, have you paid your respects to Sulia and the Lady yet?"
"We agreed to first pay our respects to the Sun King."
"Then we will visit Lady Sulia and Lady Lilith," the Twilight Sisters took turns speaking.
"Good," Ryan nodded in satisfaction. "They should be outside having afternoon tea. Go and pay your respects to Sulia and Lilith first. They will handle the rest."
"Yes," Devonshire nodded, his face still red. "I'll take them to see Mother, Father."
"By the way, Devonshire, from today onward, you are a man. You need to start involving yourself in military and political affairs. Your godfather and Uncle Laon will arrive with the Northern Army tomorrow. You should spend more time with them and practice. You'll also be taking the field against Mogul this time," Ryan added just as he was about to leave.
"Father, already?" Devonshire's face fell. He was not even sixteen yet, and after what had just happened... he wasn't quite ready.
"I fought in the Lapland War at sixteen, and Fred started on the battlefield at sixteen. He's only nineteen now and has already participated in over fifteen policing campaigns and two major battles," Ryan said calmly. "Or do you think you're inferior to Fred?"
"Of course not!" Devonshire immediately perked up.
"Go on. Duke Casson has prepared a small courtyard for you in the manor. Move there. The Wood Elves prefer quiet, and with the army gathering, there's constant coming and going here, which might disturb you," Ryan waved his hand, signaling them to leave.
Devonshire and the Twilight Sisters withdrew. Ryan sat in the study's main seat, the Grey Knight Primarch first smiled, then shook his head, covering his face in self-mockery. "Lilith has succeeded again."
Of course, Ryan saw through the Lady of the Lake's scheme. But as previously mentioned, gaining a Wood Elf army and two high-tier Saint Realm powerhouses was too good a deal to refuse.
Moreover, giving Devonshire two personal maids didn't mean his future was irrevocably tied to the Twilight Sisters. This marriage was merely a symbol of the alliance—a necessary symbol. It just so happened that the Lady of the Lake and Queen Ariel met, the Twilight Sisters saw Devonshire, took a liking to the young virgin, and the Knight Kingdom needed an alliance with the Wood Elves. Thus, when the Lady of the Lake and Ariel reached an agreement, Ryan couldn't refuse.
My brother said it's all good.
No need to overthink it. Ryan sat for a few more minutes, reviewing military reports and logistics.
An old guardsman strode into the study. "Your Majesty, Duke Casson requests an audience."
"Granted."
Duke Casson, still youthful with a faint mustache and dazzling golden hair, had already completed the Grail Quest and inherited his dukedom. Yet, he remained enthusiastic, cheerful, and lively. The Duke of Parravon entered quickly, knelt on one knee, and said, "Your Majesty, Marshal Calard, Marshal Rokossovsky, and Marshal Laon's Northern Army have arrived in Parravon. The current High King of the Norsca Dwarfs, Bardyl Crimsonbeard, has also arrived."
"Good. They will be rewarded for their contributions in this campaign," Ryan thought for a moment. "How is Parravon's army training coming along?"
"All forces are assembled: the Parravon Swift Army, the Parravon Mountain Hunters, the Grey Lady Rifle Battalion, and the Parravon Pegasus Knights Brotherhood await Your Majesty's inspection!"
Ryan dismissed Duke Casson and reviewed the military reports, his expression softening. "Theresa has returned too."
The Primarch stood up.
Fifteen minutes later, outside Parravon, at the gathering point of the Knightly Army.
It was late December of Imperial Year 2521. The Winter Feast holidays had just ended, and upon hearing of the impending war and the Sun King's call to arms, all of Bretonnia mobilized. The dukes led their personal guards and direct troops to Parravon, followed by the duchy's standing army. The remaining peasant infantry and some freemen militias were still on their way.
The weather was cold, but there was no snow. However, the atmosphere in the camp was fervent.
Ryan went out to greet Calard, Rokossovsky, and Laon, then met with Bardyl Crimsonbeard, the current High King of the Norsca Dwarfs. Bardyl, over two hundred years old, had been groomed as a prince for two centuries. He was highly experienced and dignified, though he looked somewhat sorrowful and weary. Behind him stood the King's Guard of Karak Drak—the Hammer of the Dragon, an exceptionally large dwarf regiment with over eight hundred Hammerers.
Laon's Northern Army had about 12,000 men who had retreated into Bretonnia, while Calard's Continental Army had 14,000, totaling 26,000. These troops had hurried to join the upcoming war against Mogul.
With these 26,000, plus the arriving ducal armies and other regional forces, along with Ryan's Royal Army, Bretonnia had mustered a formidable force of 50,000, with a stellar lineup of commanders.
More importantly, both the Northern and Continental Armies had repeatedly fought against barbarians and Chaos, emerging victorious.
In a way, the Northern Army had already accomplished Ryan's three tasks: "delay," "training," and "providing a place for fallen nobles."
Ryan chatted with Laon, Calard, and Rokossovsky about the war in Kislev.
Meanwhile, the Sun King whispered a few words to Talleyrand.
Elsewhere, Theresa, the ice-aligned Saint Realm novice sorceress, looked exhausted. She hadn't wanted to rush to Parravon, but she had missed Ryan after being apart for so long, and both Laon and Calard were eager to return to Bretonnia for the war against Mogul. While Grail Knights rarely felt fatigue, the pampered Theresa found the journey taxing.
Upon arriving in Parravon, Theresa watched Ryan receive the marshals and then walk off, chatting and laughing, without a word to her. The sorceress felt deeply wronged, especially when she saw who had come to greet her.
"Well, if it isn't my little Caladan princess? Back from victory, eager to claim credit from our Sun King~" Veronica, the head of the Sorceress Council, blocked her path, her sweet almond eyes filled with mockery. "After all, our little Caladan princess and her lofty mother have never been fond of joining His Majesty's military campaigns. This time, after finally participating and gaining some merit, she's in a hurry to show off, act coy, and make her presence known. Am I right?"
"You!" Theresa clenched her teeth, both embarrassed and angered. Veronica's words had exposed her innermost thoughts.
"By the order of the Sun King!" At that moment, the voice of Talleyrand-Morris-Bannister, Bretonnia's Foreign Minister, rang out. "Lady Veronica Bernadotte and Lady Theresa Trolovic, receive the decree!"
Veronica and Theresa quickly straightened their dresses and knelt before Talleyrand.
"By the decree of His Majesty the Sun King, Lady Veronica Bernadotte, Chief Lady-in-Waiting of the Bretonnian Court, Head of the Sorceress Council, Dawnfire Sorceress, wise and insightful, with unparalleled talent and divine foresight, is hereby granted the title of Baroness of Troyes, with the fief of Troyes and its surrounding 180 square kilometers."
"By the decree of His Majesty the Sun King, Lady Theresa Trolovic, Second Lady-in-Waiting of the Bretonnian Court, Vice Head of the Sorceress Council, Ice Sorceress, honest and righteous, respectful and yielding, generous and tolerant, with divine virtue and merit, is hereby granted the title of Baroness of Brest, with the fief of Brest and its surrounding 200 square kilometers."
The entire court was stunned.
Sorceresses being ennobled?
And two at once?!
______
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