"The Sharp-Top Palace is governed by Earl Ocasen, a noble who obeys the Vampire Count but hasn't been transformed into the undead. The Sharp-Top Palace is located at the intersection of the Boldro Duchy, Musillon, and the Bastogne Duchy, making it an enclave for me," Laine frowned and said in a low voice, "Richard's arrangement is just to hope that I can have a big fight with the vampire, which would benefit not only the kingdom but also him."
"It's not entirely an enclave. The Sharp-Top Palace is located on the north side of a sturdy stone bridge spanning the lower reaches of the Grismore River. To the south lies the Charon Forest, and in fact, it's not far from the settlement we've established in the Charon Forest. Duke Bohemond of Bastogne has no objections to your expansion in the Charon Forest; he is not very interested in this territory. Better to let you occupy it," Surya continued her analysis. "The Sharp-Top Palace is heavily guarded by a half-undead, half-human force, and taking it will require extensive preparation. Also... Laine, even if you manage to capture it, I suggest appointing a baron there, otherwise, you won't be able to manage it."
"That makes sense," Laine nodded. He had indeed considered assigning a title after listening to Surya. One person's energy is limited, especially in such a dangerous world. The feudal system is necessary because a long frontier requires defense against many invasions, and even the strongest nation can be dragged down by it—undead, chaos, green skins, and even human civil wars. This world has never ceased its wars.
The night crept in slowly. Ollica and Amelia attended to Laine and Surya as they retired to the bedroom. The fireplace was lit, creating a comfortable temperature, and the bedspread had a faint fragrance. As the couple snuggled into the bed, Laine held her in his arms, and Surya, wearing a red rose velvet nightdress that revealed her graceful figure, quickly pleaded, "Laine, my husband, let's skip tonight, okay? Let me rest for a day!"
"Hehe," Laine cuddled his wife, leaning on the pillow, with a smug look on his face, "Okay, let's take a break today."
"Ever since we got married, you're with me almost every day. What about Teresa and Veronica?" Surya leaned on her husband's chest, her face full of happiness, and asked softly, "I know you value me, but..."
"You are the Countess, Surya," Laine said, his fingers winding through Surya's golden hair, in a warm voice, "I know it, you know it, and I want everyone in my domain to know it as well. You are the Countess."
Surya nodded silently. She recalled Francois's teachings, that she could allow Laine to have other women around him, but the primary and secondary, the old and new relationships must not be confused.
Laine's exclusive favor since their marriage was, in fact, to solidify her status as the Countess, ensuring everyone knew she was the primary. The stability of the inner courtyard was paramount. Only with Surya's position unshakable could she easily suppress those female courtiers and maids.
After a while of intimacy, Surya remembered something, and she expressed her concern, "Laine, there's something I've been a bit worried about."
"What is it?" Laine held her tighter in his arms.
"Father said Skaven Ratmen are a revengeful race. We disrupted their plans in Hemgart this time and almost destroyed a clan. I'm worried those evil creatures might come to your domain for revenge," Surya's elegant face showed some anxiety.
"If they want to come, let them," Laine appeared unconcerned, "I'm not afraid of assassination, and you have your father's gifts, so you're not afraid either."
"But what about your army? What about your people?" The female knight was still a bit worried.
"I have my brother with me," Laine still smiled. Surya wanted to continue questioning, but Laine just smiled without answering further.
... Segue of smiles without answers ...
Early the next morning, in the Old World, Brittania, Count Glamorgan, Red Fish Village.
Anggron, the Devourer Gene Primordial, awoke from his dream.
Anggron's eyes were somewhat dazed. He could confirm that he dreamed last night of events from ten thousand years ago, remembering his attack on Terra with Horus and his conversation with Saint Gile on the palace wall.
He urged Saint Gile to surrender, but Saint Gile flatly refused, and then the siege of the Imperial Palace began, with flames enveloping everything.
Past memories were so painful, and whenever Anggron dreamed of them, he felt a heart-wrenching sensation.
However, today was different. As Anggron awoke on a three-meter long and two-meter wide dwarf-crafted iron bed, a feeling of clarity emerged in his mind, quickly coursing through his entire body.
Initially, Anggron was not sure what had happened. Then, his body's response enlightened him on why he felt different. With glee, the Devourer Gene Primarch raised his massive hand, "Come!"
"Shoo~" The paired war axes "Tearer" and "Meat Cutter," resting against the wall, flew into his hands upon his call. Firmly gripping his cherished axes, Anggron released a roar that pierced the heavens, "Aaaaaaahhh!!"
The roar shook the stone house from side to side, and nearby peasants were literally blown away by the blast wave. Fortunately, Anggron controlled his strength well enough not to kill anyone.
He had finally regained his peak strength!
After controlling his power and roaring for a while, Anggron thought he'd better not collapse his house. He then stopped, hung the axes on his back, fetched some water from the bucket to wash, and opened the door.
The village elder of Red Fish Village was trembling with fear, standing in front of Anggron's mansion. Kneeling respectfully, he asked, "M-Mr. Anggron, what happened, if I may ask?"
"Oh, nothing much, just something happy," Anggron nonchalantly chuckled, "Sorry for the disturbance, keep working hard, eat well, and next year will be better."
The elder thought, with a powerful knight like this shouting everyone awake, who wouldn't work hard?
Anggron's presence was the village's Guardian God. This big Kingdom Knight had a temper, but he was good to the villagers. When he noticed the elder hadn't left, Anggron realized there was a request, "What's the matter? Speak."
"V-Villagers have seen a gigantic goat-headed monster and rotten trees deep in the forest! Lord Anggron!" the elder timidly pleaded, "We're worried..."
"No problem, leave it to me," Anggron thought he wanted to cut something anyway.
"Thank you so much!" The elder bowed again, expressing his respect.
Anggron paid no more heed to the elder and villagers and set off alone toward the distant forest from Red Fish Village.
Indeed, after spending several hours, Anggron found signs of corruption deep in the forest: the stench, decayed trees, land turned to a mass of flesh and blood. A Giant Beast was moving through the forest, heading directly toward Laine's domain.
Even in Anggron's memories, few things repulsed him as much as this creature. Everywhere it went, the land darkened and decayed, exuding terrifying evil power, slowly—and unbelievably—corroding its surroundings. It had an incredibly robust body, resembling a giant standing goat-headed monster, but with a rat's face and two large horns. It was the embodiment of "destruction," with an extreme penchant for the vile and rotten.
This was a Chaos Great Demon! And it seemed to be one from the Skaven, called Lord of Calamity or something? Anggron fixated on this deeply evil and unnatural creature, feeling not tension or gravity, but rather ease and pleasure.
He was looking to slice something up, and here it was delivered!
The Lord of Calamity had also noticed Anggron. Summoned by the Great Horned Rat, this nightmarish Demon was calculating countless insidious and malicious plans, aiming to completely ravage this land as the Great Horned Rat's incarnation in the Mortal World, seeking vengeance against Laine!
And it decided to start with the bald human before him!
"G-Great Horned Rat will b-bring judgment to all who dare oppose it! Yesyes! H-Human, hairless bald thing, die!" The Lord of Calamity screeched, shifting its nightmarish gaze to Anggron.
Anggron took down his paired axes from his back, recalling the dream he had the previous night.
The Devourer Gene Primordial released his own battle cry.
"For the blood of Saint Gile!!!"
