Knight Ailin
The Old Duke's voice was strong and resonant.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the Witcher glanced around and said in a deep voice:
"Wild Hunt!"
"On the night of May Festival, Skeleton Knight soared through the sky, unleashing the scourge that ravaged Arland from their scepters, just as had happened at the Gors Velen..."
The Witcher had barely finished speaking.
"Whoosh~"
The city gate tower erupted in a clamor, like boiling water being scalded by a raging fire.
What happened at the Gors Velen?
"What is this witcher talking about? Isn't Wild Hunt just an old, tired story for children?"
"So it was the Wild Hunt. When the 'meteor' appeared that day, I also vaguely saw something moving..."
"Whatever it is, Lord Mason is right. The people of Temeria cannot die such a tragic and senseless death. We must take revenge! Take revenge!"
Amid the commotion, the Old Duke raised his hand, and the city gate tower instantly returned to silence.
"Are you sure?" the Old Duke asked in a deep voice.
"I saw it with my own eyes!" Ailin said firmly.
The old man's bloodshot eyes stared straight into a pair of deep blue Cat Eyes, the witcher's gaze unwavering.
a long time.
"Thump!"
The cane struck the ground heavily again.
The Old Duke turned and glanced around, making eye contact with each of the nobles.
He lingered on the young nobleman's face for several seconds before saying, "Did you hear me clearly?"
The group looked at each other in bewilderment.
Although several nobles with numerous medals on their chests, and some with tear stains on their faces and eyes filled with hatred and ferocity, stared firmly at the Old Duke.
But most people think this statement is absurd.
How could a monster that hadn't appeared for hundreds of years suddenly appear in Arland?
In comparison.
If it weren't for the discord between witchers and sorcerers in recent decades, it would be common knowledge worldwide.
The Witcher seems to have no reason to lie and fabricate a legendary monster.
They preferred to believe that the disaster on May Festival was a covert act of revenge by the male witches of Ben Ade.
He brandished his lance at the legendary Wild Hunt, which galloped across the boundless sky, bringing endless calamities...
This is absolutely insane!
"I heard you clearly, Father!" the young nobleman shouted.
The next second.
Whether they genuinely agreed or not, the other nobles nodded in agreement.
"This is a war! We have been ambushed by monsters with no honor!" The Old Duke's hoarse voice sounded like the low roar of an aged lion king.
"So from this moment on, the Wild Hunt is our mortal enemy!"
"Whether they are ghosts, omens, or calamities themselves, I will let them die without honor, like bloody focaccia."
The words had barely left his mouth.
The surrounding male nobles all knelt down on one knee with a "whoosh".
Their invincible lord has issued an order, and no matter how bizarre it may sound, they, as vassals, must accept it.
"Da da da~"
At this moment.
Footsteps could be heard coming from the city gate tower not far away.
The Old Duke glanced at them sideways and then waved his hand, signaling everyone to stand up.
High Priest Ianna and Nannick approached.
"High Priest..."
"High Priest..."
Everyone bowed in greeting.
Just as they were wondering why the High Priest and priests of Meritellie hadn't left even after the funeral was over...
The Old Duke turned to face the Witcher.
"Witcher Ailin, where do you come from?" he asked in a deep voice.
Ailin paused for a moment, then instinctively replied, "I come from Kaer Morhen."
Has anyone ever granted you a knighthood?
"Hmm?" Under the gazes of various emotions, Ailin shook his head blankly. "No, no one has ever granted me a knighthood..."
"Clang!"
The sword rang out clearly and melodiously.
The Old Duke drew his sword from his waist and said in a deep voice:
Kneel down!
Ailin seemed to have a sudden realization while he was in a daze.
"Kneeling on one knee is sufficient." Ianna walked to the Old Duke's side, looking at him with a kind smile.
"What!!!"
How could that be?
"He is not from Arland..."
The commotion among the nobles rose again, blowing the raindrops back into the gloomy sky.
"Quiet!"
A solemn voice suddenly came from not far behind the Old Duke.
It was a Guard Knight wearing a helmet.
Ailin could recognize Arthur's voice.
Before Arthur could finish speaking, all the Guard Knight stepped forward simultaneously and surrounded the crowd.
"Clang~ Clang~ Clang~"
Longswords were drawn from their sheaths, Guard Knight held the hilts with both hands, planting them shallowly into the ground.
The gentle drizzle washed the sword, its cold light gleaming.
The nobles immediately fell silent and dared not speak again.
The knights are supporting a witcher with their actions and look forward to welcoming Ailin into their ranks.
This was a scene they had only ever seen in history books.
In the world of Witcher, knights are loyal to their lords, but they also have their own will.
Moreover, after the rebellion of the great nobles, the status of the middle and lower nobles, especially the knights, has improved significantly.
Therefore, the Guard Knight were loyal only to the Old Duke did not care about the opinions of other nobles.
"Go..."
Vesemir's voice came from behind, bringing Ailin back to his senses.
He didn't quite understand...
Why were they just making war mobilizations, and now they're suddenly going to grant him a title?
but...
Although he hadn't yet figured out the pros and cons of accepting the title, with the approval of Ianna and Vesemir, Ailin did as he was told.
"In recognition of your outstanding service in the war for justice," the Old Duke said loudly, emphasizing his words, "In recognition of the virtue, honor, and dedication you have shown..."
He paused for a moment:
"... and for your loyalty to humanity, I, Mason, Duke of Arland, recognized by the gods, by my power and privilege, hereby knight you. Serve us faithfully. Take this sword, and you will suffer no more pain."
Ailin felt the blade of the sword lightly touch his shoulders.
In the rain.
He looked at the Old Duke and, unusually, saw approval and gratitude in his deep brown eyes.
Duke Mason nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said:
"Kaer Morhen is not my fief, and there is already another knight there."
"So..."
"Heroic Witcher, you have protected Arland with your courage, wisdom and strength."
"I will bestow upon you a title for your achievements— Ailin of Arland."
After speaking.
Arthur stepped forward and said respectfully:
"Bow down, Your Excellency."
then.
The newly knighted Ailin of Arland stood up and bowed deeply to his theoretical "lord," Duke Mason.
At this moment.
Besides the fact that the Guard Knight generally approve of it.
Most of the nobles on the city gate tower cast suspicious, even resentful, glances at him.
They knew the Witcher had shielded Arland from the demons' attack, but to be honest, Duke Mason had already paid for it.
So this is something that witchers should be doing.
Even if the task is completed exceptionally well, it would be better to reward the recipient with more money than to bestow a title upon them.
Recalling the words of "Wild Hunt" just now, many people quietly cast suspicious glances at Duke Mason.
The Old Duke was, after all, getting old.
They suspected that he had been bewitched by the witcher, who not only challenged a legendary monster but also bestowed a precious title upon a child who was no more than thirteen or fourteen years old.
Although the title of knight does not represent the territory and status of a nobleman like the titles of great nobles, it cannot be inherited.
But at least ordinary knights cannot be called "sirs".
in addition.
Having a titled knight also greatly increases the chances of advancing further in rank.
You could even say that...
In Temeria, which has the most knights, if Ailin makes any significant contribution to Arland or Temeria, even if Duke Mason himself is unwilling, he will have to promote Ailin to a noble rank.
Otherwise, the many knightly orders of Temeria might express their "dissatisfaction" in various ways.
Therefore, being granted a title as a knight and not being a knight are two completely different concepts.
The Old Duke seemed to notice the strange looks on everyone's faces, and addressed the nobles calmly:
"Sir Ailin deserves this honor."
The crowd remained silent.
Clearly, they were not convinced, but remained silent out of respect for the Old Duke's prestige, and did not question him.
The Old Duke glanced at Ianna beside him, and seeing her nod slightly, he said:
"It was not High Priest Ianna who warned of the May Festival crisis, but our knight of Arland, the Witcher Master of the School of the Wolf of Witchcraft, Ailin."
The words had barely left his mouth when, after less than two seconds of unbelievable silence, he spoke.
"What?!!"
A boisterous noblewoman exclaimed in surprise.
The city gate tower became as noisy as a vegetable market once again.
Everyone turned their attention to Ailin and Ianna, chattering and expressing their surprise.
Only the older nobles looked at the Old Duke with suspicion.
"This is what Ianna told me May Festival, and according to her, Sir Ailin was able to foresee this disaster because of the oracle of the Goddess Meritellie."
The Old Duke said calmly.
Now, not only the loud and boisterous noblewomen, but even the old and composed nobles in the crowd could no longer maintain their elegance.
Prophecy, oracles, High Priest, knights...
In particular, the Goddess Meritellie has not issued any divine pronouncements for hundreds of years.
The discussion suddenly reached a new level.
With a "clatter".
Something fell to the ground.
"Ha... Sir Javier, please help me pick up my dentures..."
In the midst of the chaos, the Old Duke raised his hand, and the crowd instantly fell silent.
Then everyone instinctively looked at Ianna at the same time.
The High Priest of the Goddess Meritellie nodded:
"That's right, this warning was given to me by Sir Ailin after the goddess appeared to him in a dream."
At this moment.
A middle-aged noblewoman asked:
"But before May Festival, you clearly told us that you received revelation from the goddess..."
Ianna smiled upon hearing this.
But before she could explain...
The man next to the middle-aged woman immediately tugged at her arm and swore vulgarly:
"Shut your mouth, you ignorant and stupid woman."
"If someone told you before May Festival that an unknown male witcher had received a revelation from the Goddess Meritellie, would you believe it?"
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged noblewoman blushed, shrank back, and fell silent.
"I wasn't lying..." Ianna explained with a smile, "I did receive the revelation from the lady, but it was just relayed to me by Sir Ailin."
"He was in the icon room closest to the lady at the time..."
Sleep... the Witcher added two words in his mind.
Upon hearing Ianna's words, everyone immediately understood.
So it is said that...
They are able to stand here safely now, instead of being buried underneath, thanks to him.
Moreover, it is indeed justifiable to award a knighthood for such a feat of saving a city.
then.
The nobles' gazes toward Ailin softened considerably.
Many thoughtful individuals glanced at the young witcher, then at the Old Duke and Ianna, lost in thought.
The Old Duke's attitude towards this newly appointed knight goes without saying.
However, the High Priest of the Temple of Melitele trusted a witcher so much.
The icon room, which houses the original icon of the Goddess Meritellie, is not a place that ordinary people can enter.
It is said that even the Old Duke had never entered that most sacred place in all of Arland.
not to mention.
The High Priest actually damaged his own prestige to "pave the way" for this witcher...
What exactly is the relationship between this witcher named Ailin and the High Priest and the Old Duke?
"Alright, the rain is getting heavier, everyone go back." The Old Duke waved his hand, interrupting the secret speculations of some eager-to-do individuals.
After bowing to the Old Duke, the nobles departed one after another.
Ailin was about to leave as well, but Arthur stopped him and pulled him to a corner:
"After the investiture ceremony, there should have been a grand banquet to celebrate, inviting the nobles and knights of Arland to gather together and celebrate the birth of the new knight."
"However," Arthur sighed, "Because of the recent loss of Arland, this banquet cannot be held."
"It's alright." The Witcher shook his head. "I don't care about that."
Actually, this is better.
It was the thought of him having to feign politeness with those nobles at that celebratory banquet that made him uncomfortable.
not to mention.
Even from the fact that the Old Duke temporarily changed "in recognition of your virtues, honors and loyalty to the Royal Family" to "loyalty to humanity" in the investiture proclamation, it is clear that...
In reality, the knight Ailin was not a vassal of the Old Duke or the Temeria royal family.
I just don't know.
This was based on past experience, or perhaps the Old Duke simply adapted his approach.
Upon hearing this, Arthur twitched the corners of his mouth and smiled.
"In that case, let's get down to business..."
Just then.
For some reason, Duke Mason, who had not yet left, leaned on his cane, looked down at the misty rain outside the city of Arland, and said to the attendant who came up to hold an umbrella for him:
"Find someone to hold an umbrella for her."
"Enough people have died in Arland recently..."
A servant hurriedly left after receiving the order.
As the Witcher listened to Arthur's explanation of the "family crest," "banner," "knightly code," and other matters following the investiture ceremony, he glanced sideways at the city below.
"Clap clap clap~"
The rain intensified.
The world was woven into layers of fine white beaded curtains.
A solitary, thin figure, with his back to Arland, knelt before the freshly turned earth.
It was as if the muddy, filthy place was the whole world she longed for.