Natalie gave up her chance to become a Grail Knight of the Mother of the Forest in favor of Knight Warland.
It wasn't a decision she'd made on a whim. Clearly, even the black-hearted witcher had given it some thought. Once she'd confirmed that the Grail used by the mountain folk came from Avalon, Natalie had resolved to find a way to make amends for the Old Church's centuries of persecution and misunderstanding of them.
Lord Murphy's suggestion—that she simply drink the holy water and become a Grail Knight of the Mother of the Forest—was certainly the easiest and most effective option. But Natalie could achieve the same result without disrupting her own career plans by helping the mountain folk gain their first Grail Knight.
As it turned out, all the advice Kudell, a true Grail Knight, had given them was very effective.
The moment Knight Warland drank a full cup of holy water, strange things began to happen.
First, a cool breeze rose out of nowhere and swept through the woods, stirring the branches with a rustle. Then great swathes of emerald light flew out of the quiet forest around them, speckling the site of the ancient ritual like fireflies.
As the mountain folk gasped in amazement, all kinds of woodland animals began peeking out, too.
Most striking was a stag with enormous, magnificent antlers shaped like ornate swords. It strode elegantly through the trees. Perhaps it really had just been out for a stroll, heard the strange commotion, and come over to take a look. But these superstitious people took it as an auspicious sign, dancing around the sword-antlered stag and shouting with joy, while the handsome animal looked utterly helpless.
But the more significant changes were happening to Warland.
The already towering Vulture Knight's body swelled as