The Holy Grail Knight before the gravestone turned to face Annan at those words.
"I am Marcolo Stone Milton."
"Annan Levis. I grew up hearing tales of your legendary deeds." Annan offered his respects.
"What do you think of the Rikaner Kingdom?"
"In what regard?"
"What it did before, and what it's doing now."
"They made mistakes, so they should be punished. Free City has grown weak, so it can only punish them in its own way." After a pause, Annan continued, "They got two Holy Grail Knights killed. They must have known the price of doing that, but they did it anyway... Either they're utter fools, or they're certain they'll win."
Annan lowered his gaze to Mel's gravestone:
"Look. They weren't fools."
The Tenth Holy Grail Knight remained silent. He was not much for words, but Annan sensed emotion stirring beneath his calm. "What do you intend to do? Forgive my bluntness, but one Holy Grail Knight can't change anything."
Annan hated what the Rikaner Kingdom had done, but he had to admit its cunning. Holy Grail Knights were forged to be the strongest shields, but in the Year of Turmoil, they had lost most of the power bestowed on them by the Lady of the Lake. The Rikaner Kingdom had seized the chance to uproot the thorns in its territory.
"The Holy Grail Knights' Hall can."
That was good news.
Annan said simply, "Free City won't hesitate to help."
"If we need you, I'll come find you."
The Tenth Holy Grail Knight left the Cemetery. Annan watched him and his retinue go, then took a small yellow flower meant for the Earth Elemental from his ring and placed it before Mel's gravestone.
Staying on good terms with the Holy Grail Knights could only help.
"The Tenth Holy Grail