Chapter 73: Questing Knight

After checking the ammunition accompanying the firearms and cannons once more, Sinuoli resealed the crate and covered it with a rainproof cloth; these protective measures were to prevent the munitions from rusting in the damp underground environment.

"Let's see what kind of configuration the caravan guards Father provided are; if they aren't up to snuff, I'll just keep some of these Iron-drakes for my own Anvil Guard, though the beard-armor is another expense!" Sinuoli muttered to himself as he walked out of the courtyard.

"Master Sinuoli! You've finally come out!" Hearing this deafeningly loud voice, Sinuoli knew it was Qiangsen-Jian Dun.

Seeing that the Anvil Guard before him had a new set of faces, Sinuoli realized these men were his newly recruited guards.

Before Sinuoli could even greet them, Qiangsen continued to shout: "If you don't have anything particularly urgent right now, why not go to the caravan and show your face? You've been cooped up for days, and the clansmen outside are whispering about it!"

Sinuoli nodded, and at a call from Qiangsen, half of the guards crowded around Sinuoli and headed toward the side gate of Karaz-a-Karak.

Along the way, Sinuoli scrutinized his Anvil Guard; his personal safety for a long time to come would depend on them, so he could not be careless.

Compared to the guards of the Iron Chisel Master, this batch of Dwarfs was significantly younger, mostly in their prime, with absolutely no Longbeards among them.

The image of the Mother Goddess was engraved on their shields and helmets; Valaya was, after all, the patron goddess of the Dwarfs, and her use on equipment was second only to the God of War, and here it also served to display Sinuoli's status as the Chosen of the Goddess.

Their mental state was also quite full and excited; overall, they were full of vigor.

Arriving at the side gate of Karaz-a-Karak, Sinuoli felt many emotions. The last time he passed through here, he was being carried! Now, things were no longer what they were back then.

Sinuoli saw that dozens of wagons were already lined up here to load cargo, and many clansmen were busy around the wagons, among whom were some Human figures.

Just as Sinuoli was wavering about who to talk to first, the clansmen saw him first.

"Ho, the respected Chosen of the Goddess!"

"It seems the news that he is leading the team this time is true! With the Mother Goddess's attention, it must be very safe!"

"Isn't that so? He has to go to Weifengbao to welcome the bride for Prince Gelimu anyway!"

"There's such a thing? Tell me about it in detail! I'll treat you to the noon wine!"

The clansmen clamored noisily. At the same time, three Dwarfs and one Human approached.

Sinuoli discovered that he knew all three Dwarfs. The first to speak was the shortest among them, Tomi: "Cousin Sinuoli, I must thank you for your care this trip! That batch of goods, are you satisfied?"

After receiving Sinuoli's praise, he left happily; the goods of his own Clan still needed to be managed.

"His Majesty Thorgrim equipped the caravan with a Cannon and a bolt thrower; they arrived yesterday, and I am currently calibrating them. By Mogelimu! The gunners of the Everpeak are truly mediocre."

The second to speak was Bulimu, who reported the situation briefly before grumbling and returning to the side of the Artillery.

"Respected Chosen of the Goddess, your Warhammer is in the final stage of polishing and inspection, and it will be delivered to your residence tonight." The last Dwarf made Sinuoli pause before he recognized him; this was the greeter from the Master's workshop.

"Hello, what is it? Are you also going to set off with the caravan?" Sinuoli replied politely.

"Yes, I am going to deliver goods, and I will follow you to the end; the lord of the Granite Hand at Karak-Breeze Fort has also commissioned a Forging Hammer," the Dwarf replied respectfully.

"Oh? There is such a thing? Would you mind telling me about it?" Sinuoli was still very interested in intelligence about Weifengbao, as it involved the trials he might face and potential gains.

"Well, it's not impossible. Last year, or perhaps the year before, the son of the master of Weifengbao successfully mastered Rune Power; this hammer should be prepared for him," the Dwarf blacksmith said, not knowing or caring much about the specific details.

As a craftsman, he only needed to complete the work according to the requirements, and receiving payment was enough.

After the Dwarf blacksmith turned and left, Sinuoli turned to the last Human. This Human was very tall and wore a suit of Knight Plate Armor, but this plate armor was not polished to a shine like that of normal Knights; instead, it was covered in scratches and small dents. It was clear that it had accompanied its master through many battles.

"Master Sinuoli, may I address you as such? Or should I call you Master Suorsen?" The Knight spoke, his voice sounding world-weary; although Sinuoli was older than him, he did not have the advantage in experience.

"You may call me Fatisi; as you can see, I am a Knight, a Questing Knight."

"Greetings to you, warrior. Is it the Grail Path you seek that has guided you here, to the Everpeak, the city of the Qunshan?" Sinuoli asked.

Sinuoli knew of Questing Knights, or Adventure Knights; they were almost all powerful warriors.

Since the era of the first King of Bretonnia, the Unifier Jilesi, the Grail of the Lady of the Lake had always been the ultimate symbol of Bretonnian Knightly Virtue and was regarded as the final goal by every true Knight.

A Knight who embarked on the quest for the Grail would renounce all his worldly possessions and sever all ties with his fiefdom.

They would lay down the lance that represented their status as a Knight and instead take up a greatsword or a flail, or other handy weapons.

From then on, the Knight's life would be filled with tempering and suffering, constantly testing his spirit, body, and even soul.

The path of a Questing Knight is tortuous, for he swears never to stay in the same place for two nights, and as long as he lives, he will never yield in his journey to seek the Grail.

The journey to find the Grail has no boundaries; Questing Knights will stay far away from their own fiefdoms and will also step out of the territory of the Kingdom of Bretonnia.

During the journey of seeking, the Knight strives to prove himself to their Goddess, leaving behind glorious deeds, killing filthy beasts, challenging powerful and terrifying enemies, or showing courage on the magnificent battlefield. In this process, those with insufficient strength and weak will will be buried in foreign lands or give up the quest.

Only when a Questing Knight proves his courage and purity will the Lady of the Lake appear before them, not only letting them see the true face of the Grail but also allowing them to drink from it.

From then on, they will gain a long life several times that of ordinary people and even more powerful Strength. Those who succeed on these questing paths are called Grail Knights.

"I will lead the guards of the Human caravan and set off with you. My employers should not be going to Weifengbao, but I will follow you to the end!"

Thanks to French Chasseur Major Yuli and Chumo Weiliang for the monthly tickets.

Used the character provided by the first book friend, hahaha.