"Freedom to recruit my own knights?"
Raven was stunned. While it was true that a demigod should rightfully have the power to form their own knightly order, he had accomplished no great feats, and his allegiances were clearly tilted toward Caria. To be granted such a privilege was truly unexpected.
He quickly calmed himself, searching for the hidden trap. Regardless of the circumstances, it was impossible for the Golden Dynasty to allow him to recruit an army from Caria; they would never permit a hostile force to be stationed so close to the Royal Capital. Therefore, if he could only recruit from the locals who worshipped the Erdtree, it would essentially be nothing more than using Carian funds to maintain an army for the Golden Dynasty.
Of course, even so, there were ways he could turn this to his advantage.
He continued reading, and his surprise only grew. The Golden Dynasty would provide him with an initial sum of capital for recruitment and outfitting. Furthermore, the military armories would give him priority access to a reasonable quantity of weapons, armor, and horses at cost.
"'Conferring the title of Count Raven of Caria...'" Raven murmured to himself. "An honorary count without a fief, I assume? Where would they find new land to—wait, there's actually a land grant?"
Attached to the document was a map marking the location of a territory on the Altus Plateau. It was by no means a small area. Raven looked down to the very bottom; the document bore Marika's personal signature and seal.
"This is truly..." He gave a wry smile.
"It is said that Her Majesty pushed this arrangement through despite overwhelming opposition. The news has likely spread throughout the entire Capital by now. It seems Queen Marika truly favors you, Your Highness, and sincerely regards you as a member of the Golden Lineage," the butler said.
"A member of the Golden Lineage, eh?" The image of Marika's face surfaced in Raven's mind. He truly could not fathom what the Goddess was thinking.
"Also, this letter from Godwyn the Golden arrived this morning." The butler handed him the envelope.
Raven opened the letter and thought for a moment after reading it. "Master Hughes, are you skilled in horsemanship? Would it be convenient for you to accompany me to Lord Godwyn's manor?"
"Of course," the butler replied with a bow. "I shall prepare the carriage immediately."
"No need, I'll go on horseback." Raven pulled on his boots and waved a hand.
There were several other servants in the manor, but Raven decided he would get to know them one by one later. He and the butler mounted their horses and galloped toward the palace of the Golden Prince.
The knights guarding the gate seemed to have received instructions beforehand, for they allowed them through immediately. Raven had barely entered the gates when he saw Godwyn coming out to meet him.
"Aha, my friend!" Godwyn laughed heartily. "You've arrived just in time. The tea party is about to begin."
"I should have arrived earlier," Raven said apologetically. "I seem to have overindulged in wine last night and didn't wake until after noon."
"A wine that can make a demigod drunk?" Godwyn smiled, but didn't press the matter further. He draped an arm around Raven's shoulder and led him inside. "Come, let me introduce you to a few friends."
Several burly men dressed in animal skins were seated at the table, ravenously stuffing pastries into their mouths. They looked somewhat embarrassed when Godwyn walked in, hesitating between speaking with their hands full of sweets or putting the food back on the plates—which seemed even more rude.
The man who appeared to be the leader lowered his head and said apologetically, "Prince Godwyn, my brothers have lived in the wilds all their lives. We are crude men..."
"It matters not. Such is the way of brave men who follow the Path of the Beast." Godwyn sat down, grabbed a pastry, and popped it into his own mouth. "Raven, please, sit."
The burly man seemed startled by the gesture. He waved his hands and explained, "Your Highness, our entire tribe believes in the Erdtree and Queen Marika—"
"I know, I know. The Path of the Beast does not involve pagan deities, and it is encouraged by Lord Maliketh himself. It does not truly contradict the faith of the Erdtree," Godwyn said with a laugh. "I have hosted countless eccentric and talented individuals at these tea parties. Swordsmen from nomadic tribes, samurai from the Land of Reeds—I treat them all as equals, without a shred of discrimination."
Raven sat down, took a sip of milk tea, and picked up a pastry. "Prince Godwyn, I wonder why you invited me—"
"Just call me Godwyn," he interrupted. "I enjoy making friends, and I host these tea parties quite often. However, I invited you today because there is indeed something I hope you can help me with. I heard Mother has authorized you to establish a knightly order. How is the recruitment coming along?"
"Yes, it was an extraordinary display of trust. At the moment, the order consists of only myself as the commander. I haven't quite found my bearings yet," Raven said with a smile.
"Recruiting knights does indeed require careful deliberation. In truth, rather than inviting people based on reputation or holding a tournament, I believe the best way is to choose warriors on a real battlefield. Only between life and death can one truly see a person's nature."
"That is true. But one cannot exactly start a war just to pick out some knights."
"That is precisely what I wanted to talk to you about. Tell me, have you heard of the Frenzied Flame?"
"The cult that follows the Frenzied Flame? They preach that all things should be melted back into chaos, with no distinction between one another," Raven nodded. "They seem like people who have lost their minds."
"Indeed. Once the Golden Dynasty discovers these madmen, they are purged without mercy. However, the influence of the Frenzied Flame is currently spreading in secret across the Altus Plateau—no, perhaps it can no longer be called a secret. They have even dared to occupy villages and terrorize the region."
"Is that so?" Raven was somewhat surprised. "In my memory, they are mostly wretched peasants with no other choice, or bankrupt craftsmen and traveling merchants. Even if the Frenzied Flame grants them some special power, they should crumble instantly against true knights and clerics."
"They have conspired with the descendants of the Zamor people and even stolen several Troll slaves, arming them and training them for combat. It is a grievous heresy—oh, I know Caria has Troll Knights. I meant no offense. I respect the customs of all lands."
"It's fine," Raven said.
Godwyn took a sip of tea and continued, "I received intelligence that a village not far from the Capital has secretly turned to the Frenzied Flame. I have decided to purge this stronghold within the next few days. I invited you because I hope you will join this operation."
"I see—" Raven immediately grew wary. No matter how fierce the followers of the Frenzied Flame were, they could never stand against the Leyndell army in a head-on confrontation. Ordinarily, any standard unit could easily wipe them out. For the Golden Prince to personally lead an expedition for such a matter was inherently irrational.
Could it be that Godwyn intended to orchestrate an "accident" to have him killed in the chaos of battle, only to blame it on the followers of the Frenzied Flame?
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Elden Ring: The Unborn One's Journey Through Elden Ring(68 Chapter - Ongoing)
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