Warhammer Divine Throne

”One day? Ha!” Egil laughed heartily, countless sneers and disdain evident on his face, ”Lowly Southerner, I’ll give you at most two hours! Otherwise, my army will storm the inner castle and annihilate every Brittania person!”

Dalheid’s face was ashen. He knew his plan had been seen through by Egil. After discussing with his attendant, Dalheid tried to negotiate again, ”How about three hours!”

”Two hours!” Egil raised his Hell Battleaxe, ”Once the two hours are up, I will attack the city!”

”...Fine.” Dalheid knew he had no room for negotiation, the Duke agreed to these terms and then went down from the city walls.

The inner castle immediately began tense preparations. Without a doubt, Holy Grail Knight Commander Jules was currently the strongest warrior left in Leonais. Among the most powerful warriors in Brittania, first was the Grand Tutor Green Knight of the Holy Grail Knight Order, followed by some veteran Holy Grail Grand Knight Commanders and Bohemond, Francois, and others, then there was the Divine Chosen Champion of the Lake Fairy, Count Laine.

But none of them were here now. The strongest warrior Leonais could dispatch was clearly only Jules.

And Egil’s target was evidently Jules. After a series of battles, he judged Jules worthy of a fight.

In the inner hall, the cold wind howled. In the small chapel of the Lake Fairy, Holy Grail Knight Commander Jules knelt before the Holy Statue of the Lake Fairy, dressed in armor.

His lover, the Lake God Prophet Anara, buttoned his clothes, fastened his plate armor onto him, helped him wear his gauntlets, lifted the ornate surcoat. Jules knelt in prayer before the Holy Statue of the Lake Fairy, his eyes full of icy anger.

”Kaled, come out, I know you’re here.” After a long while, with his armor fully donned and blessed, Jules spoke towards a corner of the chapel.

The Lake God Prophet Anara turned around, her brother, the thirty-something Kaled, hesitantly emerged from the corner.

”It’s too dangerous, Jules, you shouldn’t have so rashly accepted that barbarian’s duel invitation.” Kaled tried to speak to Jules on the steps, the Kingdom Knight and Count Galament’s face was only filled with pain and reluctance, ”It’s all my fault, it’s all my fault, it’s my fault!”

The Kingdom Knight’s tears flowed at the corners of his eyes, the Lake God Prophet Anara sighed gently and turned away, her expression complex.

Elizabeth, who was Kaled’s former fiancée! She was exiled by Kaled for poisoning Kaled’s father and stepmother.

Elizabeth’s reason for doing so was merely out of fear that Kaled’s father would pass the title to Kaled’s stepmother’s child instead of Kaled.

Because of this, Kaled and Elizabeth parted ways, but seeing that Kaled never married, Jules knew Kaled still had feelings for Elizabeth.

And now, Elizabeth carried the spawn of that barbarian in her belly! Because of this, Jules was forced to engage Egil in a champion’s duel; Jules was both a mentor and a friend to Kaled, an object of Kaled’s admiration, and technically speaking, his brother-in-law, leaving Kaled overwhelmingly pained and nearly speechless.

Seeing Kaled’s face filled with pain, Jules smiled, the Holy Grail Knight Commander reached out and patted Kaled’s shoulder, ”It’s not your fault, Kaled, stop overthinking it.”

”Born into this dark world, everyone struggles under threat to survive. For centuries, we have continuously defended this kingdom under the Lady’s guidance against Chaos, the Undead, and Greenskins, all while facing internal threats. Chaos Cultists wreak havoc in the mortal realm, and even Dark Elf Pirates frequently raid our coasts.”

”I am sorry for Elizabeth’s matter, but it was never your responsibility; it is everyone’s responsibility. You can hate the Greenskins, you can detest the Chaos Cultists, but never wallow in self-blame and pain. Remember, Kaled, in this dark era, it is the Lady who brings us laws and faith, granting salvation. Without her, there would be no Knight Kingdom. When in doubt, when lost, hold fast to your faith in the Lady, and you will find redemption.”

Kaled wiped away his tears with force, gently nodding towards Jules, ”I’ve been enlightened.”

”Now, I must face that damn barbarian in a champion’s duel.” Jules donned his Cross Helmet, the golden Fire Dragon statue gleaming atop it, candles hanging from both sides of the statue, the Holy Grail Knight Badge hanging on his chest. Jules then said to Kaled, ”Perhaps I can defeat Egil, perhaps not, but what’s important is that I must seize this opportunity. A champion’s duel is the only rule the barbarians abide by, and the military strength in the castle is no longer sufficient to continue fighting the barbarians.”

Anara handed Jules his sword Durandal into his hand, Jules took it and continued speaking to Kaled, ”I became a Ranger Knight at fifteen, born in Winford, raised in Bastogne. I’ve slain two Chaos Giants, killed a Giant Dragon, delved into the plains of Kakasong to eliminate a Giant Demon, the ’Demon of Kakasong.’ I’ve once killed an Undead Mage amidst thousands of troops, destroyed the ’Ox Blood Beast’ attacking Bastogne. My entire life has been fighting for the protection of the country and the knightly path, battling in the name of the Lady. So when that barbarian challenged me, out of honor, I can’t, and I won’t refuse. Do you understand, Kaled?”

Kaled nodded silently; he seemed to grasp something, yet it was vaguely clear to him.

”The knightly path is not a spirit guiding us to profit-seeking or a teaching on gaining maximum advantage. In this world, some things are worth more than life, some things are worth our sacrifice. The Lady bestowed the Holy Grail upon me, when I drank the Holy Grail Water, I was no longer just me. I enjoy the worship and adoration of the whole kingdom, wherever I go, I feel a profound honor, the people trust me, knights admire me, the Holy Grail gives me strength and longevity. Thus, I must bear the responsibilities that come with it.”

”Merely wanting to enjoy benefits without bearing responsibilities, wanting power and others’ respect without understanding the necessary sacrifices and contributions required, thinking simple laws of the jungle, ’might makes right’ — that’s the mindset of peasants, wanderers, Chaos Cultists, not knights, nor are they destined to approach the Holy Grail. Kaled, I’ve said enough, the rest you must comprehend on your own.”

With that, Jules strode out of the chapel, never looking back again.

As the two-hour mark approached, Egil finally awaited the long horn blast of the Brittania people.

The inner castle gate slowly opened, and Holy Grail Knight Commander Jules briskly stepped out of the castle, the legendary Holy Grail Knight Commander chanting the hymn of the Lake Fairy, icy anger burning in his eyes as he walked towards the barbarians.

Egil strode forward past his bloodthirsty warriors. His weathered face overgrown with a beard donned the crimson horned war helmet. The King of Skalings moved with tremendous confidence, bellowing the words of challenge, his voice resonating with the power of Khorne.

Is there anyone who has single-handedly slaughtered an entire race, trampled an entire nation underfoot?

Egil was just one step away from his glorious feat.

The Divine Chosen Champion of Khorne and the Holy Grail Knight Commander of the Lake Fairy stood facing each other. Both acknowledged each other as formidable warriors. Egil even raised his hand first in salute, respectfully raising his battleaxe towards Jules, then lowering it, pressing his left chest with his hand, expressing respect for the Holy Grail Knight Commander who had opposed and thwarted him multiple times in attaining victory.

Jules nodded slowly, the Holy Grail Knight Commander also holding his sword in both hands, signaling respect towards Egil.

A strange silence ensued; both were favored by their respective deities, thus eternal enemies as well as sympathetic warriors.

This peculiar silence quickly faded into the air, with Egil’s roar and Jules’ cold snort, the long sword and battleaxe clashed, sparking fierce flames.

The champion duel had begun!