In Stormveil Castle, ancient and grand, the Castellan's Hall was solemn and dignified.
Outside the castle, a white-haired maid gently opened the carriage door and helped the blonde girl inside step out.
Beneath the maids' long dresses was a layer of black soft armor, and the Daggers strapped to their thighs made them look as if they could turn into efficient assassins at any moment.
Inside the castle, Nolan sat quietly on the throne, drinking fine wine and chatting idly with the High Priest, surrounded by countless Numen dressed as maids and clad in soft armor.
The daily life of this Lord, praised by the world as great, was surprisingly dull and uneventful. This was mainly because the group of knights under him, led by Vyke, were simply too capable.
As long as Nolan did not indulge so excessively in luxury and pleasure that he caused trouble for the nation, and as long as he occasionally offered a few suggestions on governance using his modern knowledge, the people would praise him as a wise ruler of his age.
Under the authority brought by military might, the so-called limitations of the era seemed to matter far less.
You still want to be nobles above everyone else? You have private soldiers, so you think you don't need to fear me? You want to monopolize land and runes? Put a blade to someone's neck, and every problem solves itself.
"Miss Irina, the daughter of the Castellan of Castle Morne, has also arrived," Lansseax said from beside Nolan, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly in a faint smile.
"She was sent as a hostage, wasn't she?" Nolan said. "Why didn't Edgar come himself? Bribing me with his daughter won't get him the Grand Duke's title back. Send her back."
Lansseax shook her head. "You've misunderstood the old Castellan this time. The young lady wanted to come herself. I heard she admires Your Majesty very much, so she wants to join the Church."
"Admires me?" Nolan tilted his head slightly.
He would rather believe that this Miss Irina was a beautiful assassin in disguise, sent to kill him, than believe she had come here because she admired him.
Castle Morne had been captured by Nepheli before the decisive battle between the Firelink Army and the Redmane, and he had not taken part in that battle, nor had he ever met the castellan's daughter.
Even if Irina was as easily won over by martial valor as everyone else in the Lands Between, she should have fallen for Nepheli instead.
"Do you know how much more work Alicia and I have had since you killed Radahn? Countless people join the Church every day."
Lansseax suddenly leaned closer to Nolan, blinked, and said with an aggrieved look,
"So I was planning to ask His Majesty for some funding to open a few more Churches. His Majesty will agree, won't he?"
Nolan shrugged helplessly and replied, "I'd like to say yes, but asking me is useless. I've already handed control of the national treasury over to Trina."
Hearing that this involved her, Trina, who was sitting nearby, immediately straightened her back, folded her arms across her chest, and lifted her chin high, looking just like a proud little duck.
Seeing this, Lansseax hurried to Trina's side with a bright smile and said ingratiatingly, "Your Highness Trina."
Before she could finish, Trina gave two smug little hums and cut her off. "The tables have turned, Priestess Lansseax!"
"Sister Trina, actually, I've always thought you and His Majesty Nolan are the perfect match," Lansseax said.
Trina thought for a moment, then said, "No problem. How much do you want?"
Nolan's eyes widened as he stared at Trina in disbelief, as though she had just said the most absurd thing in the world.
He reached out, gently pinched Trina's cheek, and said teasingly,
"That's all it takes to buy you off? Your bottom line is far too low! Remember, during working hours, you are first and foremost the Minister of Finance, not the Lord's consort!"
Trina's expression turned serious. She pulled free from Nolan's hand and retorted,
"I was not bought off! What use are runes piled up in a warehouse? Only by using them can their value be shown!"
"And we've just been through a major war. This is exactly the time to provide work as relief and restore people's livelihoods. It's the perfect chance to spend the runes and get them circulating again."
That explanation barely convinced Nolan. If Trina really could be flattered into losing her head with a few calls of "sister," he seriously doubted whether his fledgling dynasty would go bankrupt by tomorrow.
After all, the mother dragon standing beside him and asking for money was clearly shameless.
While the three of them were chatting, another group of elegant guests arrived at the castle.
The moment these people appeared, those who had once served as Redmane Knights immediately recognized them. They were their former allies, the Godskin Nobles.
They had entered Limgrave from Caelid three days ago and had traveled at full speed, only reaching Stormveil Castle that morning.
They had originally prepared for a clash with the Firelink Army, only for a Fire-Passing Knight to come with guards and invite them in.
The fact that they had entered deep into the heart of a Lord's stronghold was enough reason to be highly wary of them.
However, Nolan's strength and reputation had long since spread across the world, known to all.
Caution alone could not save anyone's life under a Lord's hand. Since someone had been sent to invite them, they could only obediently follow and express their gratitude for Nolan's magnanimity.
"I don't like beating around the bush. Say what you have to say. What exactly brings you here?"
Nolan's gaze fell on the one tall, slightly thin figure standing among the plump little giants.
This person wore a garment made from human skin, and surrounded by the Godskin Nobles, he stood out all the more.
The reverence in the nobles' eyes when they looked at him was obvious. Without question, he was the leader of the group.
"Your Majesty, it is truly my honor to be granted an audience with you."
Julius was tall and slender. He bowed slightly and spoke with impeccable courtesy.
"I am Julius, an apostle who serves the Queen. I have come to seek cooperation. We are willing to help you ascend to the throne."
Nolan sat on the throne, an unreadable smile hanging at the corner of his mouth.
"Oh? Aren't you allies of the Redmane? General Radahn has only just died, and you've already come looking for me?"
Julius's expression did not change in the slightest. He remained respectful, but his voice was cold as ice.
"An alliance is, by its nature, an exchange of interests. We have no need to offer meaningless loyalty to the Redmane, much less accompany them into destruction."
Nolan studied Julius. "But I have the support of the Two Fingers, the spokesmen of the Supreme Deity. Why should I ally with sinners like you, cast aside by the Golden Order Dynasty?"
"Those ugly, narrow-minded, despicable creatures who call themselves spokesmen of the gods betrayed the Queen. One day, they will betray you as well."
Julius's voice was full of grief and indignation, like a defense attorney arguing passionately in court for someone who had been wronged.
"What do you know?" Nolan narrowed his eyes, the corner of his mouth curving into a faint, ambiguous smile. His gaze was sharp as a carving knife, fixed directly on the Godskin Apostle below.
Julius was not frightened. He straightened his chest, met Nolan's eyes, and answered honestly, "We saw your heroic bearing on the battlefield!"
"My knights also killed your comrades on the battlefield," Nolan said slowly after a moment of silence, his fingers tapping lightly against the throne.
"Death is the finest resting place and the highest glory. I wish to thank Your Majesty on their behalf for your blessing." Julius bowed once more, his tone sincere.