The son of the God-Emperor in Warhammer Fantasy

Fedmond de Bordeleaux, the heir to Duke Bodrick of Bordeleaux, was forty-eight years old. After a fifteen-year Grail Quest, this Sea God Knight finally returned, laden with glory.

He had gained the Lady of the Lake's favor after slaying a Chaos Troll that had plagued Talabecland for years.

Upon hearing the news, Duke Bodrick, now aged, rushed to meet him. Surrounded by Sea God Knights, the Duke quickly approached Fedmond, examining his son.

Fifteen years had passed swiftly. The once spirited young knight now bore many marks of hardship, yet he appeared younger than when he had left. He looked like a youthful, energetic knight in his twenties, with a simple face carrying a faint smile and eyes burning with the Lady's wrath. His body radiated divine light, and his sword had tasted the blood of countless dark creatures. Now, he returned from the Grail Quest.

"I'm back, Father." Fedmond looked at his aged father, Duke Bodrick, and finally decided to kneel on one knee. "By the Lady's grace, I have completed the Grail Quest."

"Good, very good!" Duke Bodrick was overjoyed, uncharacteristically slapping his eldest son's shoulder repeatedly. "Come, let's talk inside the castle! What about your companions?"

"They're not my friends, just traveling companions." Fedmond shook his head. He turned to introduce the Imperial visitors but found they had already vanished into Bordeleaux's town.

"No matter! Fedmond, my son, after fifteen years, you're finally back!" Duke Bodrick eagerly signaled his son to follow him.

In the Duke's eyes, everything about Fedmond was perfect now.

Twenty minutes later, in the Sea God Hall of Bordeleaux Castle.

Flanked by waterfalls of seawater, a giant mermaid statue stood in the center. The finely crafted furniture, made of gold, silver, and high-quality oak, shone in the bright sunlight. The power of the Sea God Mannan surrounded Bordeleaux Castle, blessing Duke Bodrick, the Sea God's chosen champion.

Fedmond received a hero's welcome. Over a hundred Sea God Knights, all the servants, and the Duke's family came out to greet him, celebrating his return with great fanfare.

"Fifteen years, Fedmond. Fifteen years have passed. I sent people to inquire about your whereabouts many times but received no news. How have you lived these fifteen years, my son?" Duke Bodrick, wearing his ducal attire, asked his son.

Fedmond's armor was tattered, but the icon of the Lady of the Lake remained pristine. The newly consecrated Grail Knight listened to his father's questions, a sigh in his tone. "I went to the Border Princes."

"The Border Princes? No wonder. News is hard to come by from that chaotic place." Duke Bodrick mused, curious. "Why did you go to the Border Princes?"

"After starting my Grail Quest, I traveled through Bretonnia, Estalia, and Tilea, leaving my mark in Miragliano and Luccini." Fedmond took a mirror from a servant and looked at the dirt and grime on his face and body. Rather than feeling ashamed, he felt proud.

These were his badges of honor, symbols of his devotion to the Lady. He was no longer a mere mortal; divine power surged within him. He was a Grail Knight.

A servant prepared hot water and handed him a towel. Fedmond roughly wiped his face and continued, "After several years, I accepted the invitation of 'Duke' Rifford Antonelli to fight greenskins. I stayed there for over three years, protecting the locals and killing thousands of greenskins until I felt they could defend themselves."

"Duke Rifford Antonelli? I've never heard of him." Duke Bodrick was puzzled, looking to Sir Houelf and his court for answers.

They all shook their heads. The Duke's former steward, the well-informed merchant Ismail, spoke up. "My lord, the two Border Princes with diplomatic relations with Bretonnia are the Principality of Akendorf and the Kingdom of Mirmidia. Akendorf has two thousand troops, and Mirmidia has twenty-five hundred. We've heard of some smaller Border Princes, but we don't know much about them."

"Rifford Principality? That place has only five hundred people." Fedmond chuckled.

"Five hundred soldiers?" Duke Bodrick asked casually. "That's quite small. Such a 'duke' is not even comparable to one of my barons."

The Border Princes is a chaotic region, once conquered by both the Empire and Bretonnia but soon abandoned due to constant greenskin attacks and logistical difficulties (grain transportation losses from the Empire exceeded 70%). Both times, the Empire left behind only those unwilling to leave. Later, when Bretonnia was founded, proud knights also conquered the region, but after completing their mission of driving out greenskins, some returned home while others stayed and established castles, becoming local nobility.

Now, the Border Princes is a mix of Imperial, Bretonnian, and Kislevite settlers. This infamous land is home to various bandits, mercenaries, murderers, pirates, and outlaws. New "Border Princes" rise and fall almost daily.

"What five hundred soldiers? Just five hundred people. When I left the Rifford Principality, the entire fortress had five hundred twenty-six people." Fedmond laughed and told his father. "Mr. Antonelli even plans to establish 'international diplomatic relations' with Bretonnia and the Empire!"

"Alright." Duke Bodrick shook his head repeatedly. There might be dozens of "Border Princes," each with grandiose titles and pretentious courts. These princes loved "international diplomacy," making demands on other princes, but groveling like lapdogs to real nations like the Empire or Bretonnia. For these princes, being a servant to the Empire or Bretonnia was the highest honor.

"I then traveled north, fought greenskins at Black Fire Pass, enjoyed a halfling feast in Moot, helped them with a vampire bat, and joined a campaign against a necromancer in Stirland. Finally, I killed a Chaos Troll in Talabecland. By the way, Father, I hear Bordeleaux is doing well recently? I saw many high elf ships."

"We now have trade relations with the high elf kingdoms of Lothern and Saphery. We've made significant profits from last year to this year." Duke Bodrick hesitated but decided to tell the truth. "It's thanks to Count Ryan-Macado. He negotiated the deal with Teclis. Have you heard of him?"

"Of course, I've heard of him. In the southern countries, the Empire, even in the Border Princes, I've heard Ryan's name." Fedmond nodded proudly. "To be the Lady's chosen champion requires such strength."

"Now that Louen Leoncoeur is preparing to abdicate, the contenders for the throne are Duke Luan Leoncoeur of Conne, Duke Hubald of Carcassonne, Duke Berchmond of Bastonne, and Duke François of Winford. But I believe Ryan still has a chance, depending on whether he can earn a dukedom. My son, Fedmond, do you want to compete for the throne? If you wish, I'll pass the dukedom to you tomorrow." Duke Bodrick frowned, feeling a sense of relief. "Once you're familiar with the duties, I can confidently entrust Bordeleaux to you and start my own Grail Quest."

"By Mannan, no Duke of Bordeleaux has ever become King of Bretonnia. Guarding Bordeleaux as the Lady's followers is our honor. The other dukes don't see us as legitimate." Fedmond shook his head repeatedly. "I can't be king, Father. The nobles of the kingdom wouldn't accept it."

"That depends on our situation, Fedmond. There's no rush. We'll wait for things to become clear. As for the dukedom…" Duke Bodrick longed to escape mundane affairs. "I'll first entrust the Sea God Knights and the defense of Bordeleaux to you. I'll handle trade and internal matters. Once you're fully accustomed, I'll pass Bordeleaux to you."

Fedmond had no objections, and the matter was settled.

"Ismail!" With everything decided, Duke Bodrick felt triumphant and ordered loudly. "Quick, send my invitations throughout the kingdom! I want everyone to know that my son, Fedmond, has completed the Grail Quest and returned with endless glory! I want all the counts and above to come to Bordeleaux for a banquet!"

"Yes, my lord. Please name the banquet!"

"This banquet shall be called 'The Glory of Bordeleaux!'"

…

In Bordeleaux Castle, a group of Imperials walked through the streets.

"It's hard to imagine such a prosperous city mostly populated by serfs. This place is far worse than Nuln. Why would Emmanuelle want to stay here?" The grim-faced giant observed the street scene, musing aloud after a long silence.

"Nuln is a great city, but it doesn't represent the whole Empire." Master Engineer Wagner looked at the bustling crowd. "Bretonnia and the Empire are fundamentally different. In the Empire, nobles only defend their interests, cities, and estates. The villages in forests and fields must fend for themselves. In Bretonnia, despite the serfs' low status, any village under attack will see knights riding to battle for their Lady."

"The Lady of the Lake…" The giant murmured, then nodded. "The knights here are formidable. I'd love to see a Grail Knight's strength."

"The urgent task is finding Emmanuelle! Theodore!" The veiled

 witch in a purple robe, holding a giant scythe, spoke. "Nothing else matters."

Her words were filled with deep and terrifying magic. The surrounding light twisted, and those nearby felt a piercing cold, scattering in fear. Even Wagner, a Rick Guard, felt a powerful force choking him.

Elspeth von Draken, Supreme Sorceress of the Amethyst College at the Imperial College of Wizards, a legendary death sorceress and protector of Nuln, nicknamed the "Graveyard Rose" and "Black Lady of Nuln," was Emmanuelle's most steadfast supporter. After Emmanuelle disappeared, Elspeth dedicated much effort to finding her, confirming she was still alive.

After the Winter Festival, Emperor Karl Franz notified Elspeth that Emmanuelle von Lebwitz-Bernardino was a maid in the court of the Lady's chosen champion, Count Ryan-Macado of Glamorgan. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Elspeth led fifty Nuln Ironclad soldiers, Rick Guard Wagner as a guide, and the towering giant Theodore to Bretonnia to find Emmanuelle.

They believed only Emmanuelle deserved to rule Nuln! She was the rightful heir to the Electorate of Brescia and the Grand Duchy of Wesson, not Johnny-Bernardino!

"First, we must find a way into Ryan's court to confirm Emmanuelle's presence. Then, we must bring her back to Nuln and enthrone her as Duchess of Nuln, Elector of Brescia, and Grand Duchess of Wesson!" Wagner, a staunch supporter of Emmanuelle, said.

"Count Ryan-Macado's strength is well-known. Forcibly taking Emmanuelle will be difficult. We might need a plan."

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