Warhammer Divine Throne-Chapter 637 - 281, Crossing the Gray Mountain Range (Part 1)

"Who goes there?" Julius frowned, casting an inquiring glance at his father.

"Go take a look." Francois glanced at the door. "If it's a girl, give her a few Silver Coins and send her away."

Julius nodded in understanding. He gripped the hilt of his Longsword and slowly approached the door, gradually pulling it open.

Indeed, standing at the door, swept in by the cold wind, was an ordinary girl. Her blonde hair framed a face flushed by the cold, clad in plain linen clothes. Seeing Julius open the door and noting the absence of a Holy Grail Knight Badge on his chest, she hesitated and spoke, "Um... the Baron sent me..."

"Leave, go." Julius's cold poker face showed no expression as he pressed a few Silver Coins into the girl's hand. "Hurry, don't make me say it twice!"

"But!" Although pleased with the money, the girl couldn't help but glance inside the house now and then.

"Go!" Julius's voice was filled with anger as he forcefully shut the door.

Only then did the girl hurriedly clutch the Silver Coins and vanish into the cold winter night.

Inside the room, Francois poured some aperitif into a mug, laughing at Laine and Jerald. "It's normal; whenever a Holy Grail Knight stays in a town, the local Lord often assumes we have needs and usually sends some young virgins to serve us willingly."

Laine lifted his aperitif, relishing its sweet and sour taste that he found quite comforting, and nodded. "I've experienced that too, and I refused."

"Yes, the knight's way is not to fuss over such trivial matters; while it's true that occasionally a Holy Grail bastard might exist, for peasant girls, it is an honor. However, for us Holy Grail Knights, it might not be a blemish, but it isn't exactly glorious either, especially for Lords like Laine and me." Francois chuckled, "If you don't want peasants coming with children claiming kinship later on, you'd better control yourselves. It's normal for everyone to have a few female courtiers, but there is a fundamental difference between legitimate and low-born bastards."

This was the Duke's advice, and everyone nodded.

Inwardly, Laine reflected, understanding that Francois's words were especially meant for him.

There were indeed many women around the Divine Chosen Champion of the Lady. Some, like Ollica and Veronica, were welcomed by Laine because he needed them.

Some women, like Teresa and Mogiana, were actually unexpected additions.

In his plans and visions for the future, Laine had never accounted for the Lake God Witch and the female sorcerer; these two were unexpected; his original plan was for only one Lady, one Witch, and one Maid.

But plans couldn't keep up with changes. Teresa had already done so much for Laine; if not for her life-risking protection, Laine might have died at the siege camp by the Grismore River.

Mogiana was even simpler; if he hadn't saved her back then, she might have already perished.

Seeing Laine nod, Francois knew he had taken it to heart and promptly shifted the topic: "Tomorrow we'll go to the market to buy some provisions and meat. Crossing the Gray Mountain Range will take a few days, and we'll reach the town of Ubeseric on the other side, marking the Empire's territory."

Jerald stroked his goatee. "Ubeseric, a trading town in the Empire, with a population of about 3,500, situated at a small river mouth downstream of the Toifel River originating in the Gray Mountain Range. It's governed by Count von Jungfroyd, with Hemgart, the Empire's main fortress against Brittania invasions, not far away."

Aside from the territorial dispute over the "Kulona Road," there are three routes to cross the Gray Mountain Range. The northern route via Jisoleox, which Laine used to come to Brittania, is not easy but is passable for an army though not for merchants.

The second route, the famous "Axe Bite Pass," is hailed as the safest mountain road between the Empire and Brittania. Numerous castles are established along it, including the capital of Montfort Duchy, Montefel Castle, nestled in the Axe Bite Pass. This mountain pass is the most reliable trade route between the Empire and Brittania.

Because it's safe.

Like the Paragon Duchy, Montfort Duchy is mountainous, with little arable land, so toll taxes have become the primary income source for the Duke of Montfort.

The taxes are heavy, reportedly reaching as high as thirty percent, but despite the heavy taxes, the Montfort Knights work hard to ensure the safety of the Axe Bite Pass. Any merchant convoy encountering an attack needs only hold out for ten to fifteen minutes, and the patrolling Knight Corps can immediately lead the troops for rescue. Nine out of ten merchant convoys can pass safely through Axe Bite Pass, which is an astounding survival rate in this world.

The third route is through here in the Paragon Duchy, known as the "Lady Grey" route starting from Grenelle.

The "Lady Grey" route starts from Grenelle and ends at Ubeseric on the other side of the mountain.

The taxes on this route aren't excessive, but few merchant convoys choose it due to its dangers; the mountain path teems with Beastman Tribes, Green Skin Tribes, and, additionally, the Vampires have a castle within the mountain path—Eternal Dragon Rock.