PS: The Celestial Emperor wishes all book lovers a prosperous New Year!

PS2: With many affairs during the New Year, I also need rest and time to organize my thoughts. Tentatively taking a day off tomorrow, and will see if there's any update the day after!

Fidmund de Boldro, Duke Boldro Bodric's legitimate son, is forty-eight this year. After fifteen years of the Holy Grail Expedition, this Sea God Knight has finally returned full of glory.

He was recognized by the Lake Fairy after slaying a Chaos Giant that had plagued the Talabeck Territory for many years.

Duke Bodric hurried upon hearing the news. The elderly duke quickly walked up to Fidmund, surrounded by Sea God Knights, scrutinizing his son.

Fifteen years have quickly passed. The young and spirited knight from back then now has many weathered lines on his face. Yet in terms of appearance, Fidmund actually looks younger than when he set out; he now appears like a charismatic young knight in his twenties, with a gentle smile on his plain face, eyes aflame with the Lake God's wrath, body emanating divine brilliance. His blade has drained the blood of countless dark creatures, and now, he has returned from the Holy Grail Expedition!

"I have returned, Father." Fidmund looked at his aging father, opened his mouth, and finally decided to kneel on one knee: "Blessed by the Lady, I have completed the Holy Grail Expedition."

"Good, so good!" Duke Bodric was overjoyed, the always composed Duke of Boldro excitedly patting his eldest son's shoulder repeatedly: "Come, let's talk inside the castle! What about your friends?"

"They're not my friends, we were just traveling together." Fidmund shook his head, about to introduce the few from the Empire, but found they had already disappeared into the town of Boldro.

"No matter, no matter! Fidmund, my son, fifteen years, you have finally returned!" Duke Bodric immediately signaled his son to follow him.

In the duke's eyes now, Fidmund was nothing short of remarkable.

Twenty minutes later, in Boldro's capital, Bodlukes Castle, in the center of the Sea God Hall.

Beside the enormous mermaid statue were cascading seawater waterfalls, with exquisitely crafted furniture made from gold, silver, and top-grade oak. Outside, the sunshine was brilliant, the power of Sea God Manannan spiraling around Boldro Castle, blessing Prince Bodric, the Divine Chosen Champion.

Fidmund was greeted like a hero; over a hundred Sea God Knights and all servants of the castle, along with the duke's family, came out to welcome his return extravagantly.

"Fifteen years, Fidmund, fifteen years have passed. I sent many to look for news of you, but received none. My son, how have you lived these fifteen years?" Duke Bodric, wearing his ducal gown, asked his son.

Fidmund's armor was tattered, only the Holy Statue of the Lake Fairy was spotless. The newly appointed Holy Grail Knight listened quietly to his father's questions, with a hint of sigh in his tone: "I went to the Border Prince's Domain."

"Border Prince's Domain? No wonder, in such a chaotic place, news is hard to circulate." Duke Bodric pondered, curiously asked: "Why did you go to the Border Prince's Domain?"

"After starting the Holy Grail Expedition, I advanced through Brittania, Estalia, and Tiriel, leaving my mark in Miraglino and Lucini Duchy." Fidmund took a mirror from an attendant, looking at the smudges on his face and the disarray he wore. The duke's legitimate son felt not shame, but rather pride.

These are his medals of glory, a symbol of his devoutness to the Lady; he is no longer mortal, sacred power surges in his chest, he is a Holy Grail Knight.

The attendant opened the hot water, handed over a towel. Fidmund wiped his face roughly before continuing: "Years later, I accepted Duke Antonelli's invitation from Ruford 'Duchy' and fought against Green Skin. I remained there for over three years to protect the local populace, eradicating thousands of Green Skin until I deemed the local people could fend off Green Skin's aggression on their own before leaving."

"Duke Antonelli of Ruford Duchy? I've never heard of him?" Duke Bodric was quite puzzled, glancing over at Sir Houlf, Vice Leader of the Sea God Knight Order and his group of courtiers.

These people all looked up at the ceiling or shook their heads to the duke. The former steward of the duke, Ismail, most familiar with the outside world, said to Bodric: "My duke, the two Border Princes we have diplomatic relations with are Akendov Duchy and Mirmidon Kingdom. Akendov has two thousand troops, Mirmidon has two thousand five hundred. We have heard of some smaller Border Princes, but are not familiar with them."

"Ruford Duchy? That place only has five hundred people." Fidmund chuckled dismissively.

"Five hundred soldiers?" Bodric asked casually: "That's quite small. Such an alleged 'duke' doesn't even match up to my barons."