PS: This chapter is 4800 words long. Delayed update means an extended one, that's how considerate the Celestial Emperor is!

Richard's abdication was not unexpected. As a Knight King, he was already advanced in age. When John II was deposed, the dukes chose Richard as the king, which was intended as a transitional measure. Richard was inclined towards stability, and after John II's deposition, he effectively re-unified the kingdom—this is a contribution that must be acknowledged.

However, subsequently, Richard's methods of handling affairs drew criticism. His consistent approach of compromise and stability, along with never easily expressing his stance, caused dissatisfaction among many great nobles of the kingdom. His failure in suppressing Laine further endangered Richard's position.

More importantly, the king lost the support of the Lake Fairy, which is fatal for a king of Brittania. Since King Arthur, the Knight King, every Knight King of the Knight Kingdom, once they lose the Lake Fairy's support, ends up deposed. The Holy Grail Knights under Mogiana could storm into the royal palace at any moment and drag the king off the throne.

After Yuris died in battle following Richard's orders, Richard had essentially lost the prestige a king should have, and this is indeed what he did. Since Yuris's death, Richard handed over more military and political power to the Duke of Connet, Lorne-Rio Cornwall, as he began preparing for abdication.

Laine suddenly felt some sympathy for this king upon thinking of this. Yuris's death was not what Richard wished for, and even Yuris's expedition was an oracle from the Lake Fairy, it's just that Egil was indeed too strong.

Yet the king still had to take responsibility for it. He gave the order, so he must be accountable. According to Francois, Richard hesitated for a long time before signing the King's Order. He did not shirk the responsibilities of a king.

The hardest thing in this world is to take responsibility. A king's duty is so heavy—people only see the king's noble status and glorious identity but never think about what the person on the throne must sacrifice.

"It's not so surprising to pass it to His Grace Duke Lorne, I've heard Richard favors Lorne as his successor, followed by his grandson Earl William; certainly... it won't be his son, Charles." After some internal conflict, Laine thought about it and maintained a facade of calmness, smiling: "Where in the world is there a crown prince who waits for the throne for seventy years?"

"Marquis Charles?" Francois sneered repeatedly: "He doesn't meet the conditions. Firstly, he's not a Holy Grail Knight or Paladin; moreover, I don't think Her Highness Mogiana would allow it. Even if it's passed on, it would be directly to Earl William skipping a generation."

The crowd all nodded.

Brittania is different from the Empire. In the Empire, becoming the Emperor of the Empire is determined by a vote among fifteen Electorate Holders, who choose the Emperor among several candidates (in reality, only Boris Todbringer and Carl Franz participate).

The electoral system ensures that the Emperor can only be chosen from those candidates.

The Knight Kingdom is different. In the history of the Knight Kingdom, the Knight's Throne has never been fixed to a particular family or duchy; it always flows among the dukes of the kingdom. In this regard, the upper nobles of Brittania have a far greater dynamism in the Holy Grail System than the Empire, which is exactly what Laine appreciated.

Specifically, four conditions are needed to become a Knight King.

First, the knight must be a Holy Grail Knight or Paladin (Paladin is an honorary title bestowed upon strong knights with outstanding character and strength. A Paladin is not necessarily a Holy Grail Knight. A Holy Grail Knight is a Living Saint with all Eight Virtues of Chivalry, while a Paladin values martial valor and command more. Richard holds the title of Paladin, and in his youth, this old king was also a powerful knight).

Second, the knight must hold a ducal title.

Third, the knight must be a descendant of one of the twelve founding Holy Grail Knights or a vassal family.

Fourth, the coronation of the Knight King must be approved by the Lake God Witch (representing the will of the Lake Fairy).

Apart from the second, Laine knew he met the other three conditions; what he lacked now was the ducal title.

Francois discerned Laine's thoughts, the Duke of Winford smiled and said, "Laine, what's the matter? It's impossible for me to give you my ducal title. You know what to do if you want a ducal title."

Laine nodded, understanding. Francois knew Laine wanted to be king. His father-in-law did not oppose Laine becoming king, but he could not cede his ducal title—that was the bottom line.

Regarding this, Laine knew that the person he could negotiate with wasn't Francois or Surya but the Lake God Witch who wielded the highest authority of the country from the castle's tall tower, and the Goddess who quietly observed all the situations from the shadows.

His yearning to return grew stronger.

......

After several days of fast marching, Laine and his companions finally returned to the Count Glamorgan.

Temporarily bidding farewell to Francois, Julius, Jerald, and others, Laine arrived at Gene Town by mid to late January.

It was an exceptionally rare sunny winter day. The sky was clear, not a cloud in sight, and beams of bright sunlight poured down from the sky. The roads of Count Glamorgan, covered with solid stone slabs, were piled high with snow. Many villagers were sweeping away the snowflakes. Even in winter, the prosperous domain still had many carts and people on the move. Everyone was dressed in thick fur cloaks and linen clothes, and a thin layer of snow blanketed the Charon Forest and the fields and lands within the Count's Domain.