The next day, the caravan woke up quite late. In the morning, a thick mist arose between the forests, almost covering the entire Hodalen Mountain Range with a white haze so dense that one could not see their hands in front of them. In such conditions, the caravan dared not set out recklessly, so everyone prepared themselves and waited in place.
"With such dense fog, Mr. Mats, are you really planning to go into the mountains? It's too dangerous." Billger's dry voice came, sounding emotionless.
"No, no, Mr. Billger, you only know part of the story. I've traveled the trade routes of the Nord many times, and when the morning fog is thick, it means the sun will come out by mid-morning, making today's journey that much easier," Oliver said nonchalantly, his face full of confidence.
True to the Imperial Merchant's words, as time passed, the dense fog gradually dissipated. The sun rose from the east, and the bright sunshine fell on everyone, warming their hearts. They hadn't seen the sun for days.
"Long live the God of Dawn!"
"Praise the God of Dawn!"
"Great! The sun is out!"
The people of the caravan cheered loudly, and Oliver stroked his beard with a slight smile, a trace of pride on his face. This was the experience of his many years of traveling between the Nord and the Empire: "Time is money, my friends, let's get ready to set off."
The sound of wagon wheels and horse hooves echoed along the mountain path. This once prosperous trade route hadn't been abandoned for long. The road was overgrown with weeds, and one could still vaguely see the old road. The view on both sides of the mountain path was very wide, and Laine noticed that there were collapsed outposts by the roadside, so he spurred his horse forward to investigate.
"Mr. Laine?" The Half-Elf also came forward. Estelle had also changed into a full set of light leather armor today. Elves are not known for their brute strength and physical prowess, especially wood elves who have integrated into the forest. Changing into leather armor made it easier to traverse the mountain paths.
Gray Blade Billger also appeared. In his raspy voice, he said, "We've been here before. Aside from some weapons, we didn't find anything else."
"You mean this outpost was actively abandoned?" Laine stroked his chin.
"Look at this, Mr. Laine." Billger led two people inside the tower. Indeed, the door-opening winch and bearings showed no signs of damage: "The original army here withdrew very orderly; this place should have been purposely abandoned."
"Why was this place abandoned? Do you have any ideas, Mr. Laine?" The Half-Elf deftly vaulted over the wall and asked Laine.
"Well, this," Laine first nodded and then shook his head, "I don't know the reasons, but I think it might be related to that affair."
"That affair?"
"Caused by a Mission Knight," Laine indicated there was nothing more to see, and the three of them left the outpost.
"Tch, it's those airheaded idiots again. I just don't get it; why does their Lady always let those beasts out to bite people?" Billger's raspy voice was filled with deep resentment.
"We scale high mountains, we cross great rivers, we plunge into the deepest caves, we vanquish the most terrifying monsters, how can we gain your approval, Lady?"
—Gascogne, Brittania Mission Knight
As a Knight Kingdom, Brittania enjoys a prestigious reputation across the continent. However, exactly because of this, in the Knight Kingdom, the titles of knights differ slightly from those in the Empire and the Nord Kingdom.
In Brittania, some peculiar circumstances exist. Since the First Knight King Arthur drank from the Holy Grail of the Lake Fairy, gaining unparalleled power, Brittania knights have pursued the Holy Grail as the ultimate goal of their lives. Powerful Kingdom Knights can advance to become Mission Knights (also known as Expedition Knights). Mission Knights begin to receive the blessings of the Lake Fairy, becoming far more powerful than ordinary knights.
Mission Knights can choose to abandon all they have and embark on the Path of the Holy Grail. The Lake Fairy bestows oracle missions on those who set on the Path of the Holy Grail. In the coming months or even years, Mission Knights will forsake all worldly possessions and titles, focusing solely on completing the Lake Fairy's Holy Grail Trials. Their lives will be filled with hardship and suffering, constantly testing their spirit, body, and even soul.
In endless suffering and challenges, most Mission Knights will fail and return, and many will leave this world with an undying longing for the Holy Grail. Only a small portion of Mission Knights will succeed. Upon successfully completing the Lake Fairy's Holy Grail mission, a deity's avatar will appear before them, and the knight will drink deeply from the deity's Holy Grail. Through the blessings of the Holy Water, these knights' constitution and life will be permanently transformed. They will become legendary Holy Grail Knights, gaining extraordinarily long lifespans and immense power. These knights, embodying knightly virtues and blessed by the deities, are the most powerful knights on the continent and the core force that keeps the Knight Kingdom of Brittania standing strong and intimidating its neighbors.
The charge of the Holy Grail Knights is a fearsome sight that strikes terror into people of this world. Even angels and devils, and the most formidable Chaos Champions, are torn apart like rags before these Holy Grail Knights. The story of Holy Grail Knights breaking through the ranks of the Chaos Army head-on one hundred and fifty years ago is still told today. The existence of the Holy Grail Knight Order makes all nations on the continent wary. When other forces declare war against Brittania, they must first weigh whether their armies can withstand the charge of these knights.