Wizard: I Have a Cultivation System

Chapter 409: Chapter 87: A Story Belonging to Mortals

It was Armand.

Compared to ten years ago, he was clearly older. Though he tried to stand straight, the body beneath his heavy Armor was no longer as vigorous as it once was.

In the end, age and old wounds had prevented him from crossing that invisible barrier. He remained a Great Knight at the Peak of Mortality, unable to touch the realm of Legend.

The moment Knight Armand’s gaze fell upon Murphy’s carriage, a complex mix of emotions flickered in his eyes.

There was gratitude, awe, and a touch of wistfulness for the passage of time.

The young Duke of Orleans stopped a few paces from the carriage. A respectful smile on his face, he placed his right hand over his chest and bowed slightly. "Lord Thunder Sword, my apologies for disturbing your journey. I am Charlie de Orleans. I have long admired your great renown, and having the good fortune of meeting you today, I came especially to pay my respects."

Knight Armand bowed as well, his voice aged but steady. "Lord Melfield, it has been a long time. May the peace of Oriane be with you."

The carriage door opened, and Murphy appeared before them, seated in a wheelchair.

He gave a slight nod in return. "Your Grace, Laval, there’s no need for such formalities. Please, sit."

Luke had already cleverly brought out two folding chairs, placing them on a relatively flat patch of ground beside the carriage.

Grand Duke Charles sat down gracefully. Knight Armand, however, remained standing by his side, a display of his adherence to etiquette.

"Lord Melfield, I presume your journey is also to the Holy City, to attend the Dawn Star Bell Ceremony and the Pope’s coronation?" Grand Duke Charles asked directly, his tone frank, yet he strove to maintain the propriety befitting his station.

"Yes," Murphy answered curtly.

Grand Duke Charles nodded, chose his words carefully, and continued, "The situation on the Continent is currently in turmoil, making this grand event in the Holy City exceptionally significant. With all the major powers gathering, the future landscape may well be decided here. I wonder, what are your thoughts on this, Lord Melfield?"

As an influential Duke in the Phlanis Kingdom, he clearly hoped to glean some insight into the shifting winds from a Legendary Powerhouse of Murphy’s stature and renown.

Knight Armand’s gaze also fell on Murphy’s face, tinged with a hint of concern.

He understood Murphy’s importance far better than the young Duke did.

Murphy’s calm gaze swept over the two men. He spoke slowly, "The Monte Territory is in the Northern Territory, and our fundamental duty has always been to protect the peace of our lands. The matter in the Holy City is an internal affair of the Church Court and a shift in the Continent’s landscape of faith. We were invited to observe the ceremony as a show of respect for the Church Court, and also to witness history. As for my stance..."

He paused briefly. "The stance of the Thunder Sword is, first and foremost, the stance of the Monte Territory. The safety of my domain and the well-being of my people are my primary considerations."

A flash of understanding crossed Grand Duke Charles’s eyes. He wasn’t surprised.

’Given Murphy’s status and power, he truly has no need to reveal his leanings so early or so clearly.’

He smiled, his tone lightening. "You speak truly, Lord Melfield. The peace of one’s domain and the well-being of one’s people are indeed fundamental. As you passed through the borders of the Duchy of Orleans, you must have seen the state of the lands... Alas, between natural and man-made disasters, life is hard for the common folk. Although we have done our best to provide relief and reduce taxes, it’s a drop in the ocean. We can only do enough to secure our borders and protect our people, looking after our own jurisdiction first."

Following his lead, Murphy said blandly, "Passing through your duchy, I did see that life is not easy for the people. For the Duke to reduce taxes is already a benevolent act."

These were merely superficial words.

From what Murphy had seen on his journey, the situation in the Duchy of Orleans was fundamentally no different from that in the territories of other Great Nobles.

It was true that taxes had been reduced, but only to a limited extent, and the criteria were strict.

There was relief aid, but it was small in scale, and it certainly didn’t stop them from acquiring land at low prices.

The people were still suffering; they just hadn’t reached the point of total collapse seen in Count Hoffman’s Domain.

In a world where "where you stand depends on where you sit," it was the norm for the nobility to prioritize the interests of their own class and the stability of their rule.

Not everyone was an idealist like Glamorgan Count, nor did everyone have the ability or the will to challenge the deep-rooted structure.

For a young heir like the Duke of Orleans, simply holding on to the legacy his father left behind and keeping his domain functioning was already considered "doing his duty."

Knight Armand listened from the side, his eyes moving from the Legend in the wheelchair before him to the young lord beside him. He suddenly spoke up, "Lord Melfield, fighting side-by-side at Blackstone Fortress ten years ago feels like just yesterday. On this trip to the Holy City, I wonder if we might be of some small assistance? The Duchy has some connections in the Holy City and could perhaps offer you some conveniences."

Murphy glanced at the old knight and shook his head slightly. "Thank you for the kind offer, but I must decline. This trip is merely to observe the ceremony. There is no need to trouble you."

The conversation that followed shifted to inconsequential pleasantries.

Grand Duke Charles enthusiastically asked Murphy some general questions about the customs of the Northern Territory and the governance of the Monte Territory, which Murphy answered politely.

Knight Armand occasionally interjected, reminiscing about the old days at Blackstone Fortress ten years ago. The atmosphere, at least on the surface, remained amicable.

After about half an hour, Grand Duke Charles chose an opportune moment to rise and take his leave. "It is getting late, so I dare not disturb your rest any longer, Lord Melfield. I wish you a smooth journey, and may we have the good fortune to meet again in the Holy City."

"You are too kind, Your Grace. A safe journey to you as well," Murphy replied with a slight nod.

As he watched the figures of the Duke of Orleans’ party disappear down the forest path toward their lavish encampment, Knight Davies approached and said in a low voice, "My lord, the Orleans family..."

"Simply maintain etiquette," Murphy interrupted, his voice flat. "Continue according to plan."