The Lord of the Rings: Lords of Middle-earth.

Chapter 956 The Grand Duke's Southern Journey

"Why not stay a couple more days?" Roland asked Grand Duke Okrian Yaso curiously. After all, Roland hadn't expected him to leave in such a hurry. If word got out, people might think Roland was intolerant and forced the powerful Grand Duke to leave. So Roland wanted to persuade him again. If he really wanted to leave, Roland would give him his blessings and send him off. After all, he had nothing to hide...

“No, I can’t be of any help here anyway. It would be good to go out and take a look around to see what’s going on in Middle-earth!” Archduke Oakrian Yaso smiled at Roland, his golden hair gleaming in the sunlight.

"Have the soldiers been arranged?" Roland paused for a moment before continuing to ask.

“Ocrian Norman is the family’s best knight commander at present. He will stay behind to keep the army in check. If you need anything, you can order him to assist you in battle! I have already told him that I will give you command! But Ryukin has to come with me, otherwise it will be too boring on the way!” Grand Duke Ocrian Yaso said to Roland, patting his chest.

“Alright!” Roland nodded knowingly. The people of Lagrange are so simple and honest! They even want to offer the last remaining knightly orders to Roland. Although the ownership belongs to Grand Duke Oakrian Yaso, it doesn’t affect Roland’s use of them, does it?

“I’ll see you off!” Roland nodded to Grand Duke Oakrian Yaso.

"Then I'll have to trouble you!" Grand Duke Oakrian Yaso's eyes lit up and he didn't refuse. After all, there was no reason to refuse the political advantage of being close to the king, and it was only right for a grand duke to receive the king's favor! Although Grand Duke Oakrian Yaso didn't have any fiefdoms, it didn't mean he wouldn't work on his political capital in advance. It wouldn't do him any harm to stand on the same side as the king in advance. It would be a disaster if the important ministers on the borders and the central government were to become disloyal!

……

“A huge port should be built here in the future!” Archduke Oakrian Yaso exclaimed, gazing at the surging river.

"So now you need to figure out how to cross the river!" Oakrian Ryukin said helplessly, covering his face.

"Why don't you just drop him off here?" Grand Duke Oakrian Yaso said awkwardly to Roland. The two of them had originally planned to ride swiftly on light swords, but they were stopped by the Swift River before they could even get started. What? You say a sixth-tier hero can fly? What about the horse? Are you suggesting the Grand Duke carry the horse and fly away first, enjoying fine wine and a luminous cup?

"No need for such trouble!" Seeing the awkwardness between the two, Roland drew his Dragon Slayer Sword, jumped off his horse, and went to the riverbank.

"Doss! Freeze!" Roland whispered.

"Roar!" Doss, who had been lying in Roland's arms, crawled out from Roland's chest and then circled around Roland's arm to his wrist.

As the essence of dragon power transformed into a cold current and surged towards the swift-flowing river, the originally turbulent river instantly began to freeze. Fine ice rapidly spread along the river surface, engulfing it, and a solid ice bridge stretched straight to the opposite bank.

"!!!" Grand Duke Oakrian Yasuo and Oakrian Ryukin's eyes widened instantly. Was this combat power real? Are peak fourth-tier knights this terrifying now?

"Dragon Power!" Archduke Oakrian Yasuo was the first to feel the fierce dragon's might, and the Gale Blade at his waist began to tremble slowly after sensing the dragon's might.

"A dragon rider?" Upon hearing Roland's words, Okrian Ryukin's eyes narrowed, clearly startled by Roland's identity. So, the royal family's dragon rider tradition hasn't been broken? He just didn't know which guardian dragon Roland was riding! "Your Majesty, this is a dragon rider..." Grand Duke Okrian Yaso asked Roland curiously.

"Grand Duke Yasuo's perception is quite sharp!" Roland didn't deny it. When flexing one's muscles, one should be open and honest. As a king, one should instill confidence in one's subordinates. Otherwise, everyone will be on edge, which is not conducive to the cohesion of the power! The Empire does this very well: gentle words on the lips, but a big stick in hand, and wherever there is dissent, it will be dealt with!

"It seems the empire's revival is in sight! Congratulations in advance, Your Majesty!" Grand Duke Okrian Yaso said sincerely. As a nation founded on dragons, what could be more terrifying than a royal family losing its dragon? Fortunately, the empire's heirs did not completely destroy the empire's foundation! Otherwise, it would be too embarrassing for the Lagrang royal family to be exposed like this!

“I think so too! Thank you for your kind words, Your Excellency!” Roland smiled at Grand Duke Oakrian Yaso.

“Let’s go! I’ll see you off on your final journey! (not really)” Roland sheathed his sword, nodded to the two of them, and mounted his horse.

……

"That's enough, Your Majesty!" Grand Duke Oakrian Yaso said respectfully to Roland. They had already set foot on the south bank of the swift current, so there was no need for Roland to escort them any further.

"Alright, let's stop here then! Have a safe journey!" Roland waved to the two of them, who immediately thumped their chests and bowed to Roland, their expressions extremely solemn.

"Let's go back!" Roland waved to the two of them, drew a circle with his hand, and the knights following behind him immediately turned their horses around and returned to the other side of the still relatively solid ice.

"It is the kingdom's good fortune to have His Majesty!" Archduke Oakrian Yaso stood there until Roland's figure disappeared before he exclaimed.

“Yes! Dragon Knight! The empire's legacy hasn't been lost! That's a good thing! At least the kingdom's rule will be much more stable!” Okrian Ryukin nodded. Whether he admitted it or not, one thing was undeniable: Roland's status as a Dragon Knight would greatly solidify his throne! Even if Okrian Ryukin and his allies wanted to push Grand Duke Okrian Yaso, the Elector, to the throne, they couldn't overcome this barrier of identity! In Lagrange, having dragons was the greatest advantage!

“Yes! I was worried that other electors might shake the foundations of the kingdom, but now it seems there’s no need for that concern!” Grand Duke Oakrian Yaso glanced at Oakrian Liujin. Not long ago, they were trying to push him to the throne! Now, Roland, as the King of Romanian and a Dragon Knight, can definitely sit firmly on the throne!

“Yes… It’s not easy to be a king. You can’t bow your head, or your crown will fall off…” Oakrian Ryukin said thoughtfully, gazing at the city of Lagrange, which was just a black dot in the distance.

"Alright! Let's not discuss this anymore. We are subjects! We should be mindful of our duties! Let's focus on our work! Come to think of it, I haven't had a proper trip in all these years! Now I can finally enjoy this magnificent natural scenery!" Grand Duke Oakrian Yaso stretched and then said with great enthusiasm. After all, he hadn't traveled the world with his sword since inheriting the family business. He spent his days either in his fiefdom or on the border, and had long lost the chivalrous spirit of his youth!

"Um... are you referring to these pointed orcs when you say 'magnificent scenery'?" Oakrian Ryukin's lips twitched, then he awkwardly pointed ahead.