"The Storm Fortress has been breached? Impossible, wasn't Nord reputed to have several northern fortresses that could hold out for months?" a Prince-Elector said instinctively.
"There was a traitor, the Barbarians found the weakest point of Storm Fortress." Carl Franz's eyes gleamed brightly, and he clenched his fists, casting his gaze at the Archbishop Beckman of the Justice Church, signaling him to speak.
"The walls of Storm Fortress, after years of defense, were tainted by Chaos Corruption, sprouting eyes and tentacles," Beckman interjected. "Under the Church's direction, we purified the corrupted walls with flames, then rebuilt them."
"But at that moment, the Northern Barbarians launched an attack, recklessly storming Storm Fortress," the Emperor nodded, "The incident occurred last night. This Barbarian army was led by the Bearman Tribe, with the Chief being 'Crushing Bear' Bireg."
"What about Ufric?" Roland asked, aware of the Barbarian leader's strength. If he landed, only the King of Nord could handle him.
"Ufric's black flagship is still blocked at sea by the Nord Navy, though Nord paid a heavy price," Carl Franz waved his hand, indicating that Ufric could not land in the short term, thus it was not the immediate concern. "The urgent matter is to quickly dispatch reinforcements; what say you, gentlemen of the Empire?"
"Wolrich will swiftly dispatch reinforcements; you will see more White Wolf Knights!" Manfred, Wolrich Prince-Elector, was the first to respond. His territory bordered the Nord Kingdom, and if Nord couldn't hold, the pressure would be immense on him.
The other two Prince-Electors adjacent to Nord also nodded their agreement to send reinforcements, but the response from other Prince-Electors was slow, with all eyes on the Emperor.
"We must aid Nord!" Carl Franz knew everyone was waiting for his decision, so the Emperor finally spoke, "The Wizards had long prophesied the Barbarian invasion; no one expected Storm Fortress to fall so swiftly. Now, our armies have already assembled, and we must eliminate the other Barbarians before they land, not allowing these cultists to taint the lands that belong to our Empire!"
"You all know well how the Great Holy War started one hundred and fifty years ago; a Chaos Army landed from Nord!" Finally, Carl Franz Friedrich spoke resolutely, "We must not repeat history!"
The council hall fell silent; some Prince-Electors showed unwillingness on their faces, while others appeared justified.
"Interesting, Tuscan Territory is willing to send reinforcements! You'll see the first battalion of Ram Knights!" Umberto first shouted.
"Altdorf is willing to send reinforcements, and the third battalion of Lion Knights is ready to fight for the protection of the nation!" Roland responded. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs novel★fire.net
"Wertz's three hundred Great Swordsmen are ready to follow the Emperor's orders!" said Wertz Prince-Elector.
"Oden Territory's five hundred Rangers are ready and waiting for Your Majesty's command!" Oden Prince-Elector responded as well.
"The Golden Fleece Knight Order will send the seventh squad to support!" said Philip II, Prince-Elector of Bern, the 'Black Goat,' seeing other Prince-Electors expressing their stance. "We'll provide provisions and lodging for the passing troops!"
Soon, the vast majority of Prince-Electors had expressed their response.
Seeing the other electors responding to the Emperor's call, Archbishop Beckman of the Justice Church was not to be outdone and declared, "The Paladin Legion of the Justice Church is already on its way to Nord."
The Life Church Archbishop raised his scepter, "Enough priests and doctors will soon be arranged in place, and we will also provide some military rations!"
Finally, the Archbishop of the Magic Church spoke, "A Wizard Corps will soon set off with the army to eliminate those evil Shamans."
Only the Prince-Elector of Brescia was left. This teenager was nearly driven to tears by the intense pressure in the council hall, and he hurriedly asked the courtier behind him, "What should I do?"
"You should say that Brescia currently lacks the capacity to send troops, but we are willing to offer a military service exemption tax, my lord," the courtier appeared calmer than the Prince-Elector, yet when thinking of the military service exemption tax, the courtier's face also showed a pained expression.
That was a heavy tax indeed.
Seeing the Prince-Electors one after another responding, a smile appeared on the young and heroic face of Carl Franz. It was this spirit that kept the Empire going to this day.
One race, one country, one faith, built the Human Empire.
With such resilience and steadfast belief, the Human Empire will never perish.
After the meeting ended, Carl Franz exited the council hall and before he could sit down, an attendant approached quickly: "Your Majesty, Great Wizard Biersaze Gaert requests an audience."
Soon, accompanied by very heavy footsteps, a "human" wearing a glowing Magic Cloak, a dazzling gold-adorned robe, and a Golden Mask entered, "Your Majesty!"
Carl Franz stared at the figure of the arrival, suspecting more than once that the Wizard before him was no longer human.
Yet he had to repeatedly entrust him with important tasks because Biersaze Gaert was exceptionally brilliant.
He arrived in the Empire for just a few years, and had become the highest Alchemist in the Empire, improving the Black Powder formula, greatly easing the conflict and hostility between the Royal Artillery Academy and the Imperial Royal Wizard Academy.