In the wastelands of the Nord Kingdom, Emperor Karl Franz of the Empire is leading his Imperial Army rapidly forward. The Prince-Electors responded swiftly, and with food supplies in place, the Imperial Army is advancing quickly. They can reach Mijordenhaven by tomorrow.
The Emperor himself rides on his own Pegasus, contemplating the upcoming matters. Not every battle requires his Griffin Mount—Death's Claw, and usually, the Emperor rides the Pegasus.
"Faster, knights, Mijordenhaven is already surrounded by barbarians and could fall at any moment. We cannot stand by and watch tens of thousands perish before us," Karl Franz says to his five hundred Rick Guards. Original content can be found at novel★fire.net
"Of course! Your Majesty, we are already advancing at full speed," the Rick Guards respond loudly to the Emperor.
Karl Franz smiles slightly, knowing he is somewhat anxious. The Rick Guard is composed of the most elite knights from his direct fiefdom, and being a Rick Guard is an honor for the entire family. Besides the Griffin Knight Order and the War Court Guard, which has only forty men, the Rick Guard is already the most elite unit in the Emperor's hand.
The knights cannot abandon the infantry and artillery to move alone. Even within the borders of the Empire, such actions are very dangerous.
The Empire seems to cover vast territories, but the number of unclaimed lands such as dense Black Forests, mountains, and marshy wastelands is equally astonishing. In a true sense, the Empire is a federated state centered on cities and villages, with roads as its lifeblood.
The Rick Territory directly governed by the Emperor is a vast and fertile plain. The problem of robbers and beastmen was greatly mitigated after the Emperor continuously deployed troops for extermination and suppression. However, other Prince-Electors face different challenges. For instance, the Wolrich Territory, while large, is almost entirely covered by the Black Forest except for White Wolf City and Calon Castle in the south. The Prince-Elector's actual control over land and population is very limited.
Great Alchemist Biersaze Gaert also rides a Pegasus alongside the Emperor, frequently exchanging thoughts with the leader of the Alchemy School from the Imperial Royal Wizard Academy along the way.
Compared to the fiery temper and peculiar trait of occasionally spewing flame of the current Imperial Royal Chief Grand Wizard Sernus German, the Emperor prefers Gaert, the Great Alchemist, whose logical thinking is rigorous and meticulous, often suggesting constructive ideas and advice.
"Over four thousand barbarian troops have besieged Mijordenhaven. The Bearman Tribe is famous for high morale and strong siege capabilities. It is said their attack on the port came without warning. What insights do our Great Alchemist have?" Knowing that he must not act hastily, Karl Franz turns to converse with Gaert.
"There must be a certain objective behind this, possibly from the Evil God's instructions or a strategic purpose. Generally speaking, the Evil God's instructions are entirely chaotic and illogical, because they themselves are chaotic beings... So if Bireg has a purpose, he may want to control that port, seize its wealth and return by ship to the Northern Wasteland." Gaert's metallic-sounding pause is followed by him continuing, "But what happened two days ago made me overturn my hypothesis."
"What happened? Can you enlighten me, my Great Alchemist?"
"Of course, Your Majesty... Well, to describe it this way, two days ago, I sensed large magical fluctuations around Mijordenhaven. It's highly likely that the magical fluctuations there attracted the attention of the Evil God." Gaert's tone reveals his strong interest in the matter, but with the Great Alchemist wearing a mask, the Emperor can only gauge his emotions from his voice.
Karl Franz knows these casters are essentially time bombs—yet humans need their power; the unpredictable Chaos Energy guided by them can become powerful magic.
The Emperor is just, kind, brave, and decisive. He does not oppose these casters, as everyone struggles to survive under the threat of Chaos, and no one can escape. He continues, "If we can repel Bireg and his barbarian soldiers, you should have time to investigate what actually happened."
"We can defeat the Bearman Tribe no doubt, Your Majesty. The difference lies in whether Mijordenhaven will fall." Gaert points out what the Emperor has not said explicitly: "In my view, the defenders are unlikely to withstand until we arrive, and the fall of the town is only a matter of time. However... scouts report the famous White Wolf Knight 'Great Hammer' Laine is also in Mijordenhaven, leading the soldiers in resistance. If he is truly as strong as the legends say, then there might be a glimmer of hope for the city."
"Laine? I remember he is Ivan's godson, notable in the Northern Empire... But he belongs to the Master of the White Wolf!" Karl Franz hesitates, "At this sensitive juncture, I cannot actively summon him."
"Precisely as you say, Your Majesty," Gaert nods.
Both the Empire's north and south experience serious religious tensions. The Northern Empire's objects of worship are generally collectively referred to as the Northern Gods system, especially the White Wolf Church led by Yurik and the Nature Church led by the God of Nature Tal. Although the faith in the Northern Gods has waned, they still hold an irreplaceable place in the hearts of the northern people.