PS. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions, many readers have given me lots of honest opinions. Here, I'll respond. Many readers feel my recent writing pace has issues, and I admit the Marinburg storyline has dragged a bit. I'll speed up the pace and push the plot forward afterward, but I will continue writing along the planned route.
PS2. I want to say, Warhammer itself is niche among the niche. Writing this revolves mostly around passion. I have poured my heart into this book. Frankly, if the writing isn't close to mainstream, the people reading it might really be very few. Some readers found the recent segment dull, which is understandable because they are familiar with the background knowledge. But I have to consider those readers who don't understand Warhammer and the background knowledge, so some dragging is inevitable. I hope everyone understands.
PS3. Of course, I still welcome everyone's suggestions and opinions. It's just that as a novice author, I'm most afraid of being led astray by the pace. I hope everyone can be more forgiving of this struggling novel.
The Empire, the most powerful human realm in the Old World. Since Charlemagne, the Empire has been over a thousand years in existence. After the Great Holy War, a new Empire was rebuilt. Under Ludwig and subsequent emperors, the Human Empire once again thrived and prospered.
The land of knights, Brittania Kingdom is located on the other side of the Gray Mountain Range, across the mountains from the Empire Emperor's direct Rick Territory. The boundary line between the two countries is Marinburg and the Gray Mountain Range.
Hundreds of years ago, the First Knight King Arthur founded the kingdom with the help of the Lake Fairy. For several hundred years, Brittania maintained relatively friendly relations with the Empire. Although history does not lack wars between the two countries, restraint and tolerance have always dominated diplomacy. Whenever one faces difficulty, both countries always put aside past grievances and support each other.
Because they are both human, sharing the same origins and views, the Empire and Brittania are basically consistent in race and ideology. The upper nobility also uses the same language. In the face of countless external enemies raging and surrounding them, both human countries consider internal strife unwise.
Despite "Tiger" Richard having fought a battle with the Empire just over a year ago outside Marinburg, the alliance between the two nations was unaffected, even leading to scenarios where they would fight during the day and dine together at night.
Richard, forcing himself to stay focused, finished reading the letter sealed with the Emperor of the Empire's stamp. The Knight King sighed deeply.
Compared to this new emperor of the Empire, he preferred dealings with the previous old emperor Luitpold. At least the old emperor wasn't so young and aggressive. Richard had heard about Carl Franz's recent series of victories, and with the shift in national power, Richard had to muster all his energy.
The Knight King briefly considered and felt he should agree to the request. Both in terms of showcasing the Knight Kingdom's military strength and strengthening the alliance between the two nations, participating in this war was beneficial and harmless. Moreover, the letter promised that besides military expenses, the Knight Kingdom would also receive a large amount of gold as gratitude.
Thus, with the help of the Saintess Order, a new Knight Army gradually took shape. The various dukes chose to respond to the Empire's call for assistance. Ranger knights and kingdom knights from various duchies gathered in Kulona to form a reinforcement. This reinforcement consisted of more than three hundred knights and over a thousand cavalry, along with over two thousand infantry formed from peasants.
And a stamped invitation letter.
The Empire's reinforcements also gradually set out for Marinburg.
Time moved to early March.
The Griffin Knight Order's three companies, dispatched this time to Marinburg, assembled and waited outside the city. Ivan, along with his son Anton and godson Laine, went outside the city to await the arrival of Brittania's reinforcements.
Seeing numerous manors and farms along the way, Laine, riding on his war horse Pinecone, said to Ivan, "Marinburg's request for a field battle makes sense. If the Green-skinned Army attacks the city, these manors and farms will turn to ashes." Updates are released by novel⸺fire.net
Ivan sighed, "Prosperity certainly brings drawbacks. Marinburg has excessively expanded the city for commerce and allowed nobles to enclose land outside the city, weakening the city's overall defensive capabilities. Laine, Anton, even if Marinburg hadn't requested, I would go out for a field battle."
"The Green-skins gathering at Ginter Mine have reached thirty thousand." Laine, holding a Griffin Warhammer in hand, said to his godfather, "This is certainly going to be a tough war, with our army numbering fewer than twelve thousand."
"Can the Dwarfs ?" Anton asked while riding his horse.
"We can hope the Dwarfs will send their army but shouldn't hold our breath." Ivan, frowning, took out a map and pointed at two routes on it, "The Green-skins have two routes to choose from to attack Marinburg."
"The first is the northern line, via Randall Road, directly reaching Marinburg's outskirts."
"The second is the southern line, attacking Koleson first, then Leman Castle, and finally reaching Marinburg's outskirts."
"Anton, my son, tell me, which route do you think the Green-skinned Warlord Ugluk will take?" Ivan gestured for Laine to hold off speaking and turned to ask his son.
"If it were me, I'd take the northern line," Anton spoke up. The young Griffin Earl thought for a moment and gave his answer, "The northern line has sparse population, and the Green-skins need not worry about supply issues. They would surely reach Marinburg's outskirts faster."