As Ryan had anticipated, the moment Katarin heard about the liberation of Erengrad, she immediately dispatched a small detachment of cavalry from Bekafen to escort her appointed envoy, Minister Arakcheyev, to Erengrad to take over the city, including the ready-made army and her loyal subjects.
Naturally, Katarin was well aware that her actions could be considered shameless, but she had no other choice.
When Katarin's letter reached Ryan, a similar letter also arrived for the Tsarina, who was still in Bekafen.
In the letter, the Emperor made it clear that the Empire could no longer afford to supply food, salaries, and logistical support for Katarin and her 50,000 Kislev White Guard soldiers. If she wished to maintain this force, she would have to figure out a way to secure resources on her own.
As for wealth, Katarin did have some assets left, but most were treasures, antiques, paintings, and keepsakes—the accumulated riches of the Tsarist royal family over millennia. However, funding an army of 50,000 without the Empire's support would deplete her resources within a month or two. Moreover, converting these luxury items into cash was exceedingly difficult.
The Empire, however, considered that Kislev had defended the northern front for them for a millennium and that Katarin had done her best to hold Bekafen. Thus, the terms offered to her were not as harsh as those given to Ryan. Emperor Karl Franz decided to allow Katarin to retain approximately 5,000 "Imperial Guards." The Empire would continue to provide rations and salaries for these forces for 18 to 24 months. However, for the remaining 45,000 White Guard soldiers, the Empire would reduce supplies by 30% immediately, by 50% after one month, and completely cut off support after three months.
Katarin was extremely reluctant to disband the White Guard. Despite their lack of combat experience and inadequate equipment, they were the foundation of her hopes for restoring her kingdom. Desperate, the Tsarina wrote a letter to the Emperor, pleading for more time.
Initially, the Emperor hesitated upon receiving the Tsarina's nearly tearful plea. But then, Balthazar Gelt, the Imperial Chief Wizard, arrived from Solland. The Great Alchemist, with an air of righteous authority, argued, "Giving her any more funds is a waste. Our finances are tight, and the money must be directed to more urgent needs—such as rebuilding Ostermark, fortifying the northern frontier, and forming new armies."
If someone else had made this argument, Karl Franz might have deliberated further. But coming from Gelt, the Emperor's most trusted confidant, it quickly changed his mind.
Desperate and frantic, Katarin then heard news of Erengrad's liberation.
"Our Bretonnian knightly brothers are truly reliable!" Katarin was on the verge of tears. "King Ryan is remarkable! He traveled thousands of miles to aid the Empire, braving snowstorms to liberate Erengrad without any selfish motives. What kind of spirit is this?!"
Minister Arakcheyev was promptly dispatched under Katarin's orders. Accompanied by dozens of cavalrymen and several large crates of goods, he set off. These included items such as her father, the Red Tsar Boris Ursus's golden, red-plumed Ursun helmet, his cavalry saber—the Urskin Blade—and the iron winged decorations from his armor. These relics, steeped in Boris's legacy and the glory of countless battles, were pledged to Ryan as collateral, valued at 1,500 gold crowns.
In addition to these, several crates of rare treasures, royal silks, tea leaves, and valuable paintings were pledged. Altogether, Katarin secured 3,000 gold crowns from Ryan as emergency military funding, along with a batch of Nuln-manufactured equipment from Emilia, which was intended to outfit her newly renamed Romanov Imperial Guard. This elite force, named the "Old Guard" to distinguish them from other units, would serve as her personal army.
When Minister Arakcheyev arrived in Erengrad, something felt off.
As the Tsarina's envoy, he was accustomed to receiving either grand welcomes or an atmosphere of awe and intimidation wherever he went.
But today, there was neither. Although the city was now occupied mainly by Bretonnians and Imperials, Arakcheyev noticed an unusual reaction from the returning Kislevite citizens.
Indifference. And hostility.
His heart sank. He had a bad feeling that reclaiming Erengrad might not go as smoothly as planned.
The first task upon entering the city was supposed to be heading directly to the newly established Duma assembly in Erengrad to announce the Tsarina's decrees. These included halting the ongoing elections for Duma representatives, appointing a new governor of Erengrad, and transferring the Kislevite troops under General Rokossovsky to the command of Grand Marshal Denikin. The current commander of Erengrad's forces would be reassigned to defend Prague.
However, before Arakcheyev could make his way to the Duma, a group of Old Guard dragoons intercepted them. Leading the group was none other than Nikola Davout, the only Holy Grail Knight among them. Fully armed, Davout wore a crooked bicorne hat, a marshal's uniform, and a curved saber at his waist as he blocked Arakcheyev's path.
"Are you the Tsarina's envoy?" Davout asked curtly. "I am Nikola Davout, vice-commander of the Old Guard. His Majesty and Her Ladyship wish to see you immediately. Have you brought what was promised?"
"We have brought the items," Arakcheyev replied uneasily. "Her Majesty has decreed that we first announce her orders at the Duma before meeting King Ryan and the Imperial Lady."
"His Majesty doesn't have time to wait for you to complete your errands," Davout interrupted sternly, his tone laced with a hint of disdain. "The Tsarina is a sovereign, but so is our Knight King!"
The envoy hesitated, recalling Katarin's repeated instructions not to provoke the Bretonnians. Moreover, he couldn't deny the disparity in strength. Davout and his 200 dragoons might not seem like much, but each one was a seasoned veteran, exuding an intimidating aura of glory and martial pride. In contrast, Arakcheyev's contingent of hastily assembled White Guard cavalry was laughable in comparison.
In the end, the envoy was "invited" to meet Ryan. The Knight King and the Imperial Duchess warmly received him, asking many questions about the situation in Bekafen, the Tsarina's well-being, the state of the White Guard, and whether the Chaos forces had been expelled. After verifying the delivery of the pledged goods, they even insisted he stay for lunch before allowing him to leave.
As the envoy departed, Emilia leaned lazily against Ryan, reclining comfortably. "Is everything ready on their side?" she asked casually.
"It should be," Ryan replied, wrapping his arms around Emilia's waist. His hand rested gently on her abdomen as he said lovingly, "Shall we go take a look together?"
"But I want to take a nap," Emilia teased, feigning disinterest. "I'm not particularly curious."
"Please, come with me?" Ryan pleaded gently, hugging her tighter.
"You're not showing much sincerity," Emilia pouted, pretending to be aloof. "A proper knight should bow and extend his hand when inviting a lady."
"Then I'll just ask Morgiana."
"You wouldn't dare!!!" Emilia instantly bristled, transforming into a fierce little lioness. "Today is my day, tomorrow is my day, and the day after that, then it's her turn!"
"Haha, alright, let's go." Ryan reached down and lightly grasped Emilia's delicate ankle, clad in silk stockings and tied high heels. It was her most sensitive spot, and once he held it, she was utterly powerless.
Secretly, Emilia didn't mind this teasing; she enjoyed it, though she'd never admit it.
"Fine, I'll go with you. But are you sure everything will go smoothly?" Emilia asked, a hint of concern in her voice. "What if things get out of hand?"
"They won't," Ryan reassured her with unwavering confidence. "No one would dare act recklessly. Especially not in front of me."
Meanwhile, Arakcheyev arrived at the training grounds of the newly renamed Erengrad Guard. The sight before him made the Tsarina's envoy swallow hard.
Thousands of soldiers were gathered on the square.
The rebranded Erengrad Guard, formerly Kislev's military force, stood fully armed under the command of their leader, Georgy Konstantinovich. The soldiers were arranged in six large infantry formations, flanked by Ungol horse archers, two units of winged lancers, and two units of bear cavalry.
"???" The envoy was utterly bewildered.
"Forward!" bellowed Georgy, a towering Kislevite man with a bald head, deep-set eyes, and a prominent nose. Drawing his saber, he shouted, "Advance! Guards! Ura, Konstantin!"
"Ura!!!" The thunderous war cry shook the square, drawing onlookers from all directions. Kislevite civilians, Imperial soldiers, and Bretonnian knights alike gathered to witness the spectacle.
"Ura! Romanov!"
"Ura~~~"
"What kind of special welcome ceremony is this?" Arakcheyev initially thought it was a form of celebration, but he quickly realized something was amiss. The advancing Erengrad Guard was fully armed, weapons drawn, and closing in on his contingent.
Veteran pikemen and swords
men from the guard's ranks marched with precision, clad in newly issued Bretonnian uniforms and breastplates. The legendary Red Navy troops brandished muskets, advancing steadily, while the winged lancers and bear cavalry flanked to encircle them.
"What are you doing, General Georgy? Stop your troops immediately!" the envoy shouted, drawing his rapier. His entourage of Romanov Guards followed suit, brandishing their weapons. "Stand down! This is an order!"
The response was deafening. From the Red Navy formations came the sound of a song:
"Arise, children of the Fatherland! The day of glory has arrived!"
"Against us, tyranny's bloody banner is raised!"
"Do you hear, across the fields, the roar of savage foes?"
"They come among us, to slaughter our wives and children!"
"Citizens, take up arms!"
"Citizens, to battle!"
"Let the blood of our enemies water our fields!"
The rousing chorus grew louder, echoing through Erengrad's streets and soaring into the skies.
"Retreat! Retreat!" Arakcheyev barked, realizing the dire situation. He urged his men to withdraw and find their mounts, hoping to escape.
But it was too late. The exits were blocked. Arakcheyev and his entourage were cornered, weapons drawn, pressed against a wall. "Stand down! All of you will face court-martial and be hanged for this treason!" he shouted desperately.
Finally, a priest of Ursun stepped forward, accompanied by a group of newly elected officials. The priest's expression was calm as he addressed the envoy. "Greetings, envoy. I am Vladimir Vladimirovich, acting representative of the Erengrad Duma and interim mayor. It's an honor to introduce you to my colleagues."
"Mayor, is this a coup?" the envoy demanded angrily.
"No, Mr. Envoy. This is a revolution," Vladimir replied coldly.
With that, Vladimir grabbed Arakcheyev by his coat and executed a flawless over-the-shoulder throw, sending the envoy crashing to the ground. The ferocious Red Navy soldiers surged forward, disarming the White Guard cavalry, who dared not resist.
"I declare you under arrest!" bellowed Georgy from atop his war bear. "Listen to me, soldiers! Her Majesty the Tsarina does not wish for things to turn out this way."
"It is the corrupt court officials who have brought Kislev to this state!"
"The soldiers fighting on the front lines, their wives and children are still starving!"
"Today, we, the Erengrad Workers' Representatives, will execute justice and show the Tsarina the incompetence of these traitorous officials!"
"For the Tsarina, purge the traitors!" Georgy raised his fist high.
"For the Tsarina, purge the traitors!!!" The Erengrad Guard and the gathered citizens roared in unison.
"Boom!" A cannon shot from the Kislevite warship Oleg, docked at the harbor, shook the heavens.
And so, with the declaration that the "National Salvation Alliance" was founded, a new chapter in Erengrad's history began.
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