After finalizing the strategy for the decisive battle, the entire city of Constantinople mobilized into action.
Countless resources were being allocated, troops deployed, soldiers recruited, and battle zones planned with relentless urgency. Daniel Davis demonstrated astonishing organizational skills in this process. The entirety of the Ashes Legion, from soldiers to civilians, quickly entered a state of wartime readiness. Everyone understood that a monumental battle was imminent, one that would determine whether they could survive.
It was relatively difficult to get ordinary citizens to comprehend concepts like "fighting for order" or "fighting for the survival of the world." But explaining to them the idea of "fighting for survival" and "fighting to protect their own interests" was far simpler. Daniel Davis used this to his advantage. He plainly told all his subjects that a crisis was upon them. Their very existence had provoked the jealousy and hatred of Chaos, Skaven, undead, and dark elves. Now, all their enemies had united with one purpose: to crush them in the cradle!
The annihilation of their nation and the extinction of their people was imminent! All the humans of the New World had no choice but to unite and resist these external invaders!
Daniel's speeches quickly stirred the populace's enthusiasm for war and hatred for the forces of evil. As he said, the people here had no path to retreat. Their only option was to rise up and fight back.
Forty thousand regular troops and forty thousand militia were armed and began constructing defensive positions.
Inside the city's central headquarters, Daniel gathered everyone to assign war responsibilities.
The total force of 80,000 soldiers was distributed strategically to occupy and control key roads and defensive positions in Constantinople, preparing to confront the approaching enemies.
Daniel arranged the troops as follows:
The army was deployed from south to north across Constantinople, forming a left wing, central division, and right wing, each responsible for a specific zone. Three defensive lines were established along the way: an outer defensive line outside the city, a wall defensive line, and an inner defensive line within the city.
The left wing was composed primarily of the Ashes Legion's Third Army. Commanding it were former Kislev Marshal Yegorov and ex-Chief Court Minister Harlan Sanders. The left wing included a large number of Kislev infantry and a few cavalry units, along with Halfling adventurer Habby's New World Expeditionary Force and a unit of winged hussars. Additionally, several militia regiments were temporarily recruited, and the Dwarf Artillery Corps, led by Dwarf Engineer Jerick, was tasked with defending the left flank.
The central division was held by the Fifth and Sixth Armies of the Ashes Legion, commanded by Pedro of Estalia, leader of the Phoenix Guard, and former Imperial General Weidenfeller. Julius's Hunter Cavalry Corps was stationed in the center as a mobile reserve force, ready to fill any gaps in the frontlines.
The right wing was positioned on the northern bank of the Rhod River, a waterway flowing into the sea north of Constantinople. The Ashes Legion had a large fortress there, "Golden Horn Bay," capable of housing tens of thousands of troops. This area was entrusted to the Second Army of the Arab Gold Mage, the Desert Army, and the Third Army led by a Wood Elf Princess to hold against the enemy.
Finally, a mobile reserve force of around 10,000 soldiers, including the Phoenix Guard and the First Army of Pirazzo, was kept on standby within the city under Daniel's personal command.
Once everything was arranged, the city became a hive of activity, with everyone preparing for the impending war. After receiving a series of reports, Daniel decided to hold a grand banquet and performance at the city's circular amphitheater to boost the morale of the troops.
The preparations continued at a feverish pace.
Propaganda posters were distributed throughout the city, carried by the Cheka Special Forces, who were working tirelessly to spread the message.
"Defend your home, your city, and everything that belongs to us. Citizens, take up arms!"
"Skaven War 2.0!"
"Engineer Jerick of Dwarven Seagate reveals the Skaven's new weapons!"
"Dimensional Stone Flamethrowers!" Green flames from the Skaven were consuming everything in their path.
"Skaven Ratling Guns!" Rotating machine guns spat dimensional stone bullets, suppressing human forces.
"Skaven Dimensional Jezzails!" A line of ratmen snipers rested long-barreled guns on the ground, taking aim.
"Doomwheel!" The war machine rolled across the battlefield, crushing everything in its path and firing dimensional stone lasers that incinerated everything nearby.
"Every day, new enemies and technologies emerge on the battlefield! So much that it feels overwhelming!"
"And now we must ask: Soldiers, citizens, are we losing this war?"
"Don't gamble, citizens."
"Inside Constantinople's Dwarven workshops, brand-new war machines are ready to deploy!"
"Enhanced Shotgun Rifles!" A human soldier blasted a group of Skaven with a single shot.
"Dwarven Iron Dragon Hand Cannons!" Dwarf hand cannons unleashed torrents of flame, melting ratmen into scorched remains.
"Black Lion Fortress Hellfire Chain Cannons!" These war fortresses raced across the battlefield, spewing devastating fire from their chain cannons.
"Obsidian Steam Rotor Bombers!" Dwarven rotorcraft were equipped with rotary sulfur guns and rows of bombs.
"Halfling Crucible Firebombs!" A substance that clung to anything it touched, burning through flesh and bone until nothing remained.
"With so many powerful weapons, are we still far from victory? Soldiers?"
"Do you want to know more?"
"Our latest secret weapon is a simple shovel!"
"The Skaven and undead pirates have overwhelming firepower. Our soldiers need better shelters and fortifications to protect themselves, and this means every citizen must pick up a shovel and do their part to strengthen our defenses and ensure we survive this ordeal!"
"That's right, citizens, start digging!"
Meanwhile, Cheka officers wearing blue, dome-shaped hats with red bands publicly executed anti-war individuals and deserters throughout the city. Dozens of citizens advocating for negotiations or escape, as well as discovered Chaos cultists, were executed on the spot, often without any formal trial.
"Here is the list!" Felix stamped his seal.
"List!" The Cheka delivered it to the prisons.
"List!" The jailers began pulling people from their cells.
"List!" The executioners conducted a final check before carrying out the sentences immediately.
Felix, the founder of Kislev's Cheka police and leader of the special forces, made a public declaration: "To oppose the war is to oppose us. We do not need fairness. This is a war of life and death. I firmly believe everything I do is right. That is why Daniel trusts me, and the soldiers respect me. I never oppose reason, but as long as Chaos and evil exist, I will fight them with all my might."
After fully implementing strict city controls and reinforcing defenses, Daniel pursued a carrot-and-stick approach. Thanks to years of preparation, Constantinople had an abundant stockpile of food, supported by thriving trade. The Ashes Legion commander ordered rewards to be distributed throughout the city and meals improved. Any citizen willing to stand with the city to the end could receive generous rewards.
That same evening, a grand citywide celebration began in the circular amphitheater.
Every unit of the Ashes Legion had its own performance.
First on stage was Habby and his New World Halfling Expeditionary Force. They performed the song "You Shall Return Like Lightning," a hymn to the goddess of war, Myrmidia. Habby announced a slight modification to the lyrics.
"You shall return like lightning, and the whole nation will feast!"
"Sea, land, and sky, under your lightning…"
"I'll wear white and touch you once more!"
"Your light and my heart, how much I love you!"
"Myrmidia, goddess of Tilea, grant wisdom and grace to our king…"
By the end of the song, the halflings had veered off-script, improvising wildly. Most of the audience didn't understand their language but found it enjoyable nonetheless. The opening act warmed up the crowd brilliantly.
The second act featured the Cheka Internal Affairs Choir, led by Harlan Sanders and Felix. They performed the famous Araby song Ceddin Deden.
"Deden, ceddin, neslin, baban…"
"Forever valiant, the icy peoples…"
"Your armies, in every age, renowned across the world…"
The mournful yet resilient tone of the Kislevites carried an air of dignity and strength, leaving no doubt about their power.
The third act came from the Janissary Corps, led by the Gold Mage. Clad in red robes and white turbans, they played horns, beat drums, and even carried large bronze pots and ladles.
"Pear blossoms bloom across the land, the river veiled in soft mist…"
"Fatima stood on the cliffside, her song like springtime's warmth…"
Daniel found their rendition of Fatima peculiar, a mix of Kislev folk melodies and Araby influence. "Why does this feel like a barbecue song?" Saint Gilles whispered.
Finally, Daniel himself took the stage with the Phoenix Guard to perform the Ashes Legion's latest anthem, It's a Good Day to Die, composed by Daniel with lyrics by Saint Gilles.
"Today is the day for noble sacrifice, when you know the reason why…"
"For humanity, I will give my life!"
Two weeks later, over 120,000 enemy troops surrounded Constantinople on three fronts.
The great battle was about to begin.
Meanwhile, deep in the Lustrian rainforest near Constantin
ople, a terrifying entity arrived.
It was massive, with decaying insect-like wings riddled with holes. Under a green cloak, its gaunt face, pale eyes, and rotting skin dripped foul mucus from a respirator. The ground around it turned to foul sludge with each step.
The once-pristine Barbarian battle armor had corroded into Nurgle's signature green, warped grotesquely. Festering plague censers and demonic runes adorned its body. It wielded a giant scythe glowing with pestilential orange light.
"It's time," it rasped, exhaling noxious fumes from its respirator.
"Let the harvest begin."
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