At this moment, a light rain fell in the April sky.
Two weeks later.
On the vast and fertile plains of Averland, a group of cavalry was galloping swiftly.
Emperor Karl-Franz, leading the Reiksguard and a host of knights, had broken away from the main force. With only a small retinue, he hurried toward Black Fire Pass. There, Elector Count Marius Leitdorf of Averland was waiting at the border town in southern Averland. Not far beyond lay Black Fire Pass.
The border town was now heavily fortified, with Elector Count Marius Leitdorf having gathered all of Averland's available forces at Black Fire Pass and establishing the town as the forward command center.
Unlike most provinces of the Empire, which were covered by dark forests, Averland was a vast and fertile plain. Its fields stretched endlessly, the land was rich, and its population was dense. It was the Empire's most important granary and livestock base. Because of this, the people of Averland seemed almost like they were from a different country compared to their neighbors in Stirland. Stirlanders were calm, cautious, and deliberate, fond of crude jokes, while Averlanders were lively, straightforward, emotional, loved horseback riding, and were superstitious about luck. They were also the wealthiest.
Averland was also the Empire's most important horse-breeding region. While its warhorses were inferior to those from the knightly kingdom across the mountains, they were still the best the Empire had to offer. During the time of Charlemagne, Averland's cavalry was renowned across the world. When the Averland chieftain, Sigurd, met Charlemagne, he demanded that the emperor slay a dragon on the Black Mountains as a condition for their alliance.
Charlemagne accomplished this feat easily, and the straightforward Sigurd, who valued promises as much as the dwarfs, declared an alliance with the Carolingian tribe. From then on, powerful cavalry units joined the emperor's forces.
Time passed, and after so many years, Averland and Reikland still maintained a very friendly relationship. Elector Count Marius Leitdorf and Emperor Karl-Franz were close friends and allies.
But where there was good, there was also bad. Averland had a particularly poor relationship with Nuln. Compared to humans, Averlanders trusted dwarfs more. Elector Count Marius even declared that he only considered dwarfs as brothers. After he took office, many lucrative projects in Averland, such as irrigation, city defenses, fortifications, military engineering, and infrastructure, were handed over to dwarven engineering teams.
This infuriated the engineers of Nuln, who had repeatedly complained to Karl-Franz, asking why Averlanders were giving such projects to outsiders instead of their fellow Imperials. Were the people of Averland even part of the Empire?
Riding on horseback, Duke Ivan of the Griffon Order said to Emperor Karl-Franz with a sigh, "Besides the engineering conflicts, there are also trade disputes. Nuln needs a lot of grain, but the people of Averland refuse to sell at low prices. They'd rather sell to the dwarfs at the same price."
Emperor Karl-Franz couldn't help but nod. The emperor seemed to recall something and suddenly couldn't help but smirk. "And the conflict between Marius and Emmanuelle runs deep. Just a year or two ago, after the Imperial Diet, Marius wanted to discuss importing Hellstorm Rocket Batteries with Emmanuelle. But Emmanuelle said she had a ball that evening and told Marius to talk to Meinhardt instead. Then Marius said one word that nearly caused a brawl right there in the palace. Can you guess, Ivan, what Marius said?"
"What did our mad count say?" Ivan already had a mental image.
"Marius said just one word: 'slut,'" the emperor couldn't help but laugh. "A massive scuffle broke out, and if the Reiksguard hadn't intervened, it would have turned into a bloodbath."
"If he weren't so erratic, perhaps the mad count could have achieved greater things," Duke Ivan also couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head helplessly. "But then he wouldn't be Marius."
"Exactly, he wouldn't be Marius. Often, his outlandish ideas and keen battlefield insights are the key to our victories!" Emperor Karl-Franz couldn't help but nod. Yes, if he were conventional and followed the rules, he wouldn't be Marius.
Marshal Helborg of Reikland, upon hearing this, couldn't help but interject, "Your Majesty, is it possible that Nuln still holds a grudge over the last invasion by Tamurkhan, the 'slut' incident, and the series of conflicts between Averland and Nuln?"
"Enough... let's not discuss this now," Karl-Franz sighed deeply, signaling Helborg to stop.
Helborg doesn't understand politics, the emperor thought.
The reason Nuln refused to send troops should be obvious to everyone, but it was something that couldn't be openly discussed. It was an unspoken understanding. The Empire had only recently united under Karl-Franz's leadership, with the Elector Counts and the emperor barely managing to work together despite their conflicts.
But Helborg couldn't grasp this and insisted on bringing it up. It seemed the marshal had truly poured all his abilities into military matters.
In the distance, the border town was now in sight. The city was surrounded by a sea of banners and countless tents.
The golden, menacing sun emblem of Elector Count Marius Leitdorf hung above the castle gates.
The emperor quickly assessed the various banners. He knew that Averland had committed all its elite forces this time. The reason was simple: if the greenskins broke through Black Fire Pass, the entire Averland plain would be indefensible except for the isolated city of Averheim.
Thus, for this battle, all of Averland's elite troops had been mobilized.
The Expeditionary Sons, symbolizing the bravery and adventurous spirit of Averlanders, were a pistolier cavalry unit composed of hundreds of noble scions. These young nobles, hailing from various aristocratic families or serving as squires, were ready to earn their honors and spurs on the battlefield.
A detachment of the famous Sun Knights was also present. These noble knights, clad in golden helmets and black armor, wielding magical weapons, were eager to wash their armor in greenskin blood.
The Black Bear Knights had arrived in full force. This unit was well-known in Averland, having fought numerous battles against undead and greenskins.
The von Kragelsburg Guard, responsible for defending Averland, was a renowned elite force that had served as mercenaries across the world. Known for their iron discipline and expertise in fighting monsters, they fielded not only halberdiers but also heavily armored infantry equipped with warhammers for tough battles.
And finally, the Golden Fleece Knights, the Elector Count's personal guard, wielded greatswords and dressed as flamboyantly as peacocks. Their colorful attire, adorned with feathers, wool, gold and silver chains, shells, ribbons, and various trinkets, made them stand out. But this did not mean they were all show. On the contrary, they were Averland's finest warriors, cutting down greenskins with ease. Any Averlander considered being selected for the Golden Fleece Knights the pinnacle of achievement.
"Marius is ready," Karl-Franz nodded slightly.
However, at that moment, the emperor suddenly spotted a banner on the city walls.
A black field with a golden lion and a cross—the emblem of Nuln!
"Nuln's forces? Impossible! This can't be!" The emperor, the Reiksguard, and the Griffon Knights were both shocked and overjoyed.
This was the family crest of Countess Emmanuelle!
Hadn't Nuln refused to send troops?
The city gates swung open, and three hundred Nuln Ironclads marched out, followed by two hundred Black Guards. Under their protection, Baron Frederik von Liebwitz-Benadetto rode out on a purebred elven steed. Upon seeing Karl-Franz, the young baron dismounted and ran forward, leading his horse by the reins as he shouted, "Godfather! Godfather~ I'm here! I've brought Nuln's forces!"
"Fred!" Karl-Franz quickly dismounted and embraced his godson, patting the young man's shoulders vigorously. "Fred, how did you get here? Weren't you and your mother visiting Bretonnia?"
"That's right!" Frederik was now wearing a master-crafted rune plate armor made of Gromril from Karaz-a-Karak. After hugging his godfather, the young baron said earnestly, "As soon as I heard the news, I told my father and mother. My father took it very seriously and had me come here immediately."
"Leon also knows?" Karl-Franz couldn't help but smile. He glanced at the Nuln Ironclad commander, Jubal Falk, and the three hundred Nuln Ironclads, as well as the Nuln Supreme Judge, Theodor Bruckner, who rode a massive demigryph, and felt a great sense of relief. "But how did you get here so quickly from across the mountains?"
"My father mobilized most of the pegasi and even borrowed giant eagles from the wood elves to fly us over the Grey Mountains," Frederik couldn't help but puff out his chest proudly. The baron's face was full of pride. "We arrived in Nuln as fast as possible. I gave Count Heinz and Duke Grunwald a piece of my mind for refusing to send troops. When they saw my mother's seal and signed orders, they had no choice but to comply. Then we rushed to Averland, changing horses several times along the way."
"Just you?" The emperor was both delighted and anxious.
"Five more regiments are on the way—three handgunner regiments and two artillery regiments," Frederik said seriously. "I've mobilized all the transportation resources in Nuln and Wissenland. These five regiments will definitely arrive in time!"
"Godfather, this time, it will be our moment to fight together," Frederik clenched his fist. The young baron had spent more time with his godfather and was closer to him emotionally. "Let us unite and fight for the Empire!"
"Good!" The emperor patted his godson's shoulder, deeply moved. "For the Empire!"
In times of crisis, it's my godson who comes through.
The group entered the border town, where they were warmly welcomed by the people of Averland. Even the Nuln forces, whom Averlanders usually disliked, received applause. In this critical moment, any military support was a cause for celebration and gratitude.
"Well, well, the little lion has arrived. Weren't you supposed to be in the knightly kingdom, basking in the warmth of your father, the Sun King? What brings you to the picturesque plains of Averland?" Elector Count Marius Leitdorf said with arrogance and sarcasm. "I knew our Countess wouldn't have the courage to come here herself, so she sent her son to die instead."
"Shut up, Marius," Frederik retorted. "If you dare disrespect me and my mother again, I'll take my men and leave, ordering the troops on their way to turn back. Let's see if Godfather will forgive you!"
Marius was momentarily speechless. The Elector Count realized he had no comeback. Indeed, Karl-Franz was looking at him with displeasure, signaling that further provocation would not be tolerated.
"My father said that idiots will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience," Frederik shrugged, deliberately putting on a troubled expression and spreading his hands. "So the best way is not to play their game. Just tell them, 'I don't play with fools.'"
"....." Marius's face turned a mix of green, white, and black, as if he were performing a face-changing act. He opened his mouth but couldn't find the words to respond.
The Nuln forces burst into laughter, while the Averlanders gritted their teeth. The atmosphere grew tense.
"Enough! Quiet!" The emperor spoke up. The arrival of Nuln's forces had greatly boosted his confidence. He signaled for the discussions to begin. "Nuln's willingness to support us is a great advantage, but we cannot rely on them entirely. To hold Black Fire Pass, we need a solid strategy."
"...The greenskins seem to be guided by something," Elector Count Marius Leitdorf, ever unpredictable, suddenly became serious. "According to scout reports, the greenskins are moving toward Black Fire Pass at an unusually fast pace. They've even skipped their usual looting and burning. Many cities in the Border Princes were only briefly besieged before the greenskins continued north. It feels like they have only one goal: Black Fire Pass."
"Frederik, what do you think?" The emperor narrowed his eyes.
"Godfather, I think there's something fishy going on," Frederik was quick to catch on. The Nuln baron crossed his arms. "But we can't afford to think too much about it now. Black Fire Pass must not fall. If the greenskins break through, they'll spread across the Empire. Averland has no natural defenses. Even if Marius holds Averheim, the entire spring planting in Averland will be ruined! This would be a fatal blow to our already strained Empire. Even if we eventually defeat the greenskins, losing an entire year's harvest would be unacceptable."
Young Frederik's words made sense. The emperor, Marius, Helborg, Ivan, and the others couldn't help but nod. Yes, Black Fire Pass must not fall.
"Yes, my godson is right," Emperor Karl-Franz thought Frederik had a good long-term perspective. Perhaps Leon had taught him this. "Therefore, we must do everything in our power to stop the greenskin horde at Black Fire Pass."
Frederik was secretly pleased with himself. He thought to himself, I'll fight a brilliant battle in front of Princess Elissara and make the Everqueen take notice of me!
My parents are too conservative. Why shouldn't I be worthy of the Everqueen of the High Elves? I'm the eldest grandson of my grandfather! The son of the Sun King and the Countess of Nuln. My status, my position—what's not to match? Elissara is so adorable; not pursuing her would be my loss.
In the future, I'll even become the Emperor of the Empire. I've already thought of my regnal name—how about Frederick the Great?
A day later, Grand Alchemist Gelt also arrived. By then, the greenskin horde of 100,000 was less than a week away from Black Fire Pass.
The battle plan was formulated by the forward command headquarters, led by the emperor.
The Imperial forces would fortify Black Fire Pass and send out small units of light cavalry to lure all greenskin tribes toward the pass.
They would face the greenskins in this ancient and sacred battlefield.
This would be the largest greenskin invasion the Empire had faced since the time of Charlemagne.
But just as it had been over two thousand years ago, the emperor could count on the timely arrival of the Empire's sacred allies—the dwarfs!
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