People often debate which temple is the most spectacular in the Old World.
Is it the White Wolf Temple in Middenheim, perched on the cliff and taking up the entire mountain, symbolizing the eternal flame of the White Wolf God?
Is it the Justice Church Cathedral in Altdorf, where multiple emperors of the human empire are buried, boasting a grand hall that overlooks the entire imperial capital?
Is it the Lady of the Lake Cathedral in Carcassonne, Bretonnia, with an 80-meter-high statue of the goddess and stationed by the Grail Knights?
Or is it the Grungni Temple at the Everpeak, which requires climbing a thousand steps to reach?
Regardless of the debates, the Sea God Cathedral in Marienburg is certainly among them. In the largest and most prosperous port of the Old World, the 60-meter-high golden mermaid statue holding a trident at the Sea God Temple intimidates all who see it, proclaiming that this is the domain of the Sea God Manann.
Knights of the Sea God, armed with scimitars and tridents, guard the magnificent temple. The temple walls are covered with reliefs depicting the great deeds of the Sea God, who bestowed maritime technology, fishing skills, and the Sea God Compass and Mark upon humanity, aiding their prosperity.
"Unlike regular knights, Sea God Knights have a different fighting style. They use tridents instead of lances and scimitars instead of single-handed knight swords," Ryan explained to Veronica as they stood outside the Ocean Church, watching the busy priests and Sea God Knights.
"Sea God Knights often fight at sea," Veronica acknowledged. "Scimitars and tridents are more suitable for naval battles."
"The Sea God Knights' combat power on land is also formidable. The knights guarding the Sea God Temple are just three companies of the entire knightly order. Most of the Sea God Knights are led by Duke Bodrick de Bordeleaux of Bretonnia, who is also the Grandmaster of the Sea God Knights," Ryan explained to the witch, then they proceeded together to the Sea God Temple.
In November, the weather in Marienburg was not as cold as in Nord, but the worshippers and traders coming to the church were already wearing thick clothes. The guards and priests of the Ocean Church wore sea-blue robes, making it easy to distinguish church members from worshippers and traders.
As soon as Ryan appeared at the Sea God Temple's entrance, a Sea God Knight approached him. "Hello! Are you Mr. Ryan? It's an honor to meet you."
"Hello," Ryan responded, shaking the knight's hand. His appearance quickly attracted several Sea God Knights, who warmly came over to shake his hand and greet him. Some knights even cheered loudly, calling out the arrival of a hero, attracting a crowd of onlookers and continuous applause.
Veronica, observing her partner, thought that his immense reputation was also her asset as long as she stayed close to him.
The reason was simple: the first Duke of Bordeleaux, Marcus, was the Grandmaster of the Sea God Knights. Now, having accomplished the same legendary feats as Marcus, the Sea God Knights naturally held Ryan in high regard.
"I'm here regarding..." Ryan briefly explained his purpose.
"No problem, I'll take you to see the Archbishop!" The Sea God Knight Captain, with sun-tanned skin reflecting a healthy glow, patted his chest. "This way, Mr. Ryan!"
Ryan extended his hand to Veronica, who immediately wrapped her black lace-gloved hand around his arm, and they walked into the church together.
The Ocean Church opened its main doors to welcome Ryan. A regional bishop personally greeted him. Countless commoners and worshippers surrounded Ryan, cheering continuously until the main doors of the temple closed, and the noise outside gradually subsided.
The temple was resplendent, with a glazed dome refracting multicolored light. Pools of water were everywhere, and the sound of murmured prayers filled the air. Waterfalls cascaded from the top of the temple, their sources unseen, creating a beautiful cycle of flowing water.
Archbishop Aldrich, having learned of Ryan's purpose, immediately instructed his guards to bring the records. The elderly archbishop, almost entirely white-haired and wrinkled, gestured for Ryan and Veronica to sit. "Hero of Nord, and witch of Garland, please sit and don't be anxious."
"We greatly appreciate the Ocean Church's help," Ryan and Veronica sat down as instructed. Aldrich, wearing a robe imbued with the Sea God's power and adorned with numerous bottles, signaled the attendants to bring green tea and snacks, which were presented in eight small boxes containing fruit, pastries, nuts, and candies.
The financial strength of the Ocean Church was evident.
"I rarely see green tea," Ryan remarked, knowing that accepting the hospitality was the greatest respect.
"If Mr. Ryan likes it, take two boxes with you when you leave. It's a specialty from Cathay," Archbishop Aldrich's aged face was full of smiles.
Cathay, the mysterious eastern country, was far beyond the World's Edge Mountains. Merchants had to traverse the Chaos Dwarf and Ogre Kingdoms, and the Kurgan Steppe, which was always in a state of war, to bring goods to Marienburg. Thus, tea from Cathay was as valuable as gold.
"...Haha, how can I accept such generosity?" Ryan smiled, neither agreeing nor refusing.
He somewhat understood what Aldrich was aiming for.
Soon, the records were brought, and five Ocean Church clerks and Veronica began to review the ship logs. In this world, there were no automated search functions. Everything had to be manually searched.
"Has the war affected maritime trade?" Ryan inquired.
"Not much, as Nord usually closes its ports by this time," Aldrich nodded. "Instead, the war has increased the demand for arms and supplies, making merchants wealthier."
Indeed! Ryan stroked his chin, contemplating.
War stimulates economic growth, expands production demand, and creates jobs. In the medieval feudal system, it was one of the few means of social mobility.
"By the way, I heard that the Luxurious Guild has had many large transactions recently?" Ryan asked. "Perhaps they're dealing in luxury goods again?"
"Yes, their luxury trade has been very frequent, and the amounts are exceptionally large. Sometimes I wonder where they get so much money," the archbishop replied in his old voice.
"We've found it, Ryan. We discovered five ship records from Nord to Marienburg. Excluding two cargo ships and one large passenger ship that don't fit, there are only two small passenger ships that match your criteria," Veronica said swiftly, having found the records with the clerks' help.
"Time is of the essence. We must act quickly. Thank you, Archbishop Aldrich. Veronica and I will take our leave now," Ryan said, upon finding the records.
Seeing their urgency, the archbishop did not try to detain them. He personally handed Ryan two boxes of tea and whispered in his ear, "Mr. Ryan, I can see you are in a hurry. But when your business is done, could you come here? We have something to ask of you."
"I will come when I can, but I can't guarantee I'll agree," Ryan nodded.
"That's fine. We're facing a difficult situation," the archbishop handed Ryan a special coin engraved with a mermaid holding a trident. "Take this. Anytime, I will see you."
"Alright!"
Leaving the Ocean Church, Veronica held the ship logs. "The two passenger ships arrived about ten days ago, one day apart. One ship had three disembarked passengers and then returned, while the other had all passengers disembark and remain in the city, with no record of departure."
"Then I believe the second ship is more suspicious. Which docks did they stop at?" Ryan asked.
"Docks six and eight," Veronica replied, checking the records as they walked.
"Let's head to dock six first."
"Alright!"
While Ryan and Veronica were busy investigating, a war was unfolding simultaneously.
On the northern border of Nord, along the coast of the Sea of Chaos.
The Imperial army, led by Emperor Karl Franz, had set up heavy ambushes along the coastline. The nearby forests provided excellent cover for the emperor's troops, and dwarf and human engineers were adjusting cannons aimed at the shoreline.
After a simple meal of bread and hot milk, the emperor exhaled a breath of cold air. "It's already so cold in Nord in November. I miss the bacon and eggs in the palace."
"Haha, Your Majesty, while we can't have bacon and eggs, we can offer these damned barbarians cannon and pike!" The Reiksguard were in high spirits, ready and waiting.
"Good! Soldiers, let's give these damned barbarians an unforgettable lesson!" Karl Franz nodded. According to the Celestial Wizard's prophecy, the barbarians would land in about an hour. His soldiers were fully prepared.
Despite heavy losses after days of fierce fighting, the Nord navy had managed to hold off the barbarian leader Wulfrik the Wanderer. However, several tribes had broken through the naval blockade and were preparing to land.
"My lord, may I give you some advice?" The Great Alchemist Balthasar Gelt, leaning on his staff, stepped out from behind the emperor. Since returning from Middenheim, Gelt seemed different. His loyalty to the empire and the emperor had grown, and his magical power had increased dramatically. The emperor had witnessed Gelt's sudden advancement during the march. For the first time, the Great Alchemist had privately removed his mask before the emperor, proving he was human.
Gelt explained that
he had experienced an encounter with the Old Ones, learning more magic. The emperor was genuinely happy for his Great Alchemist's fortuitous encounter. "Gelt, what do you have to say?"
"When the barbarians land, I will use magic to support our troops. When you see me raise the black flag in the forest, I will summon golden hounds and a metal storm to help our army break the enemy. When I raise the red flag, Your Majesty, please lead your troops in a charge."
"Why? What are you preparing?"
"It's a carefully crafted spell, an eighth-level magic. For ten minutes, all the weapons, shields, and armor of the barbarian army will turn into clay. Please seize this opportunity, Your Majesty."
"Good! I trust you!"
An hour later, a large number of barbarian ships appeared on the coastline, preparing to bring bloodshed and death to the southerners and take wealth and glory back to the north.
As the largest barbarian ship approached the shore, the Imperial army "welcomed" their guests with cannon fire. Several cannons roared, shattering the right side of the barbarian ship, causing it to sink. The barbarian chieftain shouted, "Abandon ship! Get to the shore! We're ambushed!"
The roar of cannons, crossbows, and muskets filled the air. The Imperial pike and sword regiments, as well as the halberdiers, were fully prepared. The well-trained Imperial soldiers held their ground, decimating the barbarians as they climbed out of the water. The chaos continued with fragments of metal raining down on the barbarian ranks, causing heavy casualties. Giant golden hounds, each five to six meters tall, rampaged through the barbarian lines.
When the barbarians finally reached the shore, their numbers had dwindled from twelve thousand to about eight thousand. They formed shield walls and charged the Imperial formations, but the well-disciplined Imperial troops, with their superior equipment and high morale, gave them no quarter, driving them back to the sea.
Gelt raised the red flag.
Seeing this, the emperor raised the symbol of the human emperor, the Warhammer Ghal Maraz. "Soldiers of the Empire! Hear me!"
"We have crossed mountains and spent much time to get here, but facing these barbarians, these insatiable servants of the Chaos Gods, I would travel any distance!"
"Willing! Willing!" The Imperial soldiers responded loudly to their emperor.
"Now, let us drive these damned Norscans into the sea! Let us defend the sacred borders of the Empire!"
"Defend the nation, defend the coast!"
"For Sigmar! For the Empire!" The emperor raised his Warhammer, leading the Reiksguard in a personal charge against the barbarian ranks.
At the same time, the barbarians were horrified to find their shields, weapons, and armor turning into clay, forcing them to face the emperor and his Reiksguard with bare hands.
"For the Empire!!!" The Imperial troops echoed their beloved emperor's call.
"Charge!!!"
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