Across the Grey Mountains, in the Old World, the Imperial capital, Altdorf, within the Imperial Palace, where the Imperial rulers and the Imperial royal family have resided since Ludwig's time. The towering and majestic palace and walls speak of humanity's glory and achievements, symbolizing the Empire's dominance over the continent through countless ages, the heart of the Empire.
The elected ruler, the eradicator of darkness, guardian of the human Empire, first citizen, bearer of the Warhammer "Ghal Maraz," Grand Prince of Reikland, Elector Count of Reikland, Grand Duke of Altdorf, bearer of the Silver Seal and holder of the Runefang, Emperor of all sacred inheritances between the Great Ocean and the World's Edge Mountains... Emperor Karl Franz Friedrich, holder of not less than twenty-three such titles, was sitting in his study, reviewing various edicts.
Wearing noble purple and gold casual attire, he sat behind his desk. The early spring sunlight filtered through the colored glass windows, illuminating the interior. A servant brought him coffee, which the Emperor sipped lightly after stretching. Though back in the palace, his thoughts still lingered on the hard battle two weeks ago.
Two weeks prior, the Emperor personally led over ten thousand Imperial troops deep into the Drakwald Forest to exterminate the Goblin and Beastmen tribes lurking there. Despite cautious preparations, the Imperial army was ambushed. Beastmen warbands charged the Imperial lines from the front, while Goblin wolf riders and Arachnarok spiders attacked from behind, throwing the Emperor's forces into chaos. The Emperor himself was forced to join the battle.
The situation was turned around by the Grand Alchemist of the Imperial College of Alchemy, Balthasar Gelt, who rode his pegasus "Quicksilver" down from the sky, ablaze with golden fire. Wielding his golden staff, he unleashed the Wind of Chamon, turning hundreds of Beastmen into gold statues, which were then crushed by a torrent of molten metal summoned by Gelt. This eased the pressure on the Imperial army, allowing them to repel the Goblin raid and defeat the Beastmen forces, securing a great victory.
This victory increased the Emperor's trust in Gelt. The current Supreme Patriarch of the Bright Order, Thyrus Gormann, was a treasure left to him by his late father, Luitpold. However, Karl Franz respected but did not rely heavily on Gormann.
The current Supreme Patriarch, a specialist in fire magic, was too impulsive. His hair flickered like flames during meditation, and other identifying marks included glowing eyes, hot skin, discomfort in rain, or a faint smell of sulfur. His temper, explosive as a bomb, often flipped from joy to rage in a second. Fire wizards' traits were not favored by the Emperor, who preferred Gelt's calm and meticulous thinking and spells that were less likely to harm allies.
This was all thanks to the efforts of the High Elf Archmage Teclis, who brought magic to the Empire in its time of need and helped establish the Imperial Colleges of Magic. However, the method of magical study left by the High Elves was not ideal for humans. After Gelt's thorough explanation, Karl Franz understood the advantages and disadvantages.
The High Elves' method was suited to their own learning style. Humans are not a race naturally attuned to magic. Thus, Teclis slightly altered the High Elves' method for humans, binding each wizard apprentice to a single Wind of Magic for life. This allowed ordinary apprentices to progress quickly, soon becoming competent wizards.
However, this method had a clear drawback: Imperial wizards were bound to a single type of magic for life, their bodies and minds influenced by their chosen Wind of Magic. For example, Fire wizards were hot-tempered, Death wizards (not of the Necromantic kind) were pale and skinny, Light wizards had all-white skin and hair, and Beast (Amber) wizards grew excessive body hair and preferred animal hides.
Gelt argued that this method allowed for quick success as a competent wizard resistant to Chaos corruption but made it difficult to reach higher realms of power like the holy realm.
Gelt was an exception. After his adventure in the northern kingdom of Norsca fighting against barbarian hordes, his mastery of magic grew by leaps and bounds, leaving many rising stars in the dust. The Emperor particularly enjoyed Gelt's battle cry, "For the Emperor, for the Empire, for the sacred Terra!"
Under Gelt's leadership, the alchemists of his school adopted this cry, studying a booklet compiled by Gelt diligently.
Such loyalty! Leading by example in devotion!
Gelt's attitude pleased Karl Franz, though he didn't quite understand the third phrase.
What is sacred Terra?
Perhaps it's some Elvish language or a magical incantation. The world of wizards is indeed hard to comprehend. Deciding not to dwell on it, the Emperor moved on to the next piece of important news.
"Thousands of Nurglings appeared near the capital of Bretonnia, Couronne. The Lake Witch Morgianna and Duke Louen Leoncoeur of Couronne led the kingdom's knights against them, with Elector Count Boris joining the war with his troops. In a dire situation, Ryan Macado, the Lady of the Lake's chosen champion, paid a heavy price to defeat the Great Unclean One, securing victory for the knightly army."
"Ah!" Reading this news, Karl Franz sighed regretfully, striking the wooden desk with his fist, causing the Reikland guard outside to inquire if anything was amiss. "It's nothing, you may leave."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After the guard left, the Emperor showed his anger. He couldn't understand how he missed such an important talent. A warrior who could win duels against barbarian chiefs, defeat the champion of Khorne at Marienburg, knock out the White Wolf Ulric in one hit, and even defeat a Great Daemon of Chaos, was scooped up by the knightly kingdom across the mountains?
Karl Franz thought, not just a baronet, Ryan Macado would be welcome as a viscount!
(Bretonnia doesn't have viscounts; above baron is earl. The Empire doesn't have marquesses; above earl is duke, then elector.)
Were the brains of those Nordland yokels filled with porridge and stones? How could they miss such a talent? What was the Grand Theogonist of the White Wolf doing? Were those wolf pups too busy drinking and brawling? Karl Franz's expression darkened. The Empire and Bretonnia, both human nations with similar values, were the Empire's most reliable allies amidst enemies on all sides (the other being the Dwarfs), though the alliance was loose. But now, with Ryan Macado chosen by the Lady of the Lake, could he still make Ryan Champion of Charlemagne?
"Right." Emperor Karl Franz suddenly thought of something, calling in a courtier: "Your Majesty, did you need me?"
"In a moment, send this message to Duke Ivan of the Griffon. I want to arrange a meeting with him soon. Also... how is the formation of the new handgunner cavalry unit coming along?" Karl Franz continued to inquire.
Meanwhile, in Bretonnia, Couronne, within the mansion of the Imperial envoy, Elector Count Boris.
The Elector Count was discussing with his confidants, the White Wolf Knights.
"Karl Franz is nothing but a cowardly pup!"
Boris's voice resonated within the chambers of the mansion: "He's scared. He fears the White Wolf Knights stealing his glory. He fears we take his achievements, so he dispatched us here, leading his army, his knights, and cannons to a splendid victory, a victory without the White Wolf Knights. It's a disgrace to the Empire! One of the greatest shames since its founding!"
Holding the latest news in his hands, the Elector Count was aware of the Emperor's glorious victory in the Drakwald Forest. Yet, Boris was not grateful but embarrassed and annoyed. For followers of Ulric, missing a war is a great disrespect to Ulric.
"He is our Emperor, my lord!" a Cheetah Knight objected.
"Yes, he is our Emperor, but he is also a cowardly pup!" Boris roared, his red beard giving him a majestic look. After venting his anger, the Elector Count resignedly added, "Well, I admit he knows how to fight, but that's all. Ulric witnesses everything."
The Empire's structure allowed for great regional differences, and its armies clearly reflected these disparities. In the wealthy southern regions, modern military equipment like cannons and muskets, even war machines, were widespread, while in the cold, impoverished north, soldiers relied on spears, bows, and their faith, fighting in the name of the War God Ulric.
Elector Counts held complete military and administrative authority over their lands. Although theoretically all Elector Counts' territories were part of the Empire, in practice, they were almost independent states. Only when facing foreign invasions would the Emperor convene the Imperial Diet to discuss war. Otherwise, the effectiveness of the Emperor's decrees depended on his personal prestige and talent. A weak Emperor could face Elector Counts ignoring his orders, especially if those orders did not benefit their direct territories.
This wasn't mere speculation. Karl Franz's father, Emperor Luitpold, experienced this in his later years when he was gravely ill, and nearly no Elector Count obeyed the Emperor's commands. Things changed under Karl Franz, who, since taking the throne, has led successful campaigns north and south, winning the Elector Counts' basic respect out of surprise for having a powerful and talented Emperor and caution against him meddling in their affairs.
"This mission to Bretonnia wasn't fruitless. The war against the Nurglings made the White Wolf and Cheetah Knights' names known beyond the mountains. The battle outside the city further ensured no race dares disrespect the name of Ulric. I can sense our Lord's satisfaction with this battle," a priest of Ulric spoke.
"Hmm, at least we didn't disgrace our Lord. Praise Ulric! Long live Ulric!" Boris shouted with satisfaction.
"Praise Ulric!" echoed through the room as White Wolf and Cheetah Knights raised their drinks. Despite the Empire's south producing fine wines, compared to Bretonnian vintages, Imperial wines were likened to horse urine by Boris himself.
"The benefits of this mission aren't limited to this. I've successfully negotiated a verbal trade agreement with King Richard and Duke Louen of Couronne. Bretonnia can provide us with the quality food, wine, olive oil, and fabrics we need. In exchange, we can export a large amount of furs, ore, and the seemingly endless supply of damned wood from the Drakwald Forest!" Boris, sitting at the head of the table, cleaned his holy sword, The Maw-cutter, which reflected the firelight: "Oddly, this sword has been restless lately. It feels like it's chatting with its brethren during the Imperial Diet meetings, hahaha!"
"Hahaha! Surely, the holy sword is exhilarated from drinking the blood of the Great Daemon, that's why it's so restless!" laughed Cornelius Ritzfield, the seventh squadron commander of the White Wolf Knights. The young knight was regretful for missing the battle on the plains of Couronne due to injuries from a duel, feeling dishonored yet helpless. Ulric's doctrine emphasizes bravery and boldness but also cunning.
As Cornelius diverted the topic, the White Wolf Knights grew lively again, boasting about the demons they had slain and Chaos champions they had decapitated in honor of Ulric.
The Imperial embassy was bustling with activity, and so was another place within Couronne.
At the Lion's Ring racetrack, the largest in the Old World, tens of thousands of spectators roared in unison, the kingdom's military band played stirring music, and the drums thundered.
The champion of this Knight Tournament was born.
Updated! I've chosen to gloss over the Knight Tournament. Some readers might be disappointed, but such events are overdone on Qidian. I could have dragged it out for chapters, but I felt it unnecessary.
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