Chapter 83 83: the imperial court I

------------------------------ If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know. Leave a comment; support is always appreciated. I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see. ------------------------------- Sigmarzeit-27-Sommerzeit-4,2489 IC The new general arrived at Monfort accompanied by an army of nearly forty thousand men and fifty cannons. With what they brought, they could easily resist anything Bretonia could throw at them. The problem would be what to do afterward, as I noticed the presence of many nobles, the Margrave of Helmgart, Graf Wallenstein, Graf Falkenhyn, Graf Jungfreud, and some nobles from Middenland, Wissenland, and Talabecland, many of whose heraldry I didn't even recognize. With so many powerful nobles at the forefront, I had no doubt they would begin to fight over control of Monfort's gold mines or lead the campaign against another duke, especially now that they were weakened. So everything would depend on the new general, if he had enough influence and the loyalty of the troops, he could control the nobles and prevent the campaign from spiraling out of control. After all, I left him an excellent base from which to launch future offensives. Of course... the treasury of Monfort is empty, save for the spiders, and the granaries are also empty, although he might find some rats if he's lucky. Also, the gold mines... well, they still have mineral, but no workers. I made sure to empty all the villages in Monfort. I forced the evacuation of every village and hamlet. Though my plan to take the entire population would have been much more fruitful if it had been in Bastonne or Parravon, Monfort, being mountainous, only had three decent-sized villages and one main city, Monfort. The rest were small villages with little population. Still, I'm taking over sixty thousand Bretons to Reinsfeld. I'll settle them in my mining village to take advantage of their experience in mining for the duke. I'll have to use a large portion of the gold I earned from the campaign to fund a decent mining town, but in about five to ten years, it could become a huge source of minerals... and soldiers. Although, of course, a strong presence of the Cult of Sigmar and mandatory Reikspiel classes will be essential. I'm not going to teach two languages to all my officers due to a language barrier that could be resolved in one generation... or two at worst. The general informed me immediately that the Emperor would pay me fifty thousand crowns in the capital for all the prisoners and the bodies of important Bretonnian nobles and knights under my control. A fair compensation for keeping them alive or in good condition. Upon reaching Helmgart, we were followed by my returning army and also by the Bretonnian peasants, who followed us, both forced and voluntary, looking for a life not as oppressive as the one they led under the nobility of their land. In Helmgart, I took advantage of the local temple of the Cult of Sigmar to have a priest review certain Bretonnian magical items we had captured that were not linked to the Cult of the Lady. I knew perfectly well that they were not corrupted — the rotten smell is unmistakable — but I needed official backing from the Cult so I could use them without causing problems in the capital. We passed quickly before the guards, who watched us as our procession carried as much gold as we could fit onto the captured Bretonnian horses. Even the peasants carried sacks full of gold. I saw the greed in their faces, but since it was a returning army, they couldn't excuse themselves by pretending it was looting disguised as an inspection. We left Helmgart without incident, and once on the other side, I began the necessary procedures to release the army and distribute the loot as stipulated by Imperial law. The Emperor was entitled to 25% of the loot, although literally, all he did was authorize the military mission. I was entitled to 50% as the replacement general. The nobles would get 10%, and the bulk of the troops, 15%. On average, each soldier received about 10 crowns in their pockets. The mercenaries, however, did not get any of the campaign loot, as whatever they looted on their own belonged to them. And since they didn't have to share it, many ended up with fuller pockets than the regular troops. The total loot we captured amounted to around one hundred thousand crowns, but it had to be sold first, and we'd probably only get half of it since much of the equipment was damaged or only useful as material for other forges. Because of this, I gave up my share and ordered it to be handed directly to the troops. I had no interest in dealing with local merchants selling old equipment and hoping to turn it into gold. Still, my share amounted to about 350,000 crowns, plus the ransom reward. Upon reaching Reinsfeld, I would have to fulfill my promise to pay the salary and the corresponding share of the loot to the families of the 176 soldiers I lost during the campaign. A smaller number, considering the total casualties, since out of the 18,000 we set out with, around thirteen thousand returned. Although I risked more with the noble troops and kept my own men sheltered, I managed to keep most of my forces alive... but 176 will never return. Their bodies, which received the basic rituals of Morr, should be buried in their garden as soon as possible. I can't allow those who died more than a month ago to keep rotting without a proper burial. It was here where we parted ways. Before dissolving the army, I offered the state soldiers, once dissolved, the option to move to my lands, with permission to call their families and settle. I promised them houses and a salary. Many were ecstatic with the proposal and decided to follow me back to Reinsfeld. They preferred that over going back to serve as guards for some minor noble without glory or stability. Apparently, I had earned a good reputation among them. So something unusual happened in times of war, more soldiers returned with me than those who left. Though, of course, we were also followed by the entire mass of Bretonnian peasants I had evacuated from Monfort. Only fifty men stayed with me, my five personal guards and the rest, men-at-arms who would escort me to Altdorf. This event had me extremely nervous. I put on all my best clothes, dyed with Reikland blue pigment — the one that attracts Chamon — and kept my runic armor on. It served to divert attention and perhaps confuse anyone who tried to scrutinize me with magic. I also put on all the Bretonian rings I could, sliding them over my gauntlets. They were armor rings. When I wore them, I could feel myself stronger, more vigorous. They must have been enchanted with the Lore of Life. So, with all the magical items I could carry, with every protection and distraction possible, I rode toward Altdorf, followed by the cart carrying the Emperor's gold. And for the first time, I prayed to Sigmar. I asked for mercy, even if I had abused his name to gain fame. We rode all day toward Altdorf, while my stomach tightened with each step the horse took. I could feel the weight of what awaited me, and the fast pace we maintained didn't help calm my nerves. We rested one night in Bogenhafen, in the house of a noble, and I waited for dawn to continue. We rode until noon the next day, when we finally arrived in Altdorf. This is where the ultimate test would begin, to see if I had full control over my abilities... and if all the magical items I had acquired would serve to protect me. We entered through the south gate, the most direct route to the Imperial Palace. As I rode down the cobbled streets, I felt everyone watching me. Especially the priests of Sigmar who were coming out of the cathedral. I tried to breathe steadily while moving. Although it hadn't happened in months, I was afraid of losing control of my power at such a critical moment. I took a deep breath and advanced toward the entrance to the palace, where two members of the Reiksguard guarded with shining armor and swords that seemed more ornamental than functional. I handed over the letter the general had given me, with the express order to present myself before the Emperor. One of them immediately sent a messenger inside, and they allowed me to enter. I crossed the gardens, where dozens of servants were maintaining the perfectly green grass, the clean fountains, and the cleared paths. They led me to the main structure, where they left me waiting for a few minutes in a large room that made me feel like an ant. The walls were towering, with elevated hallways and stained glass windows that let the light in. My own guards were tense. I tried to maintain my composure. I heard footsteps to my right. I turned, and suddenly felt someone touch my clothes. My heart stopped when I saw a wizard in white robes and a pointed hat of the same color. He was a collegiate wizard "I knew it," he said, looking at me intently. I looked at him like a rabbit caught in a lantern's light, expecting the gunshot. "These clothes are dyed with that alchemical pigment. I found it odd, the emanation of Chamon coming from you... I can understand Hysh and Ghyran from the rings, but Chamon..." murmured the wizard. "Yes," I responded with difficulty. "They're from the pigment you mentioned, sir wizard." I composed myself as best as I could. "Nervous, huh? Audience with the Emperor, I understand," he said with a smile. "I won't waste your time. My question is,do you know who produces this pigment? The Colleges are desperate to contact the supplier. But the merchant who was selling it disappeared overnight. We lost track of him. And considering the amount you must have used for these clothes, I assume you have the contact." "Eh... well... I'm the manufacturer," I confessed, trying to justify the emanation of Chamon in his eyes. "Really? How fortunate to find the alchemist who creates such a useful component for enchantments," he responded with a huge smile. "I'm not an alchemist... It's a gift from Sigmar. Though I admit, alchemy has interested me a bit since I started working with gunpowder," I responded nervously. "How is it a gift from Sigmar?" asked the wizard, raising an eyebrow. "The two-tailed comet showed it to me in a dream... where to find the mineral, how to process it..." I responded, now more calm. "Interesting... That doesn't change the fact that my order wants to make an immediate purchase of everything you have available. We could perform dozens of new enchantments if we had access to that component," he said, already pulling out a small pouch of coins. "He won't sell you any of that, wizard," said a disdainful voice approaching. I turned my head. I nearly had a heart attack seeing the Archlector of Sigmar, advancing with his heavy armor covered in purity seals and cult amulets. The Archlector looked at me for a few seconds, observed my hand full of rings, and raised an eyebrow. "That is a gift from our lord Sigmar to the House Reinsfeld, honorable defender of the borders of Reikland. That gift must not be corrupted by... your hands," he said coldly, looking at the wizard. "you dont understand how much our research could benefit," replied the wizard, crossing his arms. "Better that it's not used. I won't allow a gift from blessed Sigmar to fall into profane hands. Especially now that one of yours caused the disaster near Reinsfeld," said the Archlector, hardening his tone. "What happened in my city?" I asked, eyes wide open. "Ah... it must be a surprise for you, baron," said the Archlector, crossing his arms. "Our witch hunters confirmed a dangerous event near your lands. According to the report, there was a wizard among a group of troops from the House Kesselheim who lost control. He attracted demons to the region. When our Sigmar's servants arrived, they found two Chaos factions fighting each other, and a high concentration of profane energy." "That's what the uncultured eyes say," the wizard responded, visibly upset. "We're still waiting for the official report from our College representatives before issuing judgment." "Bah... They're just trying to cover for their own. They probably made up some excuse to avoid responsibility. But it's clear that it was one of yours, incapable of controlling his magic, who caused this disaster. So leave. The gift of Sigmar is not for sale to you, tools of the profane," spat the Archlector. The wizard shook his head and left in silence. "Is everything alright in my city?" I asked the Archlector. "Yes, Baron. Everything is under control. The reinforced presence of priests and witch hunters allowed the situation to be resolved quickly. Fortunately, the rot did not spread beyond the affected area, and purification chants were sung when all the demons were expelled. We are currently investigating the Kesselheim for having an unlicensed wizard... as it would be impossible for a wizard to hide with all the witch hunters present in your city. Everything indicates that it was an uncontrolled wizard who attracted his own corrupt magic, which caught the attention of the servants of Chaos. Since the demons fought among themselves, our brave servants of Sigmar were able to defeat them easily," said the Archlector. 'It was Hieronymus, that's clear... but damn... what the hell happened?' I thought to myself. ------------------------------ If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know. Leave a comment; support is always appreciated. I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see. -------------------------------