When Frey Derick, his fiancée, Noelle, and his mother, Emilia, arrived at the Brunswick Palace's Ludwig Council Hall, the baron quickly found that the hall had never been so full. It could be seen that in the past few months, Helberg had tried to gather the last remaining forces of the Empire in the capital.
All the deans of the Royal Wizard Academies of the Empire who could still move were all present.
Supreme Nebula Warlock Skorn, the supreme dean of the Sky Academy.
Supreme Dean of the Emerald (Life) Academy, Anne Thurston.
Supreme Dean of the Amethyst (Death) Academy, Graveyard Rose Elspeth Drakken.
Yes, only these deans were left. Kant, the supreme dean of the Light Academy, and Cernus Gehrman, the dean of the Flame Academy, had both disappeared in the northern front line. Matak, the supreme dean of the Amber Academy, had run away. No one knew where the dean of the Shadow Academy was. Needless to say, the Metal Academy, of course, and Saul's army were still on the way.
Only these three were present.
Of course, Frey Derick and Elspeth were familiar with each other. He greeted Graveyard Rose, who was looking at everyone present with an expression of looking at dead people. When she saw Frey, she had no choice but to greet him.
In the past, the magic academies could gather at least dozens of legendary wizards, but now there were only two or three of them.
In terms of religion, Esme III, the acting archbishop of the Church of Justice, had run away long ago. Now, the acting archbishop was left, and his name was Eric Fleischer. He was yelling something. Frey Derick listened for a while, and the general meaning was, "We must have someone to protect the Cathedral of Justice," "Helberg, you have no right to force everyone away," "Many people have not even been trained for war," and "If the emperor were here, he would not dare to do this."
"Don't you think so, my baron?" Fleischer finally looked for Frey Derick for approval.
Frey Derick smiled and said, "It doesn't matter if they lack combat experience, my acting archbishop. They will soon learn the most valuable combat experience on the battlefield. In the current situation, even if someone wants to skip class, they won't have a chance. Do you still remember where your warhammer is? You will need it soon. "
Fleischer was stunned for a moment. The acting archbishop cursed in a low voice, "F * ck you, f * ck you, f * ck you, f * ck you, f * ck you, f * ck you, f * ck you, f * ck you, f * ck you, f * ck you, f * ck you!"
Walking further inside, there was a large group of Empire generals and knighthood grand teachers present, but most of them were new faces. There were also a bunch of names that Frey Derick had never heard of before, such as the Knights of the Broken Blade, the Knights of the Iron Fist, and the Knights of the Heart of Fire.
However, Frey Derick recognized a few of them.
The Grand Commander of the Cheetah Knights, Brutal Gerhard von Slevin, and his eight Inner Circle Knights. The originally large Cheetah Knights were now left with only a few dozen official members and a few more substitutes.
The Knights of the Purple Marten Gold Cup were Kurfürsten Anderson's trusted subordinates. There were no more than thirty of them.
The Knights Templar had been completely wiped out, but their branch, the Knights of the Heart of Fire, still had a few dozen knights.
The instructors of the Moore Knights, the Black Rose Knights, and the Golden Lion Knights were all here.
The Knights Hospitaller, the Golden Wolf Order, and the Sea God Knights who retreated from Marienburg.
Hans Gintley, the instructor of Rick's Guards, gathered nine hundred knights. In order to deal with the current situation, Helberg announced that all the reserve members of Rick's Guards and all the knights of Rick's Knights, including the trainee knights, would be promoted to official Rick's Guards. The warehouse was opened, and all the accumulation of the past hundred years was taken out to equip the recruits.
"Maybe we can gather five thousand knights." Frey Derick and his fiancée Noelle whispered in each other's ears, "It's getting better."
"In any case, the Empire's foundation is still very deep." Noelle seemed very calm. The avatar of the Goddess of War didn't like Frey Derick's frivolous behavior, "But no matter how deep the foundation is, it will be used up one day."
To Frey Derick's surprise, he saw the figures of the Knights of the Golden Fleece and the Griffin Knights, which meant …
"Grandpa Ivan! Uncle Anton! "The baron was excited to find the head of the Griffin Knights, Ivan the Griffin Duke, and Anton both there.
Ivan looked very tired. After the great defeat at Huff Wind Root, this veteran of the Sanctum went around half the Empire before returning to Brunswick. Compared to when he was in high spirits when he taught Laing, Ivan now looked very old. He was already more than one hundred and twenty years old this year. The previous defeat and injury and the killing along the way had left Ivan with dozens of scars on his body. His temples were also stained with white frost.
"Oh, it's Frey." The Griffin Duke smiled. He didn't look as confident as before, and he didn't look as easy as before. This made Frey Derick wonder how much power this old duke, the old marshal of the Empire, had left in his silver Griffin sacred sword. He reached out and patted Frey Derick on the shoulder, "Do what you have to do."
"Yes, Frey, do what you have to do." Anton was already more than sixty years old. Time was always like this. "The Griffin Knights will fight the final battle. Although we are outnumbered, this is the capital of the Empire, the throne of Emperor Charlemagne, and the holy city where the Carolinian tribe originated. No matter what, we will fight to the last moment."
"It sounds like we have lost." Frey Derick shrugged helplessly.
Walking further inside, the few Kurfürsten were already in place. Except for Helberg, who claimed to be the marshal of the Empire, who was standing in the middle, the other Kurfürsten were also there. Except for Geisel, Haute Anderson, and Emilia, Kurfürsten Marius from the Ivy Territory was also here. Compared to the colorful proud rooster, Marius looked more like a drowning dog at this moment. However, to Frey Derick's relief, he finally made it back at the last moment.
Seeing Frey Derick, Marius's confused face finally showed some understanding. In fact, the Kurfürsten did not understand why Helberg asked him to be the regent of the Empire instead of giving it to Frey Derick. In the third Battle of the Black Fire Pass, Emperor Karl-franz had the intention of appointing Frey Derick as the next heir. However, it seemed that Helberg did not understand the intention very well.
Then, Kurfürsten Ivy Territory was defeated by his own idea. Marshal Rick was Marshal Rick after all. He could not become Marshal Nur. Helberg was as stubborn as himself. If he thought that it was impossible, it was impossible. There was no room for negotiation. The old marshal was trying his best to save the Empire.
Helberg was not reassured to give it to someone else. After all, Frey Derick was too weak. The baron might always feel good about himself, but it was not because he was excellent. It was mostly because he had a good father. His ability was not bad. It could even be said that he was excellent. However, with such an excellent father, his achievements would be taken for granted, and his shortcomings would be infinitely magnified.
That was the reality.
Not knowing what Marius was thinking, the baron, who lacked self-awareness, looked at the other side.
Under the protection of four legendary troops of the Empire named the Battle Court Guards, two golden chains made entirely of vibranium hung down from the high golden dome and crossed each other. The splendid murals and sculptures at the top of the golden dome described the epic history of the Empire in the past three thousand years. The sacred emblems of the Six Paths of Light Academy were glittering. Enhanced by the magic power of the Light Sorcerers, the whole temple was as bright as day.
Only the strongest and most loyal people were allowed to enter the room and take away the weapons hanging on the war altar. The altar under the golden lock was made to resist the guns and cannons used to defend the city when Count Vlad Von Karstein was the first and most powerful vampire. It was as dark and gloomy as pitch.
Originally, Gal-Maraz's power should have made the patterns under the altar shine with dazzling light. But now, the divine hammer that symbolized the Empire was not here. It had been given to Woo Teng and was lost in the north. He could only feel some residual power surging in the air.
Just like the Empire, it was on the verge of death.
Frey Derick was taught to become the Empire's emperor since he was young. He raised the divine hammer many times in his dreams, but now the hammer was no longer there.
Looking at the leaders of the Empire standing in the center of the temple, Frey Derick could not help but feel proud. There were still dozens of Empire generals willing to sacrifice themselves for the Empire. In a hurry, the Empire was still able to gather hundreds of thousands of people to defend their capital. He was even happy to see that the Marshal of the Empire Hunters, Markus Wolfhart, had also rushed back. The grand commanders of the knights, the masters of the magic academy, the grand chanters, and the master engineers were all here to show their strength. It was gratifying.
For a moment, Laing's eldest son had the illusion that everyone was in a good mood.
But Godfather was not here. Archbishop Wickmar was not here. Flagbearer Schwarzhammer was not here. Volten, Rutherhus, Thernus Gehrman, Gail, and Matak were not here.
"Okay, everyone." At this moment, Helberg clapped his hands. Marshal Rick said to everyone present, "The wizards of the Sky Academy have already told us the answer through the stargazing tower and prophecy."
Everyone was silent. Everyone was listening to Helberg's speech. Everyone present, even those who hated Helberg the most, knew very well that no matter how bad Marshal Rick's performance was, he managed to rebuild the city's defense in a short time and did his best to prepare the capital for everything.
"Now we know very well that there are three enemies. They are the Chosen Three Brothers of Nurgle and his brothers from Marlin Castle, the Gortat Spitter Army from Drakwald Forest, and the Maggot Knight Army from Tara Beheim. Their results are also obvious. The Grote brothers destroyed Marlin Castle …"
"… A bunch of filthy separatists. They finally paid the price." Kurfürst Gesser cursed in his mind.
"Silence!" Helberg slammed the table hard. The old marshal continued, "The Gortat Army destroyed the Nords Kingdom along the way, and Tara Beheim also fell into the hands of the Maggot Knight Army."
Hundreds of important politicians and generals of the Empire whispered to each other.
Helberg smiled brightly. The old marshal looked like a demon. "Yes, that's right. They are many times more powerful than us. They even have the help of countless demons. The God of Darkness will not be stingy with his gifts. As long as they can destroy the civilized world, they will come to the city of Brunswick. They will think that defeating us is as easy as defeating Marlin Castle and destroying Tara Beheim."
Marshal Rick smiled even more cruelly. "But we will prove them wrong!"
"They will never understand what built the Empire. They will never understand what kind of soul we have. They will never understand our determination. This is our city. This is the heart of the Empire!"
"Since we were born, Charlemagne has taught us that we will spend our lives in battle. We will often face terrifying monsters, but as long as we know that this is the heart of the Empire, the core of the Empire, the place where the laws of the Empire are made and enforced, and the place where the spirit of the Empire is proven. So, do you dare to promise me that you will be here in front of the statue of Charlemagne?"
Helberg took out his Rune Tooth and said, "This is my Rune Tooth. People call it the Hateful One, or the Resentful One. It has drunk the blood of the unrighteous people in every province of the Imperium. I have made you suffer, and I know how heavy the burden is. But now, the Sword of Vengeance will go to war! You will all fight side by side with it! Citizens of the Empire, tell me, the moment of destiny has arrived. Are you afraid? "
The scene became restless. At this moment, no matter how much the nobles of the Empire hated Helberg, they could not help but feel the blood in their bodies surging and shouting.
Emilia was also moved. Laing's little maid looked at the people present. She knew that they might be schemers who never stopped quarreling and thirsted for power, but they were all fully armed and had learned how to fight since they were young. The Empire was a country that was forged in the flames of war, grew in the flames of war, and became glorious in the flames of war.
"Never, take a step back! Never retreat! Never retreat! Never regret! Fight to the end! " Helberg's voice echoed in the meeting hall. "If the world is going to end, if everything is going to fall in the flames of war, I, Curt Helberg, will die for the cause of the Empire as a warrior! I am willing. Are you willing? "
"For the Empire!"
Everyone in the hall unanimously raised their weapons towards the obsidian statue of Ludwig in the hall. Their roars were deafening.
Helberg laughed loudly. The old marshal pounded his chest so hard that his face turned red. He suddenly stood still and bowed deeply to everyone present. He lowered his stubborn head. "Everyone, this may be the last battle of the Empire. Please, everyone. Please."
"Code name for this battle — Karl-franz!"
"Warriors of the Empire, fight for the Empire, for the old world!"
Frey Derick took a deep breath of the hot air in the hall. The footsteps of war were approaching. The Empire was great because of this. Although its people were so ignorant and decadent, when the storm came, they would never retreat in the face of destruction. They would always stubbornly resist.
Five Rune Fangs were raised.
"Everyone, take your positions. For Karl-franz!" Helberg saluted everyone. The nobles also returned the most standard military salute. In the solemn hall, the bell rang.
"May Charlemagne guide your blades."
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