PS: I've been stuck recently. Sorry for the late update.
PS2: I'll take a day off tomorrow to sort out my thoughts!
Kislöw was the northernmost force of Order in the Old World. It was known as the 'Shield of Civilization.' They migrated from the Kurgan Grassland about a thousand years ago and built this snowy country in the middle of an ice field and desert.
Ever since Kislöw was established, it faced the threat of Chaos head-on. Because of this, the entire country was always under high pressure and militarism. Other than the nobles, very few commoners in Kislöw could truly 'eat their fill and wear warm clothes.' Even so, this country and its people still stood tall in the northernmost part of the Old World.
The courage of this country and its people in the face of difficulties was as terrifying as Chaos.
After the great Holy War, Kislöw was rebuilt. The Empire also sent more troops to assist Kislöw in guarding the northern border. The Oster Territory and the Ostermark Alliance had a close relationship with Kislöw. As long as the Chaos forces in the north had any abnormal movements, these two Empire provinces would immediately send reinforcements. The immense pressure faced by Kislöw made the peasants willing to endure some additional taxes and levies as long as it could strengthen the kingdom's defense. Similarly, the immense military pressure meant that Kislöw's nobles and 'boyars' would consciously cancel some excessive and unpopular taxes to ensure that the living standards of the local citizens and their troops wouldn't be too bad. Similarly, the Empire often provided food and other supplies to Kislöw.
"The southerners look down on us and think that we are a bunch of barbarians, not much different from those barbarians. But you should feel lucky! If it weren't for us, the northern barbarians would burn your homes and drag your children away from their beds! Without us, you would constantly be facing the corrosion of Chaos! You look down on us? You should thank us! "
— Kislöw's Marshal Konev
In Kislöw, there were three armies that were known as the most elite trump cards. They were the Kislöw Guards that were responsible for protecting the capital, the Kislöw Royal Bear Cavalry that was blessed by Bear God Essun, and the Kislöw Winged Cavalry Legion that was famous throughout the Old World.
The Winged Cavalry Corps was established to allow Kislöw to have a powerful heavy cavalry unit. Therefore, all the noble families in Kislöw were required to send at least one adult male cavalryman. These noble cavalrymen gathered together to form the Winged Cavalry Corps. Their fighting spirit was fanatical. They had wings or flags and let out terrifying howls as they charged into the enemy formation like a whirlwind. Furthermore, the unique tactic of the Winged Cavalry was to suddenly turn and attack. This caused many armies to be defeated instantly. With their illustrious achievements, the Winged Cavalry Corps quickly became famous throughout the Old World.
When it was first formed, the Winged Cavalry Corps had about 2,000 people. Now, after nearly 200 years of development, the Winged Cavalry Corps had about 4,000-4,400 people.
Could Kislöw afford to raise this heavy cavalry unit?
Obviously, the answer was that they could not afford it. Therefore, since the establishment of the Winged Cavalry Legion, apart from the port city of Ehrenglard, which could afford to keep 200-300 Winged Cavalry Legions, most of the Winged Cavalry Legions were used as mercenaries by the Empire to earn their own maintenance fees.
"Felix Edmundovich, former general of the Kislöw Winged Cavalry 'Dzerzhan' Legion. He had illustrious military service and made great contributions in a series of battles. He also participated in the 'Great Purge' campaign of the predecessor Tsar, Boris Borkaha. During the war, Felix was determined and tenacious in battle. He led his Winged Cavalry Corps alone and wiped out the Chaos remnants, Barbarian raiders, Green Dwarfs, and Orcs lurking in the wilderness of Kislöw. He fought day and night and chased the enemy until night fell. When the sun rose the next day, he was already on his warhorse, ready to continue fighting.
"Just like that, Felix fought hard for three months and finally wiped out all the enemies north of the Linsk River, in the Troll Kingdom. People gave him the nickname 'Steel Felix'!" Amancio introduced the former general of Kislöw in a loud voice. The president even stood up. "I believe that General Felix and his Winged Cavalry Corps will be able to help you, Sir Fugen!"
"Greetings, General Felix." Fugen always respected such tenacious soldiers. He also stood up and paid his respects to the general of Kislöw who looked to be in his forties.
Felix was wearing a standard Kislöw military cap, which looked rather comical in such hot weather. The general carefully looked at the handsome man in front of him who was so tall that he looked like a barbarian. After confirming that there was no hypocrisy or mockery in his eyes, he nodded politely. "Greetings. Also, please don't call me 'general'. I have already been exiled by Her Majesty Katarín. I am no longer a general of Kislöw!"
"No, you will always be a general. Your flaming eyes, your steel-like will, your resolute military posture, and your subconscious movements tell everyone that you are still a general." Forgen shook hands with Felix seriously. "Can you tell us what happened? Why did that CEO … the king actually exiled you? "
"Because the Winged Cavalry Corps is the Sword of the Kingdom, the Wings of Liberty, not the Sword of Tsar or the Royal Wings of Bokaha!" Felix's expression was as hard as steel and as stubborn as a rock in a latrine. "This is the third time I've been exiled! But I won't regret it! "
"Please take a seat." Amancio gestured for Felix to take a seat. With an understanding smile, he stood up and gestured for the general to take a seat. He then called to the waiter, "Bring that up!"
"Yes, sir!" The waiter left. Soon, they brought up a special kind of food.
At first glance, it looked like ordinary bread, except that this bread was extraordinarily large, with a diameter of nearly thirty centimeters and a weight of one kilogram. It was packed in a large cloth bag. Amancio said with a smile, "General Felix, try it. I'm not too sure about your taste, but I can guarantee that it's definitely the original taste."
"This is … Leba?!" The general's eyes widened. He examined it carefully. "This is real Leba! It's big Leba! "
Being able to eat food from his hometown, the steel-like general finally squeezed out a smile.
"Yes, I imported it from Örengrád. I hope you like it." Amancio turned to Fugen, Hadrian, and the others. "Please try Kislöw's specialty food."
Everyone continued to eat.
Fugen maintained his elegant eating posture while listening to Felix's story. He wanted to know why Felix had been exiled and why this general of the winged cavalry had been exiled and stripped of his title.
Ever since the winged cavalry was born, it was destined that they would not receive enough military pay. The meager salary and supplies provided by the Tsar royal family were not even enough to maintain their equipment and horses. Therefore, the winged cavalry was often formed into a regiment of 300 to 500 riders. They worked as mercenaries in the Old World and earned their own maintenance fees.
Every winged cavalry army had a marshal and several generals. In theory, the most elite winged cavalry army was the "Griffin Legion," because the marshal of the winged cavalry, Burzynski, had killed a griffin in the Edge Mountain Range and used its feathers to decorate his wings.
The current marshal of the winged cavalry was called Romanov, a peak legendary knight. The Griffin Legion was currently under the command of Emperor Karl-franz of the Empire and fought as mercenaries.
All the winged cavalry swore that as long as the Kingdom of Kislöw was in danger, they would definitely return to Kislöw and fight to protect the kingdom. They were proud that they were from Kislöw and that they were the sword of the kingdom.
However, this was where the conflict came from.
"The winged cavalry has always had a glorious and long tradition of independence. We are the sword of the kingdom, not the sword of Tsar. However, since the death of Red-eyed Egil, the military pressure from the barbarians decreased a lot. Therefore, Her Majesty Katarín brought up the old matter again." Felix ate Leba, his voice hoarse. "She hoped that the winged cavalry would return to the control of the Tsar royal family. She promised to treat us well, but this is not what we want."
"You are loyal to Kislöw, not the royal family of Bokha." Fugen immediately understood why Felix had been expelled.
"We are only willing to fight against evil. We will not attack our own people." Felix nodded and sighed. "Because I was the most resolute in my opposition, this is the third time I have been expelled."
"What if the kingdom is in danger?" Fugen asked calmly.
"Then I will return to Kislöw with my winged cavalry!" Felix's voice was as hard as a boulder in the northern permafrost. "Kislöw will fight against evil until the last breath of Kislöw's last child!"
"Very good!" Fugen nodded, his last doubts dispelled. "Then, what are your conditions?"
This was the beginning of the negotiation.
Fugen needed a powerful cavalry unit. If he could hire Felix and his three hundred winged cavalry, it would be a great addition to the Ashes Corps. Apart from the cold lizards provided by the lizardmen, the Ashes Corps had always been troubled by a lack of cavalry.
"The conditions have always been normal, but … I have a request." Felix was a little embarrassed. He was a soldier, and for a soldier, asking for help was not a pleasant thing to hear. "Sir Fugen, I heard that you are brothers with Duke Musillon, Laing Macado?"
"That's right, we are brothers." Fugen nodded. He had no intention of hiding this, and he had already planned to stay in Estalia and Tyrell for a month at most before immediately rushing to Brittany.
"Sir Fugen, the situation is like this. I have a group of special criminals who have been expelled, as well as a group of war orphans. I hope you can take them in and protect them," Felix said in a low voice. "We don't have the ability to accommodate so many people. Mr. Amancio can't help us, so I need your help."
Kislöw was indeed a very magical place. There, it was a tradition for 'special criminals' to be expelled and exiled. Many nobles felt honored to be thrown into prison by Tsar, while generals like Felix felt ashamed to shake hands with the Karim guards under Tsar.
"How many people?" Fugen asked.
"About … a thousand. They are all victims of persecution in the country. There are also war orphans. Kislöw doesn't have the ability to support them, and we can't find any connections in the Empire. I need your help. I can guarantee that they are not criminals, but … they have different viewpoints," Felix said. Felix said seriously, "Recently, Mu Xilong has been recruiting people. Can you introduce us?"
"If there are no problems after inspection, I will consider it." Fugen did not immediately agree. He did not even make a promise. "Is there anything else?"
"Nothing else." Felix shook his head.
"When can you and your winged cavalry join us?" Fugen then asked the question he was most concerned about.
"As long as these people are properly settled, my 315 winged cavalry and I can immediately join you." Felix stood up and gave a standard military salute. "You can identify them yourselves. I won't say anything. I only hope that you can treat them well."
"I'm not talking about hiring, but joining." Fugen's voice was light as a feather.
"I'm also talking about joining. Your Excellency Fugen, I think you also need to join." Felix's eyes were sunken. The former general took off his hat, revealing his receding hairline. There was wisdom in his sunken eyes, as well as a certain power that would never make him yield. "Can you accept it?"
"Then … happy cooperation!"
"Happy cooperation!"
The two of them held each other's hands. This was considered an agreement.
Sitting down again, Fugen was satisfied with this result. The winged cavalry's combat strength was renowned throughout the Old World. With the help of this army, the Ashes Corps' combat strength would definitely rise to another level.
"Mr. Amancio, are there any other mercenaries in Estalia worth hiring?" After discussing the terms, Fugen asked Amancio, "I still need more combat power. Money is not a problem."
"No." Amancio shook his head with a wry smile. "This is Estalia, Your Excellency Fugen. We don't have a particularly strong army. You should go to Tyrell."
"Tyrell?" Fugen was a little disappointed, but the king's son geno prototype could always perfectly control his emotions. "I wonder how many troops in the Home of Mercenaries are willing to go on an expedition with me?"
"Something big happened in Tyrell recently. The famous Prince Milagliano, 'Besieger' Borgier, was assassinated in the famous bathhouse." Amancio nodded and took out a list. "As a result, several legendary mercenaries lost their employers."
"'Cheetah' Leopold's heavy infantry regiment, the Leopard Regiment."
"Milagliano's marksman regiment."
"The Dwarf Butcher's Zhangderang Butcher Regiment."
"And the famous Bronchino Swift Cavalry Artillery Regiment."
Fugen took the list and nodded with satisfaction. These troops were all famous mercenaries in the Old World. If he could gather the strength of these people, perhaps he could fight the Skaven Rat Men.
"But I recommend these two groups." Amancio handed over a new list. The businessman's face was full of smiles.
"The Hobbit Team from Mutt Leader and … the mysterious Arabi Genie Warlock!"
… I'm the cut-off line where I can only make three wishes …
At the same time, in the Old World, above the black mountains.
Anglo was riding his hippogryph, Nukailia, flying there. He was in a good mood after killing the king.
"My nephew is about to be born. As his uncle, I can't go empty-handed."
"Let's go to Tyrell and see if there's anything good there."
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
