When Olica returned to the Kurfürst Palace, Laing had already led his army back to Nur.
When the Knights entered the city, the citizens of Nur lined the streets to welcome the return of the heroes. Laing displayed his spoils of war. Carriages of Kurgans, Chaos Dwarves, and Orc King Hulde's heads were all displayed. When the Knights displayed their spoils of war to the citizens of Nur, the citizens of Nur erupted in deafening roars in response. Their cheers echoed from the streets to the ends of the streets. At this moment, all of Nur, whether it was the Nobles or the citizens of the slums, were shouting the names of the heroes, as though they had won the war.
Nobody noticed that Old Marquis Ogger of Wissen wasn't among the troops. When Mario, the son of the old Marquis, saw the sea of people in Nur, he didn't say a word. He only wept silently.
Nobody asked why there was a military parade when the army was pressing down on Nur, or why the news of Old Marquis Ogger's death in order to buy more time was not told to the citizens of Nur.
The reason was simple. Those who were confused about the former didn't understand war, while those who were confused about the latter didn't understand politics.
As thanks, Noor's most famous painter, Master Holbein, who was currently painting the statue of Impartial Goddess Archbishop Teresa, showed the returning army his masterpiece that he had been working on day and night.
"Karl-franz in the Hawk Territory".
This exquisite oil painting was about two meters wide and 2.3 meters long. It depicted the war against evil. Nur's ruler, Lady Emmanuel, was standing in front of the Kurfürst's throne in the palace hall. She was smiling and her eyes were filled with love as she welcomed the return of Duke Laing and the others.
Laing, Kalad, and Pfitzman were each holding the heads of a Chaos Champion, a Chaos Dwarf Warlock, and an Orc King Orc. They were displaying their spoils of war to the Emmanuel. Duchess Suria of Laing was intentionally hidden at the back, but Holbein still meticulously painted Suria's exquisite face and figure. Evil Leipu didn't receive such treatment. His body and face were shrouded in light and shadow, and only a silhouette could be seen.
Master Holbein's artwork wasn't lacking in exclamations and praises, but it also attracted many questions.
The citizens of Nur had countless questions.
"Who is the person in front of the throne?" Someone asked.
"That's the Emmanuel, idiot!" Immediately, a minor noble answered. He looked very proud, and at the same time, he gave all his praise to the painting.
"What about the men?"
"It's Duke Laing! The other two men are Count Kalad of Garamente and Pfitzman of the Flaming Sun Knights! "
"I see." The person who asked the question finally understood, but he still had another question. "But why is the name of the painting so called? I mean … where is His Majesty Karl-franz? "
"His Majesty Karl-franz in the Hawk Territory!"
The whole of Nur City was very satisfied with this painting, and they admired it very much. Not a single person didn't praise it.
Laing noticed the commotion in the crowd, and to his relief, the citizens of Nur were at least all prepared for war. It was said that all the citizens who could still use weapons had received basic military training.
Emilia seemed to have seen through Laing's thoughts. The Empire Duchess sneered and shook her head. "It's not as good as you think, Laing. After you left, there were two riots in the city."
"Two riots?" Suria was very interested, or rather, she was very concerned about her son, little Devenhill. She wondered if Emilia had taught little Devenhill some strange theories and thoughts.
"The first riot was when a large number of refugees flooded into the city." Emilia sneered. The Empire Duchess' face was full of dignity and disdain. "The people of Wissen had already arranged the residences and rations in the city, but many of the refugees were not satisfied. Many of them wanted to live in the rich district or in the church. Some even suggested that the empty classrooms, libraries, and student dormitories in the Nur University were too big, and that Nur was not just the Nur of the people. They asked me to allow them to choose where they wanted to live and enjoy the privileges of the citizens."
"… Then how was the problem solved?" Suria asked curiously.
"Very simple. Fines and executions." Emilia's tone did not change. "After a few hundred leaders were executed, the problem was solved."
"The second riot was caused by the citizens of Nur, especially the female citizens. Thousands of female citizens formed a group to protest against the recent decisions, such as stopping all entertainment activities, banning all kinds of banquets, and even banning the sale of alcoholic beverages in the taverns (except for the dwarven taverns)." Amelia shook her head. "That's a simple question. When I announced that if they don't like Nur, they can leave this place right away. They can immediately go to the city hall to go through the procedures, renounce their citizenship and go to a place where they can host banquets and entertainment. However, I heard from the city hall officials that not many women would go through the procedures."
"Pfft …" Laing could not help but laugh. He opened his mouth and gave up. "Forget it, as long as you can solve it. Let's change the topic."
"Erstein and the others are already waiting for you at the city hall." Emilia smiled sweetly at Suria. "Sister Suria, what do you think? Are you satisfied with the painting?"
"Huh? Which painting? "Suria did not react for a moment.
"'Emperor Karl-franz in Hawk'!" Emilia smiled. "Sister Suria must like it very much. If you like it, I'll give it to you, okay?"
"No need. You can keep it for yourself." Suria immediately understood what Emilia meant. The female knight's face was filled with a polite smile.
"That's a pity. Devenhill likes it very much!" Emilia expressed her regret. "I thought you would like it too."
Suria's expression did not change. She tightened her grip on the reins of her mount.
It seemed that she could not let Emilia take care of Devenhill anymore.
I have to take care of my son myself!
A long line of people entered the Nur city hall. At this time, the entire Nur city hall nobles, Empire generals, wizard leaders, and master engineers of Nur Military Factory were all present.
At this time, the entire Nur noble circle did not have a trace of hostility toward Laing and Kalad. Their eyes were full of admiration and gratitude, or at least recognition. When Marshal Erstein of Nur saw Laing coming in, he took the initiative to let him sit on the second seat on the right.
Everyone began to prepare for the Chaos invasion.
The generals of the Nur Council and the head of the knights all agreed that they had to find a position with deep defense. According to the information from Laing and the others, the Nur War Council had built a new line of defense outside Nur, on the peninsular highlands where the Wesson and Ivy rivers intersected. This line of defense was built by dwarven and human craftsmen using barbed wire, trenches, and fortresses. Under the guidance of the dwarven craftsmen, the artillery positions were protected behind bunkers. Hundreds of mortar and cannon cannons, dozens of Hellstorm rocket launchers, and Hellstorm rapid-fire cannons were ready for battle.
More than fifteen Empire infantry regiments, tens of thousands of Empire swordsmen, Empire pikemen, Empire crossbowmen, and Empire halberds had set up their defensive positions. More than ten musketeers would open fire under the protection of the infantry. In addition, at least seven Empire infantry regiments were in reserve in Nur, ready to respond to changes in the battlefield.
All the churches in Nur had decided to join the battle. The Grand Chanter Casmir the Ninth stood on the war altar of the Church of Justice, leading at least a thousand ascetics, two companies of paladins, and hundreds of combat priests to support the Empire's army. The remaining churches also contributed money and manpower. The Arcane Knights of the Righteous Goddess Valentina Sect and the Burning Sun Knights of the Goddess of War Mirmidia had already joined the battle with Laing. To some extent, the power of the belief in survival could not be ignored. The best way to meet one's fate was to die gloriously in the face of the enemy.
Of course, the Black Lady of Nurr, Rose of the Graveyard, and Elspeth Von Drakken, the guardian of Nurr, as well as the Grand Necromancer Elspeth Von Drakken, were also prepared to join the battle.
In the end, the most elite troops of Nur were divided into several parts. Lady Emmanuelle personally led the Steam Tank Company, the Armoured Nur, and the Old Guard. The Lady of the Empire would decide when to send these most elite troops into the battlefield. The elite mercenary group from Marlinburg, the Mannen Blade, was led by the mercenary leader "Blackbeard" Teach to fill the decks and interiors of the four land ships. The mercenaries from Marlinburg would fight to protect the land ships.
Duke Musillon, the Chosen Champion of the Lake Nymphs, Laing -Macado, Count Galamente, and Nur's Chief Justice Theodore Bruckner were in charge of commanding six thousand knights, pistol-wielding cavalry, and free cavalry to form a mobile force. Among them, Laing's task was the most important. The Chosen Champion of the Lake Nymphs had to shoulder the mission of fighting and killing the Chosen Champion of the Nurgle, Tarim Khan. The Black Lady believed that only Laing was up to this difficult task.
"Come on! Watch me stab the eyes of Khan Tamu and those monsters under him to death! " The most excited of them all was undoubtedly Blackheart Reppu. This Peak Legendary-level mercenary baron had been appointed as the leader of the Free Cavalry. This mercenary leader's desire for revenge was so strong that everyone present could feel his excitement and desire.
After the various tasks were prepared, the entire city waited quietly for the day of destruction to approach.
And Tarim Khan did not let Nur wait for too long.
On the day when the late autumn was about to enter winter, with the blood-red sun and the sky full of yellow-green and black-brown miasma, Tarim Khan, the son of Great Emperor Kurgan, the builder of ruins, the King of Armies, and the Chosen Champion of the Nurgle, arrived as scheduled.
The war had begun.
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
