Laing's adoptive father, Norman, picked up Laing when he was in his thirties near a forest path in Nord Territory. Counting carefully, Norman was almost eighty years old this year. In this world, it was a miracle for a non-Legendary-tier human, even if he was a noble, to live to the age of seventy or eighty.
Of course, one of the reasons for this was because White Wolf City took good care of him. After all, as Laing's status rose steadily, Norman naturally received the attention of the Empire.
But in fact, from another perspective, the relationship between Laing and Norman was just that of an adoptive father and son.
One of the most important points was that for Laing and Norman, Laing didn't inherit Norman's title as the Lord of Ortney, which meant that the two of them didn't form a familial lineage. Secondly, Norman didn't accept Laing as his godson or godson, but only as an adoptive son. He didn't raise Laing according to the standards of an heir, but only according to the standards of a military noble. This kind of nurturing wasn't much different from the large number of male children that the White Wolf Church regularly received from the orphanage and the Church of the Goddess of Mercy every year.
In Laing's previous world, people generally believed that the kindness of raising someone was greater than the kindness of giving birth. But in this world, people generally believed that the kindness of giving birth was greater than the kindness of raising someone. Therefore, the relationship between this adoptive father and son was just that. It was roughly equivalent to a relatively good relationship between relatives. In fact, this relationship wasn't even as solid as the relationship between Laing and the Godfather of Gryphon Duke Ivan.
But Laing was still grateful to Norman. He was the one who picked him up and raised him. He used his strict temper and old-fashioned personality to raise Laing. He also provided him with the most important stepping stone — the recommendation of a White Wolf Knight. If Laing didn't have this identity, he would have to start from a commoner. God knows how long that would take. All these years, Laing would regularly write and mail some money every year. But Norman said that he didn't want money, and that it would be fine as long as he wrote letters. Brittany was as far away from Mildenheim as there were no high-speed trains or planes in this world. Laing was busy with work, and Norman was old and frail. It was difficult for them to meet each other even if they wanted to.
Looking at his old adoptive father, Laing wanted to say something to him, but Norman just shook his head. When Laing was still a count, he still dared to flaunt his seniority. But now that the three-year-old child had become the Knight King, with his countless victories, incomparable bravery and might, Norman didn't dare to be the same as he was ten years ago. He opened his mouth and said to the people behind him, "Harland, come out and pay your respects to His Majesty the Knight King!"
A fully armed young Nord noble less than twenty years old came out and bowed to Laing. He had short blond hair, deep-set beady eyes, a flat nose, a round nose, and thick lips. When he saw Laing's trembling hands, he immediately stepped out and bowed deeply. "His Majesty Laing! I'm very, very honored. I'm Harland! Knight Ranger of Nord! "
This person was Laing's cousin, the son of the current Lord of Ortney. He was also a relative of Laing's adoptive mother, Sally. Laing seemed to see himself thirty years ago. The Knight King showed a warm smile and nodded. He patted Harland and encouraged him. When he wanted to talk to Norman again, he found that Norman had disappeared.
"He's very sick." Boris Todbringer walked to Laing's side and said. Kurfürst White Wolf said sadly, "He kept mumbling that he wanted to see you for the last time. This time, when he heard that you were here, we brought him out. When he knew that you were back, he was very happy, but also very sad. A real old wolf shouldn't die in his bed like this. He's ashamed of himself."
"I'll hire the best doctor," Laing said seriously.
"He went through too many battles when he was young. He probably lost a lot of blood, and he didn't take good care of his wounds. In his later years, many diseases tortured him. We've already helped him through two serious illnesses. If it weren't for the fact that he still wanted to see you one last time, he would've refused to take the medicine. Do you know what I mean?" Boris's voice carried a hint of sadness. "This is not what he wants."
"Ah! Ah! "Laing roared angrily, but he didn't know what to say.
His adoptive mother, Sally, had passed away five years ago.
Although he had a lot to say, the most important thing now was the military situation. As the commanders of both sides entered the tent one after another, the war meeting officially began.
On Laing's side, there were himself, the Lake Goddess Witch Morgiana, the Red Dragon Duke Berchemund, the female speaker Veronica, the Sanctuary Witch Aurora, the new Chosen One Tarr, and the Old Guard War Marshal Bertrand. It could be said that there were a lot of talents on his side.
On Mildenheim's side, there were Kurfürst Boris Todbringer, the White Wolf Church's Pope "Big Yuric" Emil Wager, the White Wolf Knights' Grand Commander Axel Wiesenberg, and Boris Todbringer's godson, the flag bearer of Mildenheim's army and the captain of the Teuton Guards, the White Wolf Holy Knight von Tuggenheim.
With such a luxurious lineup and an army of up to seventy-five thousand people, the humans gained great confidence in this war. Laing even noticed that not only were Mildenheim's White Wolf Knights mobilized, but even the Teuton Guards were all here.
The Teuton Guards were Big Yuric's personal guards, and also the most elite army of White Wolf City. The White Wolf Knights were established in the second year of the Empire's calendar, but the Teuton Guards' existence could be traced back to three thousand years ago. At that time, the Thuringians set out from the Dark Realm and crossed the Roof of the World Mountain Range to the Old World. Someone received the White Wolf God Yuric's oracle and asked them to come to Mildenheim's current location. Then, the White Wolf God cut out a smooth surface with an area of nearly three square kilometers with one axe, and White Wolf City was built on top of the mountain.
Since then, the brave and powerful Thuringian warriors who were regarded as the White Wolf God's Chosen One were called the "Teuton Guards".
Every year, the Teuton Guards would have new members. Its members were personally selected by Big Yuric and the leader of the White Wolf Knights. Basically, they came from the core of the knights. Although the selection was usually based on one's achievements, in reality, the best fighters were often chosen from the White Wolf Knights, and the lowest requirement was to be at the Legendary rank.
Being selected as a Teuton Guard was the highest honour in the White Wolf Knights. These fearless warriors became even more determined and powerful after accepting this glorious duty and honour. They were also the biggest reason why Mildenheim constantly challenged Brunswick.
The map was placed on the table. Laing and Boris Todbringer each sat on one side. On the left were dozens of Holy Grail Knights and the glorious Old Guard, while on the right were the Teuton Guards and the famous elite army of Mildenheim — the Sword of Yuric. The threshold for new recruits was very high. They had to participate in the Drakwald Expedition and survive before they could be qualified to join. Established during the reign of Emperor Mandred the Exterminator, the army had left behind countless great stories over the past thousand years.
"Our army will move south. From the south, we will pass through Mildenstange, and then along the south of Hocke, we will pass through the capital, Herzig. Finally, we will head north to support Auster." Boris pointed his finger on the map. "Now, the army of Chaos is gathering near Castle Von Zhukov in Auster and is continuing to besiege this castle."
"On the other hand, the situation in Auster isn't looking good either. It's said that the champion of Nurgle, Plague Doctor Festus, and the champion of Tzeki, Qi-A-Zanaik, have led an army to besiege Becafen. Hetwig promised us that as long as he's alive, Becafen won't fall." Boris continued, "Tsar Katarina and her court are also staying in Becafen to help Hetwig defend the city. With Katarina and her sisters, Becafen shouldn't fall that easily."
"But we have to consider the consequences of Becafen falling." Laing looked at the map. "Becafen is located upstream of the Tarabek River. As long as Chaos takes over there, we can follow the Tarabek River and go straight to Tarabeheim. Time is of the essence."
"Yes, time is of the essence. Why don't we go east and take the small path in the south of the central mountains? Why don't we go south to Mildenstange and then take a big detour to support Auster and Auster?" Morgiana didn't understand. "Isn't it faster to go straight?"
"Your Highness Lake Goddess Witch, you have to be clear about something." Big Yurick, Emir Wager, sneered. "You also know that there's a small path in the south of the central mountains? Do you still need to ask this question? "
The deep enmity between the two religious leaders made the meeting tense. Laing immediately said to Morgiana, who didn't know much, "We have to go south because the Tarabek River is connected to the Riker River. Only by following the river can we get endless supplies from the Empire."
"That's right, Your Highness Morgiana. We have more than seventy thousand people and seventy thousand soldiers here. Whether it's Midden or Riker, there's not a single town or village that can provide us with enough supplies. Only by following the river can we get food and weapons from Karl-franz, Marius, and Emmanuel!" Boris added, "Of course, it would be better if their army could come."
"When will the Emperor's army depart?" Laing asked Boris.
"If nothing unexpected happens, they should be ready to move out." Axel, the leader of the White Wolf Knights, pointed at the capital of the Empire. "If they can make it in time."
"Then there's no time to lose. Let's go to Midden Stange as soon as possible." Laing nodded.
On the road to the south, the advance of the army was a very spectacular sight. The White Wolf Knights were wearing heavy armor made of wolf hide and wielding giant hammers. The Holy Grail Knights were wearing colorful robes that shone with golden light. The neat and solemn formation of the old guards gave everyone an incomparable boost of morale and prestige. On the other hand, Yurick's swordsmen were exuding pure wildness and power. Their formation was not neat and disciplined, but these warriors of the White Wolf God would use pure wildness to unleash the power that belonged to Yurick.
Along the way, a large number of refugees from the Empire and Kislöw crowded the road. They brought their families with them. Some pushed carts, some pulled carriages, and some just wore thin clothes as they fled in the cold winter of Midden Hill. Along the way, countless refugees died of starvation and cold.
To make matters worse, they had to make way for the army. Many refugees from Kislöw were so hungry that they knelt down and begged the army to give them some food. However, both Boris and the Knight King Laing knew that they had to harden their hearts at this time. They couldn't be slowed down by the refugees, and they couldn't give away the most important food. To put it simply, if the army led by Laing and Boris was defeated, the Empire could immediately prepare to defend Mildenheim and Tara Beheim.
That would be a real disaster. By then, half of the population of the Empire would become refugees.
"So many Mrs. Kiesler." Laing said to Boris, "What a disaster. I don't know what Katarín is thinking."
"She's just trying to preserve her strength so that she can find a chance to revive the Empire in the future." Boris cursed, "Her decision can allow as many Mrs. Kiesler to survive as possible, but she probably didn't even think about how much trouble this will cause to the Empire. The number of refugees far exceeds the upper limit of what we can accept and accommodate. This will only cause many people to starve and freeze to death."
"She's just trying to shift the blame," Laing said humorously, "She can just shift the blame to the Empire and solve the problem."
"But what about the meat in the pot?" Boris turned around and glared at Laing with his only eye. "Don't think that we don't know what you've been doing in Kislöw. Örengrád's Hilavek Group has almost controlled the last fighting force in Kislöw! You're taking them all in just like that? Not only the meat and bones, but you're not even leaving the Empire with any soup? "
"I've sent an entire Northern Frontline Army to support Örengrád." Laing also knew about this. He couldn't help but sigh at how capable Berliat was. He was always able to do things well, and he knew Kislöw too well. This was the most important reason why Laing was able to take over the Hilavek Group. His identity as a Ugor also allowed Luo Shuai and the others to form a bridge of communication with Laing. Don't forget that Luo Shuai was also a descendant of Ugor.
"Aren't you afraid that Her Majesty Tsar will hold you accountable?" Boris couldn't do anything about it. He only got the news after everything had already happened. The Poseidon fleet should have finished replenishing their supplies in Nord and was preparing to return to Brittany.
"She can come if she wants." Laing said casually, "The Knight King's Kingdom and Kislöw only have normal diplomatic and trade relations. There's no alliance between them. She ordered all her citizens to flee to the south. She's also in the south. Furthermore, Marshal Rokossovsky is still on death row."
"You're going to provide political asylum to Rokossovsky?" Boris thought about it and it seemed to make sense.
"Why not? The Bear Cavalry, the Winged Cavalry, and the Red Sea Army are all there. Coupled with the soldiers who experienced the siege of Örengrád, they'll be a terrifying force if they train a little. "Boris grumbled unhappily," Oh Urick, I really want to give you a hammer. "
"Speaking of which, didn't Her Tsar form a new army in Becafen?" Laing immediately changed the topic. The Knight King thought that it was enough to gain benefits. If he continued to show off, he would only attract hatred.
"It's said that she formed a new army. However, since the equipment and food are all provided by the Empire, it's nothing much." Boris scolded, "Really, she needs the Empire's support for everything. How dare she call for the Kislöw Army?"
Just like that, the army went south along Midden Road.
At the same time, in the depths of the Central Mountains, in front of the tomb of the greatest Orc King in history, Getwo the Cruel.
A Chaos Talisman was activated by the Chosen One, Hal – Eye of Eternity.
The terrifying Chaos energy pierced through the sky.
"Revive, Getwo, the greatest Orc King, revive!"
"The True God needs your strength!"
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