Chapter 48: Mjordenhaven

"The Storm Fortress has been breached? Impossible. Isn't Nord's northern fortress said to hold out for months?" one of the electors instinctively remarked.

"There were traitors. The barbarians found the weakest point of the Storm Fortress," Karl Franz said, his eyes sharp and his fists clenched. He looked at Archbishop Beckman of the Church of Justice, signaling him to speak.

"The walls of the Storm Fortress, after years of defense, had been corrupted by Chaos, growing eyes and tentacles," Beckman continued. "Under the church's supervision, we purified the corrupted walls with fire and rebuilt them."

"But it was at this moment that the northern barbarians launched their attack, recklessly assaulting the Storm Fortress..." The Emperor nodded. "It happened last night. This barbarian army was led by the Bearman Tribe, with the chieftain being 'Bear Crusher' Bireg."

"What about Wulfrik?" Roland asked. The barbarian leader was too powerful. If he landed, only the King of Nord could deal with him.

"Wulfrik's black flagship is still being blocked by the Nord navy at sea, though Nord paid a heavy price," Karl Franz gestured that Wulfrik wouldn't be able to land anytime soon, so it wasn't the immediate concern. "The immediate priority is to send reinforcements quickly. Gentlemen of the Empire, what do you say?"

"Walrich will swiftly send reinforcements. You will see more White Wolf Knights!" Elector Manfred of Walrich was the first to respond. His territory bordered the Nord Kingdom, and if Nord couldn't hold, he would be under significant pressure.

The other two electors bordering Nord also nodded, indicating they would send reinforcements. However, the rest were slow to respond, all eyes turning to the Emperor.

"We must rescue Nord!" Karl Franz knew everyone was waiting for his stance, so he finally spoke. "The wizards had long predicted a barbarian invasion, but no one expected the Storm Fortress to fall so quickly. Our army is already assembled, and we must annihilate the remaining barbarians before they land. We cannot allow these heretics to pollute our Empire's lands!"

"The great holy war 150 years ago started because one of the Chaos armies landed in Nord!" Karl Franz-Frederick declared resolutely. "We cannot repeat that mistake!"

The council hall fell silent. Some electors looked unwilling, while others seemed resigned.

"Interesting. The Tuscana Territory is willing to send reinforcements! You will see the first company of the Ram Knights!" Umberto was the first to shout.

"Aldorf is willing to send reinforcements. The third company of the Lion Knights will fight to protect the nation!" Roland responded.

"The 300 Greatswords of Veltz are at the Emperor's command!" declared the Elector of Veltz.

"The 500 Rangers of Alden are ready to deploy at your command, Your Majesty!" Alden's Elector also responded.

"The Golden Fleece Knights will send the seventh squadron for support!" Philip II of the Black Mountain Sheep, the Elector of Born, saw several electors respond and had to nod. "We will provide food and shelter for the passing troops!"

Soon, most electors expressed their support.

Seeing the electors respond to the Emperor's call, Archbishop Beckman of the Church of Justice wasn't to be outdone. "The Paladin Order of the Church of Justice is already on its way to Nord."

The Archbishop of the Church of Life raised his scepter. "Enough priests and doctors will soon be in place. We will also provide some military rations!"

The Archbishop of the Church of Magic finally spoke. "A wizard battalion will soon accompany the army to eliminate those evil shamans."

Only the Elector of Brescian remained. This teenager was nearly in tears from the council hall's oppressive atmosphere. He hurriedly asked his advisor, "What should I do?"

"You should state that Brescian currently lacks the capacity to send troops, but we are willing to pay the military exemption tax, my lord." The advisor seemed much calmer than the Elector, though he winced at the thought of the tax. It was a heavy burden.

Seeing the electors respond, a young, heroic smile appeared on Karl Franz's face. This spirit was what had sustained the Empire.

A race, a nation, a faith had built the human Empire.

With such strong will and firm belief, the human Empire would never fall.

After the meeting, Karl Franz left the council hall, and before he could sit down, a servant approached quickly. "Your Majesty, the Grand Wizard Balthasar Gelt requests an audience."

"Let him in."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Soon, accompanied by heavy footsteps, a figure in a glowing magical cloak, a gleaming golden robe, and a golden mask entered. "Your Majesty!"

Karl Franz stared at the figure. He had often suspected that the wizard before him was no longer human.

However, he couldn't afford not to rely on him because Balthasar Gelt was simply too exceptional.

In just a few years, he had become the Empire's chief alchemist, improving the black powder formula, greatly easing the tension and hostility between the Imperial Royal Artillery Academy and the Imperial Royal Wizards Academy.

A laboratory explosion had nearly ended his pursuit of knowledge. In the golden light of the explosion, wizards saved Gelt. Many wizards wanted to heal his wounds, but he ordered them to leave.

From that day on, Gelt always wore a golden mask, hiding his face from everyone.

"I don't know if I can trust you, Gelt," the Emperor said gravely. "But given the current situation, I must trust you. You know that Gorman is the Fire Wizard, and it's already winter. His magic won't be very effective in the north."

"You can certainly trust me, Your Majesty." The metallic sound of Gelt's voice deepened the Emperor's suspicion. Karl Franz pushed aside the strange thoughts. If he entrusted the task to Gelt, he had to trust him.

"Very well then..."

The next day, in the Nord Kingdom, Mjordenhaven.

Ryan, his face weathered, finally arrived at the largest port city on Nord's west coast, Mjordenhaven.

The sky was clear and blue, a rare good weather day. The city gate of Mjordenhaven was bustling with people and carts. Soldiers in uniform armor with long spears and swords guarded the gate, where the banner of Count Albert Beck's Trifolium family hung high.

Ryan's encounter with Lawen was brief. As a questing knight, the duke's son had to continue his Grail quest, while Ryan needed to reach the White Wolf Temple in Mjordenhaven as soon as possible to inquire about the Old Ones. They chatted late into the night and parted ways early the next morning.

Before leaving, Lawen gave him a gold coin with a leaping lion insignia, inviting him to visit Connet anytime, promising a warm welcome with the best wine and food.

Meeting a kindred spirit was rare. In their short time together, Ryan and Lawen felt like old friends, sharing everything. In return, Ryan gave Lawen a wolf fang pendant from the White Wolf Lord. "This is a gift from the White Wolf Lord. I may not have your illustrious family background or wealth, but with this, I will help you as much as I can."

"Deal!" Lawen accepted without hesitation, shaking hands firmly.

After parting, Ryan made his way down the mountain, removing his shattered chainmail and washing off the bloodstains by a stream. He changed back into Nord noble attire and continued his journey. After a day's travel, he finally reached Mjordenhaven.

By now, the rivers were starting to freeze, making inland navigation impossible. Along the way, Ryan saw many travelers, mostly merchants and townsfolk, with a few farmers heading to town. Seeing a noble traveling alone was unusual, but people still showed him respect.

"Did you hear?" A group of villagers discussed. "A witch arrived from the east and is staying at the Butterbeer Tavern in Mjordenhaven."

"A witch? That's incredible!" A farmer carrying firewood exclaimed.

"Indeed, this witch is quite kind. With the fever epidemic lately..." A farmer carrying vegetables added.

"Yes! Someone in our village died from the fever in two days."

"This witch is making potions to treat us! We just need to bring the ingredients! It's much cheaper than those greedy doctors!"

"That sounds wonderful."

"Besides that, she also makes other potions. Our plow ox had festering sores and was dying, but she cured it with her potions. She's our village's benefactor!" Another farmer said.

"How long will this witch stay?"

"She should stay a while longer, but..."

"Good, the longer the better. But what?" The farmer carrying firewood pressed.

"Another witch arrived yesterday and is staying next door. She's different, bad-tempered and drives people away. Everyone seeking help was turned away," the farmer said, looking scared but indignant. "There are good and bad witches, don't you agree?"

"Of course, of course!"

A bad-tempered witch arrived yesterday? Drives people away? Ryan chuckled, knowing who the new witch was.

But who was the earlier witch?

"Heavens! Look! That mean witch is at the gate!" Two farmers whispered, looking at the gate. "She won't stop us from entering, will she?"

"Impossible! Let's just go in quickly." The farmers lowered their heads, pretending to see nothing.

At the gate, Teresa leaned on her staff, watching the crowd. "Banda, you don't have to stand here with me. It's a waste of your time."

"Sir Ryan saved me. I feel obliged to wait for him, don't

 you think?" Banda straightened his back, clad in new chainmail with a bright double-handed sword on his back. He had groomed himself meticulously, trying to present his best.

"..." Teresa didn't respond. She felt anxious. She had read about Doomsday Bulls in Sky Castle's records, and her mood was foul.

Standing behind the sorceress, Banda inhaled Teresa's lavender scent greedily. Standing guard wasn't a chore but a supreme pleasure for him.

If only Ryan stayed out longer, Banda thought, gazing at Teresa's figure and her shimmering black hair. He hoped these days would last longer.

But reason told him this was impossible.

Why was he guarding Teresa?

Because that knight named Ryan hadn't returned.

What if he did return?

Banda saw himself as the sorceress's bodyguard.

Staring at Teresa's graceful figure, Banda thought: If Ryan returned, Teresa would leave with him, and Banda would have to leave her.

What if Ryan went missing? Teresa might look for him or return to Sky Castle, and Banda would have no reason to follow.

What if Ryan died?

This thought startled Banda. No, Ryan saved his life.

But another voice argued: So what? You despise nobles like him. His death would be convenient, and it's not your doing.

Banda broke into a sweat, the winter wind making him shiver.

Once the thought was there, it wouldn't go away.

As Banda mused, the sorceress suddenly gasped, her voice filled with joy, "Ryan!"

Teresa, in high-heeled boots, ran to the newcomer, her face a mix of surprise and happiness, wanting to approach but hesitating slightly.

"Are you alright?" The sorceress, in a sky-blue coat, stood in front of the man.

"I'm fine. I promised I'd come back alive." Ryan's face was scarred, but he smiled to reassure Teresa.

"Yes, I always believed you would." The weight on her heart lifted, Teresa smiled brightly. Then, lifting her chin, she added, "A worthy partner of mine wouldn't die so easily."

The snow lotus on the mountain bloomed.