A hippogriff plummeted from the sky, and Angron, the Primarch of the World Eaters, returned to Gene Town with his cargo. In his hands, he held a gilded business card belonging to a bounty hunter.
After the battle, Brenna persuaded Angron, who was eager for more slaughter, to hold back. The bounty hunter explained that joining the conflict offered no benefits and posed significant risks. Moreover, the Skaven were notorious for their vengefulness. Brenna reasoned that creating trouble for Count Ryan would not be desirable.
Brenna spoke for a grueling five minutes, and fortunately, his last point resonated with Angron. Although Angron did not consider the previous issues as problematic, he now enjoyed his newfound good life and did not want to bring trouble to Ryan through reckless actions.
Thus, Angron decided to wrap his face in a towel and stormed forward. To Brenna's astonishment, he massacred an entire Stormvermin regiment, tore two Stormfiends in half, and decapitated a Skaven warlord.
Taking advantage of the chaos that ensued among the Skaven, Angron used their blood to draw a crude "U" shape on the ground and signaled the bounty hunter to retreat.
Back in Tilia, they collected the bounty. Brenna kept his word and handed Angron a reward of 300 gold crowns along with his business card, which detailed how to contact Tilia's most formidable bounty hunter in the future. The two then parted ways.
"Where's Ryan? I brought some specialties from Tilia," Angron approached the vineyard with numerous gifts, only to find it surrounded by over a hundred heavily armed Sea God Knights. Rogal was nearby, selling his homemade beverages to them: "Ryan's in a meeting inside. Angron, care to try my drink? It's full of loyalty!"
Rogal's concoctions, made from fruit juice, vegetables, and alcohol, came in odd colors: blood red, deep blue, dark green, and pale purple. Judging by the expressions of the Sea God Knights, the drinks seemed to be well-received.
"Loyalty?" Angron paused upon hearing that Ryan was occupied and scrutinized Rogal's drinks.
"Black Legion's drink, chosen by Abaddon himself! Drink it, and you'll belong to the Warmaster! Just kidding, it's an April Fool's joke," Rogal chuckled, clearly proud of his creations. He whispered, "I crafted four flavors: Khorne Skull, Tzeentch Beak, Nurgle Stew, and Slaanesh Bliss."
"None of those sound appealing," Angron noted, given that their relationship only started after the Great Betrayal, they were somewhat in the same circle. Angron's face darkened at Rogal's suggestions.
"Consider it a prank, just try it. I guarantee you won't regret it," Rogal urged.
"Fine... I'll try the Khorne Skull," Angron randomly chose.
Rogal poured a glass of the bubbling, blood-red liquid from a bottle. "Here you go."
Angron took the glass and downed it in one gulp.
Spicy! The drink was intensely spicy, with a mix of sour, sweet, bitter, and hot flavors that made Angron squint. Yet, the tomato juice's lingering taste and the smooth heat of vodka left him feeling surprisingly satisfied. "This actually tastes good."
"See? I mixed tomato juice, chili, pepper, and vodka with a touch of lemon and celery juice. It works well, doesn't it?" Rogal said proudly.
"Interesting."
While a new wine tasting event was happening outside the manor, inside, Duke Bodrick of Bordeleau sat across from Ryan. The Sea God Duke looked grim as he downed a full glass of red wine. "I heard you're planning to go to Estalia. Could you help me with something while you're there?"
Ryan indeed planned to visit Estalia soon, though he was unsure how Bodrick found out.
"The Trident of the Sea God is your family's heirloom. How was it stolen?" Ryan asked, puzzled.
"A band of rogue knights dug into our family tombs and stole the trident from the mausoleum," Bodrick seethed with anger. "I've investigated and confirmed that the perpetrators were Estalian brigands. Our enmity with them runs deep. This was a well-organized, premeditated act."
Ryan listened intently as Bodrick recounted the longstanding feud between Bordeleau and Estalia.
Estalia borders Bretonnia to the north, is separated from Tilia by the sea to the east, and faces the Nehekharan Desert across the ocean to the south. The nation comprises seven autonomous city-states and has never been unified. Its territory is comparable to Bretonnia's, with a population of about five million. Its flag features red, yellow, and red stripes with a white lion emblem.
Bretonnia's first encounter with Estalia was during the famous "Crimson Flame Expedition" (also known as the Arabyan Crusade) over 500 years ago. Under the leadership of Sultan Jaffar, the desert kingdom of Araby unified and invaded Estalia, nearly wiping it out. The Arabyans' ruthless tactics, killing everyone they encountered, drew the attention and outrage of the Empire and Bretonnia.
In response, the Emperor and the King of Bretonnia formed an alliance with Tilia, creating a massive expeditionary force of numerous knightly orders and tens of thousands of knights. This army liberated Estalia and then crossed the ocean to land in Araby. After years of hard-fought campaigns, they amassed an incredible amount of gold and other treasures from Araby and decapitated Sultan Jaffar, bringing vast wealth and glory back to the Old World.
However, the Estalians, instead of being grateful, envied the riches the knights acquired from Araby. Border skirmishes and maritime disputes have continued ever since. With Bretonnia and the Empire blocking the Chaos invasions from the north and being far from the green-skinned orcs' raids, Estalia prospered and built a powerful fleet, the so-called "Invincible Armada," eyeing Bretonnia's fertile lands.
Fifty years ago, the "Invincible Armada," launched from Estalia's mightiest state and de facto capital, Magritta, aimed to capture Bordeleau. But their initial plans were thwarted by ocean currents and chaotic sea winds, taking three weeks to reach Bordeleau.
They faced the Sea God Fleet led by the Duke of Bordeleau. Unprepared, the Invincible Armada fell into disarray under the Sea God Fleet's fierce assault.
In the heat of battle, the Duke of Bordeleau summoned the Sea God's Wrath. Massive tides and waves engulfed the Invincible Armada, grounding many ships. The knights captured numerous vessels and supplies, taking sailors and soldiers as prisoners. Estalia suffered a catastrophic defeat, with fewer than thirty ships returning to Magritta and over twenty thousand men lost. Their navy never recovered from this blow.
This deep-seated grudge between the Duke of Bordeleau and Estalia was why Bodrick sought Ryan's help. He had learned of Ryan's upcoming trip to Estalia and came to his territory to request assistance.
"What do you need me to do, my lord?" Ryan asked, understanding the situation. He clasped his hands, ready to negotiate terms.
"My men have discovered that these rogue knights have set up a base in the forests near the Principality of Bilbali. However, we lack precise details about their location. I need you to investigate and report their movements to me," Bodrick explained quietly. "Fedmond and I need your help, Ryan."
"But..." Ryan hesitated, and the Duke raised a hand to let him continue. "You know that Estalia is a country. Bilbali is an independent principality. If my forces march into Estalian territory uninvited, it's equivalent to Bretonnia declaring war on the Estalian city-states!"
Ryan's expression grew serious. Indeed, sending troops into another nation's land without permission was tantamount to declaring war. "So, you want me to handle a band of rogue knights and retrieve the Trident? That's crazy."
"No, I won't be that demanding," Bodrick shook his head. "But I hope to borrow your strength and have you mentor Fedmond. His bravery and virtues are unquestionable, but as my heir, he's still too inexperienced. Your guidance, as the Lady's chosen champion and a paragon of chivalry, would be invaluable."
"I'll assign you a small squad of elite knights to lead on a reconnaissance mission," the Duke continued. "The Sea God Knights and I will be waiting in international waters. Once you locate the Trident, our forces will swiftly invade Estalia, reclaim our family artifact, and retreat before they can react."
"Isn't that still akin to a declaration of war?" Ryan questioned.
"It won't be if we move quickly. With proper coordination and a brief incursion to recover the Trident, the Estalians wouldn't dare declare war. Unless their Invincible Armada fancies another crushing defeat," Bodrick said confidently.
Ryan sighed, acknowledging the Duke's logic. Given Estalia's weak military and the fall of their Invincible Armada, they stood no chance against Bretonnia's knights.
"So, what do I get in return?" It was time to negotiate. Ryan smiled, ready to discuss terms.
"Two thousand gold crowns and the friendship of my house," Bodrick offered sincerely. "And my support."
"That's too vague," Ryan shook his head. "I'm indeed heading to Estalia, but I think Fedmond, as an excellent Grail Knight, can handle this on his own..."
"My support includes, but is not limited to, your future campaign against Mousilon and my stance in the selection of the
king," the Duke added more leverage.
"And I want a share of your family's trade routes to Araby and Lustria. Of course, according to established rules," Ryan pressed further, aiming to open lucrative trade routes for his Ashen Legion's maritime trade.
"Agreed," Bodrick nodded.
"Deal. I'll handle my affairs and depart the day after tomorrow," Ryan concluded. "I'll also need to gather a few people to accompany me."
"My son Fedmond will be waiting with fifty Sea God Knights at the Manannan Drydock in Bordeleau."
With terms settled, Duke Bodrick left hastily.
"Ryan, what did Bodrick want?" Shortly after the Duke departed, Sulia entered, taking a seat beside Ryan.
"Just a favor while I'm in Estalia," Ryan nodded.
Indeed, Ryan's post-spring planting trip to Estalia was driven by a separate agenda involving the Lady of the Lake, Lillith.
Lillith, the Moon Goddess of the High Elves, once possessed three powerful artifacts, each capable of determining the fate of a race.
Lillith's Crown, which was shattered during the Witch King Malekith's invasion of Ulthuan, its fragments are being painstakingly collected and reforged by Teclis and the Council of Archmages.
Lillith's Moon Staff, currently wielded by the High Loremaster of Hoeth, Teclis.
The third artifact, the Sunfire Amulet, known for countering Chaos corruption and summoning heavenly flames to scorch everything in its path.
The Sunfire Amulet was lost during the reign of Phoenix King Morvael the Impetuous, who bestowed it upon his son, Prince Alariel, for a voyage. Alariel was defeated and killed, and the amulet vanished into the sea.
Ryan had recently learned that the Sunfire Amulet had resurfaced in Estalia, considered a holy relic of the War Goddess Myrmidia in Magritta. As the Lady's chosen champion, he received a divine mandate to reclaim the Sunfire Amulet.
Sulia knew Ryan had to undertake this mission. She sighed, "Bodrick sure knows how to seize an opportunity."
"It's not a big deal," Ryan reassured, holding his wife's hand. "It's not a major affair. You should stay and manage the estate. Your presence is indispensable here."
"Who are you taking with you?" Sulia asked, curious about his travel companions.
"I'm thinking of bringing Veronica, Olica, and Alfred," Ryan listed his team. This mission required a small, elite group. Veronica excelled at investigations and social interactions; Olica was skilled in interrogation and dark magic; Alfred's upright nature and affiliation with the Temple Knights would make their visit seem more like a leisurely trip. Plus, the Church of Justice's influence would deter the southern nations.
"Lady Teresa is busy overseeing the final stages of her wizard tower's construction, so she can't join you," Sulia agreed, though with a hint of melancholy. "Come back soon..."
While Emilia was expecting, Sulia, as his wife, still awaited...
"Leave the day after tomorrow with your team. But tonight, stay with me. It's also the Lady's will," Sulia blushed, expressing her longing for an heir.
"Of course!"
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