Warhammer Divine Throne-Chapter 640 - 282, Crossing the Gray Mountain Range (Part 2)_2

"Casvan's movements are quite swift; my advisors initially estimated he wouldn't set out until February." The Emperor murmured to himself, holding a monocular, a masterpiece crafted by the masters of engineering from the Nuer Gunpowder Factory.

The decision for a personal reconnaissance was made by the Emperor himself. Despite the strenuous objections from the Imperial General and his courtiers against the Emperor venturing out personally, Carl Franz insisted, deciding to conduct the reconnaissance himself with full imperial dignity, and his reasoning was quite sound.

In such cold, rainy, and snowy weather, even a Pegasus cannot soar high above the Gray Mountain Range, only the Emperor's steed, Death's Claw, can accomplish this, and there are no Horned Eagle Beasts in Casvan's army, so the Emperor could conduct reconnaissance with peace of mind.

"Let's go, Death's Claw, back we go." After confirming the enemy's scale and the estimated number of knights, Carl Franz turned to return.

Crossing the peaks of the Gray Mountain Range, passing through the clouds above the mountains, over the sparse alpine grasslands, pastures, and countless villages and farms flourishing within Rick Territory, Carl Franz arrived at Hemgart.

Here, tens of thousands of Imperial troops were assembling. Clusters of the Rick Guard, hundreds of half-Griffin Knights from the Griffin Knight Order, the Musket Battalion from Brunswick, the vanguard Attendant regiment of the Nuer Iron Armor Army, the Cannon Squad, the Hellstorm Rocket Artillery Brigade from Calon Castle's elite Great Swordsmen Legion, the Griffin Great Swordsmen Legion from Brunswick, and the First, Second, and Third Infantry Corps from Rick Territory, Brunswick's Long Halberd First Company, and Third Company...

The Imperial Royal Wizard Corps, led by the Imperial Grand Alchemist Biersaze Gaert, also arrived in Hemgart, preparing to engage Duke Casvan's vast army.

The Rick Territory, directly under the Emperor, always possessed the Empire's most elite troops and finest weaponry. In this dark era, only orderly armies, excellent firearms, and devout faith can bring hope to the people.

Additionally, Toscan Prince-Elector and Avey Territory's Grand Duke "Fierce Sun Lion" Umberto Corleone also led eight thousand troops to Hemgart. The Bull Knight Order and his own elite Golden Fleece Knight Order are heading to the front line, ready to contest with the knights of Brittania, known as the strongest in the Old World.

Umberto also brought two regiments of Great Swordsmen and swarms of Long Halberdiers. Furthermore, the army from the Avey Territory boasted swarms of Musketeers and Dwarf mercenaries. These Dwarfs from the mountains had long joined the Empire's citizenry, caring not about their opponents as long as there was an ample supply of malt beer.

Now, tens of thousands of Imperial troops were gathering at Hemgart, with tents almost suffocatingly carpeting the surroundings like forgotten ancient war chessboards. The city's residents eagerly peered from their windows, witnessing the splendor of the Imperial troops, eagerly wanting to see the Prince-Elector and His Majesty the Emperor himself.

A black dot appeared in the sky, drawing the attention of the Imperial troops. Imperial General Kurt Heilberg shouted to the Emperor's Standard Bearer, Ludwig-Schwarzhammer: "It's His Majesty! He has returned!"

"Prepare to greet His Majesty!" the Emperor's Standard Bearer bellowed angrily with his booming voice, the aged Ludwig's voice almost covering the entire military camp. Instantly, the Imperial troops paused their activities, preparing to welcome their beloved Emperor.

Death's Claw appeared like a flash of lightning, tearing through clouds and air, landing in the Imperial camp. Carl Franz leaped down from the Griffin and affectionately tapped his fist on the back of the Griffin's neck: "You've worked hard, old buddy."

"Good morning, Your Majesty~"

"My Emperor, my salute to you."

"My Emperor, have the knights from across the mountain arrived?"

The Emperor received the army's adoration, with a faint smile and contentment on Carl Franz's youthful and heroic face. Compared to battling with the noble enemies at the Imperial court, the Emperor preferred being in the military camp, for the army and soldiers always welcomed their Emperor, unlike the sycophantic nobles.

Clad in a Golden Cloak, a Golden Mask, and a Golden Robe, holding the Golden Staff, the Imperial Grand Alchemist Geld steadily approached, about to speak to the Emperor personally, when Imperial General Kurt Heilberg spoke first: "My Emperor, you have returned?"

"Yes, I have returned. I have good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear?" Carl Franz's voice carried a hint of humor.

"I want to hear the bad news," a Rick Guard shouted, his actions eliciting laughter among the Imperial Knights.

"The bad news is, I scouted that Casvan and his forces are advancing along the Path of the Grey Lady." The Emperor let out a low chuckle, appearing unworried: "It's earlier than we expected."

"And what's the good news?" a Rick Guard shouted along.

"The good news is, we can have a grand battle!" Carl Franz raised his hand, the Emperor's voice rang out: "Prepare, my soldiers, are you ready for a grand battle with the knights across the mountains?!"

"Franz! Franz! Franz!" The shout, starting from somewhere unknown, was known to have originated from the Griffin Great Swordsmen Legion, and gradually flowed from a small stream into rivers and lakes, evolving into a storm.

"Franz! Franz! Franz!"

Tens of thousands of Imperial troops' shouts shook the entire Hemgart city and surrounding lands, the city walls trembled, and everyone praised the Emperor's name.

The Emperor's Standard Bearer Ludwig's face brimmed with pride, he was no longer young, yet he was still willing to devote his life to Carl Franz.

Ludwig was the eldest son of an Avey Territory blacksmith, awakening his talent and joining the army at nine. His formidable strength quickly caught the attention of the former Emperor Luitpold. He was chosen into the Rick Guard, becoming a member of the Imperial Guard, and his reputation soared through numerous duels and wars.

However, as his reputation grew, Ludwig found himself having to attend various banquets and indescribable noble events, witnessing the internal corruption and arrogance among the empire's nobles, alongside the struggles and pains of hundreds of poor people. Nobles encroached on farmers' lands, many poor people worked hard yet went hungry, and Luitpold's indulgence made people's lives increasingly difficult, leaving Ludwig powerless.

Thus, he gradually became reticent, refraining from changing anything.

Everything changed when young Emperor Carl inherited his father. In Carl, he felt a leadership quality distinct from those corrupt nobles, firmly believing Carl could transform the empire, thus he willingly became the young Emperor's personal guard, staying by his side, becoming his sword and shield.

With Carl Franz's efforts, substantial lands were reclaimed from corrupt nobles and returned to the hands of the farmers. Swarms of corrupt nobles faced collective execution, their lands either reclaimed by the Emperor or awarded to meritorious soldiers. Rick Territory was rejuvenated, and while some decadent nobles loathed the young Emperor, numerous assassination attempts against him were thwarted by Ludwig, replaced with vengeance from the Emperor.

The Emperor's Standard Bearer firmly believed that as long as Carl Franz existed, humanity would still have hope.

Umberto Prince-Elector, with the Holy Sword "Mother of Destruction" at his waist, his expression a mix of emotions upon witnessing the Emperor's esteemed high reputation, nevertheless reached out: "Please forgive my interruption, Carl Franz."

"Of course, Lord Umberto." Carl Franz displayed a hint of dissatisfaction over the interruption but still showed respect to Umberto. The Prince-Elector before him is the only current Prince-Elector who had experienced that Great Holy War; he was over two hundred years old this year, and in terms of seniority, Carl Franz could call him great-grandfather.

"Reports from scouts indicate that the Divine Chosen Champion 'Pious' Laine Macado of the Lake Fairy, Duke de Winford 'Long Legs' Francois-André-Tancrède de Winford, and several knights have arrived at Ubeseric." Umberto coughed a few times.

"My Emperor, what do you plan to do?"