Warhammer Divine Throne-Chapter 778 - 344, Deliberation on Taking Black Stone Fortress (2nd update!)

PS: Recently, some people have complained about the slow pacing, but I must say that this is necessary to sort out the plot and various relationships. Without these parts, the story later on would seem confusing, so please be patient. Here, let's add another chapter~

The Lake God Witch's face changed several times; it was awkward whether to leave or enter, leaving her somewhat at a loss.

"Your Highness Mogiana? Perfect timing, we've just ordered a hotpot. Join us," Laine said, knowing full well why the Lake God Witch was there. To ease the awkwardness, he quickly added, "You haven't had dinner yet, have you?"

"Yes, Your Highness Mogiana," Surya echoed Laine, smiling gracefully, "Since you're here, join us for the hotpot. It's no trouble at all."

After hesitating for a moment, Mogiana eventually nodded.

The Lake God Witch had originally intended to visit Laine that evening. Seeing no servants outside his room, she planned to knock and enter directly.

She hadn't expected that, being her family's castle, Francois hadn't arranged for servants to stand guard outside.

Mogiana was dressed in a classical white silk gown that evening. She accepted the invitation and sat down on Laine's other side, calmly saying, "Family dining together?"

"Yes, please, Your Highness Mogiana." Laine filled the Lake God Witch's glass with red wine. Mogiana's attention was clearly not on the food; she haphazardly ate a few mouthfuls, occasionally glancing at Surya.

This made Surya feel uncomfortable. The female knight, having stayed with Laine several times, was not entirely ignorant of the relationship between Mogiana and Laine. She smiled tenderly at Mogiana without saying a word.

She had the full support of the Lake Fairy, so even Mogiana couldn't threaten her position. It was destined that Surya would be Laine's wife.

Mogiana could sense the sincerity and firmness in Surya's expression, and indeed as Surya thought, the Lake God Witch couldn't resist the Lake Fairy's decision. Therefore, even the very authoritative Mogiana in the country could only nod towards Surya, avoiding further eye contact, and continued to dine together.

The presence of the Lake God Witch cooled down the hotpot feast considerably. With her around, many topics couldn't be discussed, which Laine and Francois both noticed. The Duke of Winford straightforwardly shifted the topic to the Lake God Witch: "Your Highness Mogiana, is there something you need from Laine at this time?"

"I came to discuss the matter regarding Musillon," Mogiana said without hesitation, "As everyone knows, the knight army led by Duke Lorne-Rio Cornwall still cannot conquer Musillon..."

Mogiana shared what she knew with Francois's family about the Black Chalice Knight, as previously mentioned.

"Indeed, Musillon is a problem," Francois nodded quietly after listening, "But my dear, the kingdom is now exhausted and cannot consider reclaiming Musillon."

"But the threat of Musillon remains. If we don't attack Musillon, we won't learn what Akhan has done to Mathew Bade, nor will we find out the next move of Vampire Count Manfred and Witch Demon King Akhan," Mogiana expressed her view, "This is nothing but waiting for death."

Laine and Francois agreed with this point, but attacking Musillon at this time was unrealistic.

"Akhan and Manfred's objective is very clear—their actions aim to resurrect the Master of the Undead, Nagash," Jerald interjected with his opinion as he placed a slice of freshly cooked beef into his bowl, "So we must ask, what is needed for Nagash's resurrection?"

"First, we can confirm that Nagash's resurrection requires several vessels capable of containing enormous amounts of mana, much like Her Highness Mogiana, and in significant numbers. Based on the known information, apart from the Merciful Goddess Archbishop, other religious sects also have missing Divine Chosen Priests," Laine contemplated, "Then we can be sure that the vampires' target will definitely be these mortals walking among the Chosen Ones."

"Hmm." Mogiana also agreed with this point.

"Then… there are Nagash's Nine Volumes. What we know about Nagash's Nine Volumes is only that one volume located in the Borelion Duchy has been taken by Mathew Bade. As for the other volumes, we only know that approximately fifty years ago, Akhan once rallied an undead army to attack the Imperial Capital Brunswick, and after distracting the defense, he seized the chance to sneak into the Justice Church's underground temple to steal one of the Nine Volumes. This particular volume was the one Charlemagne obtained after using the Warhammer 'Gail-Malaz' to smash Nagash's skull in the 'Battle of the Rick River,' " Laine continued, "Apart from the Nine Volumes and sacrifices, what else is needed to resurrect Nagash?"

At this point in the analysis, Francois's eyes lit up: "Do you think the Staff of Nagash might be a crucial magical artifact among them?"

"The Staff of Nagash? Very likely! I remember that staff is currently placed in the La-Mesnil Abbey in the Gray Mountain Range?" Mogiana's sea-green eyes glowed, "That battle where you defeated the Holy Sanctuary Undead Grand Wizard Heinrich Kemler and stopped Kemler from stealing the Staff of Nagash."

Nearly fifteen years ago, the Duke of Winford, Francois, gained fame through the Battle at Maisonnerie Monastery. This war occurred at a renowned chapel in the Gray Mountain dedicated to the God of Nature, Tal, called La-Mesnil Abbey. The abbey was first attacked by a Gray Prophet from the Skaven Ratmen, who stole a treasure. Kemler's undead army and Francois's knight army both arrived shortly after. In the ensuing three-way battle, the Ratmen were the first to crumble, followed by the destruction of the undead army by Francois and his knights. Francois beheaded half of Kemler's skull, recovering the stolen treasure, and left Kemler's mind fragmented and weakened, forcing him to retreat.

This treasure is the "Staff of Nagash".

"Yes, that staff is too powerful. I have already ordered the Lake God Prophet to reseal it within the Maisonnerie Monastery and dispatched heavy troops for its protection." Francois nodded, "The Staff of Nagash cannot be destroyed, only sealed, and we cannot seal it in densely populated areas, so sealing it in the monastery is the best choice."

"So, the Staff of Nagash must also be a crucial component for resurrecting Nagash," the female knight Surya said softly. She turned to Francois, "Father, that Kemler must also be an important executor of Nagash's resurrection plan."

"Indeed, that scoundrel Kemler is now hiding in the Gray Mountain Range, and most probably at the Black Stone Fortress. He's secretly corrupting the eastern border of Brittania." Francois's eyes were filled with cold rage, having vowed to kill Kemler, "However, we are helpless against the Black Stone Fortress. It's located deep in the Gray Mountain Range, with steep terrain and strong fortifications. We only have a few catapults, and our elite troops are all cavalry; there's no way to breach such a steep high mountain fortress."

Everyone furrowed their brows. Indeed, knights cannot display their combat prowess in mountainous terrain, and Brittania's siege weapons consist only of cumbersome, difficult-to-transport catapults, so for over a decade, Francois has been helpless against the Black Stone Fortress. All he can do is drive away the Undead, unable to completely eradicate them.

The dining room was momentarily filled only with the bubbling sound of the hot pot as those seated pondered.

"Perhaps we could discuss this matter with the Empire. They likely wouldn't want a Vampire stronghold in the Gray Mountains either?" Julius tentatively suggested.

"No, there's a problem here. Even if we recapture the Black Stone Fortress, humans cannot settle there, so it could very well turn into a ghost town, and it's only a matter of time before the Vampires reoccupy it." Francois shook his head repeatedly, "That's not feasible, and the Imperial Army isn't adept at mountain warfare either."

"If the Empire won't work... what about the Dwarves?" Laine's eyes lit up as he clasped Surya's small hand under the table and said to Mogiana and Francois, "How about we enlist our Dwarven friends' help? Together we can reclaim the Black Stone Fortress. Since we can't settle there, why not do the Dwarves a favor by giving it to them?"

"Giving it to the Dwarves? Hmm~ that's a good idea. Better for the Dwarves to have it than the Vampires. We just need to set clear boundaries, establish alliances, engage in trade, and supply food; it's difficult for Dwarves and humans to clash. But will the Dwarves agree?" Francois pondered the pros and cons.

"They will. A Dwarf and his clan really need a castle like this," Laine smiled, "They need it badly; he's already a homeless king, and he won't refuse."

The rest of dinner was spent in discussion.

"I think it's feasible, and right now, everyone is conveniently gathered," After thorough deliberation, Francois and Laine agreed on a complete plan. The Duke of Winford was very pleased, "Negotiating with the Dwarves will be your responsibility, Laine. You're always good at communicating with Dwarves, Elves, and these kinds of races."

"No problem. In this case, it's the Dwarves who need to ask us, not the other way around. Although Dwarves... are stubborn and care about face, if we choose the right words and are sincere, they definitely won't refuse us. Besides, Dwarves aren't really fools; they remember when we've helped them, and when we need help in the future, they'll lend a hand." Laine said with a smile.

The female knight listened as Laine easily solved a problem that had troubled her father for over a decade. Her elegant and noble face was adorned with a smile, and stars filled her eyes as she linked Laine's arm, "Laine, my husband, you surely have a way."

"It's not that I have a way, Surya, it's just that there's a chance," Laine reached out and brushed through Surya's golden wavy hair, scented with the aroma of irises, "My lady."

The female knight blushed but spoke seriously, "It's not the opportunity, Laine; it's you who are skillful. Only you thought of these things, while Father did not."

"Hahahahaha~" Francois chuckled with a wry smile, shaking his head, "Surya, you really are... I didn't think of it, so there's no need to say it out loud! Give me some dignity in front of Laine!"

"Father... Isn't Laine part of our family now?" The female knight blushed deeply and whispered.

"Hahahahaha~" The dining hall was filled with laughter.

......

The next day, the Empire and Laine's side officially signed a contract for the employment of Ugoer Cavalry and an agreement on opening the export of a small number of Half-Elf Warhorses and increasing the export of Wood Elf medicines.

Just after signing the contract, Duke Bodric of Boldro immediately stood up and called out to everyone preparing to leave, "Everyone, please wait a moment."

"I want to introduce someone to all of you."