In May, the vast ocean witnessed the Sea God Fleet returning to the Manann Drydock in Bordeleaux.
Inside the grand cabin of the Manann's Wrath, the flagship of the Bordeleaux fleet, the afternoon sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. The salty sea breeze wafted in, mingling with the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the ship's hull.
Veronica lay on the soft, large bed, exhausted and aching, while the Dark Elf, Olica, sat beside Ryan, pouring him tea. Ryan himself was seated at the desk, engrossed in writing.
"Three weeks out, three battles fought, and five hundred gold crowns as our reward," Veronica remarked, her face still flushed from their recent intimacy. The sorceress from Garland teased, "Besides that, we've spent countless hours making love. I wonder if this trip was a gain or a loss."
Ryan chuckled at her words. He finished sealing the letter with his ring and then turned to smile at her. "If you only count the immediate gains, it might seem like a loss. But we also had the rare chance to spend time together. As a lord, opportunities like this will only become scarcer."
Veronica clung to a soft pillow, pouting. "Sometimes, I wish you were still that dusty-faced rogue knight, so I could have you all to myself forever. But on the other hand, I want you to rise higher and higher because that benefits my future greatly. Being a sorceress, I have many expenses."
"People are always full of contradictions," Ryan nodded. As a count, he now carried an air of authority. Only in private did he show his gentler side. Veronica often reminded herself not to take his presence for granted and to remember his changing role.
Despite his elevated status, Ryan's preferences hadn't changed. He moved to sit beside Veronica on the bed and began gently massaging her slender waist and delicate feet. "Don't you enjoy it?" he teased.
"My love, can you tell me how you became friends with that Imperial Grand Alchemist?" Veronica, enjoying the massage, asked sweetly. "I saw you two seem to have become quite close."
"Gelt? Sort of. We found common ground on some issues, and that paved the way for our friendship," Ryan replied softly. "All you need to know is that our interests align."
After successfully defeating the rogue knights and recovering the Sea God Trident, Duke Bodrick of Bordeleaux, with Ryan as the mediator, met with Balthasar Gelt. Gelt requested Bodrick's help in recovering the Sea Gold Amulet from the tombs of Estalia.
Fredemond, moved by Gelt's appeal, recognized the threat vampires posed to the human world. Allowing such a large undead army to roam unchecked in the southern lands was not wise.
However, Duke Bodrick was pragmatic. He calmly asked what the Sea God Knights would gain from aiding Gelt.
Gelt, seemingly prepared for this, presented five chests filled with Estalian gold coins, known as Excellentes. He assured Duke Bodrick that if he and his forces helped, the gold would be theirs.
Contrary to expectations, Duke Bodrick was skeptical about the authenticity of the coins. He declined Gelt's offer.
Realizing his reputation for past shady dealings had spread across the Old World, Gelt was forced to negotiate with tangible goods. He agreed to exchange three hundred sets of standard-issue armor from the Brunnsburg Arms Factory and five mortars with twenty crates of ammunition for Bodrick's support.
Even with the aid of Ryan and the Sea God Knights, the battle at the Estalian tombs was perilous for two main reasons.
Firstly, Gelt's force of over ten thousand Imperial soldiers, apart from a Brunnsburg Handgun Regiment, a squad of Vanguard Knights, and a unit of Solar Knights, lacked elite troops.
Balthasar Gelt, as the Grand Alchemist and head of the Alchemy College, had limited influence despite Emperor Karl Franz's trust. He was not yet the Imperial Supreme Patriarch and could only command regular Imperial troops. The Handgun Regiment and Vanguard Knights were mobilized due to Gelt's good relations with the Brunnsburg Arms Factory.
Secondly, Gelt himself was not a particularly skilled commander. When Vampire Baron Leopold Harken led his undead army, mounted on a zombie dragon, the coalition was pushed to the brink. At one point, the necromancer king nearly reached Gelt himself.
However, the Grand Alchemist remained unfazed. Using his ultimate alchemy, he transformed the necromancer king into a golden statue in his final agonizing moments. Finally, Fredemond and Duke Bodrick led the Sea God Knights in a flanking charge, while Ryan, mounted on his griffon, fought the vampire baron in the skies, ultimately slaying him and securing victory.
"The Grand Alchemist got his hands on the Sea Gold Amulet... one of the relics left by the High Elves before they departed the Old World," Veronica mused, still fixated on Gelt's acquisition. "My dear, you really should have reserved some benefits for your court sorceress instead of giving all the good stuff to others."
Ryan laughed heartily at her remark. Veronica's jealousy was understandable. The Sea Gold Amulet, a treasured heirloom left by the High Elves, had powerful anti-Chaos corruption properties, could repel various dark spells, and in times of crisis, unleashed stored magical winds to obliterate enemies. It also enhanced the wearer's agility and speed.
Typically, magical artifacts possess a single ability, but the Sea Gold Amulet, with its multiple potent properties, was exceedingly rare. Such items were typically crafted only by the High Elf archmages of Hoeth or the mage-priests of Lustria, with many ancient techniques already lost.
"But you already have the best," Ryan reminded her, his gaze settling on the ring on Veronica's finger. "Trust me, this ring is no less powerful than the Sea Gold Amulet."
"Well... okay," Veronica conceded, knowing that Ryan's ring was indeed exceptional. Sorcerers are inherently greedy, a trait intrinsic to their profession.
Satisfied, Veronica playfully nudged Ryan's chest with her nylon-clad foot. "Speaking of which, Alfred ended up returning alone, didn't he?"
"That was his choice, and I must respect it," Ryan sighed. "I never anticipated this outcome."
"I think you should set up a match for your friend," Veronica suggested.
"Alfred prefers to let things happen naturally," Ryan nodded, lifting Olica onto his lap. "We should respect that. Forcing it might backfire."
"So, what are your plans next? Are you really going to take on Mousilon?" Veronica asked, turning over and hiding her graceful figure under the thin quilt. "Can't you take a break for ten or twenty years? We've fought more battles together than my fellow sorceresses combined!"
"Taking Mousilon is definitely on the agenda. We'll rest this year and start preparing for the Spire Palace assault next year. It's what we agreed on at the year-end meeting." Ryan shook his head. The End Times were approaching, and he couldn't afford to slow down.
"Fine, then let your little princess go next time. I'm not going," Veronica said, feigning a pout.
At that moment, Olica, the Dark Elf in Ryan's lap, spoke softly, "Don't worry, Lady Veronica. If you don't go, I'll accompany Master. I'll always be with him."
"See, Veronica? If you don't go, Olica will," Ryan said, feeling pleased. He gave the Dark Elf a kiss on the cheek.
"???" Veronica's almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise.
This treacherous Dark Elf! How dare she switch sides?
Wasn't she supposed to be on my side?
Olica, still in Ryan's embrace, smirked slyly, a dark aura flickering around her face as she shot a furtive, sinister glance.
Foolish humans.
---
#### **Meanwhile, in the New World, Lustria, at the First City, Itza.**
On the ancient Great Pyramid, the First Generation Slann Mage-Priest, Kroq-Gar, who had once been personally taught the secrets of magic by the Old One, Potek, was seated on his golden throne. His lifeless body was gradually regaining vitality, and his soul was slowly returning to his body.
He was awakening.
A veil of ethereal light enveloped Kroq-Gar's remains. The ancient city of Itza, a witness to countless ages, remained serene. The hot wind rustled through the primordial jungle, stirring waves through the vast forest canopy.
Itza, the largest of the surviving Lizardmen temple cities, was the home of the world's most powerful and oldest magic practitioners. Among them was the greatest and mightiest of all Slanns, Kroq-Gar, who had long defended the city with indomitable will and strength. Since the Great Chaos Invasion, Itza had withstood numerous threats, never succumbing to invaders, be they savage Chaos Daemons or the cunning Skaven.
The Great Pyramid of Itza stood as a testament to its grandeur, with more pyramids clustered here than in any other temple city. Each pyramid served as a residence for a Slann, although many now lay empty. Towering as high as mountains, these pyramids made the city seem boundless, visible in its entirety only to supreme beings. Within Itza, thousands of Saurus patrols maintained vigilance, Terradon riders watched from the skies, and countless ancient beasts monitored every movement in the dense jungle.
Skinks busied themselves within the city, always whispering in hus
hed tones, fearful of making any mistake as they worked towards the Great Plan. The paths leading to Itza were treacherous, guarded fiercely. Any unwelcome visitors were captured and thrown into the Carnosaur pits or the sacrificial pits of Sotek, offering a bloody tribute to the serpent god.
Yet, by extraordinary fortune, a small group of humans had been granted the rare privilege of visiting Itza. This group, consisting of several greatswordsmen and workers, was transporting several crates of the finest Winfort wine, "Lusarius," and exquisite High Elf wines to the Great Pyramid of Itza.
"Oh my gods, praise the Lady of Wealth," muttered Hadrian, the president of the Luigi Trading Company, as he carefully followed a large group of ferocious Saurus infantry and a Skink priest through Itza. Awestruck by the colossal pyramids, this prominent southern merchant was nearly numb with amazement.
The grand avenue leading to Itza stretched for miles, serving as the main thoroughfare of the city. Massive Lizardmen statues lined the road, leaving a deep impression on the invited guests. The towering sentinels silently and vigilantly watched over the passing mortals. Though their bases remained still, the heads of the statues slowly turned, eyes tracking the visitors' every move. Marshlands stretched alongside the road, flanking the majestic city.
Hadrian suddenly felt the insignificance and fragility of humanity. Perhaps the strength humans prided themselves on was trivial in the face of these ancient races. The merchant swallowed hard and turned his gaze towards the top of a nearby pyramid.
A thick beam of light shot from the pyramid's peak, piercing the heavens.
"Please follow me, esteemed guests," the Skink priest urged, noticing Hadrian's hesitation. "Lord Mazdamundi and his guests are waiting for you."
"Y-yes, of course!" Hadrian hurriedly signaled his men to keep moving.
They were here to deliver the wine.
---
Thirty minutes later.
Inside the grand pyramid of Itza, the Lord of Humanity, the Primarch of the Emperor's Children, and the Primarch of the Raven Guard were sampling the finest wines this world had to offer.
The Emperor's handsome face bore a faint pallor, the toll of resurrecting Lord Kroq-Gar had been enormous, draining even the Emperor's considerable power. The strength of the first-generation Slann was comparable to that of the former Chancellor of the Empire, Malcador.
Fulggrim, concerned, watched his father's complexion closely. Once assured the Emperor was merely fatigued, he took a large barrel of "Lusarius" wine from Hadrian. Fulggrim poured three full goblets using enameled cups. "Father, Corvus."
"In the eternal gloom, only wine remains worthy," the Lord of Humanity accepted the goblet. He savored the deep red wine, a rare warmth touching his usually cold features. "I remember back on Terra during the 2K era, wine was accessible to both the rich and the poor. But now, only the most esteemed, the most honored, and the wealthiest families can afford even a small cup."
The Emperor had a well-known fondness for fine wine, a fact remembered by those who had once fought the stars alongside him, including the Primarchs and Custodes. Fulggrim and Corvus also knew of their father's love for wine. Every visit to Ryan's estate saw the Emperor leaving with a substantial amount of wine from Ryan's cellar.
"Sulia's family, Ryan's wife, produces the finest wine in the Old World. These barrels of 'Lusarius' were difficult to obtain, even through Ryan's connections," Fulggrim remarked, raising his goblet. "Corvus, do you recall our last shared drink?"
"When you were not yet a traitor," Corvus muttered, closing his eyes as he let the wine slide down his throat, appreciating its richness.
"My legion once had the finest wine masters from the noble families of Terra. Sadly, my collection now lies in the Eye of Terror, mostly ruined." Fulggrim reminisced about his past glories with a sigh. "If given the chance, I would love to rebuild my winemaking team."
The Primarchs, too, had a penchant for fine wine.
"Fulggrim, tomorrow Corvus and I will depart from here," the Emperor stated calmly, holding his goblet. "Kroq-Gar's awakening will attract numerous enemies. The shield will not hide the magical winds stirred by his resurrection. Your task is to guard Kroq-Gar until his full revival."
"Father, where will you go next?" Fulggrim asked, acknowledging his understanding.
"I will visit Nuln in the Old World, to see a woman who is with child. The child is Ryan's, and I must see her," the Emperor replied with a nod. "Then, with Lorgar in tow, I shall return to Terra."
"I understand."
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