The first clash between the two combatants made the ground tremble. The greatsword in Gofang the Drunk's hand was a trophy from the dwarfs, full of nicks and faded runes. Tamuk Khan knew not to underestimate the green warlord in front of him, as some strange green energy and force field enveloped Gofang's greatsword.
That was the Waaagh! force field.
Just as the greenskins understood chaos, Gofang could see that although Tamuk Khan was using an ogre's body, a filthy, rotten human soul resided within.
Tamuk Khan knew the Waaagh! force field of the greenskins was not to be underestimated. This mysterious power lurking within the greenskins linked all their minds on the battlefield. This strange race couldn't be measured by common sense. Sometimes the Waaagh! energy was weak, but other times it was incredibly strong.
Was Gofang's Waaagh! field strong?
Clearly, Tamuk Khan could almost feel the palpable power surrounding Gofang.
Likewise, after a brief exchange, Gofang realized his opponent was no ordinary enemy. The foul green smoke and disgusting pus made even the incredibly resilient greenskin feel instinctive revulsion.
Spurring his wyvern, Gofang let out a furious roar, ready to battle Tamuk Khan again!
"Waaagh!" A green blur charged at Tamuk Khan. Gofang let out an ear-splitting roar as he lunged at Tamuk Khan, his sharp sword slicing through the air.
Tamuk Khan, not known for his speed, roared twice in anger, hastily blocking with his giant axe. Sparks flew as the sword struck the axe handle. Gofang and Tamuk Khan faced each other, the greenskin warlord paused for less than a second before roaring in Tamuk Khan's face: "Waaagh!"
Taking advantage of Tamuk Khan's two-handed grip on the axe, Gofang punched Tamuk Khan in the face!
"Smack!" The ogre's face deformed under the green warlord's strength, teeth flying from his mouth. It was painful, but thanks to Nurgle's blessings, Tamuk Khan could temporarily ignore the pain.
The clash between the greatsword and giant axe produced a grating noise. In the face of immense force, Tamuk Khan dodged another punch from Gofang, growling as he pushed Gofang's greatsword aside and swung his axe at Gofang's neck.
"Waaagh!" Gofang retracted his greatsword, fiercely blocking Tamuk Khan's attack. The force of the axe nearly knocked Gofang off his wyvern.
Instead, it ignited Gofang's fighting spirit!
This was the battle he desired!
This was Waaagh!
After three exchanges, Tamuk Khan's slower movements gave Gofang an opportunity. The green warlord's sword cleaved through Tamuk Khan's shoulder armor, leaving three gashes on his pus-filled and festering body. These only added minor injuries to Tamuk Khan's already decayed form.
In contrast, Tamuk Khan's counterattack began!
The duel continued for dozens of rounds, each wave of their battle more intense than the last. Under the immense power, the green energy on Gofang's greatsword surged!
He was getting stronger!
With the Waaagh! force field's boost, Gofang was nearly equal to Tamuk Khan and more agile. The over two-meter-tall, several-hundred-pound green warlord moved like a phantom.
Sensing their master's power, Gofang's wyvern and Tamuk Khan's toad dragon engaged in their own battle. The wyvern evaded the toad dragon's attack, then pounced, sinking its fangs into the toad dragon's neck!
The next second, the wyvern recoiled in pain, vomiting.
"Roar~ Roar!" The wounded toad dragon was fierce, grabbing the wyvern's wing. Tamuk Khan, riding the toad dragon, swung his axe, slicing open the wyvern's belly!
"Uwaaagh! My partner! Kill! I'll slaughter you!" Enraged by his mount's injury, Gofang leaped from the wyvern, attacking Tamuk Khan. His sword slashed deep into Tamuk Khan's right arm, the blade embedding in the rotten flesh.
"Mm~" Tamuk Khan showed no concern for his predicament. He thrust his axe, ending the wyvern's life. Turning back to Gofang, the green warlord's right claw gripped Tamuk Khan's neck tightly.
"Kill! Slaughter!" Gofang poured all his strength into his right arm. From his experience, this would crush any enemy's neck, securing victory for Gork.
Just as Gofang hoped, Tamuk Khan seemed unable to breathe, his movements slowing.
But seconds passed without the expected choking and bone-crushing sounds.
Tamuk Khan's face bore a strange smile.
His axe swung upward with a foul wind!
The green skin split open! Gofang, panicking, dodged, saving his life but not his victory. The axe blade slashed his skull and part of his brain! Red blood spurted from the green warlord's head, adding a new hue to the desolate mountains. Gofang's thunderous scream resonated as his arm weakened. He couldn't understand why his opponent hadn't fallen under such force, but he had no time left.
The green warlord tried to grab his greatsword, but Tamuk Khan gave him no chance. The axe's horizontal sweep sent Gofang flying, landing nearby. His loyal big'uns rushed to rescue their severely wounded leader, their cries of disbelief echoing as they fled.
Tamuk Khan wanted to order a pursuit but found himself voiceless. Knowing his vocal cords were damaged, he focused on invoking Nurgle's blessings to recover his voice.
In those few seconds of hesitation, dozens of big'uns carried the injured Gofang into a hidden passage, vanishing into the mountains.
No one noticed a dwarf gyrocopter observing from the clouds. The engineer aboard nodded, put away his binoculars, and quickly flew off to report to the High King.
With the warboss defeated, the greenskin army lost their will to fight. They scattered, trying to retreat, but the ruthless Kurgan warriors and Chaos Dwarfs gave no quarter. A massacre ensued at Death's Pass. By the battle's end, the pass was filled with greenskin corpses, mixed with over twenty thousand Kurgan and Chaos Dwarf bodies. For months, it became a dreaded place, avoided by even the mightiest greenskin warlords and rampaging beastmen.
"Victory!"
"Victory! Victory! Victory!"
"For Nurgle! For the Father's love!"
The chaotic army's victorious cries echoed through the desolate mountains. Few could defeat a greenskin army in the badlands, let alone the powerful warlord of Black Rock Fort, Gofang the Drunk!
Today, the Kurgans had done it!
Tamuk Khan shouted in victory but had to face the fact—his army had suffered heavy losses. From the initial tens of thousands, only sixty or seventy thousand remained, including new beastmen, ogres, and Chaos Dwarfs. He convened a war council and held a massive sacrificial ceremony, offering countless greenskin heads and spoils to Father Nurgle. The god responded, and Tamuk Khan declared their conquest of Charlemagne's empire, presenting ultimate glory and gifts to the chaos gods!
The stirring victory and Nurgle's response boosted the chaotic army's morale. Tamuk Khan's forces crossed Death's Pass, bypassing Black Rock Fort and heading for the Border Princes.
Tamuk Khan's reputation spread throughout the badlands. From ghouls to Lamia's undead, greenskin and goblin tribes heard of his name.
The Chaos throne grew nearer. An unprecedented calamity loomed over the Border Princes' chaotic, disordered, and impoverished lands.
But for now, the people were unaware.
***
At this time, Nuln remained in its usual noisy, bustling state. The Nuln armory never stopped, its forges' flames, smoke, and noise became a part of daily life. Workers toiled by day and spent nights in taverns, their pockets filled with gold marks and silver coins from overtime pay.
Emilia prioritized workers' welfare, knowing they were Nuln's most crucial component. Overtime was compensated with double pay, always promptly issued.
As the southern stronghold and transportation hub of the Empire, Nuln was always well-informed, rivaling Altdorf. Citizens enjoyed gathering in taverns or cafes after work, engaging in lively discussions and debates, a habit of Nuln's residents. Besides Altdorf, Nuln's people felt superior to others in the Empire.
Recently, three topics dominated conversations.
First, the Empire was on the brink of civil war again. The Nordland, Ostland, and Hochland were poised for large-scale conflict. Emperor Karl Franz was preparing to mediate in Herzig, Hochland's capital, with the new Supreme Patriarch Gelt accompanying him.
Nuln's opinion was indifferent: Civil war? Fine, but what does it matter to us noble Nuln citizens?
Second, Bretonnia's crown prince, Duke of Mousillon, and the Lady of the Lake's chosen champion, Ryan, reached an agreement with Nuln's council. The Bretonnian student exchange program and the introduction of advanced technology and skilled talent from Nuln were formalized. Bretonnia's arms market opened to Nuln, with Ryan encouraging Nuln's elite to settle in Mousillon, offering generous terms that attracted many discontented engineers and skilled workers from the Empire who were eager to take up his offer.
Third, the Duchy of Mousillon in Bretonnia officially signed the Nuln Treaty with Nuln and Wissenland.
The core content of the Nuln Treaty included three main points:
1. Nuln and the Duchy of Mousillon would exchange territories to strengthen their relationship. Nuln offered a district outside Nuln University in the affluent area in exchange for two castles and surrounding territories along the coast of Mousillon. This district would be renamed Knight Street, becoming part of Ryan's domain. The two castles in Mousillon would soon be vacated, awaiting Nuln's nobles and military forces to take residence.
2. Nuln and Wissenland signed a trade agreement with Ryan, committing to jointly establish a new trade route along the Grey Lady's Road.
3. The parties formalized a mutual non-aggression pact and a defensive alliance, agreeing that if one side faced difficulties, the other would provide military assistance and sufficient war funds and logistical support.
Ryan and Emilia signed the treaty, marking a significant step in deepening the alliance between the Empire and Bretonnia. Thanks to Ryan's efforts over the years, he had established close alliances with Reikland, Middenland, and Wissenland, elevating the friendly relations between the two countries to a peak not seen since the Great Holy War.
This had a profound impact on all of Nuln and the Empire. Ryan, the Grail Knights, and the Nuln Treaty became the city's hottest topics.
As April arrived, the Golden Smile Music Hall hosted a grand masquerade ball as scheduled, attended by numerous nobles and artists.
Ryan and his associates also began their operations as planned.
The treaties, alliances, and agreements reflected the intricate politics and strategic maneuvers shaping the future of the Empire and Bretonnia. Each step brought them closer to a unified front against the looming chaos and threats from the badlands.
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