Inside Blackstone Hall, the Nuln City Council meeting continued.
"My Duchess, around one-fifth to one-fourth of the major nobles are already packing up, selling their estates, and preparing to flee to Altdorf," General Drake of the Nuln City Defense reported with great dissatisfaction. "What a bunch of cowards. Several noble families have already fled."
"Good riddance," Emmanuelle's eyes sparkled with a fiery glint. "We can confiscate all their lands, estates, and noble titles. If they won't share in Nuln's hardships at this critical moment, they shouldn't remain nobles!"
"But... my Duchess, these fleeing nobles have already listed their mansions in Nuln and their lands outside the city for sale to other nobles," Drake said angrily. "They've clearly anticipated this."
"Running so fast," Emmanuelle sneered, nodding. "At least, more nobles stayed than I expected. Clearly, many are still willing to fight for Nuln."
"We are all sons of Charlemagne, we are all Nuln men, and we are descendants of military nobles knighted by Emperor Ludwig. We were taught since childhood how to ride horses, wield swords, and shields to protect this city, this country," Grand Marshal Erstein proclaimed.
The nobles in Blackstone Hall roared in agreement. These military nobles took pride in being from Nuln, their united strength a comforting sight. At least Emmanuelle knew that whether these nobles were immersed in court politics or constantly squabbling for more power, they all received excellent military training.
It would be even better if Ryan stood among them. The Imperial Duchess had often fantasized about her man kneeling before her, obeying her commands as her vassal...
But that was the privilege of the Lady of the Lake. Emmanuelle shook her head, dismissing the thought. She recalled Ryan kneeling only to the Lady, and she had seen the smug expression on the goddess's face more than once.
"Tell me, Chief Engineer, can those steam tanks and land ships be used in this war?" Emmanuelle turned to Chief Engineer Gunter Maybach.
"Um... my Duchess, the land ships have never been tested in real combat," Maybach said hesitantly.
"I asked you a question, Maybach. Tell me, can these war machines be used?!" Emmanuelle repeated coldly.
"Of course! Whenever you need, my Duchess!" The Chief Engineer jolted, realizing his grave mistake. His second answer was firm and clear. "Ready for battle at any time!"
"Good," Emmanuelle's pure voice echoed in the hall. "We now have two tasks."
"First, we must send more troops to defend Black Fire Pass, ensuring that Tamurkhan and his army do not easily cross the Black Mountains."
"Second, we must strengthen Nuln's defenses, mobilizing all of Nuln's forces. Gentlemen, I believe relying on Emperor Karl Franz and his army is foolish. Nuln can only depend on itself."
"Agreed!" Emmanuelle's words resonated with everyone. Her words contained infinite strength, the foundation of the Empire's two thousand years of resilience.
"As for Ryan Mackado, I will try to involve him in this war," Emmanuelle calmly announced her decision, which excited everyone. "But this isn't just my affair. Nuln belongs to everyone. Tell me, members of the City Council, what can you do for this city?"
The nobles and representatives of Nuln's Armory turned their attention to her.
The Chief Engineer stepped forward. "We can offer a 20% discount on all of Lord Ryan's orders, my Duchess. Additionally, we will provide one hundred finely crafted firearms and ten eight-shot revolving rifles for free."
The major nobles of Nuln also stepped forward, having no retreat left. Count Ehrhardt was the first to speak. "Trade charters and five military instructors! The Ehrhardt family swears to coexist with Nuln!"
"Three shops and one trade route! The Odenhal family swears to coexist with Nuln!" said Count Odenhal.
"We can donate a full set of obsidian armor, a treasure of the Becker family! We swear to coexist with Nuln!" declared Baron Becker.
"Ten finely crafted swords and ten suits of fine armor, plus a rune sword!" Viscount Zester stood up. "The Zester family swears to coexist with Nuln!"
The Blackstone Hall resounded with the voices of Nuln's nobles, each offering generous terms and promising future assistance to Bretonnia's students and protection of Ryan's interests in Nuln.
No one was joking. This was the cost of enlisting the help of a Sanctuary-level warrior.
Emmanuelle was pleased inwardly but remained expressionless. She nodded faintly. "Good. Now... Krupp? What about your family?"
In the corner of Blackstone Hall sat an elderly gentleman named Alfred Krupp. He managed the Krupp Steel Guild, Nuln's largest arms supplier, and through his son, Alfred Krupp Jr., ran "Krupp Boutique," a renowned brand in the Old World dealing in high-end tableware, glassware, gems, and dwarf-crafted products. They also organized grand banquets in Altdorf and Nuln. Krupp was a famous brand for both arms and luxury goods.
As the President of the Nuln Merchants Guild, Alfred Krupp hesitated for a long time before standing up and bowing. "My Duchess, though I am a merchant, I will not shirk my duty. The Krupp family will also stand with Nuln to the end!"
"Good." Emmanuelle smiled faintly. "I thought Mr. Krupp intended to flee to Altdorf like others. If that were the case, we would be enemies!"
"...I wouldn't dare," Krupp sweated. He indeed had considered running, but most of his business was in Nuln. Despite his private assets being protected by the church, there was one exception—any involvement with Chaos allowed the church to revoke protection and seize all assets without sympathy.
With that thought, Krupp bowed again. "Rest assured, my Duchess! Even if it means staking the Krupp brand, my son and I will fight to the end!"
"In that case, I have a suggestion, Mr. Krupp." Emmanuelle picked up her gavel and gently tapped the table. "Nuln must face this Chaos tide. No one can stay out of it. Each family contributes, but we still have a significant funding gap. Mobilization costs money, training troops costs money, mass production costs money, and hiring Ryan and the Bretonnian knights also costs money. To fully mobilize Nuln's army and knight reinforcements, Mr. Krupp, can you estimate how much this will cost?"
"That... At least... 100,000 gold marks to make a difference. But this sum..."
Emmanuelle remained silent, smiling.
Krupp quickly understood her meaning and bowed again. "This sum should naturally be shared by the Nuln Merchants Guild. As President, I pledge... 25,000 gold marks!"
"Excellent, Mr. Krupp. On behalf of the Nuln City Council and all citizens, I thank you for your contribution." Emmanuelle said slowly. "In that case, the total military expenditure will be set at 120,000 gold marks. I know Nuln's merchants are wealthy. Many spend lavishly in music halls, noble taverns, and clubs, yet meet me in coarse linen clothes? 120,000 gold marks isn't much. If everyone pitches in, we'll have it."
"If anyone thinks they can get away without contributing, will they still have the face to do business in Nuln?!" Emmanuelle's voice became sharp and piercing.
Krupp felt a chill in his heart and nodded quickly. "Naturally, my Duchess, please rest assured."
"Good, also, prepare a heavy gift for me." Emmanuelle nodded satisfactorily. "Don't send it directly to Ryan; he won't accept it. Send it to Sister Sulia."
"Yes, yes, no need for the Duchess to instruct, it's our duty." Krupp nodded repeatedly. "The gift will be from the Nuln Merchants Guild, at no cost to the Duchess."
"Then let's proceed!" Emmanuelle stood up, tired from the long meeting.
"Yes!"
…And Now, a Slice of Domestic Life…
While the City Council was in a tense war meeting, in another corner of the Elector's Palace, Ryan was sparring with his wife, Sulia. As a husband, Ryan carefully fed her moves, guiding her martial arts bit by bit, helping Sulia integrate her training, the high elven swordsmanship taught by the Lady of the Lake, and the knowledge granted by the Emperor. The lady knight wore finely crafted vibranium plate armor blessed by the Emperor, wielding the Sword of Lyonnaise, adorned with a full set of divine jewelry, and draped in the White Wolf cloak. She charged forward, clashing twice with Ryan's Hammer of Thor, attacking his wrist and underarm at tricky angles with the Sword of Lyonnaise.
Clang! Clang! Ryan easily parried Sulia's attacks, pushing her back with a single upward thrust of his hammer. "My lady, your progress these past two years has been lacking."
"Isn't it because of Devonshire?" Sulia felt embarrassed. Due to her pregnancy, she hadn't practiced swordsmanship or advanced for quite some time. She had been stuck at the initial legendary level for a long time. Recently, Ryan had spent much time carefully guiding her, and the exceptionally talented lady knight had just advanced to
mid-legendary level.
Even so, Sulia found herself still far behind her husband in strength. Despite high elven swordsmanship being among the best in the Old World, she couldn't match Ryan, who easily defeated her and often used the opportunity to hug and kiss her.
"Enough for today," Sulia noticed Olica standing at the courtyard gate, clearly with urgent news. Her radiant golden curls swept through the air. "Is Oliver here?"
"Probably," Ryan put away the Hammer of Thor, not even sweating.
"Why did you have Oliver buy so much land and so many mansions?" Sulia wiped her sweat with a towel, slightly scolding. "I know Nuln's real estate prices have plummeted, but we won't live in Nuln permanently. Buying so much property is useless. Don't you already own a street?"
"Just some old tricks," Ryan smiled, helping Sulia remove her armor. "Real estate trading is the fastest way to make money. Emmanuelle will cooperate with me."
"My lady, just wait and count the money." Ryan kissed Sulia's lips.
Suddenly, a dazzling green light burst in the courtyard.
An exquisitely beautiful figure in a high elven crystal silk gown adorned with gold, silver threads, and gems appeared, filling the courtyard with the fragrance of irises.
"Fastest way to make money? My champion~ How much are you planning to share with me?"
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