As a model for Madame Sales' tailor shop, Ilena had been having a tough time recently.
Upon hearing the news of the approaching Chaos army, her first reaction was to flee, as far away as possible!
So, Ilena gritted her teeth and sold her house in Nur. Initially valued at over 2,000 gold marks, she sold it in haste for just over 800 gold marks, and then prepared to pack up and leave. Her initial plan was to head to Altdorf, the capital of the Empire.
However, when it came time to leave, Ilena hesitated. Nur was her hometown. Her job was here, her family was here, and the farthest she had ever been was the Temple of Taal in the outskirts of Nur.
Outside the city was a world of chaos and uncertainty. Ilena stood at the wide-open city gates and the docks of Nur several times, but she never found the courage to take that step. Cursing the Chaos for its despicable actions, she sold her boat ticket to someone else.
The dreams of distant lands could wait; for now, she needed to protect her immediate safety.
A few days later, good news arrived! Ryan, the chosen champion of the Lady of the Lake, agreed to step in. The entire city was thrilled, and the people of Nur gained confidence in the upcoming war. Ilena was overjoyed and decided to stay in Nur, using her 800 gold marks to try to buy back her house.
To her dismay, the price of her house, now on the market again, had skyrocketed to 1,900 gold marks!
"Scoundrels! Bastards! Shameless rogues!" Ilena cursed. "Nur will be ruined by these people!"
It was of no use; she had sold the house through a church mediator. If she went to the church or the Nur courts now, she had no legal standing and wouldn't garner any sympathy.
Who told you to try and flee?
Ilena felt aggrieved. Her small asset (the house) had been lost in the chaos, and she had done nothing wrong!
It showed that her limited assets couldn't withstand any turmoil or risk.
Fortunately, the owner of Madame Sales' tailor shop was kind, and Ilena had some savings. Homeless, she rented a room in the shop's attic, managing to secure a place to live.
This drastic change in living conditions strengthened Ilena's resolve.
She needed to marry a good man to change her fate.
Ilena silently set a series of conditions for her future husband.
First, men from the northern Empire, especially from Norsca, Ostland, and Kislev, were out of the question. Men from poor eastern provinces like Stirland were also excluded. Middenland men could be considered if they held at least a baronial title. Considering the recent "Grail Fever" caused by Ryan's arrival in Nur, Grail Knights from Bretonnia could also be considered.
Second, the man needed to own a house of at least 150 square meters, have a stable income, ideally earning over 500 gold marks annually. Ilena herself earned several dozen gold marks a year as a model, so she wasn't looking for charity.
Lastly, he needed to be tall, handsome, have a good character, and be ambitious. He should also be gentle and considerate, with her managing the household finances and decisions.
Like Lady Sulia, everyone knew Duke Ryan entrusted all household matters to her! Wasn't that the strongest proof?
Thus, when Karad entered the tailor shop, Ilena's eyes were immediately drawn to him!
A Grail Knight!
Could he be the one I've been waiting for?
"Welcome! Are you here to order a suit?" Ilena quickly approached, full of enthusiasm.
"Ah, yes, I'd like to order a suit," Karad felt a bit uneasy. Compared to Bretonnia, Nur was very open. Ilena wore a strapless dress with a high slit, her long legs in sheer stockings. To be fair, Ilena was very attractive, with a fiery and wild look, fair skin, and long legs. Her attentiveness made Karad uncomfortable.
"What style would you like?" Feeling hopeful, Ilena was particularly excited and warm, getting closer to Karad. "We have many styles."
"Something normal, conservative," Karad chose the most classic and conservative style among the options Ilena showed him.
"Alright, let me take your measurements. Can you remove your coat, sir?" Ilena smiled warmly.
"Okay," Karad unbuttoned his military coat, revealing a high-collared shirt underneath.
At first glance, Ilena was put off.
Those noble ladies and court officials said men who liked high-collared shirts were mama's boys!
Would marrying him mean being oppressed and controlled by his mother?
Ilena measured Karad, suppressing her displeasure. She chatted with him, finding his conversation not elegant but proper and polite. Feeling better, she complimented him: "Your beard and outfit are very well-matched. You must have a dedicated groomer?"
"Of course, as a Grail Knight, representing the Lady, I must present myself well," Karad said nonchalantly.
Because of the Lady's standards? A bit of a mama's boy and annoying! Ilena frowned.
Measurements done, Karad dressed again, exuding a commanding presence. His muscular, streamlined build had a unique male vigor. A veteran warrior, his aura was one of power and dominance.
"Such a physique could attract many women!" Ilena thought, worried about infidelity. She wanted a man who loved her exclusively, giving her a sense of security.
After filling out the order, Karad paid a deposit and signed his name.
Due to years of fighting and using Bretonnian script, Karad's handwriting was unattractive.
Ilena was utterly disappointed. Handwriting is the window to the soul, she thought. An illegible signature suggested a twisted soul!
Why is the Grail Knight I meet a mama's boy, annoying, flirtatious, and twisted?
Seeing Karad off, Ilena was close to tears.
Where have all the good men gone?
Why can't I meet a truly good man?
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Old World, September, Black Mountains, Winterfang Pass.
The Chaos army finally crossed the Black Mountains. The Tam Khan led his army through the ancient, abandoned Winterfang Pass with the guidance of the Chaos dwarfs.
However, in crossing Winterfang Pass, the Chaos army had to battle the dark creatures residing there. First, they faced a massive night goblin tribe. A night goblin shaman led a horde of 100,000 night goblins against the Tam Khan. The Chaos army suffered heavy losses battling the night goblins. In desperation, the goblins unleashed their giant beasts—three Araknarok spiders, towering over ten meters tall, almost shattered the Chaos ranks.
But the Tam Khan intervened, riding his toad dragon and wielding his giant axe, carving a bloody path through the goblin horde and Araknarok spiders. He fought his way to the night goblin shaman, who cast a barrage of small Waaagh! magic to stop him. The Tam Khan, blessed by Nurgle, withstood the green magic, severing one of the spider's legs and nearly killing the shaman, who barely escaped.
With the Tam Khan's indomitable will and power, the Chaos army turned the tide. No enemy could now prevent them from crossing Winterfang Pass.
Yet, the army soon faced new problems. The long-neglected tunnel had many impassable sections, with broken pathways and giant boulders blocking the way. It couldn't accommodate the army or Chaos dwarf war machines without significant clearing and road construction.
The Tam Khan hoped the Chaos dwarfs would help, but the gray prophet refused. Saia, leader of the tribe, told him not to even think about it, stating that such tasks were for slaves.
The Nurgle champion had to rely on the blessings of Father Nurgle, commanding his tribe and plague ogres to clear a new path using goblin corpses and stones.
The Chaos army grumbled. The Tam Khan, unable to rely on promises of Chaos gods' glory and rewards, resorted to threats and intimidation to force the Kurgan warriors into labor. The army continued its arduous march.
By September, the Tam Khan and his army reached southern Weissenland, formerly Solland (now part of Weissenland)!
Southern Weissenland turned into hell overnight! The Imperial army, waiting for news from Blackfire Pass, was caught off guard. Within a week, five towns and two castles were reduced to ruins, with over a thousand Imperial soldiers dead!
Urgent military reports flooded Nur!
The enemy had crossed the Black Mountains by unknown means, arriving in southern Weissenland!
The Tam Khan and his Chaos army had arrived!
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