Ryan sat in the grand hall of his royal suite, receiving Belial Gulag, the commander of Kislev's Ugol Horse Archers.
Normally, Ryan wouldn't meet Belial in his private suite, as it was his personal space on the Landuin, reserved only for his close companions like Olica and Veronica. Any visitors required prior notification. Ryan preferred holding meetings on the deck or in the ship's conference room or dining hall. However, today he was in a particularly good mood, and Belial had expressed his loyalty, transitioning his Ugol Horse Archers from mere mercenaries into a formal part of Ryan's forces. This warranted a private meeting.
Ryan's memories of the late Captain Ivan, a tall, rugged man with deep-set eyes, portrayed a typical Kislevite soldier—focused on military matters and living simply. Ivan rarely left the quarters Ryan had arranged for the Ugol Archers, and besides indulging in turkey, beef, and vodka, he avoided luxuries. He constantly worried about his fellow Ugols in the northern lands of Linsk River. Every year, he sent part of his salary, converted into supplies, to Erengrad to aid his people in surviving yet another harsh winter on the frontline against Chaos.
In contrast to the late General Ivan, Belial gave off a different vibe. Instead of appearing as a hardened soldier, Belial resembled more of a scholar or bureaucrat. In his forties, he had a more refined and handsome face for a Kislevite, though slightly balding. He wore frameless round glasses that made him look thoughtful. It was hard to believe that this man had once been a nomad child, a Plague City engineer, a winged lancer's aide, and a member of Kislev's internal affairs committee.
Two cups of kvass, a traditional Kislevite drink made from fermented rye bread, were set on the cherrywood table. The beverage had a unique malty and yeasty aroma, resembling beer but slightly reddish, with a balance of sour and sweet flavors.
"It's quite delicious and interesting. This is my first time tasting kvass. It's like a drink that's not quite alcoholic, but still has depth. Interesting." Ryan sat back in his chair. Olica, her long black-stockinged legs straight, stood behind him. The king gave a meaningful look. "If General Ivan were a bottle of fiery vodka, then Belial, are you perhaps this rich kvass?"
"You flatter me, Your Majesty." Belial lowered his head humbly, although he leaned slightly toward Ryan, making his posture on the sofa less formal and a bit impolite. To emphasize his respect, Belial wore a standard Bretonnian military uniform crafted by Bretonnian textile factories. "I merely thought Your Majesty might enjoy the drink."
"I see." Ryan nodded slightly and casually picked up his mug. "If it's just drinks, I can keep sipping, but why didn't you bring vodka?"
"Between kvass and vodka, Your Majesty, I personally prefer Bretonnian wine. If I may, would I have the honor to share a drink with you someday?" Belial requested earnestly and humbly.
"If the opportunity arises." The Knight King sipped his drink calmly as Olica brought in some exquisite pastries.
Belial sensed that part of his message had been subtly conveyed, so he decided to get straight to the point. "Your Majesty, as you know, the Ugol Horse Archers suffered heavy losses during the great expedition. Once we return home, may I be permitted to travel back to Kislev to recruit more Ugol horse archers to serve under you?"
"Recruit more?" Ryan quickly caught onto the key word and, with a half-smile, asked, "How many do you plan to recruit?"
"How many will Your Majesty allow me to gather?" Belial skillfully dodged, throwing the question back at Ryan.
"I'm the one asking the questions, not you," Ryan responded calmly.
"If possible… Your Majesty, I would like to expand the horse archers into a regiment, about a thousand strong." Belial, feeling the pressure from Ryan's sharp reply, knew he had to offer something substantial. "I have a way, but I would need your approval. I require certain appointments from you… and exclusive trading rights."
"Exclusive trading rights? What goods do you want exclusive rights for?" Ryan narrowed his eyes, intrigued.
His instincts were correct. Belial was more of a bureaucrat than a military man.
"Grain, textiles, and basic supplies. And if possible, other goods like… dwarf equipment and medicine," Belial said quietly. "This will help me, no, us, win more favor in Kislev and secure the support of the Tsarina, Your Majesty."
"Simply recruiting soldiers doesn't seem to require so much effort, does it? General Ivan never needed to go through such trouble," Ryan remarked with a slight chuckle.
"Yes, if Your Majesty only seeks to recruit soldiers, it wouldn't be this complicated. But… if I'm not mistaken, Your Majesty is planning to industrialize Bretonnia, right?" Belial cautiously asked, trying to sound as humble as possible. "Don't forget, Your Majesty, Kislev started its own industrialization twenty years ago."
"Heh… and what did that failed attempt at industrialization prove?" Ryan sneered. "From the beginning, Kislev's industrialization was doomed to fail."
"You're right, Your Majesty. Kislev's industrialization was bound to fail," Belial nodded in agreement. He was fully on board with Ryan's criticism but continued with his plan. "But please, hear me out, Your Majesty. May I explain further?"
"Go on." Ryan nodded, gesturing for him to proceed.
After the Great War, Kislev had been left in ruins under the reign of the second Everchosen, Issacvaar, and its people had been massacred. The Tsar's army, wealth, and power were insufficient to rebuild Kislev's former glory. Making matters worse, after the death of Tsar Romanov, his successor was Tsarina Katarina, known as "the Bloody" Katarina, who was secretly a Lamian vampire. Her reign was marked by brutal oppression and mass executions, during which the Internal Affairs Committee was established. Katarina ruled for over a century before her own son, Pavel, rose against her, sealing her in ice and finally putting an end to the horror.
However, Pavel was old and soon died without an heir, leaving the Tsar's throne to Vladimir Bokaha, who swiftly perished on the battlefield.
Vladimir's son was the famous "Red Tsar," Boris Bokaha, father of the current Ice Queen, Katarin. Boris attempted to rebuild Kislev by reinstating the Ursun faith, importing advanced technology and gunpowder from the Empire, and draining the royal treasury to rebuild bridges, roads, and towns. He imported massive amounts of black powder and hired Imperial engineers.
Boris ultimately died during the Great Purge Campaign in Troll Country, as previously mentioned, but his industrialization efforts were almost entirely unsuccessful. His attempts left Kislev burdened with enormous debts and costs, and upon his death, the infrastructure projects collapsed.
Ryan was not surprised.
Industrialization is indeed a way to strengthen a nation, but rapid industrialization isn't something that can happen with a few words or a decree. It requires certain preconditions, which can be summarized as follows:
A solid agricultural foundation, a large amount of liquid capital, good technical guidance and skilled professionals, a surplus population, and relatively abundant raw material sources.
Once these conditions are met, industrialization becomes possible. It's not as simple as a ruler wishing it to happen and pressing a button to instantly transform the country.
Ryan had spent over a decade preparing for Bretonnia's industrialization. The southern regions of his kingdom had a strong agricultural base. The treasure acquired from the Blood Dragon and the Eight Peaks Mountain expedition provided ample funds. The alliance with the Empire guaranteed technical guidance and training for specialists. Immigration from the Empire and the redemption of peasant serfdom ensured a surplus population. Finally, raw materials came from trade and the Grey Mountains.
So, what did Kislev have?
An agricultural base? All of Kislev's land is permafrost, with only a tiny amount of land blessed by the Ice Witches being arable. Where could Kislev find an agricultural base to support industrialization?
A large amount of capital? The Tsar's treasury was so depleted that Kislev couldn't even afford to maintain its winged lancers.
Technical guidance and skilled professionals also require money, which was lacking, so that point doesn't need further discussion.
A surplus population? Kislev's military pressure and harsh geography left it with no surplus population. The Ugol people from north of Linsk River came south to become mercenaries because they couldn't survive in their homeland.
As for raw materials, most of Kislev's resources were controlled by orcs from the Roof of the World Mountains, Chaos tribes in Troll Country, greenskin warbands, Skaven in the Hell Pit, or the Aesling tribes in the Weeping Mountains. Kislev had once lost two thousand men trying to drive the Aeslings away just to secure trade routes with the city of Zharr-Naggrund.
So, Boris Bokaha's failure was inevitable. Kislev simply lacked the conditions necessary for industrialization.
"But Kislev still has a pool of excellent engineers, workers, and scholars. They are the last remaining legacy of Boris's industrialization efforts, his greatest gift to Kislev. However, Tsarina Katarin has failed to use them properly," Belial continued, speaking persuasively. "We shouldn't let their talents go to waste in Kislev's frozen wastelands. They deserve a better platform to showcase their skills, a better-paying and more
dignified job, better homes, and a safer environment for their families."
"Hehehe…" Ryan chuckled, clearly amused. Stroking his chin, he turned to Belial and said, "Are you talking about yourself, Belial? If I recall correctly, you were once an architect with the Plague Engineer's Guild."
"No one wants to live on just rye bread and rely on vodka to get through the day." Belial was surprisingly candid about his situation. "That's the truth, Your Majesty."
"Hm…" Ryan understood. As Belial had said, the engineers, workers, and scholars left from Kislev's failed industrialization were valuable, and the Ice Queen had failed to put them to proper use.
But Ryan didn't blame Tsarina Katarin. The royal family's finances were in such dire straits that they had even started selling off national treasures like Fabergé eggs to raise money. The Ice Queen herself had taken to crafting magical weapons and scrolls for sale to the Elector Counts of the Empire.
If Ryan could "acquire" these engineers, workers, and scholars, his own industrialization could proceed more smoothly. They also represented an immediate influx of skilled labor, and their demands were modest: bread and milk, better wages, and a safe place to live.
Ryan was tempted. "How do you plan to make this work?"
"I need you to appoint me as a special envoy of Bretonnia, grant me a small elite guard, some military funds, and the exclusive trading rights I mentioned earlier. I can get it done, trust me," Belial repeated his request.
"Very well, I'll agree to your proposal. The official decree will be issued once we return home," Ryan decided.
Belial couldn't contain his excitement, his body trembling. His hands shook as he took a large gulp of kvass, then said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the Tsarist dynasty has ruled Kislev for too long—so long that everyone has forgotten that this land once belonged to the Ugols."
"Hm?!" Ryan's eyes widened.
"The Bear God should bless Kislev with a Tsar born of humble origins. Kislev needs a leader like Boris, someone who can command armies and—"
"Is this kvass really just a soft drink? I'm starting to feel a little tipsy, and I haven't even drunk that much," Ryan interrupted casually. "Sorry, I didn't quite catch that last part. Could you repeat it?"
"Oh, nothing important. It's not worth repeating," Belial quickly realized his mistake. He laughed awkwardly, bowed respectfully, and left the room. "Apologies for disturbing you."
After Belial left, Olica sneered, "If not for his appearance, Master, I'd say he seems more like a scheming Dark Elf noble."
"A dog. But sometimes, a dog that bites can be useful, if handled properly," Ryan remarked with amusement.
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