As the battle erupted, Aurora and Teresa happened to be investigating in Brunswick.
As the head of MI7, Aurora knew that Ryan had entrusted both her and Teresa with important responsibilities. Although she still considered their relationship merely collaborative, the sorceress knew she had to prove that she wasn't slacking off during the Great Expedition. So, right after the Winter Veil festival, Aurora took Teresa back to Brunswick and Nuln to investigate the Empire's nobles' views on Bretonnia and Ryan.
Under the banner of Ryan's name, Aurora and Teresa were naturally given a formal and grand reception in the Empire's capital. The sorceress was quite satisfied with this, enjoying even higher treatment than before. After experiencing such respect, Aurora found herself reluctant to return to the council. With Ryan as a backer, life was much easier. Compared to this, the Empire's other grand wizards, like High Light Mage Condor, Supreme Nebula Mage Skorne, Jade College's head Annie-Louisa-Trenton, Amber College's Supreme Dean Greg-Matak, Amethyst College's head Elspeth, and Flame College's Supreme Mage Sernus-German, all offered respect. Even the Empire's Royal Chief Wizard, Balthasar Gelt, received the mother-daughter pair with high regard.
For a Garland Witch, this was something to boast about for fifty years in the council.
However, just as Aurora was preparing to leave Brunswick, the Battle of Shame erupted, plunging the Empire into the shadow of civil war. Teresa initially suggested that Aurora leave immediately and return to report to Ryan, who had just returned from the expedition.
But Aurora, more experienced, chose not to rush back. Instead, she stayed calm at the center of the storm. After the conflict broke out, she dispatched several people and even personally went to Karonburg to investigate.
She needed to figure out which electors sided with Boris, who stood with Karl Franz, and who, like Emmanuelle, would remain neutral.
This investigation took time, which resulted in her and Teresa arriving late.
After explaining the situation, Ryan and the others furrowed their brows.
What was the Empire doing?
The armies of Tamurkhan had only been defeated outside Nuln a few years ago. After barely a few years of recovery and development, they were now fighting amongst themselves again?
Had they forgotten the lessons learned?
Ryan's frown deepened. A unified (at least nominally) Empire was undoubtedly much stronger than a divided one. If the Empire couldn't unite, it would be defeated by Chaos, and if the Empire fell, Bretonnia would face Chaos alone.
Could Bretonnia stand against Chaos alone?
Don't be ridiculous. Before Ryan arrived in the knightly kingdom, for hundreds of years, Bretonnia's greatest invention was the trebuchet. If humanity clung to outdated traditions like Bretonnia had, they would have perished long ago. After events like the Dol Tall Tower incident and the Great Holy War, Bretonnia's backwardness became even more evident, and it was only thanks to Ryan's efforts that the country had begun to catch up.
Now, after finally securing some time to recuperate, what were the Empire's nobles and electors doing?
Ryan's displeasure was palpable, affecting everyone in the room. Teresa looked at him with concern, Sulia silently stayed by her husband's side, and Aurora, naturally cold due to her affinity with ice magic, waited quietly for the king's response. Both Aurora and Teresa were dressed lavishly today, in matching outfits: black fur coats of Garland white bear wool, with understated granite-striped blouses underneath, paired with tight, tea-black skirts. The only difference was that Aurora wore black velvet tights and ankle boots with silver chains, while Teresa opted for iron-gray crystal tights and high-heeled boots. Their long, graceful legs caught Ryan's attention as they moved.
The two were dressed like sisters, having clearly ordered their outfits from the same tailor. Teresa in tights? That's a good habit; I'll have to make sure she keeps it, Ryan thought to himself, though he didn't dwell on it. Instead, he turned his attention to his appointed regent: "What's the Empire's response to this?"
Laon wasn't particularly happy with the king giving part of the intelligence operations to the witches, but as the regent of the kingdom, he had no choice but to accept it. After hearing the whole story, Laon, too, furrowed his brows and placed the remaining documents aside. "Your Majesty, I understand your concerns, but this is an Empire matter. We're merely allies. Unless they invite us, we should not interfere in their internal affairs."
"They've deployed nearly 100,000 troops along the Reik River, and we're just supposed to sit back and watch a human civil war?" Ryan said impatiently. "What's Karl Franz doing? If it were me, I wouldn't let this happen."
"Only if the war actually breaks out," Laon replied, shaking his head. "Don't forget, Your Majesty, the Empire hasn't fully descended into chaos or war yet. If we act too hastily, we could easily provoke tensions and even become the catalyst for the conflict."
"I agree," Sulia added. "Don't be too hasty, Ryan. There may still be a turning point. Our priority should be to monitor the situation and see what we can do, but without obvious interference in their internal affairs."
"Right." Ryan acknowledged his impatience. Bretonnia's centralization of power was far greater than that of the Empire, and not to mention, the Lady of the Lake fully supported him. In contrast, the Church of Sigmar's support for Karl Franz was conditional. Furthermore, Karl Franz wasn't the Empire's only candidate for emperor.
"A long time ago, Vicma complained that Emperor Karl Franz spent too little time in the church. Unlike his father and grandfather, he focused too much on court and war," Aurora added, handing Ryan a fragrant document. "Here's the current stance of the electors. Most don't want civil war, but if it happens, this is likely where they'll stand."
The document, scented with roses, jasmine, and a hint of vanilla, outlined Aurora and Teresa's findings. It was clear that if war broke out, the provinces of Hochland and Nord would side with Boris.
On the other hand, Ostland and Averland would stand with Karl Franz.
Amelia's Wissenland and Helmuth-Felbach's Talabecland would remain neutral. The situation in Stirland and Ostermark was unclear, but Stirland's Grand Duke Albrich-Haught-Andersen was a fickle man, likely to side with whoever paid him the most.
Regardless, any outbreak of war would divide the Empire into factions led by Boris in the north, Karl Franz in the west, and Emilia in the east.
Was the Three Emperors Era really about to return?
Boris the Wolf Emperor, Karl Franz the Reik Emperor, and Amelia the Maid Empress?
Ryan felt a headache coming on. And yet, he was powerless. He was a king, not the emperor of the Empire.
"I've met Elector Boris. He and his army are currently stationed in Karonburg," Aurora said calmly, breaking the tense silence. "From what I've observed, it doesn't seem like he wants to start this war."
"Reason?" Ryan looked up, knowing that Aurora, despite her pride, was skilled in intelligence work.
"Instinct," Aurora adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses with a gloved hand, speaking seriously. "I sensed the sorrow and anger in Karonburg, and the pressure on Elector Boris from the White Wolf Knights and the White Wolf Church. He doesn't want to fight this war, but he feels compelled to send troops and face the standoff."
Aurora's assessment hit the mark. Ryan, Sulia, Laon, and Teresa all agreed. Boris, nicknamed "Yuri's Servant," was a devout follower of the White Wolf God, and in a way, he, too, was being coerced.
"Your Majesty, I have a suggestion," Teresa, somewhat shy and unconfident, spoke up, looking at Ryan as if she hadn't seen him in a long time.
"Come over here, Teresa, sit by my side," Ryan, understanding why Teresa seemed distant, invited her over.
The once-proud sorceress had changed. Now stuck at the peak of Legendary rank, unable to break through, while her rival Veronica had already reached mid-Saint rank, and Ryan himself had become a high-level Saint. Since the Great Expedition, Teresa had felt her status slipping, especially when trying to express herself independently of her mother.
But Ryan didn't plan to distance himself from her. He still found her endearing and valued her dedication in abandoning everything to come to him. As for her power… Ryan had just reached high Saint rank and was exploring new ways to use his abilities. In his mind, as long as Teresa continued to study magic quietly and behaved herself, everything was fine. He didn't need to worry too much about her.
Maybe later, he'd find a way to help her break into the Saint rank.
Although the inner politics of his household were interesting, sometimes Ryan sought peace. Seeing Teresa again after over a year, he found her even more intriguing. He spoke gently: "Teresa, I've told you many times, just call me Ryan. As my courtier, you should sit by my side."
Ryan's gesture sent a strong message. Aurora's eyes lit up, thinking she should urge Teresa to give Ryan a child soon.
"Yes," Teresa couldn't hide her joy as she quickly left her mother's side and sat next to Ryan. Sulia also smiled warmly at the sorceress, having always felt that apart from her cold demeanor, Teresa
was a good person.
Teresa moved her long legs, covered in iron-gray crystal tights, and sat next to Ryan. Her soft violet fragrance wafted over. Encouraged by the king, she spoke seriously: "I believe that Elector Boris choosing to station at the Electoral Palace in Karonburg is a clear sign that he does not want full-scale war."
Karonburg?! Of course! How could I have overlooked that? Ryan's eyes sharpened.
Karonburg held a special place in the Empire's history. It had switched hands between Middenland and Reikland several times, but after the reforms of Ludwig the Savior, its territorial issue had been settled. The Savior declared that Karonburg rightfully belonged to Middenland, but its nobles and military were allowed to pledge allegiance to Reikland.
Thus, the Greatswords Regiment of Karonburg, the most elite in the Old World, swore loyalty to Karl Franz.
With this realization, Ryan gave Teresa an approving look. He nodded. "Now, the situation is clear."
"I'll write to Emilia immediately and ask her to mediate," Ryan continued. "Aurora and Teresa, please continue gathering intelligence on the Empire."
"But... Ryan, my mother and I may not be able to," Teresa said, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Don't forget, the Garland Festival is in March. My mother, Veronica, and I all have to attend."
"Oh, right, Veronica mentioned that to me. I completely forgot," Ryan chuckled. "Well then, take a month off to prepare."
With everything settled, Laon left first, having much to handle after the army's return. Sulia invited Aurora and Teresa to stay for a while, but Aurora declined, saying she had urgent matters to attend to. Though Teresa was reluctant to leave, her mother signaled her to go. After a passionate reunion kiss with Ryan, Teresa promised to meet him again after dinner.
Finally, only the king and queen remained in the room.
As soon as the door closed, Ryan moved closer to his wife, filled with desire. "My lady~"
"Ryan! You're tired. You should rest!" Sulia blushed as Ryan embraced her. After so many years of marriage, she knew exactly what he wanted. While feeling both shy and expectant, she said, "You just returned from the expedition. Rest first, and we can talk after dinner."
"No way! William will be back tonight!" Ryan's hand was already on Sulia's back, loosening the ribbons of her royal gown. Breathing in the scent of her hair, he scooped her up and carried her to the bed. "Let's rest together."
"Aren't you satisfied with Veronica and Olica yet?" Sulia only put up a token resistance before resting against him. "And don't forget about Morgiana!"
"Sulia!" Ryan held her as they tumbled onto the soft bed. He slipped off her high heels and gently laid her down beside him. As he kissed his queen, he sighed. "Oh, Lady above, I regret agreeing to her conditions so easily. I don't even know how to repay Morgiana's debt."
Sulia couldn't help but laugh. Blushing, she whispered, "You have to repay hers, but what about mine? I'm your queen. Shouldn't you repay me before others? If not, I might get angry."
"I'll repay you! I'll repay everyone! But I'll start with you!"
What else could the king say?
Oh, the difficulties of rulership!
…Meanwhile, as Ryan prepared to write to his maid, asking her to mediate, the Empire's duchess and her army had already arrived at Karonburg.
The time had come to test the Empire's unity.
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