At midday, Ryan, Sulia, Morgiana, Theresa, and Aurora shared a meal together in the Ice Wizard's Tower. Afterward, Theresa arranged for Ryan to rest in one of the guest rooms. Theresa had hoped to steal some time with Ryan, but Morgiana stayed in the room, refusing to leave. The Lake Witch firmly stated that she wouldn't allow any secret "dealings" to happen under the Lady's watchful eye, leaving both Ryan and Theresa feeling awkward. In the end, Ryan half-invited, half-forced Theresa to leave the tower with him, under the pretext of helping her find a way to break into the legendary realm.
Ryan's reasoning wasn't without merit. Among the treasures Bellegar had gifted him from the Eight Peaks Mountain expedition were numerous relics, including items obtained from ancient expeditions into the Northern Chaos Wastes. These relics, some even dating back to the elven empire and the Old Ones, were still sitting in Ryan's storeroom, waiting to be cataloged. With twenty full chests of treasures, it was understandable that the process had been delayed. Ryan offered to let Theresa pick out a few items from the collection—after all, both Veronica and Theresa were his court mages, and he wanted to ensure fairness between them.
Naturally, Theresa was overjoyed. Though she had grown significantly since their adventures in Norsca, she still wasn't adept at hiding her emotions. Feeling cherished by Ryan, she spent the journey in high spirits, packing two boxes of clothing and books for the trip back to the Duke's castle.
However, Aurora was far from pleased. Seeing her daughter leave so excitedly with Ryan, Aurora fumed silently. No share of the spoils for me? You just whisk my daughter away like that, huh? What about me?!
Damn that man! I only have one daughter! Aurora thought, watching Theresa happily pack her things. Her frustration reached its peak as she muttered to herself that Ryan wasn't treating her with enough respect, considering he wanted her to join his faction.
Yet, deep down, Aurora knew she couldn't escape his protection. Though she had told Ryan she needed more time to decide, that was simply a bargaining tactic to increase her value. With almost a month left until the Spring Festival, she couldn't stop Theresa from staying with Ryan for two weeks.
Theresa stood before her wardrobe, which was housed in her own private dressing room filled with five closets of clothes, jewelry, and shoes. She swapped her tight leggings for a gray matte pencil skirt and put on a pair of sheer flesh-colored stockings. After some thought, she also exchanged her knee-high boots for a pair of black pumps.
Aurora, who stood at the door, couldn't help but shake her head. Throughout Ryan's year-long expedition, Theresa had stuck to her usual shirt-and-pants outfits, never dressing in stockings like Aurora, who was rarely seen without them. But Ryan was an irresistibly magnetic man—each time he returned from battle, his masculine charm seemed to grow. Watching her daughter, Aurora couldn't help but feel envious. Theresa had really bet on the right man.
"Theresa, you need to seize this opportunity and find a way to have his child," Aurora said, standing at the door of the dressing room. "A child is critical for you, for me, and for securing our position within Ryan's household. Only with a child will you become irreplaceable."
"Ugh, Mother, not this again! Didn't we agree not to talk about this anymore?" Theresa grumbled as she slipped her flesh-toned stocking-clad feet into her pumps. She retrieved a full set of white jade jewelry from Sulia's collection and fastened a gleaming ankle bracelet around her stocking-covered ankle. "Mother, I've known Ryan for twenty years, and we've been together for over ten. If I could've had a child, it would've happened by now. Why do you keep pushing me?"
"I'm just worried!" Aurora sighed, thinking to herself that Theresa only ever outright defied her when it came to Ryan. "Daughter, do you even realize why Ryan came all this way?"
"Wasn't it to ask about your decision?" Theresa asked, her voice puzzled. She seemed to catch on to something. "Wait… was he really here for me?"
"Of course, he was here for you!" Aurora smiled knowingly at her daughter's realization. "Do you really think he came all this way just to ask me if I'd made up my mind? If that were true, why wouldn't he just send a messenger?"
"You're saying…" Theresa's eyes widened.
"Ryan may be cold and calculating, but he's still loyal to those he cares about," Aurora said, her smile widening. "His visit was a statement, a strong signal that he trusts you and values you. By coming here in person, he's showing everyone that he hasn't distanced himself from you. You're still an important part of his court."
"But I… are you saying this is about the Eight Peaks expedition?" Theresa finally understood, a wave of realization washing over her.
"Veronica is riding high right now, Theresa. For now, it's best to stay on her good side," Aurora advised. "We're in a weaker position at the moment, so we need to bide our time and gather strength."
Theresa nodded, absorbing her mother's words. She felt a pang of sadness as she considered her current standing. Ryan's other close companions, such as Olyka, Veronica, and Morgiana, had all reached the legendary realm, while she remained stuck at the peak of the legendary rank. If she couldn't progress, no matter how much Ryan valued their history, she risked being pushed to the sidelines.
"But the most important thing is having a child, Theresa," Aurora returned to her favorite topic. "This is your mission. You must give him a child. It's crucial for us, for our future in Ryan's household. With a child, we'll officially be integrated into his system and earn the recognition of those knightly nobles."
"Mother!!!" Theresa finally snapped. For two years, Aurora had been hammering her with the same demand, and she was beyond frustrated. She angrily grabbed her handbag. "Can we please stop talking about this? I think things are fine as they are, and I don't believe Ryan will abandon me!"
"But you don't understand the complexity of the situation we're in!" Aurora's voice rose in desperation. "Theresa, we're facing a very delicate situation. We need to maintain our independence, to ensure we don't become entirely absorbed by Margarita or Ryan, turning into their subordinates. Do you realize how vital it is for a spellcaster to remain independent? I'm not forcing you, but you need to think about us and the entire Witch Coven behind us!"
"But…"
"Daughter, I'm saying this for your own good!"
"Enough! If you want a child, go have one yourself! Why do you keep pushing me? Mother!!!" Theresa finally lost her composure. Years of frustration from being stuck at the peak of the legendary rank, combined with her mother's pressure and the disappointment of missing the expedition, all boiled over. Her anger, fueled by Veronica's rising status, exploded.
"I…"
Theresa's naturally cold temperament quickly calmed her down. Lowering her head, she apologized, "I'm sorry, Mother. I got a bit emotional. I'll be leaving now."
What have I just said to my mother?!
Blushing furiously, Theresa grabbed her luggage and rushed out, leaving Aurora behind, whose face fluctuated between emotions, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.
"This daughter of mine… she's becoming more disobedient by the day…"
—————— Cut to another disobedient line ——————
While Bretonnia celebrated the grand success of the Eight Peaks expedition, the Old World was not as peaceful. Far to the north, in Kislev, in the city of Erengrad...
February's harsh winds and snowstorms continued to lash Kislev. As the blizzards swept across the land, everything was frozen solid. The temperature plummeted far below freezing, and the land was cloaked in an endless expanse of white. Kislevites had a word for this desolate landscape: "impassable." For this frozen country, the snow would begin to thaw around April or May, turning the roads into muddy quagmires. During those brief months, nomadic tribes would scour the land for fresh pastures, raiders would seek new prey, and trade caravans would rush to deliver goods to the frontier markets. But by September, every household would slaughter their livestock and stockpile firewood, preparing for the long, harsh winter.
Erengrad, a mighty port city on the Kislev Bay, was the largest northern trade hub after Marienburg. The city's docks were bustling with Imperial soldiers, and the red bull banners of Ostland flew proudly overhead. Ostland's Bull Knights paraded through the streets, showing off their spoils—bags of high-quality iron ore, copper, gold, silver, and the heads of Chaos chieftains. Ostland's people celebrated their victory, chanting a single name.
"Oleg!"
"Oleg!"
"Oleg!"
This man, clad in gleaming plate armor and adorned with colorful plumes, was none other than Oleg von Zhukov, Baron of Wolfen, Destroyer of Norsca, and Scourge of the Barbarians. With a loud cry, Oleg held aloft a string of severed Norscan heads, including those of several Chaos Champions.
Starting in January of the previous year, Oleg von Zhukov had led a force of 20,000 Ostlanders
in an unprecedented campaign against the Norscan tundra. With the support of Kislev's army and the naval forces of Saltwater's Wrath, the pirate queen Irina, Oleg waged a total war on the Norscans. Ignoring the cautious advice of Elector Count Valmir von Zhukov to raid only coastal villages and ports, Oleg took a bolder course—he aimed to break the Norscans' spine completely, much like Emperor Charlemagne had once done.
And so, Oleg led his forces on a brutal campaign. Fueled by his "Wolf's Blood" gene and his "Wolfen Gene Surgery" from his mentor, Oleg had grown into a formidable legendary warrior. His deep-seated hatred for the Norscans drove him to destroy more than twenty-five Norscan settlements along the southern coast, slaughtering over 50,000 Norscans. He razed the prosperous ports of Ice Dragon Fjord and Longship Graveyard to the ground.
But Oleg didn't stop there. He led his army deep into the Norscan mountains, where he personally spearheaded an assault on a Norscan dragon fort, built from ancient elven dragon ships. This stronghold, which hadn't been touched by Imperial forces since the days of Charlemagne, was utterly destroyed, and Oleg slaughtered 8,000 Norscans before retreating due to supply issues and the severe cold.
Upon their return to Erengrad, the Ostland army paraded their spoils and glory through the streets, their deeds hailed as the greatest since Charlemagne's wars against the barbarians.
North and south, two heroes had emerged—Ryan Makador, Knight King of Bretonnia, victorious at Eight Peaks, and Baron Oleg, triumphant in the Norscan mountains. While many argued that Oleg's accomplishments paled in comparison to Ryan's, the Empire's propaganda machine worked tirelessly to compare the two, presenting them as equals in the eyes of the public.
As the triumphant Ostland army paraded through Erengrad, a group of soldiers dressed in bear-fur cloaks and Bretonnian uniforms watched from the shadows. These were the Ugol, allies of Ryan's army. One of them sneered. "General, I must say, these Ostlanders did well, but they're nothing compared to the Eight Peaks expedition."
Belia Golag, a youthful and sharp-featured Ugol general, nodded slightly. "Perhaps. But what does that have to do with us? Sherepin, have you completed your investigation?"
"Yes, General," Sherepin replied with a grim expression. "General, the situation in Kislev is terrible. Very, very terrible."
"Go on," Belia urged, his face tightening. Behind him stood a group of Ugol horse archers, veterans of the Eight Peaks expedition, dressed in Bretonnian uniforms. The newly appointed royal envoy listened intently.
"Since the end of the Winter War two years ago, Kislev's finances have been in dire straits. Though trade with Zhufbar has resumed, it has also drawn the attention of the northern tribes. The front lines are constantly at war, and the supply lines are severely strained. Troops on the front are receiving only 60% of their food rations, and many wounded soldiers and those fighting the barbarians haven't seen any food or bandages in days," Sherepin reported, his expression dark. "Since the war, food, meat, sugar, and other essentials have become scarce in Kislev. Bread prices have risen two- to threefold, unemployment is rampant, and yet the nobles, generals, and wealthy merchants hoard vast quantities of these goods."
"Grain has disappeared from the shelves, only to reappear on the black market at exorbitant prices. Many are starving, especially in the cities. Meat, sugar, and salt are especially expensive. According to our intelligence, the Tsarina's personal army hasn't been paid in over six months," Sherepin concluded, his voice filled with concern. "General, what should we do?"
"What should we do?" Belia smirked coldly. "What else but follow the plan? The Carnival is approaching, and we need to get to Kislev soon and prepare for the show."
"General?" Sherepin asked, confused. "We have the supplies Ryan entrusted to us. Shouldn't we do something?"
"Do something?" Belia glanced at his deputy, then smiled knowingly. "All right. Let's do something. Yes, Kislev is in a terrible situation right now. I've noticed a lot of young girls struggling to get by—some can't even afford clothes."
"As proud Ugol, it's our duty to lend a helping hand to these girls. After all, we're good-hearted people," Belia grinned, his lips curling into a sly smile. "I'm sure these girls will be happy to accept our help. A bowl of warm porridge with meat and a new set of clothes—what could be more enticing? Don't you think, Sherepin?"
"You're absolutely right, General! That's a brilliant idea!"
"Tell the men they have two days. After that, we march for Kislev," Belia ordered. "But remember—everything must be consensual. If anyone crosses the line, they'll be executed on the spot."
"Yes, General!"
"And if I'm not mistaken," Belia added, his smile fading, "once the Carnival is over, and with the Ostland army gone, things will get very, very messy in Kislev. Their unpaid soldiers won't stay quiet for long."
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!]
[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]
[+50 PowerStones = +1 Chapter] [+5 Reviews = +1 Chapter]