This time, Belya returned from Kislev with more than 3,000 people, a group consisting mostly of scholars, skilled workers, and elite soldiers. They were both excited and anxious about their new lives. Under orders from the Old Guard, the Kislev refugees were instructed to disembark, and provisions were already prepared at the dock.
Each Kislevite refugee received a standard ration, consisting of two bottles of cider, a large hot dog, and a bowl of porridge, along with a blanket. They were then loaded onto carts and taken away, one group after another.
In a way, referring to them as "gray cattle" wasn't entirely inaccurate. Ryan watched from a distance, standing beside Old Guard Commander Bertrand and Vice Commander Davout. He instructed them, "Send the men to check if there are any suspicious individuals among them. Also, inspect the ship's cabins and clear the area of unnecessary people."
"Understood!" Bertrand and Davout nodded, and the Old Guard moved in to maintain order and disperse the curious citizens of Bordeleaux.
In recent years, Bordeleaux had expanded three times, and Manann's Drydock had reached its largest size in history. The shipyard was always bustling with activity, and many shipbuilders had struck it rich. The Church of Manann and the Sea God's knights were also profiting immensely.
Ryan didn't mind much, as despite Bretonnia's long coastline, there were only two high-quality ports: Le-Angoulême and Bordeleaux. The Duke of Le-Angoulême, since Richard's abdication, had been Talbot, who, like his predecessor, disliked Ryan and his reforms. Though Talbot remained loyal and obedient to Ryan's commands, Ryan still preferred to work with Bordeleaux, which fully supported him.
While Belya's success in bringing back so many people pleased Ryan, it also made him frown slightly. Turning to Sulia, he said, "Didn't I tell you? The worse things get in Kislev, the more people will come here."
Sulia, dressed today in a stunning white and gold gown gifted by Emilia, wore sheer black stockings and a white platinum cloak. Recently, with Emilia spending more time in Bretonnia, Sulia had taken to dressing elegantly more often. Her regal demeanor radiated across the entire scene. After hearing Ryan's words, her beautiful face showed a thoughtful expression. "You're right. Kislev is the Old World's first line of defense against Chaos. It can't fall. Should we offer more aid?"
"We already have!" Ryan chuckled, hands behind his back. "I sent Belya, didn't I? First, we sent them a large amount of supplies at a fair price. Second, we've relieved Tsarina Katarin of the burden of feeding all these people. Isn't that a good thing? My brother said it's all for the best!"
"Trafficker, hypocrite, you knights are always pretending to be righteous!" Emilia chimed in, clearly displeased.
"Your brother? I believe his name is Johnson? He seems like a gloomy person. When he smiles, it feels fake, not like the optimist you claim he is," Sulia remarked, recalling Ryan's mysterious brothers. The knight-queen had always been curious about Ryan's peculiar siblings. "You rarely talk about him."
Ryan thought to himself, I wasn't referring to Johnson... After a moment's pause, he smiled, saying, "There are few things that can make Johnson smile, except perhaps you and little Devonshire."
"Really? Is your brother always that serious?" Sulia was surprised, but since she had only met Johnson twice, she dropped the subject.
"Hmph! Speaking of gloominess, your brother Clarkson is the most terrifying of them all," Emilia grumbled. Dressed in a similar gown to Sulia's, though in Nuln's black and gold with dark red stockings, the imperial lady added herself to the conversation. "When I was pregnant with Frederick, he and your father bypassed thousands of soldiers, hundreds of guards, and my Black Tower defense system, and they still appeared right in front of me. I nearly had a heart attack! I've never figured out how they got past my 'perfect' defenses."
"There's no such thing as a perfect defense. They just wanted to give you a surprise," Ryan chuckled. "Alright, let's head back. Let's hear Belya's full report on Kislev and meet this 'Ulrich' master."
Everyone nodded. Ryan, Sulia, and Emilia all knew that Ryan was often secretive about his family. Even when asked, Angron would simply shake his head and smile, unwilling to elaborate. The group respected that and didn't press further.
As they climbed into the royal carriage, Sulia initially sat across from Ryan, but he quickly pulled her onto his lap, refusing to let her go. The queen blushed with embarrassment, but she soon realized Ryan was trying to make her feel secure. Feeling a warm rush in her heart, she relaxed into his embrace.
"Ryan, are you still planning to send Lucien to serve as the Border Marquis of the Badlands?" Sulia asked softly.
Just a few days ago, Baron Lucien of Spirepeak had requested to be transferred to the Badlands, and Ryan had been reviewing the request.
"Yes," Ryan nodded. "Lucien is determined to transfer. He's willing to give up his Spirepeak lands because he feels his strengths lie in military training and command, not governance. This will also give him a chance to be promoted to marquis. On the other hand, after discussing with François and Hex, we agree it's a good idea. Besides, as my power grows, I need to cultivate more independent commanders."
During the Eight Peaks Expedition, Ryan had realized that he'd made the same mistake as Napoleon: over-controlling his subordinates. His knights and nobles had become overly reliant on following his orders, lacking the autonomy and flexibility needed for independent command.
Previously, when Ryan's realm was smaller, he could control everything. But as his territory expanded and his army grew, he needed commanders who could operate independently. He planned to train figures like Count Hex of Devon, Baron Juan of Biocari, and Lucien to take on larger roles. These knights already had extensive battle experience, and with further training, they would develop strong strategic capabilities.
Sulia nodded in agreement. As a distant relative of Lucien's family, she supported his increased responsibilities and influence. "Since you've thought it through, I have no objections."
"Nine thousand troops, divided into three regiments, stationed in the Badlands. The dwarves will fortify the area and provide supplies," Ryan continued. "The wood elves have agreed to transport a large one-time shipment of supplies using their ancient oak roots."
Ryan chuckled at the thought of Araloth, the wood elf commander who had mysteriously disappeared after the Eight Peaks Expedition. According to Lilith, Araloth had embarked on a "penitent crusade" as punishment, leaving Ryan to deal with the situation as he saw fit.
"Hmph! If you need more troops, Nuln can provide them," Emilia interjected, her tone laced with jealousy as she watched Ryan and Sulia. "That is, if you remember little Frederick is your son."
Laughter filled the carriage.
About half an hour later, Ryan, Sulia, and Emilia met Belya and the "Ulrich" master in the Bordeleaux Castle reception room.
"He's here! From Ostermark!" Belya said with a sycophantic grin, leading the former chief engineer of Kislev into the room. "It took a lot of effort to get him out."
"Good, welcome, Master Ulrich. Welcome to Bretonnia!" Ryan laughed, gesturing for Belya and the others to sit.
Also present was Nuln's chief engineer, Maibach, who had been hired to oversee the opening stages of Moussillon's gunpowder factory. Upon seeing "Ulrich," Maibach burst into laughter. "Hahaha! 'Master Ulrich'? I know who you really are!"
"And who might I be?" asked the former Kislev chief engineer, Sergey, who had been carefully groomed and dressed by Belya. He wore simple gray engineer's clothes, his hair and beard trimmed, his complexion darkened by hours spent on the ship's deck. If you didn't know him well, his new appearance would be unrecognizable.
Unfortunately for Sergey, Maibach knew him all too well, as the two had collaborated on several projects. Knowing they would have to work together, Ryan had decided to be upfront. Nuln wouldn't cause trouble by revealing Sergey's identity.
"You're not Ulrich. You're from the underworld!" Maibach said with a knowing smile.
"Yes, I've returned from the underworld!" Sergey—now Ulrich—replied, spreading his arms to emphasize his tall, lanky frame. "Aren't you glad to see me?"
"You old rascal, still causing trouble," Maibach sighed, shaking his head.
"Welcome to Bretonnia, Master Ulrich. We've heard much about your talents. I'd like to hire you as the chief engineer for the second workshop at Moussillon's gunpowder factory," Ryan said warmly. "Thank you for coming all this way."
"Second workshop?!" Ulrich's temper flared. "You go to all this trouble to get me out, and you're only offering me the second workshop? Who's the chief engineer of the first workshop? Is he even qualified?"
"The first workshop's chief engineer is Master Dugan Ironhand, a renowned dwarf engineer. I'm confident you'll work well together," Sulia interjected, her tone
sincere and gracious. "Please trust in our goodwill."
"Oh, a dwarf? Well, that's different." Ulrich nodded. Ignoring Belya's warning glance, he plopped down on the soft sofa, grabbed a bottle of wine, and chugged half of it. "Alright, fine. I'll take the second workshop. I don't have much choice, do I? I assume you're not letting me leave. So, I'm 'Ulrich' now."
"Great, very straightforward," Ryan smiled. "Now, let's discuss your terms. What are your demands?"
"I've got a few," Ulrich began, raising two long fingers. "First, a salary of at least 200 gold crowns per year!"
"I'll give you 300," Ryan replied.
"I want a 300-square-meter villa, fully furnished, with at least five servants."
"Done."
"I want a maid. A female maid."
"No problem, Belya will arrange that."
"I need 150 grams of vodka and 500 grams of meat daily. Beef or lamb, and maybe some chicken."
"That's fine."
"I'll work a ten-hour day, with at least one day off every ten days. And I want all official holidays off."
"Agreed," Ryan nodded patiently.
"And for my research, I need an annual budget of at least 30,000 gold marks, no interference in my work, and a guarantee that you'll build an engineering academy. I've got too much knowledge to pass down, and I'm over 40. I won't live forever, but this knowledge mustn't be lost."
"Consider it done. We've already secured a partnership with Nuln to establish the Moussillon Engineering Academy, which will be affiliated with the Moussillon Military Academy," Ryan replied. "We'll also bring in guest lecturers from Nuln's Artillery Academy. As for your research, Dugan will have final approval over any new technology or weapons. If he disagrees, you can present your case based on technical merit. Regarding the budget, we'll assign a representative from the Lady of the Lake's church to oversee expenditures. You'll report on your progress quarterly, either to Sulia or to me. And if you encounter any issues, you can bring them directly to us."
"Oh, you're an angel, my king!" Ulrich exclaimed, clearly pleased. "Alright, I'll sign the contract. Ursun bless me—"
"Not Ursun, Ulrich. It's Taal," Belya muttered with a forced smile. "You seem to be forgetting your faith."
"Oh, yes, Taal! Taal bless me, King Ryan. Compared to Tsarina Katarin, you're an angel!" Ulrich declared, prompting Sulia and Emilia to burst into laughter while Belya's face darkened. In a sarcastic tone, Belya remarked, "Your Majesty, I believe Master Ulrich has forgotten his loyalty to Taal. Perhaps we should arrange a grand baptism to remind him of his faith."
"Agreed!" Ryan said formally, before bursting into laughter himself.
Laughter filled the reception room, and even the Old Guard at the door couldn't help but join in, knowing Ryan wouldn't mind.
Soon, Kingdom Treasurer Vincent, Sylvia's father, drafted a contract for Ulrich to sign. Once the formalities were complete, Belya escorted Ulrich out, and only Ryan, Sulia, and Emilia remained. Ryan instructed the Old Guard to bring Belya back inside.
"Belya, tell me everything about your journey, the situation in Kislev, and how this all came to be," Ryan said.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Belya sat down, placing a thick stack of documents on the table. "I'll be blunt. Kislev's situation is dire. A major upheaval could happen at any moment."
"Hmm, I've gathered as much. Now, tell me everything," Ryan replied, leaning forward attentively.
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