Recently, Adabay had been feeling quite good about himself. Despite appearing calm on the surface during the dwarven revenge incident and Ryan's arrival, he was actually very anxious. He feared someone might come after him, knowing that he was often just a disposable pawn. If the merchant princes thought he was no longer useful, he could easily be abandoned.
Therefore, when the dwarves arrived, Adabay had already made several arrangements to distance himself from the whirlpool of trouble.
Everything had been planned out, but then the sudden attack on the Emperor shocked all of Marienburg. Everyone cursed the recklessness and carelessness of Hugemans, especially the citizens of Marienburg. They never considered themselves part of the Empire and thought, "If you're going to attempt an assassination, at least plan it more thoroughly!"
However, Adabay quickly realized that this event had lifted the danger off his shoulders. Everyone in Marienburg, including the dwarves and the Bretonnians, had shifted their attention to the Emperor and the two councils.
I'm safe now!
Hugemans, you legend!
Through his sacrifice, he had secured safety for both Adabay and Alphonse.
The storm had passed. Adabay sat in the attic of the Seagull and Trident Inn, secretly looking down at the beautiful and captivating Queen Sulia. He suddenly felt that he still had a chance. He just needed to wait for the current situation to die down and then carefully plan his next move.
"Alphonse, have you delivered the gifts I asked you to?" Adabay asked his son.
"They've all been delivered, two sets of gifts worth twenty thousand gold marks. One for the Bretonnians, and one for the Ashen Legion," Alphonse nodded. "These included dozens of top-quality dwarf plate armors, over a hundred muskets, and a large amount of logistical supplies. They've all been accepted."
"Good, very good. Next, we'll take the lead in organizing Marienburg's fines and donations. We'll start with a donation of fifteen thousand gold marks! Alphonse, you go and rally the city to donate, especially the members of the two councils," Adabay said confidently.
"But, Father, will the council members be willing to donate? It's not like charity that builds a reputation," Alphonse hesitated.
"Ha, you don't understand," Adabay chuckled. The underground emperor of Marienburg extended a finger, tapping the table lightly. "The council members must donate first. Only then will the citizens be willing to follow. That's a necessary condition."
Alphonse nodded in agreement, leaning back in his chair. "But how do we persuade the council members to donate?"
"It's simple. We make a deal with them beforehand. Once all the donations are in, the council members get their money back, and we split the citizens' donations seventy-thirty," Adabay explained, drawing a cross on the table.
"Got it," Alphonse quickly understood, grabbed his wide-brimmed hat, and left.
Adabay watched his son leave and glanced down again. Ryan, Queen Sulia, and Beria were sitting there, discussing something.
Adabay knew they were probably talking about important matters, but he wouldn't dare get close to eavesdrop. Ryan's strength was far beyond his. He only had one life, and it could end quickly if he wasn't careful.
He hoped that his actions would leave a good impression on Ryan and the others, so no one would focus on him.
This was a moment for retreat and change.
Up in the attic, someone was thinking. Down below, on the terrace, Ryan had just assigned Beria a task.
Brittany had no right to interfere in Marienburg's internal affairs, but Grand Duke Schultz hiring a personal advisor was beyond reproach. Ryan had carefully considered this, assigning Beria to Schultz's side. As a fully secular bureaucrat, Beria's presence wouldn't offend the merchants.
"Also, send these letters immediately!" Ryan handed over several letters to Beria. "In my name, send these to the Sea God Church and have them delivered to all the electors in the Empire, except the Emperor's faction. Also, send one to Arch Lector Vikmar and White Wolf Pope Emil-Wagner. The letter to Vikmar should be in the name of West Brittany's patriarch, Alfred. Remember that."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Beria took the thick stack of letters, bowed, and left.
"If we can't stop it, then we'll muddy the waters!" Ryan smiled as he gazed out at the sea. "How could our Emperor Karl think he could have it all? He seems to forget that his empire is a fragmented one!"
"Come on, Sulia, let's go see little Sorgelin."
"Alright!"
...And so, two days later, the Marienburg city council was forced to convene once again. This time, the High Elves made their move, challenging the Emperor and his Purge Committee. "Marienburg is the only officially designated trading port for the Asur in the Old World, and it's where our embassy and last enclave are located. The Purge Committee established by the Empire has severely impacted the interests and freedoms of the Asur. We cannot trust that this committee will protect our interests, so we demand that the High Elves hold more than a third of the seats in Marienburg's governance! Otherwise, we will reject the committee's authority!"
The Emperor was caught off guard by this challenge. If he allowed the elves to participate, the power of the Purge Committee would be severely diminished.
Meanwhile, sitting in the VIP section, Sorgelin Ironhammer, the eldest son of Belegar, had piled up several books to raise his seat and was listening intently to Ryan. He asked, "King Ryan, isn't Marienburg part of the Empire? Aren't its people citizens of the Empire? Why is the Emperor doing this? And why do you want me to stand with Marienburg? Aren't we enemies with the merchant princes?"
"Prince Sorgelin, please calm down and listen to my analysis," Ryan smiled.
"Of course, my father told me before I came here to listen carefully to everything Brother Ryan says. He didn't want me to make things difficult for you," Sorgelin replied, admiring his father, the true King of Eight Peaks, Belegar Ironhammer.
"Our goals are different from the Emperor's. We came to Marienburg just to teach these merchant princes a lesson, to cause some trouble, but not to overturn the table," Ryan explained. "We're just forcing these crooks to cough up some money. But the Emperor's goal is different. He wants to seize their wealth and strip them of their autonomy."
Sorgelin nodded repeatedly. "I understand. It's the difference between demanding ransom and full loyalty. Sometimes when clans make mistakes, we just ask for enough gold or meteoric iron as ransom, and that's the end of it."
"Exactly. But if the Empire takes over Marienburg, then the Old World's market for raw materials and goods will fall under the Empire's control. Prices and trade will be dictated by the Emperor," Ryan continued. "Moreover, the Emperor is short on funds. He's likely to 'requisition' Marienburg's wealth. Once that precedent is set, he'll never stop. Every time he runs out of money, he'll look to Marienburg. If that happens, Marienburg will lose its status."
Sorgelin was quick to grasp the concept. "Oh, I get it now! It's like when dwarves worry that King Bjornoff of Sea Gate might change Sea Gate's longstanding tradition of openness and trade. We can't let the Empire take control of Marienburg!"
Ryan was impressed with Sorgelin's quick understanding. Clearly, Belegar had entrusted his eldest son to Ryan's care for a reason: "Brother Ryan, I'm not great at teaching kids. You take care of little Sorgelin for me."
In simple terms, it was similar to how, in Ryan's previous life, the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire and the rise of the Ottoman Empire led to the control of the Silk Road, forcing European merchants to seek "new routes." For Ryan, if the Empire took full control of Marienburg, Brittany's trade activities in the Old World would depend entirely on the Empire. His only option would be to trade with the New World, which would then be controlled by the High Elves.
Losing trade autonomy would result in huge financial losses, no doubt about it.
Additionally, Marienburg acted as a buffer between the Empire and Brittany. Historically, the two nations weren't always allies. Frictions and wars were not uncommon. As the saying goes, "distant fragrance and close stench" — meaning proximity breeds conflict.
At least for now, Ryan still held control over his trade routes. Like having choices with brands like Adidas or Nike, he had the power to choose.
"I understand!" Sorgelin grasped Ryan's point.
And so, after hours of negotiation between the Empire and the High Elves, where the elves were granted two or three seats on the Purge Committee, Sorgelin suddenly stood up and delivered his own punchline: "I disagree! Emperor Karl-Franz, son of Sigmar, I do not understand your decision. On behalf of all the dwarves of Marienburg, I reject it! By including the High Elves in the Purge Committee, you are severely infringing on the rights of the dwarves. I demand that the dwarves must also have seats in the Purge Committee, equal to the number of elven seats! Otherwise, we cannot trust you to protect our interests!"
"??!!" Emperor Karl-Franz felt like he
'd been struck on the head. His most reliable ally, the dwarves, had just stabbed him in the back at a critical moment!
If both the elves and dwarves joined the committee, would there be any peace left?
The Emperor immediately realized who the mastermind was. His eyes fell on Ryan, sitting in the VIP section with a silent smile. The Emperor wanted nothing more than to grab his warhammer and smash the head of this knightly king, whom he considered a dear friend and confidant!
Damn it! And I can't even beat him! The Emperor fumed, his head almost smoking with frustration. But faced with the dwarves' demands, he couldn't simply brush them off. These were dwarves, the sacred allies of the Empire!
The Emperor's strong position had suddenly turned into a weak one, and he had no choice but to delay his decision, intending to discuss the next steps with his court.
But the matter wasn't over. Two days later, as Teclis's High Elven phoenix ship approached Marienburg, the entire Old World learned about the Purge Committee.
The Elector Counts and those with electoral rights, having received Ryan's letters and being the first to obtain inside information, immediately reacted.
The Grand Duke of Middenland, Boris Todbringer, declared that Marienburg belonged to all citizens of the Empire. Middenland would send three knights to join the Purge Committee!
Electress Emmanuelle of Nuln stated that Marienburg's order was of paramount importance, and Nuln University's legal scholars and professors were ready to join the committee to provide legal expertise!
The Grand Baron of Hochland, Elector Aldebrand Ludenhof, said that he would support the Emperor by sending two master huntsmen to Marienburg, ready to assist in the purge!
The Speaker of Ostermark, Elector Wolfram Hertwig, announced that vampire hunters from Ostermark were ready to aid the Emperor, with two already on their way to Marienburg!
Grand Duke Alberich of Stirland expressed that Marienburg's security couldn't lack the presence of Stirland. Their experience with the undead would be a valuable asset, and two veteran warrior-priests and an ascetic monk were ready to help!
Helmut Feuerbach, Grand Duke of Talabecland, was shocked by the news and quipped that the Emperor must be planning something insane if he needed all this. He, too, would send men!
Even Halfling Mootland's electoral authority, Sisame Fatheart, timidly stated that Halflings were also citizens of the Empire and that the Purge Committee needed two Halfling chefs. She would make arrangements immediately.
Next, White Wolf Pope Emil-Wager announced that a team of White Wolf monks was ready to go, while Grand Theogonist Vikmar said he would send an entire regiment of holy warriors to assist with the purge!
Finally, King Theodoric Gausser of Nordland declared that Marienburg had historically been Nordland's territory. Didn't his rune-fanged sword come from the Wasteland? He would personally lead an army south to join the purge committee and take control of Marienburg!
Boris Todbringer even added that the Emperor could focus on Marienburg. It was fine; Middenland would take care of Brunwick! They'd manage security well, starting with that Lahmian vampire lady, Genevieve, who had been granted permanent residence by the Emperor himself.
"I'll solve this mess myself!" Karl-Franz completely lost his composure upon hearing the news. The Emperor rarely lost his temper, but this time, he furiously roared in his temporary residence: "Now the purge committee is targeting me! What are Boris and the others trying to do?!"
"A fragmented empire," Ryan laughed upon hearing the news. "Your control over your nation is still different from mine, Karl. Sorry."
With so many people joining the Purge Committee, how could it operate under the Emperor's guidance? It had turned into a chaotic version of the Imperial Parliament, where bickering and disputes would prevail!
Yet, there was no alternative. The elves had joined, so the dwarves had to as well. With the dwarves in, naturally, every Elector Count and major church would want to add their own representatives. Once that door opened, it couldn't be closed again. Before the Emperor could finalize his plans, the Electors had already jumped in, and he had lost control of the situation.
Thus, the goal the Emperor had worked so hard to achieve was shattered before it even began. The Purge Committee, which was meant to consolidate power, had already changed its structure and would no longer serve its intended purpose.
Meanwhile, Ryan and his companions received their compensation from the Marienburg merchants through the two councils. The payment would be made in two installments: the first five million gold marks immediately, and the second installment of six million two hundred thousand gold marks after they returned from Ulthuan. The extra four hundred thousand gold marks were considered interest. Sorgelin also agreed and immediately lent this money to Emperor Karl-Franz.
And with the arrival of Teclis, two ironclad ships were ready to set sail.
A new journey was about to begin.
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