The son of the God-Emperor in Warhammer Fantasy

The War Mammoth formations finally broke through the Chaos Dwarf lines mercilessly.

Following them were swarms of Chaos Warriors and Nurgle's chosen champions. These Kurgan warriors, who had given everything to Chaos, wore heavy armor and wielded battle axes, halberds, and even two-handed hammers. They charged into the Chaos Dwarf lines, initiating a massacre.

These Chaos warriors and chosen champions no longer needed food or rest. They had already sacrificed everything for the Dark Gods. While ordinary warriors could find comfort in food, firesides, and women, Chaos warriors could only find joy in following the will of their gods.

But these followers of the Dark Gods gained extraordinary strength in return. Their full-body armor was proof of this—armor that wasn't crafted by the Kurgan's inferior metallurgy but had grown from their skin after embracing Chaos.

The gifts from the Dark Gods didn't end there. The massive Norscan dragonship fleets weren't built by the Norscans but appeared fully formed from the ice fjords and Chaos Seas after a sacrificial ceremony.

What? Someone says that's unreasonable?

Chaos never bothers with mortal reason. Mortals cannot comprehend the essence of Chaos; they only use their shallow knowledge and childish logic to deduce the Dark Gods' intentions, which is destined to fail.

The leader of the Chaos Dwarfs, Sorcerer-Prophet Drazhoath the Ashen, wasn't such a fool. He quickly realized that he and his army were in danger and ordered a retreat, with the elite Infernal Guard and himself covering the rear.

The flanking auxiliary troops finally showed their worth. Large groups of goblins and various slaves were driven to the front lines to die under the orders of the Chaos Dwarf sorcerer-smiths. They performed this task well but couldn't prevent the Chaos Dwarfs' defeat.

No army could withstand the onslaught of the Chaos War Mammoths.

The Infernal Guard fought desperately to stop the War Mammoths but were trampled into the ground. The war elephants' sheer size and power caused heavy casualties among the Infernal Guard, and Drazhoath ordered them to fight to the last man.

Thus, on this day, all the Infernal Guards found the glorious death they sought.

Many isolated Chaos Dwarfs chose to self-destruct with their beloved war machines, buying enough time for the main Chaos Dwarf force to retreat into the Black Fortress. Drazhoath cast a massive Chaos spell, engulfing the battlefield in volcanic ash and smoke. While Tamu Khan's Chaos army was busy pursuing and looting, the Sorcerer-Prophet and his main forces successfully retreated into the fortress, which was then tightly besieged by the Chaos army.

The battle reached a stalemate. Tamu Khan's Nurgle forces lacked sufficient siege weapons, and the Chaos Dwarfs couldn't break out, resulting in a prolonged siege.

A letter was soon sent from the Nurgle camp to the Black Fortress.

"I am Tamu Khan, son of the Kurgan Emperor, Builder of Ruins, King of Armies, Chosen Champion of the Decaying Father Nurgle. I have a proposal."

"Sorcerer-Prophet Drazhoath the Ashen, we have surrounded your fortress. Do you want us to destroy it? Do you want to see your fortress reduced to rubble? Today's battle was splendid, witnessed by the gods. You Chaos Dwarfs have impressed us! You have earned honor, and negotiating now doesn't harm your reputation!"

"The children of the Father of Decay do not wish to war with the children of Hashut. Let us ally, conquer human lands, and overthrow Charlemagne's empire! We have mighty beasts, invincible cavalry, and steadfast warriors, and you have steel, gunpowder, and faith. Our union is the will of the gods!"

"The warriors of Kurgan yearn to fight alongside the sons of Zar!"

Upon receiving this letter, Drazhoath initially sneered, tossing it aside. The children of the Dark Father Hashut never feared war. If Tamu Khan dared to attack the Black Fortress, the hundreds of Hellcannons and Magma Cannons on the walls would teach him who ruled these lands.

But then, Drazhoath considered that Tamu Khan's proposal wasn't without merit. Deep within, he coveted the Empire of Charlemagne. Legend spoke of a land built of gold, ores, and steel, with a vast population ripe for plunder.

Most importantly, as an exiled Chaos Dwarf demon sorcerer, Drazhoath had spent centuries rising from exile to ruler of the Black Fortress. Would it take him more centuries to become the highest leader of the Chaos Dwarfs, the most favored by Hashut?

No, the Chaos Dwarfs' dark magic and war machines vastly outmatched the Empire of Charlemagne. Drazhoath intended to prove his worth through true conquest. Humans? A worthless rabble. Indeed, Tamu Khan's suggestion had merit. Drazhoath should form an expeditionary force, ally with Tamu Khan, and invade Charlemagne's empire, assimilating all human engineering and magical secrets. Returning victorious, he would be the rising star before Hashut, bearing the weight of the Chaos Dwarfs' dark empire—a mission that should be his.

Satisfied, Drazhoath decided to organize an expeditionary force and ally with Tamu Khan for the westward invasion.

Tamu Khan was extremely pleased with this outcome. The two sides officially signed an alliance, with Tamu Khan accepting all the Chaos Dwarfs' conditions. Thus, Hashut's followers joined his army, bringing the Chaos Throne within reach.

A year later, Drazhoath the Ashen realized the hardships and trials of this westward expedition and the terrifying, despair-inducing silver demon they would face.

... Line between Chaos Dwarfs and Kurgan warriors ...

Naturally, Ryan was unaware of the events in the far-off Dark Lands. At that moment, he, Surya, Alfred, Emilia, Olica, and Sylvia were approaching Nuln.

"Nuln has a long and rich history," Emilia said, standing at the bow of the Reik Navy's giant ship, gazing at the distant city. Ryan's maid held her son, little Frederick, and spoke to Ryan, Surya, and the others. "It is considered one of the greatest cities in Imperial history, known as the Jewel of the Reikland and a long-time capital of the Empire."

Everyone listened attentively as Emilia, proud of her city, spoke of Nuln's history. She felt immense pride as Nuln's ruler, having grown up there and feeling deeply connected to the city. Her affection for Nuln played a significant role in her decision to return when its representatives requested her return.

Ryan smiled silently, his gaze on the broad surface of the Reik River. It was February, still a bit cold, but the river had thawed, allowing navigation.

His visit to Nuln was to leverage the city to open new opportunities for Bretonnia. The plan to send 500 young children to study in Nuln had only been finalized through his and Emilia's personal connections. Simply put, Nuln didn't want to accept them; Ryan forced them in. Even now, Nuln's nobles weren't hostile or disdainful towards Ryan but definitely harbored no extra goodwill.

This was understandable. After all, Ryan didn't marry their Duchess Emmanuelle yet fathered a child with her, despite bringing many orders to Nuln.

Therefore, Ryan decided to visit Nuln personally with Surya, presenting himself to the nobles and citizens. He wanted the name Ryan Macado to be more than a symbol or a bard's tale, but a person of flesh and blood.

Only then would the children sent to study in Nuln avoid contempt and bullying. Ryan believed his personal prestige should be used when necessary, and now was an important opportunity.

Emilia continued to speak about Nuln's history. "Nuln is the Empire's first city, its industrial and academic center. Throughout Imperial history, Nuln served as the capital far longer than Altdorf or Middenheim. After Emperor Charlemagne disappeared at the World's Edge Mountains' end, Emperor Hedrick's reign lasted less than three years, and Emperor Heidrich ruled for about fifty-two years. Then Emperor Fulker moved the capital from Reikdorf, now called Altdorf, to Nuln."

"Since then, Nuln served as the capital for far longer than Altdorf or Middenheim." Emilia said proudly, "Until Conqueror Sigismund II moved his imperial court back to Reikdorf, renaming it Altdorf, Nuln had ruled the Empire for five hundred years."

"Sigismund II, huh?" Ryan smiled, nodding. This Emperor was quite famous.

After ascending to the throne, Sigismund II inherited an empire in its middle age, rife with problems. As Elector Count of Reikland and Emperor, Sigismund II used a unique method to solve these issues.

He continued massive internal construction projects to stimulate domestic demand and pursued external expansion.

His greatest achievements included conquering the Jutons and their kingdom, establishing the province of Westerland (now Marienburg and its surroundings), subjugating part of Bretonnia and creating the province of Wismark (now part of the Kingdom of Bretonnia's north, predating Arthur's rise by centuries), and conquering the plains south of the Black Mountains, establishing the province of Lichtenberg (now the Border Princes).

Thus, Sigismund earned the title "Conqueror" and was considered the greatest Emperor since Charlemagne. Under his rule, the Empire entered a

 prosperous era.

Unfortunately, his conquests didn't last. His territories gradually fell as the Empire declined, and the provinces were eventually abandoned (Marienburg's status is debatable). This underscores a truth: expansion is not always beneficial, and beyond a certain point, the costs outweigh the benefits, halting further conquest.

"Then comes the story of Ludwig the Savior," Emilia continued. The maid spread her arms, her mature demeanor, elegant High Gothic with a Nuln aristocratic accent, displaying Imperial cultural etiquette. "The Great War and Ludwig's story are well-known. I won't repeat it."

"But I must remind you that Nulnites take great pride in Ludwig's choice to make this his capital and home. They consider his reign here a miracle granted by Charlemagne. In this city, you will see Ludwig's family crest everywhere, including the twin-tailed comet and the golden griffon. Therefore, never speak disrespectfully or lightly of Ludwig in Nuln. Otherwise, Nulnites will ensure you regret it with their beloved firearms." Emilia smiled. "As the Imperial Duchess and ruler of Nuln, I won't stand by you if you cross this line."

Many on the warship swallowed nervously. Nuln's Ironclad Guard and Emilia's followers were fine, but Ryan's old guards and some servants knew Emilia was speaking to them.

Not far away, Nuln, the Empire's jewel, appeared before them, famed for its towering walls and forest of bridges. Most notably, the Nuln Gunnery School.

Even from a distance, the city's smoke blotted out the sky. A vast army was ready to welcome their Duchess back—a strong standing army of thousands. Guards on the walls and bridges ensured the city's safety, with hundreds of cannons pointing outward, a rough estimate by Ryan.

Nuln's Imperial army boasted the Empire's most formidable gunpowder weapons. These confident iron legions were in formation, ready to welcome Emilia and her guests.

Grand Marshal Erstein of Nuln, Grand Master Pfisman of the Order of the Fiery Sun, High Judge Theodore Bruckner of Nuln, Marquis Auger Hauk of Wissenland, and parts of the Nuln Blackstone Guard and Ironclad Guard, along with Nuln's nobles, stood ready.

"Salute!"

"Welcome back to your faithful Nuln, esteemed Duchess!"

"And welcome to Ryan Macado and Lady Surya. Welcome to Nuln!"

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