The son of the God-Emperor in Warhammer Fantasy

A week after stepping onto the soil of the Empire, Ryan and his companions had reached Marienburg. Without pausing for long in the bustling port city, they proceeded up the Reik River. Tigris briefly met with the high elf ambassador at Iffeldorf, while Ryan, having intended to chat with Duke Schultz of Marienburg, had to leave abruptly as Tigris was eager to continue their journey.

As they arrived at the border town of Carroburg between Marienburg and Reikland, Emperor Karl Franz was waiting with the Reiksguard, the Greatswords of Brunswick, the Carroburg Greatswords, and many troops from the capital to greet Tigris. The Empire extended a warm welcome to Tigris, showing gratitude for his contributions during the Great Crusade. They also welcomed Ryan, whose rising star in Bretonnia and deep connections with the Empire, especially after killing Egil, had made the western and northern parts of the Empire prosper, earning him favorable attention from the Empire's beneficiaries.

Though Ryan sensed that part of this respect might stem from fear, his prowess also made the Imperial authorities wary.

The group settled temporarily in Carroburg, where accommodations and a campsite for the high elves were arranged by Karl Franz. Tigris and the others checked into an inn.

The luxurious and spacious inn suite impressed everyone, especially Sulia, who curiously examined many unfamiliar things. From the fifth-floor window, she viewed a town that was prosperous yet messy, bustling with life yet chaotic.

Unlike Bretonnian towns, which are typically built around a castle with careful planning by the lords, Imperial towns often evolved from villages. The local nobility preferred living in mansions and villas in quieter parts of the town or even outside in their own castles.

Carroburg, with a population nearing five thousand, was close to city size. It was bustling with traders from Marienburg and other provinces, thanks to its fertile land and thriving commerce. Such towns dotted Reikland, the Empire's wealthiest, most civilized, and strongest province, with nearly five million inhabitants—about 80% of Bretonnia's total population. The industrious governance of the Karl Franz family made Reikland have the strongest army in the Empire, making it one of the few provinces that was stable and rarely faced war.

Ryan embraced Sulia from behind, burying his head in her golden hair and inhaling her scent, "What's on your mind, Sulia? Curious about the Empire?"

She grasped his hand, "Yes, the Empire... it's quite different from Bretonnia. It's more vibrant, more spirited. People here seem to walk with their heads held high."

"Shall we take a stroll through the city?" Ryan was also intrigued. On their way into the city, he had noticed many guilds: the Boatmen's, Blacksmiths', Dockworkers', Physicians', as well as the churches of Justice, Life, and the Lady of Mercy. Despite it being deep winter, the streets were bustling.

"Won't that delay the banquet?" Sulia was interested but maintained her composure.

"Not at all. We'll just wander nearby and return shortly," Ryan persuaded.

"Alright then." Sulia agreed. Emperor Karl Franz was hosting a banquet in their honor that evening, but they had some free time in the afternoon.

Twenty minutes later, Ryan, Sulia, and her maid Sylvia were wandering the streets. The dirty, chaotic streets were a stark contrast to the pristine and orderly image of Bretonnia. The varied architecture and the throng of thickly cloaked humans going about their business or idling added to the lively chaos. Many civilians and loafers whistled disrespectfully upon seeing the beautiful knight.

Numerous Greatswords and knights patrolled the streets, obviously due to the emperor's visit. Tax collectors rough and haughty in manner were seen collecting taxes door-to-door, while lord-appointed patrol soldiers showed extremes in behavior—submissive and flattering towards the emperor's Greatswords and Imperial knights, but brutal and domineering towards the commoners, looking for any excuse to impose fines which rarely left their own pockets.

"This is quite different from Bretonnia," Ryan remarked, holding Sulia's hand while Sylvia complained, "Miss, these people are really annoying. Are all Imperials like this?"

"Don't underestimate the Imperials. They're just being cheeky because they can tell at a glance that your lady is a high noble. They wouldn't dare offend her," Ryan explained with a laugh.

"What if I dressed more 'modestly'?" Sulia asked. Today she wore a typical Bretonnian noblewoman's attire with a fur coat, swapping her floor-length gown for a knee-length skirt and high boots, which along with her striking beauty and Ryan's emblem of a Grail Knight, clearly indicated their high status.

"Then they might try to approach you,"

 Ryan chuckled. "Imperials don't care about that."

Sulia, recalling what her father had told her about the Empire, chose not to comment further.

One hundred and sixty years after the end of the Great Crusade, the savior Ludwig had proclaimed, "All men shall be rewarded for their labor." This decree had sparked a new era in the Empire, especially in the prosperous southern provinces of Reikland, Wissenland, and Averland where peasants tilled their own lands, only paying taxes to the Emperor or Elector Counts, with the rest of their produce sold for profit. Local lords could only tax these transactions. When new troops were needed, these peasants were the finest recruits, eager for war which offered them a chance at nobility.

In the northern Empire, however, conditions were similar to those in Bretonnia where peasants had to surrender most of their harvest, making them also long for war to ensure full stomachs.

But regardless, unified under one nation, one people, and one faith, all Imperials took pride in their country.

Beggars and vagrants were plentiful, pleading, "Sir, please, I haven't eaten in three days. I just need a few copper coins, even one would help... The bakery across the street is clearing out old stock, a copper coin would let me eat well, Lady Shallya will bless you."

Moved by the sight, Sulia reached for a coin, but Ryan stopped her, "My wife, you can't help everyone."

"But..." the kind-hearted knight hesitated.

"There's no need to pity these people," a mature male voice interjected. Emperor Karl Franz, casually dressed and accompanied by a dozen Reiksguard, approached with a warm and genuine smile. His Herald, Ludwig Schwartzhammer, followed closely, "There's work everywhere in town. Even the lowest paid jobs, like dung collectors, bone pickers, and scavengers, earn enough to feed them. Don't encourage idleness."

"Hello, Your Majesty," Ryan greeted, standing straight and reaching out to shake hands with the Emperor.

The fully armed Reiksguard were initially displeased with Ryan's somewhat informal gesture, but considering his renowned deeds, they remained calm and protective around the Emperor.

Carroburg was full of patrolling Imperial knights and Greatswords, ensuring safety wasn't a concern. Ryan thought that perhaps Emperor Karl Franz shared his interest in strolling through the town.

The prowess of a common Imperial knight was slightly above that of a Bretonnian ranger knight but much less than that of a kingdom knight. Rich and populous, Reikland alone boasted several knightly orders totaling a few thousand knights.

"Hello, Lord Ryan, Lady Sulia, ha! Are you also enjoying a walk?" The Emperor shook hands warmly, "Welcome to Reikland, the strongest, oldest, and wealthiest province of the Empire, and also my homeland."

Ryan thought that technically, Middenland and Talabecland held the titles for oldest, but he chose not to correct the Emperor.

"It is indeed a rich and beautiful land." Sulia also shook hands with Karl Franz, who slightly raised her hand in a gesture of a kiss, "Welcome, welcome, I wish you both joy in your marriage."

"Your Majesty, you have time?" Ryan, now a Bretonnian noble but deeply connected with the Empire, after a moment's consideration, performed a respectful gesture.

This eased the Reiksguard's expressions significantly.

"Everything is arranged by my subordinates, so despite my Herald Ludwig's disapproval, I decided to take a stroll," the Emperor chuckled, patting Ryan's arm, "What do you say, Champion of the Lady of the Lake, care to join me for a walk?"

Ludwig Schwartzhammer grunted unhappily, clearly displeased with the Emperor's impulsiveness.

"Of course," Ryan accepted the difficult-to-refuse invitation.

So, what started as three people became a crowd. The Emperor inspected market prices, discussing the fluctuations in grain and iron prices with Ryan, and the impact of those damned Marienburg traders on the market, sharing the latest news.

Both Karl Franz and Ryan tactfully avoided discussing Tigris's purpose for visiting.

Turning a street corner, they approached a mercenary guild where a giant corpse sparked interest in both Ryan and the Emperor.

It was a cyclops, displayed high on a frame outside the mercenary guild, with a broken lance stuck in its sole eye. Besides this fatal wound, the cyclops bore numerous deep gashes.

This display signified another human victory in the eternal war against evil.

"I wonder which brave soul accomplished this feat? If I could meet him, I'd reward him handsomely," Emperor Karl Franz headed into the guild, his Herald and the Holy Warriors closely guarding him.

"Let's go in and have a look," Ryan suggested, holding Sulia's hand, a hint of nostalgia on his face, "Back when I was a ranger

 and kingdom knight, I often visited mercenary guilds to look for work."

"Are you planning to take on a job now?" Sulia asked, amused.

"That depends if they can afford my fee now, heh," Ryan joked. His status was no longer what it once was; it was unlikely he'd find suitable work in a guild, and besides, his fee would be exorbitant, requiring approval from Morgiana or even the Lady of the Lake herself.

As they entered the guild, an argument reached their ears. The Reiksguard instinctively grasped their sword handles, prepared to strike down any threat.

"Captain Boris! You clearly don't understand the situation! Paying you five gold marks to wipe out a band of robbers is already a lot! Don't be greedy!" an impatient guild staff member argued with a group of mercenaries at the bar: "If you don't want the job, plenty of others do! If you don't like it, leave!"

"But sir, your price is too low. According to your intel, these are fully armed thieves with shields, axes, and even two hand crossbows. Five gold marks is too little, isn't it? How about eight... or seven?"

"Five gold marks is too little? Did you see that cyclops outside? A knight errant named Kalad did that alone and only charged thirty gold marks, and he wiped out an entire goblin tribe for just twenty. You northerners lack the skills, so don't blame us for the low pay!" the staff member retorted rudely: "Take it or leave it, nobody's forcing you."

The mercenaries, about thirty or forty strong, carried a battle-worn banner with a bloody axe emblem.

Ryan smiled, recognizing them: "Your Majesty, I know them."

"That's quite fortuitous," Emperor Karl Franz nodded, signaling the Reiksguard to lower their weapons.

Ryan approached the arguing man and patted him on the back.

"Hey, Captain Boris, Vice-Captain Wilt, we meet again."

"Lord... Lord Ryan?!"

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