Chapter 1411: Carl Franz’s Melancholy

If anyone still remembers, this Rick Guard was once a recruit when Laine first visited Brittania, and then ordered to escort him when Laine left. Rudolph accomplished the mission successfully, and during the plague battle at Hemgart, he succeeded in rallying the remaining forces along with another Rick Guard recruit, Wagner. They repelled the Skaven Ratmen in the Battle of the Justice Church, earning high recognition from the Imperial Army.

After the Hemgart battle, Rudolph and Wagner went on different paths; Rudolph stayed behind and became an Imperial Captain, while Wagner chose to go to Nuer to pledge allegiance to Emmanuelle after she appeared, also becoming an officer with a dual role as Master of Engineering.

In just four or five years of enlistment, the promotion speed of these two Rick Guard recruits is akin to a rocket, making many Imperial Soldiers envious. But the fact is, as children of great nobility, they naturally have a huge shortcut on the career path, and what’s more compelling is that these noble children not only had the advantage of family and status, but also were very capable themselves. Whether in terms of martial valor or command, their good upbringing and military training started early, especially since Savior Ludwig reformed military merits, nobles in the Empire now highly regard military achievements. At banquets, aged nobles who have never fought in a battle are despised and ridiculed.

It is becoming increasingly difficult for officers of civilian origin to make a name for themselves.

Obion Island is a fog-shrouded island, located west of Norsca and across the sea from both Nord Kingdom and Norsca, not very far from Brittania’s Connet Duchy. The island has some native inhabitants known as the Truth-Tellers. They aren’t humans of the Old World but were exiled here by Ancient Saints from Lustria. They know how to use some basic magic. Because Obion Island is perpetually shrouded in fog, the people of the Old World believe it contains relics and heritage of Ancient Saints. Recently, the Royal Chief Grand Wizard, Sernus German, led an Imperial Infantry Corps to explore it, calculated that he should return unless he doesn’t wish to compete for the position of Royal Chief Grand Wizard.

Therefore, Archbishop Vikma didn’t think much of it. The Church typically doesn’t interfere with the Emperor’s internal affairs, but Vikma didn’t plan to leave; he just sat there on the sofa, staring at the Emperor about five meters away, without speaking a word.

The ink bottle and the quill inside were pushed in front of Rudolph. The Emperor grinned, sitting on his chair, speaking lightly: “Did German find anything?”

“Lord German’s army almost lost its way in the fog.” Rudolph slightly shifted his body sideways, thus blocking the view between Vikma and Emperor Carl Franz with his robust physique: “After some losses, Lord German successfully established a port camp and named it ‘Newland’.”

“Oh, is that so.” The Emperor nodded slowly, pushing the parchment forward: “So, tell me, what did German discover?”

“There are some relics of Ancient Saints on the island and some mechanisms of the Ancient Saints.” Rudolph gently picked up the quill and started writing on the parchment: “But due to language barriers, the peculiar hieroglyphs couldn’t be deciphered and understood, naturally making it impossible to open the mechanisms left by the Ancient Saints.”

The Rick Guard tightened his grip on the quill, rapidly writing on it as Emperor Carl Franz knew. The Emperor then continued: “So there’s no harvest, huh? What about the local natives? Can we communicate with them?”

“No way to communicate.” Rudolph said quietly.

“No one knows their language?” The Emperor smiled peculiarly.

“No one knows; these natives seem to completely distrust anything with two feet. Their magic isn’t particularly powerful, but they are excellent at transforming into birds and fighting in the fog. Lord German encountered troubles and had to return empty-handed.” Rudolph spoke slowly, seemingly not in line with his usual style.

When the words were finished, Rudolph calmly placed the quill back into the ink bottle and pushed the parchment forward.

The Emperor reached out and received it, glancing discreetly at Archbishop Vikma sitting in the armchair, finding Vikma’s line of sight was already blocked by Rudolph before lowering his head to read the parchment.

“Scout report! Supreme Dean Odo of the Bright Academy has assembled a large mercenary corps and stationed in the Blood Pine Forest! Among them are many Combat Priests and Temple Knights! Is this related to the upcoming Royal Grand Mage competition?”

Carl Franz’s hand slightly trembled, the Emperor’s eyes sharp as a sword but quickly subdued. He nodded and then said softly: “I see. It’s hard work for German to expand the Empire’s territory by exploring Obion Island.”

The Emperor naturally picked up the quill and made a big “√” on the parchment.

“How long will it take for our Flame Academy’s Supreme Dean and his men to arrive?” The Emperor placed the parchment back in front of Rudolph.

“Probably a few more days.” Rudolph noted the Emperor’s checkmark and understood.