Chapter 1040: Chapter 452: Another Traitor Captured
Is that justice?
Haha, that’s just venting.
"Alright... I understand, let’s judge it this way." Mogiana nodded, then continued, "Second question, are you really planning to hand over the Black Stone Stronghold to those Dwarves?"
"Is there any better option?" Laine smiled and said, "Or do you prefer letting Vampires occupy it? Or Green Skins?"
"How about we station troops at the Black Stone Stronghold?" Mogiana was also troubled by this.
"How to station troops? Three hundred troops? And transport provisions for a thousand people each time? Can three hundred men defend such a large stronghold against the attack of Green Skins and bandits?" Laine shook his head, "For now, letting Belgar and his clansmen have a base is more suitable than us forcibly occupying a mountain fortress."
"Since you insist, then let’s do it that way." Mogiana evidently had her own thoughts on this matter, but the Lake God Witch chose to relent this time, "What would the Dwarves want from the Kingdom?"
"Food." Laine crossed his arms and leaned back against the chair, "The main issue is still food; the Dwarves consume a lot, and the mountain area’s food production is low. Belgar is planning to write letters to summon all his clansmen to gather at the Black Stone Stronghold and resume production, with food being the primary issue."
"The food issue can be resolved easily through trade." Mogiana immediately raised a new question, "Apart from that, we need to respond to his call and initiate a Knightly War... When does he plan to start?"
"At least wait until he has gathered all his clansmen, completed training and reorganization, crafted enough weapons, and made preparations for the expedition." Laine smiled, "In this battle, Francois and I have paid a significant price; let’s rest for two or three years first."
"Alright, I understand. When you feel the time is right, let me know. I will issue a Knightly War decree in the Lady’s name to rally the Knights to join the expeditionary army to Eight Peaks Mountain. The Dwarves helped us this time, so the Knights will surely return the favor." With several matters discussed, Mogiana began to focus her attention on other things, "Such a strong smell of alcohol, go wash up and come back later; I’ll accompany you tonight."
"But..." Laine seemed a bit conflicted; he knew it would be like this.
"There’s no ’but’; go clean yourself up before coming back. I’ll be waiting for you here." Seeing Laine still hesitating and conflicted, the Lake God Witch’s face reddened, and she whispered in Laine’s ear, "Didn’t you say before you wanted to try again with me... I’ve already cleaned up. Go on."
"Oh oh oh!" Laine’s eyes flashed green.
...... I’m the dividing line of flashing green eyes ......
After resting for a day, the Knightly Army began the return journey.
"Laine Brothers... Sometimes we Dwarves really envy humans for being able to ride horses." King Belgar of Eight Peaks sat at the head of the wagon, gulping down Bagman Beer, and said to Laine beside him, "Due to some well-known reasons, it’s very difficult for us to ride mounts."
"Hehe~" With a flushed face and a joyful expression, Laine replied somewhat distractedly, "I heard when I was in the Empire that the earliest Dwarves got along well with humans from Avey Territory because the Dwarves needed cavalry, and the people from Avey needed weapons and armor."
"That’s right, before Emperor Charlemagne established the empire, several Dwarf clans located in the World’s Roof Mountain Range and the Black Mountain Range had already begun trade with humans. At that time, the people in Avey Territory were called Buri Classical People, whose temperament was straightforward and enthusiastic like Dwarves. Avey Territory was a great plain rich in food and quality horses, but... if you ask me, Avey’s horses are still far inferior to your warhorses... In any case, since then, Dwarves and humans have had a fairly reliable trade relationship, where we need human food and cavalry, and humans need our weapons and armor." In good spirits, Belgar said, "To rebuild the Black Stone Stronghold, we need massive food support, so I’ll leave this matter to you."
"We’ll initially support you with some food, and once everything settles, our trade will resolve the food issue." Laine nodded; this was about negotiating terms.
"We also need some manpower, along with wagons, meat, and fresh vegetables provided by you." Belgar continued, "In return, we’ll help you train qualified Engineers and artisans... Learn as much as you can."
"Alright."
Outside the wagon, Laine and Belgar were bargaining, while inside, the Lake God Witch and Veronica were lying on the swaying little bed. With her face red, Mogiana buried her head in the pillow, feeling sore and powerless all over, unable to move.
Veronica was in a similar state; the Jialan Witch had already fallen asleep.
Mogiana cursed Laine silently, thinking he was a rogue for not being gentle and exhaustively tormenting her, leaving her now unable to do anything but lie still.
On the other hand, the Lake God Witch felt physically comfortable, radiant, with her face glowing, satisfied as she felt the soft blankets and cushions beneath her.
Mogiana’s magic power had gradually recovered. Her next step was to retrieve the Potion Chalice, after which her power would fully return.
Now was the time to lie low, awaiting the right moment.
The army continued its journey back.
Meanwhile, outside the endless Subspace storm, in the Main Material Universe, Holy Terra, in the Imperial Palace, Throne Hall.
Still the familiar sound of ozone crackling and various electrical wire currents, the Primarch of the Thousand Sons, Magnus, sat on the Golden Throne reading a book, laughing incessantly as he recited.
"Citizens! The Emperor needs you!"
"Serving the Empire is supreme glory!"
"The Emperor knows all! He is watching!"
"Only death ends duty!"
"To die for Him is better than to live disgracefully!"
"Recognize heresy, kill heresy!"
"Obey without hesitation!"
"Fear weakens faith!"
"A true Imperial citizen never doubts!"
"Hahahahahahaha~" Magnus’s wild laughter echoed throughout the Throne Hall until a mental blow struck his forehead, and Magnus cried out, complaining, "Father! Isn’t this mess that fool’s doing? Why hit me?"
Near the Golden Throne, inside a device used to seal the Star God, a Demon Prince was imprisoned. The Master of Humans and Primarch of the Raven Guard, Clarkson, was checking the instrument’s stability. Upon hearing Magnus’s voice, the Emperor remained unresponsive, while Clarkson turned his head towards Magnus and shouted, "Shut up, Magnus, unless you want me to repeat what I did to Lorgar on you."
"Humph! Damn Clarkson, albino, always threatening me!" Magnus’s voice was notably smaller; he defiantly continued reading, grumbling, "Lorgar’s issue is different from mine; he’s much easier to deal with."
Previously, the Emperor, leading the Imperial Guard and Primarch of the Raven Guard, Clarkson, launched a raid against the Eye of Fear aiming to capture the traitorous fallen Primarch of the Word Bearers, Lorgar.
The process went surprisingly smoothly. Lorgar was stunned to see Clarkson appear before him, and afterwards, the Primarch of the Word Bearers was publicly beaten to a pulp by the Primarch of the Raven Guard in front of all his offspring. Lorgar, knocked unconscious, was then directly dragged out from the Eye of Fear and locked inside the Ancient Saint’s device for sealing the Star God.
"Father, what should we do next? About this traitor?" Clarkson hesitated for a while, then asked, "Zhuangsen is battling in Armageddon, Kiliman is on an imperial expedition."
"You come with me, we’ll visit Laine, purify Lorgar." The Emperor remained silent for a while, then a spark flashed in his eyes, "And also, it’s time to see Laine’s wife and check on Fugen who contacted the Ancient Saint’s servants."
"Yes!"
