The son of the God-Emperor in Warhammer Fantasy

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean, Your Majesty," Ryan replied calmly, nonchalantly walking over to Sulia and wrapping an arm around the knight's waist.

"Let's find a different place to talk," Emperor Karl-Franz suggested with a slight smile, his expression unchanging. He gestured for Ryan to follow him to a secluded corner of the town.

That corner housed the Emperor's temporary palace, heavily guarded.

Ryan was still hesitant, but Sulia, squeezing his hand, said, "My husband, let's go together."

"But..."

"You should go, and I should too," Sulia said gently. "The Emperor clearly has something he wants to discuss with you, and he won't harm you."

"It doesn't look like a friendly invitation," Ryan hesitated.

"You have to consider the costs. This Emperor is a seasoned politician; he clearly has some private matters to discuss with you," Sulia whispered in his ear, pulling on his hand. "Clearly, it has something to do with Tigris's arrival."

"I understand." Ryan nodded and hastened to keep up.

The group reached the garden of the Emperor's temporary residence, a famous local baronial mansion. However, the baron preferred living in a castle fifteen kilometers away, visiting the mansion only for tax collection and during the summer.

In the garden, a large table and chairs were set up. The Emperor signaled all the Rike guards to leave, only his standard-bearer, Ludwig—a white-bearded old man of few words—remained standing behind him.

The weather was cold, and gusts of wind blew as Ryan and Sulia sat across from Emperor Karl-Franz. Hot coffee was promptly served. The Emperor, still smiling, lifted his cup, "Drink, I swear by the Friedrich family that there's no poison in the coffee."

"Your Majesty, there's no need for that; I trust you wouldn't poison us," Ryan and Sulia both took up their cups and drank deeply.

"The arrival of Tigris surprised me," the Emperor said, sitting in a wooden armchair. "A high elf archmage wouldn't visit the Empire without important matters. His presence brings me both joy and worry, for his appearances always signify significant events."

"He came because of me," Ryan said, lifting his coffee.

Coffee was a luxury from the southern lands, costing dozens of gold marks per pound (equivalent to kroner and dinars). The Emperor, obviously, drank the finest coffee, rich in aroma. Ryan focused on the Emperor's face.

"There's only sincerity and eagerness on Emperor Karl-Franz's face," the Emperor smiled. "Yes, he may well have come because of you, Ryan Makardo, who killed the dread God-chosen Champion 'Red Eye' Eigel Stilbjorn. This Scarkins king brought deep pain to all orderly races, so his coming for you is unsurprising. But that doesn't mean, Lord Tigris lacks higher, more important missions. Am I right? Tigris has been in your lands for over a month, contacting wood elves. You must have struck some deal or even an alliance with him?"

"Your Majesty, your perceptiveness is sharp. Whether I say yes or no, you already have your answer," Ryan didn't directly answer Emperor Karl-Franz's question.

"It's alright if you don't want to answer; I understand," the Emperor continued, still smiling. "You are the Lady of the Lake's God-chosen Champion, and Tigris is a high elf archmage. You both are favored by gods, and some things must not be spoken lightly. But I must ask, Ryan, what is your opinion of me? Or rather, how do you assess me?"

"Emperor Karl, you are powerful, confident, passionate, resolute—a fine politician and general. However, your capabilities as an emperor remain to be tested by time," Ryan said, narrowing his eyes as he gave a complete response.

"Indeed, you are correct," the Emperor's expression became serious. "One last question, Lord Ryan, what do you think an Emperor of the Empire is?"

"A monarch elected by the princes, a vanquisher of darkness, the inheritor of all sacred legacies from the mountains to the sea…" Ryan instinctively began to respond with a standard answer.

"That's what you tell the common folk. Let me tell you what the Electors think of the Emperor," Karl-Franz said coldly, laughing. "The Emperor of the Empire is a mercenary who helps the Electors in their wars! Just like that Blood Axe Mercenary Company you saw today!"

Sulia noticed Ludwig hum softly.

"The Electors hold all military and political power in their own provinces. The Empire appears united, but each province is practically an independent kingdom. The Electors are content with their rule, only remembering the Emperor they elected when they find enemies they can

't handle alone," Karl-Franz explained. "Don't oversimplify things. The real power I hold as Emperor is limited to just Rike and the southern stronghold of Nuln."

"I understand that," Ryan whispered. "But, Your Majesty, such independence is necessary."

The Empire was more akin to a confederation, with each province managing its own military, laws, diplomacy, conscription, and finances. The Emperor was nominally the national leader, but in practice, he could only command his directly governed territories.

Emperor Karl-Franz and his family maintained their perennial position as Emperors due to owning the wealthiest and strongest province, Rike. All provinces autonomously governed themselves, convening the Imperial Council only during significant foreign invasions. Otherwise, Karl-Franz was merely an Elector with equal status to the others, albeit the "primus inter pares."

The provinces' only contribution to the Emperor was the "princely tax," about 3%-4% of a province's total tax revenue. This tax was often "ignored" by the Electors, but Emperor Karl-Franz's assertiveness had revived this overlooked revenue.

"Indeed, it is necessary," Karl-Franz nodded.

Why decentralize power to the Electors rather than maintain a unified empire? Because this independence was crucial for the Empire, known for its enemies on all sides and the countless evils lurking within its dense forests and mountains. Many Electors spent their entire tenures waging endless "security wars." A moment's relaxation could mean the destruction of towns, the burning of villages, and humanity's fall before darkness.

Thus, the Empire's provinces needed this independence to firmly control their military forces, ensuring immediate response to evil.

And when a province couldn't withstand a terrible threat alone, the Imperial Council would convene, and the Emperor would gather the Electors to collectively repel the invaders.

"The nobility is corrupt, the officials are greedy, and the Electors bicker endlessly over their interests. The Empire is not always united as Charlemagne or the Savior Ludwig would have hoped," the Emperor sipped his coffee and continued. "Persuading me alone is futile, Ryan. I understand Tigris has made significant contributions to Imperial history, but that's not a reason to be coerced into compliance."

The implication was clear: the political situation in the Empire was more complex than anyone could imagine. Persuading Emperor Karl-Franz alone was insufficient; he could only represent himself and Rike.

"High elf internal politics and court intrigues are far more complex than human affairs, Emperor Franz," Sulia, seeing Ryan silent, gracefully took over the conversation. "You just need to convene the Imperial Council."

"Convening the Imperial Council isn't difficult, and I believe Lord Tigris's arrival will give all the Electors a reason and an excuse to gather," Karl-Franz nodded, calmly continuing, "The challenge is, what exactly does Lord Tigris want? Or rather, what does he want the Empire to do for the high elves?"

At this moment, Ryan knew he had to offer something substantial to continue the conversation. The Emperor had already stated his hopes and difficulties, and through skillful conversation tactics and environmental pressure, he had taken the initiative in this dialogue.

Fundamentally, Ryan and Tigris needed the Empire, the greatest and most powerful human nation of the Old World, which had faced Chaos's threat head-on for two thousand years. If not for the Empire, Chaos might have already destroyed the world, or the green tide might have engulfed it.

"Faced with the threat of Chaos, everyone must unite and prepare for the next invasion, which, according to prophecy, is not far off," Ryan finally offered something substantial.

"Coincidentally, my advisor, the Grand Alchemist Byelshazer-Gailt, said the same," Karl-Franz nodded. "My Grand Alchemist told me that it might be decades before the northern barbarians descend en masse again, but once they do, under the leadership of a Chaos Eternal Chosen, it will be another terrifying war comparable to the 'Great Crusade.'"

"The Chaos Eternal Chosen has already appeared," Ryan stated calmly.

"Then... it's not hard to understand why Lord Tigris has come to the Empire," the Emperor nodded in comprehension. "I will cooperate with you."

"Exactly what Lord Tigris wants to discuss with Your Majesty and the Electors is beyond me, but please believe that Lord Tigris definitely has the bigger picture in mind," Ryan said earnestly. "Everyone in the mortal world faces the threat of Chaos."

"I certainly believe Lord Tigris has the bigger picture in mind, based on what he and his history have shown. He is a noble being, but the elves' bigger picture is not the humans' bigger picture, Lord Ryan," Karl-Franz relaxed, his smile returning.

"The Empire's bigger picture is not that of Breton

nia either, Emperor Franz," Ryan countered. "I know what you're trying to do."

"Ha ha ha~ Then I think we have something to talk about. You have your stance, I have mine, and together we fight against evil. That's what an alliance is," the Emperor laughed heartily, no longer dwelling on the issue. "Alright, I will fully support you and Tigris."

The conversation with the Emperor made Ryan feel pressured. The Emperor before him was wise, decisive, passionate, and full of conviction. This was not Bretonnia, where Ryan could rely on his strong powers and the favor of the Lady of the Lake to challenge the king. This was the Empire, the most powerful human nation in the Old World, which never needed to look to others. It was they who had firmly stopped Chaos from moving south, allowing Bretonnia to remain relatively peaceful.

"The Emperor really has a sense of humor," Sulia said with a laugh.

"It's forced out of necessity. In the Imperial court, you learn to smile. A smile can fill your allies with confidence and unsettle your enemies," Karl-Franz relaxed, having obtained the information he wanted. His gaze shifted to Ryan. "Sometimes, I regret, Ryan. You know, the Empire is your home."

"I already have a home," Ryan smiled, wrapping his arm around his wife's slender waist. "This is my home."

"Ah, when I passed you by in Myoden Haven, I've always regretted it. A fine warrior snatched away by the knightly kingdom. Actually, with such feats, I could have granted you an earldom," the Emperor shook his head in regret.

"It was only after I was favored by the Lady that I achieved these feats, not because I had performed them that I received her favor. When I was in dire straits, it was the Lady who helped me," Ryan thought to himself, so you're trying to entice me away too.

"Yes, that's true," Karl-Franz acknowledged, realizing Ryan's decision was firm, making him feel somewhat foolish. "So, I have high hopes for you, Lord Ryan."

"I have high hopes for myself, Your Majesty."

"No, you don't understand my high hopes for you. I see your potential as I see your maid's potential," the Emperor still smiled, his eyes playful. "I see you as a king, the king of Bretonnia."

"..." Ryan's expression shifted.

"I know many things, Lord Ryan. I know everything."

...

Leaving the courtyard, Ryan shook his head with a wry smile. "This Emperor of the Empire is no ordinary man. Compared to him, Richard is just a tinker. He understands human nature so well, knowing when to advance, when to retreat, when to persist, and when to compromise."

Sulia, linking arms with her husband, her sea-blue eyes twinkling, suddenly said, "I think this trip to the Empire will yield significant gains for both of you."

"How so?"

"Because you need each other," Sulia continued. "Tigris needs you because you are a human hero, known and celebrated throughout the Old World as Ryan Makardo. With you mediating, high elf proposals and ideas are more likely to be understood and accepted by humans. Tigris brought you along to pave the way."

"You need Tigris because his esteemed status in the Old World can easily facilitate many of your plans. Having Tigris as a figurehead benefits your future endeavors, my husband."

"Emperor Karl-Franz needs both of you. Your appearance adds two shining diamonds to his imperial throne. Introducing you to the Electors enhances his bargaining power at the Imperial Council, strengthening his imperial authority and position. Both you and Tigris will be subconsciously regarded by the Electors as his allies."

Sulia summarized, "Thus, a robust triad is formed. You need each other, help each other, with both emotional and practical benefits. It's a perfect alliance."

Ryan laughed heartily, tears coming to his eyes: "Sulia, marrying you... truly my honor. I feel I can no longer live without you."

"Me too, my husband."

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