Chapter 42 - To War We March (Patreon)

"Codex: The Cataclysm

The Cataclysm is in a peculiar timespan that marks the end of the Resurgence of the Magic. It started around the Year 10,298 of the Lordranese Callendar, which became the standardized calendar to count the time within the Known World of Azyr.

The term Cataclysm was chosen by several Imperial Scholars of the Schola Progenium and several Maesters of the reformed Citadel Order, as it signified the end of many Kingdoms and Nation and symbolized the rise of even more of them.

The first moment that was classified as the start of the Cataclysm was the so-called War of Magic when the Eight Orders of Magic from the Holy Arcadia Empire got into a conflict with the City-State of Asshai in the Shadowlands. This historic moment was officially the event that started the Cataclysm when the Byrgenwerth launched a massive attack on the Asshai.

Meanwhile, in Westeros, the Wars of Succession started in the Year 10,299 with the death of the King and an all-out war between everyone. The Succession War broke the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, and the parallel War of Faith that was started by the Faith of Seven against the Healing Church in the Westerlands marked the official end of the Seven Kingdoms when the Westerlands seceded from the Iron Throne officially and proclaimed the creation of the Kingdom of Brettonnia. 

It took many years for the Succession Wars in Westeros to end, with the final result being several new kingdoms rising from the ashes of the old ones. Bretonnia, Kislev, Tilea, and a few others, with some independent territories that remained from the ashes of the once mighty kingdom.

The situation in the Essos was not much better compared to the Westeros. Within many of the Free Cities, rebellions broke up, and a new century of blood reigned in the vast continent, where everyone was fighting against everyone for bits of power and riches.

The end of the Cataclysm came with the fall of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and rise of the new nations in the Western Essos, and the consolidation of the Celestial Empire of Grand Cathay that managed to clean out several more problematic regions, especially the Thousand Islands from the worshippers of the Ruinious Powers and push back the Ogres from the Ogre Kingdoms back to where they came from."

- The Cataclysm 

***

3rd POV

Lands of the Ancient Lords, Holy Arcadia Empire, Grand Principality of the Reikland, Holy Imperial Capital of Anor Londo, January of Year 10,282 - of the Imperial Lordranese Callendar 

When Karl Franz awoke, the Grand Chamberlain of the Imperial Palace informed everyone about his state, Maria was the first person that appeared in the Imperator's chambers, as she was releived that her fianceé was alright. 

He could see that Maria was very distraught by the situation with the Sha Naqua Imuru and with the fact that he lost consciousness for several days, most probably after using the ability on the subconscious level. 

With abilities like this, it was always a most problematic thing; their unpredictability and possible nasty side effects were not something that many wished to experience, yet their power and usefulness were unquestionable and undeniable.

"So, what did you see?"

Maria immediately asked the most important thing that was lingering in the air, because she was aware that if her fianceé was rendered unconscious for a week or so, then it must be a very powerful vision.

And powerful ones always meant trouble.

Sometimes, a lot o trouble in fact.

Thus, she didn't waste any of their time, something that both of them were internally grateful for and also used to, as this had already been done several times.

"Ulthuan burning, the forces of Chaos are everywhere. We need to intervene as fast as possible, and it should be the real intervention to save them from extinction, not just a power ploy like before."

Karl Franz answered immediately, as he knew that this was not time for useless talks in style if he was healthy or something similar. Right now, they need to focus on pressing matters.

"I understand, so the plans for them are to be postponed or implemented in different ways?"

Now it seemed that they were going to help the pricky High Elves for real this time; no matter how she hated the idea of helping the mortal enemies of her House, it was still an order from the Holy Imperator, and they must be obeyed above everything else.

She, too, knew that Karl Franz wasn't very delighted by such a notion, but both of them were aware of the strategic implications if they allowed Ulthuan to fall to the Ruinious Powers once and for all.

It would be doom, because no matter how much the Imperials disdained the High Elves and vice versa, the High Elves of the Ten Kingdoms of Ulthuan were their steady allies in the eternal war against the Ruinious Powers.

That was set in stone, and it was enough for the Holy Arcadia Empire to help them at any cost.

"No, we will continue with the plots, but they need to be adjusted... depending on the situation in the Ulthuan, but one thing is clear. This vision gave us a way to assimilate the Ten Kingdoms of Ulthuan as another Grand Province of the Empire, directly one under the Throne. It seems that it is almost sure that after the mess within the Ulthuan, the majority of the Island would be completely uninhabitable."

Karl Franz wasn't going to let go of his schemes against the High Elves of the Ulthuan because their possessions were something that he had carved for a very long time, and the relationship between the High Elves and Lordraneses was not good.

Originally, the thought of the assimilation of the High Elves was ridiculous, but now it seemed to be far more doable after the events that he saw in his vision that was given to him by the Sha Naqbua Imuru.

It would tremendously strengthen the Holy Arcadia Empire if the Empire could assimilate the legacy of the High Elves, and that was something that Kral Franz, even under the current situation, wouldn't really give up.

"I shall then inform the Imperial Council about your decision... and I will take care of the preparations for the help; while the Imperial Bashar already finished the preparations for the military help, it seems that we would need to expand it considerably."

As Maria said that she came to him while giving him a bear hug that he swore would almost crush his bones as he could feel that she was really happy that he was alright. However, both of them had a mutual understanding with each other, and they knew each other very well.

"You should really prepare some backup for cases like this... that ability of yours seems to be far more trouble than it is worth. Hopefully, you will be able to control it soon enough."

He smiled slightly as he heard what his fianceé said, knowing very well that such a thing was impossible, as preparing for the randomness of the Sha Naqba Imuru was mission impossible, and the task was not really possible to fulfill.

So the only reason was just to hope for the best, because the ability could be activated at any given moment, and nobody was really sure when it could be activated.

Karl Franz never really liked the Sha Naqba Imuru because it was a rather unpredictable ability, and it was rather hard to use, the side effects were shit, and he was relatively lucky that he was within the premises of the Imperial Palace, or else he would be in a more problematic situation.

It was clear if this happened during the expedition or battle, the consequences would be far more severe than right now, that was the biggest disadvantage of the Sha Naqba Imuru as it was entirely unpredictable and he had no control over the ability.

Karl Franz knew that only when he reached Level 7 would he have some control over the Sha Naqba Imuru, and hopefully, he wouldn't lose consciousness with every single vision that he would receive.

Still, it was an ability that was bringing far more benefits than anything, as seeing an impossible number of futures and endless possibilities was something that was invaluable for Karl Franz both as a person and as Holy Imperator of the Holy Arcadia Empire.

"So, where are Cersei and Cirilla?"

Karl Franz asked as he sat down on the bed, because even though he had been unconscious for some time already, he was rather okey. His body had tremendous healing factor due to the very potent Old Blood flowing in his veins.

"The blonde one is here, probably would arrive several minutes later, and the ashen one is somewhere in the Imperial Palace, but she would too soon enough arrive. Interestingly enough, she, too, was worried about you."

He could understand the sentiment of the Cirilla because she was in one of the very few places where she was safe. The Wild Hunt was pursuing her everywhere she went, so it was clear that finding any place where she could remain safe for a prolonged amount of time, was very rare. 

"I am guaranteeing her safety... even despite the protests from the members of the Imperial Council and some of the Elector Counts."

It wasn't a secret that Cirilla was being pursued by an entire world, filled with murderous elves that were Magically pretty advanced and highly militaristic. Many were not really keen on the fact that the Holy Imperator was sheltering someone who could bring total war against the entire world within the Lordran.

The Elector Counts of the Grand Provinces were not particularly keen on that, and Karl Franz had already received several protests from them, though some were rather supportive of his decisions for various reasons.

Byrgenwerth and the Eight Colleges of Magic were rather supportive of his decision as they wanted to bait the Wild Hunt into attacking the Empire so they could capture them and study their Magic.

Having access to Magic that could allow them to travel the Dimensions was something that was priceless to the Magicians, like, really, really priceless. Even though he was tempted by that, obtaining potentially unlimited resources was a really tempting thing.

"They will protest anyways... though even my mother is not really thrilled at the idea of this time-ticking bomb."

Karl Franz, as Holy Imperator of the Empire, understood the sentiments because the Holy Arcadia Empire already had enough problems. There were countless threats to the Holy Arcadia Empire from all sides, and the last one that they needed was an all-out invasion from an entirely different world.

Such a thing would be most unfortunate because while he managed to confirm that the Wild Hunt was their strongest and most elite unit, it wasn't that strong, and still fighting against the military of the entire world would be troublesome. 

"Now that you are alright, I will be going to relay the information to the Imperial Council and the Imperial Bashar d'Orleáns..."

Maria stated after some time, she gave him a last kiss on the cheek before she departed from his chambers, as Karl Franz looked at the night table that was near his bed and took from there a bottle filled with water. 

Even though he was physically alright and healed, he was still feeling tired or somewhat. It was a very hard feeling to describe, but it was always like this after the usage of the Sha Naqba Imuru, as the ability always took its toll.

"I would need to rest for a few days... hopefully soon enough, I would be alright; the date of the Conclave of the Forge is nearing."

Coming to the Conclave of the Forge was paramount because the dwarves were one of the strongest factions within the Imperium. They were also the ones who were creating and forging most of the weaponry within the Empire.

As he drank the bottle of the water, he laid down back on the bed as he went to rest.

Several minutes later, Karl Franz had another visitor who came to the Anor Londo directly from the Cainhurst. After some time, more and more cities were interconnected with the Arcane Portal Network, which was right now connecting all Provincial Cities and other major points of interest.

Karl Franz authorized the Minister of Domestic Affairs and Territorial Management and Byrgenwerth to use all resources necessary to establish the Arcane Portal Network through the Provincial Cities of the Empire.

Previously only the Three Holy Cities were interconnected with each other, together with the Skycrown Gate and Military Headquarters of the Great Bastion that was separating the Lordran from the Orklands.

She was wearing a typical Lordranese outfit that was pitch black, with red lines on the suit that she was wearing. On her left side, she had a brooch of a golden lion pinned on her suit as she strode to his bed and sat on the bed. 

"You look far more intimidating than before..."

Karl Franz said the first time that came to his mind when he looked at his second fianceé. She appeared more Lordranese and Westerosi, because she acclimatized very well to the environment of the Lordran and its culture.

Especially in the place where she could realize her thirst for power and control, something that within the Westeros wasn't really possible. She loved being in the Lordran and Empire because it was a place where she could fulfill all of her desires and everything that she wanted without any problems.

In Westeros, she would be put on the side as her sole purpose as a woman was to be married off and secure interests for her House and nothing else. Here, she was given the same treatment as any other male, or rather like any other man or dwarf.

Everything depended solely on her skills.

While she wasn't most martially apt, that was one for sure, she was more talented in the aspect of Magic, especially in the Gold Order as her teacher was Patriarch Balthasar Gelt himself, though she was aware that it was more like a ploy by Magister to secure the favor of the Divine Throne of Blood and Sunlight.

"Maria already told me... and they are even more practical to wear than the long dresses... still, some of those that are worn by the nobility of the Empire are even more impractical than the ones in the Westeros."

Cersei stated that she was rather keeping with the fashion trends of the Imperium that were changing practically every few months, to the point where it was very hard to keep up with what was still "in", as they liked to say.

Still, she enjoyed the feeling of the people and fashion designers sending her their brands for free, because she was the fianceé of the Emperor, and for them, it was the best advertisement out there possible.

Nothing was better than someone of the high nobility or power wearing their clothes, especially on the formal occasions what they could be seen by the other people within their same social status and class.

"Yeah... thanks for waiting here... Maria is already used to it, as she experienced it several times, when I got hit by the side effects from the Sha Naqba Imuru that has been spontaneously activated."

Karl Franz said as he looked at his finaceé, who was sitting on the bed next to him. 

"So, are you already feeling better?"

She asked uncertainly, because, in her eyes, he seemed rather okey, but she learned from Maria, that Sha Naqba Imuru took a rather high toll on the body every time it was used, and it was a very dangerous ability.

"Just tired, but overall, I am alright..."

He was indeed just feeling tired from everything that happened, but in a few days he would be recovered. 

"I saw Maria hurrying outside even faster than she came here... did something happen?"

According to the information she heard either from Maria or the people that were closest to the Imperator, like the Grand Chamberlain of the Imperial Palace, Sebas Tian, the things that he saw through the Sha Naqba Imuru must have been something very important.

Certain parts of her were now a bit nervous if something was going to happen to them, something that Cersei loathed just to think about. Now that she found her happiness within the Lands of Ancient Lords, she didn't wish to see it crumble apart.

"High Elves are in trouble... apocalyptic sort of trouble. If the Empire doesn't help them, they will fall, but at the same time, the fall of the Ulthuan is partially beneficial for the Empire as we can assimilate them into the Empire when they are weakened enough, yet they are still the stalwart allies in the fight against the forces of Chaos."

She could understand the sentiment because she knew that the Empire had a very difficult relationship. In the Schola Progenium, extensive courses were offered about the various species in the Known World of Azyr and their relationship with the Empire. 

And if there was one faction that the Empire had the most complicated relationship, it was obviously the High Elves.

She learned from the people at the Schola Progenium that none had a favorable impression of the High Elves, while the High Elves were looking down on the humans of the Empire as upstarts.

She understood the reason because if not for the Old Blood, then the humans of the Lordran would have never risen to the heights like in today. Only thanks to the Old Blood that was found in the Pthumerian Catacombs under the Yharnam were they able to overcome the racial limitations of the human race.

They were able to conquer the land, sea, and sky, uncovering the secrets of the Arcane and mastering the forces of the Magic to the heights that nobody thought possible. So yeah, from a certain point of view, it was logical that the High Elves were looking at the Lordranians like the upstart monkeys.

"Then it is only logical to send them aid... despite the conflicts between the two nations."

She stated as sending help to the High Elves was of higher priority... in the end, the Ruinious Powers were the enemies of all, and sometimes it was necessary to ignore personal feelings towards someone in favor of the greater good.

That was one of the lessons that she learned during her stay at the Schola Progenium and lessons with the Lord High Magistrate of Cainhurst, Annalise Vileblood. However, she could now imagine that the Lady Vileblood would be absolutely vivid that the Empire would be helping the High Elves of Ulthuan en masse.

The supreme ruler of the City of Silver hated the Ulthuan with unspoken fervor and zeal, and every here and then, she would make some snide remarks about the High Elves. 

"We would be going to the Grand Province of Khaz Modan soon enough, and for it, we would be going through the ship and then straight to the Khazad-dûm. The entire journey should take us around one month and so..."

Karl Franz said that he decided to change the topic as they would need to depart from the Anor Londo soon enough to the Conclave of Forge. Fortunately enough, he was unconscious for only one week or so because he didn't want to take a portal to the Khaz Modan. 

In fact, Karl Franz preferred traveling through the Warwagon or other methods because that way, he could enjoy the beauties and wonders of the Lands of the Ancient Lords.

Lordran was a land of unnatural beauty and wonders, something that nothing could compare, and no matter how many times he saw those landscapes, he would never get tired of it.

"Also, I heard that Cirilla was also waiting with you for most of the time, where is she?"

When they exchanged enough pleasantries, and it was clear that he was okey, Cersei was going to leave as she had her duties, while Karl Franz needed to rest for the time being. The journey to the Grand Province of Khaz Modan would be rather long, but the Norsca Peninsula, where the Khaz Modan was located, was one of the most magical places within the Lordran.

Sometimes, even literarily.

"Somewhere in these parts of the Imperial Palace... she would show herself sooner or later for sure."

As she said that, she, too, gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek before she left to tend to her matters.

"Start packing your things; we will be departing when I have recovered enough."

He said as he saw her departing back because she for sure would have far more things compared to Maria. In that regard, Maria was a simple person, as the sole thing that she needed was one set of hunter clothes and weapons, and she was ready to go.

Meanwhile, Cersei already had a whole collection of clothes that were being numbered in tens or so. Karl Franz didn't really know; from time to time, he was also buying her some sets of clothes as a gift.

Everyone was busy, so the fact that, for example, Cersei had stayed in the Imperial Palace for the past week certainly took a high toll on her already busy schedule.

Maria was unknown, but she started to take her duties as the commander of the Stormcast Eternals more seriously compared to before. That was already a good one, something that her mother was certainly glad about because she was aware that her daughter wasn't one for the positions of responsibility. 

She was a free spirit of adventurer and hunter.

Not someone who likes to be confined to do something.

***

Several hours later, when he was already resting for some time, he was visited by their resident dimensional hopper, who was somewhat nervous and relieved at the same time that he was alright.

"You don't really need to be that kind of nervous; as you can see, I am alright, and this wasn't the first time it happened, and for a long time, it won't be the last time something like this happened."

Cirilla nodded her head as she came closer to Karl Franz as the Holy Imperator was still lying on the bed and doing nothing. The Old Blood within his body was already doping its wonders and healing the man at full speed, and he would be recovered in one day or so...

"Maria and Cersei told me that you were also keeping them company... thank you for that."

He said as the younger, ashen-haired, green-eyed woman blushed mildly, hearing his thanks.

"No, no, that's nothing..."

She tried to put it off; in the past months, it was the sole time since the Wild Hunt started pursuing her that she had some time of peace.

"Yeah, yeah... you should also start packing up your things; you are going with us to the Khazad-dûm. We will be departing there in a few days."

Karl Franz planned to take Cirilla together with them to the Khazad-dûm, mainly because he didn't really want to leave her alone in the Imperial Palace; aside from them, she didn't really know anyone else and also because the Khazad-dûm was a sight to behold.

Khazad-dûm, as the ancestral seat of the dwarven race, was one of the most wondrous cities that one could see. The sheer size of the Dwarrofelds was enormous, and it was the pinnacle of dwarven craftsmanship, engineering, blacksmithing, and creativity. 

It was also a one-time opportunity to enter the city because the dwarves would never really allow an outsider who wasn't a dwarf to enter their sacred ancestral halls.

"As you say then..."

During the time she was in the Imperial Palace, as there was nothing much to do for her, Cirila was mainly training in her swordsmanship together with the Stormcast Eternals, and while she was weaker in terms of raw power, she was rather an unpredictable fighter due to the Elder Blood.

At the same time, she was also studying the Lores of Magic, something that she was learning from me personally because apparently no one else had enough patience for her in this aspect, and we had similar affinities for the Magic.

Given a few years, she would be a powerhouse to be reckoned with, especially if she could utilize all of the Elder Blood within her body and completely awaken her Lienage, as right now, around 90% of her Lineage was sealed.

"Are you really that bored in the Imperial Palace? Should we go on the hunt during the journey to the Khazad-dûm? There would be plenty of opportunities to test what you have learned..."

In certain regards, Ciri was rather an easy person to read, and Karl Franz knew that she was rather similar to Maria, as she too had an untamable adventurous spirit within her, and she wanted to go out and explore things. 

Sadly for her, it was never really possible for her due to the constant threat of the Wild Hunt that was pursuing her everywhere she went.

In the Lordran, she learned much from the Stormcast Eternals and even from Maria, with whom she was sparring rather often, and now, Ciri was rather tempted to test everything that she learned in the real combat.

Sadly, around here, there were not many opportunities because the Stormcast Eternals, City Guard, and Imperial Legion that was stationed close were clearing the entire area around the Holy Imperial Capital on the periodical bases, so there were not many powerful Dangers Beasts or anything that could represent a challenge for the ashen-haired warriors...

However, during the journey, when they would be passing through some parts of the Reikland and Khaz-Modan, there would be plenty of opportunities to make use of what she had learned during her stay at the Empire.

***

1st POV

Lands of the Ancient Lords, Holy Arcadia Empire, Grand Principality of the Reikland, Holy Imperial Capital of Anor Londo, January of Year 10,282 - of the Imperial Lordranese Callendar 

Several days later, I was already recovered from the toll of using the Sha Naqba Imuru and the toll it took on my body after I used the ability and received the vision.

Maria immediately relayed the orders to the Imperial Bashar Jacques d'Orleáns as the entire military machine of the Holy Arcadia Empire prepared to send massive military aid to the Ten Kingdoms of Ulthuan.

Surprisingly enough, there was not much dissent among the Aristocracy and other powerful people of the Empire about their imminent help of the High Elves, even though some were clearly displeased about such.

The Imperial war machine was now in full power, the forges were producing weapons and ammunition for the artilleries, and the Hextech Weapons would be for the first time used on the real battlefield, as we are already in the process of replacing the old weaponry with the new ones.

And this time, the Daemons and Cultists of the Ruinious Powers would feel the wrath and power of the Hextech Weaponry that was made in the Lordran. There were many who were actually eager to wage the war on the powers of ruin, as they were the common enemies of all sentient races of the Azyr.

We still had some time, but the first waves of the soldiers and Imperial Legions that would be deployed to support the Ten Kingdoms of Ulthuan would be departing in three days, as fast as possible.

The High Elves were already notified about this, and it was clear that they were far more than just delighted when they heard this news because it was evident that they were losing grip on their very own territory.

Nobody needed to be some kind of genius to figure out that it was some sort of scheme against the High Elves and that someone wanted to see the oldest civilization in the Known World to fall into the ashes of history.

It was decided that even some detachments of the Stormcast Eternals would be dispatched to the Ulthuan as the decision was that the Ulthuan must remain standing. Nothing else was acceptable, but hopefully, we would not need to start sending there out high-end combatants.

I would like to see the wonders and beauty of the island because it is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever seen in my entire life. Even the High Elven cities were a piece of marvel, but at the same time, they were more focused on architectural beauty than anything else.

Many of their cities, towns, and sometimes even military facilities were hard to defend as their design was not suited to the task which they were supposed to fulfill.

Yet, there was one thing that I needed to personally take care of before we would depart to the Khazad-dûm in a few days.

Because the situation was rather severe and there was a very high possibility of high-level Daemons descending on the material plane, there was a need for the Hunters of the Workshop to work together with the Imperial Military.

Thus, I was on my way to the Hunter's Dream, where the Workshop resided, and the Hunters had their headquarters. Contrary to what many would think, the Hunter's Dream was a separate dimension that was created by the Great Ones in the otherworld.

Only those who are granted the Mark of the Hunter in the Caryll Runes can enter and exit the Hunter's Dream by the grace and mercy of the Great One Moon Presence. Only a selected few were graced with the opportunity to become the Hunter of the Hunter's Dream and members of the Workshop.

Activating the Caryll Rune that was engraved on my arm, suddenly, the entire reality twisted around me as I disappeared from the Material Plane.