Warhammer Divine Throne-Chapter 641 - 283, First Meeting

The town of Ubeseric is situated by an important bridge that spans the river from Bogenhaven to Deep Castle, connecting downstream trade towns like Aolwald and Green Castle, all the way to the imperial capital, Brunswick.

Ubeseric might be the most important town in the Gray Mountain Range, its location at the river mouth making it a station for merchants wishing to send goods downstream. This is the territory of Count Graf-Sigismund von Jungfroyd of the Imperial Nobility; however, it is uncommon that the Count doesn't have absolute control over municipal affairs. The merchant guilds have obtained some say by annually providing wealth, and the dwarves also hold a certain status, with the Count compromising to ease the mining rights dispute.

On this very morning, the town was attacked by a group of beastmen, the defenses severely damaged, obliging the Count himself to frontline defense. Due to his mismanagement and poor defense, His Majesty the Emperor had already stripped him of control of Aolwald, and he could no longer afford to lose Ubeseric.

Yet the result of this battle left the Count speechless, as several knights from over the mountain arrived. The leading knight wielded a Griffin Warhammer, single-handedly storming into the Beastman Army and beheading the Beastman Beast King, then calmly raising the warhammer again to crush the Screaming Shaman.

The Holy Grail Knights from over the mountain! The defenders quickly recognized them, and seizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, launched a full-scale counterattack.

The Beastman Warband collapsed, those beasts scattered and fled into the depths of the mountains, with many cliffs not impassable to beastmen. The knights chose not to pursue.

Holy Grail Knights from over the mountain! Count Graf first felt a bit grateful but couldn't help wanting to curse. How could the Holy Grail Knights from over the mountain be so strong? I exhaust myself day and night to protect my town; if only my town had a Holy Grail Knight, would this battle have turned out this way?

What do these knights from over the mountain intend by coming to my city at this critical moment?

......

The imperial guards wore iron helms, standard chest armors, and tight red clothing, wielding long halberds covered with headcloths. Despite their gratitude towards the Holy Grail Knights who saved them, they still extended their long halberds: "We are sorry, Holy Grail Knight, but you must show documentation or pay sufficient taxes to pass."

"Greedy nobles won't willingly give up any Gold Coin that might fill their pockets." Julius said angrily to the guard: "We just saved your lives!"

"That's a separate issue, sir knight. Recently, the territory is in a state of military readiness with gates remaining closed. If you want to enter, you must pay enough taxes or show documentation," the imperial guards apologized, knowing they had been saved by the knights, but it was the Count's orders.

"..." Laine frowned, about to take out his pass document, but his hand was held.

Laine turned around puzzled, seeing Francois holding him: "My Duke?"

Francois, with a calm face, gestured to the group to look up.

Laine looked up to the tall walls of Ubeseric, where an imperial noble gazed at the knights who had crossed the mountain range with disdain. Crossbowmen and musketeers had their weapons ready, aimed at the knights from over the mountain.

The dark musket muzzles and sharp crossbow arrows were pointed at Laine and his group, who just aided the city against the beastmen's attack.

"Let's go, Julius, Jerald, Laine." Francois shook his head lightly and indicated to them not to enter the city and to head directly to Hemgart: "Even if you have a pass document, Laine, facing a Lord who doesn't welcome us, what good is entering the city?"

"Father, how can they be like this?!" Julius shouted dissatisfied, his face twisted with resentment: "We supported this city against the beastmen! How can they tax us and refuse us entry?!"

"Yes, but what does it matter?" Francois indicated everyone turn their horses, leaving in the opposite direction: "Do you think they'll open the gate and welcome you as lifesaving heroes?"

"Wake up, this isn't Brittania, this is the Empire." Francois said calmly: "You may perform noble deeds, but don't ever think you are entitled to a reward."

The four knights turned their horses and traveled along the downstream river, under the cold and frosty sky, Count Graf watched the glamorous surcoats and cloaks with Holy Grail emblems of the Holy Grail Knights, frowning tightly. He gestured for soldiers to lower crossbows and muskets and wordlessly turned to leave.

Now is a time of tension; he would not allow any potential instability threatening his rule into his city, especially when the city lacked strong figures capable of opposing the two Holy Grail Knights.

Absolutely not permissible!

Amid the morning's cold wind, Laine felt the chill weaving into his surcoat and collar onto his body. His robust physique naturally ignored this level of cold, and although Julius and Jerald weren't Holy Grail Knights, they too were Legendary Tier warriors capable of enduring ordinary cold winds for a short period.