The blazing eagle-claw banner of the Ash Legion fluttered proudly above the giant port of Marienburg, as a military band played stirring music.
"Undead pirates, Skaven ratmen, and northern barbarians are once again invading our lands! But this time, we are fully prepared! Our powerful fleets and cannons will help us annihilate the enemy!" The recruitment flyer showed a massive fleet destroying undead pirates with fierce artillery fire.
"Young men and women of the Old World, fight for the future of humanity!"
"We have fleets!"
"We have weapons!"
"We need warriors!!!"
"We need excellent officers like General Fernando Pirazzo!" The towering figure of Captain Fernando Pirazzo of the Phoenix Guard, dressed in full purple-gold armor and wielding a two-handed sword, looked so imposing that people couldn't bear to meet his gaze.
"Like Sir Julius, a devout knight!" The knight, holding a two-handed sword, single-handedly fought off a dozen greenskins, bathed in the light of the Lady of the Lake.
"Like Captain Pedro and General Felix Edmundo!" In the comic, the winged hussar General Felix, with a stern expression, prepared to set out. Captain Pedro shouted, "Fight to the death, soldiers! Who among you wants endless glory and wealth?!"
"The Ash Legion needs you! Soldier, follow Commander Fugen and conquer the New World!"
"By enlisting, any crime will be reexamined! Enlistment grants freedom!"
"Want to know more? Visit the Ash Legion recruitment center in Marienburg now for detailed information!"
Even after a decade, Marienburg remained as prosperous and vibrant as ever. Though Winterveil was approaching, large cargo ships and warships constantly moved in and out of the port. The streets, bustling to an extreme and unnaturally crowded, were filled with people gathered at the Ash Legion's recruitment center. Criminals and adventurers eager to make a name for themselves clamored to inquire about the terms and conditions.
In contrast, across the street from the Ash Legion's recruitment post was the place selling bonds for the Eight Peaks Kingdom, but it was deserted, drawing little attention.
Grand Duke Schultz of Marienburg and his steward, Müller, stood atop one of his private villas, watching the recruitment post in the distance. Schultz lowered his head, deep in thought, while Müller, standing respectfully behind him, showed no signs of aging after all these years, indicating he was no weakling.
"The Eight Peaks bonds still aren't selling?" Schultz, dressed in luxurious silk, now adorned with a golden two-headed eagle crest since attending the coronation in Couronne, asked Müller while observing the lively crowd.
"About a dozen people have bought them over the past few days," Müller replied respectfully.
"Have we found out who's been obstructing the sales?" Schultz frowned as he continued his questioning.
"It's the Van Hugemans' Juden Guild, the Gentlemen's Alliance's Casanova, and... the rogue Adabe Hensman," Müller whispered. "They think they've acted discreetly, but we have everything under control. The problem is, my lord, they've been very clean this time. They've used complex cash flows, trusts, and banks to manipulate the situation without using force or hostile takeovers. We have no excuse to act."
"Hensman? That old pervert—what's he trying to do by targeting King Ryan?" Schultz's expression shifted. "Doesn't he know it's my channel issuing these bonds? Seems this old dog is getting disobedient."
Schultz and Adabe Hensman had maintained a delicate peace for years. Ever since Schultz came to Marienburg, he had focused on eliminating vampires and gaining control over both the upper and lower chambers of Marienburg's government. After clearing out the city's hidden vampires, the grey areas that emerged were quickly seized by Hensman, who became the leader of Marienburg's underground organizations. The two formed an unspoken agreement.
Schultz allowed Hensman's activities because the costs and benefits of controlling Marienburg's slums, underground tunnels, and dark corners were not favorable. In this relationship, Hensman dealt with the underworld, keeping problems in check and sparing Marienburg from unnecessary troubles, while Schultz turned a blind eye.
Hensman was also highly capable, once even seducing the wife of Theodoric Gesser, the current Grand Duke and Elector Count of Nordland, in a carefully planned trap. This act was among Hensman's proudest achievements, revealing his particular taste for noblewomen.
Marienburg's governance was different. Schultz couldn't afford to rule with the kind of summary judgments seen in some places, where posts acted as evidence, confessions came from mere accusations, and convictions led inevitably to execution. Such a method wouldn't have allowed him to govern Marienburg for thirty years.
"Keep a close eye on Hensman and the other guilds," Schultz told Müller. "Since they haven't broken the rules, we can't act for now. All we can do is wait for news of King Ryan's victory—then we can strike back."
"Understood." Müller nodded.
"Now, we just wait for Ryan's success."
Meanwhile, in the southern nation of Tilea, within the Pirate Principality of Sartosa.
Even in the south, a region that prized freedom and democracy, Sartosa stood out. This offshore island, south of Tilea, was notorious as a "pirate principality" or "land of freedom." Like the Troll Kingdom, it was a notorious haven for criminals—pirates, bandits, mercenaries, and anyone seeking to escape Old World law enforcement.
Sartosa was extremely dangerous. Drunken pirates would forcibly conscript unsuspecting people, while brawls and duels occurred constantly. Thieves darted through the filthy, crowded docks, looking for easy marks.
Yet despite the risks, those with strength and survival instincts could thrive here, free from unfair taxes, oppressive nobles, and strict laws. From Sartosa, one could venture south to Araby, east to the Border Princes, or across the sea to distant lands.
Sartosa was the perfect place for those seeking fame, plunder, and endless adventure. The island had few beaches or shallows, as most of the land was raised from the sea by limestone cliffs towering tens to hundreds of feet high. These cliffs were riddled with caves, tunnels, and pits, many accessible from the water. Pirates used these to establish hidden bases, offering perfect defenses against enemies seeking to attack Sartosa.
When Ryan, leading a group of old guards, along with dozens of knight retainers, Karad, Antelm, Fedemond, Veronica, and Olica, followed Elena Saltwater onto Sartosa's docks, they were met with hostile and wary gazes.
The wide, guarded docks were crowded with people armed with curved swords and firearms. Many dockworkers were also pirates, sailors, pickpockets, and petty merchants. Seeing these well-dressed knights and noble guards, the pirates eyed them greedily, yet with caution, gathering in small groups and whispering among themselves.
The sense of order exuded by the knights and guards was palpable, standing out in stark contrast to the chaotic nature of the pirates.
"Big... big sister, you're finally back. These people..." Several pirates with headscarves, armed with pistols and scimitars, wearing short sleeves and trousers, approached the group.
"They are our... partners, here in Sartosa for business. By my father's orders, I brought them here," Elena Saltwater said, holding a harpoon. She turned to Ryan and his group, her brow furrowed. "Sartosa doesn't welcome you, but since you're here to seek out Captain Ross, I'm allowing you to land. In this place, your chivalry and imperial laws don't apply. This is a land of freedom, belonging to the pirates—absolute freedom. The only law you must follow is the Pirate Code!"
"The Pirate Code? This is the first I've heard of it," Karad, standing on the docks, felt a deep sense of revulsion—order's instinctual hatred of chaos. He suppressed his discomfort and asked, "What kind of code? Might makes right? If I steal it, it's mine?"
"There are only three rules: first, killers pay with their lives. Second, those who harm or steal will be punished, possibly losing their ears or noses. Third, anyone has the right to protect their life, property, and honor," Saltwater said loudly. "That's the island's rule. By my father's name, get what you need and leave."
"If no one offends us, we won't kill, steal, or harm anyone," Fedemond stepped forward. "We need information."
"Follow me!" Saltwater's tone softened toward Fedemond. "If you want to know about Captain Ross, you'll need to talk to someone."
Ryan and his companions exchanged glances. None of them knew much about Sartosa, but they did know that Captain Ross had once been the island's most powerful pirate leader, with a fleet and incredible wealth, before vanishing into the deep ocean.
Now, the most powerful fleet belonged to Saltwater, the strongest pirate leader. Even so, she controlled only one faction among many on Sartosa. Seeing this, Ryan took Veronica's hand. "Alright, let's follow her lead."
"I suspect she'll sell us off to ogres, a bunch of tasty iron-clad snacks," Veronica joked.
Everyone laughed, but in truth, Veronica might not have been entirely joking.
In Sartosa, one could encounter nearly every race of the Old World—humans, dwarves, elves, greenskins, and even ogres, lizardmen, and the undead. Saltwater's pirate crew was a mixed bag, truly a "melting pot." The only ones not allowed were Chaos cultists and sorcerers
.
The city of Sartosa was built atop cliffs about thirty meters high. Currently under Saltwater's control, the inhabitants had constructed a maze of bridges and scaffolds along the cliffs. Houses clung precariously to the cliffside, while others were carved directly into the porous limestone.
In Sartosa, everyone displayed their weapons and strength. The main street, known as Spike Row, served as a de facto "administrative district." Vendors hawked rare treasures and exotic goods from all over the world, though most were counterfeit. Alongside ramshackle houses, leather workshops, fishmongers, weapon smiths, and numerous taverns and inns lined the streets. Street food, labeled as pork, beef, and chicken, was likely rat or duck meat.
"Lady Elena Saltwater, where can we get information about Captain Ross?" Ryan asked, trying to sound as friendly as possible.
"Captain." Saltwater corrected impatiently. "I am not a lady, I am a captain. You will address me as Captain."
"Very well, Captain?" Ryan smiled.
"For information about Captain Ross, there's a Kislevite who knows quite a bit. I suggest you go talk to him," Saltwater said, finally pleased with being called captain. Her tone remained harsh. "Many here have heard of his name."
"His name is Lev Davydovich. He was once Kislev's Chief Minister of Internal Affairs. Decades ago, he and Tsar Boris Bokha established Kislev's shooting and artillery corps. He was hailed as 'the founder of Kislev's new army' and 'the organizer of Kislev's military reform.' But due to disagreements, he gradually lost Boris' favor. His proposal to limit the Tsar's control over the military and his opposition to Boris' costly 'Great Purge' campaign led to his exile."
"After years in exile, he continued to oppose Boris' rule, even surviving an assassination attempt. A Kislev assassin, armed with an ice pick blessed by an Ice Witch, tried to kill him. Lev took the pick and killed the assassin, then fled south to Sartosa, where he's lived in hiding for over two decades. He worked with Pirate King Captain Ross at one point."
"If you want to know about Captain Ross, you'll have to ask him yourself."
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