June 2520 of the Imperial Calendar was destined to be another month of great upheaval. While Ryan was leading his grand expedition to Albion, the Empire itself was undergoing a massive transformation.
Emperor Karl-Franz, riding on the momentum of his epic victory at the Third Black Fire Pass, announced sweeping reforms to the Empire's military structure.
The Empire's current military forces could be summarized into three parts: the professional standing army, the semi-professional provincial troops, and local militia organizations. Of course, these were the forces under the Emperor's control. Independent military organizations, such as secular knightly orders, were loyal to the Emperor but not part of the Empire's military system. Religious knightly orders and local church armies, on the other hand, pledged their loyalty through the Supreme Council presided over by the Emperor.
It could be said that the military structure left behind by Ludwig the Savior was quite scientific.
However, even the best policies and structures develop problems over time. Having served in the military himself, Karl-Franz was well aware of the issues within the Empire's armed forces.
Setting aside problems like corruption in logistics and declining combat effectiveness, the Empire's military was aging. In the standing army, the typical service period was 15 to 21 years. Assuming someone enlisted at 16, they would be at least 31 before they could retire.
In reality, the Emperor's investigations revealed that many soldiers in the standing and provincial armies were in their forties or even fifties. The average age of company commanders and captains was 45, and excluding all legendary and above-level heroes, the average age of Imperial generals was between 50 and 55!
While the experience of veterans was undoubtedly valuable on the battlefield, excessively long service periods often led to discipline issues, low morale, alcoholism, and cynicism. Veterans who had served for seven or eight years—or even a decade—without promotion often turned into strange creatures: they wouldn't volunteer for suicide missions, wouldn't take unnecessary risks, and would generally coast through their duties, spending their pay on alcohol and only showing their true combat prowess when trapped or facing certain death.
Despite this, many rehired veterans still occupied numerous positions. While some genuinely had no other skills besides soldiering, many were simply hired by the emerging middle class and yeoman farmers who preferred to pay others to serve in their stead. The veterans received a commission, the middle class avoided conscription, and everyone was happy.
The result, however, was a lack of new recruits and vitality in the military, while the militia reserves were poorly trained and equipped, making them unreliable in critical moments.
Thus, Emperor Karl-Franz decided to follow Ryan's example. He studied Ryan's 6-8 year conscription system, mandatory retirement age requirements, buyouts for service years, and arrangements for veterans to serve as instructors or captains in local provincial or village militias. The more the Emperor looked into it, the more he thought it was brilliant!
This was the way forward!
Of course, to be fair, the Emperor had considered these ideas before but lacked the conditions to implement them. First, he lacked the prestige, and the Elector Counts and nobles would naturally resist. Second, he lacked the funds. Dismissing large numbers of veteran soldiers without compensation would risk inciting a mutiny.
Both issues had now been resolved. The first was addressed by the Emperor's personal prestige and honor reaching its peak after the victory at the Third Black Fire Pass. Many even claimed that he had been possessed by the spirit of Sigmar at that moment. The Elector Counts of the Empire's south no longer dared to oppose him, and even Lady Emmanuelle of Nuln, who had just returned, expressed her support.
The second issue—funding—was resolved with the full support of High King Thorgrim Grudgebearer of the Dwarfs.
The Dwarfs were doing well. With the reclamation of Karak Eight Peaks, it had taken a few years for Belegar to restore the grand underground hub, allowing the Dwarf kingdoms to reconnect. Trade and mutual aid between the Dwarf realms had resumed, and the Dwarf expedition to Mount Gunbad had established a gemstone mine, yielding unimaginable wealth for Thorgrim and Karaz-a-Karak each year. The High King's treasury was growing richer, and in gratitude for the Emperor's outstanding performance at the Third Black Fire Pass, the Dwarf Council of Elders approved a war loan to the Empire. The new loan would soon be delivered to Emperor Karl-Franz's treasury.
With prestige secured and funds provided by the Dwarfs, the Emperor could finally begin his military reforms in the Empire's south. As for the north, the war was still ongoing, and with limited resources and the region being out of reach, the Emperor decided to focus on the south first.
While the military reforms were gradually implemented in Altdorf, Nuln also began its own reforms. With the assistance of Gelt, Frederick started overhauling Nuln's military, taking the opportunity to retire some veterans and replace them with young officers loyal to him—particularly the talented young nobles who had studied with him at the Gunnery School, Engineering College, and Nuln University.
Ryan's eldest son had already planned it out: when the time was right, he would stage a palace coup, pack his mother into a gift box with a ribbon, and send her off to his father to continue being his little maid. Then Nuln would be his to rule!
Haha, just kidding. Mom said Dad's plan was for him to take over at 30.
So I'll stage the coup then.
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While the Empire was fervently reforming its military, Ryan's campaign in Albion continued.
After the Battle of Hastings, the Knightly Army had not delivered a crushing blow to the Albion barbarians. Around 20,000 barbarians had fled to Conquata, and Harold and Zanak, facing dire straits, chose to set aside their differences and unite against the common enemy.
In reality, Ryan's Knightly Army faced numerous difficulties on their march. The endless rain of Albion, along with attacks from local swamp-dwelling Fimir warbands and Skinwolf packs, plagued the army's supply lines. Compasses and navigation methods were rendered ineffective by the Chaos winds and thick fog, causing the Knightly Army to lose their way at one point. It was only through Ryan's use of his psychic powers and the Emperor's Tarot that they found their direction again.
As they approached Conquata, Ryan received troubling news.
The Norscans, led by the Khorne Champion Hargroth the Bloody, had landed 12,000 troops on Albion's northern shore, ready to reinforce Harold and Zanak.
Ryan acted decisively, ordering Calard to lead 18,000 troops north to intercept the enemy while he remained with 15,000 troops to await reinforcements from Newland.
This was a golden opportunity for Harold and Zanak. Conquata had gathered all the barbarian tribes on Albion, totaling around 22,000 barbarian soldiers and over 32,000 barbarian militia. With the protection of swamps, rain, and fog, they could either move north to encircle Calard's forces or quickly surround Ryan's army, potentially securing a significant victory.
However, Harold, who had suffered a crushing defeat at Hastings and lost his "legacy" (likely left in the swamp), had lost the courage to face Ryan in open battle. He repeatedly refused Zanak's orders to attack, deciding instead to hold Conquata at all costs.
A few days after Harold decided to dig in, Calard successfully defeated Hargroth the Bloody's forces at the eastern foothills of the Beast Mountains. Calard had learned from Rokossovsky's tactics during Operation Bagration, dividing his army into three groups and launching simultaneous attacks from multiple directions, easily repelling Hargroth and his Norscan horde. He even left a deep gash several centimeters long on the chest of the once-arrogant Khorne Champion.
However, just as Calard prepared to pursue and annihilate the barbarian reinforcements, scouts brought dire news.
A Chaos army of over 20,000 was slowly landing on Albion's northern shore, led by none other than the legendary Daemon Prince Be'lakor.
Calard knew things had taken a turn for the worse. He quickly led his troops in retreat, attempting to reunite with Ryan.
By this time, Ryan's Knightly Army had arrived at the gates of Conquata.
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In late June, Ryan and his commanders surveyed Conquata. Calard's forces were still on their way back to join the main army.
"What a massive fortress," François said, staring at the large fortress built halfway up the southern slope of the Beast Mountains, backed by the peaks. "Your Majesty, your brother didn't tell us we'd have to take such a colossal stronghold."
"The barbarians didn't build this. This is the work of the Old Ones. After the Truthsayers withdrew from Albion, Conquata fell into the hands of these Chaos barbarian tribes," Veronica, still clad in her fiery red leather outfit, frowned as she estimated the fortress's height and width. "This fortress is built 400 meters up the mountainside, constructed from massive stones, with walls eight meters high and a complex internal structure complete with trenches and fortresses. There's even a river running through the mountain, and it's the rainy season. My dear, how are we supposed to take such a fortified stronghold?"
"The Truthsayers have aided the enemy!" François was also displeased. The old man trudged through the muddy path in the rain, pulling out a telescope to observe Conquata's sturdy walls and the densely packed barbarian defenders. François had never been fond of siege warfare. He lowered the telescope and said, "Your Majesty, the barbarians outnumber us. Even if most are militia, they can still play a significant role in a siege."
"Your Majesty, let me lead a charge tomorrow to test their defenses," Marshal Davout suggested. "Let my Mousilon Legion have a go."
"No, Davout, not you," Ryan frowned, feeling somewhat betrayed by Fulgrim.
Fulgrim hadn't mentioned that Conquata was such a massive, stone-built fortress halfway up a mountain! Ryan had assumed it was just a typical Norscan stronghold.
However, as one of the world's foremost military strategists, Ryan didn't waste time complaining. Given Albion's unique conditions, intelligence was scarce. Even the Empire's adventurers, who often ventured deep into the fog, knew little about Conquata beyond "it was once a Truthsayer fortress, later occupied by Be'lakor."
"Your Majesty, what do we do now?" Bertrand, seeing the fortress's formidable defenses, was at a loss. The Sixth Marshal slung his Taal Bow over his back, the Taal sigil on his forehead gleaming. "I can see barbarians everywhere on the mountain. They outnumber us."
"Your Majesty, perhaps we should consider a prolonged siege?" François suggested. "The barbarians still need to eat, don't they?"
Ryan thought for a moment before nodding slowly.
For Chaos Warriors or higher beings, eating was unnecessary. The same went for barbarian champions and blessed warriors.
However, the barbarian civilians and ordinary soldiers still needed food. Over the centuries, the northern barbarians had developed a unique ability to survive on half to two-thirds the food a normal human required. Even so, they still needed to eat.
"For now, a direct assault isn't feasible. We might need to think of another approach," Ryan pondered for a few more seconds. "First, have the army set up camp and wait for Calard's return and the arrival of artillery and supplies from Newland."
"Yes!"
The good news was that while Conquata was a formidable fortress, it wasn't particularly large. The city was packed with people, and after some calculations, Ryan decided to encircle Conquata with a wall before making further plans.
The Knightly Army began setting up camp under Ryan's orders, using Albion's relatively abundant trees to construct a perimeter wall around Conquata.
The defenders attempted to sally out and disrupt the Bretonnian wall and camp, but volleys from the gunlines and flanking charges by the knights inflicted heavy casualties. Around 1,000 barbarian cavalry fell at Conquata's gates, and Harold, still suffering from his grievous wound, decided to abandon further sorties.
It seemed the Albion barbarians were content to sit and wait. Just as Ryan ordered the wall to completely encircle the city, Calard arrived with terrible news.
Hargroth the Bloody's reinforcements had been repelled, but scouts reported that Be'lakor's 20,000-strong Chaos and daemon army had landed on Albion's northern shore! Combined with Hargroth's remnants, this force numbered 31,000!
Before Ryan could fully process this, he received an urgent report from Admiral Baudry.
The World Walkers were approaching Albion's eastern shore! The Wanderer Ulfric's 25,000 reinforcements, aboard a thousand Norscan longships, were closing in!
Just as the Sea God Fleet prepared to intercept Ulfric's fleet, another dire message arrived.
Count Noctilus of the Undead Ocean Empire had suddenly appeared with his undead navy on the Sea God Fleet's flank. The undead had allied with Chaos, and after a large naval battle ended in a stalemate, the undead fleet and Norscan longships blocked the sea routes to Albion at all costs. Baudry's Sea God Fleet suffered significant losses and was forced to retreat toward Couronne.
Then came reports from the western scouts: Count Noctilus's 28,000-strong vampire pirate army had landed on Albion's western shore, ready to join the siege against the Knightly Army.
This was Tzeentch's meticulously planned ambush on all sides.
"Conquata will be the Sun King's grave!"
Time was running out for Ryan. He immediately ordered the construction of an 18-kilometer-long outer wall around the siege camp for defense. At the same time, he commanded all personnel, artillery, and supplies from Newland to be rushed to Conquata before the Chaos-undead alliance could fully encircle them.
The resolute Sun King Ryan was determined to face both the enemies within and outside Conquata in a decisive battle.
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