Chapter 1

『I need to make double sure that all of the treasure that I’ve earned here is scoured clean. Why are these Humans driven to sneeze and cough on everything in sight?』

Ludmila resisted the urge to roll her eyes as Ilyshn’ish fretted over the cleanliness of her earnings. While there wasn’t anything inherently wrong with the desire for cleanliness, the Frost Dragon’s thoughts had a sense of immediacy to them despite her not only being able to cure herself with Spellsong but also wearing an item that bestowed immunity to disease.

The Second Legion’s operations in The Blister ended far earlier than anticipated. With the fall of the Viridian Dragon Lord, resistance seemed to simply melt away. Troubled at the gap between their assessments of enemy strength and what they encountered in the jungle, General Kabein had most of the Second Legion withdraw to resume patrols of their jurisdiction. The last thing they needed was thousands of Gnolls crossing over the mountains and swarming into the surrounding areas wreaking havoc.

On their way out of the jungle, every division seemingly fell ill simultaneously. Ludmila wasn’t certain whether it was inevitable from being in the jungle for so long or if the soldiers had lapsed somehow with their operations winding down, but the result was that over eight thousand people were quarantined in a massive encampment around the fortress overlooking The Spill.

While its effects were disgusting, the disease did not appear to be life-threatening so the army took the economical approach – meaning that the Clerics would be worked to the bone. A field hospital was set up outside the encampment and the men were cured one company at a time. The air wing was first to be treated, followed by the Undead-acclimated companies who were then sent out to patrol the region alongside the Death Cavaliers waiting for them at each city.

Ludmila returned to Enz with General Kabein and most of the First Division. The city showed absolutely no awareness of the fact that an Ancient Green Dragon had very nearly gone on a rampage across the land. Citizens quickly made their way up and down the streets to minimise their exposure to the chilly winter weather. Few paid any mind to the small column making their way to the garrison.

Within the war room of the garrison’s keep, Ludmila, General Kabein, Commander Enz and Officer Roberbad sat at the table that felt comically large without the full command staff in attendance. Before reviewing their ‘campaign’, lunch was served and they settled into a relaxed conversation.

“I have this reputation for being so skilled that I’ve never lost a battle,” the aged General said. “But I can’t say that skill had anything to do with this one.”

“I believe you understand that the true battle was in how the Second Legion conducted the operation over anything else, Your Excellency,” Ludmila replied. “It was not a battle in which one can ‘win’ or ‘lose’ and it is a battle that never really ends. A Commander’s skill can be crucial in war, but it is even more so in times of peace. Something that goes unrecognised by most, I think.”

“I’m afraid to know what your assessment is so far.”

“Would it make any sense if I said ‘Human’?”

General Kabein pressed his lips together, nodding quietly. Commander Enz leaned forward on an elbow, confusion evident in his expression.

“If I may ask, my lady, what does that mean?”

“Tell me, Commander Enz,” Ludmila said. “Now that the Viridian Dragon Lord is no longer, what will the Imperial Administration do?”

“Conservatively speaking,” the Commander replied, “they’ll redirect the efforts once focused on developing the Azerlisian Frontier to The Blister. Based on the findings of our troops, there will most likely be initiatives for the exploration of mineral wealth. I can’t imagine it otherwise with the precious gems and ores we discovered in the tribes’ possession. The strange environment of The Blister is also something that the Imperial Ministry of Magic and the Ministry of Agriculture will be keen on investigating.”

“Would you say this is an ideal course of action?”

“Accounting for our current knowledge and circumstances, yes. Before the Sorcerous Kingdom and these Death-series servitors, slowly wearing down Re-Estize and gradually annexing its territories was the most efficient way for the Empire to expand. While it isn’t an option any longer, the Death-series servitors make clearing our other frontiers of threats an even better avenue.”

Ludmila nodded at his words.

“I believe that this is an answer reflective of Human culture in this region,” she said. “If an intelligent, rational administrator from Re-Estize, Roble or the Slane Theocracy was placed in the same position, it is likely that they would consider things along the same terms and come to the same conclusions.”

“It seems a matter of course,” Commander Enz said. “Are you implying that it isn’t?”

“I’m implying that it is what it is: ‘Human’. If the Baharuth Empire had the power of the Viridian Dragon Lord at its disposal without any stipulations, what would it do?”

Commander Enz turned his head slightly, glancing at General Kabein as if he wasn’t sure of the answer. His responses so far and the attitudes of the Imperial Army, however, already pointed to the course that the Empire would take.

“If we had that kind of power,” General Kabein filled his silence, “we would have cleared out the wilderness areas within the Empire and along our borders for development. Then we would have focused on dismantling Re-Estize if it hadn’t collapsed on its own already. Lady Zahradnik is pointing out that, despite being here for centuries, the Viridian Dragon Lord didn’t do that. Dragons do their own thing, as does any other race. The Empire is a Human nation and can thus be expected to pursue its agendas in ways characteristic to Humans.”

“But is there something wrong with that?” Commander Enz asked.

“If pursued to the exclusion of all else,” Ludmila answered, “it will become a problem for anyone who doesn’t fall in line with Human-centric agendas. The Second Legion’s warm welcome for me was quite gratifying, but I am ultimately a Noble of the Sorcerous Kingdom. Humans are but one race amongst many that submit themselves to my care.”

“It’s as she said when we first conferred here,” General Kabein told the Commander. “Whatever the result, it is what it is. Most of the command staff simply saw it as a task handed down to us; a problem to figure out. Lady Zahradnik was assigned to us as a liaison officer, but everyone assumed that this meant ‘military advisor’.”

Commander Enz leaned back in his seat, staring up at the wooden beams of the ceiling.

“If you were aware of this, General, then why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because I would be interfering with her duties if I did,” General Kabein replied. “Lady Zahradnik is here to help us, but it’s not just the integration of the Undead as a military asset. What we are won’t change overnight and acting as if we’re something else won’t do anyone any favours. That’s not just true for the Imperial Army, but the Empire’s place in this whole hegemon business. We’re counted on to be who we are. Maybe that will change in time but this is what we are right now.”

“The Empire is blessed to have such a talented General,” Ludmila smiled slightly. “I was fully expecting to wade through the ridiculous mire that I witnessed in Arwintar.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’re still going to have to deal with that,” General Kabein told her. “The Sixth Legion is still waiting for you after you’re done here.”

“That’s true,” Commander Enz frowned. “You have General Ray there, too.”

Beside her, Rangobart furrowed his brow at the mention of General Ray. As far as Ludmila had gathered from her time in the Empire, the youngest General of the Imperial Army was its new ideal. A fresh face who would lead the next generation of the military through its methodical takeover of the crumbling Re-Estize. Seemingly half of the Imperial Army’s promotional posters plastered in the halls of the Imperial Magic Academy and along the streets of Arwintar bore his image.

“Ray?” General Kabein snorted, “He’s just who Lady Zahradnik needs to see. That man is the personification of imperial ambition. In fact, the Sixth Legion becoming the expeditionary army will show you just how far the Empire is willing to go if they think that no one can stop them. Their divisions are filled to the brim with young upstarts and ambitious officers. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gregan’s hair was as white as mine by now.”

“I take it that General Gregan doesn’t share in their attitude?” Ludmila asked.

“Every General but Ray is what one might call a member of the ‘old guard’,” General Kabein answered. “The behaviour you’ve seen in the Second Legion leans heavily in our direction, as well. In the Sixth Legion, however, you’ll probably see the influence of their new mandate and the type of people assigned to its ranks for that purpose. I wouldn’t call them unprincipled but…”

“Untempered?”

“That’s probably a good way to put it,” the General nodded. “A lot of men are out there to prove their quality, earn their spurs and pile up those honours. The fresh faces will probably bend or break in some way and you’ll see some other interesting things from the rest.”

“From what I’ve read,” Ludmila said. “They’ve been training extensively since the reorganisation of the Imperial Army.”

“Training is training,” General Kabein replied. “The difference between Officer Roberbad and the young officers over in the Sixth Legion will become apparent once you get out there.”

She frowned internally at the implications of his words.

“I hope this doesn’t mean a repeat of what I saw in the Katze Marches, Your Excellency.”

“I’d say you’re likely to see at least some of that, my lady,” the General smirked. “But if you think that’s bad, just wait until you see the opposite problem.”

The afternoon passed uneventfully as they quickly sorted through the campaign summaries. Contrary to their immediate worries, no reports arrived from the Imperial Air Service about groups of loose Gnolls in the countryside. It was possible that the Imperial Army had overestimated the number of Demihumans that remained in The Blister, or perhaps they were merely in hiding. Only time would tell.

Upon concluding their review, Ludmila collected her things from the table.

“Your Excellency,” she said, “are you sure you wouldn’t like me to stay longer to help with the civilian side of things?”

“We’ll be fine, my lady,” General Kabein said. “Earning the trust of the Second Legion was key to the integration of the Undead forces here. This campaign has decisively accomplished that. The citizens trust the army, so all that’s left is easing everyone into the new normal. That’s a long process, so your time and talents would better be employed in the Wyvernmark.”

“In that case,” Ludmila said, “I have a request. If I’ve heard it correctly, agents from the various imperial factions sent to see me are being suppressed.”

“That’s right. We’ve cleaned them out from Enz.”

“A number of them have been shadowing Dame Verilyn on her travels. Would it be alright if I take care of them?”

“Take care of them…are you sure you don’t want us to handle it?”

“Dame Verilyn will be travelling around the Empire for a while yet, so I thought it would be best if I dealt with them before leaving for the Wyvernmark. Otherwise, they’ll be trailing her for weeks.”

General Kabein and Commander Enz looked up at her from their side of the table.

“If I may ask, my lady,” the General said, “what will you be speaking to them about?”

“My understanding is that they’ve been sent to make inroads with the Sorcerous Kingdom…or at least an official from the Sorcerous Kingdom.”

“That should be the case, yes.”

“Then I’ll just send them to the Sorcerous Kingdom.”

Around the room, everyone stopped what they were doing to stare at her. Ludmila cleared her throat.

“If they’re looking for some connection with the Sorcerous Kingdom, economic ties would be acceptable, yes? Trade agreements, civilian leases for the Undead and so on. I will point them in the right direction.”

General Kabein glanced at Commander Enz.

“Think they’ll bite?”

“Given that they started off by sending expendables with no real expectations,” Commander Enz rubbed his beard, “it should work. In light of the upcoming expansion and development we’ll be seeing, I’ll be encouraging my lord father to look into civilian leases for Undead labour. Even if these factions don’t all follow up on your recommendations right away, they will once others do out of fear of falling behind their competitors.”

“My friends have asserted the same thing,” Ludmila said. “Our problem has been overcoming the cultural and religious barriers to our goods and services in the Empire.”

“With what’s been accomplished here,” the Commander said, “you at least have the Second Legion’s support. Hundreds of Noble scions serve in our ranks and they’ll be sure to pass on the good word about the utility of the Undead to their houses. As for the Temples…pragmatism has always won out over intangible notions in the Empire. They certainly aren’t allowed to directly interfere in the daily business of the realm.”

Once again, she wondered how so many citizens of the Empire could be so distant from their faith. The headmaster of the Imperial Magic Academy no longer seemed so unique in his attitude towards the Temples. Divine magic was simply a tool, Clerics and Priests were treated little differently from arcane casters and faith was an obstacle to authority.

Despite Re-Estize also being a secular nation, Ludmila had never once thought that way about her own faith. It was always something complementary to the daily lives of the people. Perhaps this antagonistic and exclusive stance was how followers of The Four fell to heresy in the first place.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to see some progress, then,” she said. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to take Officer Roberbad with me to Norford. His familiarity with both the civilian nobility and imperial regulations will be of great assistance sorting out all of these agents.”

“Of course, my lady,” General Kabein nodded. “It’s not a problem is it, Enz?”

“The Fifth Company is in the city for the next week,” Commander Enz said. “They should be alright without him.”

“Thank you, Commander; General. I’ll be back in Enz on the way to Arwintar once I’m done in Norford.”

“Until then, my lady.”

General Kabein and Commander Enz bowed slightly as Ludmila made her way out of the room. She stopped to address Rangobart in the stairwell.

“I hope this wasn’t an imposition, Officer Roberbad.”

“Not at all, my lady. I am honoured to be of service.”

“Then I’ll be off first,” Ludmila said. “Once you’re ready to leave, please take my Soul Eater to Norford. I’ll meet you at an inn called the Silver Shoals.”

“I know the place,” Officer Roberbad replied, “I’ll see you there.”