Sulia's information arrived slightly late. While the Queen of Knights and the Dark Elf maid were still discussing the ongoing battle, the siege of Hergig, the capital of Hochland, had already concluded.
At the time of the Three Kings War, the Slaanesh army led by Sigvald the Magnificent was several days away from Middenstang. Upon hearing of the beastmen and greenskin coalition's crushing defeat, Prince Sigvald promptly abandoned his approach to Middenstang and redirected his forces to Hochland.
This ancient imperial province once again faced dire calamity and grim trials.
Taking advantage of the Empire's focus on Ostland and Ostermark, Sigvald's forces swept through Hochland. Under his command, the Slaanesh army moved with the swiftness of wind and the ferocity of fire. Their marches were so rapid that defenders often had no time to react. Unlike Khorne's forces, who sought blood and skulls, or Nurgle's, who spread disease and corruption, the Slaanesh army moved swiftly, indulging in their desires before moving to the next target.
Naturally, Sigvald targeted Hergig, the "Eastern Light" of the Empire. After slaughtering tens of thousands of Hochland's inhabitants and sacking several towns, the Slaanesh army laid siege to the capital city within days.
Elector Count Aldebrand Ludenhof led the Broken Sword Knights and Hochland's forces in defense. The siege lasted five to six days. The Slaanesh army, better suited for skirmishes and open-field battles, struggled without siege equipment. As the battle stalled, morale among the attackers remained high, fueled by Sigvald's promise of unrestrained indulgence upon capturing the city.
Sigvald also "charmed" numerous beastmen deserters from Drakwald Forest, incorporating them as auxiliary forces.
Aldebrand gathered nearly every able-bodied male, forming an army of over 20,000. Prepared for a prolonged siege, he relied on the city's plentiful food reserves from last year's harvest.
Aldebrand Ludenhof was a tall, gaunt man with a horse-like face. In addition to being Elector Count, he held titles such as Grand Baron of Hochland, Talabec River Warden, Temple Guardian, and Baron of Hergig. Renowned throughout the Empire for his loyalty and bravery, he excelled in combat against large foes. Despite his lean build, Aldebrand was surprisingly strong, with sharp eyes like a hawk. However, he had his flaws. As Elector Count, he rarely stayed in his palace, preferring to spend his time hunting in southern Hochland's hunting lodges, leaving internal affairs neglected. He took pride in his vast collection of hunting birds, with so many that every room in his palace housed at least one raptor. Even in battle, he often kept a falcon perched on his arm.
During winter, when hunting was impossible, Aldebrand returned to Hergig to reside in his fortress, separating himself and his family from the filthy and impoverished masses.
In February, the cold and snow, once despised by Hochland's people, became a source of relief. The freezing temperatures hindered the Chaos army's assaults. The icy ground was as hard as bone, and the bare trees stretched their branches futilely toward the gray sky. Refugees huddled in fear within the city, wrapped tightly against the cold, muttering prayers to Sigmar, Ulric, Taal, or Verena for salvation.
Hergig's streets were empty under strict military control. The Elector Count ordered all residents and refugees to remain indoors and conscripted every male aged 16 to 50. Soldiers patrolled the tidy streets, vigilant against threats.
On the walls, Aldebrand discussed the city's defenses with General Scharnhorst.
Hochland, situated in eastern Middenland, southern Central Mountains, northern Talabecland, and western Ostland, served as the Empire's central hub of transportation. This strategic position fostered an openness toward outsiders among Hochlanders, who were cheerful yet cunning, like seasoned hunters. However, war constantly troubled the region. Every two years, Hochland faced at least one major conflict. Since the rampage of the legendary beastman king Gorthor nearly a millennium ago, Hergig had never regained its former glory. Yet, the people refused to submit to darkness, choosing death over surrendering their homeland.
"Chaos forces have been relentlessly attacking the north and west gates these past few days," Aldebrand said to General Scharnhorst. "Stay vigilant; there may be more in store for us."
"Their attacks are fierce, but our orders are to avoid close combat as much as possible. We've armed every available firearm, bow, and sword in the city," Scharnhorst replied. "Chaos lacks siege weapons and numerical superiority. Hergig won't fall easily."
"What about reinforcements from the Knight King and Boris?" Aldebrand, trusting Scharnhorst, didn't hide his concern. "We can't hold out alone for long."
As Aldebrand pointed out, Hergig could not withstand the Slaanesh army indefinitely. As the smallest imperial province, Hochland lacked the population to sustain a large professional army. It relied on patrols, semi-professional guards, and the Elector Count's private troops. Furthermore, Hochland had already sent many troops to assist Ostland, leaving Hergig with only 20,000 defenders after conscripting all able-bodied men.
The most elite unit in Hergig was the Drakwald Patrol Regiment, led by the famed Imperial General Kazburg, a legendary hero celebrated for defeating a minotaur in single combat.
The regiment consisted of five companies: three halberdier companies known collectively as the "Green Hat Corps," famed for their discipline and resilience against beastmen charges; one swordsmen company, the "Scarlet Rebels," protecting the flanks; and the renowned "Gunderman's Sharpshooters," an elite rifle company armed with Hochland's signature long-barreled sniping muskets. Their captain, Gunderman Burgs, was said to hit a coin from 350 meters—a claim exaggerated but plausible at closer ranges.
Despite their valor, the regiment had a notorious reputation for theft, with supplies and taxes often "mysteriously disappearing" along their patrol routes. Investigations into these losses were inconclusive, and the Elector Count ultimately tolerated the misconduct due to the regiment's vital role.
"Reinforcements should arrive today or tomorrow at the latest," Scharnhorst reported.
Relieved, Aldebrand felt confident the reinforcements would decisively defeat the besieging Chaos forces. He thanked the gods for the alliance with Bretonnia, even though he had once opposed it, fearing it might harm Hochland's lumber, glass, and livestock industries.
On the walls, defenders fired volley after volley of bullets and arrows. Chaos troops, unable to breach the defenses with their crude ladders and hooks, suffered heavy losses. Sigvald, disdainful of "ugly creatures," had refused to bring monstrous beasts or Chaos Hellcannons, which had been lost in the Zedefka battle. Attempts to personally lead an assault earned Sigvald a hail of bullets that sparked off his armor, frightening the Slaanesh champion. He wasn't here to die but to revel in conquest.
In the fading sunset, a Slaanesh knight rushed to Sigvald's side. "My lord, a massive army approaches from the west! They outnumber us and have artillery. Their banners show the Knight King Ryan Valmont and Boris of Middenland!"
"Fools! I already know!" Sigvald waved the knight away, turning to his Mirror Guard. "Ryan Valmont may come, but he can't surpass my beauty."
The Mirror Guard hesitated. "My lord, their numbers far exceed ours. If we're caught between them and the city, we'll be annihilated!"
"Silence!" Sigvald screeched. "I need no reminders! I've set ambushes of beastmen warbands. Today shall be Ryan Valmont's doom!"
Meanwhile, in the Drakwald Forest, the human reinforcements advanced rapidly.
"Your Majesty, Hergig is under siege," a scout reported to Ryan. "We're less than three kilometers away!"
"All units, accelerate!" Ryan commanded, leading his troops from the front.
Unaware, the advancing army walked into the beastmen ambush. Chaos forces surged from the dark woods, led by towering minotaurs, charging with cries of rage and bloodlust.
Yet as they emerged, they saw Ryan atop his griffon, Imprius, flanked by the bear-clad Old Guard and the tricolor banners of Bretonnia.
"I am Ryan Valmont, Knight King and Lady's Champion! Who dares challenge me?!" Ryan roared, his warhammer raised, like a god descending to the battlefield.
"Advance! For the Lady and the King! For Bretonnia!" shouted the knights and Old Guard.
The sight of Ryan sent terror rippling through the beastmen ranks. Minotaurs dropped their weapons and fled, and bray-shamans abandoned their staffs, panicking as they fled. Lesser beastmen defecated and urinated in terror, crawling away in disarray.
The ambush collapsed before it began. Ryan led a relentless countercharge, slaughtering thousands. The human army suffered no casualties aside from a single unlucky knight whose horse tripped on a corpse.
"What the—?!" Sigvald was dumbfounded.
There was no time to react. Ryan and his knights stormed toward the Chaos lines surrounding Hergig.
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