Old World, Imperial Calendar 2521, October.
The Bretonnian army, led by Marshals Calard and Rokossovsky, arrived in Erengrad.
To ensure the strength of this force and considering the harsh environment of Kislev, King Ryan ordered one of his court ladies, the Supreme Sorceress Teresa, head of Military Intelligence Division Seven, to accompany the army with an entire Ice Witch Coven (50 members) to assist Calard and his troops.
In Erengrad, Calard, Rokossovsky, Teresa, and Belial were received by Duke Vladimir Vladimirovich. From the duke, they learned that Marshal Lauren of the Northern Army had already led as many troops as possible to Praag to make a desperate stand.
"How many troops remain in Erengrad?" Calard asked, his brow furrowed with worry. He exchanged a glance with Rokossovsky, both men clearly uneasy.
"Erengrad has only 5,000 defenders. Duke Lauren has taken nearly every sword from the city," Duke Vladimir replied. "Currently, the Grovod Forest to the north is still under our control. Scouts report that Chaos forces are still engaged in large-scale battles with trolls and greenskins in the Troll Country."
"Understood," Calard nodded, then asked, "How many enemies are we facing?"
Soon, Calard learned the scale of the Chaos forces.
The Chaos army besieging Praag consisted of the following forces:
- Vilitch the Curseling's Curseling Legion: Approximately 35,000.
- Throgg the Troll King's Troll Legion: Approximately 28,000.
- Surtha Lenk's Norscan Legion: Approximately 15,000.
- Elfric Kinevold's Kurgan Legion: Approximately 14,000.
- Beastmen Auxiliaries: Between 10,000 and 20,000 (no exact number).
- The Undefeated Legion of Khorne Champion Abal the Undefeated: Approximately 24,000.
In contrast, the Order forces consisted of:
- Marshal Lauren's Bretonnian Northern Army: Approximately 12,000.
- Local Kislevite Forces: Approximately 15,000.
- Calard and Rokossovsky's Bretonnian Continental Army: Approximately 20,000 (including a company of Ryan's Old Guard and fifteen Grail Knights).
- Imperial Forces from Ostland and Ostermark: Approximately 8,000.
- Mercenaries and Militias from across the Old World, including the Southern Realms: Approximately 4,000.
In total, the Chaos forces numbered over 120,000, while Calard's forces, at best, could muster fewer than 60,000.
Moreover, Calard knew that while his Bretonnian Continental Army was highly reliable, as were Lauren's Northern Army and the Imperial forces from the northern provinces, other units—such as the Southern Realms mercenaries and hastily recruited Kislevite militias—were less dependable. These soldiers lacked experience, were unprepared for the coming battles, or simply wanted to flee south.
To make matters worse, the weather was not cooperating. Instead of the usual snow and ice of Kislev, October brought unseasonably warm and dry conditions. The autumn sun bathed the land, with no sign of snow or cold. This allowed the Chaos forces to advance unchecked, depriving Kislev of its greatest natural defense: winter.
Calard wasted no time. After arriving with his army, he immediately marched along the Lynsk River toward Praag.
Along the way, one piece of bad news after another arrived. Intelligence indicated that more Chaos forces were crossing the High Pass. Meanwhile, the new Everchosen, Archaon, had gathered an army of over 500,000. However, Archaon ordered his forces to remain in the Chaos Wastes, allowing only those tribes and champions who could no longer wait to march south. Unlike Morkar, Archaon seemed in no hurry.
But Calard was in a hurry. The renowned Bretonnian marshal knew he was racing against time.
At this critical moment, Supreme Sorceress Teresa played a pivotal role. While Calard and the others were desperate to relieve Praag, Teresa achieved several major diplomatic successes.
First, she persuaded the Dwarfs of Karak Kadrin. Thorgard Redbeard, the Norse Dwarf King, sent a 4,000-strong dwarf army to Erengrad. They advanced up the Lynsk River and established a supply depot midway between Praag and Erengrad. The dwarfs vowed to hold this position until Lauren and Calard's forces could retreat, even if it meant their deaths.
Next, Teresa's letters reached the Imperial provinces of Hochland and Nordland. Both provinces promised reinforcements would arrive soon.
Finally, and most importantly, Teresa contacted Ivan Fedorovich, the Duke of Reikland and Ryan's godfather. After receiving Teresa's earnest letter, Ivan personally led the Reiksguard Knights to Ostermark.
Though everyone knew Teresa was leveraging Ryan's influence, her diplomatic achievements were nonetheless remarkable.
After two weeks of marching, the Continental Army broke through the Chaos forces surrounding Praag. Lauren led the city's defenders out to welcome Calard's forces into the city.
By then, 90% of Praag's population had been evacuated or retreated further south.
Inside Praag Castle's War Room.
"Thank you for coming all this way," Lauren said, seated at the head of the table. After years in the north, the Duke of Couronne had grown accustomed to Kislev's cold climate and unique battlefield conditions. Seeing Calard and the others arrive, he couldn't help but smile. "His Majesty is truly remarkable, reacting so quickly."
"Lauren, His Majesty has always been concerned about the Northern Army," Calard replied, sitting to Lauren's right. Whether by military rank or noble title, Calard was unquestionably subordinate to Lauren.
"I never expected His Majesty to send Lady Teresa with the army," Lauren said, greeting Teresa.
"It was His Majesty's order. My duty is to carry it out, and I'm familiar with Kislev's environment," Teresa replied with a faint smile. "My coven and I are at the marshals' disposal. Please give your orders."
"Constantine, with your help, we'll give the Chaos forces a taste of their own medicine," Lauren said to Rokossovsky.
"At your command," Rokossovsky nodded.
After a brief exchange, the marshals—all men of action—quickly began planning their next moves.
In terms of command styles, the three marshals differed.
- Lauren was steady and cautious, yet passionate and bold in battle.
- Calard was calm and aggressive, exuding immense pressure like a mountain. His prowess in champion duels and personal combat was unmatched.
- Rokossovsky, compared to the other two, was refined and charismatic. However, militarily, he was aggressive, opportunistic, and a meticulous planner.
"Praag has held out for months," Lauren pointed at the map. "Our forces are at a severe disadvantage. Chaos armies keep pouring in from the High Pass and north of the Mountains of Mourn. Our only option is to retreat."
Calard and Rokossovsky agreed, but Calard frowned, stroking his beard. "Lyonel, retreat without a fight?"
"Yes, we can't afford to engage the enemy," Lauren explained. "In fact, our main opponent, the Tzeentchian Champion Vilitch the Curseling, excels at rapid maneuvers, flanking, and encircling."
"Rapid maneuvers, flanking, and encircling?" Rokossovsky studied the enemy's deployment outside the city and remarked, "I think the enemy's formation looks more like a clumsy beast."
"That's because Vilitch has never commanded such a large army. This Chaos force is five times larger than anything he's led before, and the various legions and Throgg don't follow orders well," Lauren shook his head. "But this will change sooner or later."
"In that case, we abandon the city!" Rokossovsky declared, slamming his hand on Praag. "But Chaos won't gain any glory or supplies from Kislev. We'll destroy everything."
"You mean, burn the city?"
"Not just burn it—set it ablaze," Rokossovsky said confidently. "A fire that will cost Vilitch his position as commander."
"Lauren, Calard, and Lady Teresa, here's what we'll do," Rokossovsky drew a circle around Praag on the map. "But this time, we'll take some risks."
... I am the dividing line of taking risks ...
Three days later, Vilitch the Curseling triumphantly led his legion into Praag. Contrary to expectations, the arrival of the Bretonnian Continental Army did not prolong the siege. Instead, as if blessed by Tzeentch, the defenders quickly crumbled under his assault and decided to abandon Praag, retreating westward.
Vilitch marched into the city, delighted to learn that while other Chaos legions, barbarian forces, and beastmen auxiliaries had been defeated, his own forces had taken Praag with ease. He immediately sent messengers to the Chaos Wastes to report his victory to Archaon and claim credit. Meanwhile, he planned to sacrifice Praag to Tzeentch.
However, within the next 48 hours, a massive fire broke out across Praag. Duke Feodor Rostov-Putin chose to remain in his city, setting it ablaze rather than letting it fall to Chaos.
The fire caused significant losses to the Chaos forces. Vilitch ordered his troops to fight the flames and execute any civilians they found. It took four days to control the blaze, which destroyed two-thirds of the city and cost Vilitch over 4,000 troops.
Worse, the incident ignited a conflict between Vilitch and Throgg. The Troll King accused the Tzeentchian Champion of using "underhanded" and "dishonorable" tactics to claim victory. Enraged, Throgg led his troll legion back to the Troll Country to focus on building his own domain.
Rokossovsky's plan had worked.
However, Calard and Lauren's situation was dire. The 60,000-strong human army, divided into several columns, moved slowly as it retreated from Praag. Both Lauren and Calard feared that poor command could lead to a complete rout. Abandoning Praag without a fight had severely damaged morale. Meanwhile, Vilitch's Curseling Legion pursued closely, at times only 500 meters behind the Continental Army.
Determined to buy time, Calard took command of the rearguard, leading 6,000 troops to delay the Chaos pursuers. He entrusted Teresa's coven to Lauren.
Shortly after leaving Praag, Rokossovsky, who was leading the southern retreat to Kislev City, received bad news. Rokossovsky had planned to lead 20,000 troops south, but Khorne Champion Abal the Undefeated had already flanked them.
This was Vilitch's plan. Rokossovsky's 20,000-strong force clashed with Abal's Undefeated Legion at the town of Chagwe. The brutal battle resulted in nearly 5,000 casualties on both sides. Though Rokossovsky managed to drive Abal out of Chagwe, the southern route to Kislev City was cut off. Forced to retreat, Rokossovsky rejoined Lauren's main force.
As the human army marched frantically, exhaustion and hunger set in.
Worse news followed. Lauren received reports that a greenskin army had attacked their supply lines, cutting off their provisions. Without supplies, discipline began to collapse, starting with the Southern Realms mercenaries and Kislevite militias. Many wounded were abandoned, and Lauren personally executed some deserters, ordering that no more casualties be left behind.
While the knights' virtues were commendable, this further slowed the army's march. Exhausted and starving, the human forces were soon overtaken by Vilitch's army. Calard's rearguard was nearly surrounded, and it was only thanks to Rokossovsky's timely charge with the 1st Guard Lancers that Calard's troops were rescued.
Just as Vilitch's forces were repelled, more bad news arrived. Abal's 20,000-strong Undefeated Legion appeared just 30 kilometers from Calard's position, advancing rapidly.
Surtha Lenk's 14,000-strong Norscan Legion appeared north of the Lynsk River, preparing to cross.
Meanwhile, Lauren learned that Elfric Kinevold's 13,000-strong Kurgan Legion had defeated General Georgy's 3,000-strong force at Vitebsk, a town 40 kilometers west of the human army's planned retreat route.
From the Empire came word that Chaos forces from the Brass Keep, led by the Reaper Valnir, had blocked Nordland's reinforcements. Elector Count Theodoric Gausser was unable to defeat Valnir, and the two sides were locked in a stalemate.
The barrage of bad news left Lauren feeling almost hopeless. The fall of Vitebsk meant the route to Erengrad was closing.
Trapped between enemies ahead and pursuers behind, the human army in Kislev seemed to have reached a dead end.
______
(≧◡≦) ♡ Support me and read 20 chapters ahead – patreon.com/INNIT
For every 50 Power Stones, one extra chapter will be released on Saturday.