January, New World, Lustria Continent.
At the imperial army's landing outpost, the Ash Legion was resting. The battle with Luther Harkon had taken a heavy toll, and Fugen had temporarily led his forces back to Raider's Port for a two-month respite. Now, Fugen's primary task was to await the next wave of reinforcements from the Empire and find a way to integrate them into his forces.
The journey from the Empire to Lustria by ship took several months. Although Fugen was confident that Reikland and the Imperial Court would not ignore General Alaric's letters and the vast amounts of gold and silver sent back, for now, the Ash Legion was in no condition to continue fighting and needed to rest.
Fugen was not pleased with this, but he had no choice. During this downtime, he managed his three towns and numerous villages with meticulous care. In his spare time, he played the lute, sang, appreciated art from the Empire, Brittany, the High Elves, Araby, or Halflings, and read various books that Ryan had painstakingly acquired. He found some enjoyment in these activities.
Fugen delved into the histories of the High Elves and Dark Elves, as well as many legends about the Lizardmen. He concluded with certainty that the Elven gods of this world were undeniably linked to the Eldar gods of the material universe. The Phoenix King Asuryan, the god of war and murder Khaine, the god of smithing Vaul, the goddess of harvest and life Isha, the hunter god Kurnous, the moon goddess, and the goddess of dreams and luck Lileath—all these deities had exact counterparts in the Eldar pantheon, which went beyond mere coincidence.
There were also slight similarities between the histories of the Elves and the Eldar. However, one thing puzzled Fugen: the two Eldar gods, the Laughing God Cegorach and the newly born god of death Ynnead, were never mentioned in any Elven books or legends.
Did this imply a connection?
Fugen had many suspicions but was careful not to jump to conclusions. Unlike Angron, who was content to be a brute, Fugen needed to gather more evidence to support his theories.
The ancient Slaan tablet he had stolen from Luther Harkon was covered in strange symbols and hieroglyphs. Fugen had spent considerable time studying it but had yet to decipher its meaning. It seemed that only the special magic of the Slaan Mage-Priests or Skink Priests could activate and decode the tablet. As he fiddled with it, Fugen wondered how the Emperor had deciphered ancient Slaan tablets.
When the Emperor appeared in Hexoatl, Lord Mazdamundi had referred to him as a "young Old One." Was this an acknowledgment of the Emperor's power or an affirmation of his identity?
Now, with Guilliman mingling with the Eldar death god's chosen, Yvraine, and Ryan involved with the Elven moon goddess Lileath, did this suggest that the Emperor's strategies, both internal and external, had changed after his awakening?
Fugen pondered these questions but had no answers yet.
The room was filled with the pleasant sound of music as Fugen plucked the strings of his lute, tuning it carefully, until the halfling Habi knocked on the door: "Lord Fugen, Lord Fugen, a new cargo ship has arrived, and there's a strange fellow who says he wants to see you!"
Halfling Habi had performed heroically in the battle of the Vampire Coast, successfully stealing the ancient Slaan tablet and Lizardmen treasures from Luther Harkon. As a reward, Fugen appointed Habi as the head of his scout team, gifting him an enchanted rune-elven shortsword (which was a longsword for a halfling) and a mithril shirt. This shirt, crafted with Bretonnian mithril and ancient forging techniques, was as protective as it was lightweight.
"A strange fellow?" Fugen set down the ancient Slaan tablet. He was planning to visit Itza soon to meet with Lord Kroak and return the tablet.
"A strange fellow. He looks like one of those Imperial Witch Hunters—the kind who barges into villages, interrogating and arresting everyone, and burns half the populace for good measure. But when we asked if he was a Witch Hunter, he insisted he's a doctor," Habi explained as he scurried up to Fugen and bowed. "He's at the dock, surrounded by Felix and his Cossacks."
"Surrounded?" Fugen thought for a moment. "Never mind, the cargo's arrived. I'll go to the dock and see for myself."
"Yes, Lord Fugen. What would you like for dinner? I can prepare it for you," Habi offered eagerly.
Fugen's keen eyes swept over the halfling, causing him to shrink back slightly and smile awkwardly. "Do you want barbecue short ribs or Dover sole soup?"
"Short ribs," Fugen replied, leaving the house.
At the dock, it was as busy as ever. Sailors loaded and unloaded cargo, fishing boats came and went, and warships anchored further out. A group of large cargo ships from Marienburg had docked, carrying supplies needed by the Ash Legion, supplies that could only be procured from the Old World.
Fugen had attempted to craft some machines himself but quickly realized the problem—this world's physical laws differed from those of the material universe, rendering most of his knowledge useless.
Felix's Kislev Winged Hussars were excitedly unloading large crates from the cargo hold. They were so eager that they couldn't wait to get the crates back to their barracks. One Hussar drew his saber and pried open a crate right there!
Inside were bottles of vodka, Kislev's lifeblood!
"Hahaha! Soldiers, you make me proud. You've done great in battle, and you deserve the best!" For once, Felix's usual stern poker face broke into a smile. He strode over, grabbing several bottles from the crate and handing them out to the Winged Hussars.
"Druzhina, to victory, cheers!"
"To victory, cheers!" The Hussars cheered, each grabbing a bottle of vodka and drinking heartily.
"Druzhina, to a good life, another round!"
"To a good life, cheers!" The Hussars drank again, their faces filled with joy and satisfaction. They let out bear-like roars: "Ooh-rah!"
Fugen watched this scene and smiled, saying nothing. Vodka was to the Winged Hussars what recaf was to Space Marines. Since they were his troops, he would ensure they were well-supplied, even if it meant clashing with the Departmento Munitorum to make the quartermasters understand.
At the dock, a man dressed in the characteristic high-collared long coat and breastplate of an Imperial Witch Hunter was being confronted by Felix's men. He wore a tall gentleman's hat adorned with colorful feathers, had a neatly trimmed moustache and goatee, and carried wooden stakes strapped across his chest. A silver rapier and a steel short sword hung from his waist, and a finely crafted short pistol, made by the Brunswick Arsenal, was holstered on his other side.
Fugen noticed that Julius was facing off with the Witch Hunter. He approached. "What's going on? I heard this Witch Hunter wants to see me?"
"Yes." Julius frowned. He clearly considered himself Fugen's subordinate now. He pointed with the blessed broadsword given to him by the Prophetess of the Lady. "Hertwig von Hel, claiming to be a doctor from Brunswick… or a Witch Hunter. He says he has something to discuss with you."
"Something to discuss with me?" Fugen motioned for the others to step back and approached the Witch Hunter, looking down at him.
Fugen's gaze was intensely scrutinizing, making the Witch Hunter feel as though all his secrets were laid bare before the Legion Master. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he couldn't help but speak first. "Lord Legion Master, I am Hertwig, Hertwig von Hel, a doctor."
"A doctor? You look nothing like a doctor and more like…" Fugen stared at the man. "This is Lustria, not the Empire. Why is a Witch Hunter here, instead of staying in the Empire to take on contracts, root out corruption, and destroy heretics? Wait, the von Hel family… I think I've read about that somewhere…"
"He's a Witch Hunter! His whole family are Witch Hunters!" Julius said sharply. As a Questing Knight, he wasn't exactly hostile or resentful toward Witch Hunters, but he certainly didn't have a favorable view of them either.
Fugen recalled the details.
The von Hel family was one of the most famous Witch Hunter families in the Empire.
This family had once been nobles of Sylvania, an Imperial province that had since been abandoned. During the Black Plague, Sylvania was under siege by Skaven who sought warpstone. The von Hel family's patriarch, Frederick, tried every method to fend off the Skaven but failed repeatedly.
When the plague was about to destroy his land and family, a "kind" stranger taught him the necromantic arts. Frederick used these dark arts to finally drive off the Skaven, saving his family and land. He became the Empire's first necromancer and authored the infamous *Book of von Hel* on necromancy.
That "kind" stranger was later revealed to be Vlad von Carstein, the first Vampire Count of Sylvania and its future Elector.
Frederick used necromancy to restore his family's fortunes, but he was eventually exposed. The entire von Hel family was shocked to discover their patriarch
was a necromancer, and their shock turned to deep-seated rage. After Frederick's defeat and death, the entire von Hel family swore a lifelong duty to fight the evils their ancestor had unleashed upon the Empire.
And so, this famous Witch Hunter family was born.
Ironically, had it not been for their ancestor's necromancy, the family would have perished long ago during the Black Plague and the Skaven onslaught.
"This is Lustria, dear Mr. Hertwig. You should be in the Empire, hunting vampires who infiltrate cities and courts. What are you doing here in the jungles and beaches of Lustria, looking for vampires?" Fugen recalled the history of this famous family. He shrugged. "Sir, you may be in the wrong place. Should I arrange for you to be sent back to the Empire?"
"I'm a doctor," the Witch Hunter said seriously. "My profession is that of a doctor who also hunts witches. I can treat most illnesses and conditions. My skills surpass those of even the high priests at the Temple of Shallya. If I'm not mistaken, Lord Legion Master, your camp could use an excellent doctor."
"You want to join us?" Fugen's expression shifted slightly. His camp indeed needed a skilled doctor. "But why moonlight as a Witch Hunter?"
"Because medicine alone cannot save the Empire," Hertwig nodded, a bittersweet look in his weathered eyes. "But a Witch Hunter can."
"You still haven't given a reason," Fugen countered.
"Can I have a few minutes?"
"Of course!"
"I was once a physician in Brunswick, burdened by my family name. I wanted nothing more than a peaceful life with my fiancée, Matilda. But perhaps it was my name that bound me to the undead. One night, I received a dying patient. Strangely, a stake was driven through his chest, and his breathing was faint."
"I didn't understand, so I removed the stake and treated his wound. But I paid a terrible price for it. Late that night, the patient awoke. He seized my fiancée and gave her the 'blood kiss.' I fought desperately to drive the monster away, but it was too late. To prevent Matilda from becoming one of the undead, I personally killed her, driving a stake through her heart and severing her head," Hertwig continued. "From that moment, I knew that medicine couldn't fight vampires, couldn't save the Empire. Becoming a Witch Hunter is the fate of the von Hel family. It's time I embraced it."
"I spent years tracking down that monster. I learned his name was Alistair the Red, a vampire pirate," Hertwig said. "When I finally traced him to the Vampire Coast…"
"He was already dead. I killed him," Julius said bluntly. "I took his head, drove a stake through his body, and burned him to ashes."
"Yes, and I'm grateful you avenged me. Though I wanted to slay the monster myself, I know I lack the resources. Without you, I could not have done it alone," Hertwig nodded. "Therefore, I wish to repay you. In exchange for avenging my fiancée, I offer my services."
"You're very welcome!" Fugen's attitude immediately changed. "We could definitely use your skills, Mr. von Hel."
"There are many von Hels. Please, call me Hertwig," the Witch Hunter replied, pleased with the outcome. "Thank you for taking me in."
"You're welcome," Fugen finally smiled. "Mr. Hertwig, your timing is excellent. We have a mission coming up that could use your help."
"I would be honored."
...
Two weeks later, New World, Lustria Continent, the Great Jungle, on the road to Itza.
Fugen led his Phoenix Guard, along with Gold Wizard Karim, Questing Knight Julius, Halfling Habi, and the newly joined Witch Hunter Hertwig, toward the First City of Itza under the guidance of a Skink Priest and several Temple Guards.
They were returning the ancient Slaan tablet.
Over five hundred elite Ash Legion greatswords, foot knights, and handgunners followed behind the Lizardmen. The dense and sweltering jungle was uncomfortable for those unaccustomed to the climate, but they were not here for leisure.
Fugen also had to meet with Lord Kroak, who apparently had something very important to discuss with him.
Unbeknownst to them, a Wood Elf Waywatcher was observing everything from a treetop about five hundred meters away. She wore a helmet adorned with large antlers, a chainmail crafted on Vaul's Anvil, and wielded a Wood Elf longbow imbued with starlight. Green vines coiled around the bow as she hid among the leaves.
"A human army, here?" the Waywatcher muttered to herself. "It looks like they're planning to enter Itza!"
"If that's the case, they must have something that can bypass Itza's protective barrier!" The Waywatcher gritted her teeth and made a fateful decision. "Alright, I'll just have to steal it from them!"
"Emerald Pool, here I come!"
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