Warhammer Divine Throne

Hmm, very loyal, even sometimes the Emperor feels Gailte is somewhat excessively loyal.

Therefore, when the Great Alchemist proactively proposed that the Emperor send an army to Estalia for a treasure hunt, Emperor Carl Franz agreed without hesitation, partly as a reward for loyalty and partly as a form of compensation.

"A talisman? We are also searching for a talisman. I heard that the merchants of Estalia found a talisman and happily intend to send it to the Main Temple of Mirmidia in Margaret as a Holy Artifact of Mirmidia," Laine said seriously, with a troubled expression on the Count’s face: "Perhaps we are looking for the same item?"

"That is fake news we released."

"What?"

"That is fake news we released to mislead the Vampires," Gailte had to repeat: "It’s a suggestion from the Emperor’s courtiers. They believe that if the Vampires realize they need to face both the Empire and the War Goddess Church to contend for the Sea Gold Talisman, it will make the insidious Vampires reconsider if it’s worth the effort. These Midnight Nobles are always quite selfish."

"The news is so convincing that even I truly believed it." Laine’s facial muscles twitched.

"To deceive the enemy, one must first be able to deceive oneself." Gailte’s words were concise, and he began to recount what happened: "We tightly sealed off the information."

The Sea Gold Talisman is an ancient and powerful magical protective talisman, a masterpiece from the time when High Elves had not retreated from the Old World, discovered by Gailte while researching at the Imperial Royal Wizard Academy.

Simultaneously, the Great Alchemist also found that the Vampires were seeking this talisman. Hence, he dispatched Demon Hunters, who obtained the information by assassinating a few Vampire Scouts, that the Vampire Count was also trying to find the Sea Gold Talisman. Gailte led the Imperial Army in a battle against Vampire Lord Leopold Haken’s forces at Mabad’s Tomb in the Midland Territory, though the Empire successfully defeated Leopold Haken and his Vampire army, the talisman was not there.

So the target remained one, the High Elf tomb located in Estalia. Gailte knew the Vampires were racing there, and since the Imperial Army had to fight in foreign grounds, he released fake news claiming that Margaret’s Merchant Alliance discovered a talisman as a Holy Artifact of Mirmidia.

The Empire has been extensively operating in Estalia for years, making the released news convincingly realistic, attracting many adventurers and mercenary corps who believed it was their chance for fortune, setting off for Margaret, even Margaret’s Nobles and the War Goddess Church firmly believed it.

"Well, this might explain why we encountered High-Rank Vampires," Laine said, furrowing his brow, realizing he too had received fake news.

"High-Rank Vampires? Was it Leopold Haken?" Gailte’s tone usually lacked emotion, but it was clear he was very interested in Laine’s experiences.

"No, it was a bloodline member of the Lemya family," Laine shook his head.

The Count shared his group’s entire experience with Gailte.

"I see." The metallic face of Gailte didn’t reveal emotions, leaving his thoughts unknown. The Great Alchemist instructed Imperial General Bernhardt: "Bring that along."

"That?" Bernhardt hesitated: "But that is personally assigned to you by His Majesty the Emperor..."

"Lord Laine is a friend and ally of His Majesty the Emperor, isn’t he?" Gailte continued.

"...I understand." The Imperial General thought of the treatment Laine received in the Empire, eventually nodding and retrieving a roll of parchment from the tent.

"This is the permit for military passage in Estalia, we have multiple copies," Gailte handed the parchment to Laine: "Take it, I can see you do not have this."

"Thank you very much." Laine did not refuse, accepting the permit, knowing he and Duke Boldro indeed needed this, and said with a smile, "This must be difficult to obtain, right?"

"Not difficult, all the city-states and duchies in Estalia are competing to sell their military passage permits, it depends on whether you have connections," Imperial General Bernhardt said proudly: "These Southern Men would sell for money without hesitation, as long as you take this permit as our Empire’s military ally and cooperation entity, you can freely act in Estalia."

"Do these Southern Men have no dignity?" Fidmund said with a dark expression.

"None, at least none in front of our Giant Cannons, Hellstorm Rocket Cannon, and my Metal Torrent," the Great Alchemist Biersaze Gaert stood: "Lord Laine, may I have a word with you? I have some matters to discuss."

"Sure." Laine also stood.

Being on the same side, Gailte’s initiative to discuss signified substantial issues.

The two left the tent one after another, the well-equipped and well-trained Imperial Army was setting camp on the plains, the various powerful war machines evoking Laine’s envy, as both the Brunswick Military Factory and the Nuer Armory could produce many impressive war machines, a capability his territory currently lacked.