Chapter 298: Marienburg Council

Marienburg is situated in the delta of the Reik River, where winding waters pass through cursed marshes before finally flowing into the Claw Sea. The city is built upon a series of sandbars and is covered in ports and shipyards, which has allowed the citizens to accumulate vast wealth through trade.

As news spread and threw the entire Empire of Man into an uproar, a group of luxuriously dressed merchants gathered together in the most magnificent hall in the center of Marienburg.

These people were the Councilors of the City Council, and they were all the most prestigious and wealthy merchants in the city. However, at this moment, they had lost their usual elegance, and the hall was filled with all sorts of shouting.

"Who exactly did this news leak from?"

"I bet it was that old ghost Mandewan!"

"A conspiracy, there must be a conspiracy!"

"Marienburg must be independent! I am sick of those endless wars!"

"Everyone, quiet down!"

A man with a handlebar mustache walked to the front; he was the master of Reikport and the Speaker of the City Council, Viscount Feimier, known throughout the Empire for the "legal cargo" that passed through his ports year-round.

"Regarding this matter, we must come up with a solution. Everyone present has invested significant resources, and the sunk costs are there; I believe none of us wish to suffer losses."

His voice was very inflammatory; Marienburg had been plotting for independence for generations, but only now were they approaching success.

These shrewd merchants did not bribe Dieter IV all at once; when that foolish monarch fled his own territory to reside in Altdorf, he borrowed from the wealthy merchants of Marienburg to maintain his extravagant lifestyle.

After Gulu's Waaagh! headed toward Ulthuan, what was left for Dieter IV was the ruined city of Nuln. To rebuild the city, he had to borrow on a massive scale again, and soon his debt to Marienburg reached a point where it was difficult to repay.

"That pig Dieter is easy to handle; the debt he owes us couldn't be repaid even if he sold his wife!" a man with one eye roared.

"The Empire, humph, only taxes and death are inevitable. I suspect some of you have already successfully avoided the latter, but the former? Those tax collectors, greedier than Norsca savages, would love to squeeze every penny of profit out of us!"

Another old man wearing a fur coat stood up; he was a Kislevite. The words of this northern merchant seemed to imply something; many rumored that the current Tsarina Katarin, who ruled the Ice Kingdom, was a vampire.

"I must say, we are not prepared yet. The raiders from the north crave everything we have. Without the experienced veterans and Battle Wizards of the Empire of Man, it is wishful thinking to want to protect the city with just the current City Guard!"

Lady Alicia stood up; the news that this Lady had a way to remain forever young spread widely among noblewomen. Beyond gold, she also loved art and was a patron of many artists and a host of salons.

"What did I say? We should have gotten some decent mercenaries from Tilea long ago!"

"Bullshit, those money-grubbing bastards won't fight to the death for us; we still need to raise a local militia!"

"Isn't this because you short-sighted guys insisted on saving those few pennies?"

The Lady pointed out the biggest problem the Council faced. According to the original plan, they should have prepared sufficient defensive forces before independence, but now the plan was forced to be moved forward, and the armed forces were not in place. If they continued with independence, no one would let go of this soft, fatty meat.

But likewise, if they stopped the process of independence, the loans made to Dieter could not be recovered, and it would be difficult to encounter such a good opportunity with the right time, place, and people again.

"Everyone, perhaps I have a suggestion!"

Just as the merchant Councilors were arguing without reaching a result, another person stood up. He had two or three ornaments on him that shimmered with the luster of runes, and he appeared to have a deep connection with the Dwarf Realms.

"Boss Harvey, please speak!" Viscount Feimier signaled for the Councilors to quiet down.

"I know someone who should be able to help us solve the problem." Boss Harvey rubbed his hands together. "Tomi, Tomi Eirosen!" He announced a name.

"It's him?"

"The one who has been the most prominent lately?"

"He has a massive amount of Zhendan goods in his hands! Those spices and silks, my god, can be traded directly for their weight in gold!"

"I got some Lizardmen items from him; you know the Slann Mage-Priests? The things they have blessed are not ordinary!"

"Tomi also has stock of the immortality secret arts of Nehekhara; it is said he dared to challenge the Tomb Kings to a drinking contest!"

The name reported by Boss Harvey made the Council hall boil over again; clearly, everyone had heard of the great name of Cousin Tomi, and many still had trade dealings with him.

In fact, this was the case; this Dwarf merchant was responsible for distributing the spoils of Sinuoli's expedition and goods from the Southlands, while simultaneously purchasing and transporting the supplies he needed. He had built a huge reputation by relying on high-quality goods and his generous spending.

"What can he provide? A Tomb King legion? If it's some Zhendan firearms or Dwarf weapons, those won't be in time." Viscount Feimier also understood Tomi's strength as a merchant, but security services were clearly not in his previous scope of business.

"Boss Tomi has a say among his friends in the mountains and his friends beyond the mountains. Everyone, we cannot seek medical advice blindly! If the outside help we find lacks credibility, that is simply inviting a fox to protect the chicks."

Boss Harvey did not respond directly, but instead explained his reasoning, and his words gained the approval of many. Many merchants had experienced being extorted or betrayed by the troops they hired.

It was common for guys who licked blood off the edge of a blade to switch identities between bandits and guards. Compared to other forces in the Old World, Dwarfs and Knights who worshiped the Lady of the Lake were the most trustworthy and reliable.

"As for what he can provide, I am not sure either, but why not invite him over for a detailed discussion?" Harvey signaled that he was finished.

"Send a messenger as soon as possible!" Viscount Feimier made a decision after a brief consultation with several of the most powerful Councilors.

"No need for such trouble, my Speaker." Harvey smiled and took a rune transmitter out of his bosom. In full view of everyone, he triggered the runes rhythmically, and with a flicker, the message was sent out.

"Boss Tomi will set off from Altdorf right now!" A moment later, Harvey announced.

"Meeting adjourned! Everyone remember to be on time at this time tomorrow..." Viscount Feimier nodded; the travel time from various points along the Reik River to Marienburg was something the merchant apprentices could all memorize.

"How about we have lunch together? Tomi will arrive very quickly." Harvey smiled and interrupted the Viscount's words.