"The outer walls of the city probably won't hold against the Chaos army, but that's fine. We'll use them as bait."
After learning that the Chaos horde was marching toward Wolfenburg, the city prepared for total mobilization. Elector Count Vamir von Zhukov led Ostermark's last two elite units—the Bull Knights and the Black Guards of Ostermark—to inspect the city's defenses.
"The key defensive points are the Cathedral of the Church of Justice, Oswald Street, Charlemagne Bridge, and Franz Avenue. We will station heavy troops in these areas," Vamir instructed his commanders. "Wolfenburg will endure longer than Chaos can imagine."
Behind Vamir stood Leman Russ, Agrim Ironfist, Alaroth the Brave, and a still-dejected Oleg von Zhukov. Joining them were two other key leaders:
The first was Leopold von Zhukov, the Grand Master of the Bull Knights and a cousin of Elector Count Vamir. Leopold, immensely proud of his land, family, and the Empire, wielded a massive two-handed axe reforged from the weapons of a slain beastman warlord. During the Bull Knights' signature "Bull Charge," Leopold always led from the front.
The second was Vladimir Ludnaseth, the Elector Count's personal champion and commander of the Black Guards of Ostermark. This famed greatsword regiment worshipped the god of death, Morr, and was renowned for their unyielding discipline. Armed with Morr-blessed grave swords, their weapons could easily cleave through the armor of black orcs and Chaos warriors alike. Despite heavy losses in previous battles, the Black Guards still numbered over 500, supported by the Elector's personal treasury—funded by the immense gold mines beneath Wolfenburg.
These two units, combined with the 300 reinforcements brought by Agrim and Alaroth, gave Wolfenburg a fighting force of just over 1,100 experienced soldiers.
Beyond these, a few thousand defenders—ragged survivors from Zhukov Castle and hastily assembled local garrison troops—could hold the walls or engage in brief street battles.
The rest? Cannon fodder.
"Vamir, I don't think we can hold Wolfenburg," Russ said bluntly, towering over the Elector Count, whose head barely reached his chest. "You must have a backup plan, don't you?"
"Wolfenburg is Ostermark's heart, our home, and our last refuge. For 3,000 years, the people of Ostermark have never abandoned it," Vamir replied, shaking his head. "There is no backup plan. We will stand and fight to the last. I've ordered all women, children, and the elderly to be evacuated into the mountain shelters behind Bull Keep. We'll hold the line until reinforcements arrive—or until Chaos breaks upon Wolfenburg's walls."
"Fine, then where are the reinforcements? How long do we have to hold out?" Russ pressed, his amber eyes burning with intensity.
Agrim Ironfist and Alaroth nodded in agreement. The Slayer King, though eager for a glorious death, had no intention of fighting a hopeless battle without reason. As a king, duty and responsibility weighed heavily on him. He glanced at his crumpled parchment of notes.
Elector Count Vamir von Zhukov – 234
Alaroth, for his part, had no plans to die for Wolfenburg and waited skeptically for Vamir's answer.
The doors of Bull Keep's great hall swung open, and the commanders gathered around a large map laid out on the central table. Vamir explained, "Look here. This is Wolfenburg. There are only two places we can hope for reinforcements to come from."
"The first is to the south: Herzig, where Ryan-Malcador and Boris Todbringer have joined forces with Aldebrand's army. They number around sixty to seventy thousand."
"The second is to the east: Beccafen. But your presence here makes it clear that no reinforcements will come from Beccafen," Vamir said gravely. "Our only hope lies with the forces in Herzig."
"What is Ryan doing?" Russ growled, his wolf-like voice echoing through the chamber. "Why is his army just sitting in Herzig? Wolfenburg is on the brink of destruction, and he's watching from the sidelines? Does he want to admire the Chaos horde's handiwork from afar?"
"This isn't the Knight King's fault," Vamir explained. "His army is too small to confront the Chaos host. We've reported that the Chaos forces in Ostermark number 200,000 to 300,000. Against such odds, Ryan and Boris wouldn't dare move until the Imperial forces from the south join them."
"Then why are the southern reinforcements so slow? Are Karl Franz and Lady Emmanuelle growing fat on pies?" Russ roared, slamming a gauntleted fist onto the table. "Why are you all so calm? Vamir, Oleg, Leopold—you know Mortkin's goal is to wipe out every Ostermarker, every last one! We should be spreading the word that the enemy isn't as numerous as they claim. Based on our scouts, the Chaos army is only about 120,000 strong!"
The hall fell silent. The Ostermark nobles exchanged bitter smiles in response to Russ's outburst.
"Master, the city is under complete surveillance and control," Oleg explained reluctantly. "We've sent out over a dozen messengers for aid, but none have returned. Every carrier pigeon has been intercepted by Chaos ravens and bats. Even magical communication has failed. Our court mage can't contact Ryan's chief courtier, Lady Veronica. Chaos has cut us off completely. Nobody knows Wolfenburg's true situation. Some may believe we're holding out. Others probably think the city has already fallen."
"That makes sense," Russ admitted grudgingly. "Ryan isn't wrong to wait—it could very well be a Chaos trap to bait him into a hopeless battle. If his army is wiped out here, the entire northern Empire would fall into despair."
Russ considered the situation for a moment before speaking again. "What about other allies? Anyone else who could help?"
"Who?" Vamir replied with a bitter laugh. "The elves? The dwarves? They're all here. In the end, Ostermark can only rely on itself. Unless Helmut miraculously sends reinforcements from Talabheim—but I know him. That bastard won't lift a finger; he'll focus on defending his own lands."
Agrim checked his parchment again.
Elector Count Helmut of Talabheim – 112
"Damn it!"
The meeting ended in frustration. The stubborn Ostermarkers refused to abandon Wolfenburg, and the leaders dispersed with heavy hearts.
The city was in chaos as evacuation efforts continued. Refugees crowded into the mountain shelters, guided by Bull Knights and Black Guards. Those left behind queued for armor and weapons, hastily prepared for a single day of training.
Agrim sat on the steps outside Bull Keep, smoking his pipe as pandemonium unfolded around him. Families wept as fathers, sons, and even boys were drafted into the militia.
A distraught mother clung to a greatsword soldier's sleeve. "Please, sir, let me go instead! My son is only fourteen!"
"Fourteen is old enough, ma'am," the soldier replied coldly. "Everyone must fight for Wolfenburg."
The bewildered boy was shoved into the ranks, staring blankly as the world around him crumbled.
Agrim sighed, puffing smoke rings into the cold air. "Better to die fighting than be slaughtered like sheep. A glorious death is better than none."
His thoughts drifted to his son, Galarrim Ironfist, who had recklessly taken the Slayer's Oath against his father's wishes. The young prince, stubborn as his father, sought an epic death instead of preparing to rule. Agrim shook his head, his heart heavy with the weight of his people's slow decline.
As Agrim brooded, Alaroth approached, holding two roasted beef legs. He offered one to the dwarf.
"Here," the elf said. "You're right about one thing—drafting old men and children is pointless."
"Better than nothing," Agrim replied, taking the beef leg. "We're doomed, but that's the dwarf way."
Their banter was interrupted by a looming figure: Leman Russ.
"Elf boy," Russ growled, his amber eyes piercing. "You're so confident in escaping. You must have something that hides you. What is it?"
Alaroth hesitated, then smirked. "I have a divine artifact from Lileath that can cloak an entire army. But what does that have to do with you?"
"I need it," Russ said bluntly. "It's the only way to save this city."
"Care to explain your plan?" Alaroth asked skeptically.
Russ leaned forward, his voice urgent. "Wolfenburg can't withstand the Chaos onslaught. Our only hope lies in seeking reinforcements.
My brother Ryan and his army in Herzig are our last chance.
And I'm the only one who can reach them."
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