ALL NOVEL Chapter 390: Chapter 390: The Cathedral of Justice
Helmgart, southern Axe Bite Pass wall, on the cliff.
The towering, massive Cathedral of Justice stood atop the cliff of Axe Bite Pass. Covered in snow, the picturesque scenery was always the city's center of faith.
A golden dome topped the tall structure, which, seen from afar, greatly intimidated cultists and dark creatures. However, the burning flames, collapsed walls, and piles of corpses on the walls indicated the dire situation. Helmgart, always on high alert to prevent invasions by beastmen, greenskins, and Bretonnian knights, had its garrison rapidly overrun by Skaven after their swift attack on the military camp. The stalwart defenders, led by a dozen Greatswords, held their ground, repelling wave after wave of ratmen.
Paladins and warrior priests guarding the Cathedral of Justice joined the fray, chanting divine spells and engaging in brutal battles with the Skaven.
Wave after wave of ratmen assaulted the walls, but the defenders could not hold out. The battle spread from the gate to the stairwells, then to the bastions, and finally to the walls themselves. Though repelled many times, the rat swarms kept returning.
Morale among the soldiers was low. Count Reinhardt of Helmgart was nowhere to be found, and repeated horn signals for reinforcements went unanswered. Initially, the ratmen showed fear and panic at the sound of the horn, but as it sounded repeatedly with no response, they began mocking the humans' cowardice. Many Skaven even mimicked the horn-blowing during lulls in the battle.
"Human scum! Die-die!"
Just as the ratmen reveled in their apparent victory and the defenders' morale hit rock bottom, unexpected reinforcements arrived.
A cold wind howled, and a blizzard and frost nova swept across the battlefield.
Two Reiksguard Knights, leading their retinues, charged into the fray. A sorceress cast successive powerful spells, inspiring the defenders to continue fighting.
The appearance of the Reiksguard meant the chaotic wall defenders finally had capable commanders. Both Rudolf and Wagner, scions of noble military families, quickly took command, though at a great cost, they repelled another wave of ratmen.
Inside the Cathedral of Justice, about six hundred refugees huddled fearfully in the great hall. The giant statue of the God of Justice emitted a warm light, barely maintaining the refugees' morale.
Groups of people, wrapped in simple blankets and clothes, huddled together for warmth. In such a large cathedral, the sparse firewood could not provide enough heat, and the cold ground sent chills deep into their bones.
Reiksguard Knight Rudolf stroked his brown beard, maintaining his composure. He held a piece of white bread with bacon and a goblet of wine, nourishing his battle-weary body.
Wagner was also eating. The two sat in a corner, with Wagner playing with a warpstone revolver. He said to Rudolf, "Helmgart had at least five thousand people, but now, aside from soldiers, there might be six hundred in the hall."
"Maybe not even six hundred. Excluding the militia and soldiers, we saved only a few," Wagner sighed. "The Skaven attack was too sudden, and many humans even mistook them for friends."
"Hey, that reminds me. Do you remember the Brunswick parade a few months ago? A group of noble ladies protested, claiming eating meat was an excessive act and that we must treat all life equally. The Emperor generously agreed, saying if they made the demand, they must take responsibility. His Majesty sent these noble ladies to Brunswick's market to buy all the livestock at their own expense to 'save' them."
"The Emperor even spread the word that someone was buying livestock at high prices. Farmers flocked to the capital to sell their animals. In just three days, the noble ladies were overwhelmed and had to abandon their request to ban meat. Farmers even praised the Emperor's wise governance," Wagner smiled, but it quickly faded.
This was no time for jokes.
"We have fifty-three musketeers, sixteen Greatswords, and no more than a hundred guards, many of whom are injured. Combined, we have fifteen retainers. Besides that, the militia can do little more than cheer. Expecting them to fight off the rats alone is unrealistic."
"What about the warrior priests and paladins?"
"There are several warrior priests and about twenty paladins. They are a fighting force but hard to command."
"How long until the Emperor's reinforcements arrive?" Wagner checked his ammunition, regretting firing too many shots in earlier battles.
"Such a significant event in Helmgart cannot go unnoticed by His Majesty. Reinforcements will come within two days," Rudolf nodded.
"Whether we survive depends on those two witches. But... they don't look well either."
In a small room within the Cathedral of Justice.
Veronica lay pale on a bed. This place, originally for church staff to rest, had been cleared for her and Teresa.
The Garland Witch's long eyelashes fluttered as she struggled to open her eyes, greeted by the dry air and dim candlelight in the room.
"You're awake?" A cold voice sounded beside her.
"What are you doing here, little princess?" Veronica closed her eyes again upon hearing the voice.
"Of course, to see you make a fool of yourself," Teresa replied sourly. "Since you're awake, get up. There's food on the table. Eat quickly. We've secured the cathedral, but no one knows how to deal with the Skaven. Ryan isn't here, and you know the most about the ratmen."
"Trovik, didn't your mother teach you manners?" Veronica felt a headache, knowing it was a sign of magic overuse. She saw blue veins on her forehead and threw off the blanket, intending to get up. What she saw next stunned her.
Teresa was injured, her right arm bandaged and in a sling, leaning on a staff with her left hand.
"Well, well, injured again, Trovik?" Veronica sneered after a few seconds of surprise. "If Elder Aurora knew, she'd be heartbroken! Tell me, Trovik, how did you get hurt?"
"What does it matter to you?" Teresa didn't want to argue. "Don't think I don't know you're also injured. Lady Sulia said a Rat Ogre hit you, but fortunately, the wound wasn't severe."
Veronica opened her mouth, ready to mock the sorceress, but sighed instead. "The situation is dire. Now is not the time to rest. My magic reserves are nearly depleted. How about you?"
"My reserves are fine. It's January, and with the heavy snow outside, I can easily draw a lot of ice magic." Teresa looked at her arm with frustration. "But I can't use my gun."
"Skaven... Trovik, to resist their attacks, we must guard against their infiltration..." Veronica got up, donned her boots, and ate a few bites. "We must fortify the cathedral's defenses."
"Fortify the defenses? How?" The room's door opened, and the valiant Lady Sulia entered with her maid Sylvia. Seeing Veronica up, Sulia smiled. "Good to see you, Veronica. You look much better."
"Lady, the situation is far from good. My magic is nearly exhausted." Veronica stood respectfully as Sulia and Sylvia sat down. "How is the soldiers' morale?"
"Holding up. At least Captain Hubble's presence boosted their spirits, and the Reiksguard gave them confidence," Sulia said seriously. "Everyone still hopes for reinforcements."
"The refugees' situation is irrelevant. Frankly, they are a burden on our survival. Six hundred refugees, fearful and in need of care, provide no help in the battle but weigh heavily on our defenses," Veronica pointed out bluntly.
Sulia frowned. Teresa remained silent, agreeing with Veronica but unwilling to say it.
Sylvia, strict and serious, couldn't hold back. Wearing Bretonnian knight's armor and wielding a rapier, she was ready to rebut.
Sulia motioned for Sylvia to hold back. Veronica wasn't done.
"But we can't abandon them. Helmgart's buildings may be destroyed, but its people remain. A city's essence lies in its people. If they live, hope remains. Helmgart's reconstruction needs them. If they survive, the city has a future. Abandoning them would cause riots and disappoint the soldiers, especially Ryan," Veronica continued.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"We have two hopes: Ryan's success in eliminating the Skaven leaders, causing the infighting-prone ratmen to retreat, or reinforcements from Duke Montfort or Emperor Karl Franz. Do we have news from Ryan?" Veronica asked Sulia.
"No direct news, but there must be some progress. We've been here half a day, and the rat swarms haven't attacked. They must have noticed us. The two warp lightning cannons that attacked the camp are also gone," Sulia said confidently.
"Duke Montfort cannot send troops. His duchy was also attacked by Skaven, with two villages hit. Duke Ferenc is leading his knights against them and can't help us," Teresa added softly.
"Cunning ratmen, they must have sent squads to distract Ferenc," Veronica mused. "Lady Sulia, I need your help."
"Tell me what to do. I'm listening," Sulia replied, ready to follow Veronica's plan.
"Lady Sulia, your beauty, noble birth, and splendid equipment are assets. Stay in the hall with the refugees. Seeing a duchess, a Bretonnian noble, and Ryan's wife with them will reassure them. They'll believe Ryan will return to save them, even if he has to abandon others, he won't abandon his wife. Make speeches and use slogans to boost morale."
"Understood
," Sulia nodded.
"Trovik, use ice walls to seal parts of the cathedral, but not completely. Leave the main door open. Funnel the ratmen to attack from the stairs and entrance. Save your magic for crucial moments," Veronica instructed.
"I understand," Teresa agreed.
"Have Abel lead the paladins in patrolling the basement, preventing Skaven from sneaking in from below. Witch hunters excel at such tasks.
"Tell Captain Hubble to half-collapse the stairs with explosives. Not entirely, just enough to control their access. Let the Reiksguard lead the musketeers, Greatswords, and spearmen at the stairs and entrance.
"Sylvia, spread rumors among the refugees that Emperor Karl Franz's reinforcements are on their way to eliminate the Skaven threat. This will calm them."
"Got it!"
Following Veronica's instructions, Sulia gave a rousing speech. As a duchess, she knew how to inspire. Her beauty, shining equipment, and flaming sword boosted the survivors' morale.
Rumors of the Emperor's reinforcements spread, calming the refugees. Soldiers, under Reiksguard command, organized defenses, preparing to repel the ratmen while hoping for aid.
Two hours later.
"Boom, boom, boom," the burning Helmgart's bells tolled again! The Skaven's incessant whispers and restlessness echoed through the city. From mines, sewers, and basements, thousands of ratmen emerged once more.
The rat swarm was coming again!
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