Prince Eugene's Army. Two Days from Andora
Prince Eugene rode his steed, watching his army march along the road, envisioning a triumphant entry into Andora, greeted with flowers and chants glorifying his name. He yearned to wrest the city from its captors, unaware of the formidable forces entrenched within. His army comprised 50,000 swordsmen, 30,000 archers and mages, 50,000 spearmen, 10,000 elite royal guards, and 9,700 militia. Escorting him were 300 Holy Knights—whom Andrey identified as Jedi—a potent force in this world, revered as mighty servants of the Church of the Creator God. As Eugene mused over his plans, Duke Roosevelt interrupted.
"Your Highness, Andora is a heavily fortified city. Capturing it will incur substantial losses."
"Fret not, Duke Roosevelt. Our army is well-trained and will overpower those wretched fiends who dared seize our lands. Moreover, reclaiming Andora is imperative. Its vast wheat fields are vital, and the kingdom faces soaring food prices—a threat to our economy and a spark for rebellion."
"Why not purchase grain from states with surplus?" Roosevelt's question was sensible; buying cheap grain from grain-rich nations was feasible, save for one caveat.
"The War of the Heirs' Gods 25 years ago, pitted us against those very kingdoms. We annexed their fertile territories, so that option is closed."
"I see, Your Highness. But what if the king discovers our campaign?"
"My father is old and should retire. I aim to seize the throne before my second brother, Vladislav, can. I need greater deeds to secure the crown."
"You're quite shrewd, Your Highness. Should you become king, I propose a union with my young daughter, Teresa,."
"A fine prospect!" Eugene laughed heartily, reveling in his ambitions.
City of Andora. Emperor's Castle
Andrey sat in his office, sifting through reports, noting promising progress in Andora's restoration. Shops were gradually reopening, and fields were being worked. Enhancing the city's vitality could yield substantial tax revenue, funding future imperial institutions. He planned to establish the "Imperial Imperial Security Bureau," akin to a fusion of FSB , abbreviated as ISB. Andrey foresaw that declaring a new state would draw spies from rival nations, necessitating the IGB's swift creation. He also intended for the adventurers' guild to pay taxes and resume operations, but their exemption under the kingdom—protection from monsters in lieu of taxes—bred resistance. Senior adventurers, risking their lives, balked at taxing a new regime, leading the guild to boycott Andrey. Infuriated, he resolved to personally inspect the guild and discipline its members.
"Look at these audacious adventurers! Not only do they shirk city restoration, but they also lounge in their guild, guzzling ale. I'll pay them a visit and assert my authority. Oh, and they need a new guildmaster since the last one perished in the battle." Darth Vader, seated nearby, listened. Andrey had appointed Vader as marshal of the Imperial army, answerable solely to the emperor.
"Master, permit me to eliminate those who defy our laws."
"No, no, that's excessive. It would only enrage the guild, sparking further unrest. Wilmor mentioned guilds wield significant influence in kingdoms, neutralizing 80% of monster threats and foreign incursions, earning them privileges. But in my Empire, all obey me—no exceptions. Boycotting me? They'll learn."
Andrey set aside the guild report and reviewed a proposed law mandating conscription into the Imperial army's stormtrooper corps. Reliant on clones, he sought to expand with stormtroopers, special forces, sappers, and other vital units for his burgeoning Empire.
"Vader, should we establish an Inquisitorium?"
"You wish to recruit or create Inquisitors, Master? It's feasible, but we need Force-sensitive children. I found none in the city."
"Pity. By the way, I'm assigning you command of a new elite unit I've formed."
"What unit, Master? Khh-Pshh"
"While Darth Norktiss gathers intelligence in Oldenburg's capital, I've created a squad called 'Black Wing.'"
"You named an elite unit after our Empire's failed project?"
"The 'Black Wing' project may have flopped, but it's a fitting name for elite soldiers."
"I understand, Master. Why entrust this unit to me, and for what purpose?"
"You're a masterful Sith, Vader. Black Wing is a squad of elite clone commandos for sabotage, targeted eliminations, capturing key figures to ease diplomacy, and, crucially, neutralizing Jedi." Andrey loathed the prospect of Jedi thwarting his plans, hence the special forces.
Such a unit was vital given Andora's precarious state. Andrey was ignorant of other nations' strengths and technologies. Oldenburg relied on swords, bows, and magic, but the seven other states—unknown in size, economy, and military might—posed risks. Precaution was prudent. He also resolved to establish the Inquisitorium, an Imperial organ to train Sith and eradicate surviving Jedi, safeguarding him from Holy Knight assassinations. After finalizing the IGB and Inquisitorium, Andrey set out to confront the guild's insolence over taxes.
"Vader, I'm heading to a place called the guild. Know what it is?"
"No, Master."
"It's where you take quests for rewards."
"A mercenary hub, then."
"Exactly. They refuse taxes, so we'll teach them obedience."
"Shall we kill them? Khh-Pshh"
"No, no killing. We'll restore order and show them who's in charge."
"Yes, Master."
Andrey and Vader left the castle with 20 clone soldiers to raid the guild and arrest its leading adventurers for defying their emperor. The two Sith led the way, followed by the clones. Crossing the city square, they drew a crowd of curious citizens, whispering among themselves.
"The government's clashing with the guild again…" Andrey overheard and sought clarification.
"Hey, lad! Come here and explain these guild disputes."
"Uh… Your Majesty?" The youth stammered, nervous.
"Don't fear me. I just want details on what you said."
"Well… before you took the city, the kingdom tried taxing the guild, but they rebelled, nearly toppling the state. Guilds have immense influence and privileges."
"I see. So, the guild's power rivals royal authority, and one misstep could spell doom." Andrey grasped the guild's formidable influence, recalling novels where adventurers, backed by guilds, fomented chaos.
Accessing the System shop, Andrey purchased flash-bang grenades and handcuffs, preparing for a critical confrontation. Determined to punish those defying his absolute rule, he mused, Let's play. He equipped the clones with grenades and cuffs, explaining their use. The clones approached the guild's doors, where raucous adventurers drank and mocked their emperor.
"Haha, this idiot emperor dares tax us? If the guild rises, he'll beg for mercy on his knees!" Andrey overheard, noting the speaker's bravado. Tempted to storm in, he lingered to hear more.
"Bro, this emperor can't touch us. We've got A-rank adventurers and 100,000 gold coins in our treasury! He's poorer than us but wants to rule." Andrey bristled at the disrespect, contemplating a law banning criticism of his authority. The guild's wealth, however, piqued his interest—it belonged to the state.
"Soldiers, commence the raid. No killing," Andrey ordered his "riot police." The clones nodded, pulled a grenade's pin, and tossed it inside. Five deafening blasts and blinding flashes erupted, and the clones charged.
"DOWN! EVERYONE DOWN!"
"FACE TO THE FLOOR, HANDS BEHIND HEADS!"
"DROP YOUR WEAPONS, OR I SHOOT!"
Disoriented, the adventurers were swiftly cuffed and knelt. Andrey and Vader entered.
"Bold words about me, heh." Andrey clapped sarcastically. Vader trailed, scanning potential rebels.
"It's the emperor himself! What's he doing here?" adventurers gasped, silenced by clone rifle butts and shouts of "Quiet!"
"What am I doing? Heard you're boycotting me, refusing to obey your ruler. Who gave you the right to decide on taxes? If I say pay, you pay. If I say die for the Empire, you die. Yet you hoard vast wealth from the state… Shall I charge you with treason and execute you?" Andrey mused mockingly, goading the seething adventurers.
"Perhaps you risk your lives for coin, claiming exemption because of dangerous quests. If your life's at stake, change jobs."
"Nonsense! Adventurers are well-paid because we fight monsters daily so you sleep soundly," a bearded man shouted.
"Didn't you hear me? Quit adventuring for a safe, well-paying job and keep quiet. But no, you adventurers defy me, dodge taxes, and pocket 100,000 gold coins. One decree, and I can arrest, exile, or disband your guild. I am the authority here, clear? Bring the deputy guildmaster, successor to the one killed in battle."
Ten minutes later, clones escorted a woman in her thirties, visibly displeased. Her appearance suggested she handled paperwork, likely taking bribes—a matter to investigate.
"What are you doing? Do you know I'm the deputy guildmaster?"
"We know who you are. Why refuse our taxes?"
"Since the guild's founding, we agreed to protect the kingdom from monsters in lieu of taxes."
"Woman, the regime has changed. No kingdom exists here—only my Empire. I demand taxes for the treasury!"
"What? Who even are you?" she said, bewildered. Andrey pegged her as utterly clueless, likely appointed through corruption.
"Remarkable—citizens can't recognize their emperor. You're no longer deputy. I suspect you took bribes from wealthy aristocrats and adventurers. How did you even get this role?"
"What? I don't take bribes and was elected by adventurers." The adventurers' silence betrayed her, and Andrey relished exposing her.
"So, you do take bribes. To the dungeon." Two clones dragged her away as she wailed about rights and status. Andrey dismissed her claims—she'd face execution or mine labor for the Empire's glory.
"Listen up! From now on, your damned guild pays taxes and obeys me, your emperor. I won't tolerate whining about risking lives for bread. I'm seizing 90,000 gold coins from your treasury for the state! Enough theatrics—disobey, and it's the mines or the gallows. Your lives hinge on my word. I'll appoint a new guildmaster soon, and you'll obey them, no objections. UNDERSTOOD?" Andrey's commanding aura cowed the adventurers.
"YES! As you command, Your Majesty!"
"Good. Release them."
Andrey and Vader left, having cemented his authority over the guild. No one escapes the Empire or its taxes, he thought, returning to the castle to devise further expansion plans.