After traveling along the Rick River for five days, the group gradually approached the Imperial Capital, Brunswick.

By this time, it was already the end of November, and the weather had become very cold. The water level of the Rick River began to decrease, and the further upstream one traveled, the murkier the water became. The river was always filled with countless merchant ships, ferries, and fishing boats. This river was the Empire's lifeline, connecting half of the Empire's river transport, helping its people transport goods and catch fish and shrimp.

Observing the murky and foul-smelling water, along with the garbage washed up along the riverbank, Tygris frowned as he rode a Pure-blooded Elf Warhorse alongside the Emperor of the Empire. Behind them, the High Elf Army and the Imperial Army followed, many high elves unable to conceal their disdain upon witnessing the chaos and filth within the human territories.

Compared to Brittania's castle-lined landscapes and vast plains, the Empire appeared even dirtier and more chaotic, with many villages and cities resembling patchwork garments, making the aesthetically inclined high elves uncomfortable.

"Many people are heading upstream," Tygris said to Emperor Carl Franz.

The long procession included not just armies but also a throng of people. They formed a black and gray dragon, heading straight toward the upstream capital. Clearly, they shared the same destination as the Emperor and Supreme Grandmaster.

"The Empire faces many threats, from the Green Skins and Goblin Tribes in the mountains, to bandits and Beastmen in the forests, to some Lord Nobility's excessive taxation, and the war in the north," Emperor Carl Franz said solemnly. "Some villages can survive the winter; some cannot... People always hope to reach the capital to find opportunities, a job, or some relief grain."

"Can the northern war affect here?" Tygris asked, his fish-dead eyes staring at the Emperor of the Empire.

"A year ago, Egil, King of the Skalings, led his tribe south into Nod, reaching as far as Hakendorf. Nod's King Harald Frank then led a large force to halt the Skalings Tribe," the Emperor said to the Supreme Grandmaster. "Despite this, thousands of Nord people were displaced, and many chose to come south to see if they could find work."

"..." Numerous thoughts passed through Tygris's mind, but outwardly he remained silent, nodding slightly to indicate his understanding.

Hundreds of Rick Guards were solemn, clad in silver helmets and armor, with white crests and red plumage knights serving as the Emperor's guard knights. Although relatively young (the Order of Knights was established after Savior Ludwig abdicated), it had been one of the Empire's most powerful knight orders since its inception. Many consider their strength second only to the Griffin Knight Order, with some believing the Rick Guards could rival the Griffin Knights.

Seeing Tygris wasn't inclined to speak, the Emperor continued, "But now, the northern pressure has eased. Egil is dead, and Norsca, having barely united, has divided again. Countless tribes have risen, rashly venturing south without leadership, and were completely annihilated by Heilberg's army in conjunction with the Nord Army. During this battle, we wiped out tens of thousands of Barbarians, forcing them to quieten for a while."

"It won't be long; any victory over Chaos is temporary," Tygris said bluntly. "For the Northern Barbarians, losing tens of thousands is indeed significant, but with the Evil God's blessing, they could recover within five years."

"At least we've gained five years," the Emperor's face still bore a smile. "Five years for humans is not short."

The concept of human reproductive capability— twenty years being a generation— wasn't denied by Tygris. Many elf scholars studied why humans rose after the Long-bearded War and concluded a major reason was— they reproduce too well!

After some time, the Imperial Capital was now within sight.

Brunswick, the Imperial Capital, the first city of the Human Realm, rose from the Rickward Forest. Its city walls stood over twenty meters high, and the city covered an area of forty square kilometers. This miraculous city for humans had stood firm at the heart of the Empire since its founding to the present day. Though it wasn't always the capital, unquestionably, it had always been the Empire's symbol, its existence akin to a blessing from the Deities.

The towering city walls were lined with artillery and patrolling troops, and the buildings within had long surpassed the height of the walls. Throughout two thousand years of development, every inch of available land within Brunswick had been built upon, compelling residents to construct upward until surpassing the wall's height.

"Brunswick was formerly called Rickdorf, where Charlemagne was born and grew up. This city has a permanent population of two hundred thousand, reportedly with a transient population reaching nearly a million," Laine introduced to Surya and Sylvia, and also repeated for Veronica and Teresa. "Throughout Imperial history, Brunswick has faced numerous invasions from formidable enemies, including the notorious Green-skinned Warlord 'Ironclaw' Gobad, who reached Brunswick's gates and killed the Emperor of that time, ultimately failing in his endeavors. The renowned vampire Vlad von Castain once forced the city into dire straits. Manfred, whom I've faced, also reached Brunswick's gates, each time ultimately defeated."