As the last line of defense around Emperor Carl Franz, the Rick Guard has always been the most elite Imperial Guard of the empire, without exception. Although they do not possess the prestige and scale of the three great knight corps in the Old World, their combat power is equally formidable. Since its inception, this knight corps has served as the emperor's guard, always fighting alongside the emperor at the frontline, bringing numerous great victories to the empire time and again through their performance.

Unlike many knight corps, recruitment of new soldiers for the Rick Guard comes entirely from the offspring of great nobles in the empire, including the children of Prince-Electors, as well as relatives and fellow townsmen of current Rick Guards. New recruits are even allowed from Brittania, Tiriel, Estalia, and the Border Princes.

The sole requirement for recruitment is that the soldiers must hail from families of military nobility (that is, well-born families serving in the army).

Wagner Schmidt is one such new recruit. At only twenty-four years of age, this young man hails from Nuer, and his family has served the Bernstein family, holders of electoral rights in Brescia, for generations. His father, Baron Albert Schmidt, is a master engineer at the Nuer Gunpowder Academy. It was due to ancestral ennoblement that he secured an opportunity to learn as a new recruit of the Rick Guard.

Wagner, young and possessing brown hair with a rugged face, seemed worried about being looked down upon because of his age and deliberately kept some stubble to appear more mature.

The young Wagner looked at the new recruits around him.

Rudolph Lichtenstein, the eldest son of the Duke of Lichtenstein's Family, from Rick Territory.

Reiman Bachman, heir of the Bachman Count Clan, from Rick Territory.

Baron Theodricson, the legitimate grandson of the King of Nord, from Nord Territory.

Stefan Erkan, from Avey Territory, son of Count Laitdorf, a trusted General of Duke Avey and Toscan Prince-Elector Umberto Corleone.

These individuals stood out because their clothing and armor were exceedingly luxurious. Each wore the highest quality silk and linen garments, with dwarven enchanted secret silver plate armor adorned with gold and jewels, filled with vibrant colors and floral embellishments. Their helmets even had several colorful plumes attached. By their attire alone, one could discern their status and identity.

The young Wagner felt immense pressure. His family had some fame in Nuer and wielded a certain influence within Nuer's court. Yet when he arrived as a new recruit at Brunswick, he realized how noble the background of Rick Guards really was.

"Hey, Wagner, what are you daydreaming about?" At this moment, a fellow young recruit spoke: "Hurry up, I don't want to leave a bad impression on Lord Heilberg on the first day."

His name was Laurenz, from Talabeheim, one of the four great cities in the empire, Talabeck Territory. Wagner found the most to talk about with him on this journey.

The new recruits quickly formed small circles. Most recruits from Rick Territory banded together first; the affluent Southern Imperial People formed a group, and the Northern Imperial People grouped separately. Wagner naturally joined the Southern Imperial team.

"It's here." Wagner whispered, "It's said Count Laine comes from Nord yet became the Divine Chosen Champion of the Lady of the Lake?"

"Hey, keep it down, brother." Laurenz quietly replied, pointing to Baron Theodricson, not far ahead of them, who clearly disliked Lord Laine: "He doesn't like hearing Laine's name."

"I see." Wagner understood; no one likes being upstaged. Baron Theodricson, known and accomplished in the war against the Barbarians, was always overshadowed by Laine.

The Rick Guard Headquarters Castle is located at the southeast corner of Brunswick. This fortress displays inner and outer layers, with the outer castle walls thirty meters high and the inner fifty meters high. Patterns of iron crosses, skulls, and laurels decorate the walls. They opened the city gates wide, allowing everyone inside upon witnessing Marshal Rick Heilberg leading the Rick Guards back.

Wagner briefly observed the castle, muttering a series of numbers: "One hundred."

"What?" Laurenz didn't understand.

"One hundred people, one hundred well-trained soldiers can defend this castle and hold out for a long time." Wagner squinted as he spoke.

"Perhaps." Laurenz was noncommittal, simply reminding: "Stand straight, Wagner."

In the hall of the Rick Guard Headquarters Castle,

"Quiet, recruits!" Marshal Rick Heilberg thundered at the recruits: "Listen to me!"

"Yes, Lord Heilberg!" The recruits stood firmly, listening to Heilberg's speech.

"Gentlemen, I know you come from many places in the Old World, and I know each of you possesses a lengthy genealogy, with many of your family trees tracing back to when Charlemagne established the Empire." Heilberg said gruffly.

Rudolph and Reiman instinctively shrank their necks.

"Many of your fathers or grandfathers may have fought alongside Savior Ludwig during the Great Holy War."

Baron Theodricson and Stefan uneasily shook their heads.

"Or perhaps, some of you are only here to receive training and guidance and do not truly wish to become a Rick Guard."

Wagner could only muster a bitter smile at this.