Warhammer: Return of the Dragon.

Just as Carl guessed, this palace was not as luxurious as expected. It was a huge complex of buildings that integrated governance, fortresses, assembly, command, sacrifices... but it lacked the atmosphere of enjoyment that the royal family should have.

Of course, I don’t mean that the complex looks like a shabby brick house gnawed out by rats, but the atmosphere.

The hall was as gloomy as a mountain. The light seeping in from the hundred-meter dome stung my cheeks. As I moved my vision along the light, I could only see a life-size stone sculpture of a giant dragon at the blurry edge. Fist-sized gems were embedded in the eye sockets, turning into pupils to watch every entrant.

Exquisite tapestries hung from the sky, and incomprehensible elven runes were all glowing. The different colors and patterns indicated that this might be a sacred hall where the flags of Caledorian nobles were hung.

What caught Carl's attention the most was the throne placed in the center of the hall. The throne was shaped like a dragon's claw, and there were still many burrs on the surface that had not been processed. The extremely cold steel throne had no decorations at all. If one sat on it, one would definitely experience some torture.

The throne is high, more than ten meters above the ground in the hall. Anyone who attempts to approach the prince must raise their head to express respect and fear for Caledo.

Thankfully, Carl didn't have to stand in front of the steps and look up at Draconian.

Although the Rick Guards who were traveling with him were well-trained and each of them was a noble colleague that Carl trusted, they tried to remain as quiet as possible when moving, but the occasional chaotic footsteps and trembling shoulders showed that these people who were visiting the ancient palace for the first time were by no means as calm as they seemed.

Those dragon sculptures... Kurt narrowed his eyes and looked at the gray dragon stone sculptures a hundred meters away. He had a vague feeling that as long as he showed hostility here, these huge objects that looked like mere decorations would instantly come alive and defend the owner of the palace with claws and flames.

"Your Highness, why haven't we seen the palace guards yet?" Kurt asked with pretended curiosity. He wanted to test how much preparation Caledo had made for the war, whether even the palace guards were embedded in the army, and whether he was going to the Old World with all his strength.

"The giant dragons you saw on the top of the tower just now are the palace guards... Rather than sleeping in the cave, maybe they can be used to their full potential by taking a breath of fresh air occasionally."

Once again, Caledor broke the Empire's understanding of dragons. This was like letting a group of griffins guard the Altdorf Palace. Although he felt safe, was this reliable? Kurt had doubts.

Draconil obviously didn't want to elaborate on the guarding. He called over a few maids who had been waiting for a long time. "The palace is ready for you. The maids will inform you of the dinner time. Please be on time."

The prince left, leaving only the maid to receive the emperor. Karl was obviously not someone who could stay overnight. It was only noon, but he still had a strong interest in this palace.

The emperor winked at Kurt and told him to change the subject. He didn't want to sleep.

Kurt reacted immediately, but was a little troubled to find a reason. The outspoken marshal didn't think much about it and immediately told him what he was most concerned about.

"We don't want to rest yet, can you take us to visit the military camp?"

what?
Karl just wanted to cover his forehead. My Lord Marshal, everyone knows that you are very concerned about Caledo's military strength, but asking the maid about such state secrets is too obvious.

Kurt also knew that he had said the wrong thing and wanted to change his words immediately. His original intention was to take a look at the security situation of the Dragon Palace and use it as a reference for the Altdorf Palace.

But Miranda had obviously received instructions, and the slightly older, white-haired maid nodded to show that she understood.

"Dear guests, the prince has ordered that visitors from the empire will have unimpeded access to Tal Karede and can visit as much as they want except for some related areas.

Do you want to go to the garrison camp or the palace army?"

"Is there any difference?" Kurt, who was a little vague about the military system of Caledor, thought that it would be better to ask directly than to pretend to know. Anyway, the elves regarded humans as monkeys.

“The garrison only recruits local residents of Tal Kaled and performs some part-time security work. They will not be deployed in any form except by order of the prince himself.

The direct-controlled army is a professional force affiliated with the palace, and the recruitment conditions are relatively relaxed..."

Simply put, one is the capital defense force, which will not leave Tal Kared in any form unless necessary, and the other is the foreign expeditionary force.

Kurt thought for a moment and whispered a few words in the emperor's ear. In Karl's shocked and helpless eyes, the marshal slowly asked the maid, "I want to go to the prison for a walk."

"Prison? This..." Miranda was confused for a moment. She had never heard of such an outrageous request.

The maid didn't know the details of who was imprisoned in Tal Khaled Prison and what their specific composition was, but some rumors always indicated that those who were sent to prison and survived were all talented without exception.

The kind of talent that the court wants to kill but is reluctant to kill.

"I need to consult the prince."

"please."

The maid bowed and left, leaving Carl a little confused. He had no idea what Kurt was going to do.

"My Lord Marshal, you should have an explanation."

"Have you heard of the laws of Caledor, sire?"

"It's not harsh, but once you cross the line, we won't follow the usual mercy principles of Ulthuan. We still have a lot of death penalty and exile punishments."

"Can we consider an elf who has reached the bottom line but has not died, and cannot function normally in Ulthuan?"

Carl narrowed his eyes and thought, this seemed interesting. There were many things that Caledo prohibited, and the punishment for treason and escape was the most severe.

In a society that values ​​bravery and honor, being infected with both means social death. Civilians are still better off, but if an aristocrat commits treason or flees, he or she will be completely removed from the family. It is better to die than to be dishonorable. This is common in any place with an aristocratic tradition.

"You make your own judgment, but the most important thing is the attitude of this Dragon Prince..."

While the two were talking, the maid soon returned and Miranda brought a person, an elf wrapped in a black robe with not an inch of skin exposed.

“Your Highness has agreed to the Empire’s request. With the exception of some unforgivable sinners, you two may recruit capable people at your discretion.

But His Highness also hopes that Emperor Franz will not set foot in the prison himself, as it is... very dangerous."

"Of course, this request is a disrespectful act by the Empire. It would be great if Caledor could understand it. I also understand Prince Draknir's difficulties. Marshal Kurt will visit the prison in person...

I hope to recruit a group of talents who are valuable to the empire. Perhaps they have made mistakes, but Sigmar will forgive their sins and make contributions to the world. "

If it were in public, Karl would never make such a request. If the guy in prison is said to be innocent, doesn't it mean that there is something wrong with the Caledonian judicial system and the Empire needs to uphold justice.

However, he also realized that the Empire could take away the people it liked from the prison, but in the future exchanges, it might have to make some concessions...

The emperor had already vaguely guessed what Draknir's theme was, and was prepared to gain more benefits from the elves in this matter.

"Kurt, I'm going to visit the garrison camp. You have to carefully examine those people who deserve Sigmar's forgiveness..."

"I will carry out Sigmar's will." (End of this chapter)