Berserk, Total War: Second Son of Nobles

In the first month of 1463, the snow in Helmingen was heavier than the previous year.

The carriage rolled over the frosty gravel road, and the wheels made a slight "crunching" sound as they rubbed against the ground.

Min Caier lifted the curtain of the carriage lined with wool felt, and the cold wind blew in snow particles. He subconsciously wrapped his fox fur cloak tightly, but his eyes were fixed on the scene outside the window.

There were farmhouses scattered on both sides of the road, their roofs covered with half a foot of snow, like silk ribbons crumpled by the wind.

Farther away, rows of factory chimneys pierce the gray skyline, and white smoke slowly spreads towards the clouds.

“Although I’ve heard of Helderan’s workshop before, seeing it in person was still a shock.”

Min Caier withdrew his gaze, his fingers unconsciously stroking the leather document bag on his lap.

"These chimneys... your industry has become so developed."

"More than just shocking?"

Deco leaned against the cushion opposite, the tips of his leather boots tapping the car wall lightly, his tone filled with indifference.

"These workshops...or factories, were all built after the founding of the People's Republic of China. Originally, they were just a few rooms, but now look..."

He raised his chin and pointed to the chimneys standing in the distance.

"There are steel mills, machine shops, textile mills, and even three glass workshops. His Majesty the King said, 'Let the iron plows of Helderland plough our fields, and let the artillery of Helderland guard our gates.'"

Min Zeer raised his eyebrows. He remembered reading in a Helderland newspaper that John of Helderland regarded himself as a "commoner monarch". After ascending the throne, he implemented policies that benefited the people, encouraged commoners to join politics and the military, encouraged towns and villages to establish communal enterprises, and sent intellectuals to the countryside to engage in construction, while expanding the promotion channels for the nobles.

But seeing this scene with my own eyes still shocked me. How could this be a kingdom in the traditional sense? It was clearly an emerging nation with iron and fire fused into its blood.

The carriage turned a gentle slope, and the outline of Helmingen finally became clear:

The blue-gray city walls are towering, and the black, white and red flags are flying on the city walls.

The city gates were wide open, and the guards had flintlock rifles slung over their shoulders and their armor polished to a shine, but they did not show any sign of slackness.

What is even more strange is that although the streets are crowded with cars and horses, the ground is abnormally clean, and there is not even the sour smell of horse manure.

"His Majesty John ordered the repair of the sewer pipes and hired people to collect horse manure and sewage."

Deco seemed to see his confusion.

"When the plague that affected many countries broke out a few years ago, the king personally ordered the reconstruction of the drainage system. Now, even the leftovers from the taverns are collected by special personnel, fermented into fertilizer, and sent to the farms outside the city."

The carriage drove into the city gate and passed through a cobblestone main street that was more than ten meters wide.

Shops are lined up on both sides: golden round bread is displayed in the glass window of the bakery, and the aroma makes passers-by stop; the sound of clanging can be heard from the blacksmith shop, and apprentices run by with red-hot iron bars; the most lively place is the tavern, whose wooden signs are swaying in the wind, and shop names such as "Oak Barrel" and "Golden Cup" are faintly visible in the snow.

"Go in and sit down?"

Deco pointed to the pub on the corner.

"Try Helderland's beer. If you like ale, the rye beer here is pretty good."

Min Caier shook his head:

"I'm a clergyman and generally can't drink alcohol."

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

But Min Ze'er's eyes still unconsciously swept towards the tavern. Through the window covered with oil paper, he could see several people dressed as farmers sitting around with pottery bowls and pickled meat in front of them, with contented smiles on their faces; merchants in tweed jackets raised their wine glasses and talked loudly about the latest iron prices.

"It seems many locals have extra money in their pockets."

Min Caier whispered.

"Besides, the side dishes here are cheap, and there's no shortage of meat and wine. In this world..."

Münzer thought of the insurgents in Padua.

His earthly kingdom fights for "bread for all", but always struggles to make ends meet; the people of Helderland have begun to pursue a more decent life.

Is this gap due to different starting points or different paths?

The carriage finally stopped outside the palace.

It is more like a fortified fortress than a palace:

The gray stone exterior walls were covered with ivy, and the sentinels' helmets peeked out from the arrow windows of the towers, but there was no sense of severe oppression.

"Mr. Minzer, we're here."

Deke got out first and adjusted his woolen cloak.

Wesker stood on the steps in front of the palace, wrapped in a dark gray cloak, with a thin layer of snow on his shoulders.

"It's been a long journey, Your Excellency Minzer. I am Spy Minister Wesker."

Wesker stepped forward to shake hands, his palms warm and dry.

"His Majesty the King is waiting in the study. Please come this way."

After passing through two courtyards and bypassing the fountain, the two came to a carved wooden door.

Wesker knocked on the door three times, and a low "Come in" came from inside.

When I opened the door, warmth and the scent of ink hit me in the face.

The room is not big, but it is filled with bookshelves, stacked with everything from philosophical tomes to mechanical drawings.

Behind the oak table by the window sat a young man in a dark blue velvet jacket. He was only about thirty years old, which was relatively young among monarchs. He had golden hair, high brow bones, and a sharp gaze, but with a gentle smile.

"Welcome, Mr. Muenzer."

John stood up and held out his hand.

"I am John Hohenzollern, monarch of the Kingdom of Helderland."

Minzer held the hand. John's palm was broad and strong, with calluses on the knuckles from years of holding swords, which was consistent with the rumors that he was a "commoner monarch."

"Please take a seat."

John gestured towards the armchair in front of the table.

"Deco said you were very observant along the way. It seems you're very interested in the people's livelihood in Helderland."

Min Zeer went straight to the point:

"I have a question, why is Heldran willing to take the risk to support the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth?"

John opened the drawer and took out a map and spread it out:

"Look, this is a map of the countries surrounding Helderland. Currently, in the Hundred Years' War between Midland and Yoda, Yoda is continuously encroaching on Midland's land at a crushing rate. In the near future, it's very likely that our country's southern, western, and eastern parts will be surrounded by Yoda's Empire."

Minzer's pupils shrank slightly. He understood John's intention. Letting the Earthly Kingdom tie down Yoda's forces, while Heldran's covert support would not only weaken their old enemy but also cultivate a potential ally.

Or rather than being an ally, he is actually a puppet who can only survive with the support of Helderlan.

"So you want our Earthly Kingdom to be a card in your hand to weaken Yoda?"

Min Caier said bluntly.

"That's right. Besides weakening Yoda, I also need this card of yours to help Heldran win some political games with Yoda."

"But what kind of game is this? How does Helderland profit from it?"

Min Caier asked.

John restrained his smile and gently closed the map:

"Some things are better known by as few people as possible. You just need to understand that the existence of the Earthly Kingdom gives Helderlan an extra bargaining chip at the negotiating table. At the same time, as long as the Earthly Kingdom remains important, Helderlan will provide some assistance to it."

"So, Helderlan's support is conditional?" He looked directly into John's eyes.

"of course."

John said frankly:

"I need you to ensure two things: first, the personal and property safety of Helderran citizens and all organizations connected to Helderran within Padua; second, the Earthly Kingdom needs to follow the military advice of the Helderran intelligence department when necessary."

"What if you can't do that?"

"Then our cooperation will be terminated immediately."

John's tone was calm but undeniable.

"But as long as you fulfill your promise, Heldran's civilian organizations will continue to provide supplies and weapons to the Heavenly Kingdom on Earth through the intelligence department's underground channels in Yoda. Supplies, weapons and equipment, and even artillery will be delivered in the name of commercial goods."

Min Caier opened his notebook and quickly wrote:

"How do these supplies avoid Yoda's inspection?"

John looked out the window:

"In addition to food and other daily necessities, Helderlan caravans will dismantle weapons and hide them in linen, wood, or piles of spices. Medicines will be mixed with food and brought in by trusted doctors under the guise of 'practicing medicine.' No matter how strict Yoda's checkpoints are, they won't be able to detect these 'daily goods.' We will then hand these things over to your organization outside the city. As for how to transport them into the city, it's up to you."