Laine accepted the treasure chest, filled with gold, silver, and jewels, the sound of coins clashing echoed.

"Due to your persistence and that of the Hemgart military and civilians, the Skaven Ratmen have not taken away enough spoils. Aside from food, most of the lost spoils have been retrieved by the army from the Skaven Ratmen's camp, resulting in smaller losses than I estimated," the Emperor said, seeing Laine accept the chest, he nodded and continued, "Rebuilding is a colossal effort, but humanity will not bow down in the face of adversity. The Empire is ready to rebuild Hemgart."

"What about the refugees? How are they going to be arranged?" Laine asked in a low voice.

"Master Ernst has already taken people to resolve the distribution of refugees. Those willing to stay and rebuild Hemgart can obtain a small portion of land and property rights. If they don't want to stay in this place of sorrow, we will arrange another location for them," the Emperor continued, "For the time being, the trade route of Axe Bite Pass will be cut off for a while."

"If Brittania needs help, feel free to let me know," Laine understood that this was Emperor Carl negotiating with him.

Carl Franz focused his gaze on Laine.

In recent years, saying Laine is the most powerful Great Noble in the southern Brittania is not an exaggeration. Even though he is just a Count, the entire interest chain and group led by him are gradually forming. Behind Laine is the full support of the Lake Fairy, even the King is extremely wary of him.

If Laine were a Prince-Elector of the Empire, Carl Franz would certainly suppress and exclude Laine vigorously. As the Emperor of the Empire, he wouldn't allow a presence that could challenge his status.

This isn't a matter of intelligence or morality; it's a matter of position.

But Laine is different; he is a Great Noble of Brittania. He not only won't be a threat to the Empire but will be a strong ally in mutual aid during this dark time. The Empire faces enemies on all sides, and the Emperor knows that if someone like Laine, who is committed to eliminating internal threats, spontaneously fights evil, and has deep ties with the Empire, also possessing excellent overall vision as a Holy Grail Knight and Divine Chosen Champion, takes charge of the Knight Kingdom, it will be good news for the Empire.

"Excellent, let's put the matter of Hemgart aside first. Our Dwarf friend, King Belgar's subordinates, have deciphered the diary of Skaven Ratman Warlord Osside," said the Emperor, cleverly shifting the topic after receiving Laine's reply.

Both Laine and Emperor Carl are smart people; some things are understood with just a hint, no need to keep talking.

"That white-covered book? Is it a diary?" Laine quipped, "Oh my, Skaven Ratmen actually write diaries?"

"This Skaven Ratman clan is named the Rotting Clan. It attacked Hemgart under the patriarch's orders..." Belgar began to explain some of the contents read from the diary.

Following the last Thirteen-man Council meeting, according to the Great Horned Rat's orders, the main Skaven forces focused on preparing to invade Lustria, as well as attacking Hemgart of the Empire. They planned to spread corruption and disease through Axe Bite Pass, simultaneously targeting the Empire and Brittania.

The Rotting Clan was precisely the clan responsible for this mission. They had quietly occupied the deeper mines of Montfort and Hemgart's underground mines. The original plan was to slowly infiltrate and spread plague.

However, the Rotting Clan patriarch was evidently very dissatisfied with this. He was extremely discontent with the grand strategy of the Thirteen-man Council, representing the Great Horned Rat's will, of mobilizing large forces to invade Lustria.

This group of rebellious individuals decided to act on their own, to pull off a major move, directly destroy Hemgart, believing that the Great Horned Rat would surely notice their great deeds and bless them!

Thus, the current catastrophe occurred, and Hemgart was destroyed overnight.

The diary records more than just this; Belgar's subordinates knew from the diary that Skaven Warlord Osside Abyss, with constant suggestions from his subordinates, rushed the attack before the army was completely ready and the dimension gate was unstable to prevent other Ratmen from snatching the credit and spoils. Grey Prophet Spat, unwilling to be outdone, also launched an attack soon after.

In other words, this clan wasn't completely prepared; they initiated a rush attack purely for spoils and credit, even deploying the Rat Mothers to the front line.

Truly the essence of rebellious individuals is to cause trouble, thought Laine. He ought to find a way to convey this information to Brother Fugen.

"Even so, victory is victory. We defeated the Ratman's invasion and destroyed the teleportation gate. At least for the foreseeable future, Skaven Ratmen won't reappear in the Empire or Brittania," Belgar said in a low voice, "I said, the remaining matters are no longer related to us. I should return with Laine now."

"Doesn't King Belgar plan to continue touring the Empire?" Emperor Carl Franz initially hoped to invite Belgar to be a guest in Brunswick.

"There's no need." Belgar shook his head repeatedly. During this period, he had already examined many villages in the Empire and Brittania along the Gray Mountain Range. Though the King of Eight Peaks has a stubborn personality and cares about saving face, it doesn't mean he is an idiot.