After breaking through the Dannevirke, waves of Frankish troops poured into southern Denmark. Years of accumulated hatred fueled the invasion; nobles deliberately allowed their soldiers to plunder villages—boosting morale while gathering supplies locally.
Ubbe's reinforcements had only reached Vejle in central Denmark. When he learned that more than ten thousand Franks were advancing, he halted in alarm.
"This isn't a raid—they're here to fight to the death."
He once again sought aid from his third brother Halfdan and his cousin Erik the Younger. In desperation, he even lowered himself to send envoys to the Kingdom of Britannia.
"Tell Vig the Franks have already invaded Denmark. If this continues, the Viking homeland itself will be overrun."
October — Londinium
Vig could only spread his hands.
"It's too late. A large-scale cross-sea campaign is complex and extremely dangerous. Whether Britannia invades Francia or Francia lands in Britannia, at least three months of preparation are required—let alone for distant Scandinavia."
He still remembered when Halfdan and Nils had stirred up disaster in the north. Ragnar had marched twelve thousand men to rescue them. Even without a single major battle, the expedition had cost over ten thousand pounds—crippling the royal treasury. Vig had no intention of repeating that mistake.
Moreover, Gunnar across the Channel was watching closely. The slightest weakness, and Gunnar would unleash his massive cavalry into Britannia.
After hearing the lengthy explanation, the envoy—clearly expecting this—requested to purchase weapons.
Vig countered calmly:
"Do you have the money? If this is a transaction, payment must be made in full. I have no desire to chase debts again. If you lack funds, I can offer only a small shipment as symbolic support."
After dismissing the envoy, Vig returned to his paperwork.
At three in the afternoon, he went to the southern docks to inspect the newly formed Thames Defense Fleet.
The fleet consisted of five cogs stationed at Canvey Island near the mouth of the Thames. Each had been fitted with two heavy ballistae. The added weight made them top-heavy and unsuitable for ocean voyages, but perfect for river and coastal patrol duty.
"Do your duty well. The kingdom's safety rests in your hands."
He walked along the ranks. Because the danger level was relatively low, most sailors were young—cadet officers and fresh deckhands—with a few aging veterans no longer fit for long voyages.
After the ceremony, Vig visited the newly opened public library in the city center.
Citizens could read freely in the hall or purchase books. With literacy still limited, libraries existed only in Londinium and Tyne Town.
On the first floor, the central shelves displayed the Kingdom's Law Code and revised Norse polytheistic scriptures compiled by the Raven Speaker and the shamans.
To the left were Roman-era works—Latin, Greek, and Viking translations—The Gallic Wars, The Anabasis, The Iliad, and even fantasy epics Vig had adapted from later ages.
To the right were illustrated practical manuals—such as A Complete Guide to Sheep Husbandry, explaining care, parasite control, disease treatment, and shearing.
Absent were sensitive volumes: The Britannian War Chronicles, The Frankish War Chronicles, Fundamentals of Land Warfare, and the tactical and logistics manuals. Those were reserved for military academies and the palace.
Behind the manuals lay the latest monthly newspaper.
The front page reported on the Nordic war, advising merchants to consider the risks and encouraging them to recruit immigrants—travel costs covered by the Crown.
Below that: football league news. Stirling County had claimed the championship again, and the final match had sparked a large brawl. Fortunately, Londinium's earl had anticipated the annual chaos.
Further down: renewed unrest in Ireland—again advising caution.
Then news of Flemish privateers raiding the Kent coast.
In the lower left corner: notice of an auction at month's end—five Flemish merchant ships captured by the navy, along with goods seized by licensed privateers.
On the back page were agricultural notes on clover and turnips—standard practice—followed by minor notices such as a baron's death and succession.
Advertisements filled the remainder. Harry's Textile Works occupied the largest space, followed by Pontiland and Mancuni textile houses.
The Iris Guild was absent. Hossa had abandoned textiles to focus on sugar and rum from the south. With little competition, his sugarcane liquor sold widely among the lower classes.
Vig returned the paper to its shelf.
Circulation was high, but prices were deliberately low. The Crown subsidized the publication heavily. Profits were nowhere in sight.
"Money flows out in every direction. Governing a kingdom is no easy matter."
That evening at the palace banquet table sat Crown Prince Frode, Second Prince Frey, and Queen Helgiva holding their third son, Grek.
Hossa also attended, quietly eating, clearly troubled.
After dinner, he approached Vig.
"Your Majesty, if I explore west of Iberia and discover an uninhabited island, would I be granted lordship as Helgi was?"
"Why this sudden thought?"
Hossa sighed.
"At first I only wanted wealth and freedom. In the Canary Islands, though I am the second-largest shareholder of the Sugar Company, Helgi and his barons never truly respect me. Without a hereditary noble title, it will be difficult to safeguard my fortune."
After a long silence, Vig answered:
"The rumors are true. There is indeed a group of islands—far out in the Atlantic, deep within the ocean. But the voyage is extremely dangerous."
He studied Hossa carefully.
"Purchase your own ship. Hire an experienced captain. If you discover those islands and establish a port with at least one hundred households, I will grant you hereditary nobility."
The offer hung in the air—tempting, perilous, and irrevocable.
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