Translator: Cinder Translations
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After the vanguard stormed the walls, they engaged the defenders with short-barreled guns and bayonets. The battle was not intense, and the defenders of Firewood Fortress, who lacked strong willpower, quickly collapsed under the fierce assault.
The royal soldiers occupied the fortress gates, removed the obstacles and heavy bolts, and opened the gates. The main force outside rushed in, completely taking over the fortress.
After clearing the battlefield, Harrison discovered that the enemy's highest commander, Earl Zeck, was nowhere to be found. After interrogating some prisoners, it was revealed that Earl Zeck had escaped through a secret passage in the fortress.
Although it was a one-sided battle, the royal army still suffered some casualties. Harrison decided to let the troops rest for a few days and wait for the supply convoy lagging behind.
On a small path leading south, the defeated Earl Zeck was riding a fast horse, desperately fleeing. Only two loyal attendants accompanied him, while his troops and family had all been captured by the royal army.
"Look! That's the Grand Duke's banner! He's already reached Phantom Wing Castle!" one attendant pointed ahead with a whip. In the distance, a green banner with golden patterns, bearing the image of a wolf's head, fluttered on the city walls.
"Excellent!" Earl Zeck, who had become somewhat disheveled from fleeing and traveling, regained some of his composure. Prince Giles had arrived much faster than he had anticipated, and perhaps his army would soon help him reclaim Firewood.
As he galloped to the city gates, a hint of hesitation arose in Zeck's heart. How should he explain the defeat to the Grand Duke?
Losing could be somewhat justified, but how could he explain losing so quickly?
The guards at the city gates recognized Zeck and let him in without inspection. Burdened with worry, he slowed his horse and hesitantly approached the local lord's mansion, which had become the headquarters of the Grand Duke.
The Earl requested an audience with his lord.
"Thud!"
The Grand Duke's bronze scepter struck the stone steps, the dull sound startling the ravens resting outside the hall. Earl Zeck knelt on a woolen carpet embroidered with thorn patterns, sweat dripping from his temples into his collar.
He had done his best to embellish his defeat—the royal army's attack was so swift, and he had been caught off guard, yet he had still put up a determined resistance.
If it were anyone else, they might have been moved by Zeck's bravery, but Giles was not fooled by his rhetoric. A few pointed questions quickly revealed the truth of the battle from the flustered Zeck.
"Almighty Father!" Giles exclaimed in disbelief, unable to hide his anger. "Firewood Fortress, such a strong castle, and you let it fall into the hands of the northerners after just over three hours of resistance!"
Giles' roar made the stained-glass windows vibrate. He waved his arms, cursing Zeck, his deep purple velvet cloak fluttering with his movements, revealing the ruby-encrusted scimitar at his side. Several times, his hand reached for the hilt, causing Zeck's heart to tremble.
"The fall of Firewood Fortress was faster than my cook burning a quail!"
Faced with the Grand Duke's wrath, the attendants silently shrank into the shadows of the pillars.
Another of Giles' subordinates, Samal, suddenly laughed.
He was peeling an apple with a silver dagger, the peel curling and falling beside him.
"I heard that as soon as the royal army's cannons were set up, someone was already studying the thickness of spider webs in the secret passages," he said casually, his voice soft but sharper than the dagger in his hand, piercing Earl Zeck's ears.
Zeck looked up abruptly, his dust-covered face appearing particularly pale in the sunlight.
"You're all here making sarcastic remarks, but wait until you experience their muskets and cannons..."
"Oh, come on, our dear Earl Zeck. In history, Firewood Fortress has withstood the bombardment of dozens of catapults and ballistas without harm."
Wendell, another of Giles' right-hand men, suddenly interjected, his iron gauntlet tapping his sword with a metallic clink. Wendell often served as an envoy for Giles among various powers and was not known for his martial prowess, but he was actually a skilled swordsman. This time, he had followed Giles to the battlefield, clad in sturdy armor.
"Alright, I admit, those cannons are more about noise than power, but the key is the royal army's soldiers, they..."
"Enough!"
Grand Duke Giles suddenly stepped forward, grabbing Zeck's sweat-soaked collar. His emerald-encrusted ring pressed a red mark into Zeck's throat. "Do you know how far the royal army is from us now? A hundred miles! A hundred miles!"
Having rushed here with his army, he had limited troops. He had expected more time to wait for his vassals to gather, but now everything was ruined.
With each word, he pushed Zeck back an inch until the Earl's head hit the wall.
"And you ran back like a scalded dog, tail between your legs, still clutching the fortress keys. Did you come here just to make excuses for your failure?"
Samal whistled, the apple core he had finished eating landing precisely in the fireplace, the sparks illuminating his eyes. "Maybe the royal army stuffed their cannons with cheese? After all, our dear Earl Zeck has a dairy allergy," he paused deliberately, enjoying Zeck's clenched fist. "When the cheese cannonballs came flying, Earl Zeck had to withdraw from the battle due to severe discomfort."
Wendell laughed in agreement, the sound like a blunt knife scraping a rusty shield.
Zeck broke free from the Grand Duke's grip, now furious. "Yes, I was defeated! I wanted to buy you more time to gather troops, and I'm sorry I couldn't do that. I am willing to accept any punishment from the Grand Duke!"
He stared at Giles, his gaze no longer filled with fear and shame.
"Prince Giles, please announce how you will deal with me!"
The Grand Duke stood with his back to the broken stained-glass window, the purple twilight stretching his shadow until it completely enveloped Zeck.
"Take him to the dungeon."
Unlike his previous rage, his voice was now calm.
Two guards approached Zeck, one saying, "This way, Earl."
Zeck glanced unwillingly at Giles, but the Grand Duke gave no response.
"Very well, Your Highness. Allow me to make a humble request. My family has been captured by the royal army. I beg you to rescue them."
"I will!" Giles agreed.
Zeck straightened his chest, held his head high, and followed the two guards out.
(End of the Chapter)
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