Translator: Cinder Translations
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Since the siege of Sente began, the city had organized three counterattacks. Due to the depletion of their forces, most of the troops sent out of the city were so-called "armed citizens," whose combat effectiveness was even worse than the conscripts from rural areas. The Alden army simply lined up a row of rifles at a distance, and before many of the defenders had even fallen, their morale had shattered, and they fled back into the city in disarray.
On the 29th, the excavation of the tunnel reached its final stage. Soon, the Alden army would be able to get close to the city wall and set off a large explosive.
Paul chose a good spot and set up a canopy for the guards to enjoy the brilliant spectacle of the "big cannon" explosion.
"Heh heh, Paul, this thing is really impressive. Could you give me one as a gift? I'm willing to pay for it."
Henry Fraule, sitting next to Paul, was fondling a telescope, occasionally raising it to look towards Sente and then wiping the lens.
"Take it. It's yours."
Since they had settled the issue of the duke's succession, their relationship had improved significantly. Henry wouldn't miss such a significant event as the attack on Sente and had eagerly come to join the festivities.
That afternoon, a large white flag was hoisted on the city wall. After consulting with Paul, the Alden army halted their artillery fire. Soon, the city gate opened, the drawbridge was lowered, and a group of people came out carrying a smaller white flag.
After a thorough search, they were soon brought before Paul and Schroder.
The delegation was a mix of officials, military commanders, clergy, and wealthy merchants. Paul recognized some of them from the birthday banquet of Duke Fraule.
An elderly, bearded official said solemnly, "Count Grayman, Viscount Fraule, we now officially surrender on behalf of all the residents of Sente."
Paul, puzzled, asked, "Not on behalf of Maltz Kent?"
The official shook his head and replied, "Duke Maltz Kent… whom you call the usurper, has already… passed away yesterday…"
Paul and Henry stood up in surprise, "Maltz is dead?"
"Yes, Duke Maltz fell around 7 to 8 PM last night, accidentally falling and being impaled by a candlestick… He died from his injuries."
Everyone present removed their hats and held them to their chests to show their respect. Although they were enemies on the battlefield, Maltz was still a high-ranking noble. Paul had to follow suit to avoid appearing disrespectful.
After the moment of silence, Paul put his hat back on and instructed Schroder, "Let the Chief of Staff arrange the entry into the city."
Schroder quickly made arrangements. The second battalion led a group of militia into the city to occupy and inspect the streets, while other troops followed in sequence.
Paul postponed the entry of the remaining troops until the next day, "Let the soldiers clean themselves up and rest well tonight. Tomorrow, they will enter the city in the best possible spirit, forming a perfect formation and marching in step."
He wanted to present a unique army to the residents of the largest city in the Northwest Bay and also show off his strength to Henry, who hadn't witnessed any real battles since his arrival.
On August 30, the entry ceremony began. The residents of Sente looked at this strange army with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
Although the Alden army's uniform was still the plain green "local army," its uniformity in color and style was much better than the multicolored attire of other lord's troops. Coupled with the rhythmic marching drums and the soldiers' precise steps, the entire army exuded a sense of imposing and powerful strength.
Every resident watching the ceremony felt from the bottom of their hearts that such an army was destined to defeat Maltz Kent. Some even involuntarily cheered.
Paul and Henry rode high horses behind the second battalion, proudly surveying the streets.
Especially Henry, who, feeling proud, remarked, "Finally back to these familiar streets. It feels like just yesterday when I was thrown into the dungeon."
Paul accompanied Henry to the Fraule family's cemetery and spent a moment mourning at the grave of the old Duke Fraule. The caretaker led them to the chapel in the cemetery, where two coffins were placed.
"These are the bodies of Maltz Kent and Jaius Kent. How would you like to handle them?"
Paul looked at Henry, indicating him to decide, as his brother's mysterious death made the Kent family highly suspicious.
Henry hesitated for a moment and then said, "The dead are already gone; let them be buried according to common standards for civilians."
The caretaker complied, calling over some people to carry the coffins. One of them muttered, "Seems like they're lighter than before…"
Henry invited Paul, "Come, let's visit the dungeon. Maltz's distant relatives and some mercenary leaders are locked up there."
Emerson, Fergus, and others were locked up, waiting for the victor's judgment.
Henry didn't go straight to see them but instead went to the deepest part of the dungeon and pointed to a large hole in the wall, saying, "I escaped through this tunnel. It looks like Maltz found it."
The dungeon was filled with broken bricks, stones, and dirt, indicating that Maltz Kent's people had dug extensively here.
It seemed that every lord's family prepared one or two escape tunnels for emergencies. The Biddeburg had one, and this duke's mansion had one as well.
Paul stroked his chin, contemplating whether he should also dig a few tunnels beneath Alden Town's castle to keep up with the trend.
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The news of Sente's surrender quickly spread throughout the Northwest Bay.
Other lords in the coalition had already captured Biddeburg and continued east before Sente's surrender. Upon receiving the news, they increased their pace, but there were no resisting forces along the way. They arrived in Sente on September 4.
Among the territories that had once belonged to Maltz Kent, his hometown, Emden, was the last to surrender. The commander of Bailan Castle, the former Kent family's knight commander, raised the white flag upon learning of his liege's death and surrendered to the besieging infantry of the first and third battalions.
Bryce and Joyce continued south with their troops, occupying all of Kent family's territories.
The usurper war in the Northwest Bay, which lasted for over half a year, finally came to an end.
(End of the Chapter)
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