Translator: Cinder Translations
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After floating at sea for over half a month, the Alden fleet finally sighted the coastline of Horns Bay.
Passing through the waters near Niceport, massive plumes of smoke rising straight into the sky could already be seen through the telescopes. Based on the latest information the fleet had, the Protectorate Army had launched an offensive against Niceport.
Commander Quik's main concern, however, was Lion's Port. Under his orders, the Alden fleet pressed onward toward their target port without delay.
Fortunately, their destination was near Niceport. It didn't take long before the fleet entered the port of Lion's Port. To their relief, the modestly developed city showed no signs of battle. The crew and officers of the fleet collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
After docking, Commander Quik immediately headed to the city hall.
When the massive southward-bound fleet approached the port, it initially caused a minor panic—understandable given the tense state of affairs.
However, when the Alden Navy's flags were spotted hoisted on the fleet, panic turned to delight, spreading quickly throughout the city.
"The Northwest Bay has finally sent someone to protect us!" The oppressive gloom hanging over the city for days seemed to dissipate in an instant.
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In the city hall, Liszt greeted Quik warmly upon learning of the fleet commander's arrival.
"General Quik! Thank you for coming!" Liszt said, gripping Quik's hand tightly.
"I have come under the orders of Lord Grayman to bolster the defense of this place," Quik responded.
The leaders of Lion's Port gathered in the city hall to discuss the latest situation with Quik and his officers.
During the meeting, Quik conveyed Paul's orders—he was to take over as the military commander of Horns Bay. With no objections from those present, Quik appointed Elvin to continue as the head of local defense.
After assessing the situation, Quik declined an offer from local merchants to host a welcome banquet, opting instead to inspect the city's defenses without delay.
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Meanwhile, at the Protectorate Army's camp, General Edwin Cook, appointed by the Church, angrily rejected Horns Bay Church's request.
"My mission is to purge the heretical unbelievers, not to plunder the wealth of innocent people!"
General Cook was incensed by the local church's proposal to attack neutral Aldorians, a suggestion that clashed with his knightly principles.
Even setting aside knightly honor, it made no military sense to create an additional enemy.
"These troublemaking clergymen!" Cook fumed silently. "No wonder they can't handle the New Faith Alliance and need the Church to travel thousands of miles to clean up their mess."
The archbishop's envoy pleaded, "General, please understand! While your soldiers shed blood in battle, the Aldorians of Lion's Port engage in sordid trade with the heretics. Countless supplies of grain and weapons have reached the heretics through them, making our war unnecessarily difficult. The people of Lion's Port are our enemies—they stand against the Father!"
Cook frowned. "The Aldorians also trade with us. A significant portion of our weapons comes from them."
"Yes, but they charge us exorbitant prices!" the envoy retorted through gritted teeth. "They are vile profiteers, with their purses stained by the blood of those who sacrifice for God."
Cook waved him off. "The assault on Niceport is already challenging enough. We cannot afford to provoke further complications."
With that, he turned and left the tent, his cloak billowing behind him.
The envoy sat in silence, his expression shifting unpredictably. After a moment, he stormed out of the tent, wandering through the camp before entering another tent.
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Inside was the King of Collins, who had been waiting for a while. Upon seeing the envoy, he immediately approached.
"Your Excellency, what did the obstinate Cook decide? Has he agreed?"
"Agreed, my foot!" the envoy cursed. "There's no convincing him, apparently."
"This…" The king's face froze, and he fell silent.
The envoy summarized his earlier conversation with General Cook, adding, "Can't you hold on a bit longer?" seeing the king's grim expression.
"Hold on? How?" the king suddenly shouted, his voice breaking with frustration. "How can I continue when I can't even pay my soldiers their wages?"
He paced furiously around the tent, his heavy steps resounding on the ground, while his arms flailed in frustration.
"Do you understand? This damned war has completely emptied our treasury!"
As an inland country, Collins was less prosperous than the coastal nations. When the war began, they had hoped to sweep through the New Faith Alliance with the support of the Church. However, their earlier defeat in the north had dashed those hopes.
The Church's change in strategy and increased investment in Horns Bay allowed the Protectorate Army to advance slowly in the south, adopting a cautious approach of securing every step. But this methodical strategy had drained the already meager coffers of the inland nations.
The envoy exclaimed, "Once Niceport falls, will His Majesty still worry about paying his soldiers?"
"I doubt there's much money left in Niceport!" The king's bloodshot eyes gleamed with despair. "And who knows when it will fall—one month, two months, or a year?"
"I have no doubt about the Protectorate Army's ultimate victory! But at this rate, history will record a laughable tale: on the eve of victory, the mighty King of Collins was overthrown for being unable to pay his soldiers. Hahaha! How absurd!"
Watching the king's hysterics, the envoy muttered, "If you're serious about targeting Lion's Port, you'll need to consider the Aldorians' response…"
"Aldorian Kingdom?" The king scoffed. "Does that country even exist anymore? Haven't you heard about what's happening there? Orcs in the north, Giles in the south—that kingdom is already in ruins. What protection can it offer to a faraway place like Lion's Port? And besides, Lion's Port isn't even royal property… Wait!"
Suddenly, the king's eyes lit up. "I've got it! I've got it!"
"What have you thought of?" the envoy asked eagerly.
"Giles! Yes, Giles!" The king's excitement erased all traces of despair from his face. "Isn't he already aligned with us against those heretics?"
Pulling himself together, the king grinned. "Using Aldorians against Aldorians—what a brilliant plan!"
"I've met him. I know him! If we promise him a share of the port's wealth, Giles will definitely agree!"
(End of the Chapter)
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