Translator: Cinder Translations
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"What on earth is happening?"
Liszt was startled awake by loud, incessant banging on his door.
"Sir, the port is under attack!" came the terrified voice of a servant from outside.
"Attack? Wait, where?" Liszt was still groggy.
"The harbor. It might be a group of pirates."
Liszt frowned in confusion. What pirates would dare to launch a frontal assault on a port under Alden's control?
"I need to see this for myself!" He leapt out of bed and hastily started putting on his clothes.
"You mustn't go! It's too dangerous!" Sevya burst into the room, her hair still a disheveled mess.
Her words calmed Liszt somewhat. "The naval artillery is stationed in the port, along with a battalion of marines. They should be able to handle a group of pirates."
At that moment, a bright glow rose from the west—the harbor district was ablaze.
Forcing himself to stay calm, Liszt strode quickly into the corridor toward the main hall, giving orders as he went. "Summon all the officials to the town hall. Dispatch someone to assess the situation at the harbor. Oh, and get me in touch with General Quik immediately!"
"Report!" A navy officer appeared from around the corner, saluted, and reported, "General Quik has already headed to the harbor. He's asked all armed forces to follow the defensive arrangements we discussed previously. He also requests that you reassure the citizens and prevent panic."
Liszt slapped his forehead. "Of course. If the port attack is just a diversion, we can't fall for it. Follow the general's instructions!"
The group quickly calmed down and proceeded to the main hall to await the arrival of other leaders. Meanwhile, Sevya donned a hood to conceal her hair. "I'm heading to the harbor. I might be able to help."
"You?" Liszt grabbed her arm. "It's far too dangerous!"
Noting the deep worry in his eyes, Sevya gave a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I won't put myself in harm's way. You want updates from the harbor, don't you? I promise, no one here is better at staying hidden and protecting themselves than I am."
Liszt hesitated but eventually nodded. "Go with the soldiers. Make sure you don't get caught in the crossfire."
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"What terrifying weapons!" Martin cowered behind a stack of barrels on the deck.
As a merchant who frequented Lion's Port, Martin had heard of the northwesterners' firearms and even heard the occasional cannon test due to the recent bolstering of port defenses.
But he had never paid it much attention—until now, when he found himself the target of such weapons.
Thunderous explosions accompanied the high-speed impact of metal projectiles. The ship's hull, crafted from the finest oak and hard as iron, was shredded as if it were made of paper. Shards of wood flew in every direction. Was it even possible for humans to create such destructive power?
Unlucky crew members and warriors of Giles, still aboard the ships, were maimed or killed outright. Some were struck by projectiles, limbs torn apart, while others were impaled by flying splinters, collapsing in agony.
"Get down! Everyone, disembark now! Staying here will only make us sitting ducks!"
Amid the chaos of splintering wood and screams, the cloaked man shouted orders to regain control.
He, like Martin, was sprawled on the deck. A stray piece of wood had struck his right arm, embedding splinters deep into the flesh. Blood soaked his sleeve.
The overwhelming counterattack had completely caught him off guard. He had expected the strongest resistance to come in the form of bows and crossbows.
"Dirk Doyle!" Martin shouted the cloaked man's name. "You're going to get us all killed!"
"Shut up! This is just a setback. Once we're ashore and execute the plan, things will return to order."
Doyle, the mage, gritted his teeth and made a desperate leap off the ship, plunging into the water and swimming toward the pier.
Fortunately, his warriors who had already made it ashore were causing chaos—setting fires, cutting down anyone who tried to stop them.
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The marines stationed at the harbor had reacted swiftly. The first flash of firelight had them scrambling from their barracks.
Upon determining that infiltrators were using the docks as their entry point and were spreading chaos, the commander immediately ordered platoon-sized units to scour the streets. Each unit stayed within close proximity for rapid support.
Tracking the movements of the invaders, the marines zeroed in on the warehouse with the largest fire.
The commander shifted priorities, deciding to abandon the pursuit of smaller groups of saboteurs and focus their efforts on the apparent command center.
As Doyle's gathered troops prepared to march on the town hall, the marines surrounded them.
---
"Quick, eliminate them!" Doyle shouted, urging his undead warriors forward.
The so-called "immortal soldiers" charged, shouting war cries.
They were met with a blinding flash and a deafening barrage of gunfire. The first wave fell almost instantly.
The marines, disciplined and well-equipped, executed their ambush flawlessly. The attackers' gathering was swiftly contained, and the tide of battle began to turn decisively against them.
(End of the Chapter)
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