Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 305:

Since the siege of Center City began, the city had organized three counterattacks. Due to the depletion of their forces, most of the soldiers sent out were so-called “armed citizens,” whose combat effectiveness was even worse than that of conscripts from the countryside. The Alda army, standing at a safe distance, only needed to fire a volley to shatter their morale, sending them scurrying back into the city in disarray.

On the 29th, the digging of the tunnels reached its final stage, and soon the Alda army would be close enough to the city walls to set off a grand explosion.

Paul chose a good spot and had a shade tent set up, preparing to enjoy the spectacular sight of the explosion.

“Hey, Paul, this gadget of yours is quite something. Can you gift one to me? I don’t mind paying for it,” Henry Ferdinand said, sitting beside Paul, fondling a telescope. He alternated between looking towards Center City and wiping the lens.

“Take it, it’s yours,” Paul said.

Their relationship had improved significantly since they agreed on the succession of the duke’s title. How could Henry miss such a significant event as the attack on Center City? He hurried over to join the returning group.

That afternoon, a large white flag was raised on the city walls. After consulting Paul, the Alda army temporarily ceased their bombardment. Soon, the city gates opened, the drawbridge was lowered, and a delegation, holding a smaller white flag, emerged.

After a thorough search, they were quickly brought before Paul and Schroeder.

The delegation was diverse, including government officials, military leaders, clergy, and wealthy merchants. Paul recognized some of them from the birthday banquet of the old Duke Ferdinand.

An elderly government official spoke solemnly, “Count Grayman, Viscount Ferdinand, we hereby formally surrender Center City on behalf of all its residents.”

Paul asked curiously, “Not on behalf of Marltz Kent?”

The official shook his head, “Duke Marltz Kent Ferdinand… the usurper, as you call him, passed away last night… He accidentally fell and was impaled on a candelabra, sustaining fatal injuries.”

Upon hearing this, everyone removed their hats and held them over their hearts in a moment of silence. Even though Marltz was an enemy, he was still a high-ranking noble, and Paul had to show respect to avoid a bad reputation.

After the moment of silence, Paul instructed Schroeder, “Let the Chief of Staff arrange the entry into the city.”

Schroeder quickly organized it. First, the second battalion led a group of militia into the city to occupy and inspect every street corner, followed by the other troops.

Paul postponed the rest of the troops’ entry until the next day, “Let the soldiers clean and dress themselves properly, rest for the night, and tomorrow enter the city in their best condition, marching in formation and step.”

On August 30th, 1991, in the Sacred Calendar, the entry ceremony began, and the residents of Center City watched the unusual army with curiosity and apprehension.

Although the Alda army’s uniforms were still the plain light green “peasant clothes,” they were uniform in color and style, which looked much better than the mishmash of colors in other lordly armies. Combined with the rhythmic marching drums and the soldiers’ uniform steps, the army exuded a sense of dignity and power.

Every resident watching felt that such an army defeating Marltz Kent was justified, and some even cheered spontaneously.

Paul and Henry rode behind the second battalion, proudly observing the streets.

Henry, particularly proud and nostalgic, said, “Finally, I see these familiar streets again. I remember being taken to the dungeon as if it were yesterday.”

Paul accompanied Henry to the Ferdinand family cemetery to mourn at the grave of the old Duke Ferdinand, then to the chapel where two coffins lay.

“These are the bodies of Marltz Kent and Jace Kent. How do you wish to proceed?” the cemetery keeper asked.

Paul looked to Henry to decide, considering the suspicious circumstances of his brother’s death and the Kent family’s involvement.

After a moment’s hesitation, Henry said, “They are dead. Bury them with civilian honors.”

As the coffins were lifted, someone murmured about their lightness.

Henry then led Paul to the dungeon, “Let’s see, Marltz’s distant relatives and a few mercenary leaders are locked up here.”

Emerson, Fergus, and others awaited the victor’s judgment.

Henry didn’t rush to them but first went to a hole in the dungeon wall, “I escaped through here. It seems Marltz found it.”

The cell was littered with broken bricks, stones, and dirt, indicating a thorough search.

Paul contemplated digging escape tunnels under Lakeheart Town’s castle, not wanting to fall behind the trend.

…

News of Center City’s surrender quickly spread throughout the Northwest Bay.

Other lords in the allied forces had taken Fort Bidou and continued eastward before Center City’s surrender, and they hastened their advance upon hearing the news. They encountered no resistance on the way and reached Center City by September 4th.

Among the territories formerly loyal to Marltz Kent, his ancestral home, Emden, was the last to surrender. The commander of Bayland Castle, a former knight of the Kent family, raised the white flag to the encircling first and third infantry battalions upon hearing of his liege’s death.

Blythe and Joyce led their troops south, occupying all of Kent’s territories.

Thus, the half-year-long usurper war in the Northwest Bay finally came to an end.

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