Chapter 575 – Taking The City.

“I can’t see… Is it over?”

A bare-chested Armand shouted as he squinted into the distance. Before him, the soldiers had stopped moving, and the dust began to settle across the battlefield. Beside him stood Roland, clad in armor, his visor glowing as he surveyed the scene.

“Almost.”

Roland stood still. There was no more reason to be concerned. The battle had been won. Yet he wasn’t looking at the battlefield or the motionless army. His eyes were fixed on a single figure moving carefully through the aftermath, trying not to draw attention. Her dark robe concealed most of her features, but he recognized her immediately.

‘So she came after all.’

It was Mary, the catmaid who had followed Arthur even to this bloody conflict. She had remained hidden along the edge of the fight. Roland had seen her take down a few enemies and plant explosives that sent horses running to their doom. But more important than any of that was the moment she struck Alphonse.

She had thrown one of the runic daggers he had crafted for her. It was a blade designed to dissolve most standard enchantments. That single attack had been the turning point, the move that made their victory possible.

The battlefield, once a sea of chaos, was now quiet. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood with a hint of smoke mixed in. The wounded groaned. Broken weapons and shattered dreams littered the field. But amidst the ruins of battle, a single truth reigned: Arthur Valerian and his forces had emerged victorious.

Alphonse lay on the ground, his weapons broken, his armor dented and scorched. His breathing was shallow, and blood seeped from a gash in his side. Gareth, Morien, and Wischard stood over him, the tips of their weapons pointing at his neck. Alphonse’s eyes, filled with fury and disbelief, locked onto Arthur as he approached.

The young noble dismounted slowly. He was no longer trembling. His face was calm, his stride slow and meaningful. The weight of command, once heavy on his shoulders, now felt natural. He stopped a few paces from the fallen knight.

“You fought with courage.”

Arthur said, his voice neither mocking nor arrogant, only resolute.

“But this battle is over.”

Alphonse coughed, blood on his lips. The man was cleary angered by what had transpired and unwilling to admit defeat.

“Over…? Mayhap. Yet… this war… hath but only just begun…”

Before he could finish the sentence, a heavy blow struck the back of his head. Despite being a tier-three knight, he was knocked out instantly by one of Arthur’s knights, who didn’t appreciate the tone he had taken with their lord. Arthur didn’t flinch. He simply nodded, and the man was carried away. His status as a prisoner of war remained unchanged, and the goal was still to earn a reward for turning him in.

‘We made some progress today, but what now…’

Roland gazed into the distance. The entire scene felt surreal. He had been preparing for the Culling for a long time, and now it was finally coming to an end. Yet he couldn’t relax. He wasn’t allowed to. Although this part of the plan was complete, there was still more work ahead. The city was in their hands for now, but Theodore wouldn’t stay silent. They had to move quickly before the enemy returned to their doorstep.

“So, what do we do now?”

Asked Lobelia. Her sharp eyes could see the distant soldiers tossing away their weapons and surrendering after most of their tier-three class holders had fallen.

“For the time being, we have to stay here and keep the city safe.”

Roland replied while turning around. It didn’t seem like he was actually needed to help Arthur tidy things up.

“Stay here? Fine, but you know that’s going to cost extra, right, Mr. High Commander~”

Lobelia grinned, and soon Armand joined her, grinning even more than she was. It made Roland want to smack him.

“Take it up with the master of coin later. For now, go rest. We need you both to be sharp if trouble arrives.”

They were still standing upright, but he could tell they were showing signs of fatigue. Even though they had taken multiple recovery potions, nothing could replace a good night’s rest. It didn’t take them long to disappear from the battlements, leaving Roland alone with his brother and Lucille.

“Theodore Valerian won’t stay quiet about this.”

Robert, clad in his runic armor, commented as he and Lucille began walking alongside Roland. Agni was nearby, waiting down in the city, since he would take up too much space on the walls, which were already crowded with soldiers and golemic cannons.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

“Oh? What do you mean?”

Robert was caught off guard by the response, and Roland quickly explained.

“After analyzing Theodore’s character, I came to a conclusion. The man has an inferiority complex toward his eldest brother and tends to overthink everything. More than likely, he will assume Julius orchestrated the whole thing and believe it’s a trap.”

“Is that so? Then…”

“Yes. That means we should have enough time to alert the courts and get everything sorted out before he takes action, but first, let’s get ready to accept our lord…”

Roland turned his gaze back toward the gate. The victorious banners of Arthur’s army were already rising above the outer roads, fluttering in rhythm with the soldiers’ chants. The city bells rang slowly, each toll a declaration that the battle was over, the enemy defeated, and a new chapter about to begin.

“Open the gates.”

For now, he was the man in charge. The guards who had remained on the wall responded without hesitation, each of them having witnessed him slay the giant turtle beast.

Citizens began to gather, emerging cautiously from their boarded-up homes now that the danger had passed. At first, there was fear and uncertainty about what was approaching. But soon, they recognized the man they had seen earlier, delivering a grand speech through the hologram: Arthur Valerian.

“Could it really be, Lord Valerian?”

“Are we truly saved?”

“This has to mean it’s over. He’s one of the Duke’s children!”

“But I heard he’s illegitimate…”

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.