Chapter 449 (1/2)

Chapter 449: The Course of War

Translator: TransN Editor: TransN

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When Roland walked into the messy castle, Petrov and Earl Hull were kneeling down on one knee in the center of the hall, awaiting his arrival.

All the bodies on the floor had been removed, but the smell of the blood lingered. The pieces of broken furnishings and weapons could be seen everywhere; he could almost imagine the killing-scenes between the two parties in the battle for the castle.

“Rise.” Roland walked towards Petrov, bending over to hold his shoulders.

“Yes,” Petrov said in a choked voice, “Your Highness, you are finally here.”

“You did a good job,” Roland said with a heavy voice, “the four big families will pay a heavy price for this, and the murderers shall be brought to justice.”

“I didn’t guard Longsong Stronghold well…”

“You did your best. It’s not your fault.” Roland sighed. Petrov was not a ruler of war. This was evident from the seizure of the previous city by the light cavalry and the rebellion of the nobilities this time. He was good at managing the territory, proficient in trading, and skilled in capturing opportunities, but he was not a Machiavellian. He was definitely not an expert at fighting and plotting. If it wasn’t for the Second Army that was stationed in the castle in accordance with the emergency measure, he wouldn’t have been able to hold more than two days.

However, that did not mean Petrov Hull was not a good manager. If he was not good at war, he should be assigned to a territory without any war. Roland preferred operators with a business mind to those with fighting talents.

“I believe there must have been an inducement for this riot,” Roland looked at everyone around him. “This is a downright conspiracy. The enemy seeks to subvert the order of Western Region in order to obtain benefits that don’t belong to them.”

The scene quieted down. Everyone, including both the armed soldiers of the First Army and the wounded knights behind Petrov, had their gazes on His Highness.

“They have committed a felony for this, murdering the nobility and killing the civilians. After the war, we’ll see that many people have lost their families, and many houses will have been looted. But their conspiracy didn’t succeed in the end. It was your unyielding resistance that prevented Stronghold from falling into a greater tragedy. Your performance was heroic and your willpower was laudable!”

The knights slightly lifted their chests without realizing it.

“However, the war isn’t over yet. These rebels are fleeing in panic, and it’s time for us to seek our revenge! I swear no matter where the enemies are hiding, they won’t escape the coming trial, be it in the territories of the four families… or King’s City!” Roland paused and said categorically, “The culprits who caused the rebellion are bound to be punished too! The blood you shed… will not be in vain!”

“Long live, Your Highness!” Petrov and Earl Hull knelt down once again.

“Long live, Your Highness!” The surviving knights and soldiers of the Second Army also began to kneel.

Soon, everyone was kneeling on one knee with their upper body upright, right hand on the chest, shouting the slogan in unison.

“Long live, Your Highness!”

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