Chapter 506 Uprising Bugle-Horns (1/2)

The boundless ocean under the deep dark sky was as frightening as always.

Henry closed his eyes and held onto the ice-cold walls. However, he would feel uncomfortable dizziness when he opened his eyes and looked down.

”Hey, get back here now, you rookie!” A rough voice scared the young soldier and he backed off from the wall hurriedly. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and turned around towards the man striding towards him. The man was a burly, seasoned soldier with a face full of beard. ”Damn it, rookie. You'd better not tremble in fear like a little rascal. I don't want to report to the superiors tomorrow that there was an idiot who fell off the wall and broke his neck! You've been here for three months; haven't you gotten used to it already?”

”Y-Yes… Sorry, Sir, I…”

”Louder! Didn't you eat your dinner, you bastard?”

”Sorry!! Sir!” The young soldier shut his eyes in fear and yelled out with all his strength. The seasoned soldier nodded in satisfaction before patting on his shoulder and shield. ”That's the way, kid. Remember, don't ever think that you're here for fun and games. This job isn't easy. Relax and that's right… Stand up straight! I asked you to relax, but I didn't tell you to soften into a puddle of mud! Stay vigilant for your night duty especially since it hasn't been too peaceful recently. Who knows what will happen…”

”Yes, Sir! But…”

”But?” The seasoned soldier glared back and the young rookie clammed his mouth. This was the military. Even though he had sufficient reasons, he wasn't allowed to refute his superior. After all, obeying orders was the duty of all soldiers and raising questions weren't for rookie soldiers. ”Alright, it's not like I have no idea what you worthless bunch are thinking about.”

Perhaps because the rookie didn't refute, the seasoned soldier's expression turned a little kinder. He retrieved a liquor flask from his pocket and downed a mouthful of liquor before turning towards the deep, dark ocean that Henry was fearful about.

”We are far from the country border and apart from some small-scale criminals at large and those bandits, there's nothing else for us to worry about in this isolated place. Heh, I know what you guys are thinking. No threats, no war, and it's as peaceful as a pile of dog sh*t. But even though it's such a place here, you guys have to leave your warm nest back home and stand guard against the ocean where there is literally nothing. Haha, I was the same when I first arrived here. In fact, I also felt that this Fortress was meaningless. It's small, filthy, and far from any threats. Damn it… It's really fortunate and unfortunate to be standing guard here. Look on the bright side, kid. Don't be envious of your idiot companions who raise their flags on their horses as they head into the border. Don't think that you're bored to death here because when you're back in your comfortable hometown at the end of the year and hear your neighbor wailing for their dead son, you will know how fortunate you are right now.”

”Yes! Sir!”

”Heh, judging on your looks, I know that you didn't listen to everything that I said. Well, whatever. You wouldn't understand since you haven't experienced it yet. Alright, continue standing guard. I've heard that the opposite side is really chaotic nowadays. Although I don't think that anything serious will happen, I still hope that you will treat this seriously… Eh? What's that sound?”

”—!” A sharp whizz sounded out of nowhere. The young soldier witnessed a glaring flash before him and shortly after, the smoke of an explosion engulfed him entirely.

”Ahhh —! Ahhh!” Henry struggled to lift his head and he realized that the solid, flat wall had collapsed completely. The officer that stood before him had gone missing and hot, blazing flames took his place.

”W-What's going on?” The young soldier crawled his way up frantically while he heard screams and massive explosions. He gaped at the ocean and at this moment, he saw a succession of flares exploding from the dark ocean. Soon, explosions sounded from the Fortress and the flat ground beneath his feet started to collapse. Even though he unsheathed his sword, he realized that he had no idea what he should do next.

But no matter what, there was only one strangely clear word that came into his chaotic mind.

Ambush!

”Sir, all our attacks hit and the enemies have no chance of defending. We've also gotten rid of all their cannons and we can get ready to battle on land.”

”Hmph.” The man in the captain hat bit his smoking pipe as he gazed at the Fortress burning in flames and engulfed in billows of smoke. ”Bastards who are blinded by peace actually react so slowly. I thought the Brenhill Fortress responsible for the North-South Main Road would be troublesome to deal with… Pass down my order—get ready to go ashore and battle! From today onwards, Brenhill Fortress will no longer belong to the Munn Kingdom! It shall be the land of our Southern Federation!”

The bugle-horns sounded.

A dozen battleships emerged from the darkness as though they were the main cast of the show. The battleships sailed forward slowly while smaller boats were lowered and accelerated towards the shore. At the same time, another round of flares exploded from the enormous battleships.

”Brenhill Fortress is under attack?!” Barak jumped to his feet and the demeanor of the Southern Legion's Chief Commander was nowhere in sight. He widened his eyes at the pale, frantic soldier while clenching his fists tightly. He was aware of the recent motions of the Southern Port, but he didn't expect that they dared to actually make their move. Oh my goodness! Where did they get all these battleships and soldiers?

”Immediately declare a state of emergency! Damn it, search for all the patrolling soldiers and get the commanders around the perimeter to report to me instantly! The Southern Legion has entered a state of alert!”

”Yes, Sir!!” The soldier saluted and as he opened the door and prepared to leave, his footsteps stopped abruptly.

An ice-cold, sharp blade punctured his chest and he widened his eyes in disbelief. He gaped, but the attacker had no intentions of hearing his last words. The attack pushed his head and the pitiful soldier collapsed to the ground.