Translator: 549690339
At the foot of Thorn Mountain, the Pegasus Army camp.
The temporary command center is stiflingly silent, almost suffocating.
Viscount Auston is kneeling on the ground, disheveled.
The napkin on his chest had finally been removed, but his ceremonial dress was still stained with a touch of sauce.
However, it was only sauce.
No blood.
In this state, it was hard to believe that he had escaped from a battlefield, instead, it looked more like he had just returned from a failed food fight.
Viscount Auston now regretted a bit â he should have dabbed some blood on his clothes!
Maybe even inflicted some injuries would be better.
Just as he was entertaining these thoughts, Marquis Vincent across finally stirred.
After taking a series of blows, the temperamental Marquis of the eastern territory had become increasingly inscrutable.
They thought that upon hearing the news of the annihilation of the 40,000-strong army, he would fly into a rage.
Who would have expected, Marquis Vincent simply listened quietly to Viscount Austonâs report, and then simply replied with a faint âohâ.
It was as if Viscount Auston had not brought news of defeat from the battlefield, but rather a humorous anecdote about a disastrous luncheon he had experienced.
The long silence that followed, however, made the Pegasus Army officers present feel like they had been hung in suspense, restless.
Luckily, Marquis Vincent finally stood up.
He slowly walked up to Viscount Auston, looking down at his once most trusted assistant from above, his expression inscrutable.
Then, he pulled out the sword that was hanging at his waist.
Seeing this, Viscount Auston was instantly scared out of his wits. He knew that if he didnât do something now, his life would be in danger.
âMarâ¦Marquis! Please hear me out!â
âSpeak.â Marquis Vincentâs face was grave, but he didnât halt in his actions. Just as the sword was about to fall onto his neck, Viscount Auston cried out in a flurry, âMarquis! I have a way to help you take Silver Moon City! Please give me a chance to atone!â
The sword finally stopped.
Marquis Vincent looked at Viscount Auston, who was bathed in cold sweat, and asked slightly, âWhat way?
Viscount Auston let out a breath, suddenly feeling that his trousers seemed a bit wetâ¦
But he quickly concentrated his mind.
Viscount Auston knew that this was his only chance, if he didnât answer this question well, he would surely die here.
âMarquis, although our army was defeated by the Dark Cavalry outside Silver Moon City, our brave fighters inflicted heavy casualties on the Dark Cavalry!
Please believe me, the already outnumbered remnant of the Dark Cavalry no longer possesses much combat power!
If you can allocate me another army, I promise I can help you take Silver Moon
City! â
Marquis Vincent listened to Viscount Austonâs words, but he didnât immediately agree.
In the meantime, the sword in his hand was still resting on the otherâs shoulder.
Upon hearing Viscount Auston, the officers of the Pegasus Army in the tent appeared somewhat contemptuous in their eyes.
Apparently, Viscount Austonâs unblemished ceremonial dress hardly convinced them that they had really âbravely counterattackedâ the Dark Cavalry and caused âheavy casualtiesâ to the enemy.
But Viscount Auston felt that Marquis Vincent would believe him.
Because, he knew that Marquis Vincent had to believe him.
In fact, the best choice for the Pegasus Army at this time was to withdraw.
But this âbest choiceâ, for Marquis Vincent, was the worst choice.
He could not accept such a result!
In the Battle of Shadow Gorge, the Pegasus Army, despite having all the advantages, only achieved a pyrrhic victory.
This was already a great blow to Marquis Vincentâs prestige.
So it was that the Marquis wanted to send the army north again, to conquer Silver Moon City, to restore his prestige with a big victory.
But nowâ¦
If they were to withdraw now, how would Marquis Vincent, who had lost so many soldiers, explain himself to Duke St. Prowse upon his return?
Moreover, Viscount Auston knew that Marquis Vincentâs brother, Count Evan, was not a man to sit idle.
Would he seize the opportunity to kick him while he was down?
So, Viscount Auston was certain that as long as there was a glimmer of hope, Marquis Vincent would never retreat!
And he, intended to provide that glimmer of hope.
âMy Lord Marquis!â Viscount Auston, looking at Marquis Vincent, who seemed lost in hesitation, shouted again, âThe army in Silver Moon City no longer has much combat power, weâre just one strike away from victory!
Please give me another chance! I promise I wonât let you down again!â
âI usually donât give people second chances.â
Marquis Vincent finally spoke.
His voice was husky and low, but in Viscount Austonâs ears, it sounded as if it was sung by an angel!
As expected, Marquis Vincent sheathed his sword and coldly said, âBut Iâd rather see you die on the battlefield than stain my hands.â
Viscount Auston finally breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that his life was temporarily spared.
âHowever, I wonât entrust the army to you again. This time, I will personally lead the attack on Silver Moon City! As for you, Viscount Auston, you will charge at the forefront as an ordinary knight!â
âYes, my lord! As you command!â Viscount Auston pounded his chest and replied loudly.
It was as if he had completely forgotten the shameful scene of his recent escape.
At this moment, Marquis Vincent also seemed to have regained his previous determination, and his tone became impassioned once more:
âMy knights, my warriors! Tell me, do you have the courage to follow me and capture that half-elf royal city!â
âWe willingly follow your lead!â
Of course, the officers dared not oppose him at this point.
For Marquis Vincentâs sword was still unsheathed.
They did not want to be the ones he chose to make an example of.
Seeing all the officers who responded to his rallying cry, a hint of disappointment flashed across Marquis Vincentâs face â he was indeed ready to execute someone to make a point.
But unexpectedly, all of them had become so savvy.
Marquis Vincent, with his stifled murderous intent, seemed to remember something and coldly asked, âDidnât we capture 4,000 half-elf prisoners on
Thorn Mountain?â
âYes, my lord.â
âKill them all!â
The crowd turned pale at once, some wanted to dissuade him, but dared not utter a word under Marquis Vincentâs icy gaze.
âAs you command!â
As if unsatisfied, Marquis Vincent issued another order, âCut off their heads, along with the heads of those who died or were burned in battle. Pile them all up under Silver Moon City!
Tell the half-elves inside the city, if they continue to resist, this will be their fate!â
âMy Lord, we canât do that!â Finally, an officer stepped forward to dissuade him. âThis would utterly enrage the half-elves, pushing them towards the North Territory. Silver Moon City could stubbornly resist to the endâ¦â Shh!
Unfortunately, before he could finish, Marquis Vincentâs sword pierced his chest.
Thud!
The corpse fell to the ground.
The thick smell of blood filled the tent immediately.
Marquis Vincentâs words echoed like a devilâs music, âIs there anyone else who objects?â
âThen go on and carry out the orders!â
âYes!â
Viscount Auston, still kneeling on the ground, felt a chill spread through his body but dared not make a sound.
He suddenly realized that after this, the relationship between the half-elves and the East Territory would probably become increasingly strainedâ¦.