Chapter 531: Sharing the Pain
The ten military ships that had been blockading the harbor now followed Julio.
At this point, the outco was clear.
It was not possible to bombard the city, so the ten military ships followed us to the harbor. Their crews disembarked and rushed to Julio's side.
With this situation, even those from the navy who had not gone to sea would likely follow Julio.
He had gained control of the Duchy Navy.
"From now on, the Duchy Navy is under my command! Capture the Navy Admiral imdiately, and scatter the Duke's Army besieging the castle!"
"Yes sir!"
The Duchy Navy is a gathering of elites.
There's a big difference in training between the soldiers of the Duke's Army and the marines who train day and night.
Even on land, the Duchy Navy is elite.
Securing the castle should only be a matter of ti.
"Captain sto."
"Prince Arnold."
I held back sto, who was leading his subordinates and preparing to fight the Duke's Army.
There was sothing that needed to be concerned about.
"I have a request."
"Yes! What can we do? My crew is well-trained and elite! They can handle any kind of mission!"
"I'm relieved to hear that. How many ships can your crew sail from the harbor?"
"You an... set sail? To where?"
"Just get out of the harbor."
"How long do we have?"
"As soon as possible."
Unable to understand the aning of my words, sto looked puzzled.
However, he quickly switched his mindset and started giving instructions to his subordinates.
"Understood! Split up into small groups and prepare to set sail! Any ship will do! Get as many ships out of the harbor as quickly as possible!"
Perhaps this is what it ans to be a soldier.
Their actions are quick and helpful.
Despite preparing to head to the castle, the subordinates carried out the mysterious order of preparing to sail without complaining.
"We'll do our best, but it's a big job to prepare for sailing with a small crew. We may not be able to sail all the ships."
"Do as much as you can."
"May I ask why?"
"Even the Duchy Navy is powerless in a kingdom war without ships. As soon as defeat seems likely, the kingdom will aim to weaken the Duchy Navy. That's what I would do."
"Will the ships be targeted?"
"It's the quickest way. The castle's occupation is unexpected to the enemy. We may still have ti. Get as many ships out of the harbor as you can. As long as they're not docked, the enemy can't do anything."
Upon hearing the reason, sto nodded with a stern face.
Even if so trickery is involved, it would be impossible to manipulate the ships if they're not docked.
It's impossible to install sothing on all the Duchy Navy ships that could be remotely controlled. There simply aren't enough devices for that.
Searching for such devices is an option, but we have limited resources that can move.
Evacuating to a safe zone is more realistic.
"For the Duchy Navy, the ships are our life. If we're being targeted, I would like a few more people."
"If we're to expel the Duke's Army from the harbor, we can only rely on you and your subordinates. If we allocate more forces, it will take too long. Reinforcents from the fort are not guaranteed, and if the castle is recaptured by the Duke's Army, it's over. I'm sorry, but lives are more important than ships."
"I understand. I'll follow your plan. I'll join in, so please take care of Prince Julio."
"Leave it to ."
After this conversation, I went towards the castle with Lars and the others who were standing by.
"Ah, Finne. It's very helpful that you managed to change the situation at the right ti."
"I'm glad if I could be of help."
Finne was waiting to et , having scattered the Duke's Army that was trying to recapture the castle.
Behind her was King Albatro.
"His Imperial Highness, the Seventh Prince Arnold Lakes Adler, offers his greetings to His Majesty. I am relieved to see that you are safe."
"All thanks to you, Prince. You have helped Julio greatly."
"Father! Are you injured?!"
"No, I'm fine."
Julio, who had been commanding the Navy, ca into the throne room a little later.
Then he ran to his father.
It was a long-awaited reunion of parent and child.
Not wanting to interrupt, Finne and I went out onto the balcony.
"It seems you managed to sway the Duchy of Rondine well."
"I don't know how well I did... but the most significant factor was Prince Danio of the Duchy of Rondine making a crucial decision."
"We owe him. Maybe I should write a letter."
"If you could do that, it would likely guarantee Prince Danio's position."
While nodding, I looked toward the harbor.
There, the military ships that were anchored were sinking into the sea, flas rising from them.
Whether they were rigged with magical devices or had so trickery done to their magical cannons, the explosion was as if they had been hit with powerful magic.
sto did his best, but only a few ships managed to leave the harbor.
The military ships deployed in the harbor were the main force of the Duchy's Navy.
The Duchy's Navy can be said to have been halved by this.
"The fight in the Albatro Duchy is our victory. However, we've only achieved about half of our original goal of bringing in the Duchy's Navy."
"The Kingdom's dancer was sent to the Duchy of Rondine. They must have anticipated us heading to the Duchy of Rondine."
"So, they had their hands on Rondine too. They're thorough, and they don't let setbacks phase them. Truly a troubleso opponent."
They have a firm hold on all the places they need to.
If they know they're going to lose, they'll inflict as much damage on us as possible to ensure a 'good loss'.
"Sebas."
"Here."
"Go to the fort with Nelbe Ritter. If they're dilly-dallying, take the head of the Kingdom's Ambassador Marcel."
"I see. What if they're not dilly-dallying?"
"They would quickly abandon the fort and move to secure the port town."
"Shouldn't we head to the port town, then?"
"The enemy has formidable fighters. Breaking through is impossible unless it's in a state of chaos. If they're not in the fort, give it up."
"Understood."
Sebas disappeared after saying this.
Now there's nothing more for to do.
Barnaba, the son of the Duke, has disappeared sowhere, but I know who he will rely on.
Whether he went to the fort or he's been discussing what to do when the capital fell, he would head to the port town.
Marcel would probably return to the Kingdom, but the remaining nobles would likely surrender to us.
Marcel should prepare a parting gift for when that ti cos.
So, there's no need for us to send people to look for him.
"This is more like sharing the pain."
"But even though it's incomplete, we've achieved our goal. It's a win, isn't it?"
"Thanks to you, yes. I would've lost if it was just ."
"The directive to head to the Duchy of Rondine was yours, Arnold. Just as the responsibility for defeat falls on the commander, so too does victory. I was able to sway Rondine because you left Sebas and Lynfia with . All the credit goes to you."
"I guess that's one way to look at it. Let's go with that. It makes feel better. Though, they probably won't see it that way."
Accepting Finne's point of view, I decided to accept it as my victory.
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