Translator: Cinder Translations
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As the most powerful city-state in the Church Army and the headquarters of the Horns Bay Church, the fall of Collins undoubtedly holds symbolic significance.
Although there are still small city-states loyal to the Horns Bay Church in the interior of Horns Bay, without Collins and the Horns Bay Church, their influence can be considered negligible. Even if the New Faith army is willing to continue the war until the last nation daring to resist is eradicated, it would just be a waste of time.
After such a long expedition, everyone is exhausted. Now, they only need to sit high in the city, using it as a base to rest the army and wait for the envoys from those small countries to arrive and negotiate surrender terms—unless another brave soul emerges to stir trouble, in which case they will face a thunderous strike.
The New Faith army occupied Collins City, and under General Andrew's proposal, they held a grand military parade in this largest city of the Horns Bay interior.
At the center of the city, in front of the burned-out cathedral, a tall review platform was set up.
The high-ranking officials of the New Faith Alliance ascended the platform, proudly watching the soldiers marching below.
The Alden army's march was particularly impressive. The soldiers, carrying muskets and swinging their right arms, approached the review platform in perfect formation. When they reached the bottom of the platform, at the command "salute," all the soldiers simultaneously turned their eyes toward the platform in a salute, startling everyone, and they were soon struck by the military aura exuded by this army.
Before the parade, no one had seen the Alden army undergo special training for such an event. Now, their flawless performance indicated that this was how they trained on a daily basis—everyone couldn't help but be astonished.
The locals of Collins were not forbidden from approaching the parade ground. In fact, this parade was meant to intimidate them.
However, most of the citizens still dared not go out. A few brave ones dared not get too close and hid trembling in the shadows of alleyways, watching the conquerors march arrogantly through the city square in front of the cathedral.
At the same time, punishment for the war instigators was underway.
After years of war, the New Faith Alliance had long prepared a thick blacklist.
Almost all of the high-ranking officials of the Horns Bay Church were arrested.
Among Collins' noble group, those hard-line war advocates were also arrested, while other nobles were confined to their homes with strict orders not to leave. However, they were not kept indoors for leisure but to tally their wealth. The New Faith Alliance had prepared substantial fines for every member of Collins' ruling class.
It should be noted that these fines were for their personal actions, and Collins as a nation had to pay an astronomical war indemnity, as did the Horns Bay Church.
Before the split in Horns Bay's religion, every country paid a tithe to the Horns Bay Church. It is easy to imagine how much wealth the Horns Bay Church accumulated, and Collins, as the church's headquarters, benefited greatly from it.
In fact, after the city was breached, both the church and the palace treasury were almost immediately plundered. Soldiers from different countries in the allied forces nearly fought each other over the gold coins.
Fortunately, the Alden army's cannons were swiftly brought into the city, and when the dark cannon muzzles pointed at the chaos, everyone quickly regained their composure and became more cooperative.
After all, no one wanted to test whether their body was tougher than the walls of Collins.
Andrew ordered the treasury to be sealed and emphasized that the distribution of war spoils would be decided by the high-ranking members of the New Faith army.
Liszt, bumping along in his carriage, arrived in Collins from Lion's Port.
Upon entering the city, Liszt couldn't help but feel emotional. Back when he was a small merchant employee, he had once come to this largest city in the Horns Bay interior for work. At that time, to close a business deal, he endured countless disdainful looks from the arrogant nobles and the demands of the powerful.
Now, he returned as a conqueror, visiting the city again. He wondered what expressions those formerly arrogant nobles would have when they saw him.
"Lord Liszt!"
Just as his carriage was about to enter the palace, a hoarse voice rang out from the side.
Liszt turned his head and recognized the voice. It was the Earl Bridges, a noble from Collins.
It was this Earl who had introduced Liszt into Collins' noble circle, where he had met the astronomer—or astrologer—Kabul.
But now, the Earl had lost all his former glory. He was no longer wearing silk clothing, but instead was dressed in tattered commoner clothes. His face was smeared with dirt, making him look like an old vegetable vendor.
"Thank heavens, you've finally arrived!" The Earl's voice became choked as he spoke.
"Earl, what happened to you?" Liszt asked in surprise.
"I've been searching for you! You don't know, if I had gone out wearing my usual clothes, I would have probably been stripped bare by now." The Earl broke into loud sobs.
Liszt led the Earl into the palace, ordering a meeting room to be prepared for their conversation.
"Lord Liszt!" As soon as the door to the meeting room was closed, the Earl dropped to his knees in front of him, pleading, "Lord Liszt, please spare Collins."
"Their demands are too high. Many families can't raise such a sum, and if the deadline passes, they will be thrown into prison."
"I know you represent Marquis Grayman in Horns Bay, and his army was the key to saving the New Faith Alliance. I believe your words carry weight. Please, save the nobles of Collins!"
Thus, Liszt sat on the sofa, stroking his chin with his right hand, patiently listening to the Earl's incoherent statements.
Finally, he stood up and patted the Earl's shoulder. "Earl, first of all, I must clarify that Alden can forgo its rightful share…"
The Earl's eyes widened in disbelief.
"If Collins is willing to pledge loyalty to Marquis Grayman!" Liszt continued.
The Earl stood up quickly, "Does the Marquis intend to annex us?"
"No, no, no! It's just that you would exist like a protectorate. Future King of Collins!"
"Even so, wait… what did you say?"
Liszt laughed heartily, "Would you like to become the new King of Collins?"
The Earl's heart began to race.
(End of the Chapter)
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