Chapter 395 - 391: Moving Into the Duke’s Castle
The landing battle came to a perfect close after Duane rounded up Duke Eldrin and the other high-ranking nobles in one fell swoop. They publicly admitted defeat and chose to surrender.
At the same time, the capture of Count Manuel, Viscount Kanan, and many other nobles and Knights from the Duke’s Territory signified that the advance of Duane’s army would henceforth be unopposed.
"Wow, this Duke’s Castle is so luxurious!"
Duane, Baron Uriel, Baron Marles, and the others led their soldiers to take control of Star Sea Castle.
The Star Sea Clan had spent decades constantly expanding and reinforcing the castle. Its walls were incredibly tall and sturdy, and its wide moat was likely impossible for even a Celestial Tier Warrior to leap across.
"I think if you had chosen to defend the castle, you might have held out a little longer," Duane said to the captive duke beside him.
Eldrin looked dejected. "It would only have bought us a few more minutes and cost a few more lives. With no way to deal with you, defeat was inevitable."
According to his original plan, even if Duane and his men made it ashore, they would have had time to retreat to the castle and use the terrain to stall for more time.
Who could have expected Duane to come straight for their command post, rounding up all the high-ranking nobles and giving them no time to retreat?
The opening of this battle was completely different from a typical landing assault, far exceeding their expectations. They had no grounds to complain about their loss.
The castle grounds were vast. Duane ordered Kaelon and his men to arrest everyone inside while having the castle steward catalog all the valuable supplies within.
’The spoils from Star Sea Castle alone are probably enough to cover all the expenses for this entire campaign.’
In a luxurious meeting hall, the group sat around a long table.
"Duane, what are your plans for our next move?" Baron Uriel asked.
In this war for the Starfall Islands, Duane’s side aimed to quickly occupy the entire territory. But with only Star Sea City captured, the war was far from over.
Duane rested his chin on his intertwined fingers and pondered for a moment before speaking. "First, we need to suppress the various factions in the city to ensure we have complete control over it. Then, we’ll arrange for people to take over the Secret Realms."
He looked over at Jick and asked, "Baron, have you gotten a clear understanding of the Secret Realms situation?"
"Don’t worry, I’ve figured it all out!"
The resources in the Secret Realms were incredibly precious, making them a primary objective.
"The Duke’s Territory has a total of five Secret Realms: one small Water Element Secret Realm, one Black Iron Secret Realm, two Ordinary Metal Secret Realms, and one Void Secret Realm."
The so-called Void Secret Realm was one with no valuable resources, but also no danger.
Although such a Secret Realm might sound worthless, it could have its uses if utilized properly—for example, as a massive warehouse.
"Well, well. We’ve hit the jackpot."
Baron Uriel exclaimed, "No wonder Eldrin had so many Shooting Star Warriors and Celestial Tier experts under him. A single Duke’s Territory actually has this many Secret Realms."
Duane nodded. "Each clan will dispatch a small team of three to five elites to guard the entrances to the Secret Realms. After the war is over, we’ll discuss how to divide these resources."
"Baron Uriel, I’ll leave this matter in your hands. You will also remain here to guard Star Sea City."
"No problem!"
Uriel nodded. There wasn’t much need for him to personally fight in the upcoming battles. "Riley, you will take your team and follow Duane north. Obey his commands."
"Yes, my lord!"
Duane continued, "Raymond, Baron Marles, and sirs Dorian, Heinrich, and Acosta, you five will lead five battalions to seize control of all the other nobles’ territories within the Duke’s Territory."
"Most of their elite forces were either killed or captured by us at the Crown of Tides. You only need to take some Middle Level Warriors to support your elite soldiers. As for the specific assignments, Raymond, Marles, you two can discuss and decide."
"As you command, my lord!"
Raymond responded immediately. Duane’s arrangement was clearly giving him an opportunity; after all, besides him, the others were all nobles.
"We will now rest here for two days. Eat and drink your fill, treat your wounds, and then we will continue north!"
After the general plan was set, the group discussed the details further.
During this time, Duane also learned that Duke Eldrin’s son, the heir to the Star Sea Clan, had already left the Starfall Islands. He had fled from the eastern seaport to the Royal Capital of the Akutas Kingdom.
Duane wasn’t surprised by this. Sending the heir far away from the battlefield was a very common tactic.
However, this also meant that Duane wouldn’t be able to persuade Eldrin to follow him until the war was completely over.
Leaving the meeting hall, Duane instructed Kaelon, who was beside him, "Take some men to the Star Sea Magic Academy. You need to control the students there, but also spread the word about how well I treat my followers. See if you can recruit some talent."
Kaelon nodded but also raised his concern. "My lord, we aren’t familiar with this place. What if we end up recruiting spies from the Star Sea Clan?"
"Our next target is the Scorching Wind Territory. While Duke Eldrin was resisting us, Viscount Freddy was launching a sneak attack on his rear. So, even if there are people from the Star Sea Clan among our recruits, I doubt they’d mind marching north with us."
Kaelon found this analysis very reasonable. "You’re right. I’ll frame my recruitment pitch from that angle."
Duane nodded and waved his hand, signaling him to get started.
’In truth, I’m in dire need of people right now,’ Duane thought. ’Spy or not, as long as they can carry out my orders, they’re useful.’
Besides, unless the Akutas Royal Family intervened, the situation in the Starfall Islands was already decided.
All that remained was a matter of how quickly they advanced.
「Lange Valley Castle.」
Viscount Freddy, whose own campaign had been going very smoothly for the past two days, swept away the gloom in his heart. He felt much of his anger toward Duke Eldrin had already dissipated.
"My lord!"
Beckett strode over, a hint of panic on his face. "My lord, this is bad!"
"What is it?" Freddy’s expression darkened. "Is Duane heading for my Scorching Wind Port, or has Eldrin decided to come after me at all costs?"
"Neither!"
Beckett said in a grave voice, "Star Sea City has fallen! Duke Eldrin, Count Manuel, and many other nobles have all been captured and imprisoned by Duane!"
"What?"
Freddy spun around, his face a mask of disbelief. "Duane attacked Star Sea City? And... how long has it been? Star Sea City is already gone?"
"Yes, my lord, you heard correctly. Duane and his group landed at the Crown of Tides and captured the Duke and the others directly. Star Sea City has fallen!"
At that moment, Knight Rico, Scorching Wind Territory’s Chief Mage Haywood, and others also gathered around.
"That’s impossible. The defenses at the Crown of Tides are among the strongest on the Shadow Mist Continent. There’s no way Duane could have taken it so quickly."
"I heard they have a beyond-prototype Magic Weapon that inflicted massive losses on the Duke’s soldiers in an instant."
"What kind of Magic Weapon?" Haywood asked.
While the others were discussing the details of the battle, Freddy sat dazedly on the sofa.
’Duane’s first target was Star Sea City. That means Duke Eldrin didn’t make any kind of deal with him.’
’Which also means... all those recent rumors in the Scorching Wind Territory were false. Someone was deliberately spreading misinformation.’
"Beckett!"
Freddy’s deep shout cut off the arguments in the hall.
"M-my lord?" Beckett was a little scared.
Freddy’s face was grim. "Are you certain it was Eldrin’s men who attacked the granary that day?"
"I..."
He was about to insist it was, but the facts clearly contradicted him. He could only stammer, "I... I don’t know, my lord!"