Chapter 392 - 388: Broken Defenses
"What? Say that again?"
Viscount Freddy’s incredulous roar echoed through Scorching Wind Castle.
Before him, Knight Beckett knelt on one knee, head bowed, looking utterly devastated.
"My lord, Duke Eldrin’s men attacked our garrison and burned down our granary!"
He repeated what he had just reported, "Although we managed to salvage some of the grain, we only have enough to last for less than ten days!"
Recalling the events of last night, Beckett’s heart bled.
He never expected those assassins would be so bold as to attack the garrison after having already burned down the mill.
This led to the garrison’s granary being torched and two Human Tier Captains being killed in the chaos.
If it weren’t for the two Earth Tier Warriors stationed at the garrison, the situation would have been far worse.
’It was an absolute disgrace.’
CRASH! Viscount Freddy violently smashed the cup in his hand to the ground. His face was beet red, veins bulged on his temples, and his eyes burned with a furious flame, as if he were about to incinerate everything before him.
"Eldrin... How dare he?"
He ground his teeth, every word seemingly forced out from between them, laced with a chilling killing intent.
Freddy simply couldn’t fathom why Eldrin would attack Sentry Town at a time like this. Could it be true, as the rumors suggested, that he had already reached an agreement with Duane?
’But that’s impossible.’
His gaze shifted to Beckett. "The garrison was burned, the granary destroyed, and even two captains are dead! Beckett, your performance has been a bitter disappointment!"
"My lord, we..." Beckett wanted to explain, but he couldn’t find a suitable excuse.
This loss was entirely due to him underestimating the enemy. If only he had thought things through calmly after receiving the report, none of this would have happened.
Freddy’s eyes turned cold. "As for this loss, I demand your estate compensate for it in full within the next three years!"
Beckett lowered his head again. "Yes..."
Just then, Knight Rico, who was in charge of defending Scorching Wind Territory, finally spoke up. "Beckett, are you sure the attackers were Duke Eldrin’s men? Could you have been mistaken?"
"Impossible!"
Beckett’s tone was firm. "They were all wearing masks and bore the emblem of a Silver Star and Sea Waves. Many of our men saw it clearly."
He added, "I also made a point to ask Knight Brisson of Sharp Stone Territory. The attackers’ attire was very similar to that of the assassins who killed Baron Torre."
Rico frowned and looked at the Viscount. "I don’t understand Duke Eldrin’s motives. Instead of thinking about how to resist the enemy, he wants to take back Sentry Town at a time like this?"
𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮
They had already received intelligence that the ships from the Silent Shore had left Silent Harbor over a month ago. By their calculations, it wouldn’t be long before they reached the Starfall Islands.
Beckett, having searched for a reason all night, believed he had found a logical explanation. "I think the Star Sea Clan has rebelled."
He analyzed, "They were once the kingdom of the Starfall Islands, only choosing to submit after being defeated by His Majesty Tyron. Now that they see the Akutas Kingdom besieged by four nations, they must have recalled their old hatred and want to use the Pruck Kingdom’s power to get revenge!"
Rico also felt this was the only explanation. "My lord, could it be that Duane deceived us? Will they join forces with the Star Sea Clan to occupy the Starfall Islands?"
Freddy’s fists clenched so tightly they cracked. "It’s just surrendering to the Pruck Kingdom, nothing more. Since they’re willing to ignore the external threat just to ambush me, then I’ll make sure they don’t have an easy time of it either!"
He had already made up his mind. In this situation, Scorching Wind Territory was indefensible. That being the case, he might as well show his mortal enemy, the Star Sea Clan, a thing or two.
"Rico, go muster the troops! March to Sentry Town immediately and attack Lange Valley again!"
Rico hesitated. "My lord, are you sure about this?"
"Of course!" Freddy said firmly.
He had always been an aggressive and vengeful person. Eldrin had killed his vassal first, and now he had ambushed his garrison. He could not let this slight go.
"Beckett, return to Sentry Town at once. If you perform well from now on, I will not punish you for this mistake!"
A look of pleasant surprise appeared on Beckett’s face, and he quickly expressed his gratitude. "Thank you for your mercy, my lord! I will take Lange Valley as quickly as possible!"
Freddy continued in a cold voice, "I will write a letter to His Majesty, informing him of Eldrin’s betrayal. If His Majesty still doesn’t send reinforcements to support me..."
His current infighting with the Star Sea Clan was undoubtedly a complete abandonment of any resistance against the foreign enemy. If the Royal Family still didn’t send aid, it would mean they had abandoned this place.
To preserve his family’s interests, surrendering would be the only path left for Freddy.
Out on the vast sea, the tripartite fleet commanded by Duane cut through the waves, crossing the wide Flowing Silver Fjord and closing in on the Crown of Tides.
This historic port, with Star Sea City at its back, was protected by tall, heavy fortifications, which Duke Eldrin had specifically reinforced last year upon hearing that war was imminent.
At this moment, atop the port’s tallest building, Duke Eldrin and his vassals were using a large Far-sighted Crystal to observe the sea’s surface twenty kilometers away.
In the image, an untold number of ships were anchored there, forming a continuous mass. Their densely packed sails were like clouds in the blue sky, swaying with the wind.
Eldrin’s heart grew heavier. "Damn it all, they’re heading for the Crown of Tides!"
Count Manuel said, "My lord, it seems the rumors are true. Freddy must have reached some kind of agreement with Duane. Otherwise, there’s no way they would ignore the easier target of Scorching Wind Port and instead directly attack the Crown of Tides, our most heavily defended position."
"Bin, still no word from the north?" Eldrin asked.
Bin was his younger brother, who had been made a Baron thanks to his Shooting Star Level power.
"None!" Bin shook his head gravely. As the wartime Liaison Officer, he had received no reply from Scorching Wind Territory.
Eldrin’s mood grew even heavier.
His side had four Shooting Star Warriors. Under normal circumstances, facing the Silent Shore and Coral Island would be manageable; he was confident he could defend against them.
But with Duane among the enemy, he was deeply uneasy.
If an Ascension-level Warrior were to make it ashore, they would be utterly unable to resist.
"I estimate they will attack at dawn tomorrow. Manuel, relay my orders! All personnel are to maintain first-level combat readiness!"
Eldrin stopped looking into the Far-sighted Crystal and commanded, "Have the Heavy Crossbows, Magic Arrows, and Spell Scrolls all in position. Attack the moment the ships enter our range!"
"If that Duane tries to force his way ashore, concentrate all fire on him!"
"Yes, my lord!"
Count Manuel strode away.
Eldrin continued arranging other defensive measures, such as how they should fall back if the enemy landed, and after the Crown of Tides was taken.
Just then, the sound of panicked footsteps approached, and a messenger hurried up to the top of the tower.
Bin glanced over and hurried to him. When he heard the news clearly, his expression changed.
"What is it?" Eldrin asked, sensing something was wrong.
Bin walked over heavily and said in a low voice, "Latest news. Beckett from Sentry Town has taken Lange Valley with the troops from Sharp Stone Territory and is continuing to advance on us!"
Eldrin’s pupils contracted, his face a mask of disbelief. "What did you say?"
Bin repeated himself. "Brother, I think this Freddy really has made a deal with Duane, not just trying to protect himself as you said. He... he has betrayed the Kingdom!"
Eldrin’s thoughts were thrown into chaos.
He had thought Freddy would never stab him in the back at a time like this. After all, in his view, even if you were going to surrender, you had to put up at least a token resistance. Otherwise, who would ever trust your family in the future?
That was why Eldrin had withdrawn the majority of his forces from Lange Valley, attempting to better defend his own territory.
He never imagined Freddy would actually dare to do such a thing.
"Brother, we’re being attacked from both front and rear. What should we do?" Bin asked.
Eldrin panted heavily, the wrinkles on his face seeming to deepen in an instant.
He turned his head to look at the vast, white-capped sea, but the enemy ships were still not visible to the naked eye.
"Fight. We will definitely fight!"
Eldrin said in a deep voice, "Ignore Freddy. Focus all our efforts on the Pruck Kingdom’s army!"
"Even in defeat, honor will still belong to the Star Sea Clan!"