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Chapter 1298 - 1298 233 The Beginning of the Shaking of Royal Power

1298: Chapter 233: The Beginning of the Shaking of Royal Power 1298: Chapter 233: The Beginning of the Shaking of Royal Power “Clang!”

A loud noise erupted as the shoddy ladder, unable to withstand the impact of a massive stone, snapped in the middle.

“Ah!”

“Ah!”

Screams of agony followed one after another.

Soldiers fell from the broken ladder, landing on the troops below, sending a string of the unfortunate straight to their doom.

The most pitiful were those who didn’t die instantly, suffering in pain, having to endure the downpour of the gold juice.

The gruesome siege did not shake the determination of the Rebel Army to conquer the city.

“Withdraw our men first, send in the Warrior Camp.

Tell them, if they can’t take Aldis Castle City, their families will be sacrificed!”

The Lord of Darkness said coldly.

He lacked experience in commanding troops, but manipulating people’s hearts was his expertise.

For the sake of war, it was enough to conscript the able-bodied men.

The elderly, women, and children were but burdens that only increased logistical difficulties and slowed the march.

In an instant, young men who only had a few days of hasty training were pushed onto the battlefield.

With a change of forces, the pressure on the guarding troops significantly decreased.

The walls that were once fraught with danger were now secure.

However, Viscount Petrovich, who was defending the city, was far from feeling any joy.

The enemy was using the Cannon Fodder Troops for a war of attrition, a strategy that Aldis Castle City could not withstand.

All of this was due to a strategic misjudgment.

He had already dispatched troops to suppress the rebellion before.

But they encountered the main force of the Rebel Army and were crushed mid-way.

Before the defense of Aldis Castle even began, Viscount Petrovich had already suffered heavy military losses, leaving the city’s defenses far from strong.

One vital reason why the Church of Ghosts targeted Aldis Castle City was that it was an easy target.

For the newly risen Rebel Army, winning was of paramount importance.

Only through continuous victories could they unite the people’s hearts.

“Prefectural Governor, the enemy soldiers are insane.

They charge forward recklessly, heedless of their lives, depleting our defensive resources at an alarming rate.

If this continues, I’m afraid…”

Before the middle-aged military officer could finish his sentence, Viscount Petrovich sternly interjected, “No ‘I’m afraid’!

At all costs, Aldis Castle must be held!

If we are running low on strategic materials, then tear down the houses.

Even if we have to sacrifice the Manor House, we must not let the city fall!”

A firm declaration of resolve did little to inspire the people.

It was all too late.

Had there been this realization sooner, with a little more investment in the military, they would not have found themselves in such dire straits.

The fierce battle raged on, and the reinforcements that Viscount Petrovich had pinned his hopes on never arrived.

To be precise, the letters calling for help never even made it out of the city.

The Church of Ghosts followers hidden within the city had preemptively sabotaged the Communication Magic Array, and the messenger soldiers were ambushed and slaughtered by cult experts just as they left the city.

As midnight approached, the battle continued fiercely.

The once-sturdy city walls were now teetering on the brink of collapse under the relentless onslaught of the Rebel Army.

To block the advance of the Rebel Army, the city gates had already been sealed during the morning’s battle.

With no help in sight, the morale of the defending soldiers was edging toward collapse.

If it had not been for Viscount Petrovich’s personal command on the front line, constantly rallying his troops’ spirits, their morale might have disintegrated long ago.

Weary to the bone, Viscount Petrovich continued to shore up the city’s defenses.

He dared not rest, fearing that if he did, he would wake to the nightmare of the city’s fall.

“Prefectural Governor, we have terrible news!

Suddenly, a multitude of Undead creatures have emerged within the city, wreaking havoc and slaughter…”

The Messenger Soldier could not finish his report before a bone spike struck him from behind, and he fell dead to the ground.

Immediately following was a horde of Undead creatures, surging towards them.

The Guards hurriedly stepped forward to intercept, and both sides quickly plunged into a melee.

An elder protecting Viscount Petrovich made a decisive call, “The situation looks grim, arrange an escape for Viscount Petrovich immediately!”

In the era of clan supremacy, while the city could fall, the Clan must not perish.

“Great Uncle, as the Prefectural Governor, I must stand or fall with the city, and your protection here is no longer needed.

Take the younger clan members and leave through the secret tunnel!

If there’s any chance to retain our territory, you must teach the younger generations to take heed and not neglect their military preparedness!”

Viscount Petrovich spoke with a bitter face.

Reflecting on his past indulgences in luxury and futile battles for prestige among the Nobility, he lamented the fortune squandered.

If that wealth had been invested in the military, they might not be facing today’s dire situation.

In truth, it wasn’t just Viscount Petrovich who reveled in extravagance; his entire Clan lived opulent lives.

The daily expenses of the Clan far exceeded the military budget.

The only force that had been lavishly equipped was the small Guard Team that now stood before him.

In times of peace, they were sufficient to maintain rule and ensure their safety.

Now, at best, they could only cover the retreat of the younger clan members.

After a moment of hesitation, the elder slowly nodded, gave Viscount Petrovich a few lingering glances, and then turned to leave.

“Stay rational in times of crisis,” one of the noble laws of survival.

To perpetuate the glory of the Clan, sacrifices must be made.

The sacrifice could be any regular clan member, or even the Clan Leader, Viscount Petrovich himself, depending on what reality necessitates.

“Boom!

Boom!”

“Boom!

Boom!”

…

Following the blasts, the western city wall collapsed with a crash, and the Rebel Army flooded into the city like a tidal wave.

The first light of dawn spread across the land, highlighting a world of devastation and reflecting the city-wide slaughter, setting an especially eerie atmosphere.