The Battle for Sextus County

No matter what Baron Bolton said, Count Lloyd remained silent.

Baron Bolton finally lost his temper and slammed his fist on the table in front of Count Lloyd.

"Old man, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. You have to agree today whether you like it or not."

After saying this, Baron Bolton drew his ceremonial sword from his waist and grinned at Count Lloyd.

"This ceremonial sword isn't sharpened, but it will still hurt if it cuts someone. Don't push me, old man."

"Knock knock knock!"

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Baron Bolton, cursing, sheathed his sword and walked to the door.

"Who would come looking for me at a time like this!"

But thinking that the palace guards were standing outside the door and that the Grand Duke might have sent someone to see him, Bolton still pushed the door open.

Suddenly, two swords were placed against his neck, the sharp blades leaving a shallow bloody mark on his throat. Bolton felt the sharp, cold air from the blades and immediately raised his hands.

Two middle-aged men entered the room, followed by several warriors in leather armor.

Bolton glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw that the guards who had been standing guard outside the door were now lying on the ground.

He was about to speak when the blade on his neck tightened immediately, and he shut his mouth.

One of the middle-aged men, who had a scar on his chin, took a rag from his pocket and stuffed it directly into Bolton's mouth.

He then took a bundle of rope from the soldier behind him, kicked Bolton in the back of the knee, causing Bolton to kneel down, and used the rope to tightly bind Bolton's hands and feet.

Count Lloyd finally spoke, "Why did it take so long?"

Another middle-aged man with long, light purple hair smiled.

"Count Excellency, it's not our fault. Ferry got lost."

Ferry, the man with the scar on his chin, raised his leg to kick the purple-haired man, but he jumped away to avoid it.

"You still won't admit it? If you hadn't led us astray, we would have found the Count ten minutes earlier."

"That's enough. Ferri and Nio are still here. We don't have that much time. We need to get out of the city as soon as possible before the guards realize what's happening."

"Have the backup arrangements outside the city been made?"

"Don't worry, Count Excellency. I've already arranged the horses, and I've also prepared a double at the dock. They'll sail south to draw the attention of our pursuers."

The purple-haired man answered with a smile.

Count Lloyd nodded.

He stood up, walked over to Bolton, and extended his right hand to Ferry.

Ferry handed the longsword in his hand to Count Lloyd.

Bolton was terrified at the sight and twisted his body on the ground.

Count Lloyd used the tip of his sword to pull the rag out of Bolton's mouth, the sharp blade cutting Baron Bolton's mouth until it was covered in blood.

Baron Bolton, oblivious to the pain, looked pitifully at Count Lloyd.

"Uncle, I was wrong, please forgive me. I was bewitched by Grand Duke Mora and Count Lagos."

"I don't want the baronial title anymore. You watched me grow up, and you loved me the most, didn't you!"

Baron Bolton kowtowed and pleaded with Count Lloyd.

He turned to look at the purple-haired middle-aged man, "Baron Glimmering Orchid, you are my swordsmanship teacher. I have been learning from you for five years. Please, please talk to my uncle and let me go!"

Baron Glimmering Orchid Nio Gleaming spat, "I don't recall ever teaching you, you beast!"

"Yes, yes, I am an animal, please don't hold it against me, please, uncle, spare my life!"

At this moment, Ferry took a sword from the soldier behind him and was about to step forward to stab Bolton.

"No! Viscount Saltwood, we have no grudge against each other!" Bolton quickly leaned back, trying to dodge the sword.

Ferry tried to step forward, but Count Lloyd stopped him.

Upon seeing this, Baron Bolton immediately burst into tears. "Thank you, Uncle, thank you, Uncle..."

Just when Bolton thought he had survived, Count Lloyd suddenly stepped forward with his left foot, a flash of cold light, and the tip of his sword was already embedded in Bolton's throat.

Bolton could only make a "hoarse" sound from his throat, and blood trickled down the cracks in the Bluestone slabs. Bolton's body suddenly arched and convulsed.

Count Lloyd stepped on Bolton's still convulsing chest with his boot, wiped the blood-stained blade on Bolton's clothes, and then tossed it to Ferry. Viscount Ferry caught the sword, wiped it with his sleeve, and sheathed it.

Count Lloyd looked at Bolton, who was gradually losing consciousness, and said, "Like a maggot, he's disgusting!"

Count Lloyd kicked the corpse aside and led the way out of the room, with Baron Nio and Viscount Ferry quickly following with their men.

Maple Leaf Palace, Grand Duke Mora was still furious and was shouting and smashing things.

Viscount Borey and his eunuch stood by, waiting for the Grand Duke to finish venting his anger.

Just then, Count Lagos came over; he had just seen Count Sibeth off.

At this moment, no one present knew what was happening in the parliament building.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. I have just received a new military intelligence report. You can rest assured after you have read it."

Mora was drawn to the Count Lagos's words and turned around to walk over.

Count Lagos took out a small scroll and handed it to Grand Duke Mora.

Viscount Borey also looked on with curiosity. After Mora finished reading, he breathed a sigh of relief and tossed the scroll to Viscount Borey.

Viscount Borey quickly opened the scroll and read, "... After our troops fought a bloody battle, the Northern Frontier Rebels have been driven back from Sextus County. The main force of the rebels has now retreated into White Earth City. The rebels are estimated to number over 10,000."

Our army has killed over two thousand enemy soldiers, but suffered considerable losses ourselves and has been forced to retreat back to Sykes, the county seat. We urge the Capital City to send reinforcements as soon as possible.

Viscount Borey looked up at Grand Duke Mora: "Your Majesty, this is wonderful. Although White Earth City has been lost, Sextus County is still in our hands."

Mora was changing his clothes with the help of several eunuchs when he looked at Lagos and Borre.

"Didn't you say before that the rebels wouldn't launch an attack before winter? What's going on now? Which troops should we send to reinforce them? We can't just watch Sextus County fall for nothing."

Before Count Lagos could answer, Viscount Borey bowed to Grand Duke Mora and said, "Your Majesty, let my Imperial Guard Legion be dispatched. I will surely retake White Earth City."

Count Lagos quickly spoke up, "Viscount Borey, there's no need for this. If the Imperial Guard Legion is mobilized now, wouldn't that mean our duchy has no soldiers left to send?"

After a moment's thought, Mora realized that Count's words made sense. "Then which troops should we send? The Second Legion still has to garrison Carn City, and the Third Legion also has to garrison Blackwater City. The other legions are scattered in various places, either garrisoning or preparing to expand their forces. Apart from the Imperial Guard Legion, we really have no troops to send."

"Your Majesty, you have forgotten that there is a regiment of the Fifth Legion heading east. We can send someone to inform them to change their course and go to Sextus County to provide reinforcements."

"By the way, they're going to Boler County, but is one regiment enough? The rebels are going to send more than ten thousand men."

Count Lagos chuckled and asked Viscount Borey, "Legion Commander Borei, do you also believe there are that many rebels?"

Viscount Borey shook his head. "The Fifth Legion only has two regiments in Sextus County, totaling six or seven thousand men. If the Northern Frontier Rebels had sent more than ten thousand men, they would probably have been defeated long ago. I think the enemy has at most two regiments, so their strength is about the same."

The Count Lagos clapped his hands. "That's right. I think winter is coming soon, and the Northlands rebels won't dare to send out a large army. We only need to add one more corps to hold onto Sextus County. As for White Earth City, we can wait until next spring to send out an army to take it back."

Mora nodded. "Then let's do it this way. Send a messenger to inform the Fifth Legion now."