Seizing Power
On the city walls, the Broomflower defenders, who had been forced to relinquish their defensive positions and were watching the Sauron swagger around with resentment, were instantly ignited by the roars and commotion below!
"They've rebelled! Brothers! Kill these barbarians who have occupied our land!" someone shouted, and the defenders on the city wall immediately sprang into action!
They pounced on the Sauron soldier who had just taken up positions on the battlements and were about to take over the defenses, launching a frenzied attack with their fists, teeth, and bricks and wooden sticks they picked up at random!
Many Sauron soldier never expected that these surrendered "sheep" would suddenly rebel. Caught off guard, they were pushed off the high city walls and fell to their deaths with screams!
In an instant, a brutal melee erupted on the city walls!
Near the city gate, the battle instantly entered its most bloody and intense phase!
Friedrich charged ahead like a sharp spearhead, weaving through the enemy ranks. Wherever his sword flashed, a Sauron soldier would fall!
His bravery greatly inspired the Broomflower soldiers who launched a counterattack.
These warriors, who had taken up arms again, were poorly equipped and in disarray, but with their sudden burst of momentum and deep-seated hatred for the invaders, they managed to force the Sauron troops who had entered the city to retreat step by step!
A fierce hand-to-hand battle unfolded both inside and outside the city gates!
The sounds of clashing swords, roars, screams, and the groans of the dying mingled together, echoing through the sky!
Every inch of land is soaked in blood! The Broomflower soldiers are using their lives and blood to frantically squeeze the space occupied by the Sauron!
The Sauron were completely stunned by this sudden and frantic counterattack from within!
Their formation was broken, their command was thrown into chaos, and the narrow passage of the city gate prevented them from utilizing their numerical advantage. In a very short time, they were forced out of the city gate by the high-spirited Broomflower defenders!
"Close the city gates! Quickly! Close the city gates!" Friedrich roared hoarsely, his body covered in blood!
Several soldiers who had reacted immediately worked together and desperately pushed the heavy winch!
Rumble!
With a deafening crash, the city gate, which had been raised, slammed down, smashing a Sauron soldier was standing right below it into a bloody pulp.
Those Sauron soldier who failed to escape in time and were trapped in the Inner City or the city gate passages were instantly plunged into despair and were quickly overwhelmed and slaughtered by the enraged Broomflower soldiers!
A farcical surrender that seemed almost inevitable was averted at the last moment, thanks to the bravery of one man and the courage of a group of people!
The gates of Old Osric Fortress are closed once again!
The white flag, symbolizing surrender, was torn down, thrown to the ground, and trampled on. The royal banner of the Broomflower once again fluttered atop the city walls!
It was only then that General Reynard arrived after hearing the news.
He stared at the mountain of corpses and sea of blood at the city gate, at the exhausted soldiers whose eyes were filled with fanaticism and murderous intent, and at the unfamiliar knight standing at the forefront like a blood-soaked figure. He was so shocked that he couldn't speak, and his face turned ashen.
"You... you are..." General Reynard asked, his voice trembling.
Friedrich simply ignored him.
He dismounted, his steps unsteady yet resolute, and walked to the group of young officers who had just emerged from a bloody battle and were panting for breath.
His gaze swept over the young faces, a mixture of blood, sweat, and excitement, and though his voice was hoarse, it carried an undeniable authority:
"I am Friedrich von Schmidt! The eldest son of Duke Schmidt, Fourth-Order Knight personally appointed by the King!"
The name he announced sent a chill down the spines of all the officers!
The Schmidt Family! The most illustrious and wealthiest Duke family in the South! Their eldest son holds an unparalleled position of prestige!
"Tell me!" Friedrich's gaze, sharp as a knife, swept over them. "The uniforms you wear represent the kingdom's trust and honor! Old Osric Fortress embodies the hopes of millions of people in the north!"
"Are you really willing to bear the stigma of 'traitors' and kneel down to those barbarians who slaughtered our brothers and raped our sisters? Do you have any respect for the heroic spirits who died at Blackstone Pass?!"
These resounding questions struck the hearts of every officer like a hammer blow, reigniting their recently calmed passion and revealing a mixture of shame and resolve on their faces.
Then, Friedrich turned to the soldiers around him, covered in blood and with complex expressions in their eyes. His tone softened, but became more pragmatic:
"Soldiers! I know! The kingdom owes you your wages! I know you are resentful! But it's not your fault!"
He paused, then raised his voice, solemnly declaring in a tone audible throughout the entire city gate area. "But I, Friedrich von Schmidt, with the honor and wealth of the Schmidt Family, assure you!"
"As long as you take up arms and follow me to defend this place to the death, and repel the Sauron, I will personally pay you ten times the back pay! Furthermore, each of you will receive an extra twenty gold coins for holding the castle! I swear on my knightly honor and the name of my family that I will never break my promise!"
The double thrill of money and fame!
In particular, the solemn promise from the heir of the wealthiest Duke in the south instantly ignited a flame in the eyes of all the soldiers!
The resentment over unpaid military pay was replaced by tangible gold and the hope of regaining honor!
"I swear to follow you to the Sir Knight!"
"Defend the castle! For the gold!"
"For Lord Schmidt! Slaughter Sauron dogs!"
The soldiers' morale was instantly boosted to its peak!
They brandished their weapons and cheered loudly, choosing without hesitation to pledge their allegiance to this noble knight who had suddenly appeared and brought them victory and hope!
Friedrich then slowly turned around, his gaze icy as he looked at General Reynard, who stood dumbfounded and ashen-faced.
His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable pressure. "General Reynard, you are advanced in years. It seems... the recent situation has caused some misunderstandings in your judgment, leading you to make some... unwise decisions. But it's alright. I'll take over here now. You... can go back and rest."
General Reynard opened his mouth, looking at the soldiers and officers around him who had completely sided with Friedrich and whose eyes even held a hint of contempt for him. In the end, he couldn't say anything. He just nodded dejectedly, and with the help of a few personal guards, he turned and left in a daze.
He knew that his prestige and command had been completely lost the moment the city gates were opened.
Now, this suddenly appearing eldest son of the Schmidt family, with unparalleled bravery and an unimaginable promise of wealth, easily sidelined him and gained actual control of the castle.