Chapter 743

As the most powerful city-state in the Guardian Army and the seat of the Horn Bay Church, the fall of Collins City undoubtedly carried enormous symbolic significance.

Although there were still small city-states in Horn Bay's interior that remained loyal to the Horn Bay Church, without Collins City and the Horn Bay Church, the influence they could exert was negligible. Even if the New Sect Army was willing to continue the war until it had swept away the last country daring to resist, it would merely be wasting time.

After such a long expedition, everyone was exhausted. Now they only needed to sit high in the city, treating the time as rest for the army, and wait for the envoys of those small countries to arrive and negotiate the terms of surrender. Unless another fool bold enough to stir up trouble appeared, all that awaited him would be a thunderous strike.

The New Sect Army occupied Collins City. At General Andrew's suggestion, they held a grand military parade in this largest city in Horn Bay's interior.

In the center of the city, before the Grand Cathedral, which had been burned into a ruin, they built a tall reviewing stand.

The senior officials of the New Sect Alliance climbed onto the stand and proudly watched the ranks of soldiers march past below.

The Alarda Army was especially impressive when it passed by. The soldiers carried rifles on their backs and swung their right arms as they approached the reviewing stand in perfectly orderly goose steps. When they reached the stand, everyone turned their eyes toward it in unison and saluted at the command of "Salute!" The sudden movement startled everyone, who were then awed by the army's chilling, murderous air.

Before the parade, no one had seen the Alarda Army conduct