At exactly three in the afternoon, a large crowd stood atop Votradnoi's western wall in the cold wind and sunlight. Surrounded by them, Chris rested a hand on the weathered stone crenellations and watched the Double-Headed Eagle flag snap in the wind.
Below the wall, his army poured into the streets like a tide. Iron boots struck the paving stones in a heavy, steady rhythm as the Prince's Army advanced toward Central Square in a wedge formation.
The city's residents had shut their doors and windows tight, daring only to peer through the cracks at this unfamiliar army. Occasionally, a child's cries came from behind a window, only to be quickly muffled by a mother's hand.
"The conquest of Votradnoi... went so smoothly it almost doesn't feel real."
Chris sighed in wonder.
Votradnoi's Garrison Regiment had surrendered in its entirety before he even arrived with his men. They had shown excellent judgment, making none of those unnecessary, irritating little moves. Everyone in the regiment had obediently laid down their weapons.
There were plenty of reasons for this, of course. The Garrison Regiment had suffered considerable losses during the previous night's unrest, for instance. Its current commander had been a minor noble under the King back in the kingdom's days. And the fellow had nowhere abroad to flee...
Chris couldn't be bothered to dwell on such trivial details. Since the Garrison Regiment had sensibly surrendered without inflicting any casualties on Connie's people, he had no reason to withhold his mercy.
The surrendered soldiers and their leaders could choose to take travel money and go home, or stay to help maintain order in the city. Later, after screening and examinations, they could decide whether to take the money and leave or remain as police officers.
The opportunists would certainly have to be