Chapter 343 - 341: Arrival at the Battlefield

Chapter 343: Chapter 341: Arrival at the Battlefield

A ship flying the Starburst Banner docked at Silent Harbor.

It was as if time had wound back to two years ago, to George and Fiona’s wedding. Before the ship had even come to a complete stop, Lloyd appeared on the docks.

The moment the ship was steady, he strode quickly onto the deck. "Duane, you’re finally here!"

He glanced across the deck. Though Duane hadn’t brought many men, the presence of his powerful brother-in-law was more than enough.

"What’s the situation?" Duane asked.

Lloyd’s expression grew grim. "Not good."

Everyone was taken aback. Kaelon asked in surprise, "Didn’t the letter say you had successfully pushed the front line to the walls of Red Earth City?"

Lloyd couldn’t help but sigh. "The problem is at Red Earth City!"

He recounted the battles of the past few days, from the inexplicable appearance of a Celestial Tier Warrior and Mercenary Corps reinforcements at Red Earth City, to their most recent attempt to retreat to Green Shade Manor—an attempt that was halted when Baron Theodore led Liam and his men out of the city to attack them.

"Now, we’re locked in a stalemate outside Red Earth City, but Viscount Ugo’s reinforcements are expected to arrive by tomorrow."

The more Lloyd spoke, the more worried he became. "If they circle around from Silver Scale Port, my father and his men will be caught in a pincer attack. The situation will be extremely unfavorable!"

Kaelon cursed inwardly. ’This is bad.’ He hadn’t expected the situation to be as difficult to resolve as Duane had predicted.

Duane nodded. It seemed someone was secretly funding Viscount Ugo, trying to drag the Silent Shore and the Kennedy Clan into a quagmire.

"You’re set to marry Princess Emily in another month. Hasn’t His Majesty stepped in to mediate?" he asked.

Lloyd shook his head. "His Majesty has sent letters and dispatched envoys to both Sea Cliff Castle and Fire Source Castle, but it seems to have had no effect."

He paced about in frustration. "The timing is just too coincidental. If I’d known, I would have postponed the wedding until the end of the year."

Who could have predicted this?

Besides, even if it were postponed, who could guarantee some other trouble wouldn’t pop up then?

"How is Natalia? I heard she’s woken up."

At this, Lloyd looked apologetic. "Natalia only went to the Golden Ears Territory to help me handle some wedding matters. I’m responsible for what happened. I wanted to... to you..."

Duane quickly raised a hand, cutting him off. "You’re family. It’s perfectly normal for a sister to help her brother. You don’t need to feel guilty, and you certainly don’t need to apologize to me. This assassination attempt was caused by the Warm Sun Soup, so if we’re talking responsibility, I bear some of it as well."

Lloyd’s mood eased slightly. "Natalia has been much better these past two days," he said. "But because she overexerted her energy so much, she’s still sleeping a lot every day."

Duane started to disembark. "I’ll go see her first."

Lloyd hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I’m sorry, Duane. Father had me wait for you here because he wants you to head to Silver Scale Port as soon as you arrive."

Duane stopped in his tracks. "That urgent?"

Lloyd explained, "We’ve heard that Count Kudro has also come. His ships are sailing south with those of Viscount Ugo’s sons-in-law."

Duane was stunned.

This war between the Kennedy and Calvin clans originally had nothing to do with Count Kudro. He hadn’t expected that guy to join the fray.

’Is the Three Realms Lakefront really so peaceful that it can allow this Border Count to sail south as he pleases?’

A moment ago, Duane had wondered if His Majesty was truly trying to mediate. Now, he was certain. There might be many who wanted to drag the Kennedy Clan into the quagmire of war, but His Majesty was definitely one of them.

"Alright, then."

Duane glanced at Heck. "Prepare to set sail for Silver Scale Port."

"Yes, sir!"

Before following Duane, Heck had run boats along both banks of the Michaelson River and was very familiar with the routes here.

"Use our ship."

Lloyd glanced at Duane’s cargo ship. It was designed for hauling goods and was a bit slow.

"I’ve already prepared a fast ship for you. You and your men can all fit."

Duane nodded and gestured for Kaelon to lead the men onto the other vessel. "Simone should be arriving with the forces from Black Forest Island by the day after tomorrow at the latest. When she does, please inform her to proceed to Silver Scale Port."

Lloyd patted his chest. "No problem. Be careful!"

Duane and his men boarded the warship. Kaelon and the others immediately ran toward two heavy Siege Crossbows, their massive mechanisms hinting at their terrifying power.

Kaelon tugged at the Crossbow String. Even with his current strength, he would have great difficulty drawing it without the aid of a Winch.

"My lord, when do you think our warships will be equipped with these?"

He knew there were two Heavy Crossbows on Black Forest Island, but that was nowhere near enough.

Duane smiled. "That day will come."

After two years of training under Heck and others, the Territory had built up a reserve of potential crewmen and sailors. It was about time to acquire a few warships and outfit them.

The hull lurched as the warship left the harbor, heading toward Silver Scale Port.

「Silver Scale Port.」

Since the forces from the Silent Shore had occupied the port, they had built simple defensive fortifications and deployed six Siege Crossbows.

At first, they had only left a few Guard Teams to stand watch.

Considering the possibility of the enemy flanking them via Silver Scale Port in the coming days, Count Kais had temporarily transferred Allen back.

The atmosphere in the port was grim. Every sentry stared out at the northern sea, ready to report the moment any suspicious ships appeared.

"Look!" a sentry suddenly cried out.

Allen jolted.

He had been under immense pressure these past two days. If Kurudo landed here, and the first volley of Crossbow Arrows and Magic Energy Arrows failed to destroy the ships, the enemy would make it ashore.

He had no idea how he would even begin to face a Silver Moon Level Warrior.

He darted to the edge of the port and looked out, but the river was empty. There wasn’t a single ship in sight.

Allen’s face fell. He was about to scold them when he noticed the sentries were looking downstream. A warship flying both the Sail Banner and the Starburst Banner was cutting through the waves toward them.

"Is that...?"

Allen froze for a second, then his face lit up with joy. "Count Duane is finally here!"

In that moment, he felt a sense of relief he had never known before.

"Quick, to the docks! Welcome the warship into the port!"

With that, he broke into a jog to meet them.

Soon, the warship was moored, and Duane once again set foot on the soil of Silver Scale Port.

Compared to his last visit, the place bore clear signs of battle. Some buildings and patches of ground were still stained with blood that had dried to a dark, blackish color.

"Count, you’re finally here!"

Allen greeted him enthusiastically. "I’ve been waiting for you for days!"

Duane laughed heartily. "My apologies. I’ve been busy with some things lately and didn’t receive the Count’s letter in time."

As he invited Duane toward the command tent, Allen described the battle situation over the past two days.

It was mostly the same as what Lloyd had described. The only difference was that since the Count had stopped trying to retreat yesterday, the enemy hadn’t attacked either.

It seemed both sides were waiting for reinforcements and had entered a standoff.

"Now that you’re here, we should be able to take Red Earth City!"

Allen added, "It’s just that Count Kais might not want to continue the assault."

Duane nodded. "I’ll head to the front lines in a bit. Arrange for a Scout to lead the way."

He looked at Kaelon. "You take the men and set out first. I’ll be right behind you."

"Yes, my lord!" Kaelon turned and left the tent, leading the Guard Team toward the front lines with the Scout as their guide.

Duane turned back to Allen. "I recall you’re at the Peak of the Earth Tier. Have you broken through recently?"

Allen was surprised. ’Why would he suddenly ask about my strength?’

But he still answered truthfully, "I’m afraid not, my lord. I’ve been stuck at this level for many years now, with no signs of a breakthrough."

Duane said, "The Holy Radiance Court has a Great Blessing Technique."

At the mention of this, a look of regret crossed Allen’s face. He hadn’t accompanied the Count to the Royal Capital that time, or he might have broken through just like Count Kais.

"I know of that technique, but the price for having the Holy Radiance Court perform it on us is far too high."

A faint smile played on Duane’s lips. "Actually, besides the Holy Radiance Court, I also possess such an ability."

Allen’s eyes widened in disbelief. "You mean..."

"Would you like to try it?" Duane asked. "I can’t guarantee it will work, though."

Allen was overjoyed. He struck his chest heavily with his fist and bowed deeply. "Allen is willing to try!"