Chapter 1630: Chapter 79: The Honor of Nobles (Part 3)
“Governor, we have just received news that the Allied Forces have scored a great victory against the Centipede Army in Bofeil Province, killing over a hundred thousand enemy troops, including five Sanctuary Powerhouses.
The enemy suddenly launched a fierce attack, probably because they know our reinforcements are coming!
Based on the travel calculation, we only need to hold out for another five days, and the tide will turn.”
Viscount Kaman spoke with a lowering voice.
After enduring for so long, they finally see a glimmer of hope.
But unfortunately, this glimmer of hope is somewhat distant; five days may seem short, but for the defenders, it is extremely long.
Given the current conditions within the city, whether holding out for five days, or even just two, is exceptionally difficult.
“Announce this good news to the entire army, tell everyone that reinforcements will arrive soon, but do not specify the exact time; adjust the details of the battle achievement as well.
Just say the Allied Forces have annihilated the Giant Centipede main forces in Bofeil Province, killing four hundred thousand enemy troops, including the King Centipede and all of their Sanctuary Powerhouses!”
Duke Ernest said bitterly.
If possible, he would rather not do such a thing. But given the current circumstances, he had to exaggerate the achievements to boost morale.
Anyway, Hudson’s impressive war achievements are numerous; exaggerating will have someone believe it. If it were an unknown commander, he wouldn’t be able to exaggerate the achievements.
As long as they survive this crisis, even if they are exposed later, it won’t matter.
The victory they received was delayed; the Allied Forces will surely continue to pursue the enemy, and the Giant Centipede is essentially done for.
Calculating the achievements of a major battle inherently involves gathering scattered victories; it won’t differ much from what he boasted.
“Governor, the enemy is determined to capture the city; we are likely unable to hold out until reinforcements arrive.
Your esteemed identity does not need to…”
Before Viscount Kaman could finish speaking, Duke Ernest instantly changed his expression and said:
These words are not yours to say.
In this world, there is only an Ernest who dies in battle, not an Ernest who abandons his domain people and flees alone!
Alright, go and convey the orders!”
Despite speaking bravely, the trembling of his body betrayed his inner unease.
If he could survive, no one would choose to die, and Duke Ernest was no exception.
But compared to survival, he had something more important to protect.
Regarding the duty to guard the land, the Black Forest Kingdom is not as strict as the Alpha Kingdom, but still not much lighter.
Fighting until the last moment and breaking out might seem justifiable, but politically it’s inevitably controversial.
In ordinary times, these noises are insignificant. But now, at such a critical time, they could ruin everything.
The fall of Parma City marks the end of the clan’s rule in Parma Province.
After the Kingdom’s army defeats and retakes the lost territory in the future, whether they can restore the fief will depend ninety percent on political factors.
During such crucial moments, any blemish is fatal.
Compared to being forced to escape, dying heroically on the battlefield clearly earns more political points.
The Kingdom might reduce or even strip a fleeing noble of their fief, but it would never touch the fief of a noble who died fighting in the field.
In a certain sense, if Parma City cannot be held, the more heroic his death is, the richer the political returns his family will receive.
His family has been relocated to the capital early, and the elite members of the clan have been sent away on various excuses.
Taking a handkerchief to wipe his Knight’s Spear, Duke Ernest nostalgically glanced at the ancestral home remaining, instructing the elder behind him.
“Uncle Dawood, I am already tired and need to stop and rest, the family matters will rely on you.
After the city breaks, you lead the family private army and break out, assisting Mudja in inheriting the family’s foundation and continuing the glorious legacy!”
Having made the decision, Duke Ernest felt notably relieved.
Recalling the unruly mischievousness of his childhood, those were his happiest times.
After inheriting the family business, it seemed limitless in glory, but he could never find that pure joy again.
“Ernest, you can choose to fake your death!
In the chaos, arranging a corpse at random, the enemy doesn’t know you, and the Kingdom has no means to verify the authenticity.
As long as you don’t appear afterward, for political propaganda, the Kingdom will also acknowledge that you died in the city.”
Uncle Dawood advised.
This nephew before him could not be considered outstanding, but overall his performance could be praised.
He has led the clan for over ten years without any major issues, and the family’s foundation under his management has seen modest development.
Unfortunately, lacking good fortune, he encountered the woeful invasion of the Earth Core race, with their territory becoming the main battlefield right from the start.
“Uncle Dawood, such a thing is not so easy to trick; we lack the relevant preparation.
Arranging a fake death suddenly will inevitably leave loopholes. Any slight negligence is laying a mine for the family.
Even if the Kingdom’s higher-ups acknowledge due to political needs, they would still find ways to trouble the family in other places in the future.
With our power, we simply cannot withstand the turmoil!”
The premise of Replacing the Peach for the Plum is having adequate preparation, but before this, he never considered that Parma City would fall.
Upon realizing the situation was dire, it’s already too late; countless eyes outside are watching him, making faking a death impossible to execute.
The cold wind was howling, Duke Ernest grabbed his Knight’s Spear and ascended the city wall, having a premonition that tonight wouldn’t be peaceful.
“Launch the full assault!”
With Marshal Kent’s command, countless Magic Crystal Cannons began rumbling loudly, and Demonic Alligator Soldiers launched themselves at the city.
The City Defense Magic Array already broke a day ago, multiple breaches appeared on the city walls, and now defenders can only use their flesh and blood as barriers to halt the enemy’s steps.
The officer defending the city coldly commanded.
After days of war, they have long been indifferent to life and death. The recently announced victory report could only arouse everyone’s last shred of survival desire.
A disruptive scene occurred.
The more advanced civilization—the Human Race Defensive Army—used catapults, while the Demonic Crocodile Army, still in an era of the tribe, paradoxically possessed more advanced Magic Crystal Cannons.
The scene was slightly absurd, but neither side felt it.
Standing tall on the city wall, this time Duke Ernest did not retreat, grabbing his Knight’s Spear and swiftly flipping away a Demonic Alligator.
The commanding officer defending the city did not come out to stop him either; the defenders had long been exhausted with only their final breath sustaining them.
Despite knowing reinforcements were soon arriving, they knew all too well that if they couldn’t hold out tonight, everything would be in vain.
As the battle continued, blood gradually reddened Ernest’s body, making it impossible for anyone to recognize him as the Governor.
The city walls quickly lost their function as the defenders were forced to retreat. A large number of houses demolished, and even street fighting could not occur.
Screams combined with cries of battle, as the two armies engaged in their final confrontation in the narrow inner city.
A soldier falls, another immediately steps up.
As the battle continues, the defenders’ space becomes increasingly compressed, with fewer and fewer soldiers able to fight.
Mingling among the remnants, Ernest was inconspicuous, like an ordinary soldier.
In this moment, there was no distinction between nobles and commoners; everyone fought the last battle for Humanity’s supremacy.
The first rays of dawn shone into the city…