Translator: Cinder Translations
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"Going to Eaton?" Liszt shook his head. "That's not a good idea!"
Sevya looked confused. "Why?"
Liszt explained, "The chaos is not over yet."
"Chaos?"
"Yes, chaos!" Liszt said seriously. "The Duke's recognition of the spellcasters' status was a bold decision, but it has still caused confusion within the country. Even though everyone hates the church, centuries of ingrained beliefs cannot be erased so easily."
A shadow appeared on Sevya's face, as it seemed the situation was not as rosy as she had imagined.
Liszt advised her, "Since you're back in the Bay, I suggest you stay here—at Lion's Port—for now. At least it's safe here."
The witch hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright."
Liszt felt a sense of relief and asked, "Are you planning to investigate the Duchy of Eaton to see if you and your companions should return to the Bay?"
Sevya replied, "That's one option, after all, the Bay was once our home."
"Mm~~" Liszt said with some regret, "You and your companions should settle well in the Northwest Bay. This war seems endless."
"Why?" Sevya was surprised.
After all, although she was a witch, she longed for a peaceful and quiet life. If the war in the Bay continued, regardless of how the nations there treated spellcasters, the Bay would not be a good place to live.
She said anxiously, "I've been gathering information from the Bay while in Frand Port. I heard that the Bay Alliance's army is advancing inland. They've won several battles and are now close to Collins' territory."
"But..." Liszt shook his head. "I don't think they'll have smooth progress. Just like an arrow shot from a bow, even if it's strong when it's released, it will eventually lose momentum. And don't forget, the church still has the backing of the Holy See."
Sevya complained, "You're too pessimistic!"
At that moment, there was a knock at the office door.
Liszt invited the person in. It was a staff member from the City Hall who handed him a document.
After the staff member left, Liszt opened the document and quickly skimmed through it.
"Oh, I'm such a harbinger of doom."
Liszt's expression was mixed, though surprise was the dominant emotion.
He was about to hand the document to the puzzled Sevya, but then pulled it back.
"Sorry, I'm now a public official, and I can't let you see internal documents."
"Ugh!" Sevya scoffed.
Liszt raised an eyebrow, "But since the document doesn't have any classified markings, I can tell you about it."
Sevya frowned, "Friedrich, stop playing games in front of me!"
"Unfortunately, I was right. The Holy See has made a move."
Sevya's eyes widened in shock.
Liszt waved the document, "This is the latest frontline news. The Alliance's army was defeated at Melbour."
"Only a step away from Collins' capital!"
---
Looking at the two armies engaged in fierce battle ahead, Quill Foster's heart was tightly wound.
General Basker, beside him, was also staring at the battlefield with unblinking eyes.
Ahead of them, the sounds of fighting erupted. The Protestant army and the Church Army had formed successive lines. When the front line of either side became too exhausted or suffered too many casualties, they would retreat, and the next line would step forward to continue the battle.
TLN: I think the protestant army here refers to the New Faith Army, or the Alliance's Army fighting against the Church.
In general, the Protestant army held the advantage. The central formation still had five complete lines, while the Church Army only had three, with the front two lines intact and the third one in disarray.
"We will win soon."
General Basker remarked, "This damn war is finally seeing the light. Once we capture Melbour, we'll open the gates of Collins City. At that point, the Bay Church will be in our hands."
"This is thanks to your excellent leadership, General."
Quill praised General Basker.
The general's response was modest. "Honestly, if the Church Army hadn't diverted so many resources to the northern flank, we wouldn't have made it this far, so close to Collins."
The Kingdom of Collins was known as Collins City; it was common among the small nations in the Bay for the country's name to be the same as its capital.
"General, since victory is imminent, why not send in the reserves and grab the victory?"
"Oh, my child, the battlefield is full of uncertainties. You always need a trump card for unexpected situations."
General Basker patiently explained, "Do you know what I'm most worried about right now?"
"Please, tell me, General."
The general began to advise his junior, "What I'm most worried about is the Holy See stepping in at the last moment."
"Oh, my god, who are these people?"
Shouts of surprise from other officers around them made both Basker and Quill look in the direction they were pointing.
A new army was marching towards the battlefield in perfect formation.
Basker was taken aback. "Who are they... not ours? Could the Church Army have reinforcements?"
Quill shook his head. "Wasn't it reported that there were none?"
A frightening thought crossed both of their minds, and they looked at each other. The Holy See?
As the army approached, everyone saw their condition. The first impression was that they were well-equipped.
Almost everyone was armored, with a high rate of people in full armor, and they carried gleaming weapons.
Under the sunlight, the whole army seemed to be shining with gold.
"They're coming towards us!" Quill shouted. "General, give the order! Let me take the reserves and block them."
Basker looked at the approaching Holy See army, his expression complicated.
Finally, he sighed in resignation and gave the order, "Quill Foster, go! Make sure to stop them, the key to victory is in your hands!"
"Yes!" Quill nodded firmly, urged his horse, and sped off.
But immediately, shadows loomed over the Protestant army's side.
Seeing the enemy reinforcements arrive, the front-line troops, who had been fighting, began to panic.
And the Church Army, who were on the verge of collapse, had their morale lifted.
(End of the Chapter)
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