Axel

Chapter 439: I Am Now Under the Duchess of Mesu's Banner—Tell Him to Withdraw

Added 2025-05-13 15:09:01 +0000 UTC

Charlot Mecklenburg led ten Saint rank subordinates and four newly allied nobles, commanding his army to the outskirts of Sesath. Sesath was a port city, with half its territory situated in the ocean, consisting of six islands and over twenty massive reefs connected by magnificent stone arch bridges. These bridges allowed many seafaring vessels to navigate directly into the city.

Baron Merime Mesu stood atop the city walls, observing the approaching army without a trace of panic. Turning to a nearby attendant, he said, "Go inform that Mecklenburg gentleman that I have returned to the Mesu family and am now under the banner of the Duchess of Mesu. He should withdraw."

The attendant complied and hurried down the city walls, mounted a swift horse, and galloped to the front lines between the two armies. There, he shouted, "Baron Merime says: We have returned to the Mesu family and joined the Duchess's banner. She is the commander of the Four Nations Alliance and of the Byron forces. There is no place for you here anymore!"

"Sir Mecklenburg, you may turn your forces elsewhere to engage other targets."

The four newly allied Black Phoenix nobles—Count Norbingham, Count Barnett, Viscount Angelo, and Baron Exon—exchanged uneasy glances. Baron Exon, attempting to curry favor, remarked, "The Duchess of Mesu is also part of the Alliance. Since she has occupied Sesath first, we have no choice but to yield."

Count Norbingham observed Charlot's stoic expression and smiled faintly, prepared to watch the unfolding drama. Though his encounters with Charlot were few, he believed this rising Farce noble would never tolerate such an affront.

The other two nobles, however, were indignant. One shouted, "Even if it's the Duchess of Mesu, she cannot steal our credit! We must negotiate with them—firmly."

Count Barnett even volunteered, "I am willing to discuss the matter of withdrawal with Baron Merime. However, they must pay a price. Without adequate gold, supplies, and provisions, we cannot simply leave."

Charlot remained silent, his expression cold. Taking a knight's lance from Dubin’s hands, he activated Blood Glory and hurled the weapon with great force, instantly pinning the messenger to the battlefield between the armies.

Staring icily at the city walls of Sesath, Charlot waved his hand and shouted, "Attack!"

Charlot held no goodwill toward the Duchess of Mesu. Past grievances lingered between them, and now Mesu had surrendered to Byron. A Byron duchess commanding Charlot Mecklenburg of the Farce Empire to retreat? Who did she think she was?

Baron Exon was startled. "Lord Mecklenburg, they have already surrendered. They are now under the Duchess of Mesu's banner."

Charlot replied indifferently, "That messenger just boldly proclaimed: ‘If you want war, then let there be war!’ We shall give the brave defenders of Sesath the battlefield they desire."

The nobles glanced at each other before noticing that Charlot's ten Saint rank subordinates were already rising into the air. With mutual understanding, they too activated their combat energy, joining the assault on Sesath.

...

Baron Merime Mesu was utterly unprepared for Charlot’s retaliation. Watching his messenger be killed and hearing the immediate call to arms, his face turned pale. Descending hastily from the city walls, he rushed toward a magical alchemical warship. However, Andreas, the swiftest among Charlot's ranks, intercepted him.

Although Andreas had expressed reluctance to fight Black Phoenix compatriots earlier, Merime Mesu’s declaration of allegiance to the Duchess of Mesu had enraged him. To Andreas, Merime was no longer a Black Phoenix ally but a Byron traitor.

When Charlot killed the messenger and declared war, Andreas was the first to soar into the sky. To him, fighting a traitor like Merime Mesu was exempt from his earlier reservations.

Recognizing Andreas, Merime cried out, "For the sake of the Viscount’s rank, spare me!"

But Andreas, consumed by fury, roared, "You’re all traitors!" His sword descended, accompanied by a cacophony of bird-like cries. Poor Merime Mesu, a mid-to-high-level Transcendent, was no match for Andreas. After only two or three exchanges, Merime’s head was severed.

With the baron dead, Sesath quickly crumbled. Although two Saint rank defenders rose to resist, they wisely surrendered when faced with a coordinated assault by over ten Saint ranks.

Even among Saint ranks, the two defenders were barely comparable to figures like Herolf the Golden Ram. Against Charlot’s overwhelming and unsportsmanlike tactics, they stood no chance.

Charlot’s team, long accustomed to such methods, found no fault. New recruits like Argon and Andreas hesitated initially but soon adapted, their participation unaffected.

...

Sesath’s knight regiment, leaderless, surrendered en masse. It took Charlot barely an hour to claim the city.

One minor episode occurred during the occupation. A desperate officer attempted to steal a magical alchemical warship and escape. However, the ship's crew, aware of Charlot’s reputation, refused to comply. Among Saint ranks, a single warship could provide significant resistance, but this officer was not even a Saint. Against Charlot’s forces, the ship would have been easily destroyed.

When Charlot learned of this, the crew had already restrained the officer and presented him for judgment. Glancing at the young officer, Charlot asked, "Will you surrender?"

The officer spat, "I will never yield to the Farce Empire!"

Charlot made a slashing motion across his throat. Instantly, someone executed the officer. His name and rebellion were forgotten, as nobody regarded the event as noteworthy.

As Charlot moved to inspect his newly captured fleet, Andreas descended from the sky, reporting, "A fleet is sailing toward Sesath, bearing the flag of Mesu's northern fleet."

Charlot remarked calmly, "So, Baron Merime wasn’t lying after all. A pity he had to die."

"But let’s not mention this matter publicly. It could disrupt the harmony of the Four Nations Alliance."