Chapter 249: Going Home to Farm? Impossible

Chapter 249: Going Home to Farm? Impossible

TL: Etude

The day after the battle, the lords of the Allied forces discussed how to take Fort Bidou. However, before they could conclude their discussions, a few individuals emerged from the castle. Leading them was a knight waving a white flag, claiming to represent Sir Blake Shaun in negotiations.

The previous day, as the two armies clashed, those inside the castle anxiously awaited the outcome. If Kent’s forces won against the Allies, they would be relieved from the siege.

To their dismay, they only heard the thunderous sounds from the east, followed by the sight of the triumphant Allies returning to their camp, exuberantly celebrating with a party that lasted all night.

The Allies deliberately displayed the tattered banners of the Kent family and their vassals in front of Fort Bidou as a show of intimidation.

It was clear to those inside Fort Bidou that Kent’s forces had suffered a defeat, and they were now trapped like fish in a barrel.

Including the garrison and nearby villagers, the fort housed over a thousand people who had been consuming their dwindling food supplies. Within a few days, without any attack from the Allies, they would starve.

Sir Blake Shaun had no choice but to decide to surrender. However, as a noble, he needed a “dignified” outcome, hence sending his retainer for negotiations.

After bargaining, an agreement was reached:NEw stories at novelhall.com

1. The Alliance recognized and supported the Shaun family as the undisputed rulers of Fort Bidou and its dependent territories.

2. The Shaun family would break away from the Kent family and join the anti-Kent alliance.

3. The Shaun family was to pay 6,000 Ordo gold coins or equivalent goods as compensation, starting with 2,000 coins, and the remaining 4,000 to be paid over the next four years.

4. The defense of Fort Bidou would be managed by the Allied forces until the Kent family was defeated.

5. The citizens of the territory were free to relocate to other lands (this clause was proposed by Bryce representing Alda).

Reluctantly, Baron Shaun signed the agreement. Not being stripped of his title and territory was a relatively dignified end.

Hence, Fort Bidou was left under the protection of the Malkan and Johnston families, while troops from other territories were disbanded to return home. They agreed to regroup in May to launch an attack on the Kent family’s territories.

Bryce and Joyce also began their journey back to Alda with their troops, accompanied by many families from the former territory of Fort Bidou.

Over these days, the surrounding populace learned about a “gentlemanly army” that did not loot from civilians and paid for their purchases. Given such conduct from the army, it was assumed that the lord of Alda would not be too different. The fact that the lord of Fort Bidou had to pay a large sum to the Allied forces as compensation was somehow widely known, with the amount exaggerated from 6,000 gold coins to tens of thousands. This frightened the citizens of Fort Bidou, fearing the lord would recoup this sum from them.

Thus, fleeing the area seemed the most logical choice, and what better destination than Alda?

Baron Shaun, still under house arrest, was powerless to prevent this. Not only was he bound by the recently signed agreement, but he also lacked the military strength to stop such movements. Frustrated, he spent his days angrily venting on his servants.

The Alda army had essentially achieved its initial objective — securing the safety of the region from Fort Bidou to the coastline and establishing a defense line for the southern trade routes.

What next? Should they, like the other lords, cease operations for a month?

Certainly not. The soldiers of the Alda army didn’t need to tend to the fields; their daily training was intended to make them more efficient at eliminating the enemy.

As Bryce leisurely rode his horse, he listened to Joyce reading a letter from the staff department.

Most of the letter praised their performance in battle, which greatly elevated the prestige of Alda and Baylding in the alliance and strengthened their voice within it.

However, the last part was the most critical and invigorated Bryce:

Upon arriving in Alda, the First and Second Infantry Battalions and the Artillery Company were to be stationed at the border, ready to march towards Emden at any moment.

The two battalion commanders exchanged smiles: It was time to truly wash away last year’s disgrace...

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