Chapter 60: Triumphant Return
“The knight squad was wiped out?” Alfred sat in his chair, devastated. “And those people aren’t dead?”
“Not only that, we just received new intel a few minutes ago. A mortar unit in the north of the central defense zone has gone silent.” Adjutant Longfellow said with a blank expression. “It seems this squad has broken through the northern defense line and infiltrated the mortar unit’s position.”
“What about Erich?” Alfred asked hurriedly. “Has Commander Erich contacted us?”
Longfellow paused.
There had been contact, of course. Mortar Commander Erich had cursed Alfred out over the comms, demanding to know why, after providing fire support, he had still allowed the enemy squad to break through the front lines and infiltrate, causing casualties among his precious artillerymen.
If, in tomorrow’s battle, captured mortar shells rained down from above Olympia, Erich swore he would chew Alfred out in front of Boniface, cursing his ancestors for eighteen generations.
Of course, there was no need to repeat these curses to Alfred.
Adjutant Longfellow thought for a moment and replied:
“Commander Erich replied: Don’t be nervous, you’re doing fine, good job.”
Alfred: …
“Don’t lie to me.” He forced a laugh. “That old man must have given me a thorough dressing-down.”
“The key now is that this squad that has broken into the mortar position must be dealt with, otherwise, the mortar units will suffer even greater casualties.” Adjutant Longfellow changed the subject, getting down to business.
“However, the remaining manpower on the northern defense line is already stretched thin just maintaining the line itself and preventing further infiltration.” Alfred said calmly. “Report to the higher-ups.”
“It seems we can’t solve the trouble we’ve caused on our own.”
Soon, an order came from King Boniface, ordering the immediate dismissal of Northern Front Commander Alfred, and appointing Viscount Joel Crawford, the King’s sword-bearer, to take over.
“It’s actually that Joel.” Alfred lay dejectedly in his command chair, his expression somewhat gloomy. “What a pity, he’s the last person I want to see.”
“But even if Joel takes over my position, I doubt he can handle that troublesome elite squad, right?” He said self-deprecatingly, trying to find some amusement in his misery. “I’ll just wait and see the frustrated and annoyed look on Joel’s face.”
Just as he finished speaking, new news came from the communicator:
The small squad that infiltrated the mortar position had retreated and left the battlefield via the same route.
Alfred: …
“Damn it!” He furiously overturned the entire command table.
…
The members of Azure Longsword returned, laden with captured mortars and ammunition boxes.
Although they were laden with spoils, they weren’t carrying anything physically—everything was stored in Furnace Island.
The reason for their temporary retreat was that Asker didn’t want to continue causing trouble and become the target of the entire Crusader army.
Although they had already become the target of the Crusader Northern Front… On their way back, whenever other knight squads saw the members of Azure Longsword, they basically pretended not to see them, just avoiding these killing gods from afar.
Therefore, everyone was happy to return to the city safely, their harvest already plentiful.
Arriving at the tunnel entrance, Asker had the girls bring the things out from Furnace Island, then sent Medea into the tunnel to notify the city guards to come and carry the things.
“Everyone, act tired!” Asker encouraged them. “Pretend that we personally carried all these military supplies back!”
Everyone was speechless. With such a huge pile of boxes here, who would believe that? They weren’t Hercules!
Nevertheless, the girls still obeyed Asker’s instructions, casually sitting on the ground or on the boxes, putting on “I’m so tired, I’m under so much pressure” expressions.
When the city guards in the tunnel rushed out, they saw the mortars and ammunition boxes neatly piled up on the ground, their eyes almost popping out of their sockets.
So much!
Did you rob the Crusaders’ logistics unit or something? How many artillery units did you have to take out for this?!
Without delay, the guards quickly reported upwards, and soon Quintus, the chief of security, was also alerted.
Looking at the military supplies piled up in the fortress, Quintus couldn’t help but change his expression.
In the past, the Imperial Orthodox Church had always strictly controlled the industrial development and arms trade of Olympia, so the current stockpile in Olympia’s warehouse only consisted of quite old mortars and rocket launchers, and they had basically all been used for counterattacks.
With the replenishment of this batch of ammunition, it meant that even the ordinary city defense troops could join the war, and the mages, who had been fighting continuously for more than ten hours, could finally have a good rest.
“By God, you are the saviors of Olympia!” Even though he was usually reserved, he couldn’t help but grab Asker’s hand, shaking it vigorously with emotion.
“It’s nothing, we’re just doing our job as mercenaries.” Asker withdrew his hand from his grasp. “After all, we are professionals.”
Thira, watching her uncle lose his composure, couldn’t help but feel both amused and touched.
“You were the last group to return. Of course, also the group with the most outstanding achievements.” In the elevator going up, Quintus showered them with praise, even making the girls a little embarrassed.
“How did the other teams do?” Asker asked.
“Not very well.” Quintus shook his head. “The Crusaders are clearly already wary of our attacks outside the city. They have set up heavy defenses in the north, northeast, and northwest. In the end, we only managed to break through the northern defense line.”
“In terms of timing, it should be because you greatly depleted the enemy forces on the northern defense line that allowed the subsequent mercenaries to infiltrate. Even so, you were still the mercenary unit that stayed in the Crusader artillery position the longest and caused the most damage to their siege camp.”
“Other teams either suffered too many casualties, or, after realizing they couldn’t advance any further, chose to withdraw from the battlefield early.” Quintus sighed. “Only the Spartans, led by Rudashius, after breaking through the northern defense line and moving to the northwest region, also eliminated some enemy artillery.”
“But they didn’t bring anything back.”
“I understand.” Asker nodded. “It’s the Spartans’ custom to prioritize bringing back the bodies of their fallen comrades.”
“Yes.” Quintus said, “They are holding a funeral at the Grand Arena on the top floor. Also, the Crusaders sent some ‘things’ over at noon, which has caused the citizens to be very emotionally unstable.”
“After the funeral, my father hopes to hold a celebratory procession to commemorate your achievements, and also to give the indignant citizens an outlet for their emotions.”
“You said the Crusaders sent something over?” Asker asked. “What is it?”
Quintus hesitated, a shadow of gloom crossing his face.
“Heads.” He finally replied. “A thousand heads, all citizens of Thessaloniki.”
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