Chapter 361: A Successful Uprising
Charlotte waved his staff casually in the air, conjuring brilliant flames while muttering complaints:
"Damn it, where the hell is this Count Jules? Are all Northern nobles this unreliable?"
"Guild Leader, according to our undercover agents, Cyril City has already been taken by Royal Authority. That count didn't make it out either."
Charlotte stomped his feet in frustration and let loose a string of curses.
"Damn it, what a useless piece of trash!"
"We gave you a chance, and you blew it!"
"We told him to escape earlier, but no, he waited until the city was about to fall. Why couldn't he just listen? And now Royal Authority gets to reap the benefits, those morons!"
"You're absolutely right, Guild Leader."
"As expected of you—wise, brilliant, and unmatched in foresight."
Ouhuang chimed in enthusiastically, clearly playing the sycophant to Charlotte, hoping to pay off his debts faster.
Meanwhile, Lonely as Snow covered his face in embarrassment, internally muttering: "Even if that guy had escaped here, what would've changed?"
"It's not like his fate wouldn't have ended the same—just getting killed somewhere else."
Charlotte's expression darkened, his teeth grinding audibly. "Let's move! On to the next fishing spot. This time, we must beat Royal Authority to the punch!"
He pulled out a rolled parchment, its ends bearing the emblazoned sigils of the Ember Kingdom and studded with expensive gemstones—this was the kingdom's official [Anzeta Map Deluxe Edition].
Internally, it was jokingly referred to as the "Sucker's Special" by the kingdom's tech developers.
Charlotte unfurled the map, which displayed a magical hologram of terrain—mountains, rivers, and cities, all sparkling with faint magical light.
"Let's see..."
"The next target is Denar City, located in the western part of the Carter Duchy."
"This time, there'll be no mistakes. Count Dalton Raynor is already half-convinced by my persuasion. He's reportedly packed and ready to flee."
"Guild Leader! Bad news!"
Suddenly, a clear voice came through the communicator. Charlotte frowned, feeling a bad premonition.
"Denar City has already been captured by Fireseed!"
Charlotte stood silent for a long moment before muttering through clenched teeth:
"You've got to be kidding me..."
Carter Duchy, Denar City
Tattered flags fluttered atop the city walls, while ragged peasants brandished their steel spears, cheering loudly.
"Fireseed! Fireseed!"
"We actually did it!"
"From now on, we're free! Those nobles are nothing special!"
"Can we finally own our land and eat our fill?"
Around them lay the corpses of hundreds of soldiers, and even Count Dalton Raynor had been decapitated.
Fireseed had uncovered the count's attempt to flee and launched a surprise attack, catching the soldiers off guard.
Armed with guns supplied by the Ember Kingdom, they overwhelmed Denar's guards and executed the tyrannical Count Raynor who had oppressed them for years.
"It actually worked..."
Sparks stood with his hands on his hips, watching the fervent peasants whose eyes now gleamed with renewed hope. A faint smile appeared on his face.
But soon, his brows furrowed, and his gaze drifted beyond the victory before him, toward the uncertain future.
"So... what's next?"
"What do we do now?"
Sparks fell into deep contemplation.
The Northern United Kingdom had already fallen, and the Ember King would tolerate no threats to Anzeta's unification.
Moreover, Fireseed lacked the capacity to produce its own arms; their weapons were entirely reliant on the kingdom's aid. Their army, composed of 2,000 ragtag peasants, was little more than a militia.
Sparks quickly came to a harsh realization—Fireseed was not equipped to govern Denar City.
Neither their administrative nor military capabilities were sufficient to sustain even a fragile regime.
"The Ember Kingdom only sees us as a tool to destabilize the Northern rear lines."
"So... once the North is fully conquered, what will become of us?"
This thought brought a grave look to Sparks's face.
Noticing his unease, Nick approached him. "Sparks, what's wrong? Haven't we already won?"
Sparks replied in a heavy tone, "And then what, Nick?"
"You're aware of the current situation in the North, aren't you?"
"Yes."
Nick lowered his head in thought before speaking again:
"After the Battle of Okagrarl, the Northern United Kingdom is a name in name only. On this land of Anzeta Wasteland, there's no force capable of halting the Ember Kingdom's march to unification."
His tone grew solemn.
"You mean the Ember Kingdom might turn on us?"
Sparks let out a bitter laugh. "Not might—they absolutely will. As long as we hold Denar City, or even remain in Anzeta, conflict with the Ember Kingdom is inevitable."
"And our foundation is weak. Even our weapons and ammunition come from them."
"What should we do, then?"
Nick remained silent for a long while before asking again.
Sparks shook his head with a resigned sigh. "One step at a time. I don't know what the future holds."
Suddenly, a voice called from the ramparts.
"Commander! There's a group outside the gates—they claim to be envoys from the Ember Kingdom!"
"How many of them?"
"Uh... maybe... a lot?"
Sparks couldn't help but laugh bitterly. Most of the peasants lacked basic education, and many couldn't count past one hundred.
"The Ember Kingdom... they're here already?"
He muttered under his breath.
"I'll go up and see. I need to confirm their identity."
Sparks ascended the ramparts, where he saw a regiment of hobgoblin infantry standing in orderly ranks beneath the walls—about three hundred strong, their bayonets gleaming coldly in the sunlight.
He immediately knew—this was the Ember Kingdom's army.
Even the most elite Northern forces would require over 5,000 men to encircle and eliminate such a unit.
His 2,000-strong militia of peasants didn't stand a chance.
Taking a deep breath, Sparks ordered softly, "Let them in."
"Heave, ho!"
The peasants strained as they turned the wooden axle, and the heavy gates slowly creaked open.
The hobgoblins remained motionless, standing in two lines to form a wide path.
From a carriage behind them emerged a woman in a flowing purple gown. Her elegant movements captivated the unworldly peasants on the ramparts, who stared slack-jawed.
"Greetings, Fireseed."
"On behalf of the kingdom, I salute your bravery."
"Also... allow me to introduce myself. I am Darenna, Marchioness of the Ember Kingdom."
Darenna's lips curled into a beautiful, amiable smile.
Sparks gasped sharply, his breathing quickening—Marchioness?
What kind of joke is this?