Chapter 281: 281 Dust Settled_1
Wells and the Dawson Family’s military officers watched with their own eyes as the ravenous Dark Cavalry tore apart the Menam Family’s central military position, an empathetic sense of despair arising within them.
The Menam Family is finished.
That was their only consensus.
Even on the frontline, the Golden Lion Legion was actually at a disadvantage, being forced to fall back by the heavy-armored infantry, but when the Dark Cavalry suddenly charged from the rear, cutting off the command flag, the front-line elites of the Menam Family also inevitably fell into chaos.
Even if the frontline wanted to retreat, it was simply too late, and at this point in time, the Golden Lion Legion wouldn’t let them leave easily.
What’s more, once the central and rear forces collapsed, the Menam Family’s army would become a headless snake, unable to unify its command and dispatch orders, only capable of fending for itself, and would next be defeated one by one.
“Young Master, should we go support them?” A Dawson Family military officer asked Wells.
Wells managed to suppress the urge to curse, and shot a menacing glare at the man who had asked, but gave no reply.
Support my ass!
The Dawson Family had just finished a bloody battle with the Menam Family, how could they possibly go support them now?
Not to mention, the Uman Clan was standing nearby, eying them covetously. Wells nearly certain that the moment they acted rashly, the Uman Clan would launch a heavy attack.
Seeing the tragic state of the Menam Family, Wells did not want the Dawson Family to repeat their mistakes.
“We should just retreat…”
Wells hesitantly suggested.
But this absurd suggestion made all of the Dawson Family military officers lower their heads.
The reactions of everyone immediately made Wells aware that he had said something foolish.
What use was there in retreating at this point?
Not to mention whether it would be possible to retreat, even if they did, what good would it bring?
Once the St. Hilde Family quells the chaos in the North Territory, wouldn’t they just turn their attention to cleaning up the Dawson Family?
All the officers were looking forward to the safe return of Marquis Dawson at this moment. Even if the Marquis were absent, having Count Falko would be good too, anything would be better than having this tone-deaf Wells causing turmoil with his decisions.
“I think, we should seek peace with the St. Hilde Family.” A military officer suggested tentatively.
“Yes, yes! We should continue the negotiations, continue the negotiations!” Wells, as if grasping at a lifeline, cried loudly.
However, before Wells could send an envoy to seek peace, an envoy from Winterfell City had already arrived at the Dawson Family’s camp.
However, this envoy was dressed as a Priest.
While all the officers were filled with confusion, Wells was overjoyed, he held onto the Priest’s hand and asked nervously:
“Did the Archbishop send you?”
The Priest smiled and nodded, then subtly pulled his hand away.
“Praise the Lord of Glory!” Wells said emotionally, a hint of tears in his voice, “I knew the Archbishop would not abandon her most devout believers!”
“Sir Wells, the Archbishop is willing to help the Dawson Family achieve a reconciliation with the St. Hilde Family. However, she also needs you to show some sincerity, otherwise she cannot help you plead your case.”
“What sort of sincerity? If it’s something that our Dawson Family is capable of, please don’t hesitate to order us!”
“Actually, it’s very simple.” The Priest smilingly said, “The Menam Family has recklessly invaded the North Territory, and has already been labelled as a must-destroy enemy by the St. Hilde Family! If you can lead the army to assist in attacking the Menam Family, then the St. Hilde Family would also consider forgiving the Dawson Family’s previous act of betrayal.”
Wells hesitated for a moment.
It wasn’t that he was unwilling to attack the Menam Family, after all the two factions had already burnt their bridges, having battled as recently as the previous night.
However, Marquis Dawson was still in the enemy’s hands, and Wells was worried that his attack would push the Menam Family into a corner, causing them to kill his father out of desperation.
Having voiced out this worry, the Priest mysteriously smiled, leaned close to Wells and whispered:
“Sir Wells, do you want to inherit the nobility of the Dawson Family?”
Wells’ gaze focused, his heart skipped a few beats, he tentatively asked: “What do you mean by that?”
“Archbishop wants me to tell you, she can help you deal with Count Falko. As for your father, Marquis Dawson… Heh heh, forgive me for speaking bluntly, given his previous act of betraying Marquis Garcia, the St. Hilde Family will absolutely not let him go.
So, even if he can survive being held captive by the Menam Family, he will definitely not be able to escape the judgment of the St. Hilde Family!
Do you really want the Dawson Family to be implicated along with him?”
Wells’ heart thumped wildly, he very much wanted to ask clearly about the situation with his older brother, Count Falko, but when the words were on the tip of his tongue, he didn’t dare to ask.
After a long period of contemplation, he finally lifted his head again, a hint of ambition now present in his eyes:
“Fine, I am willing to listen to the Archbishop’s advice! I also hope that the Archbishop can help the Dawson Family achieve a respectable ending!”
The Priest smiled and nodded: “Of course! The Archbishop will never abandon her devout believers!”
Having received the promise of the Archbishop, Wells immediately felt like he had a supporter, and immediately rid himself of his previous listless state, immediately reorganized his troops, and began to launch an attack on the left wing of the Menam Family’s camp.
At this point, the Menam Family’s formation was on the brink of collapse.
The Golden Lion Legion had already pressed on from the front. The Dark Cavalry had charged in from the rear, leaving devastation in their wake and continuously splitting and slaughtering the central and rear forces of the Menam Family, not allowing them to regroup.
The accession of the Dawson Family was immediately the last straw that broke the camel’s back.
More and more warriors from the Menam family, faced with the harsh reality, discarded their weapons and chose to surrender.
Of course, the Menam Family was not without gallant warriors who were not afraid of death, yet their stubborn resistance in the face of the prevailing odds was like moths to a flame. It was futile other than adding some heroic sadness.
From the moment the Dark Cavalry appeared, the Marquis of Menam knew that battle was inherently disastrous. And when the armies of the Dawson Family turned against him, he fell into complete despair.
In the midst of his rampage, the Marquis of Menam immediately drew the sword from his waist and turned back to stab the Marquis Dawson.
Marquis Dawson, facing the approaching long sword, not only did not dodge, but a look of relief appeared on his face.
Psssh!
A sword penetrated his chest. The Marquis Dawson, looking at the dwarf kin in front of him, wore a mocking sneer and hoarsely said:
“I’ll be waiting for you in heaven!”
This attitude completely drove the already enraged Marquis of Menam into madness. He beheaded the Marquis Dawson with a roar, and chopped his corpse into seven to eight segments before he stopped.
Then, with the bloody head, the Marquis of Menam ordered:
“Hoist the white flag and surrender.”
The afternoon sun was very fierce, shining on the soil stained with fresh blood.
Groups of vultures were circling in the sky, ready to dive down for a hearty feast.
“Father!”
When the Marquis Menam was brought to Colin, Count Anka next to him immediately rushed up.
The Marquis Menam looked hollow and ignored his running son. He just kneeled dumbly in front of Vera and Colin, placed Marquis Dawson’s head in front of him, and waited silently for the judgment without saying a word.
Vera turned her head to look at Colin, obviously unsure of how to handle the Marquis Menam.
Colin, being forthright, immediately stepped forward, and passed sentence:
“Marquis Menam, the North Territory does not welcome you and your family. Thus, after this battle, please return to the Flame Region immediately. Unless you have the permission of the St. Hilde family, you shall not set foot in the North Territory again!
In order to compensate for the harm your actions have brought to the citizens of the North Territory, all of your family’s army will remain in the North Territory as slaves, working for the North Territory till their death.
At the same time, the Menam Family will need to pay a war indemnity totaling eight hundred gold coins to the St. Hilde family, which will be paid off in five years.
Do you accept these terms?”
The Marquis Menam’s heart bled, but he knew he had no room to negotiate.
If it was before the battle, he might still have proposed for a full withdrawal of the army from the North Territory, but now, being able to preserve the lives of the Menam family members was already more than enough.
Of course, he also knew that Colin didn’t kill him only to save face for the royal family.
The Menam Family, which lost all its armies and was burdened with heavy debts, naturally cannot pose a threat to the St. Hilde family. As time passed, they would likely slowly sink and never regain their former glory.
The dream of establishing a dwarven nation will also become a luxury that is out of reach.
Thinking of this, the Marquis Menam couldn’t help but feel grief from the heart and choked out:
“I… I accept!”
At this point, Colin finally showed a satisfied smile.
Not far away, Wells Dawson, accompanied by a priest, also came in front of Colin.
When Wells saw his father’s skull, his eyes shrank slightly, but the expression on his face was very strange.
There was both sorrow and fear, as well as relief and hidden joy.
“Honorable Ms. Vera, Honorable Viscount Angler! Your most loyal servant, the Dawson family, begs for your forgiveness!”
Seeing the prostrated Wells and then looking at the priest beside Wells, Colin chuckled as if he understood something.
Colin stroked his chin and smiled at Wells, “Wells, it seems your attitude of begging for forgiveness is not sincere enough.”
Wells understood immediately, nodded, then crawled to Vera’s feet using both his hands and feet. While he kissed her toes, he loudly said:
“Honorable Miss Vera, the Dawson family begs for your forgiveness!”
Colin looked at this undignified second son of the Dawson Family with disdain, then nodded at Vera.
Then Vera coldly nodded her head, accepting the other party’s apology.
Wells was relieved, constantly praising the St. Hilde family for their mercy. His disgusting postures were horrendous to watch.
Colin watched the clown’s performance with a laugh, beginning to plan how to deal with the Dawson family in his mind.
Of course, he wouldn’t let them off so easily, but looking at Wells’ appearance, the Dawson family likely wouldn’t make any waves.
At this point, the rebellion in the North Territory was finally declared over.