Chapter 444 — The Northern Gate
Blade of Dawn · Page 2 of 3
Gao Yang turned to Sir Wald Perrich on his other side and nodded to the old knight. "Take men and search the entire inner city and the tunnels and cellars beneath the castle. Comb the whole city so no one can hide. In addition, assist Philip in taking inventory of the city's supplies and buildings, and report promptly. And do not forget to press military discipline in the process: no keeping spoils, no plunder, no theft, no concealment."
Sir Wald Perrich saluted with a grave face. "Yes."
The old knight understood very well that having the Second Legion lead the search of this fortress city was not merely an honor but a test. In this battle the Second Legion had at last been active as a proper army; but whether these soldiers from the Kant region could become a force their lord trusted over the long term would depend on how they bore the test of military discipline after entering the city. In this respect, the Second Legion — converted from what had once been private noble troops — faced a test no smaller than their first time on a battlefield.
Afterward Gao Yang reached the castle precinct of Boulder Fortress — Xuanque Castle straddled the first and second walls; in fact, its main body was part of the second wall. It had once been the grandest and tallest structure in the fortress, but now... less than two-thirds of it remained.
The castle's entire upper story and all its attached towers had been destroyed by the Calibrator beams.
The Cecil banner had already been hung on the flagpole before the castle by the first troops into the city, and beside the flagpole Gao Yang saw a somewhat slender lady in a light noble's gown.
Ropeni Gran stood quietly there, the loyal middle-aged steward at her side, and behind the two of them the hundred guards who had followed the viscountess all the way from the Gran domain to Boulder Ridge, and from Boulder Ridge to Boulder Fortress, loyal and steadfast to the end.
On the other side stood the high ranger Suo Jilin and the several dozen Steel Ranger warriors he led.
A shadow flashed swiftly through the air, darted to Gao Yang's side, and condensed into the figure of Amber. The half-elf lady lifted her chin, looking thoroughly pleased with herself: "Hey, let me tell you — I helped hang that flag!"
Gao Yang patted Amber on the shoulder (ruffling her hair seemed inappropriate on such a formal occasion), then walked toward Ropeni Gran. Seeing the calm expression on the viscountess's face, he knew her vengeance was complete.
"Your service cannot be matched, my lady," Gao Yang said earnestly. "Patty will be glad to have you home safe."
He knew what weighed most on the viscountess's heart.
At the name Patty, a flicker of softness did cross Ropeni's face. With the faintest smile she bowed deeply to Gao Yang: "Permit me to pay you my respects. This fortress is yours — and permit me once more to pledge you my allegiance. The Gran family will be loyal to Cecil forever."
"I accept your allegiance," Gao Yang said with a slight nod, "but do not be loyal only to me or to my family. Be loyal to a great cause."
Sir Marchi, standing nearby, saw it all. His expression shifted several times, and what passed through his heart could not be guessed; but in the end everything he wanted to say became a long sigh of complicated meaning: "Ah..."
He found he could not even call the viscountess a traitor — Ropeni's loyalty was unwavering; it was simply pledged to Cecil...
"Sir, do not be so quick to sigh. Boulder Fortress has fallen, yes, but at least it fell into my hands, and not one day into the hands of the rebels of the Eastern Province," Gao Yang said mildly, glancing at Sir Marchi. "Perhaps you are full of regret now, but one day you will feel thankful."