Dungeon Defense (WN) - Chapter 382

Chapter 382: Encounter of Two Heroes (10)

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Our forces, the La Spezia-Habsburg alliance soon made our way to Genova.

No one knew that La Spezia had betrayed the kingdom yet. When a fleet arrived with the flags of Sardinia and the Medici family, the people of Genova didn’t even consider the fleet as a threat. We quickly entered the port with a countless stream of questions bombarding us through the communication orb.

– What is the matter? Why have you already returned? Did something happen with our allies?

“Hurry and open the floodgates. This is an order from His Highness the Grand Duke. Our forces got caught up in Poseidon’s Wrath. Inform the mayor of Genova that the plan to assist La Spezia has failed!”

– Impossible...... No, I understand. But I need a direct order from His Highness the Grand Duke to open the floodgates. I apologize, but.......

“Did you call for me?”

I stepped forward. We utilized the mages beforehand to cast an illusion spell on me. Since mimicking his voice was also needed, we sliced open the Grand Duke’s throat to check his vocal cords. This much was fine. There would probably be no difference if we tampered with his throat after having already decapitated him.

“It is as the officer reported, gatekeeper. Hurry and open the gates so that I can allow my exhausted men to rest.”

– Understood, Your Highness. Thank you for following the procedure. For the eternal glory of Medici!

Eternal glory. That was the Medici family’s motto that had been passed down for generations. I raised the corners of my mouth.

“Indeed. For the eternal glory of Medici.”

The floodgates that protected the harbor of Genova were opened.

In this era, harbors were managed strictly as they were surrounded by walls and fences. In the case of Genova, there was a total of five entrances and exits each. Our army was easily able to use the oars to create five lines. The fleet of thirty vessels entered through the floodgates without any issue.

– We sincerely welcome you back to Genova, Your Highness! The people of Genova promise to serve you at all times! The mayor is currently on their way to greet Your Highness.

“It seems like it would be better if I took my time to get off the ship.”

– We are truly grateful. The mayor will not forget Your Highness’ kindness and consideration.

The gatekeeper spoke with a face full of awe. He was a fairly well-trained dog. This probably indicated that the mayor of Genova was also quite capable. In contrast to the inept nobles of the Empire, Sardinia’s personnel seemed quite impressive.

“The nobles of Sardinia appear to be competent.”

Laura whispered next to me. She was right.

Their nobles are competent, commoners are gradually entering the ranks of bureaucrats, and overall, it’s a nation favorable to republicanism....... A smile formed on its own on my lips. Do they not quite literally have an ideal country?

Sardinia. If you’ve made one crucial mistake, it was sacrificing a certain girl. You offered as a lamb the kind of human who should have never been sacrificed. You probably want to justify it by saying you didn’t know and that it was a mere oversight.

In that case, you must accept what that mistake has become.

– Apologies for the wait, Your Highness. The mayor has reached the dock.

“I see that. Out of curiosity, where are you managing the ships from?”

– I am at the top of the tower to the right of Your Highness’ vessel.

Did he think that the Grand Duke was showing interest in him? His voice was overflowing with joy. I laughed gently.

“Thank you for your hard work. I was deeply moved by your kindness. I will bestow upon you a small gift.”

– Ohh, eternal glory! Your Highness, your excellence knows no bounds!

“I pray that it is to your liking.”

I raised my right hand.

At that moment, an officer shouted in a loud voice.

“Fire!”

Our mages simultaneously unleashed their spells. Some aimed towards the dock where the mayor had come out with his vassals, while others targeted the ships docked side by side at the port. Another portion of the spells soared swiftly towards the tower where the gatekeeper resided.

They didn’t even get the chance to scream. The mayor and his vassals were entirely engulfed in flames. The harbor quickly became a hellscape as the flames enveloped the ships. With the collapse of the tower, the last central command to control this situation vanished.

Laura gave an additional command.

“Eradicate them.”

The fate of the seventy thousand civilians that resided in Genova was decided by that single line.

Our mercenaries were seasoned in slaughter and pillaging. They didn’t rush into attacking the residential area recklessly. They strategically seized Genova’s castle towers and weapon vaults first. They made sure to slaughter what little guards they had left.

When faced with terror, humans are left with two choices. One is to be engulfed by despair and pray to the gods, while the other is to become filled with desperate determination and resist to the very end.

As such, the things that instill remarkable determination in humans include well-organized defense formations, ramparts and towers that can temporarily be protected, and the weapons held firmly in their hands. (TL Note: This paragraph is really awkward in the source as well, so I’m sorry if it’s phrased weirdly or doesn’t make complete sense.)

“Huh? Oh, I see. I am also looking forward to it.”

Laura quickly came back to her senses and smiled.

“By the way, Count Palatine....... I feel as if......you have not been that active lately.......”

I tilted my head. After seeing her hesitate and look around, I pieced together what she was trying to say. She was bringing up how there has been a decrease in how much we had sex.

“Did we not do it the other day?”

“Yes, but what I am saying is......we did not do it yesterday.”

“.......”

My gaze probably looked as if I were staring at a pervert.

“Previously, you complained about how I would always act like a dog in heat, but now you are complaining about not being able to do it for a day? My word. I did hear that the carnal desire of women increases as they grow older, but I did not know that you had already reached that age, Duchess.”

“Uuug, that is not....... Whatever! Never mind, then!”

Laura sulkily turned her head away.

I smiled mischievously. And, with a feigned gesture, I ‘accidentally’ spilled wine on Laura’s military attire.

“W-What are you doing?!”

“Oh dear me. My apologies, Your Highness Duchess. It appears that I have accidentally done something rude to your uniform. I am truly sorry.”

I spoke in a loud voice so that the mercenary captains around us could hear me.

“How could we let the supreme commander of our forces remain like this? Come now, let us go get you changed. I will personally escort you since this was my mistake. No, no, please do not refuse. If you decline, I will be unable to sleep tonight due to my guilt. Baroness de Blanc.”

“Ah, yes! Your Excellency!”

Baroness de Blanc, who had been casually listening to our conversation, suddenly tensed up and saluted. As a side note, Baroness de Blanc had become Laura’s and my most loyal retainer.

“I will be leaving with the Supreme Commander for a moment. Make sure to keep a strict eye on the prisoners. Do you understand?”

“Understood!”

“Good.”

I gave a satisfied nod. Laura seemed bewildered, but I dragged her away semi-forcefully.

The city itself felt like a ghost town because of how quiet it was since we had forced the civilians away. I ordered our imperial guards to be on standby as I went to the plaza with Laura. There was no one present in this wide and open city plaza. The only thing moving in this desolate plaza was the fountain that continued to spew water.

“Lord? Why are we here......?”

“Did you know, Laura? This is something I have wanted to do for quite a while.”

I casually brought Laura to the fountain.

“I have wanted to violate you in the middle of a city.”

“W-W-What are you saying......?”

“And it seems we have been presented with the perfect time and place.”

Laura seemed to realize the severity of the situation as she started to struggle. However, I held Laura’s shoulders tightly and didn’t let her go. I then whispered into her ear.

“Duchess, the soldiers might see us if we are not quick.”

“You really are a pervert, Lord! How could you think of doing something like this on the same day you killed tens of thousands of people!? And at the center of the city you captured, at that......!”

In the past, she disliked it because we did it too much, earlier she disliked it because we didn’t do it enough, and now that I am offering to do it, she doesn’t want to again. I may be a kind and generous man, but even I can get a little annoyed.

“......!”

I was annoyed, so I didn’t accept any questions and stole her lips.

It was simple after that.

The two of us annihilated the Sardinia Kingdom’s army of 13,000 soldiers, massacred civilians, and razed a city. Then, after all that, we sat in an empty plaza and made a mess of each other.

Even I must admit that we are a ridiculously well-matched couple. Don’t you agree?

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TL Note: Thanks for reading the chapter. I, uh, don’t know what to say. This isn’t the usual thing where I don’t know what to say here, but rather, something so unfortunate happened in my life that I just feel...at a loss for words. This sort of warrants a post on its own, so I’ll most likely make an update post tomorrow after work to explain what happened. Just know that I’m sort of struggling mentally to deal with this. I wanted to at least get this chapter out, so yeah.

I’ll see you guys in the update post or the next chapter.