"That woman Tihana is also an idiot, actually believing the rumor from that bastard William about wanting to kill all the nobles. That's why we have this opportunity. Look, now we've brought in those United Army soldiers, who came for wealth and territory. Let them deplete William's forces and seize the riches of Timadon and Gares. In the end, that money will still flow into Augustine Castle."
Another noble said, "We don't have to do anything, and we get the treasures they seize. Such a good opportunity, the war mustn't end too quickly..."
Instigated by them, Tihana signed that mercenary decree, which brought them immense wealth. Apart from plundering Timadon, the main island of Gares was also looted by these United Army soldiers. Those people are not to be considered good; there are always some who dare to rob.
But they can't take this money away, because they are blinded by the rewards in the decree. Besides the abundant riches, they are also promised land after the war ends.
The prerequisite is... if they can stay alive.
The noble draped in a blanket also laughed, "Exactly, and it was signed by Tihana, which has nothing to do with us. Even if Tihana wins in the end, it's her fault. We're just poor folks dwelling in Augustine Castle, not communicating with the outside world, waiting for the King's army."
The nobility, of course, is intricate. The court nobles living in Augustine Castle and the territory nobles living in Gares all have blood ties. They are the ones who united to create this situation.
"I still hope Tihana wins, as she represents us. But if William wins, that can work too. He doesn't have our roots, and to become King, he will rely on us, just like the old King." The previously sneering noble said.
"Someone's coming."
The noble in the blanket looked down and saw a group of wounded United Army soldiers swimming ashore from the sea, helping each other reach the city gate.
"Sir, let us in, some of our comrades need treatment!" the leader shouted up.
Yet there was no sound from the walls above the city gate.
The blanket-covered noble looked disdainfully at the people below, "Don't be ridiculous. This is Augustine, the Pearl of the Sea. How do we know if you intend to occupy it once you enter? In times of war, safety is paramount."
"But we came here at your invitation to fight for you!"
The man shouted, "Isn't Augustine a Free City State? We just want to come in to rest and heal, and once our wounds heal, we'll continue fighting! Sir, we came for wealth, but we also keep our promises!"
"Shut up! Damn peasants!"
The blanket noble shouted angrily, "What right do you people have to talk about promises to us? That's not for you to discuss. This is a Free City State, but everything is measured by money! Before the war, would coming in to treat wounds not require money?! It will be more expensive in wartime! Bring out the money, and we'll mercifully send a doctor down, along with a cup of hot water."
"But we looted a lot before, and brought it all to you!" the man unwillingly said.
"Kill him!"
Whoosh!
On the enormous city wall, a guard soldier pulled the trigger, and a lead bullet from a Flintlock Gun struck the man's head, bursting into a spray of blood as he fell to the ground.
"Dare to slander us, claiming to bring things to us when we know nothing about it. It's you despicable outsiders who did it secretly!" The blanket-covered noble shouted, "We're just a group of kind-hearted nobles, only supporting you out of compassion, and you still go too far!"
"Right, just kill them all!"
"Yes, kill all those who dare to slander the nobility!"
The nobles on the city wall clamored.
Boom!
Just as the noble in the blanket raised his hand to order the execution of everyone below, a rumbling thunder cracked in the sky, sweeping clouds across the sky.
The large drops of rain fell, wetting their heads.
It started to rain heavily...