Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Siege of Como City (4)
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While he was sleeping soundly, the enemy attacked at a completely unexpected hour—not with a war drum, but like a bolt from the blue.
Yet Mayor Matteo Montenaro of Como City was still lost in sweet slumber.
"Mayor! Mayor! This is bad!"
Matteo rubbed his eyes and sat up upon hearing the shout.
He had no idea who the person outside was.
But unless they were insane, no one would dare wake the mayor from a deep sleep without good reason.
Something must have gone terribly wrong.
'Did the citizens finally revolt?'
They had started the defense of the city and cut rations to hold out longer.
A revolt over that was the most likely scenario.
"Damn it, a rebellion. Where? Who's behind it?"
The officer waiting outside shook his head.
"It's not a rebellion, sir."
"Not a rebellion? Then what the hell is it?! What happened? Why did you wake me?!"
He feigned anger outwardly, but inside, he was trembling.
Did the enemy finally start attacking the walls?
The city had plenty of people inside, but sixty percent were women, the elderly, and children.
The remaining thirty percent were able-bodied men who weren't soldiers, leaving only ten percent as active-duty troops...
A night battle would be far tougher than fighting by day, putting Como City at a severe disadvantage.
"Even if it's a field battle, no need to worry. Delegate full command to the city garrison commander right away and focus on defense."
"...Well, sir, the thing is..."
"Speak! Out with it!"
Cold sweat poured down Matteo's back.
He prayed it wasn't the worst-case scenario he'd imagined...
But all the signs pointed to just one possibility.
He prayed to the gods inside.
Please, anything but that.
"...Speak! Speak, you damned fool!"
"The gates are open, and Imperial Army infantry, led by two cavalry companies, have entered the city!"
Matteo hurled a nearby flowerpot.
"Son of a bitch!"
They were utterly screwed.
This city was doomed to fall any moment.
With the walls for defense, the guards, garrison troops, and citizens together could hold off an entire Imperial regiment with ease.
But now, the key premise of any defense—the walls—was unusable.
'No way out of this.'
"What the hell is Lieutenant Colonel Parta doing right now?!"
"Lieutenant Colonel Parta is commanding the militia, civilians, and garrison for a last stand."
"Damn it, damn it, damn it..."
He ground his teeth.
If the enemy had brought two or three regiments, he'd have something to say...
But trying to take the city he guarded—without firing a single cannon—with just one regiment...
"What are your orders?"
"What else? I'm suiting up and heading out myself."
He had to at least pretend to fight honorably to salvage his family's reputation.
Surrender when it looked like he'd die.
"Mayor Montenaro! Escape now!"
The staff sergeant who spoke was splattered with blood in several places.
If even city hall was nearly overrun already...
'Is it already over?'
"We hold here! Grab a sword or whatever and fight!"
"Yes, sir!"
**
The 1st Regiment under Major Schumacher's command was seizing Como City at lightning speed.
Lieutenant Monica Dorthea's cavalry company had charged through the gates first, securing a bridgehead for the regiment.
Once that was done, Lieutenant Lina Chaplin's company followed right behind.
Both women marched with fierce determination to outdo each other.
"I won't lose to Lieutenant Monica! This isn't open field—can't lag behind that woman."
In open terrain, infantry could never match cavalry speed.
By the time infantry moved one kilometer, cavalry could cover eight.
No contest there, dead or alive.
But this was a city...
'No reason to fall behind her.'
"Company, halt!"
Lina drew her sword and slashed at the enemy.
Once, twice, thrice—with each swing, one soldier blocking her path fell.
Some were officers or NCOs with decent records...
But small fry like that didn't matter.
They needed to capture the city's big shot: the mayor.
"Sergeant Wilhelm risked his life to open these gates! We fight to honor him—give it everything! Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am!"
"If our company captures the mayor, we'll earn huge rewards. Follow me!"
The soldiers cheered at her words.
Other units might not, but Schumacher's 1st Regiment rewarded merit generously.
Follow orders, get cash for meat. Big feats meant life-changing promotions.
This company even had a soldier who'd risen from private to sergeant, turning his fate around.
And this was war.
High risk of death, but endless chances for glory.
'War's a gamble.'
Merit could change everything, so officers and men followed Lina with death-defying resolve.
Obey for rewards; disobey, and punishment might make death preferable.
"Ma'am! Look over there!"
"What is it, Lieutenant Kurt?"
The direction he pointed held the city's largest building.
The city hall—the ultimate defensive stronghold and command tower.
Despite the Imperial Army breaching from multiple points and crumbling defenses...
City hall was still heavily guarded.
"Don't let those damned Imperials take city hall!"
"Fight! Kill them all!"
True to headquarters guards, they were well-armed.
"Ma'am, this looks dangerous... You should fall back."
If the company commander died, the company collapsed.
And Lina was a woman.
A woman's death hit harder than a man's, so Lieutenant Kurt's concern was valid...
But Lina ignored it.
She trusted her own combat skills...
And she wanted praise from the major for seizing the city.
After a big feat today, she'd muster courage and ask for a head pat.
What excuse? Say she loved it when Dad did it as a kid.
The oblivious major would go, "Oh, really?" and pat her.
After the war, a villa getaway wouldn't be bad.
Just the two of them, blissful time—her steps quickened at the thought.
"Mayor of Como! Surrender now! No more pointless sacrifices!"
The guards faltered at the sight of her charging while shouting.
To them, Lina looked like a blood-soaked demon in a beauty's form.
"Block her!"
Lina slipped through the gaps in their "impenetrable" defense with ease.
"What?!"
Lina, dreaming of Schumacher's praise, drew her sword and methodically cut down the guards near city hall.
Vertical slash: one down. Horizontal: another. Thrust: one more.
As bodies fell, their formation crumbled.
Her male officers vowed never to underestimate Lina again.
'Mess with her wrong, and you're eunuchs.'
They shuddered inwardly.
Even Schumacher, her driving force, might rein her in if he saw...
Regardless, she kept mowing down the city hall defenders.
Just then, another company approached her position.
"Can't lose to Lieutenant Lina! Cavalry company! We take the mayor!"
Monica's cavalry cheered wildly.
"Hand over your head, Mayor!"
"Grab him and turn our lives around!"
"Wash your neck and wait!"
As their rivalry intensified, a man in ornate armor emerged from city hall.
The mayor's appearance boosted guard morale slightly...
But Lina and Monica's troops surged even higher.
The two women pointed at him and declared:
"Surrender now!"
"You should surrender."
Without another word, they advanced, slashing through the soldiers between them and the mayor, one by one.
Silent but in sync on some level.
'Gotta get praised by the major.'
In their neck-and-neck slaughter, Lina edged slightly ahead to the mayor.
"Long live the Dolce Republic!"
In desperation, the mayor swung his sword.
Lina roundhouse-kicked his sword hand.
His blade flew skyward.
She followed with a powerful right kick to his chest.
"Argh!"
As the mayor screamed and tried to rise:
"That's far enough. Surrender, or I cut you down."
Lina's sword hovered precisely in the gap between his helmet and armor.
The mayor declared his surrender.