Through the misty morning haze, Tifekewenbun could faintly see the flags fluttering on the city walls.
He raised his binoculars, trying to identify the family crest on the banner. The green background with the sailboat and crown design unmistakably belonged to his sister, Gia西亚温伯顿. This was also the most common banner on the city walls.
The second most prominent was the white banner, featuring a white-tiled tower and a coiled serpent entwined around it—the emblem of the Barya family. "Ah," he sneered inwardly, "to defect to the Queen of the Azure Waters yet still fly the tower-patterned flag—what shameless audacity!" He thought. "When I catch you, this traitor, I shall make you swallow this banner, Count Barya."
Finally, the red-tiled tower with its lion statue, and the shameless Sitara family. Though Tifiko wore a blank expression, he had already sentenced Ailin Sitara to death—just like Tomon Balia. Of course, he would also have to eat the flag.
"Sir Naimen, raise the flag of the Kingdom of Graycastle!" Tifeco commanded.
"Your Majesty, as commanded," replied Knight of the凛风, then spurred his horse toward the retreating army. "The King commands: raise the flag!" The new king turned to see flagpoles being raised, gray banners unfurling in the wind, their black patterns solemn and majestic—massive towers and long spears crisscrossing on both sides, the emblem of the Graycastle King. Any traitor would be executed under this banner.
Upon receiving the news of Jiaxiya's independence, he immediately mobilized forces from the eastern frontier and the capital to attack Eagle City. Though his heart was churned like a storm, he maintained a calm demeanor, which greatly boosted the confidence of his supporting Minister.
The summons of vassals and troops took nearly a month, the journey to the eastern frontier a week, and another half-month to reach this location. Tifeke finally arrived at Eagle City at sunset yesterday. Fortunately, the capital was largely unaffected by the Evil Demon's Moon, and the road to the southern border remained passable despite the snow. In fact, the ground had frozen solid from the cold, allowing the grain-hauling caravans to move faster than the free citizens.
His army was vast, comprising his personal guard, the Royal Capital Knights, and the forces of Duke Frank Chiltert of the Eastern Frontier. The three contingents combined numbered over six thousand, including a thousand well-trained and well-equipped Knights. Reliable intelligence indicated that Giasia's forces numbered fewer than three thousand, mostly free men from Port of Blue Waters. While they could raid unarmed peasants and merchants, they were no match for the Knights in open combat.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord High, raised objections, arguing that after the Demon's Month, all regions would need to resume farming. At this time, conscripting large armies would negatively impact crop yields. Therefore, Tifeck did not require his vassals to mobilize serfs for military service. Instead, he called upon the free citizens of the territories to handle logistical support. This way, even if they fought in the southern borderlands, the spring plowing could still proceed without delay.
Under no circumstances would Tifeke Wemberton allow Jiaxia to remain in the southern territories. Eagle City was no fortress—it began as a marketplace nestled between neighboring towns, gradually evolving into a city within a century of commerce flourishing. Moreover, successive Lords had spared it from imposing formidable walls to promote its business-friendly image. Even the combined forces of three thousand commoners and two earls were no match for swift countermeasures. Any delay in taking countermeasures would significantly reduce their chances of victory. If given time to consolidate the entire southern realm, defeating Jiaxia would become an exceedingly difficult task.
After a night's rest, his troops were well-fed and ready to march. As the sun shifted from orange to a dazzling gold, the mist began to lift, revealing the earthy-brown walls—though to the new king, they were little more than a dirt slope. The entire slope was a single incline, accessible without siege ladders, just by climbing up on one's hands and feet. At the top, a circle of logs over a man's height stood guard, deterring refugees and bandits but not fully armed warriors.
The people on the city walls stood sparsely, clearly not prepared for the defense.
"Your Majesty, the cavalry patrolling the South Gate has reported spotting a large contingent of troops," Knight Rin Feng reported, reining in his horse as he rushed back to the new King.
Tifeco handed the telescope to Duke Fran with a relaxed tone: "She seems determined to escape." The Duke observed carefully for a moment before nodding. "Such a swift decision shows decisiveness. Eagle City isn't a place for stubborn defense. If she leaves her troops here, we'll capture them all." The Duke chuckled. "Just as you predicted at last night's battle council, she didn't anticipate our arrival so quickly." "Our timing was perfect," Tifeco added. "Even if she wanted to flee, she couldn't move at night." "You're right. Night marches are a grave mistake. If she tried to escape, our forces would collapse without a fight. Once scattered at night, troops can't regroup. Even if she retreats to Bishui Harbor, it's a dead end." "That's why my dear sister must wait until dawn to order the army's withdrawal." Tifeco gazed at Eagle City, which lay within reach, satisfied that her plan had met expectations. Giasia, too obsessed with Eagle City's symbolic status, had stationed his troops there—occupying the historic southern frontier fortress made it easier to win over southern nobles. But this advantage came with risks. He had sent a decoy force to march slowly, while leading his cavalry to the eastern border first, transporting provisions by carriage. Upon reaching the eastern border, the Duke would reinforce the remaining troops and circle around to Eagle City from the opposite side of the kingdom. The cavalry would block the roads to minimize scouts' chances of delivering messages.
A full-scale military campaign can't be launched on a whim. Jia Xiya must have received the ambiguous intelligence just two or three days ago. To begin a retreat at dawn today was already a hasty move. The journey from Eagle City to Clear Spring Town would take a full day on foot—after all, two legs can't outrun four. If I could muster a thousand Knights to pursue her forces in a coordinated tail-chase, her ridiculous coalition would surely collapse.
Unfortunately, Jia Xiya could still escape from her own grasp. If she abandoned the three thousand men and fled alone on two horses, returning alive to Bishui Port would not be too difficult.
He thought that he would have to go to her old nest to finally end this farce.
"Your Majesty, let us proceed according to the prearranged plan," said Duke Fran. "Should we pursue through the southern gate after capturing the city, or take a detour? The latter would require an extra leg of the journey." "I'd prefer the southwestern bypass," Tefiko pondered. "Knight's narrow streets are impractical, and Giasia might block the roads with debris. Even a one-hour detour at night won't hinder our pursuit." "I'm departing now, Your Majesty." "Beware," Tefiko cautioned. "Giasia likely left no troops in the city—there are probably many traps. Watch out for areas with narrow streets and dense residential buildings. An ambush of loyalists could endanger your safety." "Hahaha," Duke Fran laughed heartily. "Rest assured, Your Majesty. When I fought alongside your father, I personally slew hundreds of enemies without ever being wounded." He gestured to his guards. "Sound the horn! Attack!" The army behind surged forward, several groups emerging from the formation. Under the leadership of several Knights, the Free Men marched toward Eagle City—the vanguard. Behind them followed armored mercenaries, the main force of this siege. All the Knights brought by the Duke had now gathered under his command.
As the main force launched their assault on the city walls, Tifekko led the remaining Knights and their retinue southwestward.