Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

[Newly Reclaimed Land]

[Maplestone City]

Compared to the Alliance's various Republics gradually shrouded under the shadow of war, Maplestone City, in a certain sense at the storm center, displayed a scene of festivity.

No matter the main streets or the alleys, everything was cleaned thoroughly; regardless of wealth or poverty, every household was decorated with lanterns and streamers.

The great crisis that had been suffocating all citizens of Maplestone City — the Rebels' "internal conflict" that turned Maplestone City into a wasteland — was finally temporarily relieved.

Because Colonel Gaisa Adonis had returned from Mirror Lake County, bringing with him the troops of Mont Blanc County.

The entry of Mont Blanc County's military broke the Iron Peak County Military's overwhelming power advantage over the Thunder Group County and Riverside County forces, immediately triggering a series of chain reactions.

If, before this, Colonel Skur Meklen only dared to take a defensive stance against Winters Montagne;

Then after receiving Mont Blanc County's military support, Colonel Skul had the stakes to take a decisive gamble.

So the few days and nights when the Mont Blanc County military flags first appeared outside Maplestone City were the most nerve-wracking days for its citizens.

People feared Colonel Skul might act impulsively and wrestle with the younger generation, while also fearing the Blood Wolf might go berserk and strike preemptively.

So much so that although it was a busy farming season, hardly any vehicles or pedestrians were seen around Maplestone City. Inside the city, the flour prices tripled in a day, and every household locked their doors tightly, afraid of becoming the sacrifices of a chaotic massacre.

Fortunately, in hindsight, those sleepless nights were actually the darkness before the dawn.

Even to this day, the citizens of Maplestone City remain unaware of what kind of magic power Colonel Gaisa Adonis wielded, which could so effortlessly dissolve the "discrepancies" between the Iron Peak County Military and the Thunder Group, Riverside County Allied Forces.

With Colonel Gaisa's return, Colonel Skul, who had been continuously withdrawing his troops back to Thunder Group County, finally let go of his wariness — at least on the surface — leading the Thunder Group County and Riverside County forces back outside Maplestone City to "cooperate" with Mont Blanc County and Iron Peak County forces.

As a symbol of the "United Forces" rejoining, proposed by Colonel Gaisa, the four county forces conducted a symbolic entry ceremony into the city and held a victory celebration that had never been organized before.

Since the late General Adams and later Colonel Sanel, who governed Maplestone City, recruited numerous officers and soldiers from various classes within the city, many of the prisoners captured in the Battle of River Valley Village were actually Maplestone City residents.

Thus, to avoid provoking the citizens of Maplestone City, the Allied Forces' entry ceremony and victory celebration omitted the conventional "prisoner parade," only displaying the captured weapons, military flags, and cannon.

Following the spoils parade was the coffin of Colonel Bod Gates, accompanied by the four counties' military officers: Colonel Gais Adonis, Colonel Skur Meklen, Lieutenant Colonel Magash Colvin, and Winters Montagne... the captain.

Finally, each county's military chose an infantry battalion and a cavalry squadron to participate.

Since the Battle of River Valley Village was a pyrrhic victory for the other three county forces, a full military parade into the city might have been seen as a defeat, so each county only sent symbolic soldiers.

During the entry ceremony, the citizens of Maplestone City who previously missed the chance to see the Blood Wolf in person were eager to witness its grandeur this time.

However, it was Colonel Gaisa Adonis who captured most people's attention and was the subject of the most discussion afterward.

The citizens enthusiastically talked about the non-existent hair of Colonel Gaisa and his frightening disfigurement, creating various strange stories behind them and arguing over their conflicting accounts.

As a result, even those Maplestone City citizens and outsiders who did not watch the entry ceremony quickly learned that there was a hairless, fearsome-looking colonel within the "Rebels." Despite his ugly appearance, it was he who spared Maplestone City from the ravages of war.

Ultimately, the Allied Forces' parade stopped at the Great Cathedral in the center of Maplestone City — the true purpose of this entry ceremony.

The cathedral opened the main hall, and the bronze bell in the tower tolled twelve times.

In the solemn bell chimes, the bugler played the final return call, and Colonel Bod's coffin was entombed in the crypt beneath the cathedral.

The citizens of Maplestone City watched the grand funeral in confusion, unaware of who was being buried and why he received such honors.

Afterward, some swore they saw the glint of tears in the Blood Wolf's eyes.

But most didn't believe it, as the Blood Wolf was the Blood Wolf; how could it possibly shed tears?

However, some did say that perhaps the Blood Wolf might feel sadness.

With the heavy main doors of Maplestone City's Great Cathedral closing once more, the Four Counties Allied Forces' parade was declared over.

The county forces participating in the ceremony were not taken out of the city; instead, they directly occupied the barracks within the city, officially taking over Maplestone City's defense and security.

The four counties' military commanders each took their guards and moved into the officers' quarters located within the city.

The sword hanging over the heads of Maplestone City citizens was finally lifted, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. After all, even the conspirators hoping for a "Rebel infighting" wouldn't want to see the Rebels fighting a major battle right at their doorstep.

Newly harvested summer grains were continuously brought into the city, the price of flour fell back to the levels of previous years, and beer brewers had already begun preparing the new year's brew.

After a bloody battle, people were finally able to enjoy a brief peace and leisure.