Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World-Chapter 638:

TL: Rui88

The news of the New Protestant Army’s defeat at Merl Castle swept through Horn Bay like a whirlwind.

They were only one step away from reaching the City of Collins, but they were blocked, defeated, and had retreated, just like the Crusader Army that had previously taken a detour through the northern neutral city-states to attack Eton.

And the Holy See’s official assistance to the Horn Bay Church once again turned the tide of the war, as if returning to that moment a year ago when the Crusader Army’s momentum was unstoppable.

“The Lord of Light will punish every one of you!”

At the Horn Bay Alliance’s Council meeting, Councillor Simmons, who had not been seen for a long time, appeared in the chamber once again.

He was a loyal believer of the Lord of Light, which was nothing special; everyone here dared to thump their chests and claim to be a loyal believer of the Lord of Light.

It was just that Councillor Simmons was on the side of the old sect.

“The Heavenly Father’s power is everywhere. His army is approaching us step by step and will sooner or later purify this sinful land.”

“Repent, you lost lambs. It is not too late now. Let us return to the Heavenly Father’s merciful embrace.”

Among the coastal nations, there were still many who supported the Horn Bay Church. When the New Protestant Army had the upper hand, their voices were suppressed. Now that the New Protestant Army was at a disadvantage, they began to emerge one by one.

Among them were influential figures who could have a significant impact on the high-level leadership, such as Councillor Simmons in the Horn Bay Alliance’s Council.

“Shameful words!”

Horace immediately stood up and harshly criticized Simmons.

“This bastard is asking us to surrender to the enemy! Surrender? My goodness, gentlemen, think of the honour of your surnames. Could you let yourselves do such a shameful thing?”

“Since the founding of our Horn Bay Alliance, how many wars, big and small, have we fought? When have we ever knelt and surrendered to an enemy? Is it different this time because the enemy is the Church? It was the Church that actively took the side of our enemy.”

“We have only lost one battle. The enemy’s footsteps are still far from our homeland!”

“Gather the army, conscript new soldiers, and procure all kinds of military equipment. The wealth accumulated by the Alliance over hundreds of years now has its use! Although spending money is heartbreaking, if we can win the war, then the expenses of the war will be returned to our treasury with ten or a hundred times the profit!”

…

Stirred by Horace’s words, the entire Council immediately became agitated.

“Fight to the end!” “Fight to the death!” “Down with the traitor!”

All kinds of passionate slogans were heard endlessly.

“You are incorrigible! You are sinful! You cannot obtain God’s forgiveness!”

Simmons did not give up and continued to shout, but his voice was drowned out by the pro-war slogans.

“Go to hell! Traitor!”

Horace went up and gave Councillor Simmons a heavy punch, leaving his face a bloody mess.

“Horace, you are a devil from hell sent to bewitch people’s minds!” Enraged, Simmons was about to fight back when others grabbed his sleeves.

Incited by Horace, the people around him all took action, punching and kicking Simmons until he was battered and bruised.

A commotion broke out in the chamber, and the guards responsible for maintaining order immediately rushed in and pulled everyone apart.

The bruised and swollen Councillor Simmons was quickly led out of the chamber. As he left, he was still shouting all sorts of discouraging remarks.

—

“You were too impulsive! Horace!”

In his office, Speaker Marcus, with a stern face, reprimanded Horace.

Marcus had not been present when the commotion broke out in the chamber and could not stop it in time.

“Mr. Speaker,” Horace defended himself. “In this situation, Simmons was spreading defeatist remarks and undermining our morale. Hitting him was letting him off lightly. He should be sent to the gallows or placed on the guillotine. Either one is fine, just do not let him waste the Alliance’s food and water anymore!” РÅꞐÖβÈs

Marcus’s expression was serious. Shaking his head, he said, “Others, perhaps, but not a member of the Council.”

The Horn Bay Alliance had a system of aristocratic co-governance. Every member of the Council was a blood descendant of the great families that had founded the Alliance. Over such a long time, the number had neither increased nor decreased.

The nobles in the Council enjoyed various privileges within the country, both economically and politically; they were superior to others.

This included immunity from the death penalty. No matter what unforgivable mistake a Council member committed, the greatest punishment was merely the deprivation of their councillor status. Then, another person would be chosen from their family’s bloodline to fill their vacant seat.

Of course, if a councillor who had been deprived of his seat committed another mistake, there was no guarantee what the punishment would be.

The Council members of successive generations had faithfully maintained this system, which made the internal political struggles of the Alliance seem less bloody than those of other countries. The relatively stable political situation laid the foundation for a good business environment, which in turn created the centuries-long prosperity of the Horn Bay Alliance.

Just as Speaker Marcus was about to continue criticizing Horace, a knock came from the door.

“Come in!”

It was Councillor Joe Foster who entered.

His first sentence after coming in was, “Thank the Lord of Light, according to the latest news, they have temporarily established a foothold in Goen.”

Marcus breathed a sigh of relief. Foster was talking about the army at the front. For the past few days, the Alliance’s army had been in constant retreat, and the news received every day was the same. Now, they had finally stopped their retreat.

“But it is only temporary. The Crusader Army may also be regrouping for the time being, which is why they did not continue to pursue.”

Foster’s next words showed that the situation was still very grave.

“Tell them to hurry up and organize their defenses. If Goen is not conducive to an ambush, they can take the initiative to retreat one more step and choose a good place. But in any case, the Crusader Army must not be allowed to enter the Alliance’s territory.”

“By the way, how is your son? Is he alright?”

“Oh, Heavenly Father be praised, the boy is fine.”

Marcus was worried and no longer in the mood to reprimand Councillor Horace.

He had the two sit down to discuss countermeasures for the current situation.

After a series of retreats, the army’s losses were great. Replenishing with new soldiers was the top priority.

Marquis Foster said with a worried expression, “Our manpower is still sufficient. Conscripting another batch of new soldiers should not be a problem. But in terms of military equipment…weapons, armor, and so on…the losses are great, and we cannot make up for it with the Alliance’s production capacity alone.”

“Oh, in that case, we have to make another trip to the Northwest Bay. As Horace said, it is time for the wealth accumulated by the Horn Bay Alliance over hundreds of years to be put to use.”

“Alright, I will send someone to make another trip immediately. I think that Count will be very happy.”

Foster was somewhat helpless.