Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World-Chapter 743:

TL: Rui88

As the most powerful city-state in the Crusader Army and the seat of the Horn Bay Church, the fall of Collins was undoubtedly of symbolic significance.

Even though there were still city-states in the interior of Horn Bay loyal to the Horn Bay Church, without Collins and the Church, their potential impact was negligible. Even if the New Protestant forces were willing to continue the war until the last resisting nation was wiped out, it would be nothing more than a waste of time.

It had been a long and arduous campaign for everyone. Now, they only needed to sit enthroned in the city, taking the opportunity to rest their troops, and wait for the envoys of those small states to arrive and negotiate terms of surrender. Unless another troublemaker with the guts to stir up trouble emerged, they would be met with a thunderous blow.

The New Protestant Army occupied the City of Collins. At General Andrew’s suggestion, they held a grand military parade in this largest city of inland Horn Bay.

In the center of the city, in front of the cathedral which had been burned to a ruin, a tall reviewing stand was erected.

A crowd of high-ranking officials from the New Protestant Alliance ascended the stand, proudly watching the troops march past below.

The Alda army was particularly admirable as it passed. The soldiers carried their muskets, swung their right arms, and approached the reviewing stand in a neat goose-step. When they reached the stand, with the command “Eyes right!”, all the soldiers snapped their gazes towards the stand in a salute, startling everyone. They were then awed by the solemn aura exuded by this army.

Before the parade, no one had seen the Alda army conduct any special training for it. To be able to perform so perfectly now meant that this was how they usually drilled—the thought of this made everyone gasp in amazement.

The local people of Collins were not forbidden from approaching the parade grounds. In fact, the parade was intended to intimidate them.

Even so, most citizens did not dare to leave their homes. The few who were bold enough did not dare to get too close, hiding timidly in the shadows of alley entrances, watching the conquerors pass arrogantly through the city-center square in front of the church.

At the same time, the punishment of the war’s instigators was also underway.

After several years of war, the New Protestant Alliance had long prepared a thick blacklist.

Almost all the high-ranking members of the Horn Bay Church were arrested.

Among the nobility of Collins, the hard-line war advocates were also arrested. Other nobles were confined to their homes and strictly forbidden to go out. However, keeping them at home was not for leisure, but for them to take stock of their family fortunes. The New Protestant Alliance had prepared a considerable fine for every member of Collins’s ruling class.

It should be pointed out that the aforementioned fines were only for them personally. Collins, as a nation, had to pay a sky-high indemnity, as did the Horn Bay Church.

Before the religion in Horn Bay had split, every country would offer a tithe to the Horn Bay Church. One could imagine how much wealth the Horn Bay Church had accumulated, and Collins, as the seat of the Church, had received a considerable share.

In fact, after the city fell, the treasuries of the Church and the royal palace were almost immediately looted. Soldiers from different countries in the allied army even nearly came to blows over the gold coins.

Fortunately, the Alda army’s cannons were brought into the city in time. When the dark muzzles were pointed at these disorderly troops, everyone quickly regained their composure and became more reasonable.

After all, no one wanted to test if their body was harder than the walls of Collins.

Andrew ordered the treasuries sealed and emphasized that the distribution of spoils would be decided jointly by the high command of the various New Protestant factions.

Liszt traveled in a carriage, bumping along the road all the way from Lion’s Port to Collins.

Upon entering the city, Liszt was filled with emotion. Years ago, when he was just a minor clerk in a merchant guild, he had come to this largest city in inland Horn Bay on business. At that time, to secure a deal, he had endured the disdainful looks of those arrogant nobles and the bossy commands of those in power countless times.

Now, he had come here again, arriving in this city as a conqueror. He wondered what expressions those insufferably arrogant nobles would have when they saw him.

“Lord Liszt!”

Just as his carriage was about to enter the royal palace, a somewhat hoarse voice called out from the side.

Liszt turned his head and recognized the man: Count Bridges, a noble of Collins.

It was this very Count Bridges who had introduced him to the aristocracy of Collins, and it was at a banquet that he had met the astronomer—or rather, astrologer—Kebur.

But now, the count no longer possessed his former glory. The body that once wore silk clothes was now clad in tattered commoner’s garments, his face smeared with black grime, making him look like an old farmer who sold vegetables.

“Thank heavens, I’ve finally had the fortune of seeing you arrive!” Bridges’s voice choked up before he could finish his sentence.

“My Lord Count, how did you come to be in this state?” Liszt was very surprised.

“To find you! You have no idea, if I had gone out in my usual clothes, I probably would have been stripped bare long ago,” Bridges wailed.

Liszt led Bridges into the royal palace, had someone find a reception room, and arranged to meet with Bridges there.

“Lord Liszt!” The moment the attendant closed the door to the reception room, Bridges fell to his knees before him, begging “Lord Liszt” to spare Collins.

“Their price is too high. Many families cannot produce such a sum of money, and once the deadline passes, those people will be thrown into prison.”

“I know you are Marquis Grayman’s representative in Horn Bay, and his army was the key factor that saved the New Protestant Alliance. I believe your words carry weight. I beg you, please save the nobles of Collins!”

And so, Liszt sat on the sofa, continuously stroking his chin with his right hand, patiently listening to Bridges’s rambling account.

Finally, he walked over and patted the count’s shoulder. “My Lord Count, first, I must make one thing clear. Alda can forgo its deserved share…”

Bridges’s eyes widened, almost unable to believe his ears.

“If Collins is willing to pledge allegiance to Marquis Grayman!” Liszt continued.

Bridges became displeased. “Does the Marquis intend to annex us?”

“No, no, no! It would just be like a protectorate. Your future Majesty, the King of Collins!”

“Even so, wait… what did you say?”

Liszt laughed heartily at him. “Would you be willing to become the new King of Collins?”

Bridges’s heart began to pound wildly.