Chapter 1106: Chapter 1043: A Simple War, a Simple End (Part 3)

"Old Count!"

A gentle call caused Count Kazi’s motion of swinging his cane to halt.

Kazi turned his head and saw the Senior Military Chaplain Balgo approaching slowly.

"Balgo, there’s still time, quickly persuade Montel to return, this is no joke."

The priest’s black robe was clinging to his body in the wind, and he drew a cross on his chest with the coiled cross: "First, please stop beating these guards, they are just performing their duties."

Kazi’s cane stopped in mid-air, his knuckles white from exertion.

He panted heavily, discarding the cane he almost broke, and suddenly felt dizzy.

Balgo took a step forward: "Sit down first, the guards are blocking you for fear of impulsive action.

At this moment, can’t you calm down and discuss things rationally?"

Kazi sneered, spittle flying onto Balgo’s black robe: "Rational? How do you expect me to be rational?

You should know, from my understanding of the Holy Alliance, once Montel marches, it won’t be long before the Holy Alliance Army reaches Spark Town.

Just like the time the Holy Alliance’s Witch, Jeanne, crushed seven armies in succession, you and I will both become captives."

"That was back then." Hearing these almost cursed words, Balgo wasn’t pleased, but his voice remained steady, "Not necessarily, those temporarily conscripted soldiers may not have the elite quality of the Salvation Army back then.

Besides, they had a witch leading them at that time, and we are not those loose regional lord armies, can they even be called an army?"

Kazi suddenly raised his head, bloodshot eyes like a spider web, and after a long time, he spoke through gritted teeth: "You are too arrogant."

Balgo slightly shook his head, and pointed the coiled cross towards the distance: "Count Kazi, we have known each other for a long time, but on this matter, I believe the arrogant one is you."

"Arrogant, you call me arrogant?" Kazi seemed to have heard an enormous joke and couldn’t help but laugh in anger.

Balgo chanted a holy name: "Yes, you haven’t even fought yet, how do you know you cannot win?

The Holy Alliance Army is strong, but our Falan has more and better ironworks, which can produce twice as many holy guns in three months than they can.

Now it seems the Holy Alliance is the mighty first empire, but they are merely relying on the advantage of weapons.

We only lack time, this does not mean the Falan army is definitely weaker than the Holy Alliance.

As we mentioned in the court meeting, to regard the divine essence as the body, and the holy path as the means, is the great path...

Moreover, I heard that Lord Gael has arranged a thousand men on Stoneridge Heights.

No matter how strong the Holy Alliance Army is, can they defeat Gael’s troops and capture Stoneridge in a day?

So, this is not arrogance, it is confidence."

Seeing Balgo’s confident demeanor, Kazi opened his mouth, lacking even the desire to argue.

The wind suddenly changed direction, and Kazi heard sounds from afar.

The sound of hooves faded, the singing grew sparse, leaving only faint shouts.

The main force of the thousand-men team from Spark Town had already left the camp, heading north to provide support, and by this moment they were far away.

Too late.

Count Kazi staggered to the doorway, his hand shaking as it clung to the door frame.

Suddenly, he felt an immense helplessness, despite having seen what was to come, despite having taken numerous actions to prevent it, why could he still not escape the destiny of defeat?

Could it be the Holy Father insisted it be so? Was this the destiny arranged for him by the Holy Father?

Endless sadness, fear, and confusion surrounded Kazi, nearly bringing him to tears.

After a bout of trembling, Count Kazi suddenly fell straight backward, and several servants quickly rushed forward to support him.

Even Balgo hurried over: "Your Excellency, what’s the matter?"

"Balgo, let’s make a bet, I guess the Holy Alliance Army will arrive earlier than Montel’s triumphant return, just wager a Silver Coin."

That night, a sudden warm autumn rain fell, pattering on the plantain leaves. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Count Kazi caught a fever, took medicine, and fell into a drowsy sleep, occasionally muttering in his sleep.

In the dream, he seemed to hear a sound like muffled thunder, Balgo’s panicked shouts, the surprised roars of the numerous stationed soldiers, and a continuous sound of footsteps and horse hooves.

By noon the next day, under the care of the Priest’s Divine Art, Count Kazi finally woke from his fever.

With the support of his attendants, he walked out of the door.

Outside the door, Mormon, who was signing the order for material handover, looked up, initially surprised, then broke into a smile.

"Long time no see, Mr. Kazi."

Kazi appeared to have aged ten years overnight: "I didn’t expect even such a battle would see me defeated by you."

"Don’t say that, we are old friends after all." Mormon teased as he approached, "The Holy Alliance Army treats prisoners well, rest assured, I won’t physically punish you."

Kazi walked limping toward the prisoner camp without a cane.

Seeing Balgo slumping by the roadside in dismay, Kazi went up and kicked him in the rear: "Hey, you owe me 1 Dinar."