Chapter 57: Seizing Ambratu (Part 2)
The people of Ambratu and the domain of Count Lanwan were fundamentally incompatible.
Ambratu society was broadly divided into three classes: citizens, freemen, and slaves.
Similarly, the Oran Empire's society was also roughly structured into three tiers: the nobility, commoners, and slaves.
While citizens and nobles each formed the ruling class in their respective societies, Count Lanwan's territory could hardly absorb an influx of over twenty thousand nobles. Even the knights, as lower-ranking nobles, would be overwhelmed by such numbers. Conversely, the citizens of Ambratu would never willingly relinquish their ruling status to become commoners; it would violate their traditions and affront their dignity.
Therefore, if Charlotte intended to bring Ambratu under her control, she had to swiftly and decisively eliminate the citizen class within Ambratu.
According to intelligence gathered by Robin Mancini, Ambratu had approximately twenty-eight thousand citizens. Seven thousand had perished in the campaign against Little Sarsini, two thousand had been conscripted by the Aye Alliance, and around three thousand were living abroad for work.
Currently, Charlotte had surrounded over six thousand Ambratu citizens at the Lanwan Isthmus.
Charlotte had initially planned to spend seven days enticing more Ambratu citizens with food and wealth. However, to her surprise, within just three days, almost all the gold and silverware she had prepared had been stolen! This left her no option but to execute her plan on the fourth day.
It was utterly preposterous!
After all, Charlotte had prepared two entire carriages of expensive tableware!
As Cecilia initiated the plan, Eric Scamario led the cavalry in a simultaneous assault, heading directly for Ambratu.
The city-state of Ambratu was completely unprepared. The guards at the city gate, caught off guard, hesitated about whether to stop the approaching cavalry to collect taxes. Consequently, the lead cavalryman simply charged through, knocking a guard unconscious on the spot.
This "brave" guard was the only resistance the Lanwan cavalry encountered as they breached the city walls.
"First and second teams, secure the Senate building. Third, fourth, and fifth teams, take control of the three city gates," Eric Scamario reined in his horse and commanded.
"Yes!"
The four teams immediately dispersed. This was part of their prearranged strategy, and every member knew their specific objective.
The pedestrians on the streets might have seen this same cavalry recently when they arrived as "peace envoys" ostensibly coming to their rescue – though the people of Ambratu had scoffed at the notion of rescue at the time. However, their current forceful entry into the city was clearly hostile.
Sensing the tension in the air, the pedestrians quickly moved to avoid any trouble. Only a tall, handsome man with short blond hair, dressed in gray linen, approached Eric's horse. He offered an elegant and standard Oran noble salute and smiled, "It's a pleasure to see you again, Knight Scamario."
While Robin Mancini had seen Eric Scamario the last time he was in Ambratu with Charlotte, this was Eric's first encounter with Robin Mancini.
"Are you Knight Robin Mancini?" Eric dismounted and returned the salute.
"Yes," Robin Mancini nodded and introduced the men behind him, "These men were once citizens of Ambratu, but they have now sworn allegiance to Count Lanwan."
Led by One-Eyed Logan, Robin Mancini's subordinates bowed to Eric Scamario. These were the disgruntled, financially struggling, and nearly abandoned lower-class citizens that Charlotte had specifically instructed Robin Mancini to recruit.
Looking at these plainly dressed former Ambratu citizens, Eric Scamario felt a mix of emotions. It was said that Charlotte had sent Robin Mancini to Ambratu shortly after arriving in the Lanwan territory. Had the Countess been plotting to take over Ambratu from the very beginning? Although Eric found it hard to believe, the reality before him forced him to consider the possibility.
Eric shook his head slightly to clear his distracting thoughts and got down to business with Robin Mancini. "Before we departed, the Countess mentioned that you could provide some assistance?"
"Of course," Robin Mancini spread his hands confidently and smiled, "My friends here can guide you."
Eric dispatched seven knights, each leading a small team, to follow Robin Mancini's men and capture specific targets: citizens who were not only actively involved in politics but also encouraged others to participate. In other words, the leaders of public opinion.
In reality, there weren't many such opinion leaders left in Ambratu. To become a leader of public opinion, one had to be a recognized "social elite" and possess a certain level of initiative. The battle of Little Sarsini had significantly reduced the elite citizen class, and now the more proactive citizens were surrounded by Charlotte at the Lanwan Isthmus.
"The citizen militia of Ambratu has almost completely lost its combat capability," Robin Mancini suggested. "Instead of capturing people, you should prioritize securing the important public warehouses in the city to prevent looters from destroying or burning the assets that rightfully belong to the Countess."
"Public warehouses?" Eric was somewhat surprised. "But I heard Ambratu wasn't wealthy?"
Robin Mancini shook his head with a smile. "Lacking wealth simply means they don't have much money. Ambratu may not have much money, but it possesses other things. I believe those things are more valuable to the Countess than currency."
Hearing this, Eric took the advice and personally led the remaining troops to secure Ambratu's public warehouses, following Robin Mancini.
As Robin Mancini had predicted, the citizens in the city were disorganized and easily scattered. At the sight of the cavalry, they simply fled in all directions, offering no effective resistance.
In the Senate building, Oliver Capino was managing city affairs with three other elders when four tall, armored soldiers burst through the door.
Seeing these unfamiliar soldiers and the blood dripping from their swords, Oliver Capino felt a deep sense of unease. However, he maintained his composure, slowly placing the documents in his hand down, and asked, "May I inquire who you are and the reason for your arrival?"
The leader, Ed Adkins, produced Charlotte's edict and read aloud, "From this day forward, Ambratu falls under the jurisdiction of Count Lanwan. Pande, who murdered the Oran Knight Harvey Shelvin, is to be executed. All citizens of Ambratu who harbored the murderer are to be stripped of their citizenship and sentenced to three months of hard labor."
The other three elders were stunned, their faces gradually paling. They seemed on the verge of rebuking these rude invaders but were deterred by the cold, murderous intent radiating from them, and for a moment, they dared not speak.
Only Oliver Capino asked, "Could we go home to settle our affairs before beginning our hard labor?" Though he tried to keep his voice steady, the trembling quill in his hand betrayed his inner turmoil.
"No, you will remain here obediently!" Ed Adkins immediately rejected Oliver Capino's request and then inquired, "Why are there only four of you? Where are the other elders?"
Oliver Capino opened his mouth but ultimately sighed and told the truth. "The Senate operates on a rotation system for work and rest. Today is our shift. The others, barring any unforeseen circumstances, should be resting at home... except for Elder John Rice. If he's still alive, he should still be in Count Lanwan's territory."
Ed Adkins didn't pay much attention to whether Oliver Capino's last remark was sarcastic or not. Upon receiving this information, he immediately dispatched a knight to inform Eric.
Upon receiving the news, Eric promptly sent out two teams to capture the remaining elders.
Meanwhile, Martin Kramer was enjoying afternoon tea at a manor outside the city. This wasn't his own residence but belonged to a still-charming widow named Alexa.
Alexa was a well-known widow in Ambratu, partly due to her beauty and wealth, and partly because of the lawsuit between Martin Kramer and the merchant Jonathan Hackman over two years prior. Alexa had been Jonathan Hackman's wife, and now she was Martin Kramer's lover.
"With the mines unable to transport ore, I don't know how we're going to survive..."
Alexa complained to Martin Kramer about their recent financial difficulties.
Growing impatient with Alexa's incessant complaints, Martin Kramer interrupted, "These are difficult times, but things will improve."
Seeing Martin Kramer's dismissive attitude, Alexa became even angrier. "You acknowledge these are difficult times, yet you won't allow me to reduce the slaves' rations. If the mines can't sell ore, what do the slaves need so much food for?"
Hearing this, Martin Kramer sat up abruptly and said, "Don't do anything rash. The city has practically no citizen militia left. If the slaves revolt again, Ambratu will be finished. A little extra food is insignificant. Money can be earned later."
"It's not your food, so of course you don't care..." Alexa was about to continue when a loud crash echoed from outside the manor.
Frowning, Alexa stood up to scold the clumsy servants, but several servants stumbled into the room, their faces etched with terror. Behind them was a small group of fully armed soldiers.
"Who are you? Don't you know this is Elder Kramer's manor?" Alexa demanded, her voice sharp.
In the city-state of Sokia, women generally held low status. Although Alexa was wealthy, maintaining her property was a constant struggle. Thus, she often invoked Martin Kramer's name to resolve issues. More often than not, Martin Kramer would intervene to help her.
However, this time, Martin Kramer failed to assist Alexa.
Alexa waited but heard no response from Martin Kramer. She turned to look and saw that Martin Kramer had set down his teacup and slowly risen, his expression grave.
He recognized the emblem on the soldiers' armguards – the crest of the Mellefield family. Their aggressive arrival clearly signaled hostile intentions.
"Gentlemen, may I ask what this is about?" Martin Kramer inquired in a deep voice.
"Please come with us, Mr. Martin Kramer," said the young knight leading the group, Adams Bell.
"Is there some misunderstanding?" Martin Kramer forced a smile, attempting to ease the tension.
Adams Bell offered no explanation. With a wave of his hand, two knights stepped forward and dragged Martin Kramer away.
"No! Let me go! We're still negotiating with Count Lanwan! You can't do this! This is an invasion! An invasion!"
As he was dragged away, Martin Kramer screamed in panic. A pair of faint wings emerged from his back.
Adams calmly stepped forward and delivered a punch to Martin Kramer's stomach. The pampered elder nearly lost consciousness from the blow, and the light wings behind him dimmed once more.
"Bleed him!" Adams ordered.
After capturing Martin Kramer, Adams proceeded to apprehend another elder, Harry Kane, who lived nearby. Harry Kane, known for his volatile temper, refused to surrender and was subsequently cut down in a flurry of swords.
Tied to the back of Adams' horse, Martin Kramer broke out in a cold sweat.
Oliver Capino, trapped in the Senate building, appeared calm on the surface but was frantic internally. Before he could devise a plan to address the sudden crisis, his colleagues were brought in one by one – Martin Kramer, Lucas Capino, Jürgen Woller, and others.
"Brother, what... is happening?" Elder Lucas Capino asked, still bewildered.
"What do you think is happening?" Oliver Capino couldn't conceal his frustration. "The Lanwan forces have launched an attack on us! What's the situation outside? Is the fighting still ongoing? Why can't I hear anything?"
"What fighting? There's no fighting at all. Not a single person has died. The Lanwan cavalry is moving through the streets as if they own the place."
Jürgen Woller replied irritably.
His words silenced the elders. They had already recognized that Ambratu was defenseless, but the complete lack of resistance was still shocking.
"Someone has died," Martin Kramer suddenly added. "Elder Harry Kane was killed."
Another long silence followed, this time heavy with the palpable fear of death hanging over these elders who had enjoyed a life of comfort.
After what seemed like an eternity, someone finally spoke. "Perhaps we should surrender to Count Lanwan. Ambratu has a larger population than the Lanwan territory. She will need locals to govern Ambratu."
No one knew who had spoken, but the sentiment undoubtedly echoed the thoughts of the democratic elders. Resistance was futile, but surrender might offer a chance – whether for survival or for seeking future independence for Ambratu.
However, a slightly hoarse male voice suddenly spoke from the doorway. "Count Lanwan does indeed need locals to govern Ambratu, but it doesn't have to be you."
The elders looked up to see a weathered face and a pair of wild, triumphant eyes.
Martin Kramer recognized the man and froze, then his eyes widened in terror as he shouted, "Jonathan Hackman!"
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