Determination

Translator: Cinder Translations

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The capital city of the Duchy of Eaton, Hydra, has been in a sea of joy for several days, with crowds singing and dancing everywhere in the streets, taverns offering half-price drinks, and staying open all night. Apart from the heavily guarded soldiers on the city walls, everyone wears a sincere smile.

The reason for this joyous atmosphere is that the Duchy's ruler, Duke Elliot Cabre, led his army to defeat the missionary troops sent by the Horns Bay Church outside the city.

This missionary army, led by General Collins Fedotov, was composed of cavalry, infantry, archers, and auxiliary troops, fully equipped and well-prepared. They had "borrowed passage" through the defenseless northern neutral states and entered Eaton's territory with sharp blades and a vigorous spirit. Their continuous victories filled both the commanders and soldiers with unwavering confidence in their success.

If they could take down Eaton, they would push into the soft underbelly of the Horns Bay Alliance, attacking simultaneously with the missionary army confronting the Horns Bay Alliance forces to the east. It was like a giant iron clamp squeezing an egg—apply a little pressure, and the egg would shatter. The coastal nations would once again fall under the control of the Horns Bay Church, and those blasphemous villains would face punishment.

However, such a formidable army met its downfall outside the city of Hydra; they hit a wall and were thoroughly defeated by Duke Cabre's forces. The church's expeditionary army was utterly routed and forced to retreat, and perhaps calling it a retreat was generous, as they were directly crushed, falling into a state of disarray and disorder. It is hard to say how many managed to escape.

According to accounts from those who experienced the battle firsthand, the initial situation on the battlefield was quite unfavorable for the Eaton army until a mysterious and powerful reinforcements arrived, turning the tide of battle…

Inside the palace of Hydra, Duke Elliot Cabre lay quietly on a lounge chair, eyes closed, his right arm extended on a small table beside him, where a man dressed as a doctor was changing his bandages.

"Ah—"

The duke couldn't help but let out a groan.

He had been injured in the battle defending Hydra, struck hard on the right arm by a large iron hammer, nearly losing control of his arm. His greatsword had fallen to the ground, and the immense pain even made him feel faint. Fortunately, his bodyguards were there to support him, and more fortunately, the tide of the battlefield had already turned. The soldiers of the Eaton army were now vigorously counterattacking the enemy. If this injury had occurred while the Eaton army was struggling to hold on, it could have caused their immediate collapse.

"Your Majesty, please bear with it; it will be over soon... Oh, it's done! You can move your arm, but don't do it too quickly or with too much force."

Duke Cabre lifted his bandaged arm from the table, slowly stretching and retracting it a few times. "I feel like I'm recovering quickly; at least, I feel better day by day."

"Your feeling is correct, Your Majesty." The doctor said, looking relaxed. "I estimate that in about ten days, your arm will be as good as new."

"Thank you for your care, Ramirez." The duke expressed his gratitude.

"Oh, I cannot accept your thanks, Your Majesty. Setting aside the fact that I am your court physician, this is my duty. To care for the hero who saved Eaton is the greatest honor of my life. If anything were to happen to you, the people of Hydra would tear me apart as soon as I stepped outside the kingdom."

Doctor Ramirez looked at Duke Cabre, his face filled with reverence.

Duke Cabre smiled humbly. "Haha, I just did what I was supposed to do. The hero who saved Eaton is someone else."

The doctor waved his hand. "You must not belittle yourself." He thought the duke was referring to those loyal and brave soldiers.

"Dear, how are you?" At that moment, a charming female voice came from outside.

Duchess Helen walked in with a light step.

"Oh, Helen, Ramirez has done an excellent job for me. He said I'll be healed in about ten days. Look…"

As the duke spoke, he leaped up from the lounge chair, waving his arm as if to show off to his wife, causing Doctor Ramirez to hurriedly grab him.

"Your Majesty, you still shouldn't move too much."

Helen quickened her pace to stand in front of her husband, her eyes wide and her lips pouting in mock anger. "Have you forgotten the pain now that your wound is healing?"

The duchess had a gentle temperament and rarely got angry, but when she did, her beauty had a unique charm, and Duke Cabre found himself entranced.

Doctor Ramirez felt it was time for him to leave, bowed out, and quietly exited.

The duke gently wrapped his functioning left arm around his wife. "Is there any news from Teacher Marianna?"

Helen looked up at her husband and said discontentedly, "What? Do I have to wait for news from the front lines before I can visit my husband?"

"Ah, dear, you know that's not what I meant." Duke Cabre smiled bitterly; women often found fault with you at the most unexpected moments.

"I'm just very concerned about the situation in the war; after all, we've finally gained the momentum for a counterattack."

"Hmph!" Helen lightly wrinkled her small nose, her expression one of forgiveness. "Teacher Marianna did indeed send back the latest news; a more detailed report written by your commanders should arrive the day after tomorrow."

"Ah, hurry and tell me what Teacher Marianna said; I can't wait any longer."

Helen said seriously, "It can be confirmed that the church's army truly has no capability to fight back anymore!"

"Oh?"

"The remnants of the church's army are retreating in a very disorganized manner. Those neutral city-states that they 'borrowed' passage through have seized this opportunity to begin resistance activities. There are traps waiting ahead, and we are pursuing them from behind. They have suffered continuous losses along the way and can hardly be called an army anymore."

"Ha ha, that's truly satisfying! Ugh, ah, ah, ah!"

"Didn't the doctor tell you to be careful?"

Excited, Duke Cabre couldn't help but start waving his arm again, only to feel a surge of pain, prompting his wife to scold him once more.

"There's another good piece of news; the city-state of Palada hopes to receive our protection in case the church's army returns."

Ah? Duke Cabre was surprised. This news was indeed a pleasant surprise; to actively request Eaton's protection meant something significant. As a ruler of a nation, the duke understood this all too well.

"However, Teacher Marianna suggested that our army should stop at Palada; going further would exceed Eaton's current capabilities, especially since our main force hasn't returned yet."

Helen reminded her husband, who seemed somewhat giddy.

The duke said, "Oh, of course, I'm not someone who would let victory go to my head. Having a buffer zone is already quite good."

"Well…" Helen suddenly hesitated, stammering.

"What's wrong, dear? Is there anything to feel anxious about in front of me?" The duke placed his left hand on his wife's shoulder.

"Teacher… she asked me to ask you if your previous promise still stands."

"Of course!" Duke Elliot Cabre replied loudly. "I mean, of course it stands!"

There was not a hint of hesitation in his voice.

"The Cabre family has always kept their word, especially since they saved Eaton and its people."

Helen looked at her husband with excitement; his gaze was clear and sincere.

"No matter what happens in the future, let us face it together."

(End of the Chapter)

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