Kosora fortress.
"Forgive me, Count Ambroise. My father won’t be sending any reinforcements." Gabriel de Montfort slightly bowed down.
There was a moment of silence, followed by gasps of surprise and bewilderment.
"……does that mean they will be coming late?"
Ambroise asked slowly. He’s probably worn out from being unable to deal with the anxiety after the earlier defeat in battle.
Count Auclair and I looked away as we knew no further reinforcement would come from Marquis Cyril de Montfort.
"Forgive me, they’re not coming at all."
If they were late, Marquis would have told us beforehand.
In other words, additional soldiers would absolutely not be coming.
"That’s not what we agreed on!"
"We were expecting backup from Marquis, that’s why we chose to fight the hopeless skirmish!"
His men also shouted.
Nothing can be done even if you tell Gabriel that.
Besides, we had no other choice than to hole up in the city after losing so magnificently.
For the next while, everyone expressed their concerns in a tumultuous shouting match.
"In any case, we have to rework our plans if reinforcements aren’t coming."
His right hand man, Angoer settled everyone down and then turned to Ambroise.
"Fortunately for us, we have an abundance of food and supplies in the city. If we fortify the city’s defenses using the walls and solicit help from citizens to exhaust the enemy when they attack again, there is a chance we get free from this siege."
Currently, the enemy’s forces were easily over 10,000 and they were continuing to grow stronger.
Count Ambroise on the other hand has more or less 1,000 including the injured, then you add the 3,000 Marquis army, which was no match for Orlais-Fanoss Union.
If we consider the 30,000 people in Kosora, it’s not impossible to put up a fight assuming several tens of thousands got conscripted.
Ambroise thought hard before nodding.
"It seems Saxon-Fanoss Union had sent their undercover into our people and they were inciting the people to rebel against me."
Oh, that's the self proclaimed Queen of Saxon-Fanoss Union, Selena Saxon's usual mode of operation when they incited the plebeians to topple their noble lords.
***
Kosora City found itself encircled by the formidable forces of the Orlais-Fanoss Union. Count Ambroise, the respected ruler of the region, and his trusted advisor, Baron Angoer, were grappling with the aftermath of a crushing defeat suffered in a skirmish just a day prior. Their diminishing ranks, consisting of less than 1,000 soldiers, were vastly outnumbered by the imposing besiegers boasting over 10,000 troops.
To further complicate matters, the Orlais-Fanoss Union had cunningly planted spies within the city's populace. These agents clandestinely sowed seeds of dissent among the citizens, inciting them to rebel against their rightful rulers. This insidious tactic had proven successful in subjugating numerous territories before, and now it threatened to erode the already fragile stability of Kosora City.
The citizens of Kosora, swayed by the relentless propaganda and manipulation of the Orlais-Fanoss Union's spies, began to succumb to the allure of rebellion. Whispers of discontent filled the city streets, and disgruntled murmurs grew louder with each passing day. The people, already burdened by the hardships brought upon them by the siege, found themselves vulnerable to the Union's insidious influence.
Unbeknownst to Count Ambroise and Baron Angoer, a clandestine meeting took place in the depths of Kosora's underground tunnels. A group of disillusioned citizens, driven by a mix of genuine grievances and cleverly orchestrated agitation, formed the core of the burgeoning rebellion. Led by a charismatic figure named Elena, who had been coerced by the Union's spies into believing in their cause, the rebels sought to overthrow the ruling regime.
Elena rallied the disenchanted citizens, highlighting their suffering and exploiting their anger towards Count Ambroise's perceived failures. She appealed to their desire for change, promising a brighter future under the auspices of the Orlais-Fanoss Union. With each impassioned speech, Elena fueled the flames of rebellion, igniting a fervor that spread like wildfire among the populace.
As the rebellion gained momentum, acts of defiance against Count Ambroise's authority became increasingly frequent. Citizens openly defied the decrees of the ruling regime, engaging in acts of civil disobedience and sabotage. The once peaceful streets of Kosora turned into a battleground, with clashes between loyalist forces and rebel factions becoming a common occurrence.
Count Ambroise and Baron Angoer, caught off guard by the rapid escalation of the rebellion, realized the gravity of the situation. They understood that without swift action, the foundations of their rule would crumble beneath the weight of public dissent. They mobilized their remaining troops, devising a strategy to quell the rebellion and regain control over the city.
However, the odds were stacked against them.
"My lord!" Three of his officers ran towards Ambroise who was looking at the enemies outside the wall from the rampart.
Angoer told them off, "Why you disturb his Excellency?"
"Lord Angoer. Forgive us. There was big fight in the south part of the city!"
Another man added, "In the north side, the citizens have killed our guards and taken over the roads and buildings!"
Another man nervously spoke, "Various parts of the city were overcame by rebels!"
Count Ambroise's heart sank as he listened to the reports from his officers. The rebellion had spread throughout the city, catching them off guard and plunging Kosora into chaos. The once-united citizens were now divided, most were siding with the rebels while others remained loyal to the count.
The count became weak and his back leaned helplessly against the wall. The Baron also unconsciously released the sword in his hand. As their two lords looked devastated, the three lower nobles felt hopeless.
The situation seemed dire, with rebellion and chaos consuming Kosora City from within, while the forces of the Orlais-Fanoss Union continued to tighten their grip from outside the walls. Count Ambroise and Baron Angoer realized that they had underestimated the power of manipulation and propaganda employed by their enemies.
As the turmoil within Kosora City reached its peak, the ultimate outcome remained uncertain. The fate of Count Ambroise, Baron Angoer, and the people of Kosora hinged on their ability to navigate treacherous waters, confront the rebellion head-on, and persevere against overwhelming odds.
