The enemy soldiers had already entered the city, and his own incompetent subordinates had surrendered long ago. The only thing he could rely on now was the fleet anchored in the harbor.

Set sail! Taking the fleet to sea was the only thing on his mind now. As long as he could leave the port, he could save his own life!

"Sir, sir! Rest, please..." The only officer who had escaped with him sat on the ground, panting heavily, sounding as if he'd lost all hope.

They were exhausted from their desperate escape, but he believed the enemy must be busy receiving their surrender, controlling the walls and gates. They wouldn't come looking for them so soon.

"What...what was that explosion? Why? How could it rival magic?" Leaning against the wall, Berman, after catching his breath, asked in despair.

Now that he had calmed down, he realized his undershirt was drenched in sweat. Earlier, while running desperately, he had thoughts of revenge, but now he only wanted to save his own life.

Such an enemy, he figured, even the Arante Empire would be wise to avoid. A small figure like himself had no chance for vengeance.

However, sending the message that Serys City had "magical assistance" back to the Arante Empire would surely raise alarm, right? Although he had no personal gain, Serys City would likely be wiped out, he thought with a cruel smile. He wanted the wretched lord of Serys, Irenshil Chris, to die, and he wanted that wretch never to be reborn!

"I...I don't know!" The officer, thinking of those terrifying explosions, looked just as shocked and had no courage. "It might have been the devil's thunder, perhaps?"

"The devil's thunder? I'd say it's more like a mage's fire magic!" Berman scolded angrily. "Useless! How could you not bring a single guard with us? Huh?"

Hearing his master's scolding, the officer felt the injustice. Sobbing with a bitter face, he said, "Sir! It was chaotic up there on the walls, who would listen to my orders...?"

He had wanted to bring a few men with them, so they would have some protection on the way. However, a cannonball had fallen not far away, and the entire guard's camp had been thrown into chaos. How could anyone hear his shouts amidst the confusion?

Moreover, he couldn't give orders to the other soldiers when they passed by. If the commander gave orders to retreat during a chaotic situation, who would be willing to stay behind? It would only make things messier if everyone started running back, wouldn't it?

At that time, leaving the soldiers on the city wall to hold back the enemy was the right choice. So, upon hearing his master's scolding, the officer felt wronged.

Berman also saw the officer's distress and realized that blaming his loyal subordinate at this moment would be of no use. He needed to stabilize those who had escaped with him. This was what a leader should do at this moment.

So, he adjusted his tone and reassured him, "Alright! It's not your fault. Blame the enemy's bizarre weapons... Come with me back to Arante, and we'll bring reinforcements to retake the port city!"

Hearing his master's intention to bring reinforcements from Arante, and seeing a glimmer of hope, the officer immediately exclaimed, "I'm willing to follow you to the death, sir!"

"Take off that armor! Let's go!" Seeing that he had reassured his loyal subordinate, Berman dropped his gauntlets by the roadside and wiped the sweat from his forehead before continuing toward the harbor.

...

On the harbor's dock, Laurence stood in the sea breeze with his sword in hand, and behind him, rows of sailors were ready to set sail.

Another officer in leather armor approached, lowered his head, and said, "Sir! There was a loud explosion from the city wall, and black smoke rose... Maybe Berman is losing."

"Hmph! He's only been a lord here for a few years. Look at what he's done to the port city. The people are suffering, and the citizens are in misery," Laurence grumbled. "He treated women as playthings, oppressed the weak everywhere. I've disliked him for a long time."

"This time he really stepped on a hornet's nest. I didn't expect Serys to easily conquer Meine and reach us so quickly," the officer said, chuckling and continuing.

Laurence nodded and spat in disdain. "If he doesn't give me a chance, I'll surely settle scores for the women and the people who suffered because of him."

As they were speaking, two figures stumbled from the street at the end of the road and ran towards the dock. They arrived quickly, revealing themselves as Berman, the city lord, and his loyal officer.

"Hurry! Let us on board!" Berman shouted loudly, gasping for breath as they ran.

Laurence, holding his sword, his smile growing colder, said, "It seems like the opportunity has come today."

As they got closer, and the sailors' expressions became unsettling, Berman stopped his steps and kept a certain distance from Laurence. He asked vigilantly, "What are you standing here for? Let us on board! I need to leave!"

"Where are you going, sir?" Laurence's face wore a smirk as he stepped forward, his tone mocking.

"I...I'm going to Arante! I'm the designated lord of Arante. Going back to report my service should be no problem!" Berman invoked the support of the Arante Empire, shouting loudly but with a guilty conscience. He knew that without the Arante Empire backing him, Laurence wouldn't have paid any attention to him.

Laurence nodded and gestured, creating a path for Berman to embark. He said, "Please, let the lord board the ship."

Berman wasn't a fool; he had already realized Laurence's hostile intentions and wouldn't approach him easily. He brandished his longsword while watching Laurence, his voice harsh. "Laurence! Are you planning to betray me?"

"I just think, sir, that it's time for a more capable lord," Laurence said with a smile that grew colder, his eyes squinting. "You're not going to be killed by me."

"You! Are you daring to kill me?" Berman looked at Laurence with hatred, speaking in a threatening tone.

"I wouldn't dare," Laurence said, still squinting. "But you won't be killed by me. You'll die at the hands of the Serys cavalry, in the midst of the chaos."

Berman realized that Laurence had found a loophole, and he had no choice but to make a final stand to save his life. With a single word, "You," he drew his longsword.

Berman's movements were not slow, but Laurence was faster. The seasoned sailor unsheathed his sword, moving like a serpent, drawing a peculiar path.

Berman felt a sudden sharpness in his throat, making it difficult to breathe. He dropped his sword and knelt on the ground, clutching his neck with his hands. Blood gushed out uncontrollably, impossible to stem.

He tried to speak, but all that came out was warm blood. He saw his loyal officer in the distance being hacked to death by several sailors, and he saw Laurence sheathing his sword, looking down at him.

He also heard Laurence's words that sent a chill down his spine: "Berman, the scoundrel who bullied men and women, is dead! The port city has finally found hope!"

Berman extended a bloodied hand, wanting to grab Laurence, but his body was unresponsive, and he fell backward. All he could see was the deep blue sky and the dense black-gray smoke wafting from the city wall.

The despairing gazes of the women he had mistreated floated before him, and the cries of the families he had harmed echoed in his ears. The treasures he had taken for himself lay at his feet. But there was one feeling he couldn't recall: remorse.

Chris, holding his sword, tightened the reins, casting a glance at Berman's now lifeless body. He was also looking at the tall man in leather armor standing on the pier behind him.

"Did you kill him?" After a long pause, Chris asked with a smile.

"You killed him!" Laurence, his hand on his longsword, replied, looking up with a loud voice.

Chris nodded. "Alright! I'll take the blame for this. I'm Irenshil Chris, the lord of Serys."

Pointing vaguely at the battered sailboats behind him, Laurence introduced himself, "I'm Laurence, no surname, the naval commander of the port city."

Chris nodded. "Nice to meet you, General Laurence."

Laurence wasn't shy either. He continued, "I'm very pleased to meet you, Chris, the man who defeated Meine and the port city within ten days. Also, I have one question... Are those fabrics and wood products truly your innovations?"

"Indeed, they are my creations," Chris acknowledged without reservation. "I had no choice, with such high taxes. I had to establish some industries; otherwise, I wouldn't have the gold coins to pay the taxes."

"Chris, please consider helping our port city find ways to increase our income. If you can, I'll fight for you!" Laurence continued with a smile.