After the command was issued, Draven’s soldiers dropped their weapons.
“And you! Tell your men to drop their weapons!” Eloise turned her attention to Mortimer, her blade now pressed against his throat.
“Drop your weapons!” Faced with her fierce gaze, Mortimer shouted for his men to surrender. The metallic clatter of weapons hitting the ground echoed as Mortimer’s soldiers followed suit.
Approximately 60% of the battlefield had yielded. Meanwhile, the remaining 40%, though still armed, displayed a palpable sense of unease and confusion.
In warfare, diminished morale posed the greatest risk. Upon witnessing their comrades surrendering, it left them hesitant to initiate an attack.
Furthermore, the absence of their lord added a critical dimension to the situation. With tens of thousands of soldiers left without a leader, the lack of command left them uncertain about their next course of action.
“Soldiers, your lord has abandoned you. Will you still fight for him?” Eloise’s powerful voice resonated across the scene.
She continued, “I understand you acted under orders, but if you surrender now, I can overlook today’s events. However, resist, and I will ensure severe consequences for all of you and your families.
“Consider your choices carefully!”
A palpable sense of authority emanated from her.
“Did our lord actually manage to escape? What’s our next move?”
“Don’t look at me. Who am I supposed to ask?”
“This war shouldn’t have happened in the first place. It’s clearly a rebellion. If the truth comes out, we’re all in trouble!”
“The followers of Sir Vice and Sir Thorne have already surrendered. Maybe we should surrender, too? Her Highness has assured us there won’t be any further repercussions.”
The soldiers whispered among themselves, grappling with the situation. The absence of military orders kept them from making rash moves.
Suddenly, a rhythmic and thunderous sound of marching footsteps emerged from all directions.
A large contingent of fully armed troops appeared at the end of every street, creating a formidable encirclement around the castle. Their superior numbers and imposing demeanor contrasted sharply with the demoralized rebels.
“What’s happening? Where did these people come from?”
“Look at their flags. They seem to be troops from the Southern Four Sovereigns.”
“What? Didn’t our forces secure the city gates? How did these foreign troops breach our defenses? Could it be that our external forces have been defeated?”
In the face of the sudden appearance of reinforcements for the castle, the rebel forces were visibly shaken, and their panic was evident.
“Those who surrender will be spared!” Eloise declared once more, her voice ringing out with authority.
“Those who surrender will be spared!” Austin declared as he lifted his sword, the call echoing with authority.
“Those who surrender will be spared!” Jaxon and the Draken Guardians shouted in unison.
“Those who surrender will be spared!” The surrounding castle reinforcements added their voices to the powerful chorus.
Their voices reverberated through the skies, lingering in the air.
