Herald of Steel



Cambyses and her group quickly sped through the road leading to her manor, and on her way, he found the city in an uproar, with many of the streets still filled with confused civilians lingering around in hapless fear while the city guards tried to get them to return to their homes in an effort to maintain order.

It seemed there was a general sense of panic in the air, and words such as these began to filter into Cambyses's ears.

"War! War! War! It's been nothing but war for the past four years."

"When Lord Alxx took over the city, he said we would have peace. What peace!"

"That's right! I'm sick of it all,"

"Fuck this once a meal! I'm so hungry!"

It seemed most of the people were teetering on severe war exhaustion, and if Perseus kept up the siege for long, the people might break before the walls did.

'I will need to ask Her Twin Highnesses to give better sermons. And have Bartholomew crack down harder on dissidents."

Hearing this Cambyses hence decided as she rushed past them, feeling the eyes of bystanders turning to look curiously at her, before instantly gazing away when noticing the armed escort.

This was the instinctual response of commoners when spotting a noble, to try and be as inconspicuous as possible, so as to not bring any potential harm to them.

While Cambyses had no time to particularly care about any of this.

Instead, as Cambyses quickly made her way on foot, she suddenly spotted a familiar face among the patrolling guards, once a fellow member of her mercenary group, and now the leader of hundred city guards, or as they were formally called- Policemen.

And given his relatively high status, Cambyses eagerly asked about the state of the city.

"Peterio! How is the situation in the city?"

"Ahh! Chief Commissioner!" Hearing Cambyses's familiar voice and seeing her in the flesh, the man instantly produced a large grin while addressing Cambyses by her title, as he ran over to salute her once he got close enough.

"We are so glad to see you are okay. All of us were getting worried. Especially supervisor Bartholomew!" The tall, lean man with a surprisingly large beard then greeted.

"I'm fine." Cambyses curtly replied, and then inquired, "Where is Batholomew? At the station? Is he okay?"

"Yes! The supervisor is fine. He is at the headquarters trying his best to maintain order in the city." The man promptly replied, before shaking his head a bit wryly, and reminiscing,

"*Sigh*, it was a mess at first. People running all around. Crying, running, screaming."

"No one knew what was going on. Many thought the enemy had already broken through. And so everyone tried to run for the temples."

"Because of it, in the darkness, there were even reports of several small stampedes and trampling. I heard quite a few died," the man's voice turned a bit regretful as he said so, adding,

"While at the same the temples were soon overflowing."

"And it was only after we got there and started throwing people out the situation got better."

The man very organically gave Cambyses the past report of the city, before turning a bit cheerful and adding with a light smile,

"But things have gotten a lot better now."

"Supervisor Bartholomew was one of the first to come to the police station and quickly displaced units of all important points along the city, as the temples, the markets, and the slums, calming the people there and bringing order."

"And now that morning has come, and there is no sign of the enemy breaking through, much of the panic has settled."

"People's fear of losing the city has slowly subsided, and they are becoming calmer."

"Maintaining order has become a lot easier."

Peterio gave a sunny smile as he said so, though, the tiredness in his voice would not be concealed.

Clearly the last few hours had been very draining for everyone in the city guards.

"That's good. Give Bartholomew my thanks," Cambyses was honestly very relieved to hear the report.

This subordinate and friend of his had managed to perform his tasks much better than many others she could name.

It seemed the mood in the city was perilous but not yet mutinous.

While Cambyses let off a relieved sigh of relief, Peterio was finally unable to suppress his curiosity plucked up his courage, and took the chance to suddenly ask, "By the way madam commissioner, how is the situation there? We heard the enemy had taken the manor hill!" The man's eyes darted in that direction as he inquired in a shaken voice,

To which Cambyses stoically replied in a neutral tone, "Everything is under control. General Menes is leading the troops to drive out the enemy from Zanzan. There is no need to panic."

And though Cambyses wanted to sound like she reassuring them, she actually sounded like one of those news reporters that would come on TV during an ongoing coup to say everything was alright and everyone should stay home even if the entire city behind her was burning.

"Ahhh…I see." But for the guard captain, whatever the truth was, and how much of Cambyses's claim he bought. the man could only nod and accept.

"Mmn, you go now," While Cambyses, finished knowing what she wanted to, decided to dismiss him, but before that at last added, "Oh and remember to spread that you met me, and I am alright. The people should be less worried then."

"Yes, ma'am. I'll tell Supervisor Bartholomew right away," The man saluted right away, and with that interaction concluded, Cambyses quickly resumed her paced walk, and soon after spotted the large gathering of men at the foot of the western hill that was meant to go rescue her.

And once she let her presence known, it instantly generated a wave of relief and cheer from gathered troops, and even Menes personally came to greet her at once,

"Cam….My lady! You are safe!" the joy in his voice evident.

The reason for this was of course obvious.

The troops felt their morale soar seeing the acting ruler of the city among them, while for Menes, who had been previously threatened to come and rescue her, seeing her behind the lines safe and sound made him very reassured.

Because the dreadful consequence of Cambyses dying under him was something he was very well aware of.

As for how she was here, that would wait.

"Mmm…it seems you are too," Repling to Menes's greeting, Cambyses very nonchalantly shot back, showing neither pleasure nor displeasure at the man's survival.

It only seemed she only passively accepted the gods' judgment on this one.

Following this exchange, without much further ado, Cambyses proceeded to ask how the preparation for the counterattack was going.

"We are ready to match at your command," And Menes instantly replied, knowing Cambyses would not like any other answer.

"Good! Let's start now!" And Cambyses was very eager, further urging the attack by saying,

"I set the manor on fire before I came here. If there is a chance I would like to retake it before it burns down."

But this revelation first made Menes produce an incredulous look, "You set the manor of fire? Why? How?"

The man, like all the others, had never even considered that.

"......." To this Cambyses only gave a wall of silence, not bothering to explain herself, and simply waited for the general to obey.

"We did so before we escaped via the tunnel. We would have taken you with us, but Lady Cambyses was worried that doing so would delay your organization of the army." And it was here Menicus quickly chimed in with half-truths, attempting to fill the silent void before it became an awkward staring contest.

While inside, the old man then cursed himself, 'Seriously! What is with this girl today!' Cambyses was not at all acting like herself.

"Oh! Right…hahaha, right!" While Menes lightly chuckled, unknown if he really bought it or was actually aware of Cambyses's intended punishment.

But for the time being, this did not matter, for they had more important things to consider.

And regarding that thing, it was Menicus who turned to Cambyses and advised regarding her decision to launch an imminent attack, saying,

"My lady, given the large fire we set off, perhaps it will not be possible to put out by the time we get there."

"Hence, maybe we should be more prudent and prepare a bit more. Attacking uphill is always dangerous."

Menicus was by nature a prudent man, and knowing the enemy would be likely expecting them, he wanted to gather even more men.

It must be said even now, groups of the reserves that had been acted were joining the formation.

But Cambyses only waved her hands and in a bitter, dismissive tone said, "We have waited long enough. We have waited the whole night. We have waited for you old farts to come to our aid for hours!"

"Now attack!"

Cambyses had reasons for her hawkish attitude, and it seemed after losing her manor and all the resulting setbacks, she had lost her patience.

She wanted that hill taken now.

And seeing the young lady's fowl mood, none of the commanders dared to argue.

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