Lynn wakes Janet, who was sleeping in his bed, and makes advances. As the night deepens, the scene shifts to Spirit Reef Port, where dock workers labor while merchants enjoy brothels, and a man in black leather armor approaches Danke on the city walls.
"It's getting late, you should go rest."
Godfrey cast a glance at Danke, explaining calmly.
"No need to persuade me, I want to sleep, but I simply cannot."
Danke bowed his head slightly, not daring to offer any further words of persuasion.
He understood perfectly well why Godfrey was unable to rest.
Earlier today, a message via carrier pigeon was received from Marquis Mark Ducas.
It stated that Marquis Polk had amassed vassals and a substantial contingent of soldiers, and was currently advancing towards Spirit Reef Port.
The soldier count was estimated to be no less than thirty thousand!
Furthermore, within a maximum of three days, this army of thirty thousand would reach Spirit Reef Port by nightfall!
At such a critical juncture, it was understandable that Godfrey, as the Knight Commander, felt the immense pressure.
Under such overwhelming tension and sense of impending doom, any soldier would find themselves unable to sleep.
Although, in terms of sheer numbers, the twenty-seven thousand strong Sword and Shield Corps was not significantly less than the thirty thousand gathered by Marquis Polk.
However.
With nearly sixty thousand individuals converging for battle.
The scale was certainly grand, and the potential for bloodshed was terrifyingly real!
They possessed the city walls of Spirit Reef Port as formidable defensive structures.
But, Spirit Reef Port was part of Marquis Polk's territory, meaning Marquis Polk could readily deploy siege equipment from nearby cities!
This very fact explained why, despite having occupied Spirit Reef Port for several days.
Marquis Polk's army had not yet commenced a full-scale siege.
As soon as Marquis Polk managed to transport siege weaponry.
The crucial advantage offered by the city walls would be rendered null and void!
Once the gates of Spirit Reef Port were breached, what awaited them would be an unvarnished, brutal melee!
After a moment's silence.
Godfrey suddenly recalled something.
He inquired of Danke, "Is Lord Lawrence still at Siren's Nest with those two Sea Sirens?"
Danke hesitated briefly, but ultimately confirmed, "Yes, my lord."
"Since we took Spirit Reef Port, Lord Lawrence has not once departed the brothel... Siren's Nest."
Godfrey's expression immediately turned sharp and stern.
"You did not inform him that Marquis Polk's army is en route to attack?"
Danke responded with a hint of helplessness, "My lord, your orders, Danke never disobeys."
"The very moment you gave the instruction, I personally went to inform Lord Lawrence."
"But Lord Lawrence… he said…"
Godfrey furrowed his brow and pressed further, "What did he say?"
Danke let out a sigh, "He said to only notify him when Marquis Polk's army is at the gates."
"Before that time, anyone who dares to interrupt him will face severe punishment."
"He also mentioned that he has finally found some different women, and he must indulge himself!"
Upon hearing Danke's last statement, Godfrey's face became rigid.
In the subsequent second.
He nearly instinctively uttered a curse, "Women, women!"
"At a time like this, he's still preoccupied with fooling around with women?"
"With such offspring from Donovan, it's no wonder the Ducas Clan is heading towards decline and ruin!"
Danke's face contorted dramatically; he quickly glanced around.
After confirming that no one else had overheard, Danke cautiously whispered.
"My lord, please be careful; walls have ears!"
"If Lord Lawrence were to hear this, or if the Marquis back in Bor City were to learn of it, the repercussions would be unimaginable."
Godfrey let out a cold snort, choosing to remain silent.
He strode forward.
Reaching the edge of the city wall, he stood within a gap in the parapet, his gaze piercing the inky Black Night, peering into the distant darkness.
Godfrey drew a deep breath of air, then slowly exhaled.
After a short pause.
His mood, which had been filled with rising anger, gradually subsided into calmness.
Godfrey fixed his gaze on the distant horizon, continuing to speak.
"Are the fortifications outside the city wall under construction yet?"
Danke nodded in affirmation, "My lord, in accordance with your instructions, the fortifications are indeed under construction."
"They should be completed in another two days."
"The sections of the city wall that were scorched and crumbled by the wildfire have been reinforced."
"The city gate that was previously destroyed has also been repaired."
"Additionally, numerous rocks, timber, and golden sap have been gathered."
"Regrettably, the wildfire within the city was completely extinguished by the prior defending army."
Danke went on to report, "Beyond these preparations, a substantial quantity of grain has been collected from within the city."
"Even if the impending battle evolves into a prolonged engagement, there should be no concerns regarding a lack of provisions."
Godfrey gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.
Danke then shifted the subject slightly, "However, my lord, the moat you proposed might prove unfeasible to dig."
"Spirit Reef Port is practically constructed upon a foundation of rocks; solid rock lies just tens of centimeters beneath the soil."
"Using the soldiers' cross pickaxes, the progress in excavation is exceedingly slow."
"Perhaps it is precisely for this reason."
"That Spirit Reef Port, situated adjacent to the Seine River, lacks any excavated moat…"
Godfrey's brows knitted together, and he spoke in a deep, resonant voice.
"Then halt the excavation and focus on constructing chevaux de frise and barricades instead!"
If the moat could not be completed, the defense of Spirit Reef Port would become substantially more challenging!
Danke acknowledged, "Understood, my lord."
Following his inquiry, Godfrey’s gaze drifted toward the distant port.
Billowing clouds of dense, grayish-white mist were drifting over the docks, making their way toward the structures within the city.
...
The subsequent morning arrived.
Lynn, as was his habit, awoke early.
With assistance from the unclothed Janet, he was helped into a clean robe.
He then departed the bedroom, proceeding to the dining room.
After consuming the breakfast meticulously prepared by Kuisi, Lynn, accompanied by Red, ventured out from the castle.
Passing by the Red Brick House and reaching the Lord’s Square.
A lengthy procession of townsfolk was observable, forming a line that stretched towards the outskirts of the town.
Interspersed among these figures were numerous prisoners of war, recently brought over from the Portlands Empire.
Lynn’s thoughts stirred as he activated the Resident Information Column for a review.
Upon observing the Loyalty Value of these prisoners of war, which had initially been a mere 3% or 5%, it had now climbed to approximately 10%.
His eyebrows lifted slightly.
Truly.
Even those prisoners identified as the Pan Rock Iron Guard.
After enduring a period of residence, they were gradually becoming integrated.
Provided their fundamental necessities for survival were met.
No individual would willingly dismantle a secure and stable living situation.
This was precisely the reason.
When Grayson had transported a sizable contingent of slaves and prisoners of war from the Portlands Empire into his territory.
He harbored no apprehension.
Because.
He possessed the capacity to furnish them with provisions that the Portlands Empire could not.
