Restart:Untalented Man-Chapter 516: Taking Over II

They first arrive at Velten.

The city looks peaceful, just as it did when they left. The city folk carry out their daily life as usual.

But the peacefulness shattered once the garrison spotted them.

Shouts erupted from the walls. The guards who were initially relaxed become tense.

The reason is they don't know whose army coming to their doorstep from the northern direction.

It is certainly not their own. Their superior doesn't have the budget to give each one of them a uniform. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Nevertheless, the garrison had to warn the people first.

Shortly after, the bell rang. It sounds echoing across Velten.

Judging by its erratic rhythm, the inhabitants must have been in panic.

Bain anticipates this reaction, so his facial expression does not change. He stands there, watching Velten erupt in chaos.

After a while, he finally issued an order to his troop.

"Surround the city and block all the exit routes."

Soldiers moved into position and set up a blockade on the key roads leading out of Velten. A few took up positions along the perimeter to ensure no one slipped through unnoticed.

All in all, they know what to do without Bain giving instructions at every turn. This is not the first time they have laid siege.

"Wait! What are you doing?" Hugo asks in panic, thinking the general wants to use violence to subdue the inhabitants of the city.

"Calm down, Mr Hagen. This is just a precautionary measure."

Bain then turned his gaze toward the massive gates of Velten. He certainly didn't forget the few soldiers he purposely left inside.

Now it's time for them to open the gate from within.

The general waits patiently. The initial uproar from the people of Velten had subsided as well.

The entire place became silent. Each side waited for the other, waiting to see who will make a move first.

"Come on. Come on," Bain muttered under his breath.

This stillness was so unbearable. His heart is urging the soldiers inside the city to open the gate for him.

As he waits, his patience is also run low.

He did not want to use force. But if this waiting game dragged for too long, he had no choice but to turn this fake siege into a real one.

Fortunately, he didn't have to. The development Bain is waiting for finally happened.

Creak-

A faint noise broke the silence.

It was soft but loud enough for everyone near the gate to hear.

It was the most welcoming sound Bain had heard all day.

That simple sound causes two vastly different reactions from each side.

The faces of people in the city become paler while the wave of excitement sweeps over the Ryntum soldiers.

"Enter the city!" Bain shout.

The soldiers enter in an orderly manner. Like a well-oiled machine, squads broke off in different directions, securing every strategic location in the city.

In general, every city they had come across shared a similar layout with only a few differences.

Therefore, once Ryntum's soldiers manage to pass beyond the city wall, the process that comes after becomes swift and smooth.

"Who are you? What's the meaning of this?" Amidst the fear sweeping over the city, someone bravely shouts.

Bain turned toward the source and found a middle-aged man in fine garments. Behind him, there's a small entourage of city officials and guards.

The general didn't recognize the man, but judging from his attitude, he must be the person in charge here.

Hugo quickly whispered, "That's the mayor."

"I see." He was right.

Bain steered his horse forward, closing the distance between himself and the mayor.

The mayor took a step back instinctively.

"Mayor, Velten now belongs to Ryntum," Bain stated flatly.

"What?!" The mayor was surprised. He quickly refutes. "You can't be serious! This is Blande territory! You have no right—"

Bain was uninterested in explaining so he passed that job to Hugo.

Having the task suddenly dropped onto his head, the calm Hugo was startled.

In the end, he sighed, knowing this would eventually happen.

Hugo steps forward and faces the mayor with the most pleasing smile.

"I understand this situation is very unexpected. But I assure you, this is not an invasion. The Blande government has agreed to transfer Velten and Vaale to Ryntum as a reparation for our involvement in their previous war."

The mayor was left speechless. This news was way too big to comprehend.

And he wasn't the only one. The people gathered around him were stunned too.

Everybody had one question in mind.

Did their country just give up on them?

They weren't sure what kind of reaction they should make.

Supposedly, they should be angry but they didn't. There's no strong feeling to stir that emotion.

Maybe because issues like leadership and governance are far from their grasp.

The hope people put into the previous revolution doesn't change their lives for the better.

Instead, the power changes from one set of hands to another. Wealthy merchants and influential families had replaced the nobles who ruled them with iron fists.

The promised reforms never trickled down. The burdens never lessened.

They gained nothing from it. And now, out of nowhere, they were discarded in a trade deal.

Bain, who watched the situation, doesn't care much about their feelings. He just doing his job.

In his opinion, this treaty is good for the inhabitants of Velten and Vaale. His king has proven himself by improving the lives of commoners.

Once they come under Ryntum's rule, these people will naturally be grateful for it.

Bain says, "Fighting back will accomplish nothing. The best thing you can do now is cooperate with us and ensure the city transfers smoothly."

His discouragement snaps the people present back to reality.

The mayor gritted his teeth.

Unacceptable!

To be treated like cheap goods, being passed from one hand to another.

Both Blande and Ryntum act more like unscrupulous merchants rather than a nation.

"Damn you! Damn, all of you!"