Miss Witch, it's time to clean up the entries

Chapter 346 The Shocking Surrender of the Leaders

Fern O'Neill made a life-changing decision.

He stood up and said to all the ministers with a solemn expression, "We cannot repeat the mistakes of Spade Territory, refusing the aid of the Imperial Army and telling them that our own army is sufficient to handle the situation."

"Lord Fern, are we really going to refuse the entry of 20 Imperial troops? What reasons can we use to persuade the Empire?"

“Tell them that our Gaojun Territory has no more land to accommodate so many people. The Gaojun Territory and the Spade Territory have a large population and have assembled a large army, enough to deal with the rebels. We do not need the assistance of puppet troops. Our knights know the most exquisite knight formations, and I also have three counterfeit items, one of which is called the Conch Shell, which can create real seawater, just right to restrain witches. Our Gaojun Territory is fully prepared and will set an example for the Empire, and will never put any pressure or burden on the Empire.”

Fern O'Neill spoke slowly.

The ministers looked at each other, and although not all of them agreed with Fern O'Neill's views, they were all loyal enough to him.

Highlord's territory is Fern O'Neill's domain, and the lord has the right to decide on foreign war strategies.

Therefore, he refused entry to the Imperial army and refused Imperial support. As long as there were sufficient reasons, the Empire would not interfere.

However, Gao Junling's geographical location is very special, as it is adjacent to Yalong City.

If Gao Junling falls, the rebels will directly march on Yalong City.

Therefore, when Augulas heard that Fern O'Neill refused to allow the Imperial army to enter his territory, he was so angry that he crushed the wine glass in his hand.

"Arrogant, conceited, and self-righteous! Does he really think Gao Junling can stop the army led by Dorothy and Li En?!"

At that moment, Augulas suddenly regretted announcing the victory in the war, which had made these old nobles blindly confident.

Because each territory has its own high walls, if Fern O'Neill doesn't open the city gates and let the Imperial Army in, then the Imperial Army will have no choice but to launch a full-scale attack.

However, attacking allies or fighting one's own people before the war has even begun is undoubtedly a major taboo in war. It will not only consume resources and manpower, but also have a negative impact on the people.

Therefore, Fern O'Neill refused the reinforcements sent by the Empire, and Augulas had no choice but to continue writing royal decrees.

Of course, Fern O'Neill was also the first lord to refuse reinforcements. Normally, when lords encounter war, especially such a dangerous war, they would beg the emperor and the papacy for support.

Fern O'Neill, on the other hand, refused entry to the Imperial Army, the Papacy Army, and the puppet troops.

With a single sentence, "I, Gaoling County, can handle this. The Empire is waiting to see how I perform," he sent all the envoys back.

Enraged, Augustus smashed the cup.

Auguras remembered that Fern O'Neill was not such a difficult lord to communicate with before. Perhaps he was blinded by the victory of Spade Territory and really thought that he could stop the legendary witch by gathering all the commoners to form a ragtag army of more than 10.

Augulas then issued three more royal decrees to Count Fern O'Neill, ordering him to open the city gates and welcome the imperial coalition.

The only response received was from Fern O'Neill: "Gao Junling will never cause trouble for the Empire; he can solve his own problems."

In Fern O'Neill's view, if Li En were to attack Gao Junling, it would be a war between Gao Junling and the Southern rebels, and the Empire would not need to intervene for the time being.

This statement seems fine at first glance, but it actually has a big problem.

This proves that Vern O'Neill did not believe that Lien was instigating a nationwide rebellion and distinguishing himself from the independence of the Empire.

It conveys a sense of "I'll defend my own territory and don't need anyone else's help."

In a fit of anger, Augulas issued a final decree to Fern O'Neill.

He was ordered to win the battle no matter what, or the entire Fern O'Neill family would be martyred and permanently removed from the nobility.

Fern O'Neill was not afraid even after realizing he had thoroughly angered the emperor.

He sat inside Jeffrey Cathedral, praying devoutly to the God of Tiger.

He knew he hadn't made the wrong choice.

After the prayers, Fern O'Neill had his men gather the people and give a pre-battle mobilization speech in the city square.

These are all necessary procedures that will be recorded in history by civil servants.

Fern O'Neill knew these procedures were essential, and that as lord, he needed to do them.

He was dressed in a magnificent suit and walked step by step up the platform. His hair was neatly combed, his demeanor was elegant, and his eyes and brows exuded the aura of authority that made people dare not look him in the eye.

Upon reaching the high platform, Fern O'Neill looked at the densely packed crowd of his people gathered in the square.

The people were in high spirits, chanting Fern O'Neill's name incessantly, deceived by the appearance of an imperial victory.

It has been three years since Fern O'Neill last gave a public speech. Fern O'Neill did not expect that his territory would have so many more people, including 80% of the population of Spade Territory, in addition to natural growth.

Compared to the peace-loving people of Gaojun, most of the people of Spade Territory harbored deep hatred for the Revolutionary Army because of the death of Lord Joel Barbor, and they hoped to inflict heavy losses on the Revolutionary Army on the battlefield.

Fern O'Neill took a deep breath and addressed everyone.

"People of Highlord Territory and Spade Territory, I am your lord, Fern O'Neill. I hope that every one of you can hear what I have to say, and that everyone can remember this day, because today will be the day we change our destiny."

The bustling crowd in the square fell silent at the sound of Fern O'Neill's booming voice; they all pricked up their ears to listen to Fern O'Neill's declaration of war.

“I have just received a royal decree from our Emperor, Augulas Frank, demanding that I win this battle, or the entire O’Neill family will be sent to the guillotine and forever removed from the ranks of nobility.”

Everyone gasped in surprise when they heard Fern O'Neill say that.

"His Majesty the Emperor is far too harsh."

"Yes, that's not fair to Mr. O'Neal."

"We believe in Lord Fern, you will definitely win!"

"That's right, Gao Junling will definitely be able to defeat the rebels."

People were buzzing with discussion, but Ferne O'Neill waved his hand to quiet the crowd, and continued speaking.
“I do not blame our Emperor, because Gaojunling is too close to Yalong City. If Gaojunling falls, the Southern army will advance directly to Yalong City.”

"Moreover, just recently, I refused entry to Gaojun Territory by 20 Imperial troops and puppet forces."

Upon hearing Fern O'Neill's words, the villagers began to murmur again.

"Why refuse the Empire's army? Why refuse the puppet troops?" "Yes, I've heard that the Empire's puppet troops are the strongest force, even stronger than the witches. Why are you refusing them, sir?"

Fern O'Neill waved again, and only continued his speech after the crowd had stopped talking.

"Yes, you must know that the puppet army is known as the empire's strongest weapon. Like the witches of the past, they are responsible for protecting us. Or rather, they were created to protect humanity and eliminate witches. They are natural weapons. Why would I refuse them? It's because I heard the news of the victory of the Spade Territory."

"Count Joel Barbor led his elite human army and puppet troops against the witches of the Southern Army, winning the Empire's first battle."

"But Spade Territory was reduced to scorched earth, and the people of Spade Territory could never return to their homeland."

"So, does this really count as a victory?"

No, this is not a victory.

There are no winners in war.

"No matter how powerful our weapons are, no matter how many soldiers we have, once we are caught in a war, we cannot escape unscathed, and we will face the pain of losing our loved ones and our homes."

"Gao Jun leads more than 260 million people. I do not want any of you to sacrifice yourselves, nor do I want any of you to be affected by the war."

"With 120 million people in the Spade Territory, you have now become part of the High Jun Territory. I am willing to accept you and give you a new home, but I hope you can also protect this new home and not let the High Jun Territory repeat the mistakes of the Spade Territory and become a wasteland."

"You must be wondering why I refused the Empire's 20 troops?"
“I can accept them into Gaojun Territory, but the daily consumption of 20 troops is already an astronomical figure. Our granaries in Gaojun Territory are already open to the people of Spade Territory, and we can no longer support such a large army.”

"I would rather spend the money that is used to support the army and fight wars on settling the people of Spade Territory, and on providing every citizen of Gaojun Territory with a white bread, a bottle of milk, and a roasted sausage."

"I believe that ensuring you have enough to eat, wear, and live in is more meaningful than selecting young men from among you to fight in the war, watching your blood be spilled on the battlefield, and becoming victims of the war."

"I believe that no mother wants to see her child go to the battlefield and die on the battlefield."

"I believe that no father would want to lose his beloved son and let him become cannon fodder on the battlefield."

"I believe that no child wants to be a war orphan or to see their father's severed limbs and remains."

"Like Joel Barbor, I followed the old emperor on his campaigns and understand the cruelty of war best."

"I have seen mountains of corpses, and flocks of vultures swarming around people's heads, waiting for our deaths."

"I have traversed rivers of corpses, eaten raw flesh, and my hands are stained with blood. I have personally destroyed countless families and created countless orphans."

"My father once told me that war is glorious as long as it is fought for justice."

"But today, I want to tell my deceased father that war has no glory, war is only sacrifice, it is just a sacrifice to an evil god!"
"I will not fight the Southern army to the last moment like Joel Barbour, vowing never to surrender, even if my territory is turned into scorched earth, even if I die on the battlefield."

"He is a hero to the Empire, but not to the people of Spade Territory. He could have chosen a better path. Death is the easiest thing; living and fulfilling one's responsibilities is the hardest."

"What he couldn't do, I will do. People of Spade Territory, put aside your hatred and follow me to embrace peace and a new life."

"Yes, I will not declare war on Lien Moria. I will surrender with the entire High Jun territory, even if history portrays me as a despicable, shameless, and infamous lord, even if future generations do not understand me."

"So what if I bear the infamy? As long as I've done my job, kept you all alive, and allowed you to stay in your homes and protect your lives, that's enough for me."

"I am Fern O'Neill, the lord of Highlord Territory. If I am to fight, it is for your homeland, for your white bread, and for your happiness."

"If I were to surrender, it would be for your homeland, for your white bread, for your happiness."

"Citizens of Gaojun and Heitao, are you willing to follow such a reckless and despicable lord?"

Fern O'Neill's cloudy eyes were misted over as he looked sadly at all his subjects, awaiting their reply.

The ministers, nobles, and commoners in the square were all shocked.

They never imagined that Fern O'Neill's war mobilization would be an anti-war declaration!

But they had never seen any lord like Fern, who, even if he had to bear the infamy, would protect his entire territory and prevent it from becoming a battlefield.

After a brief silence, a tremendous cheer erupted.

"We are willing to follow you, Lord Fern!"

"The people of Gaojunling swear to follow Lord Fern to the death!!"

"The people of Spade Territory are willing to follow Lord Fern!!!"

The crowd grew enthusiastic, and people kept pushing and shoving toward Vern O'Neill, hoping to touch the benevolent lord.

Fern O'Neill's guards quickly formed a human wall to stop the enthusiastic crowd.

Fern O'Neill then stood on the high platform and began to pray to the god Tiger.

“Great God Tiger, please protect us and help Gao Junling overcome this crisis. We believe in your choice and believe that God will have mercy on us.”

Everyone joined Fern O'Neill in praying to God.

"May the great God have mercy on us."

The entire square seemed to have become a pilgrimage site, with people being incredibly devout and humble.

Fern O'Neill slowly opened his eyes, breathed a sigh of relief, and touched the replica of the Thought Medal on his chest.

Wearing the Medal of Thought will transmit the speaker's ideas to all who hear them, inspiring them to follow. The price is the random loss of a portion of one's memories.

Fern O'Neill was lucky; he only lost some of his childhood memories.

He still remembered himself as the respected lord.

The next day, Fern O'Neill's letter of surrender was delivered to Li En.

Gao Jun led more than 380 million people to surrender, and the Southern Army won without a fight.

This incident shocked the entire empire and enraged Augulas and the four creed families.

(End of this chapter)