Post-Battle Rewards

Not long after Nord left the battlefield, system messages appeared in his mind.

You have won the battle.

Our casualties: Amon Hunter (3 wounded)

Enemy casualties: Crimson Cavalry Commander (1 dead) Crimson Cavalry (4 dead) Mountain Bandits (13 dead)

You have gained 10 Reputation.

You have gained 63 Silver Thalers.

You have gained a special item: Heraldic Armor.

3,200 experience points have been shared among the party.

Nord let out a sigh of relief. After the battle ended, he had not received a battle report from the system, and had originally thought it did not have such a function.

It seemed the relevant conditions had not been triggered. He did not know whether it was because he had waited long enough or because the bandits had fled beyond the battlefield's boundaries. Nord believed the latter was more likely. It was difficult to determine exactly when a battle ended, and in the game, victory was counted once the enemy fled beyond the battlefield's limits. Nord shook his head and stopped dwelling on it. As long as there were rewards, that was enough. He could slowly figure out the system's functions later.

Nord turned his attention to the system rewards. They were not particularly generous, especially compared to Daily Quests and Construction Quests. Those were not only easier, but also far more rewarding. Perhaps because real battles already brought gains afterward, the system had reduced the post-battle rewards. But if he included the spoils from before, this battle had brought in quite a lot.

They had suffered no real losses, defeated an enemy that had come at them fiercely, and won a thoroughly satisfying victory. They had also stabilized both military and civilian morale. With this grain and horse meat, they could carry out their work much more effectively after returning to the village—work hard to build a socialist mountain village... Ahem, to build a beautiful home for the mountain folk.

After this battle, their equipment had improved greatly as well. Nord looked at the Heraldic Armor in his inventory, feeling rather curious. After all, it was the system's only item reward after the battle. The armor was black and white overall, with chainmail beneath a robe. The outer garment over its chest bore the Isaac Family crest: an eagle with spread wings, its sharp gaze fixed straight ahead. The more Nord looked at it, the more he liked it, but now was not the time to take it out.

That meant Bill's Chainmail could be given to Ryman. The Heraldic Armor bore his family's crest, so it was not suitable to give to Ryman for now. But considering Ryman's combat ability, Nord still needed to arm him as well as possible. Bill's equipment was not bad either.

As for the Leather Armor, there were eight sets in total: two that Nord and Ryman had taken off, four captured today, and the remaining two from the system reward. Nord planned to give his own Leather Armor to Ryman's younger brother, Reed. The young man was also Nord's messenger, and he had just fought alongside Nord and killed an enemy. He deserved a reward. As for the remaining nine hunters, there were only seven sets of Leather Armor left, which was indeed rather awkward. It would be better to distribute rewards according to merit after they returned to the village.

As for equipment such as one-handed longswords and Wooden Shields, they were not necessities for the hunters. They could be distributed as needed, or temporarily awarded to hunters who had distinguished themselves.

After carefully taking stock of today's gains in his mind, Nord's face broke into a joyful smile. Even the towering mountains in the distance seemed somehow friendlier.

Nord was not the only one. The others were also whispering among themselves, discussing the battle they had just fought. The one they talked about most was Ryman. Everyone had already known Ryman fairly well. Not only was he the best hunter in the village, but he was famous beyond it as well.

They had heard that he had once driven off dozens of bandits by himself, making the bandits around Tami Village keep their distance and bringing peace to the village. But having witnessed Ryman's might with their own eyes this time, the hunters were completely convinced. His reputation was well deserved. His past achievements had not been exaggerated at all. Ryman really was that brave.

With the danger gone, everyone's steps became lighter. Beneath the orange-red sunset, they strolled along the mountain path and finally returned to Tami Village before nightfall.

As they passed the fields east of the village, their pace became even more hurried. The women and elderly people who had worked in the fields that morning had already returned to the village. The surroundings were quiet, but that could not conceal everyone's excitement.

Even Nord was affected. Although he had only arrived in Tami Village yesterday, after today's great battle, he already seemed to regard the village as his home. As he drew closer to Tami Village, he actually felt the joy of returning home. This was the first time Nord had found a sense of belonging in this world, a feeling he had never experienced even in the luxurious manor he had once owned in Beron City.

When they reached the village entrance, Nord saw Village Chief Colin standing there and looking into the distance, his face full of anxiety. When he saw everyone return, he let out a long breath, and the weight on his heart finally lifted.

Once everyone came closer, Colin noticed the bloodstains on them and the bandaged wounds of Ryman and the others. His expression changed as he nervously examined the group. Only after confirming that Nord and the others were all present did the wrinkles on his face gradually ease.

"You've been gone so long that I knew something might have happened. Lord Nord, you weren't hurt, were you? Ryman, why didn't you protect Lord Nord properly!"

Ryman opened his mouth, looking somewhat aggrieved, but said nothing. Perhaps he also felt it really was his fault. Nord spoke up to bail him out.

"I'm fine, Village Chief Colin. I joined the battle myself. Ryman performed exceptionally well today. Without him, we might have had a hard time making it back."

"Besides, I've appointed Ryman as my guard captain. You have no idea how dangerous things were today. It was all thanks to Ryman turning the tide that we achieved such a great victory."

Hearing Nord praise Ryman and appoint him captain, Colin beamed. A proud smile spread across his face, and he did not know where to put his hands. He kept saying things like, "Thank you for recognizing him, Lord Nord," and "Ryman will definitely serve you with complete loyalty."

Reed also stepped out from the crowd, unwilling to be outdone as he said to his father, "Father, I killed an enemy alongside Lord Nord today, and I'm Lord Nord's messenger now!"

Reed puffed out his chest as he proudly told his father of his accomplishments. Under normal circumstances, Colin would certainly have scolded him. Compared to Ryman, Reed was far too mischievous. But at that moment, Colin felt nothing but comfort and happiness for his two children.

"Good boy, you've grown up too. From now on, learn more from your older brother Ryman. You can't keep being so naughty, understand?"

"I understand, Father."

Nord interrupted the father and son's conversation. It was not because he was being heartless, but because they had already been standing at the village entrance for quite some time. Whatever they wanted to say could wait until they were back.

"Village Chief Colin, let's head back first. We need to transport the grain into the village, and I plan to gather the villagers later for a Bonfire Party. We'll distribute the meat from the four horses we gained today for everyone to eat. Have them bring plenty of firewood."

"Yes, yes, let's head back first. What's a Bonfire Party? I'll gather the villagers right away. We can hold it in the open space in front of my courtyard. It's large enough. We used to discuss village matters there, and it can hold everyone in the village. We have plenty of firewood. The one thing Tami Village never lacks is wood."

"A Bonfire Party means lighting a large bonfire, then everyone celebrates around it and shares food."

"Wonderful! We really should celebrate properly. I'll go call everyone right away."

With that, Village Chief Colin turned and left. Judging by his stride and expression, he seemed ten years younger.