System Upgrade! You All Spread Rumors I'm Dead?

"Since there's an Imperial force here, how about we speed up the march?"

Henry nodded in agreement. The situation had changed, and they should aim to return to Autongard as quickly as possible.

Glen then gave the order, and with Henry's approval, the army quickened its pace.

There was no other way—without Henry's consent, Glen couldn't command the entire force, since half the troops were Henry's men.

Soon, Henry's group of four crossed into Imperial territory and moved even faster. Glen and the others had promised that once they reached Autongard, they'd get at least three days of rest.

Henry, riding on horseback, gazed at the massive city in the distance and said, "Finally, back to Autongard... This time, I'm going to the bathhouse for a proper wash."

[Personal Panel and Faction Panel have been updated. View updates?]

'Open, open!'

[Battle Summary

Battle Rating: Valley Assault Battle

Difficulty: Normal

Evaluation: Major Victory

Rewards: Overlord Training Points 2]

Henry nodded to himself. If the returns were this substantial, he might as well stay on the front lines of battle. But he wondered if his troops could still bring him gains without his direct involvement.

Well, he could test that out.

[Overlord Personal LV.2 Tutorial

① Leveling up grants 1 Personal Attribute Point and 3 Specialization Points

② Learning and applying specialized skills increases personal experience

③ Skill activation depends on specific related Proficiency]

[Overlord]

[Owner]: Henry Burley

[Level]: Level 8 (2460/12000)

[Comprehensive Strength]: 21 (Your valor ranks among the best in the eastern Empire)

[Comprehensive Vitality]: 17 (Your endurance causes even the finest beds to collapse)

[Comprehensive Charm]: 24 (No one can refuse your request—unless they're Baron Nurland)

[Comprehensive Intelligence]: 19 (Your wisdom is roughly equal to that of a scholar)

[Personal Attribute Points, Free Attribute Points]: None

[LV.6 Vitality] (Attribute Points 6/10)

[One-Handed] (Proficiency: 129/330)

One-Handed Passive...

...·...

Henry didn't bother reading the rest. He was very satisfied with the panel update.

His personal panel had become more detailed. Specialization Points had turned into Proficiency, and activating new skills was no longer restricted by level limits.

At the very least, Henry could now clearly see his own abilities—where his strengths and weaknesses lay.

Still, he strongly disagreed with the evaluations of his Vitality and Intelligence.

What did they mean by "causing beds to collapse"? That was pure exaggeration! He could ride a horse all day if he wanted to!

And what was that about being "roughly equal to a scholar"? He was a university student both before and after his transmigration!

Boman burst out laughing and said, "Of course, Henry! The four of us together—let's get a few jugs of wine, buy some desserts, and hire some jesters for a show, hahaha!"

Fas rolled his eyes beside him. Typical nouveau riche mentality—spending money recklessly when they had it.

Glen looked at Henry with concern and asked, "Henry, are you alright? I've noticed you've been spacing out a lot since the battle."

Henry smiled and shook his head. "I'm fine. I was just wondering what changes have happened in Autongard."

"Don't think too much about it. We're almost there. Just ask Count Sebastian."

When the four men's troops arrived at Autongard, the Champion Banner Knight in charge of camp quarters was completely dumbfounded.

His brain short-circuited as he arranged the encampment, taking in the sight of countless half-orc heads, cartloads of armor and weapons, and... fully armed serfs?

"Good heavens, Sir Glen, Sir Henry—you're alive?"

After blurting that out, the Champion Banner Knight slapped himself and explained, "Forgive me, my lords. This is just too astonishing.

Baron Nurland's force returned long ago. They were ambushed by a large centaur unit on the road; only the nobles and retainers escaped.

The other force was nearly wiped out—lured into a trap by a goatman army. Out of seven hundred men, barely twenty survived.

The half-orcs seemed to have caught wind of our movements and launched a full counterattack. We all thought you were..."

Glen nodded. Three forces, two of them routed and fleeing in panic. It was only natural that the people in Autongard assumed they were dead.

Henry stepped forward and asked, "You didn't report us as dead, did you? Wouldn't our fiefs be reassigned?"

Right, right. We're out here fighting, tracking Half-Orc traces, and you lot are back home spreading word that we're dead?

The other three tensed up as well, all turning to look at the Champion Banner Knight.

"Rest assured, Lords, we did not report it. We only recorded you as missing. After all, you are the King's students. Without seeing your bodies, we cannot report your deaths."

"Good. We need to report to Count Sebastian."

"Of course, I'll take you there. These past few days, the Legion Commander has been pondering the next march deployment. Legions from other areas have already moved out."

Nearby nobles came out to check, and upon seeing Henry and the others return alive—and laden with spoils—they immediately spread the news.

Gossip, hot topics—humanity's essential pastimes.

"Claude, keep an eye on our belongings. Philip, pack up the tents."

"Understood, Master."

"As you command, Lord."

Henry and the others ignored the other nobles. The group arrived at City Hall, and the guard hurried inside to announce them. Before long, Count Sebastian himself came out to greet them.

"Oh, the King be praised! I nearly thought you wouldn't make it back. Do you know how worried I was?!" Count Sebastian exclaimed emotionally.

Count Sebastian was indeed worried—or rather, terrified!

That one of his relatives was among them was a minor matter. What battle doesn't claim lives?

You think anyone can just bob and weave to dodge attacks? That kind of skill belongs only to those bards strumming their accordions.

But the real problem was that these four were the King's students. These four minor knights, as local nobles, were far more important than other Independent Nobles.

Four outstanding Royal Knight Academy students dying under Count Sebastian's arrangements would be enough to ruin the rest of his political career.

Glen recounted their journey in detail to Count Sebastian, emphasizing Henry's valor.

"Knight Henry, truly formidable! Hahaha! You've done well. Those fools from Nulun have squandered all our morale, and I've lost face in front of the other Legion Commanders!

The Half-Orc heads you brought back are enough to boost the army's spirits. Rest assured, your rewards will not be lacking."

Henry endured the chatter and quickly interrupted, asking, "Count, what's the current situation? We need to know what's happened."