After a simple overnight tally, the three legions had lost at least thirty to forty thousand men this time, most of them Auxiliary Soldiers and serfs who had filled the front lines.
The Empire had no shortage of cannon fodder like Auxiliary Soldiers. A stroll through the back alleys of any major city would turn up plenty.
And serfs... as long as the nobles did not slaughter them indiscriminately, men and women together could keep producing more without end.
As for the results, they were rather astounding.
Thirty-three thousand Half-Orc heads had been taken! More than two hundred Centaurs had been captured, along with over three hundred Minotaurs and Bear-people, over six hundred Fox-people, Rabbit-people, and Cat-people, and several thousand Gnolls and Kobolds!
They had also seized a vast amount of weapons and equipment. These spoils would greatly enrich the Imperial Legion, while also proving the courage and combat strength of the Imperial forces.
Most of these spoils would be distributed as rewards to soldiers with meritorious service, or sold to arms merchants and Mercenary Groups.
The soldiers who had survived the war happily sorted through the spoils, while others sorrowfully buried their brothers in the earth.
The three Legion Commanders and their officers began considering their next strategy. This victory was merely the beginning.
Occupying, holding, and developing the land were matters for the nobles. The main battlefield would certainly be their responsibility. The royal family had to repeatedly demonstrate its absolute military power in order to intimidate the entire Empire.
After making the rounds and learning what he wanted to know, Henry also mooched a meal off Boman, won seven Denars along the way, and happily returned to practice his Two-Handed Sword.
News had just arrived that there would be a Celebration Banquet that evening. Henry planned to attend with Bain, Claude, Philip, and Vasco, the captain of the New Recruit Squad.
Vasco was the best warrior in the New Recruit Squad. Whether in command or combat, he was qualified to serve as captain.
Although Vasco had undergone "loyalty" training, Henry was willing to grant others the utmost respect so long as they guaranteed their loyalty.
Henry planned to rename the New Recruit Squad the Skilled Infantry Squad when he returned, because their weapons, equipment, and military achievements all met the standards of Skilled Infantry.
What kind of New Recruits wore two layers of armor, iron helmets, bracers, and military boots?
What kind of New Recruits had Iron-Clad Shields, Fine Patterned Swords, Exquisite Javelins, and Exquisite Warhammers?
With a military bearing like that, no one would object even if they were called Veteran Infantry.
Huh? They were mine? Never mind, then.
Bain was delighted to hear that he could eat his fill. He declared that one injured arm would not stop him from competing with Boman to see who could eat more!
Claude and Philip were extremely excited to learn that they could attend the banquet with Henry! It represented Henry's trust and recognition.
Vasco showed no reaction. In his view, all he needed to do was complete Henry's assignments, unless... too many people died and the squad's morale collapsed.
That evening, the three Legion Commanders fulfilled their promise and gave the soldiers a feast they would remember for the rest of their lives! Naturally, the private troops of the several hundred nobles across the three legions received no such treatment.
The Empire had only issued the Pioneer Act, after all. It had not ordered the nobles to muster for war, and those who received invitations were free to decline.
Those who came all wanted to make a fortune and get a share of the spoils. Many Lesser Nobles who were not border nobles had brought their men to join the war.
Meanwhile, a Celebration Banquet was being held in the temporary tents, where all officers were commended and generously rewarded.
Alberti, the most authoritative Legion Commander of the Eleventh Legion, raised his cup and said, "This time, we successfully forced the Half-Orcs into a decisive battle with us.
"As always, just like our fathers before us, we successfully defeated them! Praise Calradia! Praise the great King!"
"Praise Calradia! Praise the great King!"
Sebastian raised his wineglass and said, "The nobles' private troops also made outstanding contributions. Your elite retainers rushed all across the battlefield.
"For example, the Lord of West Lyme, Knight Henry Burley—the most dazzling knight of the entire war on the right flank!"
"Powerful Henry Burley! We are proud of you!"
"The glory of the nobility! Knight Henry!"
Henry raised his cup in acknowledgment to the nobles and officers cheering for him. Sebastian had offered him an olive branch, hoping their previous unpleasantness could be put behind them.
Soon, everyone split into countless small groups, boasting of their own strength and recounting their exploits on the battlefield.
Yet amid the joyous atmosphere, some began to worry about the battles to come.
After all, the Half-Orcs would not give up so easily. Over the past two hundred years, the Empire had conquered hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of uncharted land.
Countless small and mid-ranking nobles had been added, along with more cities and villages, more pastures, farmland, orchards, and fisheries.
Thus, everyone knew the benefits of expanding the Empire's territory!
The Half-Orcs would certainly gather even greater forces to retaliate. If the Imperial army remained proud and arrogant, it would surely suffer a crushing defeat!
Elsewhere, Bain was already competing with Boman and Fas to see who could strip the meat from a chicken leg the fastest. Since Bain was injured, he had found outside help this time: Vasco.
"This is our infantry captain. Let's see who can eat more!"
Philip went off to chat with the officers, fish for information, and learn more command techniques.
Claude stayed by Henry's side, constantly refilling his wineglass.
"My lord, I never thought we could eat shrimp in this dump."
"Even in years of famine, there will always be people eating well. We have three Legion Commanders here, and one of them is a Marquis directly under the Crown."
As the two happily ate, they saw Glen approaching with a plate of small cakes and a glass of wine.
"Look who this is? Knight Henry, peerless champion of the east!"
After Glen spoke, Henry did not respond and simply continued eating.
Glen smiled, pulled over a stool, sat down, and asked, "Henry, what are your plans next?"
Henry glanced at Glen and said, "I am the right-flank quartermaster of the Seventh Legion. Of course I'll handle logistics properly. What else would I do? Go to war?"
Glen burst into laughter, raised his cup, and said, "Henry, you are the bravest noble in the Seventh Legion. If you go handle logistics, how will the rest of us have the nerve to take the battlefield?"
After watching Glen drain his wine, Henry said coldly, "Do you take me for an idiot? You used me as a weapon at the meeting in Autongard, then intended to make me take the blame when the Logistics Train went wrong?"
Glen gave an awkward laugh and explained, "Henry, did you hear some other nobles talking nonsense? They want to drive a wedge between our academy..."
Henry set down his wineglass heavily, stared into Glen's eyes, and said word by word, "For the Dean's sake, since we are both his students, this is the last time. There is a saying in my hometown: never a third time... Next time, I will cut off your head."
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