Lyon relaxed after hearing that, then could not help bursting into laughter again. He patted Peter on the shoulder, hitting his wound and making him bare his teeth in pain, then said loudly, "Hahaha! What's a few marks on a real man's face? They're marks of glory! Medals of courage! You brat—you actually got the chance to fight Harald, King of Sauron, blade against blade, and even killed him! Hahaha! That achievement alone is enough for you to brag about for the rest of your life!"
He paused, then solemnly announced, "Don't worry! I'll report your merits to the higher-ups right away! I'll apply for a First-Class Spruce Medal for you! You personally slew the enemy chieftain! Hardly anyone in all of Carnford can earn such an honor! From now on, you'll be a battle hero renowned across the land!"
"M-Mine? A First-Class... Spruce Medal?" Lying on the stretcher, Peter heard Lyon's words, and the pair of eyes visible beyond his bandages lit up at once! He tried hard to grin and laugh, but tugged at the wounds on his face and sucked in cold breaths from the pain. "Haha... hiss... hahaha... cough, cough... a First-Class Spruce Medal! Haha..."
He cried and laughed like a fool as the medics carried him away, gradually disappearing into the distance.
Lyon watched Peter being carried off, a gratified smile on his face. But it quickly faded, and he resumed the imposing bearing of a decisive, battle-hardened cavalry commander.
He knew the battle was not entirely over. Harald might be dead, but Sauron's defeated remnants were still fleeing. If they did not seize this chance to deal them a devastating blow, allowing them to escape back into the deep mountains and old forests, they could still become a future menace.
He spun around and