The Situation After the War
After Karl and Charlotte had a brief but warm moment in the Lord's Hall, they walked out together and came outside the castle.
The afternoon sun shone, dispersing some of the remaining haze of the battlefield, but the air was still filled with a faint smell of blood and herbs.
Below the platform, the semi-crypt-style house area where the cavalry led by Lyon originally rested was now being used again.
However, those who lived there were no longer tired soldiers, but the wounded who kept groaning.
Military doctors and helping women shuttled between them, busy changing dressings and giving water.
Lyon and his cavalry had already evacuated these relatively comfortable residences after they had almost recovered, and moved to the foot of the mountain to camp with the reinforcements, giving up these precious spaces to those who needed them more.
When the old knight Brendan saw Karl coming out, he immediately hurried up to greet him.
There was deep fatigue on his face, but his eyes were still sharp and focused.
He stroked his chest and saluted, and began to report in a steady voice:
"Sir, it's good that you wake up. All the wounded have been placed, mainly in the military camp and these semi-underground cave dwellings."
"There are forty-three seriously injured people. Fortunately, Militia Potion was taken in time. Most people's injuries have been controlled and the situation has stabilized. Military doctors and villagers who know herbal medicine are still taking good care of them. Under the action of the medicine, the wounds healed faster than expected. Most of the wounded recovered well and their lives should be safe. This is really...Goddess's blessing."
"Almost everyone has minor injuries, but after bandaging and treatment, most of them are no longer serious and can just rest for a while."
He paused and his tone became heavier. "The remains of the fallen soldiers... have all been collected. A preliminary inventory has confirmed that eighty-seven people were killed. Mr. Morr, the secretary, has personally led people to select a sunny slope at the foot of the mountain. A mass grave is being dug to bury them properly and a monument will be erected to commemorate them."
Karl listened quietly, looking at the place where ground was being built down the mountain, and said nothing.
Behind every number is the loss of a living life, an irreparable loss to Carnford.
He nodded slightly and signaled Brendan to continue.
Brendan took a deep breath, turned sideways, and pointed to the vast wilderness outside the castle. "Sir, there is one more thing. Please follow me."
Karl and Charlotte followed Brendan out of the city wall, and their vision suddenly broadened.
What I saw on the plain below Kahnford Fortress was completely different from the scene of the Sauron soldiers approaching the city a few days ago. At this moment, it was a spectacular scene of flags fluttering and continuous tents!
Hundreds of tents are arranged in an orderly manner, like a sudden growth of white mushrooms.
A large number of flags printed with the Rochefort Family lion coat of arms and Broomflower Royal Standard sounded in the breeze, looking particularly majestic.
In the camp area, one can see groups of infantrymen with bright armor and neat military appearance patrolling, and the reflection of metal flashes from time to time.
It was now morning, and smoke was already rising above many camps.
"This is what I want to report to you," Brendan said with a hint of relief, "Count has sent the main reinforcements, a reinforced infantry battalion, about 1,200 elites, and they have all arrived and camped here."
"With them outside, Carnford is now impregnable. Even if Sauron learns of the disastrous defeat on the front line, they will never dare to invade easily again."
"In addition, the two accompanying cavalry brigades have also sent a large number of rangers to the surrounding areas for reconnaissance and warning to ensure nothing goes wrong."
However, Brendan's brows furrowed slightly. "However... Sir Kylan and Sir Laurent revealed to me privately that they came on a quick march this time and did not carry much food and grass. I am afraid they will not be able to stay here for a long time and will soon break camp and return to Fran City."
He glanced at Karl and continued, "I once boldly suggested to them that we might allocate part of Carnford's food reserves to support friendly forces. After all, they are here to rescue us."
He immediately added, with a hint of helplessness and admiration in his tone. "But the two knights firmly refused. They said that Master Count had a strict order in advance, and the reinforcements were not allowed to use Carnford a grain of grain."
"All military needs must be met by ourselves, and we must not add any burden to Carnford, which has just experienced a war and is already facing difficulties."
When Karl heard this, he was slightly startled, then turned to look at Charlotte beside him. A trace of complicated emotions flashed in his eyes, and he said softly, "It seems... Master Count really values me."
Charlotte raised his chin and said proudly, "Of course! My father has always made clear rewards and punishments!"
Karl smiled and said to Brendan, "We understand Count's good intentions, but friendly forces have come from afar to help us rescue us, so we cannot remain silent."
"Let's do this. In my name, I will give them a batch of food as a gift to allow them to stay here for a few more days. It is also to better deter Sauron and help Carnford rebuild. As for Count, I will personally explain it."
"Yes, sir, I will take care of it right away." Brendan accepted the order, and was quite impressed by Karl's thoughtful handling of the matter.
After making these arrangements, Karl took a deep breath and said to Charlotte, "Let's go, Charlotte. Let's go to the foot of the mountain together and thank Sir Kylan and his soldiers in person. They are our benefactors."
When Charlotte heard this, he curled his lips somewhat disapprovingly. "Humph! Benefactor? Just them? If they hadn't marched so slowly and let go of Sauron Cavalry's main force, this would have been a perfect annihilation battle! Without them, we would have won it ourselves!"
Karl looked at her angry and cute look and couldn't help but smile. He reached out and patted her shoulder with a gentle tone. "You can't say that, Charlotte. In any case, the moment they arrived, Sauron's military morale was greatly shocked, and their siege was broken. This friendship and timely arrival are crucial in themselves, let's go."
Although Charlotte was dissatisfied, he still followed Karl down the mountain obediently.
No matter what, she is always willing to support whatever Karl decides.