My Last Unreasonable Request

The Count strolled back to his large chair, leaned back slightly, and tapped his fingers lightly on the table as usual, his gaze becoming profound again.

"Your Carnford, though victorious in this battle, must be severely weakened, with significant troop losses," the Count said slowly, his tone carrying an undeniable resolve. "Here's what I'll do: I will personally select a group of clean-cut, honest peasant Veteran Soldiers from the militia reserves of my Fran City, who are willing to go to the Northern Territory to explore new frontiers, and assign them to you."

He paused, looking at Karl: "While they may not be as elite as my regular troops, they have all received basic military training and know how to drill, maintain discipline, and use weapons. They'll be much faster than you training new recruits from scratch."

The Count's tone hardened. "Of course, you're handing these people over to you, so you'd better take good care of them! They are all citizens of my Northern Territory, my future source of soldiers, not cannon fodder to be wasted at will."

Upon hearing this, Karl felt a surge of gratitude and enlightenment.

He immediately bowed respectfully. "Thank you for Count kindness, Your Excellency! I will certainly treat every soldier well and regard them as the cornerstone of Carnford!"

He understood the Count's deeper meaning.

It wasn't that the Count was unwilling to give him elite soldiers; rather, those elite soldiers were the Count's own trained elites, and if they were directly transferred to Karl, Karl would find it difficult to truly control them.

These militias, with their relatively simple backgrounds, not yet fully formed, and ambitious for pioneering, are entirely different.

Their handing over to Karl meant a complete break from Fran City's system, and they would become Carnford's direct subordinates.

This is both trust and a weighty support, giving Karl troops to use and the opportunity to cultivate his own loyal army from scratch.

The Count nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Furthermore, given Harald's character, the Sauron will not let this go easily after such a crushing defeat. Once he recovers, he will surely send out even more and more elite troops, sparing no expense to completely eradicate this stronghold right under his nose!"

He pointed to Carnford's location on the map. "So, we must plan ahead. I remember when you went north to explore, you built some temporary camps along the way as transit points and early warning systems, right?"

"Yes, sir." Karl nodded.

"Very good," a sharp glint flashed in the Count's eyes, "I will send my engineering corps north to fortify and expand your makeshift camps one by one, turning them into permanent post stations and outposts."

"If the opportunity arises, we might even attempt to build Official road along this route, which would greatly shorten and improve the supply and reinforcement routes from Fran City to Carnford."

"If the Sauron besiege Carnford again with their main force, my main force can quickly rush to their aid along this route, arriving in a day!"

"If they dare to hold out and fight fiercely outside the city, they will face the risk of being attacked from both inside and outside and being completely annihilated!"

Karl was once again shocked. The Count's move was tantamount to truly incorporating Carnford into the core of the Northern Territory defense system, providing it with strong strategic depth and logistical support.

This level of support is unprecedented!

He bowed deeply again. "Your Excellency is truly wise and far-sighted. Your subordinate... does not know how to repay your kindness!"

His gratitude at that moment was truly heartfelt.

The Count waved his hand, seemingly taking these arrangements for granted. "Alright, since you generously awarded the credit for annihilating Sauron's main force to Kellan and Laurent, then the reward for this achievement will naturally be attributed to them as well."

"Given your current situation, this is probably the best way to handle it. Okay, now that we've finished discussing business, if there's nothing else, you can go and rest."

As he spoke, he began waving his hand as if to shoo people away, as if those important decisions he had just made were nothing more than trivial matters mentioned casually.

But Karl knew that his "real business" was just beginning.

He took a deep breath and glanced back at Charlotte behind him.

Charlotte was also watching him nervously, her bright blue eyes filled with encouragement and expectation, her small hands clenched slightly at her sides.

Karl turned back to face the Count, mustered his courage one last time, and finally spoke, his voice slightly lower than usual. "Count Excellency... I... have one more request."

"Oh?" The Count paused, his hand poised to pick up his teacup. He looked up at Karl with interest, a familiar, teasing smile playing on his lips. "What else? Tell me, could it be... that you've taken a fancy to one of the treasured suits of armor in my storeroom?"

Karl shook his head, his gaze meeting the Count's scrutiny with unwavering certainty. "It's about... Commander Lyon von Hawke."

The Count's smile froze slightly, a hint of inquiry appearing in his eyes. "Lyon? What happened to him? He made significant contributions this time, and I was just about to reward him."

"Yes, Commander Lyon is a brave and skilled commander with outstanding achievements," Karl affirmed at first, then changed the subject, "But... he privately expressed a wish to me."

"The Hawk Family's castle fell to the Sauron, and his father died of grief as a result. This deep-seated hatred has tormented him ever since."

"He believes... that under my command in Carnford, he can better achieve his goals of taking the initiative, avenging Sauron, and reclaiming his homeland. Therefore... he earnestly requests that I may ask you to allow him to join my ranks."

After Karl finished speaking, he lowered his head slightly, waiting for the Count's reaction, his heart pounding in his chest.

The Count was silent for a moment, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Karl and Charlotte was so nervous she was almost holding her breath.

The atmosphere in the office became somewhat tense again.

After a long silence, the Count suddenly chuckled softly, his laughter revealing neither joy nor anger. "Ha... Lyon von Hawke, you've grown wings and your heart has become wild. It seems my Fran City will not be able to hold this lone wolf seeking revenge."

He paused, his gaze refocusing on Karl, his tone becoming calm yet decisive. "Alright, since this is his own choice, and you need capable men... I approve."

Upon hearing this, Karl and Charlotte both breathed a sigh of relief almost simultaneously.

But the Count wasn't finished. "Not only that, but the remaining dozens of cavalrymen under his command are also being given to you. Those men have risked their lives with him and fought alongside you, so they will likely be more obedient to your command. Perfect, you also need a decent cavalry force."

This unexpected generosity delighted Karl, who quickly thanked him, "Thank you so much, sir!"

The Count waved his hand, "Don't be too happy yet. Dozens of warhorses, and the equipment and provisions for those cavalry... you'll have to bear all of that yourself, Carnford."

"Whether you can afford to support him or not is not my concern. Don't come crying to me if I eat your Carnford out of house and home."

"Yes! I understand! I will make proper arrangements!" Karl suppressed his excitement and replied solemnly.

Charlotte watched from the sidelines, happy for Karl, but a faint sense of loss welled up inside her.

The thing she was most looking forward to, Karl didn't seem to have mentioned yet.

However, just when she thought the matter was over and Karl was about to take his leave, Karl turned to the Count again, his expression becoming more serious and solemn, even carrying a hint of unprecedented tension.

Charlotte's heart skipped a beat, and her azure eyes widened instantly as she stared intently at Karl.

Karl took another deep breath, as if using all his strength, and looked at Earl Rochefort with utmost seriousness, saying each word clearly:

"Count lord... I have one more... one last, and most important, request."