Resolving Conflict

A week later, a large and exhausted caravan finally appeared on the mountain road east of Carnford.

Fifty-five Sauron Cavalry, leading over three hundred ragged, emaciated Broomflower slaves and a small number of packhorses carrying meager belongings, slowly came into the sentry's view.

When those at the front of the procession, especially the captured Broomflower slaves, saw in the distance the towering stone castle on the mountainside, with the Broomflower banners fluttering in the wind, and the vast, bustling construction site at the foot of the mountain...

A suppressed, hopeful, and excited murmur suddenly erupted from the crowd!

"Look! It's a castle! It's our castle!"

"The Broomflower Flag! It's the Broomflower Flag!"

"My God... they really are building a city wall! What a huge project!"

"We... we're really saved!"

These people, who had struggled to survive under the enslavement of the Sauron and had long since given up hope, had a renewed light in their eyes and long-lost, heartfelt smiles on their faces.

This vibrant and heavily fortified scene before them was the sanctuary they had always dreamed of!

The legendary Lord Karl certainly did not disappoint them!

Soon, the watchtowers on the mountain path quickly relayed the news of the main force's arrival back to the castle using flag signals.

Karl was informed immediately.

He immediately ordered all officers to prepare their troops, assemble at the designated area, remain on high alert, and prepare for the surrender ceremony.

Although he has taken control of Thorsten, the reaction of the fifty-five Sauron Cavalry below remains unknown.

We must be fully prepared, just in case.

Carnford's military forces were quickly mobilized.

Brendan led his pike-wielding infantry phalanx, which stood behind the breach in the outer city wall that was under construction, their pikes forming a forest, gleaming coldly.

Richter commanded the Musketeers and archers to climb the rudimentary arrow towers and platforms on both sides of the city wall, load their ammunition, and stand ready for battle.

Meanwhile, Lyon and Roland led fifty elite cavalrymen, standing by the flanks of the infantry square, ready to launch a charge.

As Thorsten's troops slowly approached the mountain pass outpost, they were immediately overwhelmed by the sight before them.

The number of guards at the checkpoint far exceeded usual, and each of them was clad in gleaming armor, with their weapons drawn, and their eyes cold and wary.

The leading sentry captain raised his hand and shouted in broken Sauron mixed with the language of Broomflower: "Halt! Everyone, dismount! Surrender all weapons and horses! Undergo inspection and reorganization!"

This order, like a drop of water thrown into a pot of boiling oil, instantly caused an uproar among the Sauron Cavalry!

"What! Hand over your warhorses and weapons?"

"What a joke! Without horses and swords, what are we?"

"This is a trap! They want to completely disarm us!"

"We can't pay! We'll fight them!"

The Sauron Cavalry immediately stirred, many instinctively gripping their sabers at their waists, their faces showing anger and resistance.

Their warhorses and weapons were their lives and dignity; to ask them to hand them over unconditionally was worse than killing them.

The atmosphere instantly became tense, as taut as a bowstring that could snap at any moment!

The Broomflower soldiers behind the outpost were equally defiant, immediately stepping forward, leveling their spears, and aiming them at the Sauron in front of them.

Even more terrifying, the Musketeers towers and earthen walls on both sides also raised their weapons, the cold arrowheads and dark muzzles all aimed at the restless Sauron Cavalry below.

Lyon's cavalry began to slowly move along the flanks, forming a pincer movement.

Conflict is imminent.

At this critical moment, a calm voice rang out from behind the sentry post. "Put down your weapons!"

Karl, escorted by officers including Brendan, slowly walked out.

Beside him stood Thorsten, his expression complex yet resolute.

Karl calmly swept his gaze over the agitated Sauron Cavalry before him, then nodded slightly to Thorsten.

Thorsten took a deep breath, stepped forward, and approached his former subordinate.

He looked at the familiar faces, faces filled with doubt, anger, and unease, and spoke in Sauron, his voice heavy and clear:

"Brothers! Calm down! Listen to me!" He raised his hands, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"Now that things have come to this, I can no longer keep it from you," Thorsten's voice was tinged with bitterness and resolve. "We came here not as equals... but... but to surrender to Lord Karl, to Carnford!"

"Surrender?" The words boomed like thunder among the Sauron Cavalry! Everyone was stunned, staring at their commander in disbelief.

"Surrender to the Goldspur?"

"Commander! Are you insane?"

"How is this possible? We are the warriors of Sauron!"

"This is a disgrace! A colossal disgrace!"

The crowd erupted in fierce opposition and questioning once again, many with red eyes filled with anger at being betrayed.

Upon seeing this, the Broomflower soldiers behind Karl immediately gripped their weapons again and pressed their formation forward slightly.

Lyon gripped his lance tighter, his eyes flashing coldly. He would not hesitate to lead his cavalry to crush the chaotic enemy at Karl's command.

Thorsten suddenly raised his voice, drowning out all the noise. "Shut up! Listen to me!"

His gaze sharpened, sweeping over each of his former subordinates. "Look at yourselves! Look at the slaves behind us who are starving to death! Look at this wasteland where we have nothing! Look at the iron hooves that Harald is about to send to wipe us out!"

"Tell me, what other options do we have besides surrendering? Are we just waiting to die?!"

His words were like a cold knife, dissecting the bloody reality.

The agitated crowd gradually quieted down, and many people wore expressions of struggle and despair.

Thorsten pressed his advantage, softening his tone slightly but remaining firm. "Lord Karl is a man of his word! He promised us! If we sincerely submit, he will provide us with shelter from the wind and rain, and plenty of food!"

"We will become his warriors, under his protection and the law! Those who perform meritorious service in the future may even become true subjects, receiving land and rewards!"

Just then, Karl waved his hand at the opportune moment.

Several soldiers carried up several large buckets of freshly cooked, steaming hot Black Rye Porridge, and the rich aroma of the grain instantly filled the air.

This aroma held an unimaginable allure for the Sauron soldier and Broomflower slaves who had been starving for days.

Their eyes were involuntarily drawn to it, their throats bobbed with difficulty, and the hunger in their stomachs was magnified infinitely.

Compared to the tangible food and hope for survival before their eyes, the ethereal concepts of honor and dignity seemed less unshakeable.

Thorsten pointed to the porridge buckets, his voice filled with a final plea and assurance. "Brothers! Believe me one last time! Lay down your weapons, so you can live better! So that we can all have a future! I, Thorsten, swear by the honor of our ancestors, I will never lead you to your doom! Surrender!"

After a long silence, the Sauron Cavalry looked at each other, their eyes filled with intense struggle.

Ultimately, the fear of death, the craving for food, the remaining trust in the commander, and the faint hope for the future gradually overwhelmed the soldiers' sense of honor and their impulse to rebel.

Clang!

With a crisp sound, Thorsten's confidant was the first to drop his saber, lower his head, and silently walk to the front of the group.

Once there's a first, there's a second, a third...

Clang! Clang! Clang!

More and more weapons were thrown to the ground. The Sauron Cavalry dismounted, took their reins, and silently and obediently walked toward the sentry post, handing over their warhorses and weapons to the Broomflower soldiers who were waiting in battle.

A potential bloodshed was averted.

Lyon, standing on the flank, watched this scene unfold, slowly lowering his raised lance, a hint of undisguised disappointment and regret flashing in his eyes.

Deep down, he actually longed for these Sauron to rebel, so that he could rightfully charge forward and use the enemy's blood to atone for the hatred of his family.

Karl watched the surrender proceed smoothly and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.