Farewell at the City Gate

The next morning, as the sky just began to lighten, the biting cold remained.

Outside Fran City's massive northern gate, Karl's contingent had assembled and stood in solemn formation.

Nearly fifty warriors, clad in armor and armed with weapons, were arranged in a relatively orderly formation at the front and rear of the group.

Although their equipment was still a mixed bag, after days of integration and trials by fire, a refined aura of menace had quietly taken shape.

In the center of the formation, a dense mass of three hundred slaves, watched over by soldiers, stood with vacant eyes, a flicker of fear for the unknown mixed with their numbness.

Bringing up the rear was the Auxiliary Troop and a baggage train of over a dozen horse-drawn carts, piled high with supplies.

Such a contingent gathered at the city gate naturally drew a large crowd of Fran City residents, who whispered amongst themselves, their faces filled with surprise and disbelief.

In recent days, they had grown accustomed to the "pioneering nobles" from the south and their retinues.

These nobles either caroused drunkenly in taverns, complaining about everything, or paraded through the streets with their female companions.

Their soldiers were even more undisciplined, engaging in petty theft, harassing women, and forcing sales, which only ceased after Earl Rochefort executed a few troublemakers with an iron fist.

But this group before them was entirely different!

The soldiers stood silently, their gazes resolute. While their formation might not have rivaled the most elite Royal Capital legions, there was no sign of sloppiness.

They were utterly unconcerned with their surroundings, showing no disturbance or impatience towards the curious onlookers, simply waiting for orders.

This kind of strict military bearing and discipline was something the people of the Northern Border rarely saw in armies from the south.

Far from being uncomfortable under the gaze of so many citizens, Karl's soldiers stood taller, their chests puffed out.

An unprecedented sense of honor and pride surged within them! They were warriors who earned respect through strength and discipline, not contemptible thugs!

Just then, the sound of hooves and footsteps echoed from within the city gates.

Earl Rochefort, flanked by a group of Fran City's high-ranking officials, had personally come to see them off.

He was still dressed in his imposing Governor's attire, his face wearing its usual inscrutable expression.

Following behind him was Charlotte, dressed in light Leather Armor and a cold-weather cloak.

Her appearance immediately drew countless eyes, but she seemed accustomed to it, her gaze directed straight at Karl at the front of the formation.

Karl, as usual, wore the Chain Mail and Butterfly Helmet that had survived the bloody battle of Riftstone Canyon. The scratches and dents from combat were clearly visible on the armor, and far from appearing worn, they lent him a rugged aura of a seasoned warrior.

Earl Rochefort approached Karl, scrutinizing him from head to toe, a familiar smirk curving his lips. "Heh, looks like our 'dog-slayer' is ready to depart? You've certainly put on a good show. I hope your armor still looks like this when you get to Carnford, instead of being peeled open like a tin can by a Sauron Battle Axe."

Karl bowed slightly, replying with neither subservience nor arrogance, "Please rest assured, my Lord Earl. I will do my best to let this armor take a few more blows and buy Fran City more time."

"See that you do," the Earl grunted, his tone then becoming slightly more formal. "Alright, enough pleasantries. The Northern Border is harsh and fraught with danger. Everything... is up to you. Don't die too quickly, or I'll have misjudged you."

"I will heed your words, my Lord," Karl replied solemnly.

At this moment, Charlotte stepped forward a few paces, coming to Karl's side.

Her gaze was clear and direct: "Karl, be careful on the road. I... await your good news."

Her voice was not loud, but it reached Karl's ears clearly.

A warmth spread through Karl's heart, and he nodded. "Thank you, Miss Charlotte."

He suddenly remembered something and took a metal whistle from his inner pocket, offering it to Charlotte. "Oh, right, here's this back. I forgot to return it yesterday."

Charlotte looked at the whistle but didn't reach for it. Instead, she chuckled softly, her smile particularly bright in the morning light. "No need to return it. Consider it... a small gift for you. Perhaps it will be useful in Carnford."

Karl was slightly taken aback. Looking at Charlotte's smile, his heart fluttered, and he no longer refused. He carefully put the whistle back. "Then thank you very much."

He instinctively wanted to give something in return, but after searching his person, he found nothing suitable besides his weapons and armor, feeling a moment of awkwardness.

Charlotte seemed to read his mind, her lips curving slightly. "No need for a return gift. In the future... just remember to invite me to visit your territory."

"I will!" Karl immediately promised, his tone incredibly earnest. "As long as I can establish a foothold in Carnford, you are always welcome!"

After a simple farewell, Karl finally bowed to Earl Rochefort and the other officials. He then took a deep breath, mounted his horse, turned it around, and faced the vast, unknown land to the north.

He raised his arm and waved it down forcefully!

"Move out!"

RUMBLE!

At his command, the heavy northern gate of Fran City slowly creaked open with a dull roar, revealing the even more desolate and cold wilderness beyond.

The long procession began to move. The soldiers marched with firm steps, the slave group shuffled forward under supervision, and the wheels of the carts crunched over the frozen earth.

Karl rode at the very front of the formation. Just as he was about to pass completely out of the gate's shadow, he couldn't resist looking back one last time.

At the city gate, the tall figure still stood there, her golden hair fluttering slightly in the morning breeze.

Seeing him look back, she raised her hand again and waved to him.

Karl's heart settled. He withdrew his gaze, his eyes becoming incredibly resolute. He spurred his horse and merged into the flowing current of the advancing procession.

He had truly embarked on the journey to Carnford, a journey into the unknown and towards challenge.