A New Way to Play
Carnford, early morning.
Inside and outside the castle, the survivors have begun the arduous and oppressive cleanup work.
Karl personally led all the soldiers and civilians who still had the strength to move down from the city walls and into the battlefield, which was littered with corpses and resembled hell.
Their task was arduous: to collect the remains of their fallen soldiers and give them proper burials, while also gathering the corpses of the Sauron and burning or burying them deeply to prevent the outbreak of plague.
A deathly silence and sorrow filled the air.
Silently, people carried away the cold, oddly posed corpses. Each discovery of a body dressed in Carnford military uniform was met with a suppressed sob and a deeper silence.
These companions, who were eating and laughing together just yesterday, are now separated by death.
The cruelty of war was displayed to everyone in the most direct and somber way at this moment.
After a preliminary inventory, the outlines of the gains and costs gradually became clear.
Edgar, still exhausted, reported more detailed statistics to Karl:
"My lord, preliminary estimates suggest that our army inflicted approximately six to seven thousand casualties on the Sauron during this siege and final counterattack," Edgar said cautiously. "Of these, the actual elite soldiers of the Sauron main force are estimated to be no more than three thousand; the rest are mostly tribal militia, as well as some Broomflower slaves and surrendered soldiers who were driven into battle."
This number left Karl speechless for a moment.
The casualties of three thousand men were indeed not enough to cripple an army of one hundred thousand; Harald's main force still retained most of its strength.
In any case, this was the most brilliant tactical victory the Goldflower Kingdom had achieved against the Sauron invaders in recent decades!
It is a miracle in itself that a small force from a border fortress managed to take down a tough nut from the main force of the Sauron army!
"How's the head count going?" Karl asked calmly.
In this era, the enemy's head was the most direct proof of military merit and the means to demand rewards and compensation from the kingdom.
"Currently undergoing cleaning and preliminary preservation," Edgar replied. "There are approximately five thousand complete, identifiable Sauron soldier heads; the rest are mostly heads damaged and unidentifiable in the chaos of battle..."
Five thousand heads of Sauron soldier! This is a huge political and military asset! Many thoughts flashed through Karl's mind in an instant.
Last time, he sent the heads he had captured in a bloody battle to the Royal Capital, hoping to receive a substantial reward and assistance in return. However, he only received a commendation from His Your Majesty and an IOU that he didn't know when he would be able to pay.
He had truly experienced firsthand the bureaucratic system and financial predicament of the Goldflower Kingdom.
The same mistake must never be made twice.
These heads cannot be sent to the Royal Capital to fill the merit books of those noble lords, just like last time, while we and our soldiers receive no benefit whatsoever.
Karl decided to try a different approach this time.
Part of the money was handed over to the kingdom to fulfill official duties, and another part was given to Earl Rochefort. This was not only a substantial return for the Count's repeated acts of kindness, but also an excellent bond to consolidate the alliance and bind interests together.
Having Count speak on his behalf in the Royal Capital is more effective than ten thousand empty praises from the King.
Finally, he kept a portion for himself and used it to trade with other border Lord in the Northern Territory who were also facing pressure from Sauron and urgently needed military achievements to solidify their positions or to secure resources from the Royal Capital.
He could clearly state the price of a Sauron soldier's head and how many gold coins it would fetch.
Thinking of this, Karl instructed, "Keep these heads safe; they are our proof of merit when we report to the Royal Capital."
"Yes, sir."
Just then, a troop of Light Cavalry sent to scout south galloped back, bringing crucial news. "Reporting to the Lord! The Sparrow Corps has been spotted in the south! They broke camp last night and retreated north! Their main force has now withdrawn to within twenty miles, with only a small number of scouts remaining!"
Upon hearing this news, Karl's tense nerves finally relaxed completely.
The last threat has been eliminated!
The retreat of the Sparrow Corps confirmed that Harald had indeed been defeated, and that the news had already reached Ulf.
Carnford is truly safe!
He made a decision immediately. "Lyon!"
"Yes, sir!" Lyon stepped forward, his eyes still sharp despite his injuries.
"Immediately select ten of the best-performing cavalrymen! Remember, only our own Broomflower Veteran Soldiers, do not bring any Sauron Defectors!" Karl emphasized.
This is a sensitive political issue; surrendered soldiers should not be allowed to participate in the mission of reporting the victory to Fran City, lest it arouse unnecessary suspicion.
"Travel light and return to Fran City as quickly as possible! Report the victory to Earl Rochefort! Tell him that Carnford has held! Harald has been defeated! Ask him to immediately send troops north to meet and cover us, and to help clear the battlefield and stabilize the situation!"
"Understood! Rest assured, sir! I will deliver the good news safely!" Lyon pounded his chest, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
It is an unparalleled honor to personally report this great victory to His Excellency the Count!
Soon, Lyon, leading ten elite cavalrymen, shot out of Carnford like an arrow and galloped south along the road, the sound of hooves gradually fading into the distance.
After seeing off the messenger cavalryman, Karl returned to the castle.
Although the outer walls were still dilapidated, thanks to Edgar's best efforts, the interior of the castle underwent preliminary repairs and cleaning, at least the main buildings were no longer drafty and had some function of providing shelter from the wind and rain.
In a small room that served as a makeshift office, Edgar presented Karl with a more detailed draft of the compensation and resettlement plan.
By candlelight, the parchment was covered with densely written terms and numbers.
"Sir, this is the compensation charter drafted according to Carnford's custom. Please take a look." Edgar's voice was still hoarse, but his points were clear.
"The fallen soldiers will receive a one-time pension ranging from thirty to fifty Silver coin Silver coin, depending on their rank and merits. Their immediate family members will be permanently exempt from taxes for the current year and will be given priority in receiving farmland near water sources with good soil during the spring land distribution, with the amount increasing by 10% to 30% depending on the family's labor force."
"Those severely injured and permanently disabled, losing their ability to work, will receive a fixed monthly allowance from the Lord's Residence, in addition to a one-time death benefit, to ensure their basic living needs until their death. Those with minor injuries will have their food, lodging, and medical care provided by the Lord's Residence during their recovery period, and will receive some compensation as appropriate..."