Loyalty

Valerius was rebuffed, his face turning pale and then red.

He had hoped to use the pretext of "rushing to the rescue" to curry favor with Karl and perhaps even gain some political capital from "assisting in the defense of the city," but to his surprise, Karl didn't even let him into the city gates and refused to see him.

Even through the city gates, he could feel the cold, even disdainful, gazes directed at him from within the city.

Considering Earl Eisenberg's continued inaction, and looking at this desolate city that had crawled out of a sea of blood from hell, Valerius felt his face burning and could no longer bear to stay.

He could only utter a few polite words before slinking off with his troops, turning their horses around, and galloping back to Eagle's Nest Fortress to report this incredible news that would shake the entire Northern Territory to Earl Eisenberg.

Almost the morning after Valerius left, an even greater cloud of dust rose up on the main road south of Carnford.

A massive convoy of Supply Cart appeared on the horizon.

The flag fluttering at the front of the column drew excited cheers from the soldiers watching from the city walls—it was the flag of Fran City!

The man who arrived was another old acquaintance of Karl's, Sir Kylan of Fran City.

He was not leading a combat force, but a huge logistical support team! Dozens of heavy wagons were loaded with grain sacks covered tightly with tarpaulins, enough to feed five thousand people for several months!

What's even more surprising is that the team also included hundreds of experienced craftsmen, carpenters, stonemasons, blacksmiths, and even a few water conservancy workers. Most of them brought their families and a full set of tools, clearly prepared to settle down there long-term.

This is undoubtedly a godsend for Carnford, which is in dire need of rebuilding and is severely lacking in professional talent!

As the grand convoy, laden with hope and goods, slowly drove into the outer city that was being cleared, Karl and Sir Laurent personally went out to greet them.

Although the two men, who had just experienced a great battle, looked tired, their eyes were filled with composure and strength.

"Sir Kylan! You've done a great service! The Earl Rochefort's generous gift will be forever etched in the memories of Carnford!" Karl stepped forward and bowed deeply to Kellan, his voice filled with sincere gratitude.

With this food and skilled craftsmen, Carnford's hopes of surviving the spring famine and completing its reconstruction have greatly increased.

Sir Kylan quickly dismounted to return the greeting. This knight, known for his strictness, now looked at Karl and the surrounding devastated yet vibrant battlefield ruins with undisguised amazement and respect. "Lord Karl! You are too kind! Before leaving, the Count repeatedly instructed us that it is the inescapable responsibility of Fran City to fight alongside Carnford and resist foreign aggression!"

"But it was you and the warriors of Carnford who, with only a few thousand men, withstood Sauron's army of one hundred thousand for over a month without falling, and ultimately won the battle! Such a great achievement is worthy of being recorded in history! Kellan admires you the most!"

Sir Laurent, standing nearby, also sighed, "Kellan, you didn't witness the carnage firsthand. Lord Karl's steadfast defense was no fluke. Without him there, Carnford would have changed hands long ago."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the atmosphere was harmonious and sincere.

Sir Kylan then got back to the main point. Pointing to the large caravan behind him and the artisans and their families, who looked both curious and somewhat uneasy, he said to Karl, "Lord Karl, the Count has ordered that this grain is a small token of appreciation from Fran City to its allies."

"And these craftsmen and their families, His Excellency the Count says, will all remain in Carnford to help you rebuild your home. They are familiar with the climate and architecture of the Northern Territory and will certainly be of great use."

Karl looked at the craftsmen and understood.

The Earl Rochefort's move was not merely aid, but a long-term investment and a deep commitment.

Sending these artisans and their families here signifies their true integration into Carnford, making them the cornerstone of the area's reconstruction and further strengthening the connection between the two places.

This favor is incredibly valuable.

"Your Count Karl's wisdom and foresight are truly appreciated. Please be sure to convey my sincerest gratitude to you," Karl said solemnly once again.

A few days later, a solemn and grand funeral was held on a newly cleared high ground behind Carnford Castle, facing the vast wilderness.

Despite the devastation of the post-war period and the extremely rudimentary conditions, Karl insisted on holding a dignified farewell ceremony for all the soldiers who bravely sacrificed their lives in the defense of the city.

This is a tribute to the deceased and an encouragement to the living.

There were no elaborate coffins, only simple coffins hastily made from relatively intact wood collected from the battlefield, or the remains were simply wrapped in washed linen.

There were no elaborate rituals, only survivors who came spontaneously, standing silently in the cold wind, but every face was filled with grief and respect.

The core of the funeral was the burial of several important figures.

Master Andrei's remains were solemnly buried in Carnford Cemetery, next to the tombstone of his predecessor, Lord Marcus.

Karl personally covered the coffin with the first mound of earth, silently praying, "Master Andrei, you protected Carnford to the very end. Now, rest in peace here, and together with the old Lord, continue to watch over this land you defended with your lives."

He thought that this might also be the final destination that Master Andrei had hoped for.

In the area where other fallen soldiers were buried, a new Martyr's Cemetery has been established.

Rows of newly erected, simple wooden tombstones stand like silent guards, facing north—the direction from which the enemy came.

The tombstones were inscribed with the names of the fallen soldiers and their squads as much as possible. For bodies that could not be identified, a memorial stone was erected for them.

Almost all the people, including the original inhabitants and thousands of former slaves who had recently come to join them, spontaneously participated in the funeral.

Standing among the graves, they looked at the warriors who had given their lives to protect this land, their hearts filled with complex emotions.

There was sadness, there was fear, but more than anything, there was a growing sense of belonging and hope for the future. They had witnessed firsthand that this young Lord not only possessed the powerful ability to lead them to survival in dire circumstances, but also the utmost respect and remembrance for those who had sacrificed themselves.

This kind of "benevolence" is especially precious in the harsh Northern Territory, making survivors and newcomers alike develop a deeper trust and loyalty to Lord Karl von Schmidt.

A sense of solidarity and unity in rebuilding our homes quietly emerged amidst the silent mourning.

Following the funeral, reconstruction efforts in Carnford continued at a rapid pace.

The artisans and their families, aided by Fran City, have been provided with temporary accommodations under Edgar's careful arrangements and have quickly devoted themselves to key tasks such as repairing the city walls, rebuilding houses, and dredging water facilities. Their professional skills have greatly improved the efficiency of the reconstruction.