Shaking

A few days later, Sir Kylan and Sir Laurent came to bid farewell to Karl.

Their support mission is complete; they need to lead their respective troops back to Fran City to report.

Before they left, Karl entrusted them with an important "trophy".

There were dozens of heavy wooden crates, their lids tightly shut, but the faint smell of lime and salt wafted out.

Karl said to Laurent and Kellan, "These are the relatively intact heads of Sauron soldier that were cleared from the battlefield after the war. After preliminary processing, there are a total of 1,500 heads. I would like to trouble you two to present them to Earl Rochefort, who will then forward them to Count Royal Capital. This is our contribution to Carnford, to His Your Majesty, to prove our achievements in this battle."

With that, he solemnly handed a parchment list bearing the seal of the Lord Carnford, detailing the number of heads and their approximate origins, to Sir Kellan and Sir Laurent.

Karl was at ease entrusting this crucial document, which concerned the honor of his territory and future rewards, to Kellan and Laurent. They were not only the Count's absolute confidants, but also comrades-in-arms who had fought alongside him and were worthy of his life.

Sir Kylan looked at the boxes, a barely perceptible hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

He was an experienced general who knew that with Sauron's 100,000-strong army besieging them for over a month and then pursuing them during their rout, the actual casualties could not possibly have been only 1,500.

This number has clearly been greatly compressed.

Karl noticed Kellan's gaze, but instead of explaining, he gave Kellan a meaningful wink.

Kellan instantly understood and asked no further questions.

Sir Laurent accepted the list with both hands, his face solemn. He straightened his posture, placed his hand on his chest, and gave Karl a most solemn knightly salute. His voice was steady and firm. "Lord Karl, rest assured! I, Laurent, swear by my sword and my honor, that I will deliver these certificates of merit intact to the Count!"

"And face the Count and all those who doubt, recount the fierce and glorious Carnford Defense Battle, and proclaim the undeniable achievements of you and your warriors!"

"Take care!" Karl extended his right hand and shook hands tightly with Laurent, and then with Kellan, everything understood without words.

Watching Kellan and Laurent lead the army of Fran City, guarding the dozens of heavy chests of "battle merits" and Karl's expectations, slowly disappear at the end of the southern road, Karl stood alone at the dilapidated city gate, standing there for a long time.

The cold wind whipped up the snowflakes on the ground, ruffling the hair on his forehead.

Seven days later, in the Royal Palace of the Goldflower Kingdom in Prye City.

Friedrich, though travel-worn, stood ramrod straight in the center of the magnificent palace hall.

Before him, on the throne, sat King Heinrich XI, his face glowing with health.

On both sides of the main hall, civil and military officials gathered, all eyes focused on Friedrich and the wooden boxes containing samples of Sauron's head that his personal guards were carefully carrying behind him.

Several days earlier, preliminary reports of the great victory at Carnford had already been sent back to the Royal Capital at top speed.

The entire Prye City was in an uproar! Sauron's army of 100,000 men marched south to plunder, sweeping all before them, but ultimately suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of a small border fortress!

This news was like a timely rain after a long drought, greatly boosting the morale of the Kingdom's people, who were depressed by the war!

King Heinrich was overjoyed. This was not only a rare military victory, but also a golden opportunity for him to consolidate his rule and demonstrate his royal power!

Therefore, when Friedrich and Kellan arrived in Prye City with their spoils, the King had already ordered the city gates to be opened wide, allowing the entourage to enter the outer city with a ceremony almost like welcoming a triumphant hero. The entourage was then temporarily encamped in the Inner City, awaiting inspection and an audience.

At this time, several court officials responsible for verifying the merits of the battle had carefully examined the samples of Sauron's head that had been brought with them.

They confirmed that these heads belonged to genuine Sauron soldier, not slaves or Broomflower surrenders, and that their numbers were substantial.

A senior official respectfully reported to the King: "Your Majesty, upon inspection, the heads of the fallen soldiers presented by Carnford are indeed those of the elite warriors of the Sauron army, and the number... is staggering! This is a victory the kingdom has not seen in decades!"

Upon hearing this, Heinrich XI's smile widened even more. He even seemed impatient to stand up from his throne, walk quickly to the kneeling Friedrich, and personally help him up, his tone full of enthusiasm.

"Sir Friedrich! Rise! Your Schmidt Family is truly my pillar of strength, the backbone of the kingdom! Your brother Karl has even created a miracle! Tell me, tell me how Carnford managed to defeat an overwhelming force and achieve such a glorious victory?"

Friedrich stood up calmly. Although he had some reservations about the King's performance in the early stages of the war, his outward manners remained impeccable.

He succinctly recounted the defense of Carnford, its ferocity, and the eventual victory achieved with the help of reinforcements, emphasizing the bravery and sacrifice of the defenders while glossing over the slow arrival of reinforcements from the Royal Capital.

The King listened with great interest, clapping his hands in admiration from time to time.

After listening, he asked with concern, "Lord Karl has performed such an extraordinary feat, why hasn't he come to the Royal Capital in person to receive his reward? I would like to meet this young hero properly!"

Friedrich bowed slightly and replied sincerely, "Your Majesty, Carnford has suffered a bloody battle, its walls have collapsed, and its soldiers and civilians have suffered heavy casualties. Everything is in ruins. As the Lord, I must comfort the dead, treat the wounded, and organize the reconstruction. I am truly unable to leave my post and cannot personally come to the Royal Capital to see Your Majesty. I am deeply ashamed and beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

"Oh! It's alright, it's alright!" The King waved his hand magnanimously, his face showing no blame but rather full of understanding and appreciation. "Lord Karl devoted to his people and loyal to his duty; he is a model subject! The damage to Carnford is so severe that it pains me greatly! He must be richly rewarded to comfort the soldiers and help them rebuild!"

He announced the rewards to Karl von Schmidt and his men on the spot.

Karl was promoted to hereditary deputy Count. A deputy Count is also Viscount. Originally, a deputy count was a subordinate of Count and managed peripheral territories. Later, he became an independent Nobility title.

He was also bestowed the title "Guardian of the Northern Border," and rewarded with 100,000 Silver coin, 50,000 catties of grain, and countless building materials. The fallen and wounded soldiers received generous compensation.

This series of rewards sounded extremely generous, enough to make many nobles in the hall envious.

Friedrich knew very well that it was highly questionable how much of these rewards would actually reach Carnford; deductions and delays were the norm.