As Carnford gradually regained its basic functions and order began to take shape, Karl decided to fulfill his original promise and use the opportunity to boost morale and bring everyone together.
He announced that they would hold a simple celebration—not only to celebrate the completion of the first houses and the improvement of their living conditions, but also to declare to everyone:
"Follow Karl, and your hard work will never go unrewarded. The future is filled with hope!"
Night fell, and the chill deepened, but the open ground within Carnford's outer walls was unusually lively.
Several enormous bonfires burned fiercely, their flames leaping high and driving away the darkness and cold.
Fragrant meat stew and thick barley porridge simmered in large iron pots. There was more than enough food.
Soldiers, slaves, refugees who had joined later, and the five rescued women all sat around the bonfires, their faces glowing with long-lost relaxation and anticipation.
The air was filled with the aroma of food, the crackle of burning firewood, and the hum of people speaking in low voices.
Before long, several soldiers worked together to carry over a relatively flat boulder and place it in front of the largest bonfire.
Just then, Karl appeared.
He was not wearing ornate lordly attire. He was still dressed in hunting clothes suited for movement, with a cloak draped over them to ward off the cold.
When the people below saw him approaching, they immediately erupted in enthusiastic cheers, whistles, and stomps!
After spending these past days together, the people had long since figured out the young lord's temperament. He disliked rigid etiquette and stiff distance. This lively, even slightly rough, way of expressing themselves pleased him far more, and it was the best way for them to show their affection and respect.
Karl smiled as he climbed onto the boulder and pressed both hands downward slightly.
As if by magic, the uproar quickly subsided. Everyone fixed their burning gazes on him, waiting for him to speak.
"Everyone!" Karl's voice was clear and powerful, carrying across the entire gathering. "Today is Carnford's first celebration! But I can promise you this: it absolutely will not be the last!"
His opening immediately drew a wave of excited cheers.
"With our own hands, we cleared the ruins, built houses that can shelter us from the wind and rain, lit the hearths, and brought this land back to life! That is worth celebrating!" He paused and swept his gaze across the gathering. "But I also remember the promise I made. Once we settled here, everyone who worked hard would be rewarded! Now is the time for me to fulfill that promise!"
He held out his hand, and Brendan immediately handed him a piece of parchment covered in names.
Karl glanced at the list and called out, "Next, anyone whose name I read, step forward!"
"Otto!"
"Fenn!"
"Morgan!"
"Luke!"
"Jim!"
"Thomas!"
"Barry!"
"Evan!"
"Alvin!"
One name after another was called. The slave squad leaders whose names had been announced forcibly suppressed their joy and excitement as they hurried out from the crowd and stood in a neat row before the bonfire.
In the past, being called forward by a lord usually meant that misfortune had arrived. But at that moment, their faces held only honor and anticipation, and their chests were thrust out proudly.
Karl jumped down from the boulder and walked over to them, his gaze sweeping across the first group to receive rewards for their loyalty and diligence.
In a solemn voice, he said, "For your hard work and outstanding management in the days past, as well as your loyalty in voluntarily defending the camp on the night of the goblin attack, I, Karl von Schmidt, Lord of Carnford, hereby declare—"
"From this moment on, you—Otto, Fenn, Morgan, Luke, Jim, Thomas, Barry, Evan, Alvin... and everyone whose name was called—are no longer slaves! You are free!"
Although they had sensed it coming, when the words "You are free" truly left the lord's mouth, the dozen or so people still trembled with excitement, their eyes turning red in an instant.
Karl slowly drew his sword. Its cold light flashed in the firelight as he first walked over to Otto.
Otto immediately dropped to one knee and bowed his head deeply. The others followed suit.
Karl lightly touched the flat of the sword to Otto's right shoulder, then moved it to his left shoulder and solemnly declared, "By sword and oath, cast off the status of slavery and become a free man!"
It was a simple ceremony, yet it was filled with a unique solemnity and symbolic meaning.
Each light touch of the blade seemed to smash apart the invisible shackles that had bound them for so long.
Karl completed the ceremony for each person in turn.
Afterward, Karl returned the sword to its sheath and said to the still barely contained crowd, "After this, I will have someone record your names in detail, register you officially, and issue you formal proof of free status!"
Behind them, the slaves who had not yet gained their freedom watched their companions shed tears of excitement and embrace one another. Their eyes were filled with incomparable envy and burning longing!
They had seen real hope. They had seen that the path to freedom was not an empty promise!
Each person swore inwardly that they would work even harder and fight for the next place!
Karl turned around to face all the slaves and announced in a ringing voice, "Did you all see that? This is the reward for hard work and loyalty! From today onward, I will hold the same ceremony at this time every month! I will select ten slaves who have made outstanding contributions to Carnford's construction and grant them the status of freemen!"
"Long live Lord Karl!"
"Long live the lord!"
The slaves erupted in earthshaking cheers, their voices filled with unprecedented hope and motivation!
Next, Karl turned his gaze toward the soldiers who were watching him expectantly, a teasing smile appearing on his face. "As for the warriors who have followed me through life and death, I'm sorry, but your payday is still ten days away. You'll have to endure a little longer!"
The soldiers immediately answered with good-natured laughter and jeers.
A bold veteran shouted at the top of his lungs, "My lord! We don't want money! We want wives!"
His words instantly resonated with all the soldiers, who began to chant, "That's right! We want wives!"
"You promised us, my lord!"
"Find us some women!"
The atmosphere immediately grew lively and cheerful.
Karl looked at the agitated group and shook his head with a smile. When the noise had died down somewhat, he called out, "All right! No problem! I remember my promise! Next month, I'll write to Earl Rochefort of Fran City and ask him to help recruit a group of people willing to come to Carnford to settle and open up the land—especially women! When the time comes, whether you bachelors can find wives will depend on your own abilities!"
"Long live!!!"
"Long live the lord!!!"
The soldiers' cheers nearly overturned the night sky, and each of them danced with excitement.
The celebration reached its climax.
People gathered around the bonfires, sharing food and discussing the future.
For the first time, singing and laughter echoed through Carnford's night sky.
Karl stood to one side, watching the lively and hopeful scene, his heart filled with a sense of accomplishment.
Although the road ahead remained long and difficult, a good beginning had already been established.
Through his actions, he told everyone that loyalty, sweat, and courage would ultimately be rewarded here.
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