Tommy

Karl took in everyone's reactions and pressed his advantage, his voice steady and persuasive. "This matter is currently a royal secret, known to very few, but I believe it won't be long before the royal family announces it to the world. Now, I grant you permission to spread this news as the strongest evidence!"

He brandished the Imperial Edict in his hand as if it were an invincible weapon. "Tell all those you wish to persuade! We, Carnford, are a territory personally endorsed and strongly supported by His Your Majesty!"

"Even Her Highness the Princess will be residing in Carnford in the future. Is there any doubt about the safety and future prospects here? Isn't that the strongest guarantee? His Majesty's approval of us is the greatest guarantee and appeal!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Understood, sir!"

"Great! Now let's see who still doesn't believe it!"

The young men were in high spirits, their faces flushed with excitement. They had initially thought the task was daunting and worried that they wouldn't be able to convince people with just words.

But now, with the bombshells of "the King's praise" and "the Princess's marriage," their confidence has instantly soared to its peak! This is simply the ultimate weapon for persuasion!

"Go! Get moving! Let the whole of Fran City hear the voice of Carnford!" Karl waved his hand, giving the final order.

"Yes!" the crowd responded in unison, their voices loud and clear, brimming with confidence.

They bowed to Karl, then turned around impatiently and quickly dispersed in twos and threes, carrying the exciting news and unprecedented enthusiasm, blending into the streets and alleys of Fran City.

As Karl watched their departing figures, he slowly lowered the hand holding the Imperial Edict, the fervor on his face gradually fading, replaced by a complex and profound expression.

He glanced once more at the heavy scroll of silk, silently praying that this empty title of "the Royal Grace" would truly translate into a real population and vitality for Carnford, as he wished.

As for the cost behind this... he could only bury it deep in his heart for the time being.

New recruit Tommy, carrying a simple bag, set off on the familiar dirt road leading to his hometown Jialan Village.

He was one of the soldiers who were forced to retreat into the inner city and fight house-to-house in the streets when the outer walls of Carnford finally collapsed under the overwhelming onslaught of the Sauron.

At that time, he followed the experienced veteran Roderick and several other surviving comrades to retreat to an abandoned three-story stone building near the inner city wall.

Using staircases, windows, and rooftops, they desperately resisted the Sauron soldier who were trying to surge along the streets, buying precious time for more comrades to retreat to the inner city's core positions.

However, seeing the heavy losses suffered by the direct assault, the Sauron cruelly resorted to fire, setting fire to the debris piled up downstairs. The flames and thick smoke quickly engulfed the staircase, driving them to their doom.

At the last moment, Roderick led them on a risky jump from a window on the back street side. He was lucky to only suffer some scratches, and then he and Roderick fled for their lives amidst the thick smoke and chaos.

Unexpectedly, just after escaping the inferno, they ran into a search party of Sauron at a corner!

In the chaos of battle, a fierce Sauron soldier tackled him to the ground, his cold scimitar nearly slicing open his throat.

Just when he thought he was doomed, Roderick appeared like a god, ending the life of the Sauron soldier with a precise and fierce thrust, pulling him back from the brink of death.

After that, he joined Roderick and the other surviving comrades in the last line of defense in the inner city, where they experienced an even more brutal battle to breach the walls, struggling like they were in a meat grinder, and miraculously survived.

The setting sun cast a long shadow over him. Familiar fields lined both sides of the road, though many looked desolate, clearly indicating that most people in Fran City were not having an easy time.

His feelings were complex, a mixture of excitement at the prospect of returning home and a sense of trepidation, as well as an indescribable heaviness.

Jialan Village is an inconspicuous little village on the outskirts of Fran City, where Tommy's family has lived for generations.

His father was originally an honest tenant farmer who barely made a living by renting a few acres of poor land from the Lord.

However, a sudden cold last winter ravaged my father's already frail body.

To pay for her father's medical treatment, the family exhausted their meager savings and finally had to grit their teeth and sell the tenancy rights to the few acres of land they considered their lifeline.

Even so, they still couldn't save their father's life. After he passed away, all that was left in the family were their frail mother, their young sister, and a debt incurred for medical treatment and funeral expenses.

As the only male in the family, seventeen-year-old Tommy was forced to shoulder the burden of supporting his family.

Without land, he could only find work in nearby mines. Miners' lives were extremely hard, with meager income and danger, and their livelihoods were often precarious.

As life became increasingly difficult for the family, and his mother's health deteriorated due to exhaustion and grief, while his younger sister became increasingly thin and pale, Tommy was extremely anxious but felt powerless to help.

Just when he was almost in despair, a turning point appeared.

Earl Rochefort issued a census, recruiting volunteers to assist in the defense of Carnford in the Northern Territory, and promising a substantial settlement allowance.

This news was like a lifeline for Tommy, who was struggling below the poverty line.

Although he knew that fighting on the border was dangerous, Tommy signed up almost without hesitation when he thought that the resettlement allowance would be enough to help his mother and sister get through the crisis and even pay off some of their debts.

He brought most of the Angarfettos back home, keeping only a small number for himself, and then resolutely embarked on the journey to Carnford with the group.

This departure lasted for nearly half a year.

During this time, he experienced the extremely fierce defense of Carnford, witnessed death and sacrifice, and grew rapidly from a clueless recruit in the baptism of blood and fire.

Countless times in the quiet of the night, he missed his mother and sister, worried about their lives, but also felt a little comforted that he could exchange his own sacrifice for the temporary peace of his family.

Now that the war has temporarily ended, he was fortunate enough to survive and returned to Fran City with Lord Karl, shouldering the special mission of recruiting new immigrants.

As he walked home, his steps quickened, his heart filled with longing and worry for his family.

Is Mother feeling better? Has my sister grown taller? How have they managed to get through the past six months? Have any new difficulties arisen in the family?

At the same time, the task assigned by the Lord weighed heavily on his mind.

He was well aware of the importance of this recruitment to Carnford's future development and understood the expectations placed upon him.

He planned to go home first to settle his family, and then immediately set off to visit his fellow villagers and miners he knew in the area. He wanted to use his personal experience in Carnford and the news of the "King's endorsement" given by the Lord to persuade those who, like him, longed to change their fate.

As the sun sets, the low-lying houses of Jialan Village are already faintly visible, with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys.

Tommy took a deep breath, suppressed his surging emotions, and quickened his pace.