A Chaotic Departure

The next morning, outside the massive northern gate of Fran City, the originally open space was packed so tightly it was impossible to move. The air buzzed with noise and utter chaos.

Most of the noble scions from various families, preparing to head to their respective territories, were mounted on ornately decorated horses. However, they were all yawning incessantly, clearly unaccustomed to waking up so early.

Lorenzo Visconti and Jasper Waters were among them, complaining to each other about the cold of the Northern Border and the agony of an early start.

The most eye-catching sight, however, was the enormous and luxurious carriage belonging to Cyril von Eichberg.

The young master of the Eichberg family hadn't shown his face at all. According to his crestfallen servant, young master Cyril had been partying in some tavern until the early hours of yesterday and was currently impossible to wake. He had been wrapped in a blanket by several strong servants and carried into the carriage, where he was now snoring thunderously.

As for the household retainers, guards, and purchased slaves brought by these nobles, the scene was even more unbearable.

The retinues of different families were mixed together, with no semblance of formation.

Soldiers gathered in small groups, chatting and boasting, their armor worn askew.

The slaves were herded to the side, squatting like livestock with vacant eyes.

Carriages and oxcarts loaded with luggage and supplies were parked haphazardly, and arguments and shoving broke out over good positions.

The clamor, curses, and animal cries blended into a cacophony, making it seem less like an army preparing to march to the front lines for expansion and more like a noisy, chaotic country market.

Karl's transport team and his small contingent of men were deliberately placed at the very rear of the entire massive procession by the Earl.

This was the Earl's intention, hoping Karl would stay at the back to "hold the line" and offer support.

After all, with the marching speed and discipline of Karl's unit, if they were at the front, they would leave this rabble far behind within a few hours. Karl could only accept this with a sigh.

Just then, Roland suddenly pointed towards the city and exclaimed, "My Lord! Look! The Earl has really allocated ninety cavalrymen!"

Karl followed his gaze and saw Earl Rochfort himself riding out from within the city gates.

He was still wearing his imposing Governor's attire, his expression calm.

Following behind him was the dashing Charlotte, who had changed into a gleaming cavalry breastplate today. Her long golden hair was tied back, giving her a capable and spirited appearance.

Behind her were ninety perfectly uniformed, gleaming cavalrymen, exuding a murderous aura.

The appearance of this unit instantly made the rabble outside the city seem even more pathetic.

Charlotte's gaze swept through the crowd and quickly found Karl at the rear of the formation.

She triumphantly tilted her chin at him, her blue eyes filled with a "See, I did it!" sort of boastfulness.

Karl felt a great sense of relief and a surge of gratitude.

He took off his hat and bowed respectfully towards Charlotte and the Earl.

No matter how brilliant yesterday's tactical simulations were, all of it depended on the Earl's willingness to give him those ninety elite cavalrymen.

The Earl arrived at the front of the chaotic crowd. Looking at the disarray before him, his brow furrowed deeply, and his disgust was evident on his face.

He took a deep breath, gathered his strength, and his voice, like rolling thunder, drowned out all the noise:

"Silence!"

The powerful presence and authority instantly stunned the entire assembly. The noise quickly subsided, and everyone instinctively looked towards the Earl.

The Earl's gaze swept coldly over everyone, and he announced several orders in a concise and irrefutable tone.

He roughly outlined the marching order, though it was estimated it would quickly devolve into chaos again, emphasized basic discipline, and appointed Charlotte Rochfort as the temporary commander-in-chief for this march, with the authority to handle all unforeseen events.

Finally, he said gravely, "...The Northern Border is not a place for you to indulge yourselves. Behave yourselves! Open the gate!"

The heavy city gate slowly swung open, revealing the vast wilderness outside.

As soon as the order was given, the suppressed chaos erupted once more.

The retinues of various families scrambled to be the first out of the city, as if gaining a head start would bring some great advantage.

Carriages, oxcarts, soldiers, and slaves crowded together, refusing to yield, their curses and shouts filling the air. The gateway was instantly blocked solid.

Fortunately, the Earl had anticipated this. His guards and Charlotte's cavalry immediately moved forward, unceremoniously using their sword scabbards to strike and their horses' hooves to drive back the chaotic crowd, barely maintaining order and allowing the procession to exit the city slowly and chaotically, like squeezing toothpaste.

Karl and his unit were at the very end, quietly observing the farce.

Only after all the other groups had squeezed through did he lead his orderly troops through the city gate last.

As he passed the Earl, Karl once again gave the Earl a solemn military salute from his horse, everything understood without words.

The Earl looked at him and merely nodded slightly, saying nothing more, but his eyes seemed to hold a hint of complex expectation.

As soon as they exited the city gate and entered the relatively open area, Charlotte flicked her reins and rode up beside Karl.

Her face held the satisfaction of a completed task and a hint of "Praise me now," as she lowered her voice and said to Karl, "How was it? I kept my word, didn't I? Ninety people, all the best cavalry under my father's command! Are you relieved now?"

Karl looked at her spirited, victorious demeanor and couldn't help but smile.

He said sincerely, "Thank you so much, Charlotte. Without you, I really don't know what I would have done. You've helped me immensely this time."

Receiving Karl's affirmation, Charlotte's smile grew even brighter. She waved her hand grandly, "It was nothing! Let's go, and let's see how accurate your 'premonition' really is!"