The grand oath-taking ceremony lasted nearly two hours, ending amid slogans that shook the heavens and the cheers of the people. By custom, the army should have set out at once, to show that sending reinforcements was as urgent as fighting a fire.
And yet...
"My lord!" The Royal Emissary finally could not help but step closer, a stiff smile piled onto his face, while his voice carried an urgency he could not hide. "Eagle's Nest is in mortal peril. Earl Eisenberg sends reports three times a day, begging desperately for aid. Now that the oath-taking is complete and morale is at its height, might we... break camp at once and advance at full speed? Delay may invite disaster!"
Earl Rochefort turned around, his face showing just the right measure of dignified contemplation. He stroked his neatly trimmed short beard and said slowly, "My lord emissary speaks most rightly. The military situation burns like fire, and we should indeed make haste. However..."
His tone shifted. His gaze swept over the soldiers below the platform, who stood in neat ranks yet could not conceal the exhaustion of a long forced march on their faces, as well as the vast Supply Cart convoy behind them that had not yet been fully put in order.
"The soldiers have gathered from all regions and marched through the night. Men and horses alike are worn out. The baggage is abundant and has not yet been fully counted and arranged. If we rush on by night, with the roads unclear, should we encounter an ambush or fall into disorder ourselves, it would be far from good."
"Better to let the soldiers eat their fill and rest for a short while. At dawn tomorrow, once their spirits are fully restored, we can set out again, and then,