At this moment, enticing aromas drifted through the air—it was time for breakfast in the military camp. At several designated cooking stations throughout the city, meat soup bubbled away in huge cauldrons, while freshly baked rye bread and oat pancakes were piled into little mountains beside them. The scent of food mingled with the smell of smoke and fire, stirring everyone's hunger.
The two of them walked to the nearest cooking station and took two pieces of bread.
"Seeing how busy you were, I thought I might be able to help, so I gathered some soldiers' wives and women from the city to visit the wounded soldiers' camp." Charlotte took the initiative to speak, her voice soft and carrying a trace of uncertainty. "I didn't discuss it with you beforehand... Do you think I interfered in your affairs?"
Karl turned to look at her, his gaze gentle yet certain. "Of course not. I can't thank you enough. Seeing you makes those wounded soldiers happier than seeing me, their lord, and that's good for their recovery. You did very well, Charlotte."
At his words, Charlotte seemed to relax. A faint, genuine smile appeared on her face. Holding the bread, she fell silent for a moment as though choosing her words, then lifted her head, her expression turning serious. "At the wounded soldiers' camp just now, I also heard some officers talking in private... Everyone thinks Harald may not be able to hold on much longer. Are you... planning to counterattack?"
Karl nodded without concealing anything. "Yes. He is already an arrow at the end of its flight—his morale is low, and his supplies are strained. If we do not attack now, when will we? I believe he will soon attempt to retreat, and when he does, that will be when he