The Carnford Defense Battle, which had lasted nearly two months, finally saw its blood-and-fire-stained curtain slowly fall as the Sauron army collapsed and fled north, and reports of pursuit operations in the direction of Frosgard gradually grew sparser.
With a brilliant—indeed, miraculous—defensive counteroffensive, Carnford proclaimed to the entire Northern Territory and even the Goldflower Kingdom that it had risen, and could not be violated.
Inside and outside the city, the celebratory mood of those who had survived the catastrophe had yet to fully fade.
Vendors' cries returned to the markets. Taverns were crammed with soldiers and civilians boasting of their exploits and drinking ale to their hearts' content. Amber Bay's docks once more welcomed arrivals and saw off departures, carrying no longer merely military supplies, but also merchants, migrants, and the goods and news brought by envoys from every side.
Commendation orders issued by the Lord's Residence and lists of fallen soldiers were posted along the streets. People gathered to read them, rejoicing or grieving.
This victory brought not only safety, but an unprecedented sense of unity and pride. Every Carnford People—whether soldier, craftsman, farmer, or merchant—held their head a little higher.
The only thing that made certain hot-blooded officers and young staff officers beat their breasts in regret was the unexpected blizzard during the final pursuit.
Had the heavens not turned against them and prevented the main cavalry force from joining the fight in time, they might truly have kept Harald's central army, even his rear army, beneath the walls of Carnford City and achieved an even more glorious annihilation.
Yet before long, that regret was washed away by overwhelming joy and tangible results. Several of the finest small cavalry units pursued the enemy all the way to the outer cordon of Frosgard before withdrawing, claiming many more kills