After finishing the inspection of the shipyard and staying at Franklin Harbor for a few days, Paul planned to set off back to Lakeheart Town.
Before returning, he held an award ceremony and gave major material rewards to the officers and soldiers who had made great contributions in the battle to eliminate the pirates and the previous battle against the wizards. Depending on the assessed merit, the officers and soldiers received rewards ranging from 10 silver coins to 25 silver coins.
In fact, even if this ceremony is not held, these rewards have already been prepared to be distributed to officers and soldiers who have made meritorious service. Now Alarda Army has established a sound military merit system. How to evaluate merit and how much to reward should be based on regulations, rather than relying on the whims of superiors or personal likes and dislikes.
But holding an award ceremony can improve the morale and sense of honor of the army, so why not do it.
For a time, the whole army was enthusiastic.
Preparations for the voyage of the Southern are also in full swing and are scheduled to depart in two weeks. Female Advisor plans to return to Lakeheart Town with Paul first, and then come to Franklin Harbor the day before the departure of the Nanfang.
Soon, Paul said goodbye to the mayor Theodore and others, and embarked on the road back to Lakeheart Town. In view of the attack he encountered when he came, Austin sent a team of sailors equipped with muskets to escort him back.
Along with Paul, in addition to the sailors and Second Squad's Inner Guard Soldiers, there were 18 coffins. In the battle on the way to Franklin Harbor, 15 people died on the spot. After the wounded were transported to Franklin Harbor, three people died of serious injuries. Half of the members of the inner guard First Squad were sacrificed.
The remaining half of the injured are still staying at Franklin Harbor to recuperate, and many of them may even become disabled. Chief Guard Victor, whose ribs were broken by a kick, is still lying in bed.
Paul As soon as he saw these coffins, his heart felt extremely heavy, and the excitement that the new route was about to be opened suddenly disappeared.
These sacrificed guards were all from Lakeheart Town, and Franklin Harbor was not required to keep them secret during this trip. When they returned to the town, there would be family members standing on the roadside to take a look at their son or husband who had returned from a mission. Then it would be a sad scene again.
Laddie, who was riding a horse and walking aside, saw Paul's appearance. She said very guiltily, "I'm sorry, Lord Greiman. I should have reminded you to be more prepared at that time, or directly stopped you from traveling. The situation might be much better if you stayed in the town."
Paul shook his head and said, "No, you have already reminded me. It is my responsibility for not being prepared. I'm sorry, I didn't really believe in your 'divination' before."
"If he stays in the town, with that wizard's madness and ability, he may cause many civilian casualties. It is best to deal with him in the wilderness."
Laddie frowned as if recalling something, and after a few minutes of silence, he suddenly said:
"Lord Greiman, when I checked the wizard's body, I found a slightly familiar pattern tattooed on his body, but I didn't remember where I had seen it before, and I stopped thinking about it."
Paul suddenly turned his head to Female Advisor, and asked anxiously, "Did you remember anything now?"
Laddie was secretly surprised by Paul's current impatience, and immediately replied, "Yes, I just remembered that this pattern belongs to a mage organization - Secret Art Society, but I don't know if they still call it that name."
"Secret Art Society?" Paul frowned, "Does the mage still have an organization?"
Female Advisor nodded and responded, "Yes, for various purposes, such as exchanging magic experiences, helping each other, etc., mages will form secret societies. However, most mages' organizations are very loose, and members will gather occasionally from time to time."
"What about this Secret Art Society?"
"Secret Art Society is a unique mage association. Compared with other similar groups, its organization is very tight and it seems to have a lot of members. However, its ideas are quite normal. It is nothing more than advocating that mages should unite and help each other to jointly resist the threat of Church. There are many mage groups with similar ideas, although they have not achieved much success."
Paul asked, "Have you ever had contact with them?"
"Well, when I was still in the south, Secret Art Society once invited me to join them."
"It looks like you disappointed them."
"Yes, a group like Secret Art Society usually has a lot of rules and regulations, otherwise it would not have grown so big. This means responsibilities and obligations. At that time, I just wanted to be a traveling scholar and adventurer."
Paul said thankfully, "Thank you for your original decision, otherwise I would not have such a capable consultant."
Laddie blushed slightly and continued, "Lord Greiman, what I want to say is that the wizard who attacked us directly called me a traitor. He was very upset about the fact that I fought against him with you, and repeatedly insulted him."
"Generally speaking, mages will respect each other's positions. Therefore, I have a bad guess that Secret Art Society, to which he belongs, may have had some changes in its views. It is difficult for mages with different views to get together."
"Some changes?"
"Becoming more radical and hostile to groups other than mages, just like the mages who attacked us."
Having said this, Laddie's face showed a trace of solemnity.
"I have a worse guess. The mage said that Gaden Pirate Crew is his subordinate, and the recent sudden and rapid rise of Gaden Pirate Crew also proves that there are people behind them supporting them, and the support is very strong. But generally speaking, mages rarely interact with ordinary people, let alone spend so much effort to support a Pirate Crew. So based on the following two points -"
Female Advisor listed them one by one. "1. No matter how powerful a mage is, he cannot replace an army."
"2. In view of the paramilitary nature of Pirate Crew..."
After hearing this, Paul gradually understood what Female Advisor meant.
"You mean, that Secret Art Society might want to cause trouble in Northwest Bay?"
Laddie nodded, "Church, who is most hostile to mages, has relatively less influence here than in other places. If they really have any ideas, Northwest Bay is an excellent location."
After listening to Female Advisor's analysis, Paul cursed that Secret Art Society in his heart: You should find other places to cause trouble. I finally managed to make some progress in my territory. It's been eight lifetimes of bad luck for me to attract disaster stars like you.
Laddie saw that Paul's face was getting more and more ugly, and said comfortingly, "Lord Greiman, the above are all my guesses, maybe it is not the case."
"No, when a bad thing can happen, it will happen, I believe that."
Paul flicked his riding whip, "That wizard is still the same Secret Art Society. Sooner or later I will investigate clearly."
He hates enemies who are hiding in the dark and secretly doing things. He has the ability to come face to face with his brother's army and play queue to kill!