Rewarding Meritorious Service

Joyful energy filled the great hall of Morland Castle. After its upgrade, even the hall felt much more spacious, having doubled in size.

Servants wove between the tables, constantly setting food down. Of course, there wasn't much variety; what good things could a low-ranking noble like him get his hands on?

His productivity limited the types of food he could eat daily. Apart from some particularly tasty Northern Territory specialties, it was mostly just honey, broth, and roasted meat. At this time of year, they couldn't even get fruit, which made the dining table look even more monotonous.

However, Reiner's knights didn't mind. For them, simply having such food was excellent. Moreover, the main point of this feast wasn't the food, but the rewards they were about to receive.

The servants quickly finished setting out the food. Feasts were expensive; a Baron usually only hosted one or two a year. Greater nobles might host them more frequently, as they had more subordinates to win over, but even then, it would only be five or six times a year. Any more than that, and their finances couldn't sustain it.

This particular feast of Reiner's was an internal celebration. Only the knights under the Moreland Family and their families participated. If this feast had invited other nobles, the cost would have been much higher.

Speaking of which, most of the lords in the Northern Territory were currently holed up in their castles. Even nobles slightly closer to the south were hibernating in their castles, waiting for winter to pass before resuming their activities.

So, once winter arrived, it brought a halt to news. Otherwise, the defeat of Baron Lobean would quickly spread. Then, other nobles would swarm like sharks smelling blood, eager to carve up Reiner's victory spoils.

All the guests were seated. Torches blazed around the hall, their flickering flames casting dancing, shadowy figures, creating a mysterious and eerie atmosphere.

However, the guests didn't pay it any mind, as in their perception, a feast was supposed to be like this.

There were about fifty guests in the hall. Besides the knights, there were also their families. Everyone wore their most presentable clothes. Although knights were the lowest-ranking nobles, their families weren't exactly in rags; after all, one or two hundred people supported them.

The knights of Morland Castle were all in good financial standing. The chainmail made by Reiner's blacksmiths was sold to them at low prices, and equipment could be exchanged from Reiner for a very small cost.

Of course, he couldn't provide them with equipment for free. The reason they had fiefs was for them to equip themselves at their own expense. Only squires without fiefs would receive equipment from Reiner.

Reiner sat at the head of the longest table in the center of the hall. Besides members of the Moreland Family, this table was occupied by knights with combat abilities. Over a dozen people sat at this long table. Reiner sat at the highest position, with his mother, Lady Moreland, beside him. To his left, the first seat was occupied by his uncle, Sir Cord, and to his right was Sir Valas, the commander of the Crimson Gryphon Knights.

There were ten knight families under the Moreland Family, which meant ten villages had been enfeoffed. Reiner only had twelve villages directly under his control.

In fact, Morland Castle should have had a large population, but due to the annual incursions by the Krad People, the population growth in the territory was very slow.

Otherwise, Morland Castle's population would have long surpassed Goer Castle's. How could twenty-two villages have fewer people than Goer Castle's eighteen?

Seeing everyone quiet down, Reiner stood up, raised his goblet, and declared, "We are victorious! Not only have we won the war against the Krad People! The Gwen Family has also been defeated under our attack, and Goer Castle is now part of the territory I command!"

"This is not just my achievement; I must admit it's true! This is also the achievement of my knights! It is you!" Reiner scanned the seated knights as he spoke.

"It was you who launched the most powerful charge, breaking the Krad People's lines and utterly defeating them! It was also you who overcame physical exhaustion, marching through the night, arriving at Morland Castle in time to defeat Baron Lobean! I must thank you, my brothers, I must acknowledge your contributions!"

"To the bravery and prowess of the knights! Cheers!" Reiner said, raising his goblet.

Everyone present had flushed faces, especially the knights at the head table. All of them excitedly raised their goblets and stood from their chairs. Even Little Wend, sitting at the back, raised his goblet. His cup contained mild malt ale, perfect for a boy his age.

He seemed deeply moved by Reiner's words. And yes, thirteen or fourteen-year-olds always found the battlefield incredibly romantic, so he felt incredibly excited hearing words that had nothing to do with him.

"I must reward your contributions! Goer Castle now belongs to me, and I shall divide its subordinate villages among you!"

Reiner drew the longsword tied to his waist and walked over to Lumbard. As a sixteen-year-old boy himself, this was his second time on the battlefield, fighting enemies. However, his upbringing and education had left him with no discomfort regarding killing and fighting, and he performed very well on the battlefield.

"Sir Lumbard!"

"Yes, my liege!" Lumbard immediately knelt on one knee, his right hand stroking his left chest, performing the heart-offering salute.

Reiner placed his longsword on Lumbard's right shoulder and intoned, "Sir Lumbard fought bravely on the battlefield, showing no retreat, and greatly aided the battle. Therefore, I grant you Cabbage Village, a subordinate village of Goer Castle, as your fief. You may collect taxes there, conscript soldiers, protect its residents, or even rule tyrannically. This is the authority I bestow upon you!"

"At the same time, in return, you must fulfill the oath you swore to me, using the population and resources there to serve me. When I call upon you, immediately assemble an army and gather to me, and also obey the laws I specify. Can you do this?"

"Yes, my liege, I will obey all your commands and protect you with my life. The direction your longsword points is my objective!" Lumbard said excitedly. To own a fief at sixteen was rare among knights.

Reiner listened, then tapped his shoulder three times and said, "I hope you will keep your oath. Now, Cabbage Village is your fief!"

Next, Reiner successively enfeoffed the remaining five knights without fiefs. The Crimson Gryphon Knights received financial rewards; after all, they were units redeemed from the System, so fiefs weren't a necessity for them.