Night fell, and massive bonfires were lit both inside and outside the castle.
The troops wolfed down meat within and beyond the castle walls.
The provisions the baron had originally prepared now went to Charles's army instead.
Meanwhile, Bruce carried several crates of Golden Shells out from the storeroom beneath the castle.
Charles ordered, "Distribute these Golden Shells as rewards to the soldiers who have fought hard lately!"
Quake, Dalle, Qiu Qi, and the other officers beside him all beamed with delight upon hearing this.
Bruce began handing out the rewards. The officers and Blood Ring Knights received theirs first, followed by the former pirates of the Undertow Pirate Crew, who had now become soldiers.
While distributing the rewards, they also had to reinforce the soldiers' and officers' loyalty to Charles.
"Eat Lord Charles's grain! Draw Lord Charles's pay!"
"Die for Lord Charles!"
Everyone who received a reward had to shout the slogans, strengthening their loyalty.
Words had power, especially within the structure of an army.
The troops who received Golden Shells were exceptionally happy. They had joined pirates and armies, braving wind and rain, risking their lives in blade-to-blade combat with enemies—wasn't it all for money?
Could it be for some lofty ideal?
These feudal armies had no such lofty ideals.
Although Charles's forces now had military regulations, most of these troops had originally been pirates. It was already quite good if the system could keep them from looting.
Now that they had Golden Shells, their morale soared even higher.
After resting for a night, Charles led his army onward, abandoning the castle and continuing toward the royal capital of Leland County.
Meanwhile.
The many nobles of the Leland Kingdom had also received the latest intelligence.
The entire Leland Kingdom was merely a somewhat larger island. A messenger