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The Sunset Lands' expeditionary force numbered over three thousand. When pay was distributed on the parade ground the next day, Aaron handed out nearly a hundred thousand Golden Lions in total, covering regular wages, deployment expenses, and victory bonuses.
The largest share, however, was compensation for the fallen. Aaron had to pay substantial death benefits, which accounted for the bulk of the expenditure. Nearly seven hundred soldiers and adventurers from the Expansion Army's three thousand-plus troops had died honorably in battle. Aaron could not shirk these payments; every benefit owed had to be paid in full.
When Chief Treasurer Arien calculated the compensation breakdown and brought it to Aaron for his signature, Aaron could not help remarking that evil factions really did have more flexibility and convenience in such matters. They had all sorts of excuses and reasons to save on compensation.
The viscount signed all the same. Cartloads of gold and silver were hauled out of the treasury, leaving even Miss Cleric heartbroken.
More than three hundred people had been disabled by their wounds. Aaron chose to pay compensation to the adventurers outside the regular ranks, while the enlisted soldiers of the Shepherd Legion were in for a blessing.
Drawing on Isha's healing power, Fairy Princess Buer showed everyone a miracle-she performed an enormous sacrificial rite she had prepared long in advance, regenerating the lost limbs of 180 disabled soldiers in one go and returning them to the ranks.
The miracle on the parade ground left the soldiers awestruck. The pay distribution that followed brought involuntary looks of anticipation to the faces of men who had fought bitterly through a blizzard.
To make the spectacle more impressive, Aaron ordered tens of thousands of gold and silver