Chapter 20: Post-battle Review! The First Official Territory!

Names were read out one by one, and crude sheepskin parchments symbolizing freedom were distributed to the hands of those former slaves.

Others received weapons, coins, and even land that belonged to them.

The entire river valley was boiling!

Those who had gained freedom and rewards were incoherent with excitement, weeping or laughing loudly.

Those who had not yet received rewards were also filled with envy and a stronger longing in their eyes.

They had witnessed with their own eyes that this young Lord kept his word!

As long as one was willing to risk their life, one could really change their fate!

【Loyalty: 55】

【Loyalty: 65】

【Loyalty: 70】

【Loyalty: 72】

Looking at the numbers constantly jumping on the attribute panel, the corners of Roko's mouth finally curled into a faint, imperceptible arc.

Human hearts are the cheapest, yet also the most expensive things.

With one victory and a few insignificant promises, he could initially win over these outlaws and desperate people.

This deal was very cost-effective.

The bonfire party lasted for a long time.

The pent-up fear and the excitement after the slaughter needed an outlet.

The aroma of roasted meat and the spiciness of inferior ale, mixed with vulgar laughter and curses and longing for the future, echoed in the river valley.

Roko did not participate in it, just watching quietly.

It was not until late at night that the clamor gradually subsided.

Most people fell into a deep sleep with exhaustion and satisfaction.

Only the sound of the patrol's footsteps and the occasional wolf howl from afar reminded them that this was still a border wilderness full of crises.

Inside a relatively spacious tent built with captured animal skins, the lights were bright.

Roko sat in the main seat, Hart sat beside Roko.

Bake, Luoen, and Qiaowen, these three Knight guards who had reached the Knight level, as well as the bandit leader Bloodaxe who had been promoted.

These four people sat on both sides.

Fula stayed quietly in the shadows behind Roko, holding the dagger that had been stained with blood in her arms.

Her little face was somewhat pale, but she tried hard to straighten her back, listening carefully to the side.

On the table was spread the crude animal skin map, marked with new charcoal pencil marks, noting the details of this battle and the losses of both sides.

"Let's all talk about it, what are your thoughts on today's battle?"

Roko's voice broke the silence in the tent.

Hart spoke first, his tone steady.

"The Young Master's strategy was very successful: luring the enemy deep, flanking assault, maximizing the impact of our Knights, and also avoiding the huge casualties of a head-on assault."

"However."

He changed the subject:

"Although the serfs and bandits fought bravely, they lacked discipline, fought on their own, and their coordination was chaotic."

"If the Knights hadn't crushed the enemy's main force, I'm afraid the casualties would have been even greater."

"Moreover, their equipment is too poor; many people don't even have decent weapons."

Another Knight captain, Luoen, also nodded.

"Captain Hart is right."

"Those new recruits rely entirely on a bit of blood and courage; they are fine in a smooth battle, but once they suffer a setback, they are very easy to collapse."

"Although the bandits are more experienced, their bandit nature is too heavy, they don't obey discipline, and they need strict supervision."

Bloodaxe, who was named, chuckled twice, revealing a mouth of yellow teeth, but didn't dare to refute.

He had indeed fought with red eyes today, and had seen the fearlessness of those serfs, and had witnessed the terrifying combat power of the Knight lords.

Most importantly, he had gained real benefits and had become a small leader.

This young Lord had ruthless means, but he also gave a lot.

Following him seemed to have more prospects than being a bandit.

Roko listened quietly, his fingers tapping lightly on the map.

"Hart is right, discipline and equipment are the biggest problems at the moment."

"Training cannot stop, and the intensity must be increased."

"From tomorrow on, everyone must continue to train until basic military discipline is established."

"As for equipment..."

Roko pondered for a moment:

"The weapons captured this time can be distributed first, and organize those Dwarf blacksmiths as soon as possible to prioritize forging spears and simple leather armor."

"The iron ore matter must also be put on the agenda as soon as possible."

He looked at the mark of the valley suspected of having iron ore on the map.

"Tomorrow, send a team to carefully scout that valley to confirm the reserves and mining difficulty of the iron ore."

"At the same time, clear out the scattered Goblin and Chailangren tribes remaining around the river valley; no hidden dangers can be left."

"Yes, Young Master!"

Hart responded loudly.

"And the prisoners." Roko's gaze swept over the number of prisoners marked on the map: "The three hundred or so Goblins and Chailangren cannot be fed for nothing; let them do the hardest and most tiring work, mining stone, building the camp, if they die, they die."

His tone was flat, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

The few people in the tent all felt a chill in their hearts.

This young Master, looking young, had a heart harder than stone.

"As for this river valley." Roko's finger drew a circle on the map, encompassing the entire river valley: "This is our first official territory."

"Abundant water, fertile land, backed by the valley, easy to defend and hard to attack."

"From tomorrow, start planning and construction."

"Logging camp, quarry, blacksmith shop, residential area."

"And most importantly, defensive fortifications."

In his eyes flickered a light called ambition.

"I want to build an impregnable fortress here, a starting point that can allow us to take root and expand outward!"

Hart and the others looked at the surging ambition in Roko's eyes, and couldn't help but feel their hearts surging.

They seemed to have already seen the scene of a brand-new territory rising from this barren land.

The meeting lasted until the second half of the night before it ended.

Hart and the others left with orders, leaving only Roko and Fula in the tent.

Roko rubbed his somewhat swollen temples; continuous thinking made him somewhat exhausted.

He turned his head and saw Fula still standing straight in the shadows, her little hands tightly gripping the dagger.

Those heterochromatic eyes were bright under the lamp, seemingly still savoring the battle of the day and the meeting of the night.

"Are you tired?"

Roko asked.

Fula shook her head hurriedly and trotted to Roko's side.

She wanted to help him knead his shoulders somewhat clumsily, but she didn't really know how.

"Master, Fula is not tired." Her voice was thin, carrying a trace of imperceptible excitement: "Fula killed two Goblins today."

She raised her little face, looking at Roko, with a trace of expectation for praise in her eyes.

Roko looked at her little appearance of being both proud and somewhat shy, and his heart softened.

He reached out and rubbed her pair of soft cat ears again.

"Well, my Fula has grown up and knows how to protect the Master."

Fula narrowed her eyes comfortably, and an extremely faint "meow" came from her throat.

Her little face was red, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl upward.

The feeling of being praised by the Master was really good.

Even better than killing Goblins, it made her happy. ===== CHAPTER 21 =====