Chapter 372: The Victory Banquet Storm!

"Baron Mil! Viscount Ian! This is craft beer from Viscountess Monica's domain! It may not be as expensive or prestigious as Red Earl Beer, but its flavor is outstanding!"

"Don't be formal, everyone—each of you gets a jug. It's my Solit's gesture!"

Inside the main camp, the outer battlefield had not yet been cleared.

But that didn't stop the nobles from celebrating.

Yes!

It was a celebration!

Although preliminary estimates put the loss of peasant soldiers in the main camp at one or two thousand.

Yet due to the southern borderers' gains—at least two to three hundred orc heads, plus their pursuit of the fleeing orcs for three to four li—

This clearly became an orc ambush meticulously planned to strike the vanguard camp and intimidate the kingdom's reinforcements.

But thanks to the vanguard camp's efforts, not only was the orc plot foiled, but the orcs suffered heavy losses.

Though our own losses were not insignificant, given the orcs' strength, our casualties were not excessive.

Especially compared to our gains, it was already a decisive victory.

Thus, such a triumph clearly warranted a celebration.

At the victory banquet, Baron Mil and the southern border nobles were warmly entertained.

Not only did Commander Lai personally instruct the chefs to prepare fine wines and delicacies, but even Deputy Commander Solit changed his previous attitude toward the southern borderers.

He even served beer worth over twenty silver coins per jug.

Of course, just as the southern border nobles were surprised that Deputy Commander Solit bore no grudge against Gervas and was actively showing goodwill, they noticed that Gervas's share of beer was conspicuously missing.

Then they finally understood—it wasn't that he held no grudge; he had simply made his hatred precise.

Previously, the southern border nobles were soft targets, so Solit had no qualms targeting them all together, making it seem less deliberate.

But now, the southern borderers had proven their worth, especially Mil, who had become the symbol of bravery in everyone's eyes.

So he cleverly narrowed his target to Gervas, isolating Mil and the others.

His gesture of offering beer was clearly meant to make amends for his earlier hostility toward Mil and the group.

Though his Lishi Clan background gave him no reason to fear Mil and the others,

as a noble from a great family, he knew that offending fewer nobles meant opening more paths.

Especially nobles with such ability!

Of course, Solit's plan was sound—but he didn't know the truth.

When Mil and the others saw that every southern border noble had beer except Gervas, they immediately grew restless!

"Why isn't there any beer for Viscount Gervas?"

"Yes! Let's share our beer with Viscount Gervas!"

Solit smiled faintly and said to Mil, "Baron Mil, I deeply respect all of you southern border nobles, but frankly, Viscount Gervas and my Lishi Clan had a minor disagreement before, so..."

Solit didn't finish, but it was obvious enough.

Moreover, his explanation implied he had never intended to target Mil and the others—they were merely collateral damage.

A normal noble would have accepted this excuse, especially given the Lishi Clan's influence.

But Mil and the others simply shook their heads: "Apologies, Deputy Commander Solit, since Viscount Gervas has no beer, we won't drink either!"

"That's right, Deputy Commander Solit—we won't drink either!"

Ian and the others pushed their Monica craft beer away.

"This…" Solit's face stiffened—he hadn't expected them to defend Gervas so fiercely.

But then he remembered how these southern border nobles had risked their lives to rescue the main camp; it was plausible they'd refuse him for the sake of Gervas, their nominal ally.

Though displeased, he realized he had offered the beer to make amends—he should grant them this courtesy.

He was about to order a servant to bring another jug when Gervas spoke up.

"Baron Mil, Viscount Ian, thank you for your kindness, but I don't care for beer. Since this is Deputy Commander Solit's gesture, please drink—it's unnecessary to refuse!"

"This..." Mil and the others froze!

"Gentlemen, since Viscount Gervas has said so, don't delay—this is my sincere offering!"

Solit's face lit up with a smile—Gervas was surprisingly cooperative.

Probably afraid I'd keep pressuring him, he's trying to beg for mercy!

But he's overestimating things.

He's offended Prince Second.

I won't let him off easily!

But Mil and the others saw Gervas wink at them, hesitated a moment, then stopped refusing.

The banquet continued, lively and boisterous, as nobles toasted and praised Mil and the southern border nobles.

Naturally, Gervas was ignored.

Everyone had heard clearly: Gervas had offended the Lishi Clan.

So no one dared risk offending Solit by cultivating ties with Gervas.

Commander Lai, however, seemed thoughtful.

He had sensed that Mil and the others' reaction wasn't so simple.

But for now, he said nothing.

By the latter half of the drinking, Gervas excused himself to the latrine.

He'd only wanted fresh air, but unexpectedly, Mil also slipped out under the same pretext.

"Gervas, why didn't you let me tell them the truth?" Mil found Gervas, looking troubled.

"Mil, you know I'm not one to seek the spotlight. Since they've already crowned you, let you have the glory—it's fine. Besides, I'm not yielding you the orc heads!"

"By the way, how does it feel? You don't blame me for making you the hero everyone adores, do you?" Gervas grinned.

"Gervas, it feels great, but the problem is—I'm a fake. I'm not nearly as brave as they think!"

"And all the credit is yours—once we tally the battle results and report to Commander Lai, I'll be exposed!"

"Easy. Just ask Commander Lai to keep it quiet afterward. With our current achievements, he'll gladly help!" Gervas shrugged.

"Gentlemen, is there anything I can assist with?"

As Gervas finished speaking, Commander Lai's voice came from nearby.

It turned out Commander Lai had slipped out of the banquet tent at some point.

"Commander Lai!"

Gervas and Mil greeted him.

"Baron Mil, Viscount Gervas, you just said you needed my help—what is it about?" Commander Lai stared at them curiously.

Mil looked at Gervas, who no longer intended to hide it—eventually, the man would find out anyway.

Coincidentally, at that moment, Colonel Lei Meng arrived from outside the camp, followed by the knight-lords of other southern border nobles.

They quickly spotted Gervas and the others standing outside the banquet tent.

"My lord!"

The knight-lords of Reen and Mil stepped forward to greet him.

Colonel Li De first gave Gervas a peculiar look, then turned to Commander Lai En.

"Commander! The southern border army's battle results are tallied!"

"Oh? How many heads total?" Commander Lai's attention snapped to him, eager with anticipation.