Chapter 372: Victory Banquet Turmoil!

"Baron Mil! Viscount Ian! This is craft beer from Viscountess Monica's fief! Though not as expensive or high-end as Red Count's beer, the taste is excellent!"

"Everyone, please do not stand on ceremony. One jug each, as a token of my, Solit's, goodwill!"

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

This did not stop the nobles from celebrating their victory.

That's right!

It was a victory celebration!

Although initial estimates put the main camp's losses at least one or two thousand serf soldiers.

Yet due to the Southern Region group's haul—at least two or three hundred orc heads, plus the group chasing the 'routed' orcs three or four li out.

This clearly became a case of the orcs deliberately attempting to ambush the vanguard camp, hoping to give the kingdom's reinforcements a harsh lesson.

But through the efforts of the vanguard camp group, they not only thwarted the orcs' scheme but also inflicted heavy losses upon them.

Although our own losses were not small, given the orcs' strength, such losses for us were actually not too great.

Especially compared to the haul, this could already be considered a report of victory.

Thus, such a victory clearly called for a victory celebration.

And at the celebration banquet, Mil along with a host of Southern Region nobles received enthusiastic hospitality.

Not only did Commander Ryan personally order the cooks to procure fine wine and dishes, but even Deputy Commander Solit, who had previously shown such a face to the Southern Region group, changed his tune.

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

Of course, just as the Southern Region nobles were surprised that Deputy Commander Solit held no grudge against Gervas and actively sought to show goodwill to everyone, they discovered that the beer finally distributed was missing Gervas's share alone.

At this, everyone finally understood: this was not about holding no grudge, but rather making the hatred precise.

Before, the entire group of Southern Region nobles were soft persimmons, so Solit targeted them all without hesitation, making it seem less like a deliberate targeting.

But now, the Southern Region group had shown their capabilities, especially Mil, who had become the representative of brave knights in everyone's eyes.

So, he very tactfully precisely locked his target on Gervas, separating Mil and the others.

And this offering of wine to show goodwill was clearly meant to make up for his previous targeting of Mil and the others.

Although his background as Duke Lieshi's family meant he need not fear Mil and the others.

But as someone from a great family, he also knew that offending fewer nobles meant more paths open.

Especially nobles with such ability!

Of course, Solit's calculations were good, but he did not know the inside story.

When Mil and the others saw that everyone from the Southern Region had beer, except Gervas who had none, they instantly could not sit still!

"Why is there no beer for Viscount Gervas?"

"Yes! Let's give our beer to Viscount Gervas!"

Solit smiled slightly and said to Mil, "Lord Mil, I have great respect for you Southern Region nobles, but to be honest, this Viscount Gervas and our Duke Lieshi family had a slight unpleasantness before, so..."

Solit did not finish, but it was already obvious enough.

Moreover, his explanation indicated that he had not intended to target Mil and the others before; they were merely collateral damage.

If they were normal nobles, at this moment they would simply go with the flow, after all, that involved the Duke Lieshi family.

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

"That's right, Lord Solit, we won't drink either!"

Ian and the others also pushed the Monica craft beer away.

"This..." Solit's face stiffened; he did not expect these people to defend Gervas so fiercely.

But suddenly thinking that these Southern Region nobles had previously been willing to risk their lives to rescue the main camp, it was possible they would refuse him for Gervas, their nominal partner.

Although not very happy, thinking that he was trying to make up for targeting several people before, he also needed to give these people a face at this moment.

He was just about to order a subordinate beside him to fetch another jug of beer, when suddenly he heard Gervas speak up voluntarily.

"Baron Mil, Baron Ian, thank you for your kindness, but I do not like drinking beer, so, since this is Lord Solit's goodwill, you drink it! No need to refuse!"

"This..." Mil and the others were stunned!

"Everyone, since Viscount Gervas has said so, then you should not push it away! This is my, Solit's, goodwill!"

Solit immediately showed a happy smile; this Gervas was quite sensible.

However, he must be afraid I will continue to suppress him and wants to beg for mercy this way!

It's just that he probably thought too much.

The one he offended is the Second Prince.

I cannot easily let him go!

And Mil and the few others, seeing Gervas wink at them, hesitated for a moment and then did not refuse again.

Next, the banquet continued; the banquet was very lively, with nobles toasting and praising Mil and the host of Southern Region nobles.

Of course, Gervas was naturally ignored.

Everyone had just heard clearly that Gervas had offended the Duke Lieshi family.

So, naturally, no one would risk offending Solit to build a favor with Gervas.

Commander Ryan, however, seemed to be deep in thought.

Because he sensed that Mil and the others' attitude just now was not that simple.

However, he did not say much for the time being.

When drinking reached the latter half, Gervas borrowed a trip to the restroom to leave the tent.

Originally wanting to get some fresh air, he did not expect Mil to also make an excuse and run out.

"Gervas, why did you not let me tell them the real situation?" Mil found Gervas, looking very distressed.

"Mil, you know I am someone who does not like to stand out; since they happen to think it is you, then let you stand out. Anyway, apart from that, I will not let you have the heads!"

"By the way, doesn't it feel great? You wouldn't blame me for making you the hero everyone is praising, would you?" Gervas laughed.

"Gervas, the feeling is certainly great, but the problem is I'm a fake; I'm not as heroic as they think!"

"Moreover, all those merits are yours. Once we finish tallying the results and report them to Commander Ryan, won't I be exposed immediately?!"

"That's simple. Just ask Commander Ryan to help keep it quiet a bit later. With our current merits, Baron Ryan will definitely help!" Gervas didn't care at all.

"You two, is there anything you need my help with?"

But just as Gervas finished speaking, Commander Ryan's questioning voice came from nearby for no apparent reason.

It turned out that Commander Ryan had come out of the victory celebration tent at some point.

"Greetings, Commander Ryan!"

The two of them, Gervas and the other, offered their greetings.

"Baron Mil, Viscount Gervas, you just said you needed my help; I wonder what it concerns?" Ryan's gaze fixed curiously on the two of them.

Mil looked at Gervas, and Gervas, for his part, had no intention of hiding it now, since the other party would find out sooner or later anyway.

Coincidentally, at that very moment, Captain Lide arrived from outside the camp, with Lei Meng and the other Knight-Captains of the Southern Nobles following behind him.

The group soon also saw Gervas and the others standing outside the banquet tent.

"My lord!"

The Knight-Captains of Ryan and Mil stepped forward to offer their greetings.

And Captain Lide first gave Gervas a peculiar look before turning his gaze to Commander Ryan.

"Commander! The battle results of the Southern Legion have been tallied!"

"Oh? What is the total number of kills?" Because the matter was of great importance, Commander Ryan's attention immediately shifted, looking at Commander Lide with expectation.