Chapter 373: The Tally of Battle Results!

"Captain Lide, the total number of heads from the Southern Army is three hundred and six!"

"Three hundred and six? Excellent!" Hearing this, a look of surprise and delight appeared on Ryan's face, and he couldn't help but cry out in approval.

Although these heads did not belong to him, as the Commander, he would absolutely receive his share of the merit for the Southern nobles' achievements.

Moreover, since this data was compiled by Captain Lide, there could be absolutely no error.

"Captain Lide, here is the specific count of Orc heads from the Southern Army!" At this moment, Captain Lide handed over the registered ledger again.

"Good!" Ryan quickly took it.

However, at this moment, he had not yet realized how unusual the situation was.

This ledger served as the basis for reporting the battle results and head counts to the main army in the rear.

Inside, there was not only the total number of heads, but also the individual head counts for each noble.

Thus, after Mil took it, he curiously began to examine it, wanting to confirm who had the greatest merit for the heads this time.

But the moment he looked, Commander Ryan's figure froze, and his smile stiffened right there!

"This... two hundred and ten of these heads belong to Viscount Gervas?!"

Ryan looked at Captain Lide, after all, he was the one responsible for the registration.

Captain Lide nodded in affirmation.

Ryan then looked at Gervas and Mil.

Especially Mil.

If this data were false, Mil would certainly raise an objection immediately.

But what he didn't expect was that Mil simply nodded directly, "Commander Ryan, this statistical data is correct!"

"The vast majority of the Orc heads belong to Viscount Gervas, and moreover, it was Viscount Gervas who truly defeated the Orcs tonight!"

"I... I merely carried out the battle according to Viscount Gervas's arrangements!"

In fact, even if it were for these heads, without Gervas's help, they probably wouldn't have obtained them.

That is why Mil and the others had previously stood out without hesitation to refuse Solite's overtures.

And Commander Ryan, even though he had previously realized that the situation was not that simple.

He truly did not expect the real situation to be so exaggerated.

"Viscount Gervas, Baron Mil, can you tell me the true situation of tonight?"

Gervas nodded with a smile, "Of course, and it is also our duty, after all, my lord Ryan, you are the Commander of the Vanguard Camp."

Only then did Ryan breathe a sigh of relief, "Then you two, let us go to the conference tent to talk!"

Subsequently, under Ryan's lead, Gervas and Mil went to the conference tent.

After the group took their seats, Gervas did not delay, and had Mil inform Ryan of the specific details of what happened tonight.

For instance, how to deal with Bato's one hundred Orcs, how to persuade everyone to help the main camp, how to arrange for everyone to lure the Orcs, and then how to eliminate them, and so on!

"Commander Ryan, so everything done previously, the merit actually belongs to Viscount Gervas!" Mil said shamefacedly.

"Mil, do not omit everyone's merit just to highlight me!"

"Without your cooperation, I certainly would not have been able to scare away the Orcs so smoothly!" Gervas, of course, would not monopolize the merit, so he immediately spoke up to 'clear their names' for them.

Of course, at this moment, the focus of both Ryan and Solite was not on these matters at all, but entirely on Gervas's abilities and his subordinates.

Hearing about the strength of Gervas's spearmen and those longsword guards, the two were incredibly shocked.

Not being Title Knights, yet possessing strength comparable to Orcs, this was very rare before!

"Viscount Gervas, I didn't expect you to be so deeply hidden, having such powerful subordinates!" Solis praised Gervas.

"It was just good luck! Now that the mana spring has dried up, we won't be able to train so many powerful soldiers in the future!" Gervas hurriedly expressed humility.

The two of Ryan did not question much, but instead asked curiously, "Viscount Gervas, since all this merit is yours, why didn't you let Baron Mil explain it earlier?"

In this world, some nobles were crazy about wanting to become famous.

To become famous, they would even specifically find bards skilled in fabricating stories to write books and biographies for them.

And the content in these books was naturally two parts truth and eight parts boasting.

One can imagine, if given a suitable opportunity by the nobles.

Wouldn't they turn red in the neck and struggle to prove their own merit?

Unlike Gervas, who was actually pushing it outward.

"Commander Ryan, this is actually the reason I previously asked Mil for your help!"

Gervas did not delay, and told Commander Ryan about how he was targeted by Solite.

And then about how he was targeted by the Southern Army's War Commissioner.

After listening to what Gervas said, Commander Ryan and Solite looked at Gervas for a long time without speaking.

Being targeted by Solite was one thing, but offending a cabinet official of the Southern Army was something else entirely.

"Viscount Gervas, so your meaning is that you want me to register the head merit truthfully, but regarding other matters, attribute them all to Baron Mil!"

"That is correct, Commander Ryan, having the merit for the heads is enough; I am not very concerned about other empty fame! So, if we can be low-key, it is better to be low-key!"

"Viscount Gervas, since you have said so, I certainly will not decline this favor; it can also be considered thanks for your help in repelling the Orcs!"

"However, although those matters you attribute to Baron Mil have no substantial merit, this is indeed an opportunity to showcase one's reputation!"

"If I write it into the report, it cannot be changed afterwards!"

"Commander Ryan, I understand, I beg you!" Gervas's mind was made up.

Ryan nodded, and then let Gervas and the others return to the victory banquet first.

And he then began to write the report.

The Orcs penetrating deep into the hinterland to attack was naturally something that had to be reported immediately.

Just now, they were merely waiting for the head count statistics.

Soon, as the victory banquet drew to a close, the battle report was finalized.

Commander Ryan summoned Gervas once more and showed him the contents.

Of course, this was because Gervas's contribution was extremely significant.

Beyond that, the report's content had also embellished the entire Vanguard Camp.

For instance, regarding Gervas, Mil, and others being assigned to the mountain hollow, it was not Solit's malicious retaliation.

Rather, it was a pre-arranged layout and precaution by Ryan and Solit.

Furthermore, concerning the rangers' coincidental discovery of the orc attack.

The record stated it was the result of the cautious pre-arrangements by Ryan and Captain Lide.

In short, the heads were still those same heads, but the process had undergone a "beautification."

Moreover, everyone shared in the good reputation; even the nobles of the Western and Eastern Regions within the main camp were portrayed as having bravely resisted the orc tribe's surprise attack with their subordinates.

The crowd finally joined forces with Gervas's group, acting from within and without, to crush the orcs together.

Naturally, Gervas had no objections to this; he knew that sharing joy is better than enjoying it alone.

Although that Solit gained some advantage, there was no other way.

After all, if Solit were not allowed to gain an advantage, then Commander Ryan could not gain an advantage either.

In any case, his own merits were substantial; he might as well consider it a favor to Commander Ryan, going with the flow.