Chapter 375

Originally, the Duke of Shatterstone had proposed a full-scale advance, pushing straight forward without even entering Redstone City.

All that was needed was to focus on locating the main orc force and overwhelm them with numerical superiority to drive them off.

In past history, this very method had resolved several northern orc invasions.

After all, orcs only came to plunder grain and people; once they had taken enough, they left—they never truly fought a decisive battle against the kingdom's army.

But Duke Hernade said this year was different.

This year, the northern Beastkin had enjoyed perfect weather and harvests, meaning their supplies were richer than ever before.

Yet despite this, they still chose to launch a large-scale invasion of the Griffin Kingdom—something that demanded caution.

Therefore, Duke Hernade believed this year called for no rash advances.

Instead, they should rely on the cities along the route, gradually reclaiming northern territory step by step.

For example, first reach Redstone City, secure it firmly, then seek out the main orc force, before moving on to the next city, and so on.

This method, though steady,

placed enormous strain on the supply lines.

That was why the supporting army had been split in two, leaving ten thousand troops behind to garrison Black Dragon City.

Not only did this ease supply pressure, but it also fortified Black Dragon City as a reserve force.

What troubled Duke Shatterstone most was that the King himself had approved this plan.

"Report! Vanguard Camp victory!"

Just as the atmosphere grew strange, urgent hoofbeats and shouts came from ahead.

This brought immense relief to the marquises and earls.

These two dukes towered above them; as mere minor nobles, they had no place interfering—even standing nearby felt suffocating.

Yet once they recovered their wits, they froze again.

"Wait, did you hear that? What did the messenger just say? Was it a victory report?"

"Uh! Sounds like it? He said 'Vanguard Camp victory'—did you hear it too? Then I didn't mishear, right?!"

The marquises and earls exchanged glances.

Based on distance, the vanguard camp had only just passed near the Verdant Valley.

What kind of victory could possibly occur in such a rear area?

Could it be they'd encountered a few beasts and slaughtered them?

"General! Victory report!"

At that moment, the messenger arrived.

"What victory?"

The Northern Theater Commander and both dukes stared at the messenger, baffled.

"General, last night, a force of fifteen hundred orcs launched a surprise attack on the vanguard camp—but thanks to the commander's and the lords' prudent preparations in advance,"

"and their subsequent heroic resistance, they not only thwarted the orcs' scheme but inflicted heavy losses upon them!"

Splash!

"Fifteen hundred orcs? Attacked the vanguard in the Verdant Valley? And got defeated? Are you joking?"

"Yeah! Weren't the orc forces all held outside Redstone City yesterday? How did these orcs suddenly appear in the Verdant Valley?"

"Your Excellency, that's not even the point! The point is—a night raid by fifteen hundred orcs was repelled, and it's a victory report…"

The nobles erupted into chaotic chatter.

The news was simply too unexpected.

Had it not been military intelligence, they might have suspected a prank.

The Northern Theater Commander said nothing, but his face was equally clouded with doubt.

He swiftly took the scroll handed to him by the messenger.

Confirmed the wax seal was intact, then unrolled it to read.

The more he read, the more his expression shifted—from furrowed brows gradually relaxing into astonishment.

"Gentlemen, you should both read this!"

After finishing, the commander immediately offered the scroll to Duke Hernade and Duke Shatterstone.

But for fairness, he still held it himself.

After reading the scroll, both dukes' eyes widened in shock.

Moments later, Duke Hernade asked, "The report states four hundred and three orc heads—were they all brought?"

"Your Grace, they've been brought! Right behind in the supply wagons!" The two dukes and the commander exchanged glances, then spurred their horses northward.

Several marquises and earls followed quickly.

Soon, they met the wagon train carrying the orc heads and weapons.

Seeing the green orc skulls pickled in lime powder, they finally confirmed: the victory report was real.

After all, northern orc heads were unmistakable.

Instantly, the Northern Theater Commander smiled, "Good! Ha! A fine omen—our army opens with a resounding win!"

"Indeed! These orcs thought they'd give us a warning—sneaking in at great effort. Now, Sinclair's face must be even greener!"

"Hahahaha!"

The nobles burst into laughter; even the two dukes wore smiles.

For if the orc raid had succeeded, both dukes would have lost face.

"The vanguard did well—not just Lyne and his men, but the noble Mil and the noble Gervas also performed admirably!"

"Issue orders: announce this throughout the army, and also publicly commend the bravest—Lord Mil and Lord Gervas!"

"Yes, General!"

"Wait!"

Just as the subordinate moved to carry out the order, Duke Hernade stopped him.

Everyone turned, puzzled, toward Duke Hernade.

"General, I believe we should only announce the deeds of Lord Mil. As for Lord Gervas, record his head count, but omit the public commendation."

"Why, Duke Hernade?" The commander frowned, confused.

This was a full-army honor—every noble dreamed of it. It was a great thing.

For him to block it was to block another's fame—this was an enemy's move.

Logically, a mere viscount couldn't possibly have offended a man like Duke Hernade.

And Duke Hernade had always been fair in his dealings—he simply couldn't fathom the reason.

Duke Hernade smiled faintly, sensing their skepticism.

"The report states that this Lord Gervas fought one-on-one against orcs."

"And of the four hundred heads, he accounted for more than half—his achievements are too dazzling."

"So dazzling, I fear the orcs will remember him."

"And General, look here—at the lower left of the report—this request from Commander Lyne."

The commander immediately followed Duke Hernade's finger.

Beneath the main text, a line read: "Lord Gervas, fearing orc retaliation, voluntarily requests that the commander refrain from publicly commending him."

"Uh… there's such a request? This viscount…" The commander was at a loss for words.

He'd been so excited earlier, he'd only read the main body and skipped the fine print.

"Fine. Given that a mere viscount achieved such feats, I, as commander, will make an exception—only announce Lord Mil's accomplishments."