Chapter 394

"If I don't let you learn a harsh lesson, I'm harming you! So if you're still my Hernade's grandson, stop begging!"

Facing Wyatt's pleas, Duke Hernade showed no mercy.

Instead, he sternly rebuked Wyatt.

Instantly, Wyatt's face turned ashen, and he fell silent.

For a pampered noble like him, being disowned by the family was worse than death.

But at that moment, an unexpected turn occurred.

Adamas stepped forward suddenly, "Your Grace, please calm down. Though Wyatt is indeed at fault, I believe after this he will recognize his error! I beg Duke Hernade to show leniency this time."

"Hm? Adamas, you're pleading for him?" Duke Hernade and the others stared at Adamas in surprise.

"Duke Hernade, truthfully, I didn't suffer too much tonight—I even managed to swell his face!"

"Besides, my stepmother, Lady Melitt, is his aunt. I don't want to make things harder for her or my father!" Adamas replied with sincere expression.

Duke Hernade's gaze shifted, revealing approval.

"Marquis Austin, your Austin family has truly raised an excellent heir!"

"Hah! Thank you, Duke Hernade!" Austin burst into laughter at once.

Feeling honored, he could not hide his pride in his eldest son.

In fact, Duke Hernade's praise brought him more peace than Adamas's recent achievement.

After all, now that Duke Hernade had spoken, anyone in the Hernade family with even a shred of sense would think twice before meddling in the Austin family's succession.

Wyatt was then taken away.

Though the double punishment was waived, he still received ten lashes.

Of course, this lighter sentence was likely due to the Legion Commander's favor toward Duke Hernade.

Otherwise, twenty lashes were unavoidable.

After Wyatt was removed, the Legion Commander and the two dukes began questioning Adamas about the battle at Graystone Bridge.

Adamas recounted every detail.

Only the source of the intelligence was changed—he claimed it was accidentally obtained by the Austin family from a former servant-soldier they once knew.

In short, his father had already fabricated the story, so he didn't need to worry.

Afterwards, Adamas received praise from the Legion Commander and the two dukes, and was honored with a full-army commendation.

As for the merit, it was officially credited to the Austin family, so no immediate rewards were promised to him personally.

After accepting the praise, Adamas returned directly to his family's encampment.

Though it was deep night, Adamas felt no sleepiness at all.

After a moment's thought, he sat at his desk, picked up pen and paper, and began writing.

"Respected Lord Harry! Though I do not know when this letter will reach you..."

"But I simply cannot hold back from sharing my joy with you."

"Using the intelligence you gave me, I crushed the orc ambush—not only saving the nobles at Graystone Bridge, but also slaying over five hundred orcs."

"Of course, such a feat may seem trivial to you, Lord Harry, but to me, it is unprecedented."

"This ranks among the brightest moments of my life—the last being when I dazzled my father's banquet with your white sugar."

"Moreover, because of this achievement, I made a duke's grandson suffer punishment today—ha! Just thinking of it still excites me."

"He is Duke Hernade's grandson—I used to have to show him deference."

"But tonight, I not only beat him soundly, but got him whipped ten times—and here's how it happened..."

"Hah! What do you think, Lord Harry? Isn't that satisfying? By the way, Lord Harry, though I longed to see him whipped dozens of times, I held back and instead pleaded with Duke Hernade on his behalf."

"Thanks to my plea, his punishment was reduced—and I earned Duke Hernade's praise!"

"Lord Harry, I don't know if I did the right thing. When you read this, could you tell me what you think..."

"By the way, there's a minor noble here named Gervas—I once thought he was as formidable as you, but after tonight, I realize no one can compare to you, Lord Harry..."

"Well? Deputy Commander Solit, any news? Has that bastard been killed by the orcs?!"

Meanwhile, inside a tent at the edge of the main camp, Willard rose eagerly as Solit entered, his eyes brimming with anticipation.

He had already heard rumors that a unit had returned reporting an orc ambush in the northwest of Redstone City.

Without thinking, he knew it must be Graystone Bridge.

But the next moment, Solit's answer shattered his hopes: "No. That bastard isn't dead!"

"This... how is that possible? Didn't we just hear the orcs had moved? If they truly attacked, how could they let him live?!"

"The orcs did move—but they failed to kill that damned bastard. Somehow, the Austin Marquis's forces appeared at Graystone Bridge, thwarted the ambush, and saved all the nobles there!"

Solit then relayed all the details he knew to Willard.

"This... why?!" Willard collapsed into his chair, face twisted with frustration.

He had been certain Gervas would die tonight—yet suddenly, a marquis's force had intervened.

Seeing Willard's shattered expression, Solit understood his pain.

After all, he himself found it hard to accept.

But to eliminate Gervas later, he'd still need Willard's cooperation—so now he must comfort him.

"Lord Willard, though this operation failed, don't be too disheartened. The campaign has only just begun—we'll have many more chances to deal with that bastard!"

Willard's expression shifted repeatedly—he knew the truth couldn't be undone, and must rely on future schemes.

"I know, Deputy Commander Solit. No matter what, I won't let that damned Gervas return alive to the Southern Marches!"

Two days passed.

A messenger on horseback arrived at the Graystone Bridge encampment.

The order he delivered was precisely what Mil and the others had been waiting for—the army's recall command.