Chapter 487: How Many Troops Does the Western Region Army Have?

“Gervas, this isn’t just luck! Your ability and courage have already surpassed the vast majority of noble youths—even heirs of great families can’t match you!”

“I won’t even mention the Moralar pursuers! Just the fortresses and cities blocking your retreat route—any other noble would’ve struggled to breach them!”

“Though there weren’t many orcs inside, they held the advantage of city walls—this was a naturally defensible pass!”

“Moreover, the royal tent-palace, since it housed Princess Sukama, must have been heavily guarded!”

“Not to mention, at least two or three thousand troops—such a number of elite orc warriors? No other army could assault the royal tent-palace without ten thousand soldiers!”

“So your merit was earned through your own bravery, wisdom, and strategy!”

“Lastly, I fully agree with the Commander-in-Chief’s assessment of you: you had already secured a chance to escape, yet you still chose to take the risk!”

“This is an absolutely rare quality of self-sacrifice!”

“I won’t say all nobles, but if the kingdom had only a hundred nobles, at least ninety-eight of them couldn’t have done what you did!”

Duke Hernade finally spoke.

His evaluation of Gervas was no less impressive than the Commander-in-Chief’s.

The way he looked at Gervas was even more benevolent and satisfied than how he regarded his own grandson, Hayat.

“Duke Hernade, you’re far too generous with your praise!”

Gervas bowed again humbly.

Honestly, being praised by such a towering figure did stir a little excitement in him.

At this moment, they had reached the Orc King’s grand meeting tent.

Seeing this, the Commander-in-Chief said bluntly: “Gervas, no more modesty!”

Sometimes, young people like you should show off a bit—don’t imitate us old men. For instance, you deliberately hid your achievements and gave the glory to Baron Mil!

“Where’s the vigor a young man should have?”

“Besides, this time, even if you wanted to hide your merit, you couldn’t. I’m certain—barring unforeseen events—you’re guaranteed a viscountcy!”

“Enough. Gervas, let’s go in now and speak with the Orc King. If we can preserve the army—or even force the orc forces to retreat—I guarantee you’ll keep that viscountcy!”

With that, the Commander-in-Chief gestured for Gervas to enter the tent first.

Beside him, Duke Hernade clapped Gervas on the shoulder with a warm smile.

Seeing this, Gervas naturally said no more.

The viscountcy? He truly coveted it.

If he claimed indifference now, it would sound false.

Thus, Gervas stepped into the Orc King’s tent first, followed closely by the Commander-in-Chief and Duke Hernade.

Of course, once inside, Gervas wisely avoided the main seat.

After all, he had already informed the Commander-in-Chief and Duke Hernade of the full situation—so the negotiations were theirs to handle; he had no need to expend further mental effort.

Moreover, since the Commander-in-Chief and Duke Hernade understood the Orc King better, they had greater confidence in the talks.

And indeed, the Commander-in-Chief and Duke Hernade, leveraging the importance of Princess Sukama and the new orc prince to the Orc King, made extravagant demands.

For instance, the most basic demand: immediate withdrawal of orc forces from the kingdom’s northern border; additionally, the return of all looted people, goods, and supplies, plus compensation for this invasion of the Griffin Kingdom.

Of course, these were merely opening bids—the Orc King would never accept them.

After prolonged negotiation, both sides finally agreed on the final terms.

The human side would safely return Princess Sukama and the new orc prince to the Orc King.

In return, the Orc King would immediately withdraw his forces and leave all unremoved loot, grain, and captives still within the northern border—returning them to the Griffin Kingdom.

Anything already taken beyond the kingdom’s frontier would not be included.

As for war reparations? Out of the question.

Yet even so, this was an absolute stroke of fortune for the Commander-in-Chief.

Think back—an hour ago, they had feared total annihilation of their army.

Now, not only were the orcs retreating immediately, but they were also leaving behind substantial loot still within the kingdom.

It was like a complete reversal of fortune.

Soon, the two sides exited the tent after concluding negotiations.

The orcs immediately began their withdrawal and spread the Orc King’s new orders throughout the surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, the human side dispatched teams to follow the orc messengers, ensuring no remaining goods within the kingdom were taken away.

All of this, of course, would take considerable time.

Thus, though no further battles would occur, the true war was not yet over.

Only when every last orc had fully withdrawn beyond the kingdom’s border would Princess Sukama and the orc prince be formally handed over.

Only then would the Northern Border Campaign truly end.

Naturally, to show goodwill, Prada was released early.

Yet the Orc King clearly didn’t care much about the release of this nephew-in-law.

“Come, let’s return and inform all the nobles of this good news!”

After parting from the Orc King, the Commander-in-Chief broke into a broad smile.

He immediately led Gervas back toward the previous platform.

When they arrived, the nobles of all ranks had been waiting anxiously—and upon seeing the Commander-in-Chief, Gervas, and Duke Hernade return, the crowd erupted in commotion.

“What happened? Commander-in-Chief, are we safe now?”

“Yes! Commander-in-Chief, how many troops did our Western Region Army send? Can they force the orcs to leave the kingdom?”

Before the Commander-in-Chief could even settle, nobles couldn’t help shouting out.

Instantly, the crowd buzzed with a dozen overlapping voices.

After all, the hope they’d barely rekindled didn’t want to be snuffed out again, like before.

The Commander-in-Chief, of course, wouldn’t let them down—he smiled warmly: “Ladies and gentlemen, I have good news for you! We are safe!”

“Not only safe—the Orc King has agreed: the orc army will begin withdrawing immediately!”

“And not just withdrawing—all loot, grain, and captives still within the kingdom’s borders must be left behind and returned to the Griffin Kingdom!”

“How’s that, gentlemen? Is this the news you wanted?”

With that, the Commander-in-Chief waited, smiling, for their reaction.

Naturally, the nobles did not disappoint him.

“This… we’re truly safe?”

“Yes! Not only safe—the orcs are retreating! Ha! This is wonderful—we won’t have to fight anymore!”

“Exactly! The Northern Border Campaign is finally over! Ha!”

“Ha! Wonderful! Finally, we won’t have to fight these damned orcs again!”

The nobles paused for a moment in stunned silence, then erupted into jubilation.

After over a month of combat, the nobles had endured immense hardship.

Had they been forced to continue fighting, some might have broken down entirely.

Now, with the orcs agreeing to immediate withdrawal, it felt like heaven-sent relief.

“Commander-in-Chief! How many troops did our Western Region Army send to make the orcs retreat—and even abandon their looted goods?”

“Yes! Commander-in-Chief, orcs have never been this reasonable before! Even when they negotiated, they only agreed to withdraw—getting back looted goods? Impossible!”

At this moment, several nobles, still elated, asked curiously.

After all, in their eyes, only overwhelming pressure could have forced the orcs to make such massive concessions.