Chapter 487: How Many Troops Are in the Western Border Army?

"Gervas, this is not mere luck! Your ability and courage have surpassed the vast majority of noble youths; even scions of great families cannot compare to you!"

"I won't even mention Morar's pursuers! Just the fortress and city blocking your retreat route—any other noble would likely find it impossible to breach!"

"Although there aren't many orcs inside, they hold the advantage of the city walls, making it a pass that is easy to defend but hard to attack!"

"Beyond that, since the Royal Tent Palace houses Wang Fei Princess Sukama, it must be guarded by heavy troops!"

"Not to exaggerate, there are definitely two or three thousand. With that number of elite orc warriors, no other army would dare attack the Royal Tent Palace without ten thousand soldiers!"

"Therefore, your merit was earned through your own courage, wisdom, and strategy!"

"Finally, I fully agree with the President's assessment of you. You clearly had the opportunity to escape, yet you still chose to take the risk!"

"This is an absolutely rare quality of self-sacrifice for others!"

"I won't speak for all nobles, but if there were only a hundred nobles in the entire kingdom, I fear at least ninety-eight of them could not do what you have done!"

Duke Hernand finally spoke.

And his assessment of Gervas was in no way inferior to the President's.

The look in his eyes toward Gervas was even more benevolent and satisfied than when he looked at his own grandson, Wyatt.

"Duke Hernand, you are truly too complimentary!"

Gervas bowed his head in humility once more.

To be honest, being praised by such a great figure was a little thrilling.

At this moment, they had arrived at the Beast King's main conference tent.

Seeing this, the President simply said, "Gervas, there is no need for further modesty!"

"Sometimes, young people like you should show some flair. Do not imitate us old folks. For instance, you deliberately concealed your achievements earlier and gave the fame to Baron Mill!"

"Where is even a trace of the vitality a young person should possess?"

"Moreover, regarding your merit this time, even if you want to hide it, you cannot. I believe that barring any accidents, a Count's title is inevitable for you!"

"Alright, Gervas, let us enter first to speak with the Beast King. If we can save the army, or even make the orc army retreat, I guarantee this Count's title will be secure!"

Having finished speaking, the President signaled for Gervas to enter the tent quickly.

Duke Hernand, standing nearby, patted Gervas's shoulder with a smile full of warmth.

Seeing this, Gervas naturally said no more.

That Count's title was something he truly coveted.

If he claimed he didn't care at this moment, it would only seem hypocritical.

Thus, Gervas stepped into the Beast King's tent first, while the President and Duke Hernand followed closely behind.

Of course, once inside the tent, Gervas was sensible enough not to take the main seat.

After all, he had already informed the President and Duke Hernand of the specific situation, so the subsequent negotiations naturally fell to the two of them; Gervas himself had no need to expend mental effort.

Furthermore, since the President and Duke Hernand knew the Beast King better, they had more confidence in the negotiations.

And indeed, that was the case. Next, relying on the importance of Wang Fei Princess Sukama and the new orc prince to the Beast King, the President and Duke Hernand demanded an exorbitant price.

For instance, the most basic demand was for the orc tribe to immediately withdraw from the northern border of the kingdom. Beyond that, they demanded the return of looted people and goods, as well as compensation for this invasion of the Griffin Kingdom.

Of course, this was just the asking price; the Beast King obviously would not agree.

Therefore, after a period of haggling between both sides, the final conditions were confirmed.

On the human side, Wang Fei Princess Sukama and the new prince would be safely returned to the Beast King.

On the Beast King's side, besides an immediate troop withdrawal, all goods, grain, and people not yet taken out of the northern border were to be left in place and returned to the Griffin Kingdom.

As for other looted items already sent beyond the kingdom's borders, they would not be included.

As for war reparations, that was even less likely.

Yet even so, for the President, this was already an absolute unexpected windfall.

Think about it: an hour ago, they were still worried about the army being completely annihilated.

Now, not only could they see the orcs retreating immediately, but they could also save a significant amount of goods not yet transported away by the orcs.

It was truly like ice and fire in two different worlds.

Soon, both sides, having concluded the negotiations, walked out of the tent.

The orc side immediately began their retreat and started spreading the Beast King's latest orders to the surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, the human side simultaneously dispatched teams to follow these orc messengers to ensure goods still within the kingdom were not taken away.

And all of this naturally required a considerable amount of time.

So, although there were no more battles for the moment, the real war had not yet truly ended.

Only at the very end, once it was confirmed that all orcs had withdrawn from the kingdom's borders, would Wang Fei Princess Sukama and the orc prince be handed over.

Only then would the Northern Border Campaign be considered completely over.

Of course, to express sincerity, Prada was released early.

However, regarding the release of this young brother-in-law, the Beast King obviously did not care much.

"Let's go. We should first return to meet the nobles and tell everyone this good news!"

Parting with the Beast King, the President immediately broke into a happy smile.

Immediately, he led Gervas toward the high platform from before.

Upon arriving at the high platform, the crowd of nobles, big and small, were indeed gazing anxiously. When they saw the President, Gervas, and Duke Hernand return together, the crowd immediately erupted into a commotion.

"How did it go? President, are we safe now?"

"Yes! President, how many troops did our Western Border Army send? Can we make the orcs withdraw from the kingdom?"

Before the President could even stop walking, a noble could not help but speak up.

In an instant, the scene became noisy with everyone talking at once.

After all, everyone had barely raised their hopes and did not want them extinguished again as they had just been.

And the President, naturally, would not disappoint the crowd; his face beaming with a smile, he said, "Everyone, I have good news for you! That is... we are safe!"

"Moreover, it is not just that we are safe; the Beast King has also agreed. The Beast Army will begin retreating immediately, starting now!"

"Not only retreating, but starting now, all treasures, provisions, and people within the kingdom's borders that have not yet been taken out must be left behind and returned to our Griffin Kingdom!"

"How about it, everyone? Is this the news you wanted?"

Having spoken, the President waited with a smile for the crowd's reaction.

And the nobles, great and small, naturally did not disappoint him.

"This... are we really safe?"

"Yes! Not only are we safe, the Beast Race has also retreated! Haha, this is truly wonderful; we do not have to continue fighting!"

"That's right, this campaign in the next Northern Region has finally ended, haha!"

"Haha, wonderful! Finally, we won't have to go to war with these damn orcs anymore!"

The nobles, great and small, were stunned for a moment, and once they recovered, a wave of rejoicing swept through them.

After more than a month of fighting, the nobles, great and small, could be said to have endured hardships.

Therefore, if they were forced to continue fighting, someone might truly collapse directly.

And now that the Beast Race had actually agreed to withdraw immediately, for everyone, it was simply joy from the heavens.

"President! How many troops did our Western Army actually bring, that the Beast Race, while retreating, also abandoned the plundered goods!"

"Yes! President, the Beast Race in the past was never this easy to talk to; even if these fellows truly negotiated, it would only mean they were willing to retreat! To get back the plundered items from their mouths is simply a dream!"

At this moment, several more nobles, amidst their joy, curiously called out to the President.

After all, for the Beast Race to make such a huge concession, in everyone's view, the orcs must have truly felt immense pressure to make such a concession.