Chapter 493: The Northern Campaign Has Ended!

What could the Commander-in-Chief say?

Even if he knew Duke Shilishi was acting deliberately,

and likely had motives he couldn’t even name, his status gave him no power to act against Duke Shilishi.

At the rank of a duke’s family, even the King himself must weigh his actions carefully.

“Duke Shilishi, I will report your actions truthfully!” In the end, the Commander-in-Chief could only speak these words.

Duke Shilishi showed no anger; instead, he spoke calmly, “Commander-in-Chief, no need to trouble yourself—I will write the report personally and beg the King’s pardon!”

With that, Duke Shilishi cast an unreadable glance at Gervas, then walked straight toward the courtyard gate.

The surrounding nobles of all ranks quickly stepped aside, clearing a path.

As for Duke Shilishi’s earlier actions, not a single noble dared to comment or voice any opinion.

“This Duke Shilishi doesn’t even respect military law!” Only after Duke Shilishi left did the Commander-in-Chief grit his teeth and spit out the words.

Duke Hernade slowly sheathed his longsword and patted the Commander-in-Chief on the shoulder.

Yet Duke Hernade offered no opinion.

In such a setting, even a duke like him couldn’t publicly take a stance.

“Lord Gervas, I’m sorry—you worked hard to uncover them, but they were killed before you could interrogate them!” The Commander-in-Chief quickly adjusted his demeanor.

Looking at Willard and Solit, now dead beyond any hope of revival, his first thought was of Gervas.

Had the two lived and revealed more information, Gervas might have gained even greater merit.

But now that they were dead, no further useful intelligence could be extracted.

“Commander-in-Chief, don’t worry—these two are dead now, and it’s actually quite satisfying!”

“As for merit, I already have more than enough. Isn’t that right?”

Gervas, however, was utterly unconcerned.

After all, he had long learned the details of their crimes from the system.

So he knew their becoming orc spies was purely a matter of coincidence.

Thus, the information they could have provided was never likely to be substantial.

Far more satisfying was witnessing them executed on the spot—especially murdered by Duke Shilishi to silence them—bringing genuine joy to his soul.

The Commander-in-Chief was stunned, surprised that Gervas was so carefree.

“Gervas, you’re remarkably level-headed. But your merit is indeed sufficient—I will report it truthfully to the King!”

…

【Ding! Daily Intelligence System has refreshed!】

【Intelligence One: With the last group of orc forces withdrawing from the kingdom’s border, today marks the end of the Northern Campaign.】

【The Commander-in-Chief and the Beast King will exchange Princess Sukama and the orc prince this morning.】

【Intelligence Two: Today, Lindongcheng will receive a royal decree from the capital—this one is genuine.】

【It was written in the hand of King Henryk VII, the Lion-Eagle.】

【Though its content is merely a standard invitation for meritorious officials to appear at court,】

【it seems unusually significant.】

【Intelligence Three: Several days ago, King Henryk, whose health had been steadily declining, suddenly improved.】

【He no longer remained bedridden but could sit for long periods or even walk.】

【His condition returned to what it had been ten years prior.】

【At first, the capital assumed this was a final flicker before death.】

【But now, after four or five days, King Henryk’s vitality has grown even stronger.】

【Intelligence Four: Your final team dispatched to recover fallen soldiers will return today!】

【Intelligence Five…】

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, more than ten days had passed since the last negotiation with the orcs.

For over ten days, Gervas and the kingdom’s army had remained stationed in Lindongcheng.

After all, the war would not be considered over until the orcs had fully withdrawn from the kingdom’s northern border.

Of course, during this time, the news of the “Great Northern Victory” had already reached the capital.

Though the army had suffered heavy losses, driving the orcs out of the north and recovering much of the plundered wealth clearly counted as a “victory.”

This was undeniably a triumph.

Hearing the ding-ding sounds in his mind, Gervas perked up.

At last, the Northern Campaign was over.

And the capital had sent a royal decree written by the King himself, inviting meritorious officers to court.

So, would he be granted his title immediately?

As for King Henryk’s sudden recovery, though suspicious,

Gervas believed it was none of his concern—his noble title mattered far more.

“My viscountcy is guaranteed—if they don’t grant it now, who else will serve the kingdom?”

Thinking this, Gervas rose without delay.

Under Isabella’s service, Gervas dressed fully and stepped out of the stone house.

“My lord, the Commander-in-Chief just sent someone to find you—he says that once you’re awake, you must go to the city gate immediately. The Beast King has arrived outside Lindongcheng!”

“Now comes the exchange of Princess Sukama and the orc prince—the Commander-in-Chief says you captured them, so you must be present!”

As Gervas stepped out, Migen stepped forward to report.

“Good! Notify the knight squad—we leave now!”

Gervas wasted no time, gathering his knights and heading toward Lindongcheng’s main gate under their escort.

When Gervas arrived at the gate, the Beast King—who had previously retreated over a hundred li—stood once again outside Lindongcheng.

This time, he brought only about ten thousand elite orc troops.

“Lord Gervas!”

“Lord Gervas!”

As Gervas advanced, noble lords on both sides greeted him—whether earls or marquises, all actively addressed him, the viscount.

Indeed, within the kingdom, only Gervas enjoyed such a distinction!

“Gervas, you’re finally here!” The Commander-in-Chief, who had been speaking ahead with Duke Hernade and Duke Shilishi, turned at the sound and called out to Gervas.

“Greetings, Commander-in-Chief! Greetings, Duke Hernade!”

Gervas stepped forward and bowed respectfully, showing no arrogance despite his merits.

“Gervas, no formalities—come, sit! We’ve been waiting for you. Without you, the exchange cannot begin!” The Commander-in-Chief was warmly insistent, gesturing for Gervas to take a seat.

Gervas replied, “Commander-in-Chief, you didn’t wait for me on purpose, did you? No need—I’m sure you could have completed the exchange without me!”

Before the Commander-in-Chief could speak, the Beast King burst with resentment: “You, a mere viscount, have truly opened my eyes.”

“I was told your human nobility is rigidly hierarchical, with only the highest lords truly powerful—but you, a viscount, make your own Commander-in-Chief and dukes wait? This is extraordinary!”

In the past, I heard that your human race enforces strict registration, and only the highest nobles are true superiors—but you, a viscount, make your kingdom’s viceroy and duke wait? This is truly extraordinary!

Gervas knew the Beast King resented being kept waiting.

But he hadn’t expected the Commander-in-Chief to show him such deference.

Though the Beast King didn’t wish to show respect, Princess Sukama and the orc prince remained in his custody—he had no choice but to swallow his anger.

“Thank you, Beast King, for your praise—it’s merely the Commander-in-Chief and the noble lords being kind to this junior.” Gervas grinned, instantly making the Beast King’s nose smoke with rage.

Seeing this, the Commander-in-Chief quickly defused the tension with a laugh: “Enough! Beast King, Lord Gervas has arrived—let us begin the exchange of Princess Sukama and your youngest prince!”

Then, the Commander-in-Chief summoned Princess Sukama and the orc prince and handed them over to the Beast King.

Finally, both sides signed a magical treaty of ceasefire.

The moment the signatures were complete, the magic activated—signifying the Northern Campaign had ended definitively!

Upon receiving his wife and son, the Beast King wasted no time and led his troops northward, preparing to return to the Northern Wastelands.

Upon receiving his Wang Fei and Prince, the Beast King did not delay, but immediately led his party northward, preparing to return to the Northern Wilderness.