Chapter 493: The Northern Region Campaign Ends!

What could the Grand Commander even say?

Even though he knew Duke Lieshi had done it on purpose,

and, very likely, had motives he couldn't quite pin down, given the duke's status, there was nothing he could do to Duke Lieshi.

Once a family had reached the rank of a duke, even His Majesty the King would have to requires caution before taking any action.

"Duke Lieshi, I shall report your conduct exactly as it happened!" In the end, the Grand Commander could only manage to say that one line.

Duke Lieshi was not angry; instead, with an utterly composed face, he said, "Grand Commander, don't trouble yourself. I shall personally write the report and beg punishment from His Majesty the King!"

Having said that, Duke Lieshi cast a glance of unclear meaning at Gervas, then strode straight toward the courtyard gate.

Seeing this, the surrounding nobles, great and small, hurriedly stepped aside to both sides, clearing the path.

As for Duke Lieshi's actions just now, not a single noble, great or small, dared to discuss them or voice any opinion.

"This Duke Lieshi simply doesn't take military law seriously!" Only after Duke Lieshi had left did the Grand Commander grit his teeth and spit out a line.

Duke Hernande slowly sheathed his longsword and patted the Grand Commander on the shoulder.

However, Duke Hernande expressed no opinion at all.

On an occasion like this, even a duke like him could not make a public stand.

"Viscount Gervas, my apologies. You went to great pains to drag them out, and before they could even be questioned, they were killed on the spot!" The Grand Commander adjusted his mindset rather quickly.

Looking at Minister Weilade and Solit, who were now thoroughly dead, the first person he thought of was Gervas.

If the two had lived to spill more information, Gervas might have earned even greater merit.

But now that these men were dead, naturally no further useful information could be dug out.

"Grand Commander, you need not mind. Honestly, those two dying now is rather satisfying!"

"As for merit, I'm hardly short on it, wouldn't you say!"

Gervas, however, couldn't care less.

After all, he had long since learned the two men's course of wrongdoing from the system.

So he knew clearly that the two becoming orc spies had been a matter of chance.

As such, the information obtainable from them could not have been much.

On the contrary, being able to witness the two fellows being executed on the spot — especially silenced by Duke Lieshi himself — was truly a delight to both body and mind.

The Grand Commander was taken aback upon hearing this; he hadn't expected Gervas to be so carefree.

"Gervas, you do take it well. Still, your merit is indeed sufficient; I shall certainly report it faithfully to His Majesty the King!"

……

【Ding! The Daily Intelligence System has refreshed!】

【Intelligence One: As the last batch of orc forces withdraws from the kingdom's border, today will be the day this Northern Region campaign comes to an end.

The Grand Commander and the Beast King will exchange Princess Wang Fei and the orc prince this morning!】

【Intelligence Two: Today, Lindongcheng City will receive a royal decree from the capital — a genuine royal decree this time.

For it is a command personally penned by King Henrick the Seventh, the Lion Griffin.

Though the content is merely a routine invitation for the meritorious ministers to enter the capital for an audience,

it seems somewhat out of the ordinary.】

【Intelligence Three: Just a few days ago, King Henrick, whose health had been declining day by day, suddenly improved in spirit.

Not only did he break from his long bedridden state, he could sit for long periods or rise and walk about.

His condition had even recovered to what it was ten years ago.

At first, everyone in the capital assumed this might be a final flicker before death.

But now, four or five days on, King Henrick's spirits have only grown better.】

【Intelligence Four: The last batch of troops you dispatched to recover the fallen soldiers will return today!】

【Intelligence Five…】

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, more than ten days had passed since the negotiations with the orcs were completed.

For those ten-plus days, Gervas and the kingdom's main army had remained stationed at Lindongcheng City.

After all, until the orcs fully withdrew from the kingdom's Northern Region, this war could not be considered over.

Of course, during this period, the news of the "Great Victory in the Northern Region" had already been sent back to the capital.

Though the army's losses were not small, managing to drive the orcs out of the Northern Region and recover a good deal of the wealth the orcs had plundered —

this clearly counted as a "victory."

Hearing the ding-ding in his mind, Gervas's spirits lifted.

The Northern Region campaign was finally over.

Moreover, the capital had sent over a royal decree penned by the king himself, inviting the meritorious ministers to the capital.

So, would he be receiving his ennoblement very soon?

As for King Henrick's health improving, though it was a bit strange,

Gervas figured it was none of his business — he who has no stake should hang himself up high — and that nothing mattered more than his own title.

"My earldom is as good as mine; if they don't enoble me for this, who will ever fight for the kingdom again!"

Thinking this, Gervas did not delay and rose from bed at once.

With Isabella attending him, Gervas dressed neatly and stepped out of the stone house.

"my lord, the Grand Commander has just sent someone to look for you. He said once you rise, please go to the city gate at once — it seems the Beast King has arrived outside Lindongcheng City!"

"The time has come to exchange Princess Wang Fei and the orc prince. The Grand Commander says you were the one who captured them, so you must be present!"

No sooner had he stepped out of the stone house than Knight Mi Gen stepped forward to report.

"Good! Notify the knight squad; we depart now!"

Gervas wasted no time, directly assembling a group of knights, then, under their escort, headed toward Lindongcheng's main gate.

And when Gervas arrived at the city gate, the Beast King, who had previously retreated over a hundred li, indeed appeared again outside Lindongcheng.

Of course, this time he brought only a beast-tribe elite force of about ten thousand.

"Viscount Gervas!"

"Viscount Gervas!"

As Gervas moved forward, greetings from great nobles immediately came from both sides; whether counts or Hou Jue, all actively greeted him, this viscount.

Not to mention, within the kingdom, only Gervas alone held such a unique position!

"Gervas, you have finally arrived!" The President, originally at the front, was conversing with Duke Hernand and Duke Lieshi alongside the Beast King.

Hearing the commotion from behind, he immediately turned his head to greet Gervas.

"Greetings, President! Greetings, Duke Hernand!"

After approaching, Gervas bowed and greeted with great humility, not becoming arrogant due to his merit.

"Gervas, no need for ceremony; come sit quickly, now only you are missing! Without your arrival, this exchange ceremony cannot proceed!" The President was very enthusiastic, directly inviting Gervas to take a seat.

Upon hearing this, Gervas said, "President, could it be you were waiting specifically for me? That is unnecessary; you could have completed the exchange with the Beast King directly!"

Upon hearing this, before the President could speak, the Beast King, full of resentment, said, "You little viscount, truly teach me something new."

"In the past, I heard your human race has strict hierarchy, where great nobles are the true superiors, yet you, this viscount, make your kingdom's President and dukes wait; this is truly extraordinary!"

This was somewhat awkward!

Gervas knew the Beast King was dissatisfied with being made to wait.

But he truly did not expect the President to give him such face.

And although the Beast King did not want to give face, since Princess Sukama and the beast-prince were on his side, he could only restrain his temper.

"Thank you, Your Majesty Beast King, for the praise; this is merely the President and all great nobles caring for this junior!" Gervas grinned, instantly making the Beast King's nose smoke with anger.

Seeing this, the President, not wanting to truly anger the Beast King, immediately smiled and changed the subject: "Very well, Your Majesty Beast King, Gervas has arrived; we can begin exchanging Princess Sukama and your youngest prince!"

Afterwards, the President had Princess Sukama and that beast-prince brought over and directly exchanged them with the Beast King.

Finally, both sides completed the ceasefire signing on a magical contract.

The instant the signing was completed, the magic took effect, which also meant this Northern Region campaign had completely ended!

And after receiving his princess and prince, the Beast King wasted no time, directly leading his forces north, preparing to return to the Northern Region wasteland.