Chapter 494: Arrival at the Capital!

"Finally gone! The Northern War is over!"

"Yes! This great battle was the most perilous in over a decade!"

Watching the Beast King's army depart, the President and Duke Hernand could not help but sigh.

After speaking, both turned their gaze to Gervas at the same time.

This great army's ability to turn defeat into 'victory' all relied on Gervas, this great hero.

"Gervas, originally driving the beastmen out of the Northern Border already counts as a victory. We need to hold a grand celebration banquet, especially to celebrate for you, this great hero!"

"But a few days ago, due to insufficient provisions, it was delayed. So, once we return to Black Longcheng, I, this President, will personally host a banquet for you as compensation. Is that acceptable?!" the President spoke.

"President, there is no need to trouble yourself with a celebration banquet. I am also clear on the army's previous situation! Therefore, the army's victory! And our safe return is the best! I am also very happy!"

Actually, what Gervas thought in his heart was that he definitely would not be able to eat at this Black Longcheng banquet.

The reason was simple: the King's Majesty's royal decree would arrive in Winterhold in a short while.

By then, his party would definitely have to head straight for the Capital; it would be impossible to linger in Black Longcheng and keep the King waiting.

"Gervas, you are so steady and humble at such a young age. I truly do not know how your father taught you!"

"If a few of the offspring from our great families could achieve what you have, we would be content!"

Duke Hernand, standing aside, heard Gervas's humble words and could not help but laugh and speak out.

It could be said that Gervas's performance truly made Duke Hernand look at him with new respect.

"By the way, Gervas, did you not say earlier that you have not signed a marriage contract?" At this moment, Duke Hernand changed the subject.

"Hmm?" Gervas was stunned, and his expression immediately became strange.

This question, he had naturally heard quite a bit of during this period.

However, those were mostly inquiries from nobles of all sizes.

And now, this was Hernand, a proper ducal family.

Could Duke Hernand also want to marry a woman from his family to him?

Was it Catherine?

Or another granddaughter?

If it were Catherine, Gervas would actually not mind!

After all, Catherine's temperament and dignity were indeed suitable for being a mistress of the house.

"Grand Duke Hernand, I indeed have not signed a marriage contract yet!" Gervas blinked and answered immediately.

After hearing this, Duke Hernand nodded. "Gervas, I do have a granddaughter of roughly your age. If you are interested, why not come to Hernand Castle next time!"

"I will introduce you young people to each other. Of course, whether you take a liking to each other depends on you young people yourselves!"

Indeed, things were exactly as Gervas had thought; Duke Hernand was truly preparing to introduce his granddaughter to him.

Although he was from a ducal family, and Gervas was only a viscount.

But the ability Gervas displayed absolutely surpassed the vast majority of young men; even within great families, he was one of the few.

Moreover, in a few days, Gervas would likely rise from viscount to count.

With such a status and ability, truly marrying off one of the family's granddaughters would not be considered a disgrace.

For great families like theirs, to maintain prosperity, besides their own offspring needing to strive,

they also needed to continuously win over more outstanding young men.

They could equally become the cornerstone of the family's prosperity.

"Haha! Gervas, you are truly blessed. To have Duke Hernand personally extend an invitation and introduce his granddaughter to you! I have never seen this before!"

Before Gervas could answer, a sound of approval came from the President's side.

"Duke Hernand, I am very honored to receive your approval. I will definitely come to visit then!"

Although Gervas very much wanted to ask if that granddaughter was Catherine.

He ultimately held back.

Rather than asking now, it was better to wait until then.

If it was, he would go with the flow; if not, he would adapt to the situation then.

So, Gervas directly and decisively agreed.

"President! The latest order from the Capital was personally written and issued by the King's Majesty!"

Coincidentally, just a moment after Gervas agreed, a messenger hurriedly arrived.

"An order personally issued by the King's Majesty?"

The President and Duke Hernand were stunned, then exchanged a glance.

Due to the King's physical condition, it had been very, very rare in the past for the King's Majesty to personally write an order.

And since the messenger said so, this could not possibly be false.

Thus, the President and Duke Hernand, feeling somewhat incredulous, hurriedly pushed through the crowd.

Immediately, they quickly took the royal decree from the messenger's hands.

The President confirmed the wax seal and began to read directly.

The more he read, the more incredulous his expression became.

After finishing, the President handed the letter to Duke Hernand.

Of course, under normal circumstances, important royal decrees could not be passed to others to view.

So, the President added, "The King's Majesty learned we drove the beastmen out of the Northern Border and personally sent this commendation and invitation order. Duke Hernand, you should look as well!"

Duke Hernand did not hesitate and took the royal decree.

After seeing the royal decree, Duke Hernand, full of surprise, said, "It really is the King's Majesty's own handwriting!"

"Hail! Hail!"

"Gervas, look, so many people! Haha, these people are all welcoming us!"

"Yes! I never thought that one day I, Ian, would be able to receive cheers here in the Capital!"

"If this gets back home, we'll become the nobles everyone in the Northern Region envies!"

"Of course, this scene must surely be written into my autobiography in the future!"

Time turned, and a week later.

That day, Duke Hernande said it was truly in the King's own handwriting, which showed the unusual nature of this matter.

Moreover, since it was an invitation from the King, no one dared to keep the King waiting long.

Thus, the President of the Northern Region publicly read the King's decree, ordering the meritorious officials to proceed immediately to the Capital to attend the victory banquet personally hosted by the King.

After a week of travel, the assembled nobles, led by Duke Hernande and Duke Lieshi, arrived in the Capital covered in dust and travel-worn.

To everyone's delight, Your Majesty organized a grand welcoming ceremony in the Capital.

Although the King did not personally step out of the palace, he sent the First Prince to the gate outside the Capital to welcome them.

In addition, a vast number of noble lords, Ladies, Young Ladies, and commoners all came upon hearing the news to catch a glimpse of the triumphant army.

Facing such a spectacle, Mil, Ian, and these country bumpkins had never experienced anything like it; in an instant, their faces flushed with excitement, and they kept declaring that they had brought honor to their ancestors.

"Don't get so excited; so many people are watching. If you get too excited, they'll immediately know you're nobles from the countryside!" Seeing the group dancing and shouting, their exclamations nearly deafening his ears, Gervas bluntly reminded them.

"This... is it true? Gervas?" The group was stunned; they hadn't expected such a notion.

"Of course. Look at those great nobles; have their expressions changed?"

"It really is so!" Seeing this, Mil and the others naturally did not doubt it; they immediately composed their expressions, imitating the others, and maintained the same demeanor as those great nobles.

Only then did Gervas sigh with relief; his ears could finally suffer less torment!