The Lord Of Blood Hill-Chapter 179: United in Battle, Together in Death

The Lord Of Blood Hill-Chapter 179: United in Battle, Together in Death

After Henwell returns to his camp, he prepares a dozen or so large carts and sends them to Catherine's camp. These carts bring back over a hundred coffins containing the bodies of Rudolph and others, as well as some members of the envoy left behind in Divine Revelation City. Contrary to Jansen's earlier predictions, none of the envoy members survived.
This grim battle for the bodies concludes with Henwell personally apologizing to the royal members of Billie.
It's said that the War Princess even whipped Henwell a few times, and the once-arrogant knight lord didn't dare utter a word in protest. Additionally, Henwell compensates the Kingdom of Billie with several carts full of gold coins, rumored to be worth millions.
Both the duchy and the kingdom's higher-ups are aware that those carts are filled with stones, not gold.
As long as appearances are maintained, no one presses for actual payment, knowing Henwell wouldn't have given it anyway. What they don't know is that only the front and back carts are filled with stones to deceive the royal attendants. The rest of the carts are genuinely loaded with valuable items.
These include over a hundred sets of Mountainsteel armor and ten sets crafted from Greensteel. There are also samples of goods from Peace Haven, allowing the princess's team to decide on potential areas of cooperation.
After Catherine's forces withdraw, the duchy ceases its siege. Henwell doesn't linger either and promptly packs up to head home. Regarding the duchy's captives, aside from those released from the border fortress, the rest are handed over to Count Marcus, who came to reclaim his daughter. Of course, Henwell doesn't keep everything for himself.
The more than ten thousand prisoners are divided into three parts, shared among Arius, Fabio, and Marcus. This division provides each of the three with three to four thousand elite soldiers, complete with battle experience and full sets of weapons and equipment. It's akin to gifting each party soldiers worth hundreds of thousands of gold coins!
Over a month later, Henwell returns to the border of Peace Haven. The grueling battle, which lasted over three months, finally comes to an end.
Before entering Peace Haven, Henwell dismounts along with Victor and the others. They assemble their lances to create a makeshift bier, carrying Rudolph's coffin as they walk into Peace Haven. All the officers behind them also dismount, using their lances to lift the coffins of the fallen, following Henwell's lead.
In war, death is inevitable. To reclaim these hundred bodies, over three thousand lives were lost in the process. To outsiders, it might seem like a futile sacrifice, but to the soldiers who fought, it was worth every loss.
The first to witness the somber procession are the two legions stationed at the edge of Peace Haven.
Virgil, commander of the Seventh Legion, is the first to dismount, plunging his sword into the ground. He places his hands on the hilt, bowing his head in respect to the fallen soldiers. Following suit, the entire Seventh Legion pays their respects.
Soon after, Teresa, commander of the Thirteenth Legion, dismounts, leading his legion in a silent tribute. Despite differing allegiances, they can't help but admire Henwell's resolve. Who else could achieve what Henwell has? Who wouldn't want to serve under such a leader?
As they watch the soldiers of Peace Haven, their faces resolute and their eyes filled with pride, the two commanders understand that wherever Henwell directs his sword, this army will not falter, regardless of the enemy.
A top-tier army, rich in spirit and tradition, is born before their eyes. As long as this army isn't completely wiped out, it won't be long before they rise again, ready to face new challenges.
As Henwell enters Peace Haven, the crowd that had gathered to welcome their lord's triumphant return is taken aback to see him walking solemnly, carrying a coffin. Though no words are exchanged, the reason becomes clear to everyone.
Merchants, farmers, workers, the elderly, women, and children—all are moved by the somber, oppressive atmosphere. They line the streets, bowing in respect to the funeral procession.
Count Jansen, upon witnessing the scene, also dismounts to pay his respects, choosing not to disturb Henwell.
Watching the orderly procession, Jansen turns to his subordinates and says, "Look at them! Now look at your own troops. When we return, I want you to train them diligently. If necessary, I'll send you to Henwell's military academy to learn. Don't be embarrassed when that happens!"
By afternoon, Henwell reaches the prepared burial grounds and begins the interment of the fallen soldiers. Names of the deceased had been sent ahead, and craftsmen worked through the night to finish the gravestones. Once the burials are complete, Henwell draws his sword and strikes his Nightwind armor. "May the heroic spirits rest in peace! Your will shall endure!"
The sound of breastplates being struck echoes behind him, creating a unique funeral hymn. Henwell turns to the gathered soldiers, declaring, "This is the closest place to my manor. From now on, both sides of my manor will be the resting places for our fallen soldiers. Their spirits will watch over me, holding me accountable to my promises to you.”
”I will not fail the living or the dead! One day, some of you will also be laid to rest here. And one day, I too will be buried here. I will fight alongside you in life and rest with you in death!"
The officers kneel, swords planted in the ground. "Your will is the direction of my sword!"
Tens of thousands of soldiers follow suit, their oaths of loyalty echoing repeatedly until they become one unified voice, resounding across the land of Blood Hill!
In the evening, Jansen meets with Henwell, who has just finished handling his affairs. Filled with excitement, Jansen claps Henwell on the shoulder. "Well done, lad! I knew you could do it! From now on, you won't be just another nameless face!"
Henwell chuckles, "Uncle, thank you for helping me guard Peace Haven."
Jansen waves his hand dismissively. "Compared to your battles, my task is much easier!"
Once they sit down, Henwell asks, "Uncle, tell me about the current situation."
Jansen gathers his thoughts. "After you left, everyone started taking your threats seriously. Especially Ogiro, who hasn't launched an attack. I thought they'd seize the opportunity to reclaim those lands!"
Ogiro certainly wanted to attack, but Divarak and his cousin Pavaro disagreed. Both understood Henwell's capabilities and were wary of taking risks. As Henwell had said, if he were dead, it would be a different story. They wouldn’t miss the chance to achieve glory by reclaiming territory. But if Henwell was alive, they'd be in trouble.
Both knew Henwell's army was formidable. Although Henwell's forces were small compared to the entire Ogiro Kingdom, they were more than capable of dealing with the two cousins. The risk was too great, and until the situation was clear, they dared not provoke Henwell.
Despite the pressure they faced, neither Divarak nor Pavaro yielded to demands from the kingdom's higher-ups to deploy their troops.
Even when faced with threats of being replaced, they held their ground. After delaying for two months and just as they were about to buckle under pressure, Henwell returned unscathed. This silenced the war faction within the kingdom, who instead praised the cousins for their cautious and steady approach!

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Chapter 179: United in Battle, Together in Death