Warhammer Divine Throne

After sending off Anton, Laine also bid farewell to Surya. The female Knight needed to return to Helunhilde for the Winter Festival, seizing the opportunity to leave before the heavy snow sealed the mountain passes.

Laine knew that if he asked, Surya would definitely be willing to stay in the Count’s Domain to spend the festival with him. However, it was unnecessary. There would be plenty of time in the future, and it wasn’t appropriate for the two of them to be together for too long before marriage, as it could damage Surya’s reputation.

The female Knight had sacrificed a lot for Laine, and naturally, he also considered her feelings.

After sending off Surya, Angerong led the army back.

The song of triumph played, and the Count, along with the knights and soldiers who stayed behind, welcomed the return of the great army. Smiles were widespread across everyone’s faces as carts and carts of spoils, laden with gold and silver, made the townspeople gaze in envy.

The earnings from this expedition were extremely rich. Even the peasant soldiers each gained wealth worth at least dozens of Silver Coins. The Count’s Expeditionary Army had eradicated eight Beastman warbands and one Dark Night Goblin warband in the Charon Forest, breached a Green Skin Fortress, and the estimated value of the spoils was over a thousand Gold Crowns, all accumulated by the Beastman warbands and the Green Skin Fortress over hundreds of years.

The Expeditionary Army had some losses too, with the 1,500 troops at the start reduced to just over 1,300 upon their return.

”Tonight, the taverns in town will be packed. The soldiers will savor barley wine and share the glorious tales of their exploits alongside Lord Angerong and Lord Armand.” Angerong and Laine strolled along the town’s high walls, which had been built up to seven or eight meters in height now in Gene Town: ”Oh, yes, fighting alongside dwarves and elves will also be a distinguished part of these stories. From one victory to the next, we need continuous success to bolster the residents’ confidence.”

”Did you manage to get Vibranium, brother?” Laine was more interested in this aspect. With Angerong leading, victory was almost guaranteed.

”I got it, but unfortunately, it’s not enough to make an axe.” Angerong regretfully shook his head: ”Perhaps another piece that size would do.”

”Don’t hurry, brother, take your time.” Laine let the cold wind brush against his face as he comforted Angerong: ”The dwarves will have it, and if not, we can attack those dwarf fortresses occupied by Green Skins.”

”The war went smoothly this time, but we won’t always be so fortunate.” Angerong nodded: ”Your subjects can’t sustain prolonged warfare. We’ve now established quite a few settlements in the forest, and what you need to do is allocate the remaining workforce to cultivate these newly developed areas.”

”I understand, Kasenberg is already arranging these things.” Laine’s tone carried a hint of resignation: ”The residents have grown accustomed to living under constant threats. The current peace was hard-won; everyone knows the value of cherishing it. In such times, I must encourage my residents to willingly enlist.”

”Indeed, I have matters to discuss with my dwarf brothers, so I won’t accompany you.” Angerong gave Laine a firm pat on the shoulder, then turned away: ”Lucian?”

”Yes, Lord Angerong!” A young Ranger Knight in the entourage immediately straightened up.

”Didn’t you want to see a dwarf tavern? Come with me.” Angerong chuckled heartily.

”Mm!” The Ranger Knight named Lucian followed Angerong, while Laine shrugged helplessly and headed toward the third floor of his castle.

”Count! Good morning!”

”My Count!”

”Good morning!” Dressed in his count’s attire, Laine politely returned every greeting from those addressing him, whether they were peasants, Free People, Knights’ Squires not yet spurred (who could be formally promoted to Rangers upon receiving their spurs), or his knight subordinates.

”Master~” The Dark Elf appeared before Laine, wearing a black and white maid’s long dress, her long black hair tied with a white ribbon and headscarf. Her seemingly cold face showed some delight at seeing Laine. In the middle of winter, Ollica’s maid outfit was naturally not the summer knee-length type but replaced with an ankle-length black dress, and her usual low-cut high heels were swapped for boots. If Laine guessed correctly, Ollica had likely switched from stockings to tights as well.

”Ollica, where’s Teresa?” Laine took hold of the Dark Elf’s hand.

”Miss Teresa is studying High Gothic Language and the mastery of Magic Wind. Her Highness Mogiana is teaching her.” Ollica voluntarily took Laine’s arm: ”Her Highness Mogiana wanted me to see if you had returned. She said that if you keep absenting yourself, she’ll stop teaching Miss Teresa.”

”Alright, I’ll go over immediately.” Laine felt a bit embarrassed. He knew Mogiana agreed to teach the female sorcerer because she respected him. Initially, he spent a few days teaching Teresa, but later he let Mogiana handle everything.

This understandably displeased the Lake God Witch. Mogiana didn’t care in the slightest about how much Teresa learned or whether the female sorcerer lived or died. She only agreed in hopes that Laine would spend more time on her, and Laine was well aware of this. In this country, no law could restrict the Lake God Witch.