"My lord, this is the registered data. All the items have been moved to the front courtyard," Susan said, handing over a booklet.
Lance glanced briefly at it and set it down. "Has Reynard and his team returned yet?"
"Not yet, but items have been brought back continuously. They say they didn’t encounter much resistance."
"Slaughter a pig, and bring out the smoked wolf at from a few days ago. Tonight, we’ll have a celebration feast in the square. Everyone is welco to join. Bread and at soup are free, and drinks are half price."
Lance gave the order. He wanted everyone to feel the joy of victory, strengthen the town’s cohesion, and bring vitality to this gloomy town.
"Yes." As Susan was about to leave, Lance stopped her again.
"By the way, update on that man’s condition over the last few days and what happened today."
"Are you referring to Barton, my lord?"
"Yes, the one we rescued previously."
Lance had saved the captain and, after seeing him only once the night they brought him back, had left him there without further attention. Susan had always been the one looking after him, so Lance didn’t actually know the captain’s na was Barton.
Susan didn’t seem to mind and proceeded to relate the events of the past few days.
The man had been bedridden for several days. Upon going outside, he encountered the bandit attack, and at the church, he stood up to subdue the traitor.
Lance listened to Susan’s description thoughtfully. He had indeed had plans for keeping the captain. It wasn’t just to learn the truth of the initial invasion from him but, more critically, to understand how to use the cannons.
Although Lance was from the modern world, he knew nothing about firing cannons, let alone the old-fashioned muzzle-loaded smoothbore type.
As for Reynard and his team, it was clear from the fight against the collector that they too lacked this knowledge.
Lance had kept the captain because he wanted him to teach them how to use the cannons; otherwise, they would just be piles of scrap tal.
That’s why he rescued him but didn’t heal him completely. He wanted the captain to suffer a bit, to grind down his spirit. Then, once he had completely eradicated the bandits and had the ti, he would interrogate him at length.
Now it seed this fellow was not inherently evil. It is only by retaining one’s humanity that feelings of guilt arise. The bandits, however, lacked humanity. They only regretted being caught or executed, never the deeds they had done.
It was the difference between being anti-war and being against losing a war.
The captain’s—Barton’s—behavior suggested there was hope for him. A graduate of the Imperial Artillery Academy was a true talent!
"My lord, do you want to fetch him for you?"
"No need. Go ahead with the preparations." Lance showed no urgency. He still needed to observe the man’s reactions.
Susan left, and Lance picked up the booklet and stepped out to the front courtyard, ready to check the spoils of war. What good could co from bandits who couldn’t even muster a full set of armor?
Lance had hoped there might be a chance of stumbling upon Extraordinary items, but reality often deflated such expectations. Most of what he saw was junk.
The bandits didn’t have much money either. Those two large boxes of coins had been contributed by the casino and tavern.
Lance grabbed a handful of coins and felt their still-damp texture, knowing they had been washed.
But even so, the sll of blood hadn’t been washed away.
As he let the coins slip from his hand, making a crisp sound as they collided, Lance’s expression remained unfazed. He murmured to himself, If only these treasures could stem the tide of corruption from the Otherworld...
Suddenly feeling movent at his feet, Lance looked down to find the she-wolf they had brought back nudging his leg with her head, as if asking for affection.
Lance, who had been sowhat wistful, now cast aside his concerns and knelt down to give her a vigorous petting. The fluffy sensation was indeed very satisfying, and the she-wolf made a soft purring sound, squinting her eyes in enjoynt.
He had brought this litter of wolves back and had a den built for them in the front yard. However, this mother wolf was very fierce; no one else could co close, only him.
After these few days of interaction, perhaps because she had gotten used to his scent, Lance could touch her even without wearing the wolf pendant, though the creature remained very wary of others.
Lance checked on the pups. They were still the sa; it would probably take so more ti before they could open their eyes.
He picked up the little ones, feeling the joy of new life.
Since it was a big harvest today, Lance didn’t mind giving these few a little treat.
"Bless" activated, and the strength of the Strengthening flowed through their bodies.
The lazy little fellows, just fed, beca lively and made WHIMPERING AND SQUEAKING sounds in his hands.
"Haha~ Fun..."
He didn’t even glance at the two large boxes of money. Instead, he was having a great ti playing with the wolf pups.
In the central square, several large bonfires were erected. Under the firelight, people ca and went, and the tables and chairs that had been brought out were laden with all kinds of food.
Everyone was extrely happy. They had been living through hard tis recently. Now that the bandits had been eradicated and safety was ensured, the hatred weighing on them had been cleared away.
At the sa ti, in terms of livelihood, everyone had food and drink. Both the pressures of daily life and survival had been resolved by My Lord, allowing them to finally laugh and be rry.
Together, everyone arranged the scene, and soon, under the Lord’s leadership, the soldiers entered.
Standing among the crowd, Lance, as usual, kept his speech brief.
It was nothing more than announcing the victory, praising several new soldiers who had perford outstandingly in the battle, and encouraging everyone to face the new life ahead.
He had no intention of dampening their spirits. He truly just spoke a few words before ending his speech, then signaled with a grand wave of his hand.
"Let the festivities begin!"
The townspeople erupted in excited revelry, and soon the whole square was imrsed in the joy of victory.
Entertainnt in this era was scarce, limited mainly to eating, drinking, singing, and dancing.
All the furniture from the tavern was moved out. Food and drink were set up on another long table, and oaken barrels filled with ale were piled nearby.
Young n and won gathered around the fires, singing and dancing, while the n raised their cups at the tables and guzzled down mouthfuls of ale.
"Damn bandits! Good riddance!"
"You didn’t see it, but I heard from those soldiers that My Lord himself took down all those bandits!"
"Well, it’s My Lord, after all! It’s only natural for him to deal with those bandits!"
"My boat was stolen before. After My Lord defeated the Ship Boss, he recruited fishern to fish. I only need to repay the loan for two more years to get my boat back!"
"Right! There’s sothing to look forward to in life now!"
So were venting their hatred for the bandits, thrilled at their downfall.
Others were boasting of My Lord’s accomplishnts, elevating him to a pedestal.
Still others shared stories of their improving lives.
Even those who usually hated to spend money were buying a cup or two of ale to join in, celebrating the incredible victory and the recent improvents in their lives.
And those bachelors with so spare cash were downing one cup after another, a show of their hearty spirit.
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