It was not until the sun set that the regiment that had cleaned up the battlefield withdrew its troops and withdrew to the camp. The slow arrival of the baggage team brought a large number of supplies and medicines, but for the disabled soldiers, the accompanying doctors could only find a way to get some pain-relieving herbs to make them less painful.

But this "little episode" did not affect the morale of the whole legion, and the enemy vanguard was completely annihilated in one battle, and although the soldiers were very tired, they were in a very good state of mind - when they saw Edward, dressed in a big hat and with a gray sword hanging from his waist, walked by, every soldier immediately put down his work and saluted the chief flag bearer.

With a smile on his face, Edward greeted every soldier who walked by, looking very easy-going. But his eyes were looking around—he hadn't seen Shyrrell since the end of the battle, only the little head of the regiment named Robin was there, and he was full of excuses that Shyrrell was too tired and needed to rest, and Edward didn't want to ask much.

"The casualties of the soldiers have been counted, Lord Flag Bearer. Repinus, who still had sweat on his forehead, still had mud stains and blood on his face, and his overcoat and armor were dirty, but he still looked energetic, and handed the roster to Edward: "Although the casualties are not small, the establishment of each hundred team is basically complete. ”

"Thank you. Edward nodded and took it, "Any more questions?"

"Our barracks are too small - they need to be expanded if we want to stay here for a while, and all kinds of defenses are necessary for a big war. Trenches, horse-repellent piles, watchtowers...... It's still too basic. The wooden walls built by the mercenaries were also very fragile. The enemy's cavalry could easily break through. ”

Lessinus replied very sincerely: "And the ammunition for the arrows and ballistas is also very depleted. I've asked my soldiers to sweep the battlefield as much as they can, but there's still very little to gain - the Akama clan has raised six-headed trolls, the kind of monsters you've seen in the Battle of the Fortress, and our bows and javelins are almost no threat without ballistas. ”

"You go to my squire little Goodwin to see if you can think of a solution. Speaking of this, Edward couldn't help but become serious: "It's really not good, you can also consider whether there can be any alternatives." ”

"I will. The Chief Centurion nodded, clutching the stack of Edward's signed rosters in one hand, but still had no intention of leaving. There was a slight hesitation. Then he spoke: "Before I came, I saw another of your attendants, Ludwig, leave, if you may, could you please explain what he was going to do?"

"Of course, I'll get everyone together and explain it to you right away. Seeing the look of surprise on Repcinus's face, Edward smiled slightly: "Because it depends on what kind of enemy we will face soon." ”

"What do you mean?" Lebinus almost blurted out, and then quickly apologized: "Please forgive me for such a rude act, but ......"

"I sent Representative Ludwig to the Red Horse Clan's settlements to negotiate with their Great Chief, of course, peace. Edward ignored him and continued, "This battle was too hard. And we have taught them enough lessons if we can reach a better agreement. I don't mind withdrawing. ”

"Withdraw?!"

"Of course, isn't the purpose of this battle to ensure that the villages and towns of the kingdom will not be attacked by the barbarians, and to make them submit to the Duke of Hantu City?" Edward asked with a smile, "As long as the goal is achieved, of course the army can be withdrawn." ”

Repinus's face was a hundred disbelief, since Edward had cleared the entire Green River Valley, he had decided that this chief flag officer was definitely not a stubborn and rigid person, he had tried his best to defeat the Red Horse Clan, how could he give up so simply - just because of the purpose achieved?!

Although he could not believe it, the answer was impeccable - or rather, Lebinus knew that Edward was not really enough to trust him completely, and that he would just have to remain silent at such a time, so he quietly withdrew and left the tent.

Ludwig, of course, did not go for peace – at least in the name of peace, of course. Edward only gave him one task, to make sure that the Red Horse Clan sent troops as soon as possible, so that they could believe that now was the best time to defeat him!

These savage tribal clans have terrible war potential, in other words, the more time they are given, the stronger their forces will be - this land is their "home field", and the long-distance legions are also very depleted in both manpower and material, and there will be no advantage in continuing to drag it on!

The morale of the legion, which had just been victorious, was also high, and if after this time all sorts of problems would resurface—less and less provisions, more wounded, stronger and stronger enemies...... When the problems pile up, the entire legion is on the verge of collapse again.

But Edward didn't have that much time - this winter was his last chance, and now he could still use the excuse to stay in the south for the rest of the winter, and when the snow melted, Green Turn's guy would never forget that he was "not paying attention", and at any moment there would be an order for him to go north to join Anson's army.

Before that, Edward must hold on enough capital and an army that can guarantee his right to speak, otherwise there will be no difference from the last expedition to Bright Star City, and the best result will only be another battle of Fort Clarrum, in which case he will definitely have nothing to gain if he has pressed all his capital, he is in debt, and there is no second way to choose except to completely throw himself into the Minest family.

Even to avoid that outcome, Edward had no choice. The Red Horse Clan must be wiped out, and then gradually take control of the entire Green River Valley, allowing his capital to expand - he wants to convince the Marquis of Holard that his investment is not at a loss, and that he can restore the slave trade in the Green Valley for him, and that it will be better than it used to be, even comparable to the Vast Land City.

This is one of the main reasons why the Minest family is so generous, Edward took food from them from the grain trade in the south, even if he didn't mind, the loss was a loss after all, and he needed to find a place to make up for it.

"I heard you're looking for me?"

Just as Edward was calming down and meditating, Shirrell's slightly cold voice came from outside, and he walked into the tent with steady steps: "Is there something wrong?"

"Isn't there anything I can't do to find my mercenary captain?" Edward asked, half-jokingly, "I thought you wouldn't want to come." ”

"Why?"

“...... It's nothing. Edward quickly waved his hand and changed the subject: "I heard you're injured, it's okay, right?"

"Just a minor injury. Shrell shook his head, pointed to the bandage on his shoulder, and said, "At least it doesn't affect my sword swing - but why ask, isn't the enemy already routed?"

"That's right, but in that deep mountain forest...... In the Akama Gorge, the enemy is still gathering forces and will attack at any moment - we can never be sure if we have really routed the enemy until we destroy them all. Speaking of this, Edward couldn't help but sigh, and looked at the somewhat haggard Shirrell with a bit of sentimentality: "I should have come earlier...... You shouldn't have been asked to bear so much. ”

"Nothing!" Seeing those dark eyes, Shirrell only felt a stiffness behind his back, and quickly turned his head to the side: "I'm a mercenary, and I'm here to go to the battlefield - as long as, as long as you're willing to give money." ”

"Now I do have an enemy, who is almost twice as strong as us, and they are ready to attack, and I am not even sure of victory—will they fight for me?"

“...... How do you say it as if I refused?"

"No, I'm trying to figure out a way to get you to jump in on your own. The corners of Edward's mouth raised: "The pay is good, are you willing?"

"Of course!" (To be continued.) )