Arthur walked up to the piled-up treasures and drew his longsword.
The soldiers' gazes instantly focused on him, and the scene quieted down.
Arthur's voice pierced everyone's ears: 'My brothers!'
'I promised! Fight for me! The fruits of war! Everyone gets a share!'
He pointed his sword tip at the treasures.
'Whether it's the soldiers charging into battle! Or the soldiers responsible for logistics and transport! Everyone! Will have their own share, more or less!'
'Olivier!'
'Distribute according to the roster!'
Olivier bowed: 'Yes, Lord Arthur.'
'But my Lord...'
Arthur's gaze swept over him: 'Execute the order!'
Olivier closed his mouth and silently took out the roster.
The distribution began. Lucien and the officers maintained order, and the soldiers lined up, stepping forward one by one to receive their share.
The air seemed to be filled with the palpable, maddening scent unique to money.
A peasant soldier responsible for provisions, with trembling hands, received a money bag.
He opened it and saw it was full of copper coins, and even a few silver deer. He hugged the money bag tightly to his chest, tears streaming down his face. This money was enough for his family to live securely for a year, or even longer.
A soldier who had been injured during the siege, in addition to coins, also received a fine fur robe used by a noble lady for warmth. This robe alone was worth several silver deer.
He caressed the soft fur robe as if caressing a lover's skin. This was something his family could not have even dreamed of in the past. He would give it to his wife.
'Long live Lord Arthur!'
Someone shouted first, and then, a mountain-like roar of cheers erupted.
'Long live Lord Arthur!'
The soldiers raised their money bags and weapons, roaring with all their might.
Their faces were filled with the purest ecstasy.
At this moment, Arthur was not a lord, but a god who could bring them wealth and a future. No one would dislike someone who could make them rich.
They were willing to go through fire and water for him, to shed their last drop of blood.
Arthur stood on high, calmly watching all of this.
What he wanted was this fanaticism.
What he wanted was this most primitive and reliable loyalty, bound by self-interest, in the age of cold weapons.
More than a dozen noble families from the castles were gathered and escorted to Willow Wood City.
Arthur looked at the pale noblewomen and their children. After much thought, he said to the escorting soldiers: 'Protect them well! Send them to Willow Wood City to reunite with their husbands!'
'If anyone is harmed! You will all die together!'
The soldiers loudly acknowledged the order. Arthur looked at these family members. They were all golden dragons; these people might even be ransomed again.
Then, he turned to the commoners huddled in the corner, trembling. Their property had been confiscated.
Just like with the previous small castles, his voice softened: 'Your lord caused this war, but I will not harm you.'
He pointed into the distance.
'Those who wish to follow me can go to my territory. There will be land for you to farm and houses for you to live in.'
He then pointed in another direction.
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