Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Chapter 165: A Review of the Gains

6 month 28 day.

The city of Troski witnessed an unprecedented grand occasion.

It was summer, and it was unusually dry. The sun was shining brightly, and under the azure sky, the newly planted griffin flag on the city wall fluttered in the wind.

The road from Troski town to Castle Square was packed with cheering crowds, dressed in their finest linen clothes for the festival, their faces beaming with pride and joy.

Peter rode his tall warhorse at the very front of the procession.

His red griffin cloak fluttered behind him, making his tall figure and handsome face even more dazzling, like a hero who stepped out of a knight's legend.

Behind him stood the standard-bearer, Blackbatos, who held aloft the flag that symbolized victory.

"Look! Lord Peter is back!"

A little boy, pushing his way to the front of the crowd, pointed excitedly and exclaimed, "He's even more handsome than Saint George in the painting!"

"Yes, I heard he knocked out that Count Black Bear with a single punch!"

A peasant woman standing nearby chimed in, her eyes gleaming with almost worshipful light, "And he's so good to us commoners! My son's in the militia, and not only did he come back alive, he'll also get a reward, which means we can give him a proper wedding!"

"May God bless this benevolent and powerful lord with good health and a long life!"

An elderly man with white hair murmured a prayer.

"The goods brought back from Turnov were transported in three trips using dozens of horse-drawn carriages over the past two days."

A businessman from out of town, who was doing business here, said with admiration, "How much wealth must she have? Mrs. Peter is so rich; my goods should fetch a good price too."

"Those rows of soldiers following behind Lord Peter are so handsome. How come I never noticed them before?"

Among the crowd, many young women blushed, whispered among themselves, and followed Peter and the soldiers behind him with their eyes.

"How wonderful it would be to marry Lord Peter!"

"Stop dreaming, those soldiers are more suitable for us..."

'

The slender girls whispered among themselves, which elicited good-natured laughter and even more admiring glances.

If the Battle of Ichin was a surprise attack and the Battle of Roven was a counterattack, then the Battle of Turnov was a decisive victory in both offense and defense, with spoils far exceeding those of the previous two battles. The army received the most enthusiastic welcome upon its triumphant return to Trostsky.

Moreover, unlike other lords who hoarded their wealth and spoils for their own extravagant spending, Peter would distribute a portion of the spoils to his soldiers as rewards and invest the money in the management and development of his territory.

Although Mayor Martin no longer goes to the battlefield, he is extremely sensitive to the daily expenses of various departments. These three battles have brought a large amount of wealth to the territory, which has greatly alleviated his anxiety and given him greater confidence in further improving the territory's development.

The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Urban, and the Minister of Warehousing and Logistics, Clement, who had been rivals in the Chamber of Commerce for half their lives, have now become cooperative colleagues.

They have witnessed firsthand the transformation of the Troskii Territory from chaos to its current vibrant state.

The two of them also went from being caravan managers to town government officials, achieving upward social mobility.

All of this was brought about by Lord Peter.

The old team of Minister of Personnel Appointment and Removal, Semi, and Minister of Road and Bridge Engineering, Nebakov, shook their heads helplessly, yet were also incredibly relieved. They had some grievances about being defeated and stripped of their territories by Peter, but now, seeing Lord Peter so quickly resolve the siege of the three lords and return victorious, all their previous resentment had vanished.

Although Minister of Irrigation Tom, Minister of Social Welfare Romeo, and Minister of Medical Treatment Emmerich did not go to war with the troops, they all did logistical work for the victory and are now proud of it.

Minister of Culture and Publicity, Little Sammy, is discussing with the bards the staging of a play called "The Adventures of Lord Peter," which will be performed throughout the territory to promote Lord Peter's heroic deeds.

In short, Lord Peter's invincibility brought them a great sense of security and laid a solid foundation for the prosperity and development of the territory.

Back at the castle, Peter reviewed the results of the three battles:

从伊钦城堡获得银币52000枚，兵器铠甲160套、粮食物资24大车、战马6匹、驮马12匹。

They looted 24000 silver coins, 180 sets of weapons and armor, 12 cartloads of food supplies, 4 warhorses, and 18 packhorses from Luowen Town.

Obtain 80000 silver coins, 300 gold coins, 300 sets of weapons and armor, 80 cartloads of food supplies, and 31 warhorses from Turnov Castle.

60 packhorses.

Countless other supplies, including wine, linen, and spices, were also provided.

It could be said that they emptied out the accumulated wealth of three territories over several years. That's how war is—the winner takes all! Those who dare to start a war must be prepared to be killed in return.

"Has the list of war merits been checked?"

"Verification complete."

"Very good. Pass down the order: an awards ceremony will be held tomorrow in the central square of Troski. I will personally present the awards to those who have made contributions. A celebratory banquet will also be held."

"Yes."

As Peter issued his order, the message spread like wildfire throughout the territory: Nebakov, Lion Camp, Draviko village,

Zhelyov, Takhov, Apolonia, Semi, Nebakov, and Shdir—people from all directions flock here as if on a pilgrimage.

The packhorses that died in the battle were butchered and their meat was cut up, and the spoils of war, such as cheese, dried meat, flour, and honey, were carried out in buckets.

Large quantities of wine, spirits, mead, and beer were piled up in the central square; a large number of cooks gathered again, setting up a centralized kitchen in the square.

In front of the high platform erected in the center of the square, armor, weapons, and several boxes of open coins seized from Turnov Castle were displayed, gleaming alluringly in the sunlight, silently proclaiming the glory and benefits of this victory.

Many traveling merchants from other places also came to join in the fun, and set up stalls to sell the special products they brought from other places. Now, the low tax rate in Troski makes them flock to it.

Some acrobatic troupes and prostitutes also came over, playing drums and music, singing and dancing. The whole town of Troski was immersed in a carnival-like festive atmosphere.

February 6, noon.

The awards ceremony officially began.

As Peter ascended the village platform, surrounded by his Uncle George and a group of core members, thousands of eyes from across the territory focused on him, filled with anticipation.

Peter raised his hand and pressed down, and the drumming and music on site stopped abruptly.

"Citizens of Trotsky! My warriors! Once again we have defended our homeland and punished the unjust invaders! This is not just my victory; it is the glory of each and every one of us!"

It was the forest of spears of the pikemen that halted the enemy's iron hooves; it was the precise arrows of the archers that weakened the enemy's advance; it was the swift charge of the cavalry that secured the victory; it was every person praying and working in the rear that supported the battlefield at the front!

"Your performance fully embodies the spirit of the griffin: strength, courage, and protection. As your lord, I, Peter Griffin, will reward you for your service."

After Peter finished speaking, the cheers from the audience rose in waves like a tsunami.

The messenger shouted, "Griffin Guard, come up!"

Eighty armored guards, ten men per row, marched with resounding steps, like a moving steel wall, ascending the stage one after another. The clattering of their armor produced a crisp "clanging" sound, like a victory symphony.

Peter stood before them, his gaze sweeping over each resolute face.

He took the money pouch from the attendant and personally placed the thirty heavy Groshin coins onto the calloused and scarred palms of each soldier. The silver coins gleamed with a captivating luster.

"The silver coins shine with a pure white light, just like your pure and protective hearts!"

With each bag of coins Peter distributed, he would offer a word of advice. Peter had said this before, but every soldier longed to hear it again and again!

"May the griffin be blessed, unafraid of the powerful and refusing to bully the weak."

The Lion Guard members who received the coins pounded their chests with one hand and sang loudly.

As the last griffin guard received his bounty, Peter drew his longsword with a clang. A slight commotion arose from the crowd below: "It's happened! Lord Peter's divine blessing!"

"I have a friend who isn't as strong as me. But after being blessed by Lord Peter, he can now beat me with one hand!"

"I really want to be selected for the Griffin Guard and receive their blessings!"

The crowd below buzzed with discussion. On the stage, Peter held his sword level and, with the cold blade, lightly swept it across the head, left shoulder, and right shoulder of each guard in turn. He was also giving them a little extra attention.

May God give you strength to uphold your beliefs; may God give you courage to face all challenges; may God give you wisdom to distinguish between loyalty and treachery, good and evil.

The three-part blessing sent warm currents coursing through their bodies, causing everyone to tremble with a sense of comfort. The strange warmth dispelled the gloom in their hearts, and the fatigue from days of battle seemed to vanish, restoring their bodies to their peak condition.

The Lion Guard members closed their eyes, immersed in the thrill of increased strength, faster reflexes, and greater power.

"This is the glory and power you have earned through your loyalty! Use this power to protect your loved ones and to create a future that belongs to us!"

Peter's voice was loud and clear, winning everyone's respect.

"Victory belongs to Peter! Glory to Griffin!"

Eighty throats roared deafeningly, their voices filled with fanatical loyalty and surging power. As they descended the platform, their steps were more resolute, their eyes clearer.

"My God, I'm so envious of them!"

"When will I receive such blessings from them!"

The crowd below the stage buzzed with discussion, some delighted, some excited, some envious, and some honored to have witnessed this miraculous scene.

"The remaining Griffin Guard members who participated in the battle are temporarily unable to return for the victory celebration due to their stationing duties. I will make it up to them during the parade. Now, please invite the militia to the stage."

At Peter's command, the more than three hundred militiamen from the entire territory, in rows of ten, proudly ascended the high platform.