Thirty-one, curtain falls

  Thirty-one, curtain falls

  Thank you for your support, here is the third update, please continue to support Lao Lao Wang.

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  "Tsk, tsk, you and Vinnie are really lucky, to have captured that big demon head Idriel!" Charlotte's tone was full of envy. He looked pitiful now, his body wrapped in bandages like a mummy, blood still seeping through the gauze, and his originally handsome face swollen like a pig's head. "This is our country's first capture of an elven general since the war began! The newspapers are all abuzz with excitement, even the cabinet, parliament, and senate back home have sent congratulatory messages via long-distance communication. You're going to be a hero with a bright future ahead of you, so let's celebrate, fresh from the oven, the new war hero!"

  "You're the one who's going to be inviting me, future General! " Phil retorted back, his appearance not much better than Charlotte's, with his long black hair burnt to a crisp and shaved off. The numerous scars on his body had merged into patches, and his blue eyes were red and swollen from smoke inhalation. "When the Governor becomes the Commander-in-Chief of the war zone, you'll be the next commander of the New Continent Army Corps! I'm looking forward to drinking your promotion wine then! Don't be stingy about it!"

  The even more unfortunate Major Rickert Torreini was shot down and then trampled by his own horse, with at least a quarter of the bones in his body shattered. He has not yet awakened from his coma, but judging from the smile on the corner of his mouth, this major who has already walked twice to the gates of hell seems to have had a good dream.

  Ludwig, the Speaker of the House, lost two teeth while fleeing and had to answer reporters' questions with a leaky mouth. Ferri has already received an order for a custom-made, enchanted, reinforced denture for him. Governor Nohm was shot in the left hand and is still wearing bandages, his face also covered in bruises. Due to their serious distrust of the military chaplain's professional level, these people only accepted basic hemostasis and disinfection, further treatment will have to wait until they find a more qualified priest.

  The great Druid seems to be the one who is doing the best at this moment, with all his fur shining brightly, lounging in his large carriage all day, eating and drinking the pastries and candies sent by the comfort team. Around him was a circle of comfort team girls with sparkling eyes, Little Griselda was talking spiritedly to her companions about "My story with Great Druid Vini", from time to time there were sounds of amazement or laughter coming from that carriage.

  The battle that was filled with chaos and unexpectedness from start to finish has ended five days ago. Among the 16,000 participants, a quarter fell in the blood, an eighth became missing persons, and nearly half regrouped at the field hospital. The total outcome is the elimination of about 700 elves, the recovery of some materials, and the accidental capture of Idriel? Liaton, the highest commander of the Mana continent's elven army. Such a loss ratio would be enough to send the commander to a military tribunal if it were in the regular imperial army. However, for this group of hastily assembled recruits led by half-baked officers... let's analyze specific problems specifically.

  After the camp became a sea of flames, Colonel Gilbert bravely led the remaining elf soldiers out of the camp gate and engaged in a bloody battle with humans who had been waiting outside. The desperate elves unleashed a more terrifying fighting power than usual, and Charlotte's several thousand people were surprisingly broken through by the elves from the center after a fierce battle. Major Torini, who led the cavalry to pursue along the way, did not gain much advantage either. In the end, Gilbert still managed to escape across the river with a small number of remaining soldiers, causing huge casualties to humans, and even the two commanders were seriously injured.

  Anyway, the war is temporarily over for now. The autumn season suitable for combat is about to end, and the freezing northern winter is approaching. With the logistical support level of this era, no rational officer would drive soldiers to fight in the icy snow, otherwise, there might be more deaths from freezing than from battles, and it's very likely that mutinies and bombings will occur before the troops are even deployed.

  Due to the cold weather and food shortages, the Giant Bear Army did not have time to rest and immediately set off on their return journey south after the battle. Of the three thousand people who set out more than three months ago, less than a thousand were able to return home alive. However, during the war, the army recruited a large number of local civilians and frontline deserters through local recruitment and appointment, with a total number that did not decrease but increased to four thousand. Relying on support from the rear and battlefield spoils, the army's equipment also improved significantly, at least looking more like an army than a "armed circus" (the ridicule of southern newspapers when they set out).

  Behind the legion, there was a large number of refugees led by Chairman Ludwig, and the long stream of people stretched out for tens of miles on the highway. Those who had nothing could not survive this winter in the ruined city of Glory, so Governor Norm had to allow them to go south to find food. Chairman Ludwig, who had become a mere figurehead, naturally also joined the southern-bound crowd under the pretext of attending the Continental Congress, and along the way, he boasted to the reporters from various newspapers who came to hear the news, and it was estimated that there would soon be some reports such as "The Bloody Night of Glory City", "The Hero Who Never Gives Up on the People", and "The Chairman Who Fought to the Last Moment".

  But to the soldiers of the regiment, who were mostly wounded, the comfort teams from all over the country were the most lovely and practical. These soldiers, who had almost starved to death in the southern states, suddenly became the darlings of various religious groups, charities, and political parties across the continent. All sorts of comfort teams and labor teams emerged from nowhere, bringing large quantities of sweets, pastries, fruits, liquor, and the most popular medicinal liquor, some even with song and dance performances. These comfort teams effectively boosted the morale of the entire regiment, dispelling their depression after the hard battle. Several senior officers each received at least a dozen invitations to join various political parties, as well as several times more honorary citizenship titles. As for the love letters from ignorant girls in various states, they had reached the point where they had to be counted by the bundle.

  As for the greatest spoils of war, General Idril? Lirien, his life is now worse than death. As a super-large demon head who slaughtered nearly 100,000 people in the Northern State and New Enoa State, he naturally bore the resentment of all new Nazarites, and it was impossible for him to enjoy the "officer treatment" he insisted on. From the first day he was captured, this old man with a broken leg was thrown into a large iron cage after being hastily bandaged, and all his belongings, including his underwear, were confiscated, and only a piece of rag was given to cover his body. The reason was to prevent him from hiding anything that could be used to escape. What's even more tragic is that under Phil's guidance, the guards would use sticks to wake him up every half hour to ensure he couldn't recover his magic through meditation (the method Americans once used on Qian Xuesen).

  Charlotte, who was very good at doing business, almost squeezed the economic value of Idriel to the limit. Not only did she plan to send the lieutenant's military uniform, sword and other personal items back home, but also organized a "Memorial Auction for the Personal Items of the Elf Butcher". On the way, she fully utilized this old elf by setting up a traveling exhibition. Anyone who wanted to see Idriel in the cage had to pay two copper coins. If they were willing to pay one silver coin, they could rent toy guns from the guards and shoot soft wooden bullets at the poor lieutenant, enjoying the thrill of "killing the big devil". To make the business of playing "kill the devil" sustainable, Charlotte even put up a sign in front of the iron cage that read: "Please view civilizedly, do not throw miscellaneous items, violators will be fined two silver coins".

  Ferli was originally worried that this level of humiliation would drive Shao to suicide, but after hearing that Charlotte was discussing the transfer fees of other elf prisoners with gay bar owners from all over, he felt that Shao's current treatment was good enough, at least not having to worry about his butt being ravaged.

  However, Idriel was a captive caught by himself and the Great Druid! How can Charlotte swallow all the income?! This despicable behavior aroused Fili's great indignation, who also loves gold coins, so in these days, as long as there is an opportunity, she will quarrel with Charlotte, wanting to grab back her share from his hands. Unfortunately, the Great Druid was busy playing games with the little girl all day, and Fili was unable to achieve her wish alone, but she never gave up.

  Clang, clang! A spoon suddenly appeared and hit the heads of two men who were arguing. A tall red-haired woman glared at them with a hint of anger, "You two be quiet, you're disturbing others' rest!"

  Charlotte and Ferri immediately fell silent like a mouse seeing a cat, looking around the carriage and finding that there were indeed many wounded men staring at them with unfriendly eyes. The two of them shrank their necks and tightly closed their mouths. After a while, Charlotte finally reacted, exclaiming in surprise, "Renee cousin, how did you come here?"

  "I didn't want to come in the first place! It's all because of that letter of yours, saying something about an urgent need for a skilled pastor who can do therapy and beauty treatments." The red-haired woman put her hands on her hips and began scolding Charlotte loudly, "To please you lazy bunch, the old men at the church had me ride a horse day and night to come over here and do beauty treatments for you, and this brother of yours doesn't even have a word of comfort!"

  "Charlotte's mouth was agape, as if she could fit a duck egg in it. 'I... I'm really sorry, I didn't think the church would send you of all people... You must be tired, and I'll definitely give you a reward when you get back.'"

  The red-haired woman saw that he was still somewhat decent, and her anger finally subsided a bit. She turned around and touched Phil's forehead, looking at his bald head and the scars all over his face, and couldn't help but sigh. The gentle gaze made Phil's face feel a little hot.

  The beautiful red-haired female pastor grasped the red gun-shaped holy emblem tightly and recited a few awkward prayers. A bright white light suddenly flashed in the swaying carriage, and a gentle warm current massaged Fili's entire body, bringing an indescribable comfort with a slight numbness. Those large and small wounds and scars disappeared instantly, and the large areas of charred skin on her hands and legs also healed rapidly. The pain and anxiety of the past few days were all swept away, as cozy and comfortable as sleeping in a cloud.

  When Phil finally came to from the comfortable feeling, a small mirror had been considerately placed in front of him. The face in the mirror was basically back to its original appearance, with all scars and swelling gone without a trace. Only his burnt hair couldn't grow back for the time being. Just as he wanted to say a few words of gratitude, he found that the red-haired female pastor had already started treating someone else, so he swallowed the unspoken words back into his belly.

  The carriage continued to jolt along as it headed south, and slowly, Phil's eyelids began to droop once more. He lowered his head, gradually drifting off into a dreamland until he was startled awake again by the thunderous cheers surrounding him.

  Amoy Harbour has arrived.

  (End of Volume 1)