"Let Wolfhoof take people to drag those fellows out, bringing along some of the surrendered soldiers familiar with the area."

Durant commanded, "We cannot let them roam around nearby."

The soldiers who managed to escape are seasoned veterans, and their presence nearby could severely disrupt the peace of villages and towns.

This would cause significant trouble for the future management of the Advisory Council.

Four to five hundred veterans gathering together could easily take down even a small town.

Now that the army is here, during the downtime, dealing with them is not a difficult task.

"Yes, my lord."

Chris respectfully replied, continuing, "The scouts from the rear reported that Lord Durant’s forces will take another week to arrive."

Durant nodded slightly, "Alright, we’ll rest here for a week."

Even though this battle was far easier than regular siege warfare, it involved fighting desperately at the edge of the blade; thus, the army still requires a short-term rest and reorganization.

Moon Wolf City also needs to quell riots and stabilize public sentiment, restoring normalcy across the lands.

"Should I arrange someone to inventory supplies and establish a supply line?"

Chris inquired, "The breach in the city wall also needs repairing."

These tasks were previously Durant’s responsibility, but with a week left, Chris proactively offered to undertake them.

"Yes, replenish the army with what’s lacking directly, and remember to issue tax rebate certificates to merchants."

Durant nodded faintly, permitting, casually reminding, "Hand the specific tasks over to those surrendered soldiers, especially the grain requisition."

"Tell them that those who perform well can join the Vanguard Corps."

"What about the rest?" Chris asked.

Durant pondered for a moment, looking at Chris, "It’s time to replace some people in the slave camp."

"No problem." Chris responded.

Armies always have accompanying slaves, this wasn’t something Durant uniquely established.

These slaves specifically handle dirty and exhausting work, clearing battlefields, digging trenches, transporting corpses, etc.

Slaves who perform well are assigned to chores like managing armor and warhorses.

"Also, pay attention to military discipline, restrain the soldiers’ behavior, and prohibit harming civilians."

Durant’s expression gradually turned stern, ordering, "But if someone deliberately attacks and provokes, hang them directly in the square to deter others."

"Remember, the army’s dignity is not to be infringed upon." Durant reminded once more.

"Rest assured, sir,"

Chris solemnly replied, "No one dares to offend our army!"

After speaking, Chris bowed slightly, turned, and withdrew.

With the involvement of locals, grain requisition went very smoothly.

By the time Durant arrived with his forces, Moon Wolf City’s granary had already stored two million Jin of grain.

Eight hundred warhorses, two thousand pack horses, all requisitioned into the army.

Regarding the herbalists and craftsmen, Durant only drew a part of the elite back to the Northern Territory to assist the wizard apprentices in their work.

After all, this is also Durant’s territory, and fertile land should not be left fallow.

Durant had already arranged the affairs and officials in the rear.

In fact, every official had seeds of nature within them, and Durant’s main job was selecting talented personnel to take over the work.

After Durant personally commanded the Breath of the Giant Dragon, it eased much of Durant’s workload.

Subsequently, thirty thousand soldiers set out from Moon Wolf City, advancing southward in four directions, sweeping through the entire eastern province.

Meanwhile, the Church seemed to disappear without any trace.

Ordinary noble armies were completely unable to resist, and when the news of four dragons spread, nobles surrendered one after another.

Land is valuable, but not as much as one’s life.

Desperately resisting leads to a dead end; obediently surrendering preserves the honorary title of nobility and one-tenth of family assets.

If performing well, one could even become a managing officer in the Advisory Council.

Of course, there were ancient families clinging to old glories.

Sadly, they were left with glory, unable to maintain the legacy of their glory.

And before the Dragon’s Breath, there was no distinction between honorary nobles and ordinary nobles.

By the time the army reached Giant Stone City, Durant’s forces numbered eighty thousand.

Yet Durant also knew, even without considering the armor produced by his Frost Leaf Town, true elite forces were less than thirty thousand.

However, with Durant’s commander series traits, those ordinary soldiers were not a ragtag group.

...

...

Giant Stone City, Lord Manor.

"Where is Salido?"

Prince Jin Chui’s roar echoed in the chamber.

Like thunder, even the servants standing outside the door heard it clearly, bowing their heads in fear.

"Where have his people gone?"

"Why did Durant’s troops arrive here so quickly?"

"What’s going on here?!"

Prince Jin Chui’s face twisted, eyes bloodshot.

Anger completely devoured his sanity and calmness, now resembling a beast cornered to the brink.

Count Blue Lake stood nearby, bowing his head, not daring to meet the prince’s gaze,

"Bishop Salido is missing, Your Majesty."

"There’s not a soul left in Golden Glow Manor now."

Count Blue Lake’s voice quivered slightly, "The people from the Church have all disappeared..."

"Liars! All a bunch of liars!"

Prince Jin Chui slammed his fist onto the table, throwing the items off in a frenzy.

After venting, Prince Jin Chui regained his composure and sighed deeply.

He anticipated failure but didn’t expect it to come so swiftly.

Everything seemed like a dream.

He didn’t even know what went wrong.

Prince Jin Chui slowly turned his head, looking at Count Blue Lake,

"You may leave now, Count Lanli."

Prince Jin Chui’s hands rested on the table, his tone became unusually calm.

"Go surrender to the Duke of Flowers; maybe you can keep your title and land."

"No, Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, Count Blue Lake immediately kneeled down,

"I will always be loyal to you!"

"No matter what happens, I will never betray you!"

Count Blue Lake shouted loudly, his tone exceptionally sincere.

"Get out!"

Prince Jin Chui grabbed the remaining inkwell on the table, smashing it heavily on the count’s shoulder, ink splashing onto Count Blue Lake’s face.

Count Blue Lake blinked but stubbornly knelt on the ground.

"Clang!"

Prince Jin Chui turned and drew the sword hanging on the wall, pointing it directly at Count Blue Lake,

"I said get out!"

The tip of the sword was only inches away from the count’s throat.

"Your Majesty..."

Count Blue Lake gazed at the gleaming blade, slowly standing up, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

Count Blue Lake deeply bowed, bending to nearly ninety degrees.

Then Count Blue Lake turned, gritting his teeth, and left the assembly hall with heavy footsteps.

The sound of the door closing echoed as Prince Jin Chui withdrew his gaze.

He looked at the cold light reflecting on the sword blade, slowly placing the blade against his neck.

The sharp blade pressed against the skin, emitting a bone-chilling cold.

Just a slight cut, and it would all be over.

"If you die just like that, it would be a waste of the emperor’s bloodline favored by this world."

At that moment, a flippant hoarse female voice suddenly echoed from a corner.

Prince Jin Chui turned abruptly, pointing his sword towards the voice’s source.

"Who?"

"Get out here!"

From the shadows of the corner, a figure gradually emerged.

A tall woman, yet strikingly ugly.

The woman wore a repulsive smile, her voice sounded again,

"If you don’t want your life, give it to me."