In despair, the remaining Kaedweni cavalry also surrendered and dismounted in disgrace.
They threw their weapons on the ground, standing with the infantry, surrendering dejectedly.
Under expressions of admiration and disbelief, Karl carried Henselt like a dead dog across the gradually quieting battlefield.
He casually threw Henselt onto the open ground in front of Foltest like a piece of trash.
"Ugh..." Henselt let out a painful moan, curling up on the ground, not even mustering the courage to stand up.
Beside Foltest, in addition to his personal guard, stood a middle-aged man, also dressed in exquisitely crafted plate armor and wearing a crown.
However, his crown, both in size and elegance, was far inferior to Foltest's; this was Duke Seward of Ellander.
Karl's gaze casually swept over the crowd, noticing two figures desperately shrinking back in the throng.
They were Bakari of Carriras and the Lord of Dornedale.
These two were now ashen-faced, not daring to look at Karl, wishing they could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Karl ignored them, turned to Foltest, placed his right hand over his chest, and prepared to bow according to etiquette.
Just before he could do anything, a flicker of imperceptible fear passed through Foltest's eyes.
The power Karl had displayed today far exceeded martial prowess, reaching an inhuman extreme.
Such terrifying force was enough to decide the outcome of a battle.
As a king, he couldn't help but feel a strong sense of unease and crisis in his heart.
He began to wonder: could he still fully control this powerful lord?
But then he was calmed by another thought: Karl didn't seem to be a sorcerer relying on spells.
Karl wasn't backed by the Brotherhood of Sorcerers, but was a pure warrior with extreme martial arts.
Furthermore, he was a noble of Temeria, and their interests were to some extent intertwined.
This somewhat calmed Foltest.
However, he still needed to confirm whether Karl was a sorcerer or not.
"Forgive me! Karl, you have done excellently! Even exceeding my expectations!"
"Not only did you save the battle, but you also captured the enemy monarch! You have proven your loyalty, courage, and honor to Temeria!"
Foltest spoke before Karl could salute, his voice loud and openly grateful.
As he spoke, he stepped forward with a soft, kind smile on his face.
He seemed to want to pat Karl on the shoulder with his hand, as he did with his closest courtiers, to show his closeness and importance to the hero.
However, the guards beside him immediately became nervous.
They almost instinctively stepped forward and stopped between Foltest and Karl.
They looked intently at Karl and repeatedly said: "Your Majesty! No, you mustn't!"
These loyal guards were also frightened by the inhuman strength Karl had just displayed, fearing the lord might harm the king.
Foltest understood the guards' concerns and waved his hand, signaling them to step back.
His tone was indifferent but carried undeniable authority: "It's alright. If Karl wanted to harm me, you alone couldn't stop him."
His gaze swept over Karl, as if declaring to everyone: "I am the ruler of the country, and I am only suspicious because of the bravery shown by my courtiers."
"How could I rule the entire country and make all parties submit?"
Hearing this from the king, the guards behind him were still worried.
But they could only lower their blocking hands and retreat behind him, though their gazes remained fixed on Karl.
Foltest again approached Karl, close enough that his armor, mixed with dimetrium, would noticeably affect a sorcerer.
He made a gesture of intimacy, carefully observing any minor changes on Karl's face.
Karl's face was calm as usual; he even removed his helmet to show his face.
He bowed slightly and said in a quiet but powerful voice: "Your Majesty, you flatter me."
"To protect the land and its people is the duty and obligation of every citizen of Temeria and every knight who has been enfeoffed."
"Fulfilling one's duty should not be for reward."
He spoke beautiful words, in keeping with the spirit of chivalry, but his mind was racing.
The strength he had displayed was enough to arouse the suspicion of any monarch, and now he had made the achievement of capturing an enemy king.
If he again took the initiative to ask for a reward, he was afraid it would be counterproductive, and Foltest would feel he was arrogant and ambitious.
Therefore, he decided to step back and bounce the ball back to the opponent, letting him take the initiative to reward him.
When Foltest heard Karl's words of "understanding great righteousness," he couldn't help but be startled.
He thought, "Am I really worrying too much? Is Karl truly a paragon of loyalty and chivalry?"
At the same time, he carefully watched Karl's expression and physical reactions.
At such close range, the influence of the dimetrium on his body should already be very strong.
But Karl's face was rosy, his breathing steady, and his eyes clear.
Unlike Triss, Fercart, and the others when they approached, there was no obvious dizziness, weakness, discomfort, or even magical stagnation.
At that moment, the last stone in Foltest's heart finally landed.
He was convinced that Karl was not a sorcerer, but possessed unprecedented abilities that were purely physical.
The great doubts dissipated, replaced by indescribable joy and relief.
Having such a loyal and powerful subordinate was undoubtedly a great blessing for Temeria.
"Good! Well said! Loyalty should not be for reward, but merit must be rewarded!" Foltest laughed heartily, the laughter filled with genuine joy.
"You have made such a contribution, and if I expressed nothing, wouldn't that chill the hearts of loyal ministers?"
His gaze passed Karl and fell on the group of Blood Angels standing silently behind him like a red reef, a hint of gratitude in his eyes.
"These brave and fearless knights in dark red plate armor, are they all under your command?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. They are the guards of my Terra, called the 'Holy Blood Angels'." Karl nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
"Holy Blood Angels... a good name, a good bearing!" Foltest exclaimed, lowering his head in thought for a moment, as if weighing something.
Everyone watched him, awaiting the reward he would bestow.
After a few seconds, Foltest raised his head; the smile on his face had faded, and his expression became serious and grave.
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