They, along with some high-ranking cavalrymen, were carefully guarded as valuable "trophies" and bargaining chips.
It was customary for their families or country to pay a large ransom in exchange for their freedom.
This would be an extremely significant income, enough to cover the expenses of this war, and even yield a large surplus.
On the Temerian side, the lords' levies, temporarily recruited and not direct subjects of the king, and the mercenaries who worked for money,
after receiving their promised share of the reward or loot, were also dismissed one by one, each returning to their own territory or seeking the next employer.
In the end, only those who followed Foltest back to the Vizima command remained.
Counting his initial direct royal troops and Karl's Holy Blood Angels, the total number was just over two thousand.
...
After returning to Vizima, Foltest did not delay.
He simply took a quick bath, removed the dust, and changed into the most luxurious and solemn royal ceremonial attire.
It was decided to hold a grand and solemn ceremony in Karl's honor on the largest open square in Vizima.
He wanted everyone to witness the birth of the new Grand Duke, as well as the grace and majesty of the royal family.
On that day, Vizima was nearly empty—thousands of people, and the huge square was packed.
From commoners and merchants to lower-ranking nobles, everyone wanted to see the legendary "Golden Angel," the new Grand Duke of Terra.
At the innermost edge of the square were the nobles of Temeria, well-dressed, with expressions of curiosity, envy, or jealousy.
A herald in formal attire walked to the front of the high platform, mustered all his strength, and loudly read the proclamation to the entire square.
"The title of Grand Duke is conferred upon Karl El, and his fiefdom 'Terra' is officially elevated to a duchy, enjoying the same status and rights as Ellander!"
Foltest, wearing a royal robe inlaid with countless precious gems and a crown of bright lilies,
holding a golden scepter symbolizing supreme authority, sat on a luxurious throne on the high platform in the center of the square.
He was surrounded by high-ranking nobles, such as members of the royal family.
And at the other end of the long red-carpeted aisle, Karl appeared.
Instead of his golden armor, he had changed into a dark outfit made of the finest velvet and silk, befitting the status of a Grand Duke.
Under the gaze of countless eyes, he walked confidently down the aisle, step by step towards the king on the high platform.
Approaching the throne, Karl knelt on one knee, folded his hands, and placed them in Foltest's outstretched palms.
He raised his head, looked directly at the king, and recited the oath of allegiance in a firm voice.
"I, Karl El, solemnly promise to be forever loyal to you."
"I will use my sword and blood to protect your rights and glory from all your enemies, wherever they may come from!"
With a satisfied smile on his face, he leaned slightly and helped Karl to his feet with his own hands.
Then, attendants on the side stepped forward one by one with velvet-covered trays.
From the first tray, Foltest took a ducal ring inlaid with sapphires, engraved with lilies and the S-wing golden crest, and solemnly placed it on Karl's finger.
Then he handed Karl a slightly smaller scepter, reflecting the authority of the Grand Duke, as well as a charter confirming the status and rights of the duchy.
Finally, a strong soldier decisively unfurled a huge flag.
The flag's background was a deep dark red, like clotted blood, and in the center was a bright golden winged S-wing crest.
This flag would henceforth symbolize the Duchy of Terra and fly over the northern lands.
"In the name of Temeria, I recognize you, Karl El, as the Grand Duke of Terra!"
"May your wisdom and courage protect your people and shine on the kingdom's border!" Foltest announced loudly.
"Wow——!!"
The next moment, thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the square.
Especially from those who admired Karl's reputation, the applause was even more deafening.
The nobles watching the ceremony, regardless of their true thoughts, were all smiling, applauding, and congratulating at that moment.
Among them, of course, was Duke Seward, whose face was still ugly, his applause a bit strained, and he was extremely reluctant.
...
After the solemn ceremony came days of almost non-stop court banquets and celebrations.
The palace and noble estates of Vizima sang every night, and goblets were intertwined.
Everyone revolved around the new Grand Duke of Terra, trying to establish a connection with him or learn the truth.
For Karl, these social events were full of hypocritical pleasantries and bureaucracy.
They made him feel more tired and impatient than facing thousands of soldiers.
If not for Foltest's face and Triss's reluctant and worried expression,
he would have left immediately, on the night after the awards ceremony.
After several days of dizzying banquets, countless toasts, and tedious pleasantries,
Karl finally found a suitable moment to bid farewell to Foltest.
He declined the subsequent celebrations, arguing that the duchy was newly established and in ruins, and he needed to return to his post as soon as possible to attend to state affairs.
Foltest agreed to his request with understanding, also realizing that it would be unwise to keep a lion in a social cage for too long.
Therefore, Karl couldn't wait to pack his things and take Dalton and the Blood Angel Knights with him.
One morning, he quietly and quickly left the palace, still immersed in the afterglow of the festivities.
The horses' hooves clattered on the blue stone streets, and Karl looked back at the majestic palace and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Foltest, I hope you can improve the lives of the people and be attentive to the commoners in the future. Otherwise, don't blame me for one day overthrowing this rule..."
The procession left the noisy city of Vizima and headed along the paved main road towards the outskirts.
Karl sat on Night Wind's back, his golden plate armor still shining in the western sun.
But his helmet was removed and hung beside the saddle, allowing him to better feel the slightly grassy air of the countryside.
However, this peace did not last long. Just as the team was about to completely leave Vizima's sight and go deep into the countryside,
a soft, clear female voice, as if speaking directly in his head, suddenly reached Karl's ears.
"Mighty warrior, please stop for a moment. I need your help."
Karl's brows immediately furrowed, his eyes sharpening. He quickly looked around, seeing that the road was surrounded by sparse forests and flat fields.
Besides Dalton and the knights following him, with the neat and even sound of horses' hooves, there was no strange female figure.
With his super senses, this could never be an auditory hallucination or illusion.
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