The Lord Of Blood Hill

Chapter 592: Clifford

Hearing Henwell ask that, Clifford says with a serious expression, "My lord, for such a major matter, of course it was a plan made by the people above me. I was only executing it!"Henwell nods lightly. "So it was a temporary decision you made on your own."

After Henwell exposes him, Clifford does not become embarrassed. Instead, he says with sorrow and compassion, "My lord, you are also someone who leads soldiers. I simply did not want the men under my command to die for nothing!"

"If Your Excellency must pursue responsibility, then pursue me alone!"

"Since I am the commanding officer of this army, of course I must shoulder that responsibility!"

Henwell glances at him. "Do not give me that act. Although your detailed information has not been delivered into my hands yet, I can tell at a glance that you are a cunning man."

"Fearless sacrifice does not fit you."

"Being afraid of death is not shameful. As long as someone is human and has a normal mind, they fear death."

"From kings above to serfs below, there is not a single exception."

After saying that, Henwell looks at him with a smile. "You, though."

"To think you could come up with such a method at such a dangerous time. Your ability to react on the spot is impressive."

"However, although you preserved the strength of Lumir's four legions, I imagine that after the war, you will not receive praise. You may even receive an unpleasant title."

Clifford sighs. "Ah. At least we survived, did we not? Compared with those who died in battle, what do a few curses amount to?"

Henwell nods lightly. "A man who can bend and stretch is a talent. So? Are you interested in working under me?"

"Do not rush to refuse. I am only giving you an opportunity. For quite a long time, my invitation will remain valid."

"In the future, if you can no longer stay in Lumir, and you truly want to switch sides, remember to consider what I said."

After saying that, Henwell gestures that he may leave.

As he is about to exit, Clifford turns back and asks, "Would Your Excellency be willing to hand Peace Haven's elite legions to me to command?"

Henwell laughs. "Heh. Why not? As long as you have the ability, I will give you that chance."

Clifford says no more and leaves the tent directly.

Chick says in a low voice, "My lord, should I arrange for someone to give him a push?"

Henwell shakes his head. "Forget it. He is a smart man. If we act to force him, he will think it through afterward, and that would only make things worse."

"Also, he is a soldier, a smart soldier. A smart soldier like him will not live very comfortably in a place like Lumir."

Afterward, Henwell gives another order. "During this period, clear out the embedded footholds here. It seems we have taken root here."

"Also, send someone to notify Holy Lake City. Tell them that their people have been captured by us again, and ask what they mean by this. Are they trying to tear up the agreement?"

Soon, Lumir's envoy arrives here.

After meeting Henwell, the Lumir envoy explains that it had been a temporary decision.

While thanking Henwell for protecting the lives of Lumir's soldiers, he also apologizes to Henwell for Clifford's reckless act.

Seeing the one million gold coins sent over by Lumir, Henwell says that he has felt their sincerity.

However, Henwell also states his position. Ogiro has already said that these people cannot return to the battlefield.

Therefore, before the war ends, Henwell will keep them here.

Of course, Henwell is not going to support so many people for free. Thirty thousand people have to eat and drink, and all of that costs money.

That money should be paid by Lumir. After the war ends, Lumir will also have to spend money to ransom this army back.

Henwell does not hold back. Each captive will cost five gold coins per month in living expenses.

Put another way, the living expenses alone mean Lumir must pay Peace Haven more than a hundred thousand gold coins every month.

Although the envoy tries to bargain, he agrees in the end.

In fact, Henwell is not asking for too much. During wartime, the food and daily supplies consumed by Peace Haven's soldiers are budgeted at five gold coins per soldier per month.

War is not farm labor, and it certainly is not lying in bed.

It consumes an extreme amount of physical strength and mental energy. Feeding warriors well keeps their bodies strong.

Good food also eases the soldiers' pressure to a degree.

Of course, Henwell will not actually give those captive soldiers that kind of living standard. They are captives, not guests on vacation.

One gold coin per soldier per month is enough for them to eat their fill every day and still get meat.

In addition, Henwell will not support them for nothing.

Remember, this is a group of men who have just fought their way through the battlefield. If they are not given something to do, who knows what trouble they might cause.

As it happens, Henwell needs to build fortifications in the occupied zone, and these strong laborers are exactly what he needs.

Similarly, in order to pacify them and keep them from growing resentful, Henwell will only have them work for half a month, then rotate them out to rest for half a month.

Over the next month or so, Ogiro also sends envoys twice.

They state forcefully that Henwell must hand over those captives, otherwise Henwell will bear all responsibility for this incident.

Henwell's answer is very simple. He points at his longsword.

The meaning is obvious. Enough talk. If you want to fight, then come.

Ogiro is currently tangled up with Lumir, so it obviously does not want to provoke Henwell at this time.

But Henwell understands the decision-makers of Diversion Bay. They absolutely will not let this end so easily.

As the fortifications gradually take shape, however, fortresses have already been built at every key pass and route.

It will not be long before Peace Haven's fortress cluster system is established.

When that time comes, if Ogiro wants to come again, it will break its head open.

Time quickly reaches the spring plowing season, and Henwell is inspecting the spring plowing in the occupied zone.

Chick suddenly comes to find him, and Henwell's heart jumps.

Chick says to Henwell with some worry, "My lord, Blood Fox has sent news. Diversion Bay has already issued an order."

"Divarak, whose troop numbers have just been replenished, is to immediately lead his army to encircle and suppress Elia and the others. Based on the timing, they should already have set out."

Looking at the two small footholds nailed into Ogiro's territory on the map, Henwell frowns.

"Elia and Beethoven's true elites add up to only one legion."

"Their newly recruited soldiers are still in training. They can manage defensive fighting, but if it comes to an open-field clash, I am afraid they will not be of much use."

After hesitating for a moment, Henwell says, "Pass down my order..."

Chick stops Henwell. "My lord, we cannot move right now! Attacking south into Ogiro will only make Lumir happy."

"At the same time, if Lumir reaches an agreement with Ika and sends troops to cut off our rear, we will be stranded outside."

"I think by then, all three sides will abandon their disputes, remove us first, and then consider everything else!"