When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist-Chapter 798 - 749: Conferring Honors and Conversation

"The Shepherd Leader and the Autocratic Duke have decreed, all soldiers are to receive awards at the parade ground, no armor needed."

The blue cloak of the Military Police Cavalry fluttered in the wind, with the scroll tossed to the ground, rolling several times.

Captain Bai grumbled as he went forward to pick it up, brushed off the dust, and raised a middle finger at the back of the cavalry.

After the onset of summer, the golden silk grass near Ladan Castle finally entered the tender leaf stage from the bud yellow stage.

Standing on the earth platform in front of the parade ground, Horn looked out, seeing the verdant plains crossed by river water like a silver belt.

But here on the meadow outside Ladan Castle, it was currently occupied by countless grass huts and tents.

The Mountain Infantry Cavalry Corps, clad in carbon black attire, gathered in groups of three or five, all eyes focused on the earth platform.

The center of these gazes was on Moliat in her fresh military uniform and Horn in monk attire.

And nearly a hundred soldiers, amidst envious and jealous stares from others, could not hold back their smiles as they took turns ascending the platform.

The sharp piercing voice of the Ceremonial Officer rang out, and with each sound, a soldier would ascend the earth platform.

"André Massé, commendable command during the bloody battle at the Iron River, leading soldiers... awarded the First Class Iron River Medal and 'Pope's Fist' Medal."

"Laver Ironwater Hunter, brave and bold, successfully drove out several Knights from the fortress... awarded the Third Class Iron River Medal."

"Kaler de Hans, operated the eagle-hawk cannon to kill two Imperial Knights... awarded the Second Class Iron River Medal."

"Good lad, your name is Kaler, right?" Retracting his gaze, Horn looked at the young soldier before him, "Heroes emerge from among the young, indeed."

As he spoke, he took a bag filled with Silver Coins and handed it to Kaler.

Kaler bowed dizzily, then walked towards Moliat amidst Horn's kind laughter.

Moliat, maintaining a stern face, first saluted Kaler before solemnly pinning the Second Class Iron River Medal onto his chest.

"Work hard, and I hope to see you at a Captain Bai's award ceremony next time."

Touching the gilded medal engraved with the Iron River, Kaler trembled all over.

As his brother-in-law said, to be named on the award stage is what truly makes a good man.

This isn't just an ordinary silver iron piece, but a genuine token towards becoming an officer.

Watching the under-eighteen-year-old lad receive a Second Class Medal, the Mountain Knights ground their molars hard.

The Shattered Stone Plain forces along the Nao'an River line were too cowardly—couldn't they be a bit more aggressive like the Duke of Redwood?

Observing the cheering award soldiers and those biting their lips with envy, Horn and Moliat exchanged a look, knowing they were in the right place.

This time, Horn brought with him 12,000 pounds in cash and supplies worth 6,000 pounds.

Additionally, he had specially smelted a large amount of Silver, commissioning a group of gilded artisans to create a batch of medals.

Although the current medal system hasn't been formally implemented, the actual Iron River medal is considered a campaign commemorative medal.

Campaign commemorative medals generally award First Class to senior commanders, Second Class to mid-level and outstanding soldiers, and Third Class to those displaying bravery.

Bether's 'Pope's Fist' Medal, on the other hand, is a Glory Medal, directly elevating one rank in the military hierarchy.

With the awarding completed, and everyone singing 'Thousand River Valley Army Song', the ceremony came to an end.

Screening out the crowd, Horn and Moliat entered a secluded prairie wooden cabin.

"I thought you wouldn't come."

Unlike before, Moliat did not embrace Horn after removing her iron face but poured him a cup of red tea. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"After all, the Thousand River Valley and the Holy Alliance are united in one body; since war has begun, I wish you victory," Horn said, looking at Moliat's defiant gaze.

"Didn't the Holy Alliance just get a new little lover called the Black Snake Bay Federation?" Moliat kept her iron fist hidden behind her back. "Without the Thousand River Valley, I'm completely finished; without the Thousand River Valley, you'd still have Black Snake Bay."

"What nonsense is this?" Horn couldn't help but rise with anger. "I share joys and sorrows with the Thousand River Valley; do you think I would run away?"

"None of that intent," Moliat replied indifferently, yet the tone felt sardonic in his ears.

"I heard you're planning to set off officially in three days, heading to attack Salt Beach Gather?"

"Yes."

"Let me clarify that; I don't oppose it, but there are some demands I need to make clear, given the Thousand River Valley belongs to everyone," Horn kept his temper checked. "All are the fruit of diligent discussions by the military Secret Monks."

Moliat, initially with the look of a rebellious girl, quieted down.

"First of all, in this battle, you must seize the initiative; when it ends shouldn't be determined by the enemy, but by you.

As you know, our strategic goal in attacking Shattered Stone Plain is not invasion but defense.

The Shattered Stone Plain is right next to us; we can take their territory anytime, don't be hasty."

Horn knew Moliat's stubborn nature, fearing she would get caught up and make the mistake of winning a battle but losing the war.

Currently, the Leia Kingdom is already besieging Duke Nedbach's last stronghold.

If the castle falls, the Duke will have to surrender.

After half a year of rest, passing through agriculture season, by March or April the assault is expected.

Moliat must not drag the war until after the year ends, let alone till March or April.

"Understood," Moliat solemnly nodded.

"Secondly, the Shepherds and the Broken Stone Primordial People, although now our enemies, will in the future be our citizens.

If you treat them well, they will also treat you well; don't underestimate the Shepherds, they can offer unexpected assistance.

I can provide you with more resources, offer more adequate managerial talent, but you had better restrain the military discipline." Horn warned.

Through Cheka and frontline Monks, Horn was aware of the recent deeds done by the Northern Thousand River Valley Army in Shattered Stone Plain.

Forced conscription was just minor; what with pretending to be bandits, forcibly taking women, skipping tabs... a myriad of deceitful acts practiced to perfection.

"Restraining discipline, how can the blood be preserved? Without looting, how strong would the soldiers' grievances be?" Moliat sneered. "Haven't your Black Champion Army done such things often?"

"How could it be the same?" Horn found himself at a loss for words.

"What's different? I can't afford to pay the high salaries like you; apart from using looting as rewards, what else is there?

If you raise the soldiers' pay to the max, I'll immediately rectify military discipline...

How's that? Silent now, aren't you? Feeling helpless, are you?"

Horn indeed felt helpless.

His stance on this war was initially negative, one reason being the fear that the current Thousand River Valley's economy may not withstand two consecutive wars.

It was Moliat who initiated the war and now says there's no money, the soldiers have to rely on looting.

The target is the lords, angering the locals, which then presents a significant challenge in maintaining stability and the legitimacy of governance.

If war costs fifty thousand, stability costs a hundred thousand, what's the point of fighting?

Might as well not fight.

This reflects the underlying logical differences between the two.

Horn believed in forming a nation from people—draw people in, and the nation would follow.

Moliat believed in a nation ruling its people—first conquer the nation, then the people would come.

If it were Earth, Horn would be certain he was right.

But within an Empire with Extraordinary forces, he's no longer sure.

Seeing Horn frown, Moliat still showed him some favor: "I'll order them to voluntarily rectify military discipline."

Though what effect that would truly have is uncertain.

Moliat left the latter part of the sentence unspoken.

"I hope it proves effective," Horn said coldly.

Thus, their conversation once again ended on a sour note.