It snowed heavilyst night too.


    Winter may be over, but the weather is strangely cold this year.


    "Phew… … ."


    Of course, this was only the second winter in Hardion that Carl had experienced, so even though it was strange, it didn''t really interest him.


    This is nothingpared to the winter in Lucas''s memories.


    The winters of the Morgan Empire are mild, with heavy snowfall but temperatures never dropping below freezing.


    Knock… Knock… … .


    The melted snow soaks the rotting corpses, making them even more unpleasant to burn.


    "Damn, isn''t it true that corpses don''t rot when it snows?"


    "It''s warm during the day. It freezes and melts repeatedly. But it''s better than summer."


    The voices of soldiers grumbling as they btedly deal with the corpses they had not been able to deal with due to moving too quickly can be heard through the sound of the wind.


    This winter was very harsh even for the fallen knight who barely managed to survive on his weekly sry without receiving any titles.


    However, that does not excuse him for leading his soldiers into desertion andmitting looting.


    The neck of the one who was once a knight is hung high on a pole, and the rest are being stripped of their clothes and weapons and burned.


    Everyone is warming themselves by the unholy campfire made of hanging necks and burning corpses without any sign of difort. For them, even a day with barely any snow is terribly cold.


    This is probably because they have never experienced truly extreme cold.


    "Master Carl. The cleanup is over."


    A sturdy young man wearing full te armor approaches Carl, who is sitting on a rock, and speaks politely.


    "Billford, how''s the headcount going?"


    At Carl''s words, the young man, Billford, opens his mouth confidently.


    "I got it right. I killed them all, without exception."


    Thanks to Carl''s quick movement, who had no restrictions on leading his troops across the territory''s borders, he was able to kill all the deserters without causing major casualties.


    The list of those who had been registered as soldiers was carefully checked, and after thorough verification, all of them were killed without exception.


    Only two small viges were sacked by a band of deserters led by a knight.


    The casualties from the battle were minor, leaving no room for doubt as to whether the response was perfect.


    "Treat the injured and take good care of the dead."


    "Yes, Lord Carl." Billford responds seriously to Carl''s order and steps back.


    These are the people who fought and died to protect the Empire''s territory and people.


    They must be treated with the utmost respect.


    Their bodies will be preserved and returned to their families in their hometown.


    In addition, sufficient support will be provided to those who have lost their parents so that they can live without problems, and some special privileges will be given to the sons and daughters of proud Imperial soldiers.


    This is the right that should be given to those who gallop through the empire following the 4th prince and grand duke of the Morgan Empire, Carl Feld Hardion, the ''Laurel nter'', who created the ''Laurel Union'', a system to unite numerous territories in the eastern part of the empire and keep Tumaria in check in just one year.


    "You nted theurel tree again this time, sessfully."


    Harmon, who took the helmet from Carl''s hand as he stood up with his armor nking, said with a slight smile.


    Theurel symbolizes immortality, glory, and victory.


    And he who obtains these things can obtain peace with unshakable and firm power.


    An eagle holding a sword in each paw and aurel branch in its beak.


    This is the personal coat of arms of Carl, who was recognized as an archduke. He fought battles big and small without ever being defeated, and brought peace to everynd he set foot on.


    Thus, Carl was respected and loved by many and was called ''the one who ntsurel trees''.


    Themoners love Carl more than the nobles.


    When trouble arises, it is themon people who die, so how can they hate Carl who nts theurels of victory and peace?


    "No matter how manyurel trees you nt, it will never be enough."


    Carl speaks indifferently and walks away.


    As Carl, d in full te armor and his red cloak fluttering, walks forward, the soldiers who were carrying the corpses bow their heads to make way for him. 4th Prince, Guardian of the Eastern Empire.


    In all the battles that Carl has fought so far, he has been at the forefront without exception. It is only natural that they, who have been running along the red tail of thatet, revere Carl.


    Carl greeted them with his eyes, then went to the ce where the dead wereid, wiped the forehead of the body with his own hands, andforted the injured.


    "Milton, the battle is over, so don''t spare your mana and heal the woundedpletely."


    "Yes, Lord Carl." Milton responds politely and treats the soldiers.


    Milton, the royal physician, had been the therapist for the ''Laurel Corps'' led by Carl for some time.


    Milton, who had the best skills in the empire, treated each and every soldier, so the soldiers were able to fight fiercely without sparing their bodies, and thanks to this, the Laurel Unit was able to be recognized as the most courageous and powerful unit in the empire in just one year since its creation.


    Of course, at the center of it all was a solid center named Carl.


    Who else could have aplished such a feat if not for him?


    "Lord Carl, a messenger has arrived."


    A knight approaches Carl as he leaves the tent for the wounded and reports.


    Knowing that Carl did not like unnecessary things, he handed over the letter he had received from the messenger straight away, and Carl broke the seal and read the letter on the spot. NovelFire-story


    "Lady Catherine haspleted her work safely."


    Catherine was temporarily away from Carl and wasmanding a unit. Winter is harsh, so as spring approaches, many problems are bound to arise simultaneously.


    As the days get longer, monsters crawl out, thieves, deserters…Carl can''t handle it all by himself.


    Thanks to this, Catherine, who was an unknown knight from a fallen family until two years ago, has now be themander of the 2nd division of the Laurel Legion and has risen to fame.


    Carl folded Catherine''s letter and handed it to Harmon, then opened another letter sealed with melted gold.


    The emblem engraved in gold was that of the House of Hardion