Astartes of the Bear School

Chapter 1738 1710. Military Expansion
"The war has made you very tired, Triss. I understand how you feel." The witcher looked at the sorceress beside him seriously. "It's best to find a relaxing place to rest now. Come with us."

Triss was obviously very pleased with Lan's concern, and her already flushed face became even more charming.

He leaned forward and gently kissed his lover's cheek, the answer was self-evident.

And it was at this time that the dwarves came over.

The dwarves' aggressive appearance did not cause any waves here. After all, those around Lan were all Embers Knights, and there were very few things that could scare them.

The Embers and Lann turned to look at the dwarf.

The leader, Colonel Barclay Ells, went straight in.

"Cheers to your honor on the battlefield today, Lord Hunter!"

He was holding a large wooden cup as big as his head. He came over and stood outside the campfire, raised it towards Lan En, and drank it all in one gulp.

Lan En looked at him and knew that he hadn't finished speaking.

really.

"But the people over there think we are dishonorable liars and clowns! They don't even leave a seat for us! I want to ask: do you think so too?"

The bonfire crackled, and the makeshift and chaotic banquet was still noisy.

But Lan En could feel that the dwarves' actions had attracted the attention of almost everyone around them.

Everyone nearby was looking at them, and also at themselves.

In front of the central bonfire not far away, the king, generals, high-ranking prisoners, and warlocks were also watching this scene.

Logically speaking, we should be cautious at this time, but...

"Cheers, Colonel." Lan raised the rye vodka in his hand. "But you coming here at this time is really eye-catching."

"If you don't welcome us, we'll just turn around and leave."

"That's not what I meant." Lann shook his head. "I also thank you for being the first to respond bravely and carry out orders when the battle was tense. I welcome you to share my campfire."

With a loud 'boom', the dwarves cheered!
"I heard you, guys!" Barclay Els raised his glass and gestured to the dwarves, "What are you waiting for? Let's gather together with the heroes! Forget about the rest of the bullshit!"

The dwarves were neither shy nor nervous among the Embers Knights. They started working very efficiently, making the bonfire bigger and bigger, roasting more food, and bringing more wine.

"We are sorry to trouble you for borrowing your light." In the midst of the busy work, the dwarf colonel walked to Lan and whispered, "But we can't..."

"We can't appear weak in front of so many Northern Alliance troops," Lan interrupted him in a low voice, raising his glass. "I understand. Foltest rushed this banquet. He should have held a private meeting with the commanders earlier."

"Otherwise, this kind of situation will occur, causing the people below to go crazy and act recklessly without any regard for the severity of the situation."

Barclay Els nodded with the same melancholy, agreeing with Lan's statement.

He had no ill will towards the king of Temeria; after all, Foltest did hold the title of 'Protector of Mahakam'.

And Foltest didn't hate dwarves, or any non-human races, as long as they obeyed the laws and paid taxes on time in his kingdom.

But the situation just now was that the conflict was provoked by a small soldier, and both of them were stuck in the situation in front of everyone, and neither of them could back down.

It’s not their fault. If there is any fault, it’s the fault of the banquet arrangement.

If Lan En were to arrange and organize the banquet, he would do as he just said, first confirm the inclinations of each unit on a small scale in private, and then use positions to separate those who are not on good terms with each other, so that the banquet can run smoothly.

But this is a bit too difficult for Foltest at the moment.

This celebration banquet was held in a hurry, mainly because it was after the battle and to quickly stabilize the morale of the troops which had actually collapsed once during the day.

These troops are said to be the victors, but in fact, aren't they all the troops that were driven away and dispersed by the expansion of the vengeful ghost?
Every time they were dispersed, it was a heavy blow to the cohesion of the troops. That was why he didn't even have time to lead the troops back to Vizima, which was dozens of kilometers away. Instead, he took the time and effort to transport the supplies and quickly held a banquet on the spot.

It's already this urgent, so we can't ask for meticulous arrangements for the banquet.

The dwarves enthusiastically integrated into the Embers Knights, or, judging by the proportion of their numbers, the Embers Knights integrated into them.

The atmosphere, which had been slightly quiet because of Barclay Els, soon became noisy again.

Lincoln came to Lan in the light of the fire and told him about his idea of ​​expanding the Knights of Embers after experiencing the curse of the vengeful ghost.

Lan agreed with this. Since he had already asked Menno Kuhoon to return Cintra and helped the Aedirn rebels capture the city of Vergen, the demand for manpower would naturally increase.

The Embers are certainly strong, but their numbers are always a shortcoming.

“Expanding the scale is certain, but I still hope the Knights can also maintain a high level.”

Lann set the tone, and Lincoln nodded and continued immediately.

"Then this requires careful selection. If you can entrust me with your trust, I will do my best to find the right person."

Personnel appointment and recruitment are huge powers, which are enough to cause life and death in other groups. But it is very different in the Embers Knights. "What do you mean by 'if you can entrust it with trust'?" Lan En looked at his secretary with a smile, "Originally, this matter should be handed over to you and Stuart. I am always away for a long time in a year, and you know the reason."

This was like an order that had already been issued. Lincoln immediately knelt on one knee facing Lan.

This significant order was received in a noisy, fire-lit environment with few people watching.

"The Knights' Seal. Go back to Stuart and leave the document for me to sign. The tentative expansion target is 1,000 people. You and Stuart will recruit on both fronts."

"I see."

"besides……"

Lincoln stopped listening halfway and raised his head in confusion, just in time to see Lan En's interested eyes looking at the two young men in the distance who were obviously Nasair people but were enjoying the bonfire and victory at this moment.

"Henry and Hans, these two unlucky guys." Lan En said, and he chuckled. "It's funny to say that they encountered the Embers Knight twice, but they survived both times. They are still alive and well!"

This time, even Lincoln looked over in surprise.

He had no idea what had happened to these two people in Aedirn before.

After Lan En said that, he also found it funny. These two people are really unlucky and lucky.

It's bad enough to meet the Knights of Embers on the battlefield, but meeting them twice is even worse.

But they both survived, is that good luck?
Lincoln didn't know, but he understood what Lan meant.

"I will observe them. If they are indeed good, perhaps the Knights can recruit them."

"give it to you."

Lann felt that Henry and Hans had great potential, and even at the moment they were quite capable. After all, not everyone could travel all the way from Aedirn to Temeria, become Menno Kuhoon's cupbearer and attendant, and then resist in battle and survive.

But since the matter has been handed over to Lincoln, Lan En will not interfere.

As the night grew darker, the bonfire party on the back of the hill became more and more lively.

Thanks to the expansion of the dark realm by the vengeful ghosts, there were basically no wounded soldiers on the battlefield, because those who could not run were all wrapped up in the dark and died of exhaustion and loss of yang.

Otherwise, if a banquet was held on the same day after the battle, so close to the battlefield, the wailing of the wounded soldiers like wandering ghosts on the battlefield would continue to linger.

Lan came to the central campfire where Foltest and the others were.

The generals, commanders, kings and sorcerers all welcomed his arrival with great enthusiasm.

It was as if the awkward atmosphere caused by the dwarves' loud noise just now did not exist.

No one had an awkward or strange look on their face, let alone wariness or scrutiny. They were all as enthusiastic as Lan En's old friends.

Lan En was not surprised by this, and he also gave these people a warm smile.

Under the flickering light of the bonfire, in addition to being dazzlingly beautiful, one also feels the sincerity and importance.

Almost in an instant, one could clearly see several commanders in the Free Corps, as well as Brunket and others, straightening their chests.

Subconsciously, they acted as if they were being inspected in front of Lan En.

"Relax, friends." Lan En said in a relaxed tone, "The war is over."

Most people laughed and responded, but John Natalis remained cautious.

"With your help, sir, we did win the Battle of Xiaoyu River. But we are still two-thirds away from ending the war."

"It was my slip of the tongue." Lan En smiled and took back the mistake he had deliberately made. "But the most difficult battle has been fought, and the rest is just smooth sailing."

Sometimes small mistakes can bring people closer together.

"Can you tell me in detail? I thought it would be a tough battle ahead." Foltest first showed great interest in Lan's statement.

Then he spoke to the commanders and generals present, glass in hand.

"Dear ladies and gentlemen, perhaps you don't know this yet." Foltest stood beside Lan, and extended his hand to him very solemnly and politely, making a gesture of introduction.

"The famous Lord Hunter is not just a great warrior and demon hunter as rumored in the market. He is also a superb strategist."

"We met at Aretuza last summer, at the beginning of this war. He pointed out that the northern kingdoms were too afraid of the Nilfgaardian Empire, which caused us to lose our strategic position."

"Now that the war has come to this, it really makes sense when you think about it."

Foltest's expression was sad and sincere, without any anger or dissatisfaction of being criticized as a king.

(End of this chapter)