Only Laine's face did not show joy; on the contrary, the face of the Holy Grail Knight held more of a smile.

He had conquered the entire army with his performance.

As they gradually left the forest, the distances between the trees increased, the thickets became sparse, and the knights finally could ride their beloved horses and enjoy the feeling of walking through the woodland.

Laine did not choose to ride; he simply led his pure-blood Elf Warhorse, Grape, through the woodland, with the head of the Four-armed Bull Demon Set hanging from the horse's hindquarters, Laine's trophy.

He would present this head to the Lady as proof of his victory.

The cool forest breeze brushed against Laine's face, and the Holy Grail Knight raised his head, discovering that unknowingly, the leaves of the woodland trees had turned from lush green to yellow, some turning red and beginning to drop, while the grass faded from lush green to withered yellow.

Summer had long gone, and autumn had arrived.

"Only we are left, my soldiers!" Laine sighed towards the nearby knights.

Leaves covered the ground, all things lay desolate, the forest gradually began to lose its vitality, the vegetation withered, falling leaves returned to their roots, and the good times were no more.

The fleeting days passed; although a great knightly war had achieved its objective, Brittania had paid a heavy price—more than two thousand knights, over thirty thousand troops were buried in the forest. Hearing their commander's words, even many of the veteran Ranger Knights sighed softly.

They had already experienced the harshness of war, and today's victory was built upon the sacrifice of countless lives.

"Lord Laine, please don't be so saddened. Without you, we could not have achieved victory," Marquis Gabriel also led his horse up from behind: "In any case, the Knightly War achieved its goal, and I believe those fallen soldiers can rest in peace."

"..." Laine and his companions had already learned from the scouts of the total annihilation of the Knightly Army. The fact proved that Laine's decision was correct; the Knightly Army could hardly half a day, let alone three days.

If Laine had chosen to reinforce them at the time, the outcome would have been predictable; the Right Army would have been in an impossible predicament upon hearing of the Knightly Army's annihilation.

Laine's choice had proven to be right.

"I hope so." Laine nodded, also knowing that his decision was correct.

At least the result of this war was a bitter victory.

At least Ten Thousand Demon Rock was destroyed.

Otherwise, this time next year, half the kingdom's army might be stationed near the Arden Forest, prepared to face a terrifying beast tide.

......

As the remaining army gradually withdrew from the Arden Forest, the entire Knight Kingdom also learned of the Knightly Army's outcome.

The Left and Center Armies were disastrously defeated, completely annihilated, but it was the Right Army, led by the Divine Chosen Champion of the Lake Fairy, Holy Grail Knight, and recently enfeoffed Baron Gene Laine, acting as a decoy, that completed the prescribed task and brought victory back.

Of the forty thousand that went to war, only over four thousand returned, leaving many of the great nobles at a loss for words.

The one who reacted most vehemently was none other than the current Knight King, "Tiger" Dinua Jean Richard de Le Anglong.

Upon hearing this news, the aging Knight King clutched his chest in heartache, muttering to the emptiness of the grand royal palace: "Angxi? Angxi! Return my army to me, return my knights, return my Knightly Army!!!"

This Knightly War was orchestrated and the assembly order issued by the King himself. Now that the armies of eight duchies were annihilated, how was he to account to the dukes?

The royal authority in Brittania was already weak, and the dukes enjoyed many powers, such as tariffs and autonomy. From the time of his accession, Richard had spent countless efforts to strengthen the royal authority.

While the King was contemplating what to do, dukes had already arrived at the Kulona Royal Palace.

The first to arrive were Duke of Dalheid from the Leonais Duchy and Duke of Connet, the "Righteous" Louis Cornwall de Connet.

Reportedly, other dukes were also on their way.

Duke of Dalheid appeared to be in his forties, yet he was indeed over seventy, a vigorous age for someone of the Legendary Tier.

Duke of Connet, the "Righteous" Louis, was entirely different.

This duke was nearing a century old.

Yet he appeared as if in his thirties, brimming with astonishing presence, his vigorous life force barely contained, spilling outward; his bright eyes, distinguished mustache, and handsome, noble visage all highlighted his descendance from Arthur with every movement.

He was a Holy Sanctuary Grand Knight and a Holy Grail Knight.

The vitality and energy he exuded starkly contrasted the age and stagnation of Richard.

Duke of Connet, the "Righteous" Louis, immediately bombarded: "My Majesty, may I ask, where is Connet's army, which I personally entrusted to your Knightly Army, now? How is it that only the troops of Bohemond and Francois survived?"

"Where did Marquis Glasgow Angxi Desmond, whom you appointed, take the army of our duchy? How were they and their over thirty thousand strong army fully annihilated by the Beastmen, while that young fellow Laine managed to lead less than six thousand troops of the Right Army to complete the task?"

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