Looking at the allies mounting their war horses and the underlings scavenging the bodies, Hudson was speechless. He thought he was despicable enough, but he didn't expect to find so many kindred spirits.
They had agreed to collect the bodies for the allies, but everyone had run off to profit from the war, it seems that all of the emotional overflow just now was purely a play.
There's no doubt, they need to speed up. This war brought heavy losses to everyone. There were no supplies to rob, so they could only resort to scavenging from the dead.
The noble houses too did not have any surplus grains. The battle that was bound to be a loss, whatever we can recover will be our gain.
Hudson did not expect any wealth. They were all destitute, how much could they have in their pockets. The key was to grab more weapons and equipment, these things were the most valuable during the war.
Unfortunately, everyone was poor, and only a few rebel leaders had iron weapons, let alone armor.
Conversely, the equipment of the fallen elite clan was good, but these weapons and equipment were mostly marked. Unless the owner was also down, they weren't really good to swallow up.
In order to encourage everyone's initiative, Hudson announced that whoever found weapons first would be able to replace their equipment first, and if it didn't fit, they could swap them. Those who didn't find anything can continue with their bamboo spears.
As for collecting the bodies for the allies?
There was no need to rush, the bodies lying on the ground wouldn't run away. After scavenging the battlefield, there would be plenty of time.
Scavenging the spoils of war along the way, Hudson also reflected continuously. The daytime battle seemed like a successful shirk, but his performance was not flawless.
A lone knight wandering at the edge of the battlefield was too conspicuous. Even if he reacted in time and adopted remedial measures, it was difficult to guarantee that no one saw it.
Being different, in any place, is an object of exclusion. A knight that deviates from the mainstream has a hard time mixing in the noble circle.
Fortunately, the battlefield was too chaotic, no one had time to pay attention to him. Even if he was seen, the distance was so far that it was hard to recognize accurately.
But this was not entirely flawless, after all, there were not many knights charging in the first wave, and it was true that Hudson did not join the charge.
Now everyone is immersed in their painful losses and don't have the mindset to think too much. Later, people will certainly have suspicions.
Of course, Hudson was soaked in a lot of blood, which certainly earns him points. Not going with the charge does not mean he did not go into battle and kill the enemy.
Fell behind the team, did not keep up with the first wave of charge, the team later got trapped in the enemy's encirclement. It makes sense if he couldn't break through alone.
Everyone mixes in the same circle, no one would speak out without evidence.
However, such things can't happen "once or twice, but not three or four times". If it happens too often, it will eventually be revealed one day.
The future aside, in this war, it is absolutely essential not to be found out.
The only thing that comforted Hudson was: knights on the battlefield were not always fighting, they would find opportunities to rest when tired.
Of course, there are brainless brutes who are exceptions, but these people usually don't live long. After all, human physical strength is not unlimited, no one can withstand continuous high-intensity battles!
Those who can slash people for several days, sweeping across the battlefield leading unmatched forces, are just stories. If those were considered true, the bodies on the ground would be examples.
...
Under the setting sun, looking at the bodies all over the floor, Earl Piers wanted to cry, but there were no tears. It seemed like a victory was achieved, but this round was a big loss for the Dalton family.
Not to mention offending a number of small and medium-sized nobles in the province, several hundred of the family's elites were lost, especially the Crimson Knights' Brigade which lost over a hundred members. With such heavy sacrifices, the achievements were insignificant.
Although the losses on the rebel side were even greater, those cannon fodders were truly worthless. If one batch died, another batch could be dragged in.
With the "Blood Moon Horn", even serfs who had just put down their hoes were a threat. Whether it's ten to one or twenty to one, the Skeleton Society is making a profit.
Without a doubt, the battles ahead will be even crueler, and yet the Rebel Army had problems. By looking at the reactions of the nobles, everyone was very dissatisfied with him as the commander in chief.
According to tradition, when a battle is over, this is the time when people should first come to visit him as commander in chief. However, everyone ran to pick up the spoils of war.
Being angry was useless. Fief Nobles always have a high degree of autonomy. If Earl Piers weren't the governor of the Southeastern Province appointed by the Kingdom, they would ignore him.
The Dalton family is indeed the biggest noble family in the province, but the other nobles are not to be trifled with. Slightly well-established families, who doesn't have some secret means?
During normal times everyone respects their leader, but this time they were fooled, how could there be no protest?
It was very clear to Earl Piers that today's matter would not be easy to handle. If he could not give everyone a satisfactory answer, the future of the Dalton family will be in troubled waters.
"Give the order, invite representatives of each family to discuss matters in the fortress."
Said Earl Piers in a low tone.
Being able to adapt is a noble virtue. Making mistakes is not scary, what's scary is making the same mistakes repeatedly. Being able to hold the Southeastern Province for a long time, Earl Piers is no ordinary man.
The previous two miscalculations resulted from asymmetric information, underestimating the strength of all parties. Piers won't make the same mistake a third time, reality also doesn't allow him to make the third mistake.
...
Nobles pay attention to their appearance, under normal circumstances, when accepting an invitation, one should dress up properly, this time, however, was an exception.
With full battle attire, even not wiping off the blood on his face, Hudson entered the fortress.
Except for a few nobles who arrived late and didn't catch up with the big battle, everyone else dressed similarly.
Clearly, this was their way of expressing dissatisfaction with Earl Piers. Especially for the members of the alliance who fought first, they were holding back a belly full of fire.
Because of Earl Piers' hesitation, everyone had suffered heavy losses. If he did not give an explanation, this lawsuit must be brought to the capital.
Of course, the angry ones did not include Hudson, who knew rationality— being angry won't solve any problems. Choosing to stand with everyone was simply because he wanted to fit in.
Looking at the cavalry lined up in reception, Hudson knew this was a show of military intimidation, warning them not to mess around too much.
However, such little tricks did not have any effect on Hudson. Now, he was gazing at the cavalry, wishing he could claim them as his own.
During the daytime battle, these elite cavalry were wreaking havoc on the battlefield, giving him a strong impression.
In Hudson's view, this was the level that regular army should have. The private armies drummed up by a group of small and medium-sized nobles, besides a small amount of guards, were just mobs.
Deep inside, Hudson had already made the decision: if he had a chance in the future, he would own such an elite cavalry too.