Arthur dismounted with swift and decisive movements, and the riders behind him dismounted as well.
A sharp-eyed soldier quickly stepped forward, took the still-dripping head from Lucien's hand, and retreated to the side.
Arthur's gaze passed over the soldier who took the head and fell directly on Lucien.
He didn't ask about the battle; instead, he strode forward, his hands supporting Lucien's swaying body, and helped him up.
"Where are you hurt?" Arthur's voice was low, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.
Lucien trembled all over. The fatigue of battle and the sharp pain of his wounds seemed to vanish the moment Arthur spoke. He opened his mouth, but it was as if something was lodged in his throat, and he couldn't utter a single word.
Arthur's fingers touched the deep, bone-visible sword wound on Lucien's arm, and his brows furrowed instantly. He turned his head to look at the dismounted riders and soldiers, his voice suddenly rising with an undeniable command: "Bandage all wounded soldiers! Send the severely wounded down the mountain! Tell Evelyn, no matter how many gold dragons it costs! My soldiers who fight for me must receive the best treatment!"
This loud command was like a clap of thunder, striking everyone's hearts.
Lucien's eyes welled up, and his pent-up emotions instantly burst forth. Tears mixed with the bloodstains on his face rolled down. He tried to kneel on one knee again but was firmly held up by Arthur, while three other soldiers directly knelt on one knee and were helped up one by one by Arthur.
Arthur said nothing more. His gaze swept over Lucien's entire body, over the deep, bone-visible wounds where his clothes were soaked with blood and stuck to his flesh, looking horrifying.
"Sit down, take off your upper garment," Arthur commanded Lucien, his order unquestionable. Internally, however, he sighed. There was no point in trying to dissuade him further. Lucien's combat skills weren't good. If he had the physique and combat power of the Mountain, it would be one thing, but he was at best on par with a slightly better soldier. Fighting so desperately, he would one day die on the battlefield.
Lucien instinctively wanted to refuse, wanted to say, "My Lord, I'm fine," wanted to say, "These minor injuries are not worth mentioning."
But under Arthur's silent yet slightly threatening gaze, all his politeness and excuses caught in his throat. His legs gave way, and following Arthur's strength, he sat down on a stone on the ground.
The next scene made everyone present gasp, their breathing slowing by half a beat in shock.
Arthur didn't let a soldier come forward; instead, he directly took a water skin, clean linen, and some strange ointment from a soldier's hand.
He had been skeptical of these Westeros ointments, but their pain-relieving effect was indeed excellent. He suspected that the so-called healing effect was actually just an illusion created by slow recovery after pain relief.
Arthur twisted open the water skin, and clear water flowed over Lucien's wounds. Lucien shivered in pain, his teeth clenched, but he didn't utter a sound. The water washed over the torn flesh, and the blood and mud stains were washed away. Arthur showed no trace of disgust.
His hands, using a cloth, slowly wiped Lucien's body. His movements were steady, his fingers long and strong. He applied the ointment to Lucien's various wounds, then bandaged them with linen.
Lucien had long since turned his head away, his face streaming with tears. Those around him thought it was due to pain, but only he knew that his life, in the years before he was appointed as a guard by Young Master Arthur, was as worthless as roadside weeds. How could he be worthy of such treatment from Lord Arthur, a noble lord?
Hake and his group of bandits, along with the captives, stared blankly at this scene, their breathing halted in shock.
They suspected they were dreaming. They were actually witnessing a lord, a noble of Westeros, after a victory, not first concerned with battle merits, but with his soldiers' wounds, even personally bandaging them. The level of shock and impact was like seeing a wolf caring for a lamb, making the scene feel utterly unreal.
Hakon arrived, panting and sweating, with fifty soldiers. They quickly lit the campfires, began to set up camp, and provided further bandaging for Lucien and the three soldiers who had already received initial treatment.
One severely wounded soldier, whose arm was almost severed and just dangled, was lifted onto a horse by the soldiers and galloped down the mountain. Along with him, over twenty captives were also sent down the mountain.
Arthur surveyed the camp, his gaze sweeping over the dozen or so bandits who stood stiffly, not daring to sit down, finally resting on Hake's face, but he said nothing.
Arthur looked at Hakon and ordered him: "Set up camp here, and deploy some simple defensive works."
Hakon quickly carried out the order. A simple defensive camp was quickly re-established. The campfires were lit, burning brighter, dispelling the chill of the mountains.
The wounded were properly settled. Lucien's wounds had also been carefully treated, but they still looked hideous and painful, yet Lucien showed no sign of it. Instead, he was excitedly recounting his experiences.
Lucien sat opposite Arthur, across a crackling bonfire. He stood up and continuously recounted everything that had happened before, speaking quickly and gesticulating wildly. Even if he occasionally twitched from the pain of his wounds, grimacing, he remained irrepressibly excited.
Arthur looked at Lucien, quite impressed. Sometimes, recovery ability was also a skill, and this could be considered Lucien's unique ability.
Arthur listened quietly, occasionally picking up a branch to poke the flames, sending sparks flying. There was no expression on his face, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter. He had initially thought Lucien was just acting on impulse and had rushed into the mountain to save him, but he hadn't expected that he had actually used his brains to fight a brilliant battle.
A common soldier who doesn't use his brain will always just be a common soldier. It seems he had underestimated Lucien. Perhaps this was an example of being rough yet meticulous.
When Lucien finished his last word, the entire camp fell silent, with only the sound of the burning flames. Everyone's gaze, whether soldiers or Hake and his brothers, was focused on Arthur.
Arthur raised his head and smiled. He was never stingy with praise: "Well done!"
"Deep into the wolf's den, at ease."
"Courageous and resourceful, truly deserving."
Lucien scratched his head, revealing his honest smile once more.
Arthur stood up, turned to Hake and his brothers, whose expressions were complex, and raised his voice, ensuring everyone could hear clearly:
"You have made the right choice."
"Your loyalty to me will bring rewards far beyond your imagination."
Arthur paused, giving them time to digest his words. Then, he pointed a finger at Hake and announced publicly:
"From today onwards, Hake, your brothers will receive land granted by me."
"And you!"
"You are appointed as Lucien's deputy, to assist him in his duties, and become my officer."
Hake suddenly looked up, his face filled with shock. His brothers let out suppressed cries of joyous surprise.
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