The morning sun streamed through the temporary command hall in Willow Wood City.
Gales Legge, standing inside, had a face paler than the sky; behind him, a dozen heavy boxes rested on the ground.
These were the gold dragons he had borrowed from his future vassals; although kings often borrowed from their vassals, this was a first for the Legge Family.
His voice was dry, each word seemingly squeezed from his throat: "This is the ransom you demanded!"
"Three thousand gold dragons! Not one less! This is the end of it!"
Arthur's gaze shifted from Gales's weary face to the dozen boxes, and he did not immediately reply.
He simply raised his chin slightly.
Lucien understood and immediately led two soldiers forward to pry open the box lids; golden light instantly spilled out under the sunlight, blinding to the eyes.
The soldiers stirred their hands inside, and the gold dragons clinked with a clear, pleasant sound.
A moment later, Lucien straightened up and nodded towards Arthur.
Only then did Arthur turn his attention back to Gales.
He stood up and walked to the window, watching the castle, where actual governing power had been transferred, and active figures began to appear, aside from the garrison: "Sir Giles, your credibility is commendable."
"Since the treaty is signed and the ransom paid, Willow Wood City is now returned to you."
He turned around, his voice echoing throughout the hall.
"My orders: the entire army is to withdraw, and all prisoners are to be released."
The order was quickly relayed.
Arthur's soldiers began to withdraw orderly from various parts of the city, handing over to the people sent by Daedings Family.
Their steps were light and firm, joy radiated from every face, and the money bags at their waists jingled with the sound of wealth they had never possessed.
They sang out-of-tune songs, loudly discussing what they would buy and the women they would marry when they returned home; as they passed the dejected Legge Family knights, they would deliberately puff out their chests and pat their money bags louder.
Outside Willow Wood City, they re-established their camp on the flat ground, like a temporarily sated beast, lying beside its prey's den, awaiting the final negotiation results between Daedings Family and the Legge Family.
As night fell, bonfires blazed in the camp.
The simple scent of porridge and black bread filled the air, and the soldiers' laughter echoed across the wilderness.
Brin, holding a cleanly prepared wild rabbit, excitedly ran to Arthur's command tent.
He grinned, revealing two rows of molars: "Lord Arthur, look what good thing I brought for you!"
He skillfully set up a fire, skewered the rabbit with a sharpened wooden stick, and roasted it over the flames; grease dripped onto the fire, sizzling, and then he pulled out unknown spices and sprinkled them on top, and the rich aroma of meat quickly spread.
The surrounding soldiers, without prior arrangement, stopped their conversations and cast envious glances towards them, their Adam's apples uncontrollably bobbing up and down.
Arthur's gaze was drawn to the rabbit, which was gradually turning golden-brown over the flames.
Brin tore off the fattest rabbit leg, wrapped it in a clean leaf, and respectfully handed it over: "Lord Arthur, please try it."
Arthur took the rabbit leg, a burning heat emanating from his fingertips.
He took a bite; the meat was firm and delicious, and the unknown spices instantly awakened his taste buds.
He chewed slowly, his gaze never leaving the remaining half of the rabbit on the fire.
Rabbit...
Rabbit...
Rabbit.....
An idea, like lightning, suddenly flashed through his mind without warning; his seemingly useless knowledge from his previous life now gushed forth like a spring.
He murmured, his voice so low only he could hear: "How many can a pair of rabbits turn into in a year?"
His heart suddenly pounded, and his gaze turned to the soldiers around him, who were eagerly staring at the rabbit meat.
He thought of the emaciated commoners in his territory, and of the destitute refugees who had just poured in.
Meat! It was undoubtedly one of the most precious resources in an era like the Middle Ages.
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