Generous Rewards

"We must fight; there's no doubt about it. The wilderness plains are adjacent to our country, and since the people from the demon realm have already entered the human realm, they won't be satisfied with just occupying one wilderness plain. They will undoubtedly expand to the surrounding areas, and when that happens, it will threaten the security of our YF country," Eli said. "So, those people from the demon realm must be driven out. However, we don't know when the court will send troops. General Hank suffered a major defeat this time, not only losing troops and morale but also making it challenging to launch another campaign in a short time. Moreover, the uprising forces within the court are becoming increasingly rampant, seriously impeding the court's military arrangements. So, I estimate that the court won't launch another attack against the demon realm forces in the short term. Instead, they will focus on the defense of nearby cities."

Regardless of their country or the others, no one wanted to see the people from the demon realm firmly establish themselves in the human realm and expand continuously. Previously, the three countries had united to undermine General Hank, planning to weaken the YF country's strength by using the demon realm's forces and then reap the benefits when both sides were weakened. However, they didn't expect the people from the demon realm to launch a surprise attack at that time.

After this defeat, all countries would certainly want to attack the demon realm forces, but they would all need time to digest the impact of this defeat. Additionally, each country had its internal issues, making it challenging for them to mobilize their forces in the short term.

No wonder Jake had noticed that there were more serious soldiers at the city gate in Pergamon town. The town was relatively close to the wilderness plains, only a few days' journey away. It was indeed possible for the demon realm's forces to launch an attack there.

"So, what do we do in Skylark Camp?" Jake asked. "Do we just stay stationed here? If the court doesn't actively attack the demon realm forces, Skylark Camp won't need to transport food to the wilderness plains anymore."

"I don't know about that. We can only stay here temporarily and wait for the court's troops," Eli said.

"Alright," Jake said. This kind of decision was something low-ranking soldiers like them couldn't influence.

However, Jake didn't have to wait long. At noon, the court's orders came down. All the previously conscripted servicemen were disbanded in advance, and they were instructed to return to their homes. Villages were to form militia units at the village level to deal with the increasingly rampant uprising forces and the potential danger from the demon realm's forces.

Skylark Camp was disbanded! Jake got the result he most wanted, and he was overjoyed. His three-month military service had ended prematurely. He could return to the Recluse Village and continue farming and hunting monsters. Besides this, there was another reason for Jake to be happy.

Easton, whom they had captured on the way, had been sent back by Hank earlier. Now, the rewards from the court for Jake and Eli had also been granted.

Eli was reassigned to the Fly Male Army and reinstated as a Colonel. As for Jake, who had personally captured Easton, his rewards were particularly generous.

Jake was granted the title of Baron and the ability to form a personal guard unit of up to ten members.

Jake was awarded a residence within Pergamon town.

Jake was given a warhorse.

Jake received 500 gold coins.

Jake obtained 10 pieces of fabric.

The rewards were numerous, and their generosity far exceeded Jake and Eli's expectations. Originally, Jake had thought that if the court could reward him with some gold coins, that would be good enough, and if he could be exempted from military service, it would be a pleasant surprise.

However, the rewards now were much more generous than he had expected. Among these rewards, the most significant one was undoubtedly the title of Baron, even if it was the lowest-ranking baron title.

Noble titles were not something that just anyone could obtain. Even those generals and ministers in the court, despite holding high positions, found it extremely difficult to obtain noble titles.

However, Jake was somewhat puzzled by the fact that he was rewarded so generously for capturing the leader of an uprising force.

"Maybe it's because the uprising forces have been too rampant lately, and the court is encouraging everyone to eliminate them, so they're offering such generous rewards to motivate everyone," Eli said. "Otherwise, just capturing the leader of an uprising force wouldn't warrant such a hefty reward."

"That's very likely," Jake nodded in agreement. Only this explanation made sense. Clearly, the court wanted to set an example with Jake to encourage others to actively eliminate uprising forces.

However, for Jake, this was undoubtedly a good thing. With the title of Baron, he would no longer have to serve in the military. With a noble title, he was considered a noble in the YF country, and nobles didn't typically serve in the military. So, Jake's desire to be exempted from military service had been fulfilled, even though the way it happened was unexpected.

"Jake, today we part ways, and I don't know when we'll meet again," Eli said to Jake. "With your talent, joining the regular army, you'll surely achieve great things. And now that you have a noble title, it will be easy for you to enter the regular army. Your starting point will be much higher than others'. Have you really never considered it?"

Although the Baron title was the lowest-ranking noble title, if Jake decided to join the army, he wouldn't start as an ordinary foot soldier. Noble titles were highly regarded, and nobles typically didn't serve as regular soldiers.

"Eli, or rather, Colonel Eli now, I really don't have those thoughts at the moment. If I do in the future, I'll come find you," Jake replied.

Eli smiled and said, "With your Baron title, there shouldn't be any issues with joining any unit. You don't even need my help. Your current status is much higher than mine, and I might even need to rely on you in the future."

Eli's words weren't just a jest. In reality, with Jake's new status as a Baron, many things would be much more convenient for him. His future prospects were undoubtedly better than those of a mere Colonel.

After bidding a fond farewell, Eli set out first, leading his few veteran soldiers away from Pergamon town towards the Fly Male Army's base.

As for Jake, he didn't need to rush. With his military service now discharged, he could leave at any time, or he could choose to stay. He was now a noble with property in Pergamon town, and if he decided not to leave, even the county magistrate wouldn't dare to object.