What a little lamb.

They found their group already assembled, their faces reflecting a mix of relief and anticipation. Isabel greeted each of them warmly, and they reciprocated back.

After a few moments, the camp grew even more crowded as other groups, led by their captains, began to gather. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and readiness. Everyone was prepared to depart, only waiting for General Thorne to give the final signal.

As they stood there, Mirael leaned in and whispered, "It's strange, isn't it? From the first day we arrived here, we constantly wanted to go home, but now that the time has come, we feel nostalgic."

Isabel nodded. "Yes, it is. But it feels right. We've done what we needed to do here."

The murmurs of the soldiers quieted as General Thorne approached, his presence commanding respect and attention. He climbed onto a makeshift platform and looked out over the assembled troops and healers.

"Everyone, your bravery and dedication have brought us victory," General Thorne began, his voice strong and steady. "We have rebuilt what was destroyed, and now it's time to return home. Stay vigilant on the journey back, and let us honor those we have lost by continuing to serve with courage and integrity."

A cheer rose from the crowd, a collective release of tension and relief. Everyone puffed their chests out after hearing General Thorne's praise.

But General Thorne didn't step down from the platform. Instead, he made space for another man to step up. This new figure, a dashing man in his mid-twenties, immediately set the crowd into a frenzy. The loudest cheers came from the girls, who couldn't contain their excitement even before he started his speech.

Isabel stood in stunned silence, straining on her toes to catch a glimpse of the newcomer who had ignited such fervor among the crowd.

Her eyes widened as she recognized him—General Kaldor Kyriakidis, the empire's second most sought-after bachelor after the Crown Prince. She had gleaned this information from conversations with fellow healers, but seeing him here, amids the crowd that stuned even the soldiers of the North camp, was unexpected.

"What is he doing here?" she wondered aloud. She had heard rumors that he didn't seem to mingle with people and kept his distance from crowded places.

His presence here was unexpected, to say the least. No wonder the crowd reacted with such fervor; even the soldiers from the North camp, who had seen him a number of times, seemed taken aback.

On the platform, General Kyriakidis cleared his throat, and the audience fell into hushed silence, hanging on his every word, unwilling to miss a moment of his address.

"My comrades of the East camp," General Kaldor Kyriakidis began, his voice resonating with authority and a hint of noble detachment. The air was thick with anticipation, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the assembly. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the nearby trees, carrying with it the scent of pine and earth.

"I stand before you to express my profound gratitude for your unwavering courage and steadfast commitment during our recent trials. Your resilience has been exemplary, and it is your dedication that has ensured our victory.

As all prepare to depart, let us carry forward the spirit of unity and determination that defines us. The East camp's contribution will be remembered as a cornerstone of our achievements.

"And here I, the leader of the North Camp, General Kaldor Kyriakidis, hereby show my gratitude by rewarding each person who helped us in our dire situation with 100 gold coins from my own estate, the Duchy of Kyriakidis."

The announcement was met with stunned silence, followed by a rising tide of cheers. The promise of such a reward was unheard of, a gesture of unparalleled generosity. Isabel's eyes widened in shock as she glanced at General Thorne and the other commanders, who shared her astonishment.

One hundred gold coins might not hold much value for the likes of them, but for the common soldiers, it was almost equal to their monthly salary. With more than 1,000 people from General Thorne's side participating in the war, did General Kaldor really intend to empty his treasury? She had never encountered such a magnanimous leader before.

General Kaldor waved his hand, and several knights stepped forward, each carrying chests brimming with gold coins. The sun glinted off the polished metal, casting a golden hue over the gathering.

The sight of the many large chests brought joyous expressions to the faces of the soldiers. The knights approached different commanders, handing over the chests to be distributed among their groups.

Every member of the group joined a line to receive their reward. Isabel was still reeling from the sheer scale of the general's generosity. She was pulled from her thoughts when Mirael nudged her into the line, a look of excitement on her face.

"What are you daydreaming about? Let's go line up," she said and giggled. After all, who would want to miss such an opportunity? One hundred gold was surely no joke. Isabel also joined the line. After all, it wasn't her pocket being emptied.

Soon, Mirael's turn came to receive her heavy pouch of gold. Isabel watched as the knight handed it over, noting that his attire differed from that of the other knights. His clothes exuded a noble aura, adorned with intricate patterns and designs that indicated his higher status.

The emblem of the Duchy of Kyriakidis—a sword entwined by two snakes—stood out prominently on his tunic, adding to his distinguished appearance. Isabel realized she had been staring at his attire and emblem for too long.

A cough brought her back to reality. She turned to see Commander Aric, who said, "Isabel, you should accept the pouch." Her face flushed with embarrassment at being caught staring.

The knight distributing the gold coins wore an uneasy expression, adding to her discomfort. She accepted the pouch with trembling hands, managing a stuttered, "Th-thank you."

As she turned to walk back towards Mirael, her eyes unexpectedly locked with General Kaldor's. Despite the distance between them, his piercing gaze met hers with unsettling clarity. Isabel's nerves frayed under his unblinking stare, leaving her puzzled about his intent.

General Kaldor observed the girl who quivered under his gaze, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"What a little lamb. How could someone so innocent still exist?" he mused to himself.

The idea of teasing this innocent little lamb intrigued him, and he found himself looking forward to the opportunity.