Magic, steel, heavy industry

Chapter 62 Cleaning Up the Battlefield

"Tie up all the prisoners. Squad 1, stay and guard them. Squad 2, clean up the battlefield and take everything that can be used. Squad 3, dig a pit and bury all the bodies. Remember to sprinkle lime on them."

Inside the Old Valley, Carreras loudly issued orders, a genuine sense of pride unconsciously appearing on his previously cold face.

The count has just been done: the guard killed 78 bandits and captured 80. Apart from two unlucky guys who broke their legs during the chase, no one else in the guard was injured.

This was an absolutely crushing victory, and as the head instructor of the guard team, Carreras felt incredibly proud and honored.

At the same time, this battle completely dispelled his doubts about serfs being soldiers. If trained well, these poor serfs would be no less capable than those proud knights.

Upon hearing his command, the new recruits in the guard unit immediately began to act.

Carl's first squad was responsible for guarding the prisoners. Although there were only 10 men, the prisoners were already terrified, and it took no effort to tie them up with ropes.

After doing all this, Karl's tense nerves finally relaxed, followed by a sudden wave of exhaustion that almost made him collapse. He sat down on the spot.

His squad leader, Doku, patted him on the shoulder. "Take a break."

Karl looked up blankly, his lips trembling slightly, and said, "Squad leader... I just... killed several people..."

Doku paused for a moment, then gave a rare, warm smile. "But you don't regret it, do you?"

Karl immediately shook his head. "I don't regret it! These bandits stole our food, causing many of our people to starve to death. If we hadn't killed them, the Anvil Territory would have been wiped out!"

"That's right. This is what we mean as soldiers: to kill all the enemies for Lord Vilan and protect everyone in the territory. We are not murderers, but heroes of Anvil Territory."

Doku spoke slowly and deliberately, and the other soldiers beside him leaned forward to listen, each of them showing an excited expression.

Although they carried out orders without hesitation, everyone still had some psychological barriers after actually killing the enemy. This is not their fault; most people would feel the same way.

But the squad leader's words gave them renewed courage.

Killing the enemy makes you a hero!

Karl looked at Doku with envy. "Squad leader, you're amazing! We enlisted together, how come you know so much?"

Doku chuckled and whispered, "Because the class monitor and deputy class monitor have to attend meetings every night. They not only have to learn a lot of things, but also learn to read. They work much harder than you guys."

"The class monitor can read now!"

"Don't worry if you don't recognize many characters. When winter comes, everyone will have to learn to read, and then you'll have a hard time."

After the squad leader finished speaking, he smiled and went to inspect the other prisoners.

Karl was even more envious. He was originally just an ordinary serf, and he would never have the chance to learn to read in his entire life. But now the lord was actually going to teach them to read? This was crazy. What could a serf do if he learned to read?

Karl didn't understand, but he didn't resist, because he knew that it was the respected Lord Vilan who had instructed them to do it.

……

On the low slope, Carreras and his guards arrived in front of Vilan, followed by Steel Cable and Morata.

Everyone's eyes were filled with excitement, but as soon as they looked at Vilan, they showed genuine admiration.

As it turns out, Lord Vilan was right; he truly was able to transform this barren land.

Vilan nodded to everyone and said, "Well done, congratulations on your victory in the first battle."

Everyone relaxed a bit, and Saka even joked, "I just threw a bomb, and I don't think I did anything else?"

"Be content. You killed the most enemies with the least cost. It's all thanks to the explosive packs," Raya retorted immediately.

Everyone laughed, but each person had mixed feelings.

They hadn't realized it before, but after witnessing the power of gunpowder for the first time, they understood that gunpowder would be the mainstay on the battlefield in the future.

"Alright, don't think you've got nothing better to do. We haven't dealt with the bandits' camp yet," Viran laughed. Then he looked at Steel Cable. "Welcome back. You're the biggest hero in this victory. I'm so happy you didn't let me down."

Steel Cable was immediately moved and knelt on one knee. "Thank you, Lord Vilan, for giving me the opportunity to atone for my sins. I am willing to be loyal to you forever!"

Upon hearing this, Morata and the other mercenaries were stunned.

You didn't say anything about swearing allegiance before!

Vilan nodded and said, "I accept your loyalty, but your mission is not over yet. Take your mercenary friends, as well as Saka, Mount, Sobo, and Sommer, and bring back everyone from the bandit headquarters, and of course, all their supplies."

"As you wish! We will not let you down!"

Steel Cable nodded excitedly and got up to leave. At that moment, the leader of the refugees behind Vilan suddenly stepped forward.

"Lord Vilan, please allow me to go with them. I have been on the battlefield and will not be a burden."

Mad Cat spoke first, but then several other refugee leaders stepped forward.

Vilan thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Mad Cat and Bear Eyes can go. The rest of you can stay here and help guard the prisoners."

"Thank you, Lord Vilan!" Mad Cat and Bear Eyes were overjoyed and immediately set off with Steel Cable and the others.

After they left, Vilan smiled and looked at Igris, "How was it? Did you think it was a bit too cruel?"

Igris rolled her eyes at him. "Don't underestimate me. These bandits should all be executed. The food supplies of Anvil Territory cannot be given to these shameless scoundrels."

"You really are something else... Of course, there are some heinous criminals among the prisoners. After interrogation, they will all be hanged. As for the rest, they can all be sent to the mines to do hard labor. The scale of the mines should be expanded."

"So you had this planned all along." Igris breathed a sigh of relief.

Just then, a commotion suddenly came from afar. Everyone turned around and saw a large group of townspeople walking curiously towards them from the direction of the town.

The sound of the explosives could reach the town, and with the added amplification by certain individuals in the mountains, the villagers naturally knew what had happened.

They never imagined that while they were just taking a nap, a war would break out in Iron Anvil Territory? And they would win!

That's right, they won. If they had lost, they would have had to run away; they wouldn't dare to come and watch the spectacle.

The person who sent the message was naturally arranged by Vilan, and McKin, the only one left in the town, was in charge of this.

After all, it was a resounding victory, and the people needed to see it to instill confidence in themselves and the future of Anvil Territory.