Chapter 186: Pain In Success
"They’re here! They’re here!"
A young woman’s voice rang out from the main road leading into Brambleford City.
Everyone turned northward. The Brambleford Army was marching back in neat formation.
Among the crowd waiting were men, women, elders, and children. Even many young women had come. While noblewomen of the Eldorian Empire rarely appeared in public, common folk didn’t follow such strict rules, especially on a day of celebration like this.
As the soldiers saw how many citizens had come out to greet them, they immediately straightened up, walking with pride and purpose.
But beneath their serious expressions, their eyes flicked toward the young women in the crowd. Some girls accidentally met a soldier’s gaze, then quickly blushed and looked away.
As the Brambleford Army entered, the citizens rushed forward, handing out buns, fruit, and food from their baskets, stuffing them into the soldiers’ hands.
In the centre of the formation, Simon rode on horseback, surrounded and guarded by soldiers.
With such a large crowd, his safety had to be taken seriously. Benjamin rode beside him, keeping a careful watch on the people lining the road, ready to stop anyone who might pose a threat.
Looking at the joyful faces all around him, Simon smiled.
He had never imagined that commoners would line the streets to welcome him like this.
The warmth in his heart confirmed it: fighting to protect Dunmere had been worth it.
Up ahead, Liam and Lancelot walked straight-backed like wooden poles, waving proudly to the citizens.
Simon shook his head with amusement. Those two always found a way to compete, even in this.
But not every sound in the crowd was cheerful.
Amid the joy were heart-wrenching sobs.
Some families searched desperately for their sons. Those who found them alive rejoiced. Those who learned of their deaths collapsed in grief.
"My son! My son!"
The wailing voice reached Simon’s ears. He turned and saw a woman in her forties, dressed in ragged clothes, weeping uncontrollably. A young girl was holding her, also crying silently.
When the girl saw Simon, she suddenly called out. "Your Highness! Your Highness!"
"Stop!" Simon ordered. The army halted at once.
He and Benjamin dismounted and approached the girl. Surrounded by his soldiers, Simon was easy to spot; she had called out intentionally.
The girl tried to kneel.
Simon gently stopped her. "There’s no need for that. Are you looking for me?"
Through her tears, she said. "Forgive me, Your Highness. I just learned that my older brother died in battle. I ask for nothing, just to know where he’s buried so we can visit and honour him each year."
Simon felt a sharp ache in his chest.
Around him, the weeping grew louder.
"Don’t worry." He said gently. "Every fallen soldier has been brought home. They may have died far from home, but I will ensure they rest in their homeland."
"Thank you, Your Highness. That is all I could ask for." She sobbed.
A nearby citizen muttered. "How tragic. Her only son is gone. Now it’s just the mother and daughter... How will they survive?"
Hearing this made Simon even more uneasy.
Victory had been bought with blood, and he couldn’t allow the spirits of the dead to carry regrets.
"Young lady, your strength humbles me. The families of fallen soldiers will receive compensation from the government. If there’s anything more I can do, please don’t hesitate to ask."
"There’s no need, Your Highness." The girl said softly, helping her mother away.
Benjamin sighed. "Your Highness, don’t be too hard on yourself. War always means death. In time, you’ll get used to it."
His tone was heavy, his eyes full of pain.
He had been through this many times.
He had watched countless comrades come and go.
How many of his old brothers-in-arms were still alive?
Simon watched the mother and daughter walk away.
The only way he could repay the people was to make sure they lived better lives going forward.
The brief stop had changed the mood.
Smiles faded from the soldiers’ faces as the sorrowful cries reminded them of fallen brothers.
How could they fully celebrate, knowing so many friends had died?
When they reached the city gates, Brambleford’s officials were already there to welcome them.
Baldwin stood at the front.
"Congratulations, Your Highness, on your great victory at Dunmere." He said.
But Simon was still sombre from earlier.
"This isn’t the place to talk. Let’s go to the Command Centre."
Baldwin was taken aback. Seeing Simon’s expression, he assumed something bad had happened.
He nodded quickly and followed the others.
Inside, Baldwin asked. "Your Highness... Did something go wrong in Dunmere?"
"No. The city was defended successfully." Simon said.
Baldwin sighed in relief.
Then Simon continued:
"I want to speak with you about compensation. The families of fallen soldiers must receive their money. If there’s any mistake, I’ll hold you personally responsible."
Baldwin scratched his head. It wasn’t the kind of talk he expected on such a joyful day.
Simon left shortly after.
Benjamin turned to Baldwin.
"This was His Highness’s first time facing such brutal war. It affected him deeply. But he’s right, the aftermath must be handled well. If not, we’ll break the soldiers’ hearts."
Baldwin nodded. "I understand."
The army returned to the Brambleford military camp to rest.
At the same time, news of Dunmere’s great victory was spreading across the Eldorian Empire by newspaper.
The day the battle was won, Aiden had sent word to Eldora.
Now, that news had reached Alaric.
"Dunmere Victory, 100,000 reavers slain, Fern fled in defeat!"
Alaric read the message with trembling hands.
He whispered to himself:
"After decades of weakness... Finally, Prince Simon has cut down on their arrogance. This is a blessing for the Eldorian Empire. A blessing for the royal family."
He immediately called an attendant.
"Quick! Spread the news of our great victory in Dunmere! Ha! I want to see the look on my ministers’ faces!"
The young eunuch had never seen the emperor so joyful.
He sprinted outside, jumped on a horse, and rode through the streets yelling:
"Dunmere Victory! Prince Simon has slain 100,000 reavers!
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