kingnovel Chapter 470 I’m back
Chapter 470 I’m back
"Is this the Earl's Castle?"
John rode on his warhorse, his eyes sweeping across the dilapidated scene before him, his voice filled with shock and pain that were difficult to conceal.
The bricks and stones that had been repeatedly ravaged by artillery shells cracked hideously like torn wounds, with rubble and charred wood chips piled up in the broken places, like an ancient relic that had been weathered for thousands of years.
Several broken battering rams were stuck diagonally on the bank of the moat, with dark red blood scabs still clotted on the iron rams.
John frowned, and then continued to ask:
"What about the military casualties?"
General Hawke, who was standing aside, looked embarrassed. After hesitating for a moment, he slowly spoke:
"The specific situation is still being counted, but based on the current statistics, including the garrison troops, field corps, local militia, and baggage personnel, our army's casualties are around 40,000 to 50,000."
Although John had prepared himself mentally, he still couldn't help but gasp and feel a pang of pain in his heart when he heard this number.
In John's territory, military construction has always been given top priority. The total number of military forces was only about 100,000, and this battle instantly consumed half of the troops.
This meant that his military force had suffered a severe blow and could not be restored in a short period of time by relying on territory income.
John nodded slightly, then got on the carriage and slowly drove into the city. The streets were in a mess.
Houses that had been hit by shells or burned could be seen everywhere, with black smoke rising from the ruins. In some houses, only a few crumbling walls were left.
The streets were filled with the pungent smell of gunpowder and burning things, making people cough uncontrollably.
"Soon after the war began, Madam ordered all residents in the war zone to be escorted to the rear. With the rear being self-sufficient, there were not many civilian casualties."
General Hawke couldn't help but sigh as he looked at the dilapidated scene.
John patted him on the shoulder and said:
“It’s still a good thing.”
The carriage moved forward slowly amidst the bumps and bruises, and finally stopped at the gate of the inner castle.
Since this place is far away from the outer city wall, it did not suffer much damage.
John got off the carriage and walked into the hall.
Inside the hall, several ministers were busy handling various affairs.
"My Lord Count!"
When Minister Wesker saw that John was still alive, he was so excited that he immediately stood up and saluted, while preparing to wake up Minister Simon who was still sleeping nearby.
"Okay, let him rest. Everyone has worked hard for these years."
John raised his hand to stop Wesker, his eyes revealing a hint of concern and fatigue.
Then he turned and asked:
"Where is Matilda now?"
"Madam should be in the bedroom upstairs."
Wesker replied respectfully.
John nodded slightly and walked towards the second floor quietly. The corridor was silent, with only his light footsteps echoing.
As he got closer to the bedroom, he heard a suppressed cry.
John stopped in front of the carved wooden door, his knuckles creaking slightly against the frame.
Matilda's voice came through the door, mixed with a strong nasal tone:
"You said you would come back alive... You said you would teach your daughter to ride a horse..."
Through the crack in the door, John saw Matilda curled up in a velvet lounge chair, the hem of her faded nightgown was stained with mud, and her black hair, which had once been tied up, was now scattered on the faded carpet.
She held a portrait in her left hand, and her right index finger repeatedly stroked the edge of the frame. The emerald ring glowed with a dead light in the morning light.
John, who had excellent eyesight, recognized it at a glance. The portrait was of John and Matilda after their marriage. In the painting, the two of them were snuggling together with bright smiles. They were so happy at that time.
"When will you be back..."
Matilda's soliloquy reached John's ears.
John could no longer suppress his emotions. He walked quietly behind Matilda and suddenly covered her eyes with his hands.
"Guess who I am?"
His deep voice wrapped in the scent of cedar came into my ears. The expected scream did not appear, but instead warm water drops slid down my palm and through my fingers.
"Why don't you speak?"
John was about to coax Matilda, but he found that Matilda started laughing while crying.
At first it was a suppressed laugh, which gradually turned into a whimpering like a small animal, and finally she completely lost control - she turned around and hugged his neck, her nails digging into the old scars on his shoulder blades, and her tears wet the shirt on his chest.
Before John could react, Matilda turned around and kissed John on the lips.
John was a little overwhelmed by this sudden action. He subconsciously wanted to respond, but accidentally lost his balance.
"my waist!"
John felt a pain and his body tilted, and Matilda pushed him onto the bed behind him.
The day passed quietly, and the post-war fatigue enveloped John like a tide.
The early morning sunlight shone through the mottled curtains onto his face, but the aching feeling all over his body did not diminish at all.
He lay lazily on the bed, surrounded by piles of territorial documents waiting to be reviewed. They were piles of trivial matters that had piled up after the war temporarily stopped.
Matilda sat beside the bed, her eyes full of tenderness and concern.
From time to time she picked up the spoon, blew gently to cool the hot soup, and then carefully brought it to John's mouth.
"Drink it while it's hot. It's good for your body."
Her voice was as gentle as the breeze blowing across the lake.
John nodded slightly and obediently opened his mouth to drink the soup. Although his movements were slow, they were full of attachment.
"Thank you, Matilda."
He whispered a thank you, and when his eyes met the new fatigue on his wife's face, his heart ached.
This war left everyone exhausted, and his wife was in charge of the rear area, working much harder than he saw.
Just then, a clear child's voice broke the silence in the room.
"dad……"
Two little heads popped into the door. They were Carl and Catherine.
They came to John's bed like two lively little deer, their eyes full of excitement and dependence.
Karl couldn't wait to pull John's arm and said excitedly:
"Dad, look at this!"
As he spoke, he dodged to the side like a magic trick, revealing the little black duck coal ball hiding behind him.
Coal Ball was shiny black all over, and his round eyes rolled around as he looked at John curiously.
"Coal balls, come here!"
As Carl spoke, he picked up a piece of bread from the side and threw it over the coal briquettes.
The bread drew an arc in the air. The little black duck Coal Ball first squatted down to accumulate strength, then jumped up suddenly, flapped its wings, and accurately caught the bread.
Then, it did a beautiful backflip, and landed steadily on its two duck paws. Its black feathers sparkled in the sun, and it looked cute and funny.
"That's okay!"
John couldn't help but praise him repeatedly, with a rare smile on his face.
He reached out and gently touched Coal Ball's head. Coal Ball rubbed his hand affectionately and made happy noises.
The father and his two sons were immersed in this warm moment, and Carl and Catherine's laughter echoed in the room.
Suddenly, there was a sound of hurried footsteps outside the door, followed by a guard who hurriedly pushed the door open with a nervous and anxious look on his face.
"Sir, something happened outside!"
The guard knelt on one knee and reported in a hurried voice.