Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

Chapter 326: Heir of a failing country(1)

Chapter 326: Heir of a failing country(1)

Prince Arnold walked through the sprawling camp, his boots kicking up dust as he surveyed the scene. The clinking of armor and the low murmur of men at rest filled the air, interrupted only by the occasional crack of a whip on a prisoner or the bark of an officer. His gaze drifted to the rows of cages where captured rebels sat bound in ropes, their faces grimy and hollow with defeat.

Some glared defiantly at their captors, their fury undimmed even in chains, while others sat slumped and silent, their spirits broken. The stench of sweat, blood, piss , and despair hung heavy in the air. Arnold's jaw tightened as he passed, watching as a soldier tested the strength of the bindings on one cage.

These men were to be sold into slavery—punishment for their rebellion and also a reward for the prince to keep everything afloat in the chaos.

In the last two weeks, Arnold had led his forces to five decisive victories against bands of rebels, scattering or capturing up to 1,000 of them in total . The fights had been short-lived, given that most of time a charge and a pincer attack was all it took to break them.

Few could withstand the charge of knights after all.

With each victory, his reputation grew. Word of his successes would reach the courts, bolstering his image . For a moment, a small measure of pride swelled in his chest.