Chapter 685: Final Result
After Derrick’s troops reached the city gates, Bunduk rushed over with more than a dozen soldiers to send them off.
While Bunduk was encouraging the soldiers who were about to head to Durandal, the city gates opened.
A number of commoners swarmed into the streets.
Derrick sent people to inquire about the reason for these commoners’ arrival.
After asking, they realized that these people were the family members of the soldiers who had died in battle.
They had long heard that Lord Kant was sending people to Durandal. This morning, when they saw a line of soldiers set off for the city gate, they hurriedly followed.
The family members of the soldiers held some offerings in their hands.
They were unable to cross the desert to visit the graves of the soldiers, so they could only ask the soldiers under Derricks to bring these to the graves of their relatives.
Seeing this scene, Derrick felt mixed emotions.
The soldiers under stared at Derrick. According to the army’s rules, if he didn’t agree, they couldn’t accept such a request.
Derrick thought for a moment, then nodded and said, “Put them in the reserve carriage.”
All the soldiers who received the request solemnly put the offerings they had received into the carriage at the back of the army.
After being delayed at the city gate for a while, Derrick bade farewell to Bunduk and the others before leading the army into the desert. They disappeared into the vast sea of sand.
A few days after Derrick and the others arrived in Drondheim, a messenger from Derrick sent a message, saying that the reservoir project in Drondheim had officially begun.
This was the result obtained by Kant after the ministers of the two factions had fought for it.
The other projects in Durandal would be discussed again after the reservoir was completed.
Derrick and the others also took part in the reservoir construction project with the army.
It was expected that the first results would be seen in two months.
Kant sat in the palace’s senate hall and watched the progress of Drondheim’s development every day.
A few days ago, Kant had received a sample of the national emblem chosen from the people. This time, the designs of the national flag and national emblem was collected from the people. There were a lot of proposals that were well designed.
Kant chose a proposal that was the most in line with his original vision.
He would let the officer of the palace make the corresponding finished product.
He planned to wait until the founding of Caradia Empire was announced, and then officially start to use it.
The commoners who designed the final national flag and national emblem were naturally also richly rewarded.
The port route of c.u.mberland was officially opened, but so far, this port had only reached an agreement with the Elf Kingdom, connecting them to each other. But it still greatly reduced the distance between the main city of the Elf Kingdom and c.u.mberland. In the past, it would take a carriage to travel three days. But now, it would only take a day to arrive by s.h.i.+ps.
In a few days, it would be Kant’s birthday.
To Kant, such a day was no longer important.
However, the ceremonial officer in the palace was extremely attentive to this.
On the day before Kant’s birthday, the palace was decorated with lanterns and decorations.
“Lord.” the ceremonial officer came to the front of the senate hall once again.
It was lunchtime now. After Kant finished his dessert, he rinsed his mouth with tea. He sighed at the ceremonial officer, “You’ve been a frequent visitor recently.”
“I’m sorry to disturb you during Lord’s mealtime.” the ceremonial officer bowed respectfully.
“It’s fine. You came at a good time. I’ve already eaten lunch.” Kant replied, “What’s the matter this time?”
“The list of ministers invited to tomorrow’s birthday banquet has been prepared. I’ll pa.s.s it to you to review.” the ceremonial officer replied.
“Well, it’s pretty good.” Kant nodded after roughly looking at the list.
After saying that, he handed the list back to the ceremonial officer.
“In addition, we made a new set of formal clothes for Lord’s birthday. I hope you can personally appraise it, Lord.” the ceremonial officer lowered his head and said.
“Actually, you don’t have to go through so much trouble.” Kant frowned.
“Lord’s birthday is a day that equally important to the new year. We naturally have to prepare for it.” the ceremonial officer insisted.
Kant couldn’t help but stroke his forehead. In the past few days, the ceremonial officers in the palace had been busy coming in and out. The entire imperial court and the people all knew that Lord’s birthday was coming up.
Even Derrick from far away in Durandal had sent a congratulatory letter.
Kant wasn’t used to such an atmosphere.
“Then show it to me first.” Kant compromised.
The ceremonial officer nodded, “Yes.”
Then, he retreated to the side and clapped, “Present the new gown.”
The two ceremonial officers carried a wooden stake with the gown and walked into the hall. They placed it neatly in the hall and then pushed it aside.
Kant looked up, and his eyes revealed a hint of praise.
“This ceremonial robe is made from the national emblem that Lord chose a few days ago. With the cinnabar color as the base, the patterns on the brocade robe were made overnight by several skilled female workers, and the lines were smooth. Overall, it’s simple and elegant, and it’s very compatible with your temperament, Lord,” the ceremonial officer introduced from the side.
“Well done,” Kant praised, “But the cost of such a gown is very high. It’s better not to focus on it in the future.”
Kant naturally had his own worries in his heart. Drondheim seemed to have a good future. That was because of his own ability and the sacrifice of many soldiers. It was because the people of Drondheim had a beautiful vision for the future.
But as a lord, he could not forget the cruel reality behind this prosperity, and now was only a good beginning. Kant would not be satisfied with current status and would not stop here to enjoy it.
He wanted to convey to everyone, not only his ambition, but also his determination.
If anyone noticed his extravagance, then Drondheim’s hard-won forces would gradually become loose.
For Kant, the material requirements were as follows: he could sleep in a comfortable bed every day, and his meals consisted of delicious red wine and delicious food. That was enough.
If he wanted more in this area, he had to match the capabilities of his own country.
That way, both the people and the officials would be convinced.
Kant asked the guards to come forward and move the dress to the side hall.
When the ceremonial officer saw Kant take the dress, he took his leave and left with his subordinates.
Kant sat in the senate hall and thought, “According to the schedule, there will be a big meeting tomorrow.”
At the meeting, Kant will address the people in the city and the high officials of the court.
It was rare to have such an a.s.sembly during the year. Most of the time, it was on new year.