With the arrival of Earl Hardy's personal soldier unit, the turmoil brought by the Wild Wolf Robber Group quickly subsided.
Most of the escapees, including Cole, were captured back by the cavalry unit, followed by a severe interrogation.
Levin's family was also arrested and interrogated because Duke mentioned seeing members of the Wild Wolf Robber Group leaving their home.
Through interrogation, it was learned that after Levin gave up joining the Militia Team, he went into business with his father.
During this time, Levin came into contact with the Wild Wolf Robber Group, who had their own motives.
After being severely beaten by Duke that day, Levin held a grudge against Duke.
However, since Duke was part of the Militia Team, he couldn't afford to provoke Duke.
Levin harbored resentment towards the entire Militia Team because of this.
After making contact with Levin, the Wild Wolf Robber Group used various threats and inducements to reach a collaboration with him.
Levin had the Wild Wolf Robber Group disguise themselves as his family's caravan, lurking at his home to collaborate inside and outside when it was time to act.
By the time Levin's father learned of this, it was too late, and he had no choice but to join in.
As a result, the Wild Wolf Robber Group was defeated, and during interrogation, Levin's family was also implicated.
Before they confessed, Levin's family had already been detained.
In essence, they were ordinary citizens, unable to withstand interrogation, and confessed after a little pressure was applied.
Earl Hardy quickly passed judgment, sentencing them all to death.
...
Five days later, on an unusually bustling morning in Endland Town,
a large crowd gathered in front of the town's gallows, all residents of the town and even many who came from distant villages and small towns.
They were there to watch the hanging, an activity that served as entertainment for many.
The gallows in Endland Town were not of the long-drop type, which could break a person's neck instantly, causing quick death with less suffering.
The town's gallows caused death by asphyxiation, which could take several minutes or even up to half an hour, and the entire process was extremely painful.
After the criminals died, they would still be hung on the gallows for some time as a deterrent, to show others the consequences of offending Earl Hardy's authority.
In this era, hanging was seen as a humiliating punishment exclusive to commoners, while nobles sentenced to death were usually beheaded.
The members of the Wild Wolf Robber Group and Levin's family were already standing under the gallows, with ropes around their necks, about to be hanged.
Duke stood below the platform, maintaining order while also watching those on the platform.
He exchanged a glance with Levin, whose once-blank stare came alive, filling with anger and remorse upon seeing Duke.
Duke stood there expressionless, watching Levin all the while.
A surge of anger welled up within Levin; he knew this guy wanted to see him suffocate to death.
Even now, he didn't think he was wrong. He believed his downfall was entirely due to Duke and blamed it all on him.
But now he could do nothing, as the other side watched him, even as his family was led to the gallows.
As Levin was full of anger and remorse, suddenly the ground below him disappeared, a pain surged through his neck, and he could no longer breathe.
He desperately grabbed at the rope, but as his feet hung in mid-air, he could do nothing, and the rope only tightened more.
In his struggle, Levin saw Duke in front, who opened his mouth and said something.
He could no longer hear what the other was saying, but he could tell from his lip movements.
Duke said, "Good riddance."
...
After the Wild Wolf Robber Group attack ended, life in Endland Town gradually returned to calm and back on track.
The attack did not cause much harm to the town's residents; most of the casualties were members of the Militia Team.
Earl Hardy provided generous compensation for all the deaths, ensuring their families could live comfortably for a long time.
For those militia members who distinguished themselves during the turmoil, Earl Hardy was not stingy in rewarding them with substantial wealth.
As a key contributor second only to Wood, Duke received a reward of thirty gold coins.
In truth, he had his eyes on the set of silver armor worn by Cole, but it was merely a contemplation, as items of such caliber were unlikely to be awarded to him.
Holding the weighty bag of gold coins, Duke found himself slightly unsure of how to spend it.
With this money, he could indulge in salted meat every day, enough to last him quite a while.
Upon receiving the money, Duke did more than just improve his living conditions; he also set aside five gold coins, which he insisted on giving to Uncle John's family.
He was a person who valued gratitude and was never stingy towards those who helped him, always willing to give back once he was able.
Aunt Anna initially wanted to marry Loy to Duke, but Uncle John intervened.
It was not that Duke was deemed unsuitable, but Uncle John knew his daughter was no longer a match for Duke.
Uncle John understood far more than Aunt Anna; he knew Duke would only continue to rise.
Loy, a common farmer's daughter, was not compatible with someone like him.
When the disparity in status is too large, being together is not a good thing.
Duke, unaware that he narrowly avoided being pressured into marriage, was currently busy with another matter.
In Endland Town, Wood smiled at Duke and asked, "Duke, do you want to become stronger?"
"I do," Duke replied without hesitation.
Wood nodded, "Very well, there's an opportunity right now. The Earl is recruiting personal soldiers, and I've submitted your name."
"Recruiting personal soldiers?" Duke had somewhat anticipated this.
For any noble, personal soldiers are extremely important, primarily based on loyalty and trust.
Only those who are deemed trustworthy have the opportunity to become a noble's personal soldier.
Duke's background was exceptionally simple, as clean as a blank sheet of paper.
Coupled with his outstanding performance during this period, he had proven excellent enough for Wood to recommend him.
Wood nodded, "That's correct, and more importantly, you have a chance to become a Knight."
"The recruitment process for personal soldiers includes teaching you the Breathing Technique. Those who master it can become Knights and be heavily relied upon. Even if you can't learn it, striving to become a personal soldier is still very good."
In essence, this recruitment for personal soldiers is also a selection process for Knights.
This is also a means for Earl Hardy to select and train talents, further screening for those with the potential to become Knights from the outstanding young individuals recommended from various places.
The personal soldiers are secondary; Knights, who have mastered the Breathing Technique, are truly the foundation of a noble.