Arcane Emperor

Matthew, with a calm expression, ignored Butler Ralph's suggestive tone, nodded with a smile, and then, under the sneaky glances of the soldiers, said aloud:

"The 11 injured and infected, step forward. Purify and treat your wounds inside the cloak first, then we shall begin the distribution of the spoils."

"Don't worry, everyone. I remember clearly all the contributions each of you has made..."

"The one with the highest contribution value—Knight Angela."

"She commanded the battle and killed 512 Mutated Fishmen. For her significant contribution, she receives 10% of all profits, amounting to 50 Gold Coins!"

"Killed a total of 26 Mutated Fishmen, allocated 30% for the killing contribution, receiving 7 Gold and 80 Silver Coins!"

"Severely wounded 16 Fishmen, allocated 15% for wounding contribution, receiving 2 Gold and 40 Silver Coins!"

"Participation in the battle, receiving 1 Gold, 20 Silver, and 96 Copper Coins!"

"Angela has altogether received 61 Gold, 40 Silver, and 96 Copper Coins."

"As the one with the highest contribution in this battle, I also award her an additional Healing Potion worth 10 Gold Coins."

The overwhelmed Angela, under the burning gaze of the soldiers and the urging look from Butler Ralph, received the glittering gold coins and Healing Potion in front of everyone.

She could never have imagined that the first time in her life she would earn more than 10 Gold Coins, it would come from this battle encountered while on the road.

Of course, many soldiers felt puzzled. Angela's contributions were evident to all.

But Matthew's exact contribution calculation down to the single digits, and awards precise to the copper coin, inevitably raised some doubts among them.

In fact, even Angela herself couldn't quite recall how many Mutated Fishmen she had killed or severely wounded in the intense battle earlier.

"Could it be that My Lord is bluffing?"

Quite a few exchanged covert glances, their spirits fluctuating with this thought.

Little did they know, Matthew seemed oblivious to everyone's doubts, speaking in a tone that was detached yet confident:

"The second-highest contribution value, myself."

"Killed a total of 64 Mutated Fishmen, allocated 30% for the killing contribution, receiving 19 Gold and 20 Silver Coins."

"Severely wounded 51 Mutated Fishmen, allocated 15% for wounding contribution, receiving 7 Gold and 65 Silver Coins."

"Participation in the battle, receiving 1 Gold, 20 Silver, and 96 Copper Coins."

"In total, received 28 Gold, 5 Silver, and 96 Copper Coins!"

The crowd then saw Matthew also count the currency thoroughly before holding it in his hand.

Now everyone understood that My Lord wasn't making reckless claims, at least he wouldn't fool around with a lie so easily exposed before everyone.

After all, nobles who went back on their word weren't unheard of...

But in their hearts, everyone silently hoped that My Lord was truthful, remembering each person's deserved merits and rewards as he said.

Many soldiers even tried to reassure themselves that, even if there were some discrepancies, the collective contribution of 1 Gold, 20 Silver, and 96 Copper Coins should be accurate.

"Third place, John Kars..."

"Fourth place, Sean Radley..."

"..."

"In 32nd place, Madley, killed 2 Mutated Fishmen, receiving 60 Silver Coins."

"Severely wounded 4 Mutated Fishmen, receiving 60 Silver Coins."

"Participation in the battle, receiving 1 Gold, 20 Silver, and 96 Copper Coins, totaling 2 Gold, 40 Silver, and 96 Copper Coins!"

Upon hearing My Lord mention his name, Madley leapt up excitedly, proudly lifted his chin, and said to his taller companions around him:

"Haha, I told you I killed two Mutated Fishmen, thankfully, My Lord saw it, hmph..."

His companions watched him stride forward, delighted to receive his Gold Coins, revealing hints of envy in their eyes as they looked at Matthew with an admiring disbelief.

"My Lord really didn't get it wrong? That's just too impressive!"

"My Lord is a mysterious and powerful Arcanist, he sees every move we make."

"Exactly, like that damned assassin, he must have been noticed by My Lord for his vile intentions from early on, so he just walked right into the Trap, didn't he?"

"Makes sense, My Lord's ability is truly formidable, he really is omniscient..."

As each soldier, militiaman, and Cart Driver confirmed their merits and rewards without objection, everyone came to an unspoken agreement that the mysterious and powerful My Lord really knew everything!

Those who had harbored little schemes felt fortunate, yet there are always those whose greed is never satisfied.

"..."

"Number 86, Cartlan, one kill Contribution, receive 30 Silver Coins, one severe injury Contribution, receive 15 Silver Coins..."

"That's not right, My Lord, I killed two Mutated Fishmen and severely wounded at least three, I should have gotten more, my companions all saw it..."

Cartlan looked up incredulously as he spoke, scratching his head and turning to his companions.

The latter hurriedly nodded, showing a simple honesty on their faces, and looked up at Matthew somewhat anxiously, saying with a tentative tone:

"That's right, Cartlan did kill two Mutated Fishmen. I killed three, not just two; Gannon was right beside us, he saw everything clearly..."

The mentioned Gannon, a tall and thin militiaman, nodded eagerly in response after hearing the two men's words:

"Yes, at that time the three of us were so happy, still wondering how many Gold Coins we would get for killing those Mutated Fishmen, it's just a pity we never learned to read, couldn't figure it out..."

Seeing Matthew's motionless figure, Gannon, with a sweaty palm, said in an ambiguous tone:

"At that time, we were Throwing burning fuel, and the corpses of those killed fish-men burned up, maybe My Lord, you remembered wrongly..."

All at once, the entire convoy fell silent.

Everyone stared blankly at these three men and stole glances at My Lord with disguised eyes. My Lord showed no reaction as if he was carefully recalling the event.

Elder John, who was repairing the carriage, also stopped what he was doing, a cold smirk appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Leon, who was assisting him, blinked in confusion and involuntarily blurted out:

"No way, My Lord has never remembered wrongly, right?"

Who knew that in front of everyone, Matthew lightly patted his head, as if suddenly realizing, and said:

"Indeed, I did remember wrongly..."

With these words, the whole convoy burst into a flurry of discussion.

Not until Butler Ralph's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness as he sternly called for "Silence" did everyone quiet down. The three lowered their heads subconsciously, and beneath their masks, their faces revealed bursts of joy.

"So much for being all-knowing? He's just a little kid!"

"If I had known he was so easy to fool, why didn't I say more just now?"

"But why did he admit it?"

The three had completely different thoughts, some excited with anticipation, others fearful but greedy.