Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

A priest arrived at the coachman's inn and immediately demanded wine and meat, showing no regard for church rules.

This man was a medieval version of Lu Zhishen, possessing superb swordsmanship. On the surface, he was a priest who persuaded people to recite scriptures, but behind the scenes, he was involved in all sorts of shady dealings, using his sword to subdue people. By day, he preached in the church; by night, he wandered through the bedroom, fought in taverns, danced in the bell tower, and was surrounded by mistresses—a veritable Christian prodigal son. He was none other than the alcoholic priest Goodwin.

Goodwin's father was Martin, the lord of Rabosch. Martin was extremely strict with his eldest son, Goodwin, for example, making him run barefoot in the snow in the dead of winter, facing wolves with a small dagger while hunting, and dragging him behind a horse with his hands tied for three hours when he made a mistake. The father had high hopes for his son, but the son resented his father for not treating him like a human being, resulting in a very bad relationship between them.

When Goodwin was eighteen, he was sent to Prague University, but he couldn't stand the behavior of the aristocratic children and often got into fights.

At twenty, Goodwin was expelled from university before graduating. Completely disillusioned with his rebellious eldest son, Martin sent him to the archbishop's monastery. This was typically the treatment of the second son, and although Lord Martin didn't say it aloud, this action effectively acknowledged Goodwin's loss of inheritance rights. The following year, old Martin had a second son and began grooming him anew. Goodwin was now virtually out of the running for the throne.

Goodwin became even more rebellious, studying medicine and swordsmanship at the monastery and developing a particular fondness for alcohol. Soon, like Lu Zhishen, he caused trouble and escaped the monastery, joining a mercenary group to wander the world.

In 1389, at the age of 25, Goodwin participated in the Kosovo War as a mercenary, joining the Serbian side to fight against the Ottoman invasion.

In this battle, the Serbian allied forces numbered approximately 30,000, while the Ottoman Empire deployed 40,000 troops. The two sides clashed on the Kosovo Plain. The battle was extremely fierce, with 70,000 troops fighting on the vast plain. Whether nobles or commoners, lives were lost in an instant, like grass being cut down.

At a crucial moment in the battle, the Duke of Kosovo, the son-in-law of the Grand Duke of Serbia, deserted, causing chaos in the Serbian army and allowing the Austrian army to surround them.

Milos, the stepson of the Serbian Grand Duke, led 11 knights in a feigned surrender, charging towards the Ottoman Sultan. They successfully stabbed him fatally with a poisoned dagger, and the 12 knights were subsequently killed by the Sultan's guards. This left the Ottoman forces leaderless, allowing the Serbian army to launch a counterattack.

Sultan's second son, Bayezid (Sultan's Lightning), returned to command the central army. He first lured and killed his brother, Yakb, securing his throne. Then, he regrouped, launched a counterattack, and won the victory.

This battle marked the beginning of Sultan Al-Sultan's fame; Grand Prince Hazard of Serbia was killed, and the elite of the Serbian army were massacred. Serbia then fell under Ottoman rule for 500 years.

After escaping such a brutal battlefield, Goodwin seemed to have become indifferent to life and death, and his attitude towards life and war underwent a tremendous change. He returned to the Sachau Monastery in Bohemia and became a parish priest in the Uzc district.

Although he became a priest, he despised the church's scheming and exploitative behavior, and he did everything he could to prevent the villagers who believed in so-called heresies from being persecuted by the church. He even secretly kept a copy of "The Sayings of Master Jan Hus".

In the Lathai region, he became close friends with Henry, despite their age difference, and also met Hans the Young Master. He provided them with considerable assistance.

After recapturing Talmu Fortress, Hans and Henry went to Trostsky to deliver a letter. What should have been a three-day journey took over a week without a reply, causing Raddy and Hans to worry. They thought of Goodwin, who had been expelled from the monastery because of his mistress affair, and asked him to come to Trostsky to offer assistance.

"I just want a peaceful life, nothing more. To relax, have some fun, and not upset anyone... except for the executive officer of Uzbekistan, but that's another story."

Inside the Coachman's Inn tavern, Goodwin and Lawrence, the tavern owner, sat facing each other, chatting while drinking cold beer.

This is also a skill that Goodwin has developed over many years of travel; he can make friends with just a few words wherever he goes.

"Haha, I'm really curious about what happened next."

The pub owner poured Goodwin another beer and pressed him for an answer.

There are gossipers everywhere, and with so many people coming and going here, you should understand that feeling even more.

Goodwin took a sip of beer and continued telling his story.

"Yes, yes, I know that all too well. Just because my tavern is next to a bathhouse, people say I've slept with every girl there. Good heavens, my wife is watching me like a horny donkey, I don't have time for that..."

The tavern owner deeply agreed, shaking his head and sighing.

"Right? Me too. Just because I kept a few extra mistresses, they complained to the higher-ups about me."

Goodwin's wrinkled face made him look to be in his fifties or sixties, but he was actually just over forty, probably because he had been drained dry by his mistresses.

Just then, the tavern owner passed by carrying a jug of wine, and Goodwin's eyes were immediately drawn to her, staring intently at her waistline.

The tavern owner, completely oblivious, asked foolishly, "To whom should we complain? To God in heaven?"

Goodwin burst into laughter, thinking the owner was a real character and that he should befriend him and stay the night. "Hahaha, wrong guess, it's the bishop! Then they kicked me out, saying I brought shame to the diocese."

The two men burst into laughter. It was practically an open secret that priests kept mistresses; anyone who didn't have two or three was considered ashamed. Not only priests, but nuns were just as brazen; in big cities, convents for women had even become upscale clubs. Since we're all equally corrupt, isn't it ridiculous to use this against me?

"Shame? People need to enjoy themselves sometimes, but they can't just kick you out for no reason."

The tavern owner asked curiously.

"I can tell you frankly that I am a good Christian. However, there are too many Christians and not enough church members, so if someone speaks ill of me, they can use that as an excuse to take over my parish."

Although I drink, kill, and have mistresses, I know I am a good priest.

"Yes, there are always some annoying people." The tavern owner wholeheartedly agreed.

"As the saying goes, man proposes, God disposes, and then God kicks your balls~, so when a friend goes missing, I, who was at home without a job, was chosen to search for them."

Goodwin was quite magnanimous; losing the parish wasn't a big deal. With his abilities, he could make a living anywhere.

"What kind of young man are you looking for? If you don't mind, perhaps I can help you remember."

The tavern owner inquired enthusiastically. Taverns are bustling with people, and their patrons are among the most well-informed.

"Of course, my friend, I would be grateful for any clues you may have. They are a fledgling nobleman, a self-proclaimed clever blacksmith, and four attendants. They went to deliver a letter to Count Borgo at Troschi Castle, but have not yet returned."

Goodwin's description is too vague; anyone who hears it will be confused. You could at least describe his clothing, appearance, age, beard, hair color, and other characteristics.

To everyone's surprise, the tavern owner exclaimed, "Oh my god, you mean these two people? I'm sure many people in Trossky know them!"

"Really? That's great! Where are they?"

Goodwin was also pleasantly surprised, not expecting to find a clue so quickly.

The tavern owner, however, said with a gloomy expression, "Damn it, where else could they be but in the Earl's castle? Those two were involved in redeeming the young master Borgo, whom we all hate. They're probably being treated like honored guests by the Earl right now."

"Not necessarily."

Just then, the two bards dressed in flamboyant clothes approached and said, "If you can buy us a drink, we might be able to give you some other information."

"Lawrence, my friend, please give each of these two a drink."

Goodwin wasn't stingy either; he simply took out a Grossing and handed it to the boss.

"Alright, alright, if we're talking about being well-informed, these two guys who go around gathering material are better than me." The tavern owner got up and left, quickly bringing over two glasses of beer.

"Ah, having an ice-cold beer on a hot summer day is just so refreshing."

The two men took a big gulp, exhaled a breath of alcohol, wiped the wine stains from their mouths, and said, "You probably don't believe what we saw, do you?"

"What did you see? Someone washing clothes by the river without any clothes on? Or is Rudyek being seduced by a ewe in the sheepfold again?"

"Hahaha"

The tavern owner and the merchants resting in the tavern burst into laughter.

"No," said the bard George. "Everyone should have heard those claps of thunder in the clear sky. We went to investigate, and guess what I saw?"

"What?" Goodwin was intrigued. The thunder in the clear sky reminded him of the Ottoman cannons on the Kosovo battlefield.

"I saw thirty cavalrymen and three hundred heavily armored soldiers led by the lords and vassals," the bard paused deliberately, which piqued the interest of the crowd, "and Lord Peter the Red Griffin, who is ambushing them!"

"Oh my god, has Lord Peter made a move?"

"How did it go?"

"That's an army of over three hundred vassals! Can Lord Peter defeat them?"

"George, stop keeping me in suspense and tell me! I'll pay for your food and drinks at the tavern today. Tell me, tell me!"

Urged on by the crowd, the bard used his excellent oratory skills to recount the battle he had witnessed.

"What? Lord Peter is leading the charge?"

"That idiot Ulshiri ran away and got caught, hahaha."

"Six out-of-town vassals, and old Semi, the local, have all been arrested. Serves them right, serves them right."

"More than three hundred people were either killed or captured, and the vassal army was completely wiped out. Well, as expected of the Griffin Baron, his actions are extraordinary from the start."

"A bunch of crows assisting, and even stealing spoils? Bah! Why didn't Lord Peter wipe them out?"

The crowd was buzzing with excitement. They had been worried that a stalemate would break out between the lord's forces and the Griffin Camp, and that if the stalemate dragged on, the local area would be plundered by the marauding soldiers, making business even more difficult. But they never expected that with just one move from Lord Peter, the Count of Borgo's vassals would fall.

As expected of the Red Griffin Baron!

The two bards were also struck by inspiration, and began to play and sing with their harps:

Life inevitably has its downfalls, but there's always someone to pull you out of the swamp.

The kind-hearted Baron's name was Peter!

Peter the Great, he always saves people from danger!

Peter, reliable Peter, he seeks no fame or fortune but finds joy in helping others!

Oh oh~ Oh oh~

Oh oh~ Oh oh~

When you pick up the Upper Root and strum a beautiful melody~

Don't forget who's behind the scenes helping you pull out the intestines!

Peter, thank you, Peter, he always saves people from danger!

Peter, this toast is to Peter, who sought neither fame nor fortune, but found joy in helping others.

Oh ho~ Oh ho~

...........

The crowd clapped and played along with the song, and even Father Goodwin was caught up in the moment, banging on the table in agreement.

But wait

Who is this red griffin Peter? And what does this have to do with my Hans and Henry?

P.S.: Happy New Year to everyone! Wishing you all the best!