Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

"Alright, alright, I just wanted to see two of my friends." Goodwin quickly changed the subject, saying, "One is Sir Hanscapone, heir to the city of Rattay, and the other is Henry, the blacksmith from Skarlitz."

"Oh, it's them. I know them. They visited our Nebakov Castle yesterday, delivering a very insidious letter on behalf of von Polgao. Although they are enemies, I have a good impression of them. I was even responsible for receiving the squire Henry and showing him around the castle. Apart from the later discovery that some valuables were missing from the castle, we got along very well."

Michael quickly recalled it and answered readily.

"That's great! Where are they?" Goodwin asked quickly, as they had finally found the right people.

"I didn't see them. Perhaps they didn't go on the campaign, or perhaps they were taken away by Baron Red Griffin. You know, Red Griffins love taking prisoners. In this battle, they didn't even want their weapons and equipment, just took all the prisoners. What a strange bunch," Michael said, shaking his head.

"It's good that he's not dead." Goodwin breathed a sigh of relief; as long as he was alive, there was hope. The next question was simply whether to search the Red Griffin Camp or Troski Castle.

Goodwin wanted to head to the griffin camp immediately, but Michael stopped him.

"Father, it may sound a bit strange, but could you please offer a prayer for the deceased?" Michael scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly. "Although we are bastards who live on the edge and kill the lackeys of lords who oppose us, we are all Christians with God in our hearts. Even in death, we yearn for our souls to be comforted and released. Perhaps meeting you, Father, is God's will."

"As you wish."

Goodwin did not refuse. Although he was not usually one to seek favors, he still had a compassionate heart and wanted to do his part after seeing so many people die.

As Michael and the others buried the body, Goodwin chanted a prayer beside them:

"My Lord, O merciful God! Grant all the deceased a swift release from the shackles of death, and entry into the peaceful and bright Kingdom of Heaven, where they may enjoy eternal happiness through your love..."

The more than fifty corpses hidden within the ambush area were gradually transported over and placed into the large pit. Ash was then sprinkled on top, and the pit was filled in.

"Thank you, Father."

Michael and his companions were now completely convinced that the man in front of them, carrying a two-handed sword and a wine bag at his waist, was a real priest. "Could you please do us a favor and go to Nebakov Castle to pray for our fallen comrades? We are willing to pay you and help you find those two young men."

"Well..."

Goodwin hesitated. He now had two directions for investigating Hans and Henry's location: Trossky Castle and the Griffin Camp. He had spent an hour and a half helping with the prayers, and going to Nebakov Castle, including the journey and the ceremony, would probably keep him busy until dark.

"Our Raven Army and the Griffin Camp are allies. We can directly help you contact them and inquire about the whereabouts of those two young men. This is much more convenient than you going alone to negotiate. What do you think?"

"Well, as a priest, I really can't turn a blind eye to the dead."

Goodwin thought Michael made sense. If he just barged in and asked, who knew how the red griffin would treat him? Since Trossky Castle was inaccessible, it would be better to stay at Nebakov Castle first.

The group bypassed the mill, crossed a long road along a river at the bottom of a ravine, and saw the castle standing on the steep mountain wall. To enter, they had to take a long detour and climb a long slope to reach it.

Half an hour later, they met Yanjeska at the castle gate, who was taking stock of the battlefield spoils.

Michael enthusiastically introduced, "Boss, look who I've brought you—a priest fluent in Latin. He just prayed for us near the mill while we buried the body. So I asked him to come and help purify the souls of our comrades."

"Oh, Father?"

Like his adjutant Michael, Jessica looked him up and down, then said with a puzzled expression, "It doesn't seem like it."

"Hello, I am Goodwin, a priest from the Uztz diocese." Goodwin introduced himself and sincerely praised, "Was that terrible ambush in the canyon your idea? I must say, it was brilliant. If it had been on a larger scale, you would have been famous throughout the Holy Roman Empire."

"Thank you, I never expected to receive such high praise from a priest." Jessica shrugged. He had indeed come up with the ambush location and plan. Peter and his Griffin Guard were just there to help, to deliver the decisive blow that would break through the enemy lines.

"Many people say that thunderclaps and smoke in the clear sky there are like Satan's wrath. But I know it's from gunpowder, isn't it?"

Goodwin guessed.

"The seminary doesn't teach these things. Who exactly are you?" Jessica couldn't help but become wary of the priest in front of her again. Ordinary people wouldn't know about gunpowder, which was only used on the southern Ottoman battlefields, let alone in the relatively closed and backward Troski region.

He acquired this gunpowder as a secret weapon after befriending a miller who loved science and was developing his own technology. To maintain secrecy, he didn't even reveal it to his ally, the Red Griffin Peter.

"As I just said, I am Goodwin, a priest, who just traveled around as a mercenary and participated in a few wars when I was young."

"Hungary?"

"Kosovo!"

Upon hearing this, Jessica was filled with awe and lowered his guard considerably. The brutal war against the Ottoman invasion 14 years earlier was a deep-seated pain etched in the hearts of every Christian. Jessica couldn't help but feel respect for the veterans who had fought and survived that war.

At the time, he was caught up in the Rosenberg family's manhunt due to the turmoil over the succession of the territory, and was unable to lead his brothers into battle, which remained a great regret for him.

"So, Father Goodwin, is there anything I can do for you?" Jessica asked, using a respectful tone.

Goodwin chuckled, “I serve Lord Hannah of the Lepe family, and I’m here to find his nephew Hans Capone and his entourage.”

"Hmm... if you're talking about them, I do know them..." Jessica stroked her chin, trying hard to recall, "They came to my place to deliver a message before, and I remember them well. I can say for sure that they didn't participate in this battle."

"Oh, thank goodness. This is the best news I've heard today." Goodwin relaxed. Since they hadn't gone into battle, that meant they hadn't been captured. Everyone said they were Polgar's lackeys, so staying in the castle must be safe, right?