Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

The old count abruptly pulled on the reins, causing his warhorse to rear up and neigh. His wrinkled face, framed by hawk-like eyes, sharply scanned the open city gate, the silent battlements, and the familiar yet unfamiliar figure atop the tower. A chill ran down his spine from a battle-hardened, almost instinctive sense of unease. The open gate, like a monster devouring flesh, made him take two steps back.

"My lord, what's wrong? Hurry into the city! Peter's pursuers might arrive at any moment!"

"I urge you on anxiously," von Olitz urged, glancing back every now and then, fearing the terrifying griffin flag might appear on the horizon.

Von Polgao ignored him, his gaze fixed on Oda, his brow furrowed. His mind raced; previously clouded by anger and defeat, his thoughts were now unusually clear, spurred by the will to survive. Hanscapone… why was he in Nebakov? When we left, he was clearly under tight guard in the Tros base prison! Unless… there was a traitor in the city!

He suddenly spoke, his voice as cold as ice: "Auda, where is my personal bodyguard Buck, whom I left in the city? Why isn't he on duty on the city walls?" This was a test; Buck was a trusted confidant of his, responsible for monitoring the city's defenses.

Auda's face was hidden under his helmet and could not be seen clearly, but his answer was almost without hesitation: "Reporting to you, sir, Buck has had an upset stomach since this morning and is in the outhouse right now. He has already asked me for leave." The reason sounded reasonable.

But it was precisely this "reasonableness" that brought the old count's suspicions to a fever pitch. Too much of a coincidence! Everything was too much of a coincidence! The meticulously planned attack was completely anticipated by Peter, and Hans, who should have been in prison, was on the battlefield… Now, the only explanation was that this Oda had betrayed them!

"traitor!"

The old count suddenly drew his sword and pointed it at Oda on the city wall. His voice trembled with extreme anger. "You are Peter's spy! Aren't you! Hans was able to appear in Nebakov because you let him go! Isn't that right?" His accusation was like a thunderclap that exploded outside the castle.

Von Olitz was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized what was happening. His face drained of color, and he cursed inwardly, "No wonder…no wonder Peter knew all about our plan! It was you, the mole!"

"My lord, what are you saying? I don't understand." Aoda still invited him warmly, "My lord, please come into the city quickly. I think I can see the dust kicked up by the pursuers in the direction of Nebakov."

"You still want to lie to me?! There must be an ambush in the city, right?! You want to capture me to curry favor with that bastard, don't you?!" The old count continued his stern questioning, pointing to Hans, who was tied to his horse. "This young nobleman told me everything!"

The scene fell silent for a moment.

Then, bursts of laughter erupted from the city walls.

Seeing that his disguise had been seen through, Aoda stopped trying to hide it. His back, which had been slightly hunched, straightened up as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He reached out and took off his helmet, revealing a young face that was now filled with indifference and determination.

"Now you understand? Count von Polgao?" Auda's voice was no longer respectful, only filled with cold mockery. "Too bad, it's too late."

He admitted it! Vonnegut gasped. It had just been a bluff, but it had actually come true. A wave of fear washed over him. If he had rashly entered the city…

Enraged, von Polgao trembled with rage. Pointing his sword at Auda, he roared, "God is my witness, you ungrateful bastard! I have treated your Semi family well! How dare you betray your lord! You have tarnished the honor of knighthood!"

"honor?"

Auda seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. A bitter, angry smile curled at the corners of his mouth. "My father, old Semi, he was your vassal! He fought bravely in the previous battle to serve you, and was captured by Lord Peter! And you, von Polgao!" His voice suddenly rose, filled with long-suppressed resentment. "How have you treated your vassals? Stingy, suspicious, exploitative! Not to mention, do you remember Amy from two years ago? That farmer's daughter?"

The old count's expression changed slightly.

Before he could answer, Auda continued to roar, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth: "Two years ago, your good son, that damned Jan Polgao, stole Amy! And when you found out she was pregnant, you ordered the hunters to kill her!" His eyes blazed with deep-seated hatred. "I've endured this blood feud for two whole years! I felt disgusted with myself for feigning subservience before you! But I endured it all, waiting for this day! Waiting for a true leader who could uphold justice! Lord Peter has done it! He promised to seek justice for me, for Amy, for all those you have oppressed! Everything that has happened today is your own fault, Jan Polgao!"

At that moment, another figure appeared on the city wall—it was the elderly monk Martin, with white hair and beard but still vigorous. It was he who, with the cooperation of Jerry's intelligence team, together with Semioda, took control of the entire castle and set up an ambush within its walls.

Holding a crucifix, his expression solemn, he joined in the condemnation of the old count in a loud voice: "Von Polgao! God bears witness to your crimes over the years! You levied heavy taxes on the common people of your lands, allowing your men to plunder and seize at will! The fields of Trostsky are barren because of your greed, and the villages are desolate because of your tyranny! The common people have died because of your tyranny! Your defeat is God's judgment!"

The old count was so enraged by the barrage of revelations and condemnations that he nearly fainted. He brandished his sword and cursed Oda and old Martin in the most vicious language, cursed Peter, and cursed everything.

"Polgao! Calm down! The castle is a trap; we can't go in! And we can't stay here! Peter's pursuers could appear at any moment! We must leave immediately!"

Vonnegut retained a sliver of his sanity. Suppressing his shock and rage, he leaned close to the old count's ear and urgently reminded him. Pointing south, he declared, "We're going to Kutenberg! We'll change horses and gallop at full speed! We can stop at Seinitz Castle, a branch of the Rosenberg family, along the way; he'll offer us assistance! Only by regrouping can we return for revenge!"

Count von Polgao's chest heaved violently as he stared intently at the two figures atop the city wall, especially Oda's young and resolute face. He knew Olitz was right; staying meant certain death. A surge of suppressed anger erupted from his overwhelming resentment as he spat fiercely at the wall and turned his horse around.

"I still have territory, I still have His Majesty the King's trust, and I can return for revenge!"

"Let's go!" he commanded hoarsely. "South to Kutenberg!"

More than thirty cavalrymen, escorting the old count and the horses carrying Hans, galloped southward along the road like a pack of frightened wolves, raising a cloud of dust in their wake.

On the city wall, Auda watched their departing figures, a hint of regret and guilt on his face. He turned to old Martin: "Brother Martin, I'm sorry... I ultimately failed to complete Lord Peter's plan to lure and capture von Polgao. That old fox... was too cautious."

Old Martin patted him on the shoulder, a reassuring smile on his face: "Son, don't blame yourself. There are no foolproof plans in this world. The light of the Lord has already illuminated the way forward, and the destruction of von Polgao is only a matter of time. We are short-handed, and we really can't do anything to these elite cavalrymen in the field. Holding Trostsky and waiting for Lord Peter's triumphant return is our most important task now."

They did not send men to pursue them. As old Martin said, it was unwise to engage in open battle when outnumbered.

Troski Castle stands quietly, awaiting the return of its true master.