Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

"Romeo, there's an old saying in my homeland: Which is the most wicked thing in the world—the tongue of a boa constrictor or the sting of a wasp? Neither. The most wicked thing in the world is a woman's heart. You rejected that wicked Anna, and now she wants to kill you. Is that reasonable? Don't you hate her?"

Peter continued to incite.

"You're right."

Romeo felt that Peter had hit the nail on the head, especially the assessment that "women are the most wicked of men," which he particularly agreed with. His gaze towards Peter now held a hint of admiration.

"Romeo, I've heard that the steward of von Polgów's castle is a peculiar and filthy man. Even the bathers at the inn call him 'Ulrich the Pervert.' Any bather who spends the night with him goes home feeling nauseous. There are even rumors that he has a thing for beautiful young men. You were framed by Anna and targeted by Ulrich. Isn't it possible that his wicked intentions are at play here?"

Peter then used his guesses from the game's plot to slander Ulrich.

"Now that you mention it, I think I've had a similar suspicion. He also frequently asks me to concoct stag potions for him, could it be...?"

Romeo's face grew even uglier. He certainly didn't like women, but he disliked ugly old men even more.

"Romeo, your grandmother must have been a great woman to have raised you so well and taught you so much. But her reputation was tarnished by the people of the castle, and the herb garden she left you was destroyed by them. And what have you done for her?"

Peter's seduction was relentless, and his words echoed in Romeo's mind like the whispers of Satan.

"You're right, my grandmother is the greatest person in my heart, and I've embarrassed her, boohoo."

Romeo, remembering his grandmother, burst into tears. His grandmother had been so good to him, yet he had only brought her misfortune.

"Romeo, I've stopped those villains in the castle this time. Can I stay here to help you forever? What will you do when they come back with even more people?"

"Yes, what should I do, sir?"

Yes, right now only the medicinal herb field has been destroyed. Will the hut be burned down next? Anger burned in my heart, but I was also very confused.

So Peter carried out the third step of his kidnapping plan: to lend a helping hand.

"Romeo, God gave you the knowledge to heal and save lives, not so that you would be so despondent, but so that you could use your medical knowledge to help more people and spread His mercy. The slander of Anne, the oppression of Ulrich, and the harm to your castle villains are all against God's will. You need to fight back! Kick those people's asses hard. And I will definitely help you."

Peter comforted him like a caring older brother. But in his reflection, there seemed to be sharp horns, bat wings, and a snake's tail swaying.

"Thank you, Mr. Peter. Meeting you has been the luckiest thing that has ever happened to me. Perhaps, as you said, this is God's guidance."

Romeo was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes, and he gripped Peter's hand tightly. Such a considerate and passionate knight was simply a messenger of God.

"Cough cough"

Peter's embarrassment vanished in an instant. Without making a sound, he withdrew his hand, made a speech gesture, and emphasized, "You need to leave here, my friend."

"Leave, but I... This is the last place my grandmother left me, and I don't know..."

Romeo hesitated, feeling reluctant to leave. He walked to the cottage, his fingers unconsciously tracing an old scratch on the window frame—perhaps a height mark he had made as a child. This little courtyard held many fond childhood memories.

Peter patted him on the shoulder and pointed to the silhouette of the castle on the distant ridge. "Look there. How long would it take the castle guards to ride here? Half an hour? Do you think the castle steward would tolerate a doctor who disobeyed his orders and injured one of his men going unpunished? Staying behind would mean facing retaliation from the castle guards, the steward's purge, and being left isolated and helpless. That's not a smart choice."

"I'm not afraid of them..."

Romeo wanted to argue, but Peter interrupted him by raising his hand.

"Don't overestimate your abilities, nor underestimate the shamelessness of your enemy. You may not be afraid, but you are powerless to prevent tragedy from happening, aren't you? But I, Peter Griffin, a knight blessed by God, can provide you with the power of revenge."

Peter's constant emphasis on being a blessed knight subconsciously makes Romeo feel that only Peter's knighthood can rival Ulrich's status as steward.

"Is it absolutely necessary to leave?"

Romeo's tone softened, and he somewhat agreed with Peter's view, but he still harbored a glimmer of hope.

"A temporary departure is not a retreat, but a gathering of strength to throw a punch forward."

Peter unleashed the fourth step of his kidnapping plan: promising a bright future.

"I am a wandering knight who has only been in Troski Territory for a week, yet I already have my own camp. There are skilled archers (Tom), brave and fearless warriors (Jerry), herbalists with a heart of justice like yours (Bojina), and pure-hearted creators of beautiful maidens (Pavlina). Now, we will add a devout hermit (Martin) and a young and promising herbalist like you. The future of our territory is infinitely bright."

"Wow, Sir Knight, you already have so many talented people under your command?"

Romeo had not yet realized that the talented people Peter mentioned were singular, not plural. He was misled by Peter's description.

Peter continued, "I'm quite certain that the herbalists are not the evil sorcerers the priests portray them to be, but rather God's children with professional ethics and a kind nature, eager to save lives. Since the Troskii Territory came under the control of the von Polgau family, taxes have increased year after year, and the church and priests in the castle have made a fortune selling indulgences, causing immense suffering to the common people. Once you come to my territory, on a small scale, you can fully utilize your talents to treat the common people's illnesses. On a larger scale, you can help me break the morbid rule of Troskii Castle, reduce taxes, combat bandits, and cure the diseases of the entire society. And you, my friend, once I take over Troskii Castle, your lost reputation will be restored, and you will be remembered by everyone."

"To restore one's reputation? To be remembered by everyone?"

Romeo was tempted by the promise of a better life made by Peter and couldn't help but feel a little longing for it.

Peter, seizing the opportunity, smiled and extended his hand to Romeo, saying, "Come, follow me, and justice will be served, mercy will be proclaimed, and all that we do is for the glory of God."

"Alright, I promise you, sir!"

"Ding! Romeo has been bewitched by the host's words and is willing to join your ranks. System panel open."

Name: Romeo

Level: lv9 (182/2500)

主属性：力量13、敏捷14、活力14、智力15、魅力20

次属性：爆发12、防御11、闪避13、口才10、视野14。

Skills: Herbalism lv14, Alchemy lv14, Planting lv12, Unarmed combat lv15

Talent: Herbalism Mastery (Blue Talent. Received formal training from a young age and extensive practical experience, possessing rich herbalism knowledge. More likely to concoct perfect potions.)

Loyalty: 71

Remaining points: 8 attribute points, 8 skill points.

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Haha, this herbalist's stats are pretty good. I've hit the jackpot.

Romeo had no interest in women, nor did he need to worry about young Pavlyna being attracted to this handsome young man, which further strengthened Peter's determination to abduct her.

"Since we're leaving, let's act decisively and leave before it gets completely dark."

Peter gave the order decisively.

"Yes, sir. Please give me ten minutes to pack the necessities."

Dusk began to fall over the forest. Romeo sighed, walked to a hidden compartment in the floorboards, and retrieved several handwritten books and a small bag of seeds. He looked around the cabin, a place filled with memories, his fingers lightly tracing the height markings on the doorframe from past measurements. He took a bunch of dried lavender hanging from a tree, tucked it into his robes, and then blew out the oil lamp on the table.

His voice was resolute: "When the time is right, I will definitely come back."

Peter replied firmly, "Of course, not only for your homeland, but also for all those who are persecuted."

"Let's go. We'll head to Takhov village first, where our companions will meet us."

Peter carried the old hermit on his back, Romeo held the bundle full of herbs, and the three of them walked along the forest path toward the distant hills. Behind them, the last rays of the setting sun dyed the abandoned herb hut blood-red, witnessing the vow they made when they left.