Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Having achieved his main objective at the vagrant camp, Peter bid farewell to the camp commander.

When he left, Marika was reluctant to part with him and secretly slipped him a brightly colored flower bracelet that she had made herself. She also secretly told Peter that their camp was preparing to head north in two weeks and implied, "Maybe one day I'll 'get lost' and end up at your place."

Peter smiled and put the bracelet on his hand.

"My camp over at Devil's Canyon is always open to you."

Peter doubted that this passionate girl would actually run away from home. To prevent her from wandering off, he had no choice but to give her directions.

Peter and his two companions walked quite a distance, but Marika's gaze remained fixed on them, refusing to look away.

The commander sighed, realizing that he was afraid he really couldn't keep his precious daughter.

As evening approached, Peter and his two companions returned to camp. Carter the tomcat was immediately captivated by the size and liveliness of the camp. He hadn't expected that in just one month, such a bustling camp would spring up in the mountains from nothing.

Nearly a hundred people from the entire camp were singing and dancing in the central square. There were men and women, young and old, eating, dancing, and singing Bohemian folk songs. The tomcat's showy personality kicked in again. Like a peacock spreading its tail feathers, he danced among the crowd, performing difficult aerial flips, which drew cheers from everyone.

When Peter introduced the tomcat as a sword master, the tomcat took out several wooden swords and invited the young men to gang up on him. He fought against many opponents with all sorts of tricks, which were both humorous and comical, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

Peter watched Master Tomcat's antics and teased the old monk beside him, "Master Tomcat loves to show off so much, I wonder what kind of style he'll present when he tries to break through to the Sword Saint realm—just pandering to the crowd?"

Old monk Martin shook his head: "He seems carefree, but he has a good sense of propriety. He treats the duel as a game rather than as an insult to the loser, showing a childlike innocence. He was raised by bears from a young age, then went to the city to learn swordsmanship and became a top swordsman, only to be forced out of Kutenberg when he became a master swordsman. His life is full of twists and turns, truly legendary. His swordsmanship is strong but not resolute, skillful but not cunning, patient but not secretive, optimistic but not reckless. His swordsmanship reflects his character. Such contradictory swordsmanship suggests that his cynicism may not be his true nature, and deep down he may harbor grievances and hatred that we do not know."

Peter thought about it and agreed with the old monk's point of view. The tomcat was no ordinary creature; its story might only be revealed when he returned to Cutenberg.

They enjoyed themselves all night, then went back to work the next day.

The tomcat refused an important appointment, devoting himself to studying swordsmanship under Master Martin. Peter had no choice but to assign the tomcat to the old monk's propaganda team, where he would promote swordsmanship during the day and sing and dance to liven things up at night.

Peter also took the opportunity to learn the "Master Counter" technique from the tomcat. In just one week, Peter had learned most of it, and the rest he had to hone through practical experience.

While Peter practiced "Master Reversal" and the camp expanded rapidly, things outside became increasingly chaotic.

The young lord of Borgo's tax increase decree was not only implemented in Troschi village, but also required the castle's directly subordinate towns of Takhov, Zheleyov, the Coachman's Post, and Apolonia to pay a temporary bandit-suppression tax of 5 groschen per person. The two knighthoods of Sir Semi and Sir Nebakov each had to pay a feudal obligation of 200 groschen.

Many bankrupt farmers were already destitute, and this tax of 5 Groshens per person sealed their fate. The more docile ones fled to Peter's camp, while the restless ones became outlaws.

The entire Troski territory is now overrun with bandits. The bandit baron Gules has returned to the mountains and once again ruled as king; the northern villain Kaspar has attacked the village of Takhov several times, attempting to plunder it; and bandit gangs of three or five men have spread to every nook and cranny.

After being attacked several times, the cavalry and infantry inside the castle had completely stopped patrolling, further exacerbating the chaotic situation.

Each village barely managed to maintain its own guard and fortified itself. Sir Semi and Sir Nebakov were also trying to protect their respective estates.

Sir Semih, a Moravian, had only four capable guards left under his command, led by Captain Gnali. To bolster his forces, he specially invited six impoverished relatives from Moravia to help him. However, these six Moravian relatives, after arriving, spent their days either eating meat or getting completely drunk, refusing to do any work.

In the past, old Semih wouldn't have cared about the food and drink of these poor relatives. But in recent years, after Von Polgao came, taxes increased, and coupled with poor management, his family had long been living beyond their means. They had no dignity left despite their noble titles, and couldn't even pay the 200 Groschen taxes. In the end, they had to shamelessly borrow money from the family of Serlush, the executive officer of Troski village, to fulfill their obligations.

He was already struggling financially, while his poor relatives in Moravia were still indulging in lavish feasts, making old Semih's life miserable.

Sir Nebakov once mocked old Semi for his poor judgment in choosing men, hiring a bunch of drunkards. He himself was different; he boasted that he had recruited a highly reliable group of mercenaries, led by a man named Yanjeska, who was exceptionally talented and loyal, and had wiped out all the bandits in his territory, giving him complete peace of mind.

5 month 15 day.

The situation suddenly changed. Handsome Charles, the head of the public relations team who had infiltrated Troggi Castle disguised as a bard, brought back some very bad news—an envoy had arrived from Prague with a personal letter from Count Otto von Polgao, entrusting the young lord of Polgao with full authority to manage Troggi affairs and possess the power to mobilize the people and conscript knights for war.

5 month 16 day.

情报组进一步证实，各村收到城堡少主命令，五日内发动直属领地所有16-50岁男子参战。塞米骑士、内巴科夫骑士各自带2名骑兵、3名弓弩手、20名武装步兵参战履行封建义务。

Peter immediately convened a meeting to assign tasks.

First, the camp immediately switches from production mode to war mode. All activities unrelated to war are suspended.

Second, the carpentry team will focus on producing shields, bows and arrows, building walls, and erecting watchtowers. Peter will personally lead the carpentry team and select suitable members to join the combat groups.

Third, in addition to maintaining the basic operation of farmland and animal husbandry, all other personnel over the age of 16, regardless of gender, were incorporated into the militia. The old monk Martin and the tomcat taught them basic formations, how to operate shields, and agricultural flails.

Fourth, close the Crossroads Inn and cease selling medicine. The combat team will set up traps centered on Demon Canyon, sweeping through and capturing all suspicious individuals.

Fifth, the intelligence group closely monitors enemy movements and reports them regularly.

Sixth, the logistics team should conduct a thorough inventory of supplies and coat the wooden storage rooms with yellow mud to prevent enemy fire attacks.

7. A collective communion ceremony will be held three days later to boost morale.

After making all the arrangements, Peter looked toward Trotsky Castle, where a storm was forming, but he would not surrender without a fight. He would see who would prevail through their own efforts.

That night.

While the camp was brightly lit, and everyone was digging trenches and building fortifications through the night, a message came from the combat group sentries outside the camp: they had captured a hooded man outside Devil's Canyon who was hiding his face and moving stealthily. He claimed to have important information and demanded a private meeting with the Red Griffin.

Peter had an idea and signaled the sentry to bring the man into the new camp.

In front of the camp cabin, Peter saw the man. He was tall and, although he tried to conceal it, his movements still betrayed his trained training. The man cautiously looked around to make sure no one else was around before lifting his hood in front of Peter.

It was Oda Semi, the son of old Knight Semi. Peter had seen that young face, filled with suppressed anger, in Semi Village before.