Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Deep within Peter's camp, the hastily dug and constructed cells were dark and damp.

Istvan, the infiltrator who called himself "The Viper," was tightly bound with rough hemp rope, a rag stuffed in his mouth, only able to make muffled "ooh" sounds. He listened intently to the deafening shouts and clashing weapons outside, a sense of triumph washing over him.

"It's done? That idiot Borgo actually made it in? Looks like his mercenaries are actually somewhat useful..."

He secretly plotted how to escape in the chaos, or at least make Red-haired Peter pay the price.

However, as the battle continued, the source and rhythm of the battle cries began to change. Instead of an advance from afar, it seemed to erupt from a compressed area, followed by a wave of panicked retreat. Istvan's heart sank.

No! Behind the camp, damn it! I see, Red-haired Peter used the message I gave him! He never intended to hold the canyon to the death; holding it would only keep the enemy at bay. If they were lured deep, and then… their retreat was cut off, they could defeat or even capture them!

Istvan suddenly realized that Peter's previous misleading of him was not about "forming an alliance" to swindle a few truckloads of supplies, but rather about using his channels to send the foolish young master of Borgo the wrong message—that the camp was vulnerable and that as long as the canyon was breached, the enemy could be defeated easily!

He had foolishly given the wrong information twice: first, that the camp was in chaos, and second, that he had gained trust and could be an inside agent.

With these two pieces of erroneous information, the already arrogant, stubborn, and foolish young master no longer thought about advancing slowly and methodically, relying on numerical superiority to wear down Peter; he only thought about a quick and decisive victory.

After realizing Peter's plot, a tremendous panic instantly gripped Istvan. He discovered that Peter, this seemingly ordinary "outcast" leader, was terrifyingly cunning. His young master was likely falling into Peter's meticulously crafted trap!

"Waaaaah! Waaaaah!" Istvan struggled desperately, trying to make a louder noise or break free of his restraints to warn his young master of the plot. But the ropes were tightly bound, and the militiamen guarding the door only cast indifferent glances at his struggles. He could only writhe in vain like a real, nailed snake, listening to the increasingly clear sounds of the collapsing army of Borgao outside, his regret and despair spreading through his body like cold venom.

"It's all over...it's all over...that piece of trash, Borgo! My plans...my reputation..."

After an unknown amount of time, the cell door was violently flung open. Two militiamen dragged in a man, whose hands and feet were also bound, and threw him in like a sack of potatoes. The man let out a muffled groan of pain.

Istvan, using the dim light filtering through the doorway, almost didn't recognize him. His once handsome face was now swollen like a steamed bun, a patchwork of blue and purple, his eyes reduced to slits, and blood still lingered at the corners of his mouth. His magnificent armor had been stripped away, leaving only a tattered undershirt covered in mud and grime, a truly wretched sight.

He is the young master of Bordeaux.

The young master of Borgo struggled to lift his head, his swollen eyelids barely opening a crack, and he saw Istvan in the corner. Their eyes met briefly in the air.

"Useless, utterly worthless..."

The young master of Borgo never reflected on his own actions, instead directing all his resentment at this venomous snake. If it weren't for the snake's self-righteous advice, he wouldn't have suffered such a crushing defeat. He completely forgot that when they passed through the canyon, the snake had taken all the credit for it.

"Sigh~"

Istvan, his mouth gagged, could not speak and could only sigh helplessly. This pair of partners who "sabotaged each other" became the most tragic footnote to Peter's glorious victory. They looked at each other in silence, only the pained expressions on their swollen faces and the extinguished flame in "Viper's" eyes in the corner spoke of their shared defeat and bitterness.

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Outside the prison, the stench of blood mingled with the scent of earth and vegetation permeated the area around the camp. Peter stood on the stockade wall, his gaze sweeping across the ravaged battlefield and the deep, dark forest in the distance.

"The battle has been won, but it is far from over!"

His voice was steady and powerful. "Master Martin, I entrust the camp to you. Conrad, Oda, John, Andrei! Take your men and, in combat teams, immediately enter the forest to hunt down the remaining enemy! Especially those mercenaries; they are familiar with the mountains and forests, and if they escape, they will become a menace! Make sure to capture them all, not a single one escapes! Remember, prioritize your own safety! The two knights and the laborers will do their best."

"Yes, sir!" the crowd responded in unison and quickly sprang into action.

A tense atmosphere once again enveloped the area. Squadrons of Red Griffin soldiers, led by their respective captains, darted into the dense forest like combs.

They cautiously searched every bush, rock crevice, and low-lying area. Footsteps, the rustling of leaves parting, and the occasional low shouts of inquiry broke the tranquility of the forest and put immense pressure on the hiders.

"Over here! There are footprints!"

"There's movement in the bushes! Come out!"

"Lay down your weapons! Surrender and you will not be killed!"

The search was intense yet efficient. Soldiers were constantly being found, some lost, some wounded, and some exhausted, collapsing to the ground. Some were terrified militiamen, kneeling and begging for mercy; others were mercenaries who tried to resist, but were quickly subdued and bound due to their overwhelming numbers and morale. Desperate cries, the clanging of weapons, and pleas for surrender echoed through the woods.

In a secluded ravine far from the main road, Sir Semih and his trusted captain, Gnali, were huddled breathlessly behind a thicket of bushes.

Sir Semi's armor was covered in mud, his helmet was nowhere to be seen, and his gray hair was disheveled. Gnarley gripped his longsword tightly, watching the outside world warily; he also had several minor wounds on his body.

They originally had several poor relatives in Moravia with them, but they got separated during their panicked escape. Just now, they vaguely heard the shouts of those relatives being captured in the distance.

"Sir, we need to find a way to get out of here..."

Gnali lowered his voice, his tone anxious.

Sir Semi shook his head wearily, his eyes filled with frustration and uncertainty about the future. He had lived a cautious life, relying on the powerful Borghese family, and had thought this campaign would be an opportunity to gain merit and wealth, but instead, he had ended up like this. Fortunately, his son, Auda, was visiting friends and hadn't participated in the war; even if he himself were captured, the Semi family would still have someone to inherit…

Just then, a clear sound of footsteps and conversation came from afar.

"Search carefully! This mountain valley is perfect for Tibetans!" A deep voice rang out; it was the masked Oda!

"Yes, Captain!" another voice replied. It was Hound Ace, who was currently a reserve member of the combat team and would be promoted to a full member after this battle.

Sir Semi and Gennady's hearts leaped into their throats, their bodies stiffened, and they almost stopped breathing. Through the gaps in the branches, they saw a squad of fully armed soldiers, led by Auda and Ace, searching towards their hiding place.

Auda's sharp gaze swept across the surroundings. His movements paused slightly as he swept his eyes over the unusually dense thicket of bushes. Despite the other's best efforts to conceal himself, the familiar glimpse of the shoulder armor bearing the family crest, and the graying hair… Sir Semi!

Aoda's heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand! Father! How could he be here? And in such a sorry state? A powerful impulse surged within him, and he almost cried out "Father!" But reason instantly overwhelmed his emotions. He was now Aoda, the masked captain of the Red Griffins! He carried Peter's orders! Letting the enemy go, especially enemy nobles, was a grave betrayal!

Loyalty and familial love clashed fiercely within him. He remembered the oppression of the Borgo family, the humiliation of being forced to leave his home, the trust Peter had given him and the new identity he had acquired… but the disheveled old man before him was his biological father! The father who, though cowardly and opportunistic, had raised him and taught him swordsmanship!

Aoda's hand unconsciously tightened around the sword hilt, his knuckles turning white from the force. His body trembled slightly, and his face beneath the mask was contorted with inner turmoil. Time seemed to freeze.

Ace the Hound seemed to sense Aoda's unusual behavior and followed his gaze to the bushes. He saw the corner of Sir Semi's robe peeking out and instantly understood. He didn't speak, but simply stood silently beside Aoda, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Finally, Auda abruptly closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, his gaze was resolute yet filled with anguish. He abruptly raised his hand, not pointing to the bushes, but to another direction in the ravine, and commanded in a deliberately amplified voice, "Ace! Take two men and check that way! The rest of you, keep searching with me! Quickly!"

After saying that, he turned around without hesitation and led most of his soldiers in the opposite direction from the bushes, his footsteps heavy and hurried.

Behind the bushes, Sir Semir was jolted! He stared in disbelief at the masked captain's retreating figure. Though his face was covered, his build, his gait, the instinctive gesture of raising his hand to give orders in that critical moment… and the complex look in his eyes during that brief pause…

"Oda...it's my Oda! He actually sided with the Red Griffin! And...he spared me?"

Sir Semir was instantly overwhelmed by a tremendous shock, elation, shame, and an indescribable mix of emotions. Tears streamed down his face, his lips trembled, but he could not utter a sound.

Gnali was also stunned, but he reacted quickly, immediately realizing that this was a golden opportunity. "My lord! Let's go!" he growled, pulling up the still-dazed Sir Semi, and taking advantage of the distance between Oda and the others, he crouched low, quickly and silently slipped out of the bushes, and fled for his life into the depths of the ravine.

Only when Sir Semi and Gnally had completely disappeared into the depths of the forest did Oda stop, turning his back to the direction they had fled in, his shoulders shrug slightly.

Ace the Hound walked up to him, not looking in that direction, but simply patting Oda's shoulder firmly, his voice low and understanding: "Captain..."

Auda turned around, his eyes, hidden behind his mask, were slightly red, but his gaze had regained its resolve. He looked at Ace, his voice a little hoarse: "Ace, about what happened just now... I will personally apologize to Lord Peter. I disobeyed orders and am willing to accept any punishment; I will never shirk my responsibility."

Ace looked at the painful yet honest light in the young captain's eyes and nodded: "I understand. I will testify for you that what you let go... was a 'fish that slipped through the net'." He skillfully avoided the sensitive issue of identity and expressed his support.

Auda glanced gratefully at Ace and nodded emphatically. Composing himself, he raised his hand again: "Keep searching! Don't miss a single corner!"