Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

While a tense search was underway around the camp, Peter, leading eight of his most elite and skilled horsemen, sped towards Nebakov Castle. Their objective was clear, and they didn't stop even when they encountered fleeing soldiers along the way.

Finally, before the news could get back, they rushed into the Nebakov Castle, which was wide open and completely unprepared.

The castle guards never dreamed that shortly after their lord led his main force on an expedition, a deadly threat would strike from an unbelievable place.

Peter and his party rushed through the open gate like a whirlwind and instantly took control of the gatehouse.

The battle was brief and utterly predictable. The five guards, caught off guard, were disarmed and subdued with barely any resistance. Inside the castle, the carpenters, stonemasons, blacksmiths, and masons who were repairing the walls and making tools, as well as Clara the herbalist who was drying herbs, all stared dumbfounded at the group of armed men who had suddenly barged in, exuding murderous intent.

"Drop your tools! Everyone, stand by! We are the Red Griffins! The castle is under our control! As long as you don't resist, your safety is guaranteed!"

Peter's voice echoed through the castle courtyard, carrying an undeniable authority.

"The Red Griffin? Wasn't that the one the master led to fight? Why is it here?"

The guard, full of questions, obediently cooperated and dared not utter a word.

The craftsmen looked at each other, and finally, under the intimidation of the gleaming swords, they chose to comply. They were craftsmen, not warriors; they had spent half their lives building castles, had they ever thought about building people?

Clara, the castle's herbalist, a beautiful woman with a serene face, silently packed away her herb basket and stood to the side, her eyes filled with scrutiny and a hint of barely perceptible curiosity. She had long heard of the Red Griffin's exploits, especially the actions of Bojina and Pavlena, whom she knew, who joined the opposing camp to manufacture potions and sell them cheaply, which filled her with admiration. She never expected that this Lord Red Griffin would actually come knocking on their door. Then, Lord Nebakov must be finished, right?

Peter quickly secured all the key points of the castle and calmed the craftsmen. He stood on the terrace of the main tower, gazing back at the path they had come from, and waited quietly.

Before long, a disheveled group of men appeared on the road outside the castle. It was Sir Nebakov and his few remaining guards, including Jan Jessica, the mercenary leader he had hired at great expense. They were in disarray, all wounded, and had clearly suffered a crushing defeat and fled for their lives.

When Sir Nebakov and his men rushed into the castle in a disheveled state, they were shocked to find themselves surrounded by heavily armored soldiers, with a bright blue banner with a red griffin flying on the walls, and Peter standing leisurely on the terrace.

"Peter the Red Griffin?!"

Sir Nebakov clutched his violently pounding chest, staggered back a few steps, pointed at Peter, his lips trembling, but he couldn't utter a single word, and almost fainted.

The weariness on Jessica and the others' faces was instantly replaced by unbelievable shock!

Jessica and his old comrades had fought in Moravia for so many years, and never before had they fled in such a sorry state. Although they had secretly allied with Peter, he had already been wrong once by not daring to betray him on the battlefield. After the war, there was no chance to explain. The soldiers didn't care about such things. If he wanted to prove he was an ally, he would first be tied up and thrown into the prisoner-of-war camp, where Peter could come and identify him when he had time.

An alliance is formed because you have value; once you're a prisoner, you're no longer entitled to discuss that. So Jessica had no choice but to flee for her life, thinking she could discuss the next steps with Peter once the situation stabilized in a few days. Who knew Peter would show up here! A sense of defeat welled up inside her.

"The castle...my castle...the castle I've spent my whole life building!"

This old knight, who had devoted his entire life to his family's castle, was captured within the fortified stronghold he was so proud of. This was more humiliating and painful for him than any defeat on the battlefield.

"Loyal Jesska! Help me, help me take back the castle, and I'll give you double... no, triple the commission!" Sir Nebakov shouted hoarsely to the mercenary leader beside him, as if grasping at the last straw.

Jan Jessica looked at the heavily armed guards on the city walls, then at his few remaining, still-shaken men, and finally at the young man calmly watching him from the terrace. He gave a wry smile and shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Sir."

Jessica's voice carried a hint of weariness and helplessness, "With the war going this far, your promise... is probably hard to keep. Moreover," he paused, looking at Peter, "this Lord Peter took the castle without firing a shot; his courage and strategy are worthy of respect. We mercenaries must also be pragmatic."

After saying that, to everyone's astonishment, Jessica suddenly turned around, her movements as fast as lightning, and grabbed Sir Nebakov's arm, twisting his hands behind his back and pinning him to the ground! His mercenaries also reacted quickly, subduing the few remaining guards of the sir.

"Lord Peter!" Jessica shouted towards the city walls, "Sir Nebakov and his guards have been captured! We surrender! We beg your forgiveness!"

This might be the last bit of face that his nominal "ally" could salvage.

"Jeska, you betrayed me! You despicable mercenary, devoid of honor, only caring about money!"

Sir Nebakov felt dizzy and utterly despondent, and could only vent his frustration with insults. At that moment, his hatred for Peter was completely transferred to Jessica.

Peter smiled knowingly. He walked slowly down the terrace to the castle gate.

Looking at Sir Nebakov, bound like a dumpling and with a deathly pale face, Peter showed no victor's arrogance, but rather a calmness bordering on pity. He waved his hand, signaling for his men to take him away.

"Jishika!"

Peter looked at the tall, resolute-faced mercenary leader. "Although we are allied, to be honest, you and your men have contributed almost nothing to me in this campaign." His blunt words made Jessica extremely embarrassed.

Before the battle, Peter's alliance with Jessica was merely a strategic move; it would be useful if it worked, but not essential. What he relied on was always the hard power he had proactively cultivated on his own side.

But after the battle, Žižka's seemingly insignificant move became much more valuable. This was because he needed time to consolidate his gains, while Count Otto von Polgár, the powerful figure in Prague, would soon lead his army back to Trossky.

There are three castles in the Troskii territory. The Troskii Castle, where the lord resides, is not to be touched for the time being. Sir Semih's castle is small and dilapidated. The only castle that can serve as a cornerstone of his territory is the strategically important Nebakov Castle.

"Although you have failed in your duties as an ally, I am willing to give you this fortified castle."

Peter's words struck like a thunderbolt, causing both Jessica and Sir Nebakov to jerk up, their eyes filled with disbelief.

"What...what did you say?" Jessica wondered if she had misheard.

"I said, you can garrison this Nebakov Castle."

Peter repeated, his tone as flat as if he were talking about something insignificant, "Of course, I will take the craftsmen with me. But the castle itself, and its symbolic status and defensive value, are yours."

Jessica was completely stunned. This was like a windfall! A sturdy castle—the coveted possession of so many! Although Peter hadn't said he owned the castle, only that he had the right to use it, they were all bandit knights by origin, so it was simply a matter of whoever took it, got it, right?

"Why?" Jessica couldn't help but ask.

Peter took a few steps closer, his gaze deep and penetrating, his voice low and strangely imposing, as if an ancient godfather were bestowing a gift: "Why? Because you need a foothold, and I need someone... who remembers my kindness. You owe me, Jan Jessica. I don't need any gold or silver in return now; I just need you to remember today, to remember this favor. Sometime in the future, when I need you, I hope you will make the same wise choice you do today."

Peter's words were etched into Jessica's heart like a brand. The gift was too heavy, and the debt of gratitude too difficult to repay. He felt immense pressure, but also a surge of inexplicable excitement and…a sense of belonging?

He took a deep breath, knelt on one knee, placed his right hand on his chest, and solemnly said, "Lord Peter! I will forever remember your generosity and trust! I will protect this castle and this favor with my life and loyalty! I will go through fire and water for you, no matter what!"

Peter nodded in satisfaction and patted him on the shoulder. "Very good. Remember your promise. But I still need to remind you again, God implicitly sets a price for every gift, Yang. Are you sure you're willing to pay that price?"

"I do."

Jessica is a very pragmatic person. It would be foolish not to take advantage of a good deal. As for the dangers of the future, we'll deal with that later.

Peter said no more, turned and ordered, "Take all the craftsmen, apprentices, herbalists, and Sir Nebakov and his entourage. We're retreating! Leave the food and weapons in the castle to our ally, Lord Jeska!"

"yes!"

The soldiers began their operation, leaving the food and weapons untouched, and instead taking only the people with them.

Under Jessica's complex and awe-inspiring gaze, Peter led his men away from Nebakov Castle in a grand procession.

Only Jessica and a few remaining soldiers remained, standing in the empty castle courtyard, watching the departing troops. His heart was filled with mixed emotions, a mixture of anticipation for a new beginning and awe of Peter's unfathomable methods. He knew that Peter's taking Sir Nebakov away was both a threat and a reminder; if he failed to fulfill his obligations as an ally again, Peter could always use Sir Nebakov's name to reclaim the castle.

What's hardest for people to let go of isn't what they "never had," but what's given to them and then taken away. So, to avoid this situation, Jessica decided to work hard, quickly recruit all sorts of bandits and outlaws, expand his forces, and prepare for the return and retribution of Count von Borghese.