Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

After Hans and Henry finished their dinner and left, Ulrich advised the old count, "Your Excellency, although Sir Hans is a nobleman, we must still be wary of him. If he were to collude with the Red Griffin, it would cause great damage to our castle."

What are your thoughts?

The old count looked at Ulrich, waiting for him to offer a solution.

"Of course, sir. I have a suggestion. There is a wandering knight residing in our city named Richard Derson, nicknamed Richard the Eloquent. He is handsome and has an exceptional eloquence. Perhaps we could have him travel with Sir Hans. This would allow him to use his eloquence and also provide us with another source of information."

Ulrich originally didn't want to get involved, but his only daughter, Anna, was bewitched by Richard's charming looks and was always urging him to get involved in castle affairs. This was a perfect opportunity to send the glib-tongued boy out of the city, preferably to his death.

"Another wandering rider?"

The old count, clearly recalling Peter's self-proclaimed identity when he joined the outlaws, asked with some displeasure, "Is he reliable?"

"He should be reliable. When he came to the castle, the young master was still in charge. The two had similar interests and got along very well. Apart from being a womanizer, he didn't have any other bad deeds. On the contrary, because of his outstanding eloquence, he was favored by many ladies in the castle."

Ulrich did his best to send the quick-witted Richard out.

"Okay, let him go with us tomorrow."

The old count, not wanting to waste time on such a minor figure, casually agreed.

............

While the ransom negotiations were taking place inside the castle, news began to spread outside that the Red Griffin had defeated the old Earl and imprisoned him in the castle for seven days.

That evening, the tavern at the coachman's post station was packed with people.

The owner rolled out all the beer barrels from his cellar because the pub was doing exceptionally well that night.

"Didn't you see that?" a bearded man waved his arms at the table of people, "that Black Bartosh charged at us like a black boar, his rapier whistling through the air! But Lord Conrad, he just sidestepped, and in a flash—crack! The sword broke!"

The people at the table gasped.

"Really?" the bard questioned. "When I was traveling in Prague, I heard that Black Bartos could take on ten men by himself."

"That was before!" another merchant interjected. "I was standing in the front row and could see it clearly. That Black Bartosh was no match for Lord Conrad after he met him. He was getting beaten to a pulp."

In the shadows of the corner, a cloaked traveler listened quietly. The beer in front of him was barely touched, but his hand remained on his waist—where a dagger was concealed.

"So Count Borgo really escaped?" someone asked.

"They fled like frightened rabbits!" Vladimir said as he poured himself a drink. "When the drawbridge was raised, there were still a dozen or so of his infantrymen outside. The count didn't even glance at them."

"That's really cold-blooded."

"That's how noble lords are, treating soldiers like tools." The speaker was a one-eyed old soldier. "But this time he miscalculated. A fleeing lord is like a lame wolf—even his own pack will despise him."

The traveler then stood up, left a few copper coins, and quietly left the tavern.

No one paid him any attention. All eyes were on the new topics: How long would the red griffins stay? Would the tax revenue decrease? Could they get back the land that had been taken from them?

...............

Inside a bedroom on the second floor of Semih Castle, Sir Alfred Semih, Odassimi, and Coach Gnali are having a meal.

Young Master Semih was cutting the bacon on his plate, but his mind was clearly not on the food. Sitting opposite him, Genali was reporting to old Semih what he had heard.

"...So, Peter the Red Griffin first wiped out the Kaspar gang with six men, then defeated Count Otto's fifty-man guard in Troschi Square with twenty-one men, captured the Prague swordsmanship master Black Bartos, captured twenty-three soldiers, and even forced the Count himself back to the castle for seven days?"

Old Sammy put down his knife. "Should I believe this story?"

“That’s what people say, and it’s not just one person.” Gnally took a sip of ale. “The villagers, travelers, even shepherds and swineherds from Troski all say pretty much the same thing. There are some differences in the details, but the core facts are consistent.”

Old Semi leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table: "Have any orders been issued to us from the castle?"

"No. But I suspect that since Count von Polgao's whereabouts have been exposed, he may summon you soon. After all, you and Sir Nebakov are the only two vassals in his territory."

Odasemi put down his knife and said, "I don't think so, Father. Perhaps von Polgar's concealment of his whereabouts, without even informing you, indicates that he has already begun to suspect you and Sir Nebakov. After all, in the Battle of Griffin Valley, even his son was captured, yet you and Sir Nebakov remained unharmed."

Old Semi and Gnali exchanged a glance, then looked at Oda with a hint of helplessness. If one had to accuse them of treason, it wouldn't be wrong, since his son had joined the bandits while masked, captured and severely beat their young master. Even their escape was only possible because Oda had spared them.

If von Polgao were to discover this secret, their Semih Castle would face utter destruction.

Old Semi asked, "What do you think about the Trossky matter?"

"Based on my understanding of Lord Peter, the rumors should be true," Oda said confidently. "Lord Peter has demonstrated not only courage, but also political wisdom. He publicly executed Gules, winning the hearts of the people; he let the Count go, avoiding political passivity; yet he also trapped the Count in the city, showing everyone the weakness of Porgogh."

"Weakness." Old Semih repeated the word, finally turning around. A deep expression appeared on the face of the gray-haired lord. "Otto von Polgar has indeed aged. Seven years ago, he would have fought on even when at a disadvantage, instead of fleeing first."

"So why don't we pledge allegiance to Lord Peter sooner?" Oda probed.

"Seek refuge?" Old Semih laughed. "Child, Peter Griffin is still a lion cub. There's a vast world outside of Trotsky, and von Polgár's power extends far beyond this."

He walked to the map table and pointed to Trossky's location: "We should learn to strike a balance between the two in order to preserve our family business."

"What does Father mean?"

"My son, go to Troski Castle," old Semi said. "In my name, pay homage to the lord's return and send him another shipment of provisions."

Old Semi then said to the captain of the guard, "Gennaly, my friend, you must secretly go to Griffin Valley to congratulate Peter Griffin on his 'victory of justice.' Give him two barrels of fine wine, a warhorse, and…" He paused, "...the right to free trade with Semi Village."

Gennari frowned: "Our castle's financial situation is already very bad."

"I have already discussed the marriage with Chief Executive Thurish of Troski, and he will provide me with a large sum of money. My son will marry his daughter Agnes."

"Father!"

Old Semi raised his hand to suppress his son's protest, saying, "As a nobleman, you should have the resolve to sacrifice for the family. Our Semi family has fallen on hard times, and to continue the family's glory, this is the duty you, as the heir of the Semi family, must bear!"

"I have other options, as long as Lord Peter..."

"That will have to wait until he withstands Borgo's counterattack!" Old Semi said earnestly. "You are my successor, it's time to learn how to dance on the edge of a knife."

................

At almost the same time, in Nebakov Castle.

Jan Jessica and his key members, including his deputy Michael, gambler Zwick, archer Mark, and fast horse Hert, are discussing countermeasures.

Since Peter entrusted Nebakov Castle to his administration, Deschamps was full of energy and recruited soldiers everywhere. Unfortunately, almost all the bandits in the Trossky territory had been wiped out by Peter's Griffin Guard, so he was forced to go to the surrounding territories to recruit outlaws.

He didn't have Peter's moral fastidiousness; he'd take anyone, no matter how rotten or disgusting, as long as they were willing to risk their lives. Soon, hundreds of desperados gathered inside the castle.

The news that Trossky sent him today cheered him up.

"That old fox, von Polgao, is finally back!"

According to Sir Sokol's plan, as long as von Polgao, the leader of the noble alliance, leaves Prague, the Marquis of Jobuste can employ a strategy of divide and conquer to create cracks in the noble alliance. Therefore, the longer he keeps von Polgao in Trossky, the better.

"The red griffin did a really good job."

Michael, the second-in-command, also exclaimed, "Seizing the opponent's weakness and opening up a gap in their defenses, they dealt a heavy blow to their prestige. Now everyone's saying that von Polgar is a coward."

"Haha, I thought this old guy was something special, but he's nothing special."

The gambler Zwick chuckled.

"Don't underestimate him. He's just like those vultures in Rosenberg—ruthless and greedy. A temporary victory or defeat won't destroy his foundation."

Archer Mark thought of his hometown, which had been seized by the Rosenberg family through usury. He and Jessica had been besieged by their henchmen and forced to flee. These powerful noble families had vast territories and countless vassals; one or two victories could not shake their foundations, and a single defeat would make it difficult for his side to rise again.

"This is our chance, the starting point for our rise to fame. With the Red Griffin as our ally and flank, we are certain of success!"

Janjeska encouraged the men and decided to immediately report what was happening in Troski to Sir Sokol in the south, requesting support in the form of weapons, armor, food, and experienced warriors.