36 – 7. Retaking the City
The price of treason is, without exception, death.
And I knew that no matter how small it was, it was a waste of my life.
So, when we were talking about Villach’s situation and prospects, the mayor’s son, who was there to gain practical experience, said this.
“If those ruthless thieves knew that the punitive force was coming, wouldn’t they be able to withdraw on their own?”
“That can’t be possible.”
“It’s not very likely.”
“I raised my child wrong. “My head is a complete field of flowers.”
“Ah… ….”
However, the priest, I, and even the mayor of the city did not mention the case in which the occupants of Villach fled for fear of their lives.
Because people originally do not like to let go of what they have acquired. How much more foolish would it be if that were the key to success? We all believed in human greed.
Except for the mayor’s son. He walked away crying after being struck out and dismissed, followed by the final blow delivered by his father.
For those whose job is to fight, success means having their own land.
Here, there were three main ways to own land.
The first is the standard, the most honorable and risk-free path.
Honestly enhancing his reputation and honing his skills, he was selected by a wealthy lord and given land. Of course, it won’t be easy since land is limited.
The second is to pioneer new lands.
If it is a place where no one lives and no one claims ownership, wouldn’t there be a problem with planting one’s flag and calling oneself the owner?
Of course, the fact that no one lives at this time means that pagans are living there. This is because, according to widespread common sense, pagans do not treat themselves as human beings.
The third is just… It is a method of invading a normal village or city and taking over it shamelessly. Surprisingly, there are cases where people become land owners in this way.
Third-class thugs rob passersby, second-rate thieves plunder the village, but first-rate thugs and knights steal the village itself. This is what is happening in Villach now.
At first, the rebellion, which was started out of fear for one’s life or out of frustration and a desire to give it a try, succeeded.
The ultimate goal of all knights and mercenaries was suddenly within reach. There is no reason not to be greedy.
So, it would be a natural progression to think that this is surprisingly worth doing, and to have the urge to gain a lot if you go further.
As if to prove that fact, the gates of Villach were firmly closed. There were bandits patrolling on the wall.
The grassland I once passed by still had traces of battle. Broken spears, scattered arrows and the bodies of soldiers left carelessly were still visible.
As I was looking at it in silence, one of the soldiers who followed me pointed to a group of tents in the distance with Count Villach’s flag waving.
“Knight, there is a campsite over there.”
“… Okay. “Let’s go.”
After turning my attention away from the tragic scene, I and the soldiers who followed me headed to the camp created nearby.
*****
The soldiers visited the priest at the camp because they were troops sent by the Pope.
Because I also agreed to receive compensation from the church, I could be said to be employed by the church.
But in my case, I have to calculate the exact amount for the contract, and since I am a knight and not just a soldier, I have to show my face to the bishop.
So, after parting ways with the soldiers, I came to the tent where the bishop was. Strictly speaking, it was a tent used as a command center, and it was not unusual for the bishop and the count, who were jointly in charge of the battle, to be present together.
Because it was a matter of appearing before high-ranking clergy and nobles, disarmament had to be completed.
Sancho did the hard work for Jim. Still, he put down his heavy armor in front of the tent to rest for a while.
There was no place to call a stable, so the horses had to be parked here for a while.
I handed the reins to Lisia. During our journey together, I saw the girl become friendly with Sancho, even if it wasn’t horseback riding.
“Take Sancho with you for a while. “What should I say if someone asks me why I’m here?”
“They say he is the driver’s ward.”
“Okay, I’ll be back soon.”
I announced my arrival to the guard guarding the front of the tent.
Since the priest had already detailed the troops to be sent and submitted a report to the church, the issue of my status was quickly resolved.
“When can I come in?”
“I will inform you of the news when the messenger from inside comes out. Please wait a moment.”
The guard said that to me and tried to enter the tent.
Because laughter came from inside. It was the first time I had heard the voice, but following the context of the conversation, it was clear that it was the Count’s.
The Count was smiling.
“The thieves and the excommunicated have proposed a peaceful solution.”
“Okay, tell me.”
“If they recognize their right to rule over Pillach-“
“Bullsh*t! I can never accept that much. “Are there any other conditions besides that?”
“That is the premise of all proposals.”
“Those incompetent people who don’t know how to do anything other than cutting, and who haven’t learned anything…… !”
To be exact, he was half delirious and laughing.
The Count was sublimating his pain into laughter. The sound of people trying to be reborn as a nation of humor could be heard even outside the tent.
Ordinary people intuitively swore in obscene or blasphemous ways, but aristocrats with sophisticated speech expressed their dissatisfaction with the world in a slightly different way.
In this medieval world, a job is closer to inheriting one’s parents’ job. If the parents were serfs, the children would also be serfs, if they were blacksmiths, they would be blacksmiths, and if they were tailors, they would be tailors.
Occupation is the essence and identity. Since there was nothing better than a person’s fundamentals to dignify, the nobles used insults by disparaging the work of others rather than criticizing them outright.
The Count said for a long time that he was not able to learn, did not know the law, and did not follow the rules that should be observed between people, leading to rebellion.
I couldn’t bear to go in and was left standing outside the tent wondering how barbaric it was to make money through violence. It’s annoying to hear this article.
The count continued to spit out lion’s hooves for a long time in front of the unexpected messenger.
The tent guard, who was measuring the timing to enter, looked at me and shook his head. I ended up spending time eating beef jerky and messing around with Lisia.
“It is done. “Please step back.”
After a long time had passed, the messenger quickly came out of the tent in response to the order to celebrate the guests.
When he left, looking very tired, the guard entered the tent and announced that a new guest had arrived. With the count saying “Hmm, hmm,” The guard guided me into the tent.
“Finally, good news! “I couldn’t remember the last time I heard that the situation was improving.”
“This is Raven from Bole. He came to fight for the liberation of Philach.”
I bowed slightly and said hello. At the same time, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed who was in the room.
First of all, no one can tell that the owner of the expensive fabric is the Count. Looking at the attire of a priest, it is obvious that he is a bishop. In addition, there were a few guards and four knights who were officers for planning operations.
“I heard it has a reputation enough to be given a nickname. I also heard that you are so faithful that you even take an oath. “It definitely means that you are wiser and more honorable than those thieves.”
The Count was still a fully armed knight and cast Tallulah.
I raised my head, and only then did I understand why the Count was complaining and preaching about all the injustice in the world.
The bishop was frowning as he watched. The sin of destroying a city with three inches of tongue was truly heavy on him.
After the messenger went out, it seemed like my body was slowly expanding, but it was clear that if other bad news came in, it would become compressed again.
“So, is there a lord you serve?”
“No. But he made a deal to fight the church.”
“Then I guess we can fight together with my knights. Let me introduce you to the accommodations you will soon be staying in and the knights who will fight with you. In the meantime, rest well.”
After saying that, Count Philach turned his head and looked at the bishop.
“His Excellency the Bishop! “Is it okay to do that?”
“Of course. “It would be easier for knights to concentrate their power if they acted together.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“His Holiness also said that he would spare no effort in providing the necessary support. “If you do that, shouldn’t I do the same?”
The bishop could not bear to say, “It is the money I spent and the driver I hired,” And nodded his head repeatedly.
The proud and enthusiastic figure seen at the swearing-in ceremony was gone, and there was just a helpless old man sitting on a chair.
If the bishop was the envoy and face of the church, there is no reason for him to be so servile. However, he angered the Pope by creating the possibility that the count could change his line to emperor.
In other words, the bishop is an attachment doll given to him by the Pope to appease his anger by chewing and tearing it.
With enemies everywhere, what could be done other than transferring to the earl’s flag? At least what I did must be resolved.
The Count promised compensation proportional to basic salary and performance in a notification that seemed to seek consent from the bishop.
With the approval of the bishop, who must have nodded countless times today, my participation in the battle was decided, and I was able to retreat from the tent.