Chapter 217 Chapter 215 Ordinary Power Grab
“Isn’t seizing power simple?” Jima asked, “I have a good idea. Find an excuse and arrange a one-on-one duel with Sir Tangde in front of everyone. There’s a saying, right? To the victor belongs the spoils.”
Eve Frostleaf looked at Jima with a childish expression, remaining silent.
It seemed her patience had already been exhausted when she was trying to win over Jima the day before yesterday.
George said:
“If someone wins, they become the supreme ruler, and society will be thrown into chaos.”
“I suppose,” Jima sighed, “in human society, it’s not just the victor who rules. After thinking it over, only the green-skinned ones are simple enough; to the victor goes the spoils—whoever is strong is the boss.”
Eve Frostleaf gently shook her head, handing a paper filled with plans to George.
It was covered with her strategies.
George felt somewhat uneasy, as if he had become an ambitious conspirator, trying to overthrow an opponent with a series of plots.
George said, “This doesn’t seem right.”
“This is the fastest method; we don’t have much time left.” Eve Frostleaf replied, “The lives of the entire army are in your hands.”
George said, “The complexities of the world always exceed my imagination; I only hope it doesn’t lead to significant unrest.”
“If Sir Tangde had any sense,” Jima yawned, “it’s late, and the beastmen are about to launch another surprise attack.”
“Quickly notify the entire army.”
“Alright, but I won’t participate in this fight; I’m very tired.”
Another night raid.
The darkness before dawn was the thickest.
A vanguard of beastmen seized the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the sleeping human army.
However, this time, Jima had issued a warning twenty minutes in advance.
As a result, the losses weren’t as severe; only a hundred people were killed or wounded, and the severely injured who could not move had to be executed to avoid becoming food for the beasts.
The battle continued until dawn.
Sir Tangde, breathless, despite maintaining a fearsome appearance, was not doing well after more than a week without supplies.
The peacock feather stuck in his helmet had burned down to half, and the chainmail protecting his neck was tattered, with many of its rivets missing. Due to the lack of horse feed, he had to consume wild grasses, rendering his warhorse weak and forcing him to fight on foot for most of the battles.
Tangde whistled, and his pure white pegasus came running with its wings folded. In the dim light, Sir Tangde noticed that his beloved steed was far from lively.
Still, he steeled himself, lifted his faceplate, and stepped into the stirrup to mount his horse.
Dawn was approaching; as the leader of this troop, he had to stand in the most conspicuous place, dressed in shining armor, reminding everyone that he was the true leader.
In the past few days, he had sensed some troubling signs. Some knights were quietly discussing his fleeing from the battlefield, saying he deserted Duke Casson and escaped on his pegasus, which left him unscathed.
It was absurd. Isn’t everyone currently trying to break through merely running away?
Even the Lake Goddess had withdrawn her blessings. The goddess would bless the knights for their bravery, but she would also retract her blessings upon losing courage.
Coincidentally, there was a small hill to the east of the battlefield. Sir Tangde rode over, and in the blurred night, he vaguely saw a knight who got there first.
Feeling dissatisfied, he shouted:
“Who’s there?”
At that moment, several rays of dawn broke on the horizon, the pale golden sunlight dispelling the darkness and unveiling the veil shrouding the small hill.
On the hill stood a knight in ornate Gothic plate armor, riding an armored warhorse. The dawn light fell on him, shimmering in gold, with the edges of his armor gilded in intricate designs that appeared unreal.
In an instant, most knights turned to look at him.
The knight turned to face Tangde, his iron jaw arrogantly directed at him.
Tangde felt a surge of anger. Who was this knight? He didn’t recall anyone like this.
That knight lifted his helmet’s faceplate, revealing a face adorned with blue eyes—it was George.
Only then did Sir Tangde see clearly that George had Duke Casson’s sword at his waist, the ribbon on the hilt fluttering. His anger immediately subsided, yielding to unease, but with a hint of luck, he approached:
“Sir George, the Holy Warrior.” He said in a commanding tone, “Your armor is impressive, but you should be maintaining order now. After the battle, those peasants are bound to start causing chaos.”
George calmly replied, “That’s exactly what I intend to do.”
Tangde sighed in relief; George was still the diligent Holy Warrior.
“…but before that, I need to announce something.” George suddenly drew Duke Casson’s sword and shouted, “Brave knights of Bartow, gather around! I have something to announce.”
Sir Tangde looked nervously around, truly hoping the knights would look at George in confusion.
But the reality was harsh; upon hearing George’s shout, dozens of knights began walking toward him, while others followed suit, and soon the area around George on the hill was filled with knights.
“May the gods bless us.” George said, “I’ve secured a batch of supplies, including bread, water, and some fodder mixed with soybeans.”
With that, he pointed his sword toward the back of the knights.
The knights turned to find peasants already hauling boxes of supplies from a tent, placing them behind a sign that read “Distribution Center.”
There was also an evil succubus holding a sign reading “Knight Privilege Store,” looking at them with eyes like a wolf seeing sheep.
“Each knight will receive two days’ worth of food and horse feed.” George stated, “These were brought by Jima at my command, but if you require more, you’ll need to negotiate payment with her.”
Sir Tangde removed his iron gauntlets and clapped, saying, “Well done, Holy Warrior George, you’ve solved a major problem for the army. Ferio, Ferio, sound the horn; let’s hold a meeting to discuss our next steps!”
But Ferio did not appear, and there was no sound of a horn.
Sir Tangde felt uneasy. George told him, “I’ve arranged for Ferio to handle reconnaissance duties.”
With that, he didn’t give Sir Tangde a chance to argue, raising Duke Casson’s sword: “Everyone, enjoy your hard-earned breakfast.”
The white cloth was laid out, with beer and bread placed upon it. Someone was tasked with leading and feeding the horses; everything was so orderly.
Although the food was simple, the starving knights didn’t care; they couldn’t eat beastmen meat. Some knights had to offer precious items in exchange for food, losing all dignity.
Begging felt terrible.
After everyone had eaten and drunk enough, George’s words once again surprised Sir Tangde:
“I believe I should lead the entire army.”
He pressed his hand on the hilt of Duke Casson’s sword and loudly proclaimed, “Do you all support me?”
Even though it was known that the followers of the Holy Temple always spoke the truth, saying whatever was on their minds, this direct declaration still took many knights by surprise.
Sir Tangde felt as if he’d been struck on the head; his mind went blank as he exclaimed, “Do you think I’m an incompetent person?”
“Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think you’re incompetent,” George sincerely replied. “I just believe I’m more capable than anyone present.”
“I’m willing to acknowledge George as the leader.” Knight Sam said while chewing on bread, raising his hand, “He is the bravest knight I’ve ever seen; he led us out of the encirclement.”
Although George’s earlier remarks were genuinely arrogant, many knights nodded because most present had fought their way out of the encirclement under George’s “command.”
Seeing so many people in agreement, Sir Tangde immediately smiled, “What? A fleeing knight, a Holy Warrior who doesn’t believe in the Lake Goddess, can bring us back into the blessings of the goddess?”
George said nothing, merely clasped his hands together; the golden dawn fell upon him, creating a faint aura.
Everyone was confused, and George spoke: “The Lake Goddess’s blessing upon me remains.”
These words struck like a bomb in the hearts of the knights who had lost the Lake Goddess’s blessing.
Sir Tangde’s lips trembled as he faced George’s blue eyes, saying, “Well… okay.”
After saying that, he felt reluctant. But there were no knights around to speak for him.
No matter how good the wine was, it couldn’t compare to a stable food supply.
Sir Tangde reluctantly stood up, having not touched the bread and wine in front of him; he refused to eat the food George brought.
George said, “I need an experienced aide; Sir Tangde, are you willing to take on this burden?”
Sir Tangde immediately sat down and smiled, “Of course I am.”
With that, he picked up the bread and took a big bite.
It was really hard, with cold peas inside. It paled in comparison to the white bread he usually ate.
But Sir Tangde smiled, as if savoring a delicious dish, then raised his cup and drank all the slightly sour beer.
