“Why did those barbarians attack!? We sent them running into the hills and yet they come, they come again! Find anyone else still alive and hang them!” Lord Black shouted at Kaisenberg who hastily nodded and ran to the direction where all the other knights stood. Longines marched in with all the other men from the Owl Guards came in, first led by the Owl Cavalry and others came in. The wagons of gold were untouched, aside from the Owl Shields that had to use their shields to transport some of them. “Milord, the gold is safe,” Longines reported to Lawrence who nodded, as Craig bandaged his wounds. “I’ll live,” Lawrence waved his hand, standing up. Jacob and Craig stood aside as Lawrence stood up, wincing a little as he stood up. “Lord Black, we have upheld our duty and promise to you. My men need rest,” Lawrence said and Lord Black immediately nodded, clapping his hands. “Show these men their quarters!” Lord Black bowed as the Owl Shields, Owl Cavalry and Owl Bowmen stood in formation, unmoving even though their ushers have come forward. “Owl Guards! Dismissed!” Longines shouted and the men immediately relaxed, following their ushers for a day’s rest. “Lord Black, after I wash up, please allow me an audience with you, there are other things that ought to be discussed,” Lawrence said and Lord Black immediately smiled, as he watched Johannes already working with other scribes to tally the value of the convoy delivered. “Of course, Honourable Carstein. However, the knighting ceremony—“ “Can we discuss this later, Lord Black?” Old Man Frost said but Lawrence placed a shoulder on the old man’s hand, gently pushing him away. “If it can be quick and informal, that is preferable. I am in some pain as you can imagine,” Lawrence grimaced and Lord Black nodded, signalling his understanding of Lawrence’s condition. “Good, of course. Johannes has already drafted up a formal agreement, we look forward to receiving you at dinner today. Also, allow me to send someone to guide you to your room—“ Lord Black ordered a servant, who hastily ran forward, his robes caked in dirt. Lord Black looked around as if hoping to find a more presentable servant but Lawrence waved his hand. He was tired and it could be Venti Laughlin showing him to his room for all he cares. Lawrence was led to his room first. “Are you sure you will be okay?” Jacob asked, patting his stomach and looking at Lawrence in concern. “You sure are lucky today,” Craig remarked and Lawrence gave a thumbs up. “Sire, if you need my services, simply call for me, I will be in the room opposite yours,” Old Man Frost bowed and Lawrence gave him a nod before closing the door. The room was small and simple, though it does seem that an attempt has been made to make the place more hospitable. A red tablecloth was placed over the table and some fragrant candles have been lit. The room has a window facing the fortress courtyard, which was a humble garden. Lawrence removed the bandage, grunting a little at the pain. Cure Critical Wounds. Lawrence watched as his wounds closed and he placed the bandage over it as usual to feign injury. Next, Lawrence pondered over the limitations of the combat system that he possessed. However, it failed the means to evaluate one thing. Human nature. Sure, it could tell a lie from a truth, but it could not tell things like the fighting spirits of a dying man. It could not understand the nature of a dog forced into an alley with nowhere to run, forcing it to fight. If not for the fact that Lawrence’s armour was thicker than most, he would have surely perished already. He now also knew that any damage he received was the exact same as how someone would be hurt in real life. The only advantage he had was knowing how badly injured he was. Somewhere, a bell tolls, signalling that meals were being served for the soldiers. Everett had steep stone walls, which reminded him of those that he saw in Turkey, known as the Theodosian Walls. However, it made Lawrence proud to say that though it looked strong and mighty, it was still much weaker than what he had ordered to be erected and constructed. However, Lawrence understood that Everett’s defence was hinging on not just the strength of arms, but also its’ geographical location. Everett stood on a hill, which made defending fairly easy and hard to move any form of siege equipment near. The gates were made of hardened wood reinforced with iron grills, with arrow slits along the top for archers to shoot any soldiers carrying rams. Lawrence, also noted how there seemed to be two distinct types of soldiers, unlike the Owls. First of all, was the knights, led by Kaisenberg. They wore metal plated armour, carried broadswords or longswords in general and had a horse. On the other hand was the average soldier, in fact, judging by how lazy they were standing, Lawrence might even think they were conscripts. They seemed lazy and had weapons of iron. Some even had armour that seemed to be rusting. Lawrence recalled the days when he was a soldier in the armed forces, they were made to learn how to dismantle their SAR21 and properly maintain it. It was the worst fear of any conscript for their sergeant to find even a bit of rust in their weapons. This meant they could not return home for the weekend. Ah, home. Lawrence for a moment thought about the Kopi C Siew Dai that he always had every morning. Was there coffee in this world? Maybe he could make a killing from coffee since he had the beans anyway. He laid on his bed, pondering about the next grand scheme. Maybe an inn named after himself after he gets knighted? Maybe a brand of coffee? Coffee was a type of cash crops anyway… As he thought about these, his eyes slowly closed, and his last thoughts were of prata from home.