The soldiers were in an uproar, whispering in terror, trying to find answers among themselves.
Seeing the murmuring soldiers, the Knight Captain drew his sword and shouted sternly.
"Silence! Do not listen to the witch's seduction! It's rely a plot by the rebel army to sway you. Think about what they've done before; once they break through the castle, they'll imdiately tear off their masks!"
His voice had so effect, yet it wasn't as significant as imagined.
The hearts within the castle were already scattered, and if it really ca to a fight, it probably wouldn't hold out for long.
Their formation remained stable for now only because neither side had yet co to blows.
Carian did not scold his rudeness, simply watching the pale-faced Earl with a calm voice and continued speaking.
"As you have seen, the people on this land are dying for things that are utterly aningless."
The Earl did not speak.
Rayden, standing behind him, stepped forward, observing the woman claiming to be a Nun with sharp eyes.
"How dare you say our honor is aningless?"
Carian did not evade his gaze.
"It's not saying it, nor any other person, but it has already beco a fact, isn't it?"
Without waiting for Rayden's response, she continued in a calm and solemn tone.
"You have abandoned your subjects, either hiding with your wealth in neighboring lands or retreating into your castle, letting the Devil devour their souls, while fantasizing about nonexistent friends to help you... You've long abandoned your honor, just haven't admitted it yet."
Just haven't admitted it yet...
Rayden's Adam's apple moved slightly, feeling as though an arrow had pierced his knee, and the pain drilled into his heart.
He finally vaguely realized what had been bothering him all along.
He and his family had been loyal to Earl Sparrow Wood for generations, every law stemming from that ancient and sacred contract. Yet within that sacred contract, there was not only "a knight being loyal to his lord" but also another phrase often selectively cited by the lords — "a lord has the obligation to protect his people."
Only when combined do the two phrases complete the contract.
Now, the lord had long ceased to fulfill his obligations, and the honor he regarded as his life naturally beca a joke. He thought he was a knight but was actually just a pawn of power…
As Rayden struggled internally, a slight yield finally surfaced on Thelon's fear-twisted face.
He had no doubt he still had the power to fight, and these weak peasants would have to suffer heavy casualties to take the castle, but why should he gamble his noble body against them?
There was no benefit in doing so.
Today they could believe in a Holy Daughter who appeared from nowhere, and tomorrow they could switch allegiance to another stronger and sturdier bandit.
He knew those peasants too well, these fellows had no beliefs or stance, a single egg was enough to buy them.
So, why not take advantage of them chanting the Holy Sis Scripture right now and go along with it?
If acknowledging this village girl as the Holy Daughter could save his life, he might as well pinch his nose and admit it.
This was also why he hadn't shouted the word "impostor."
With his calculations hidden in his heart, Thelon feigned calmness and shouted towards the outside of the castle.
"What do you want to discuss with ?"
Carian looked at him and slowly laid out the terms of peace.
"Relinquish this castle. Since you have already abandoned your duty and betrayed your subjects, leave this land to those who love it."
"Afterwards, you will be free, you can leave with all who wish to follow you, to wherever you wish to go."
This sentence, riding on the wind, drifted into Count Thelon's ears and also into those of every soldier present.
The tone that forgave all sins, as if they were the ones trapped in a cage... by so unseen Divine.
While Thelon was still undecided, the soldiers beside him couldn't hide the longing in their eyes.
Leaving in peace?
They wouldn't have to die here!
Although the rebel army lacked any credibility, standing there in any case was the Holy Daughter, and everything was being conducted in the na of the Divine.
They didn't have the calculations clouding the Earl's heart, nor were they much smarter than the peasants outside, just a bit luckier than the latter…
"... Difficult decision." Struggling internally, Thelon looked towards his knight, "What do you think?"
Rayden hesitated for a mont, but still chose to loyally fulfill his mission as a knight.
Even if this honor had long been tainted.
"My lord, please reconsider! The rebel army has no credibility; going back on their word is commonplace for them! Once you open the castle gate, they'll imdiately tear apart the contract and rush in like wolves!"
Hmph.
If I could guess that, couldn't I?
With a cold sneer in his heart, Thelon remained silent, rely posing in thought for a long ti before slowly speaking.
"Rayden, can I trust you?"
Rayden was taken aback.
"Of course, my lord… what do you an by this?"
As he was halfway through speaking, he suddenly stopped.
He deciphered the Earl's gaze, implying "I will take care of your family."
With a bitter smile in his heart, Rayden sighed slightly.
In fact, the Earl did not need to say this; even if he said nothing, he would fulfill his oath to the last mont.
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