Chapter 37: The Awakening of a Certain Drunkard Knight

In the tent guarded by Hiren, Sir Val and Sir Bart were whispering with someone.

Sir Val asked somewhat strangely: “I didn’t expect it to be you, Sir Stark, coming to the rescue. I thought it would be the nearby Sir God?”

Sir Stark pounded his chest with his right hand: “That couldn’t be helped. Dako was recalled to Karada for something. Without a Knight leading, these Militia and Private Troops cannot act on their own. You know how far my Fief is from here. You must understand I rushed here with my Private Troops in three days with great difficulty. You just finished handing over the defense duties and dragged me into this broken tent to ask this without even letting me drink a mouthful of water.”

“Isn’t this what you want?” Saying this, Sir Bart took out a silver-gray bottle printed with a rose pattern from his clothes. He threw it towards Sir Stark.

The latter caught the bottle with both hands, twisted the cap open and poured it into his mouth. Soon, a small bottle of liquid disappeared into his gaping mouth. Then he shook the small bottle vigorously, stuck out his tongue to catch the last drop and licked his lips. “Sir Bart, your home-brewed mare’s milk wine is still the best.”

“Alright Stark! Stop showing off your bad taste. What exactly happened to God that he went to Karada?” Sir Val said with little interest.

Sir Stark immediately put down the wine pot and sat up straight to answer: “Yes, Sir Val! Although I didn’t see the specific official document, I could tell a bit from Pami’s description. It should be that Sir Orff, who was originally responsible for the safety of the Autumn Hunt, was injured and could not lead this task. Later, someone recommended Pami to the Grand Duke. Because the time was urgent, he set off in a hurry after getting the news and making preparations. If his Fief wasn’t close by and he asked me to help take care of his Manor, I wouldn’t know the reason either.”

Hearing this, Sir Val lowered his head and fell into deep thought, ‘It seems this is clearly not a coincidence. Then Orff’s injury and God being recommended both seem to pave the way for this final attack. Using formal means to transfer the nearest Knight away, this makes it so even if the small town has enough defense to hold on for a short time, they won’t be able to wait for rescue.’

The tent became very quiet for a time. Sir Stark and Sir Bart both looked at Sir Val, as if waiting for the latter’s response.

Sir Val raised his head and asked: “Do you know how Sir Orff got injured? And who recommended the Gothic Knight? Also, don’t keep calling me ‘My Lord’, it sounds really awkward.”

“That’s how it was called in the Knight Order back then, and now I can’t change my habit. How about I call you Vice-Captain My Lord?” Sir Stark joked a bit.

“Don’t interrupt!” Sir Val glared at Stark, “Hurry up and tell us what you know. Although we can definitely find out when we get to Karada. But we still want to know something in advance.”

Sir Stark spread his hands and said: “I really don’t know exactly how Orff got injured, but it was likely a match or duel with someone. After all, he is still young, at the time when he should be full of hot blood. As for the recommender, Pami did mention it. Although I don’t know who it was, it is certain that it was a Court Nobility.”

“Court Nobility?” Sir Val touched his chin and thought, ‘Those weak-willed people are very likely to be bought or induced. If they could injure Orff in a match or duel, the opponent should also be a Knight, right? I just don’t know which side they are from.’

“Sir Val, there won’t be any big problem here, right?” Sir Stark felt the atmosphere was wrong and asked.

“It’s still a bit hard to say, but Stark, you should be careful from now on.” Sir Val kindly reminded, “When you have nothing to do, pay more attention to whether there are any suspicious characters in the Fief and nearby towns. Also, the training of the Militia and Private Troops needs to be strengthened.”

Discovering that there seemed to be some implied meaning in Sir Val’s words, Sir Stark, who knew the other party wouldn’t say it clearly, turned his gaze to Sir Bart: “Are the Barbarians going to invade south in force?”

Sir Bart, who was thinking about something on the side, was startled by this sudden sentence. It took a while for him to come back to his senses and say: “It’s just some signs. Whether it will happen or not is still uncertain. And the enemy may not necessarily come from the north.”

“The enemy may not necessarily come from the north.” Sir Stark was really scared by this sentence and kept muttering to himself.

“Father, something seems wrong.” Hiren’s voice came from outside the tent, interrupting the conversation inside.

Sir Val pulled open the curtain and rushed out of the tent in one stride. He turned his head and asked George standing aside: “What happened?”

“It’s George. I just saw George seemed limp all over when he returned to the camp, even dragging his feet while walking.” Hiren pointed to the position where George had just walked.

“Damn it, this kind of thing happened again.” Sir Val’s beard was almost curling up, “By the way, where did he go?”

“George probably went back to the carriage.” Hiren answered uncertainly.

“Alright, hurry up and go call Daniel. After you find him, bring him to George’s carriage immediately.” After this sentence, Sir Val turned his head and said to the inside of the tent: “Stark, wait a moment, trouble you and Kobudo to take a look around the town to see if there is any special situation.”

“Okay Sir Val, anyway we are free now.” Sir Stark agreed very readily.

Sir Val, having received the answer, immediately flew towards George’s carriage. And Hiren also hurriedly turned around and ran towards the Wagon where the wounded were placed. At this time of day, Mr. Coke was basically in the Wagon checking the condition of the wounded.

In the tent, Sir Val said to Sir Stark: “Since you agreed, move quickly! Lest Isolde comes back later and asks us and we know nothing.”

After saying that, he turned around and started packing his weapons.

“No need to rush so much! Listening to the meaning of their conversation just now, it seems like something happened to your family’s Lord. And it looks like the problem is not small. I think he won’t come back so soon.” Sir Stark said while shrugging his shoulders, “Better make more preparations. You said earlier that we need to be careful in the coming period. I don’t want an accident to happen now. If that happens, it would really be a big joke.”

“What big thing could happen in this vicinity? Didn’t you see that my family’s Lord has returned safely? His strength is just that of a Squire. Even if something happened to make him suffer some minor injuries. How could we two Formal Knights not compare to him?” Sir Bart retorted.

Sir Stark was still somewhat unwilling and said: “Then at least put on the Breastplate and Chainmail. Being careful is never wrong.”

“Okay! Okay! After all, you are external aid here to help us. You hurry up. After we solve this, I’ll treat you to a drink when we come back.” Sir Bart raised his hands and compromised.

Sir Stark said indifferently: “Forget it. I’ve already drunk once today. For things like wine, just tasting it to satisfy the craving is enough.”

Sir Bart was stunned for a moment, even the movements of his hands stopped: “You, a former drunkard, actually changed your nature. Let me see if you are the real Stark.”

Saying that, he walked over and reached out to pinch Stark’s face. The latter waved his hand and slapped away the claw reaching for his cheek, saying in response: “You don’t know. Since I entered the Knight Rank, my strength hasn’t improved much for a long time. I didn’t think much of it at the time, just thinking that I had just advanced and didn’t have enough accumulation. As for drinking, anyway, it’s fine as long as I don’t get drunk.”

Sir Bart scoffed at this statement in his heart, ‘As a Formal Knight saying just don’t get drunk, with a Knight’s own detoxification ability, how much would one have to drink in a short time to get drunk?’

“But one year, two years, several years in a row. Although there was slow growth in physical strength and speed, there was no real change in either Spiritual Qi or Word Spirit. As for Spirit Light, I never hoped for that kind of thing.” Saying this, Sir Stark’s expression suddenly became spirited, “It wasn’t until a few months ago that I realized that liking something without moderation is greed, and knowing there is no benefit but not correcting it is laziness. Indulging in both of these, I actually still delusionally thought about progress. It would be good enough to maintain my current strength. So for these two months, I have been controlling myself. The effect is really obvious, as if a shackle on my body was suddenly unlocked.”

Sir Val also showed a smile: “It’s rare that your own brain could figure this out.”

Stark first scratched his head, then suddenly stopped his hand and his face turned red: “I said, you should be cursing me for being stupid in a roundabout way!”

“How is that possible? Am I that kind of person? I clearly said you are stupid directly.” After speaking, Sir Bart picked up the Longsword in his hand and rushed out the door, leaving a sentence behind, “I will wait for you at the sentry post on the east side of the town.”

Sir Stark also left the tent and walked towards the direction of his team, muttering: “Just wait and see.”

Let’s talk about the other side. Hiren plunged into the Wagon and found Mr. Daniel. The latter was holding a wounded person’s leg with both hands, repeatedly making the other’s leg do bending and stretching exercises, “It’s okay, the recovery is very good. You will be able to walk on the ground in two days.”

Seeing Coke stop the work in his hands, Hiren, who had been waiting on the side, hurriedly said: “Mr. Coke, something seems to have happened to George. My father asked me to come and take you over.”

“No way! Lord actually had an accident. Then hurry up and take me over.” At the same time, Daniel turned his head and said to the wounded still in the Wagon: “I will come back to check your conditions in a while.”