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Conquering the upper city was not a big problem, most of the residents and defenders were in the lower city, to reduce any losses, I ordered Rollo and Leif to attack the defenders from the rear. I also told them to avoid setting the buildings on fire.

- Remember ... rob first, then ra_pe, and finally burn, never the other way around.

Then I returned to exploring the upper town, paying special attention to the church ... large, brick and unfortunately closed ... I hate when I want to go sightseeing and it turns out that they are closed that day... but I have a universal key with me. A few blows of the ax and I cut quite a large hole.

I looked inside carefully, the interior was lit, on the right side there was a nave, I saw some movement, either they were priests, or some group of residents found shelter here.

I called a few Vikings and ordered them to widen the entrance... Once they dealt with the door...

Then they went in, let their asses check there was no danger there ... these are Jarl's people and they are good for that. After a while one of them fell dead to the ground, an arrow hit his neck... better he than me.

After the death of their companion, they fell into a rage, not looking at anything, they moved inside ... after a few moments, you could hear the screams of men and women.

- Don't kill them inside, do it outside.

The Vikings obeyed my order, they led twenty people in front of the church and forced them to kneel ... I asked the captured.

- Anyone who tells me something about Utrecht, I will not kill him ... how big is the garrison there? Anything that can be useful.

- I WILL TELL Everything I know !!! I am a merchant and I deliver ... wine there, to the bishop ...

A middle-aged man jumped up from his knees, but one of the Vikings hit him on the head, bringing him back to a kneeling position.

- Don't hit him on the head, he'll get some sort of injury and won't say anything... back, stomach, legs ... but not the head.

I need to teach the Vikings some common sense, the head is last on the list during active interrogation. They must understand that the tension must be built up, it cannot go from zero or one, immediately to ten.

I walked over to the man. I picked him up from the ground and dusted off his clothes.

- My friend, what do you want to tell me?

He looked scared into my eyes.

- You're not gonna kill me?

- I already said it, of course, if the information is useful.

A few moments later he told everything he knew, the city was to have 500 inhabitants, the granizon had two hundred soldiers, but it was only infantry. The city was rich, apart from the bishop's seat, it was also a large commercial center.

- Thank you, your information is useful, you can go, you are free.

The man couldn't believe it, but after a while he started to run. I grabbed my hatchet and handed it to one of the Vikings.

- I bet you won't hit him from this distance ... If I lose this woman will be yours, if I win she will be mine.

A few seconds later the man was lying with an ax in his back.

- She's yours, have fun.

Of course I couldn't let him go, maybe he would notify someone ... but I didn't break my word either, he died being free and not by my hand ... and as for the woman ... who cares. After tonight, many of them may have norsmen bastards in their bellies.

The fights lasted until the morning, although they were only smaller clashes, someone barricaded themselves in the building or a small group of people wanted to escape to the forest ... nothing serious. The prisoners were caught, tied and brought to the town square. Everyone who looked at least 40 years old or more did not live to see another sunset ... most of them were sacrificed to Týr and only a few to Odin, the rest were simply killed for the sake of saving food.

Loot carts and slaves were sent north where our boats were waiting ... we looted a lot of gold and silver, barrels of wine, raw materials, fabrics, clothes, tools and weapons ... we actually took everything that was not permanently attached to the ground and had some value.

I looked at the brooch in my hand ... so I already have a gift for Lagerth, she should like it.

We were sitting in a temporary camp, the atmosphere was cheerful. Small fires were burning, in some places people could be seen having se_x, in order to save supplies, the captured animals were first killed. I gathered a group of Vikings around me.

- While I'm away, Erik (Leif's father) is in charge. I'm leaving in a few hours, you are to leave soon for me, stick to the forests and stay away from the settlements. When I scout, I'll come back to you and we plan an attack ... don't attack anyone. We have a rich target ahead of us, it is not worth risking detection.

One of Jarl's men seemed to have a different opinion.

- Why Erik and not me?

- He is an experienced fighter, has been to many raids and I trust him. I don't care who you are or who you serve. I am the commander of this expedition, and Jarl himself said it. If you still want to question my orders ... I take it as a personal insult and challenge you to a duel.

My opponent withdrew, if he had any authority among people, he lost it now ... and I gained in their eyes, although I was younger than many of them, I showed more aggression and determination.

I changed into a priest's garb, put a cross around my neck ... and headed for Utrecht ... over 30 kilometers... Why can't I reincarnate in a time with cars.