Chapter 21: A Comedy of Errors Comes to an End

This was Jacques' first time on the battlefield, and like John, he was filled with nervousness. He only had a simple shield and spear in hand, and his armor was just a few pieces of metal plates attached to a woolen shirt. As he gazed at the massive enemy force, he felt intimidated.

Under John's instructions, their position gradually retreated, albeit under the command of some knights to ensure orderly withdrawal. Without these knights keeping them in check, the temporary recruits from Ireland would have fled long ago.

As the Lünster cavalry lined up, the experienced knights among them knew that they were preparing to charge.

"Retreat, retreat!"

Knights from Lancaster and the royal faction maintained order, leading their troops in a withdrawal. Despite this, some chaos ensued among the soldiers, further confirming Odou's belief in the correctness of his decision.

It seemed that the army John brought was no match, and John himself was clueless about military matters.

Odou brimmed with confidence as he led his knights forward. The strides of their warhorses grew longer and faster. Unconsciously, the formation of their army stretched out.

Cavalry wouldn't launch a high-speed charge until they were fifty meters from the enemy. Therefore, the Lünster knights were slowly approaching John's army.

They watched as John's forces retreated bit by bit from the small hill, feeling anxious.

If John's army managed to escape, they wouldn't be able to seize any spoils of war!

Driven by such thoughts, the knights, who were originally able to maintain the formation, couldn't help but accelerate. Odou didn't notice this; he was still immersed in his own delight.

Thus, step by step, the Lünster army unwittingly walked into a death trap.

Peeking out were two figures, Laroche and Brouton, with a massive ambush force behind them. Elite soldiers and ready-to-charge knights were concealed within the forest, waiting for the enemy to appear.

They watched as John's royal flag retreated, then saw enemy soldiers emerging from the hilltop.

"Why is the Lünster formation so loose?" Brouton was puzzled.

Laroche sneered, "Who cares? This is practically a gift for us."

Indeed, anyone with a bit of military experience would know that if they were attacked at this moment, it would inevitably result in a collapse.

This was an opportunity that must be seized.

Brouton glanced at Laroche, and both nodded. Such a golden opportunity couldn't be missed.

So, those Lünster knights who pursued deep were soon greeted by the sound of horns. Alongside these echoing horns, the already ambushed English knights emerged from concealed bushes and forests, charging directly at the unprepared Lünster knights. Meanwhile, the supposedly "retreating" royal army executed a sudden about-face.

In that moment, Odou realized that something was terribly wrong.

But when he turned around, he discovered that his retreat was already cut off. Knights from Lancaster blocked their path of retreat, leaving them no way out. What's more, they were surrounded by well-equipped and high-spirited royal soldiers.

Odou stood dumbfounded, forgetting even to resist. The knights on the periphery, who had been awaiting Odou's command to make a desperate stand, also became confused when no command was forthcoming.

"Surrender, knights! You still have a chance!" someone shouted, pointing out a way for the surrounded Lünster knights.

Surrender was humiliating, and they would have to pay ransom, but compared to losing their lives, it was a price they could afford. Moreover, most of these knights' families traced their lineage back to the Norman Conquest, and they had close ties with many nobles in England and France. John would never order them killed.

More than a battle, this was a negotiation conducted through force.

"I only want the ringleaders. Except for Regent Odou and his supporters, anyone who surrenders now will be considered innocent!" These words caused a stir, instantly making the major nobles who supported Odou targets.

Before John could act, the Lünster knights took it upon themselves to purge their ranks, dismounting those nobles who supported Odou, and delivering them to John.

Odou was also brought before John, his face a mixture of anger and shame.

"Odou, don't you find this whole situation absurd? You've made quite a spectacle of yourself, just like a clown," John berated Odou mercilessly, as if he intended to tear away all of Odou's dignity.

"Anyway, you probably won't care for long. Treason, attempted regicide, inciting rebellion—any one of these charges is a capital offense," John shrugged. "Get ready, because you, and your family, will be shamed."

At these words, Odou instantly erupted, "My treason is my own affair! How dare you punish my family along with me?"

In medieval Europe, there was no such thing as collective punishment. That's why so many aristocrats dared to rebel because the cost of rebellion was too low

Winning meant glory and wealth, while losing meant at most death, and perhaps one's son could inherit their legacy. However, John's actions clearly raised the cost of rebellion significantly, something Odou couldn't accept.

But now, John held the initiative. He pressed his foot firmly on Odou's head, grinding his face into the ground. "You better understand, you're my prisoner now, got it?"

Odou's face pressed against the earth, could only emit a muffled sound.

"Damn it, it's because of aristocrats like you that England is plagued with turmoil from time to time. Don't think just because you're Norman, you're superior," John's words were directed at Odou but also intended for his knights behind him.

Many knights were Normans, boasting of being descendants of the conquerors, always carrying an air of superiority.

Norman nobles were often unruly; it took Henry II decades to manage them, albeit temporarily subduing their arrogance.

John's actions mirrored Henry II's suppression of the nobles.

"Go, drag this guy away, take him to Dublin first," Laroche stepped forward, knocking Odou over and placing him on his horse. The remaining captured knights obediently followed John's troops, heading for Dublin together.

The most anxious person in Dublin was the Earl of Bedford. He had eagerly awaited, standing on the city walls, wondering who would emerge victorious. And then he waited and waited until he saw the flag of the House of Golden Lily.

"Damn it, it's John again," the Earl of Bedford blacked out. His guards quickly carried him aside, pondering whether or not to open the gates.

"Open the gates!"

The guards listened carefully; it sounded like the voice of Regent Odou.

When they took a closer look, they were almost scared stiff. The usually lofty Regent Odou now looked completely like a captive.

Damn it, not opening the gates would mean certain death, wouldn't it?