Despicable and shameless

"Enough, let me be quiet for a while," Damian said as he sat in front of the tent, looking up at the sky.

Schneider was Damian's brother, and in his memories, Schneider was generally temperamental, liked to offend people, but treated his younger brother well.

Even though they were from a knightly family, it was still difficult to get fine white bread. The flour from the mill had to be pooled together to pay taxes to the authorities and buy necessities like spices.

So, the brothers often stole white flour from the mill, but every time they ate, Damian always got more than Schneider.

After the age of 12, the Bovendon family couldn't afford to support two children, so they sent the younger son to the monastery. The bond between the brothers gradually faded.

This was just a small detail of life, but now looking back, it was hard to forget.

In his past life, Damian didn't have siblings, so he didn't understand why non-only children seemed so cheerful. Now, Damian felt melancholic, reluctant, but mostly sad.

The Countess Conosa von Nosnberg saw Damian's lonely figure and said, "Losing a brother is just part of our daily lives. When I was young, my father had four children. I was the youngest daughter. They treated me well, but as I grew up and they realized that I would take away the lands they could inherit, they immediately distanced themselves from me. The four siblings treated each other like enemies, viewing each other as rival countries, creating deep trenches between us. Alas, you have my condolences."

Conosa wanted Damian to understand that if he wanted to struggle in the aristocratic hell, he had to accept the occasional death.

Joan also chimed in at the right time, her voice low, "I had four brothers. Two couldn't survive the harsh winters. Only one elder brother remained, but he was born disabled and couldn't inherit the family estate. If I didn't step up, the family would have completely declined. You are the same. It's time for you to leave the monastery and return to Bovendon Village."

Damian nodded heavily.

Once this matter was over, he would definitely leave the monastery and inherit Bovendon Village.

Suddenly, Damian had a very bold plan.

This plan was so bold that just thinking about the consequences of failure made him fearful.

But what if it succeeded?

"Your Grace, I have a good idea, but I need Miss Joan to cooperate in this act. I hope you approve," Damian explained his revenge plan.

Conosa was shocked and covered her mouth. "Are you insane?"

"I'm not. But Howard is a rebel, and he will definitely fall into my trap," Damian thought more and more that this was the best plan.

"I accept!" Joan tightened her grip on her sword.

"I want to make a bet." Damian reached out to the Countess. "If this succeeds, you'd better appoint me as the Court Prime Minister."

"Hmph, no problem," the Countess agreed and placed her hand in Damian's palm.

Joan didn't hesitate and also put her hand on top.

The two of them worked together and, against all odds, forced the remaining knights to agree to cooperate with Damian's plan.

After all, the main force of the army now belonged to Damian. The leader of the archers, Greb, seemed to have animosity towards all nobles. And the remaining lower-class soldiers, the knights also didn't bother to persuade them, which meant they lost their say.

The next day, the army set out for Bovendon Village.

By evening, due to the villages in between passing messages, both Howard and Conosa knew about each other's presence.

The closer they got to their hometown, as the burnt ruins and remnants corresponded to the childhood paradise in their memories, Damian couldn't help but clench his wrist and ask Greb beside him, "If someone destroyed your hometown, what would you do?"

Greb didn't hesitate and burst out cursing, "Of course, it's to hang him from the big tree at the village entrance, let the crows peck at his eyes and flesh, and let all my enemies see his corpse."

"I think the same way," Damian clenched his fists, his cold gaze shooting across the river to the enemy camp on the opposite bank.

At this moment, many in the rebel camp were already feeling uneasy.

After all, Howard's rebellion started with the pretext of an order to deceive everyone into staying away from the Countess, then threatening that even if they returned, the Countess would punish them, which instigated most people to rebel.

These people still held awe for the legitimate Countess and were unwilling to surrender but also unwilling to fight.

Howard was furious and accused them, "You cowards! You dare not fight, yet you don't want to run. What do you want?"

What do we want?

Everyone looked at each other, then at Howard.

Nonsense, of course, whoever wins between you and the Countess, we'll help them!

Seeing everyone's reaction, Howard's expression turned dark.

Howard's elite forces were insufficient, so he only hired a band of Viking pirates as the backbone. He could start a rebellion by instigating several hundred nobles and soldiers.

Without this group, Howard really didn't think he could defeat Conosa.

Wait!

Suddenly, Howard had a bold idea.

The next day.

The envoys from both armies delivered the challenge letters.

Even in the barbaric Middle Ages, agreeing on a time to battle was common, and rarely did anyone deceive or ambush after issuing a challenge.

Both sides assembled, the armies sparsely forming into groups, facing each other across the river.

The only passage on the battlefield was a wooden bridge, next to which was the Bovendon family's mill.

Damian gave Joan, disguised as a peasant woman, a nod and then rode forward.

"Howard! I am Damian Bovendon, the brother of Schneider whom you killed. Based on our blood feud, I decide to challenge you to a duel! I've heard that when Viking pirates encounter each other at sea, they board the same plank and fight until only one remains. Now, we have only one bridge between us. Let's fight until one of us dies?"

Damian, dressed plainly with only a spear, called out to Howard as he arrived at the bridge, with Joan by his side.

Howard was somewhat confused. He looked around and then patted his big belly.

A duel?

Wasn't that just a story in knightly literature?

On real medieval battlefields, there were rarely such things as duels; everyone fought side by side until the opponent was dead.

But fortunately, Howard had a trick up his sleeve, so he held his sword gracefully and stepped out of formation, saying, "I accept your challenge."

Looking closely, Howard was clad in armor, while Damian was in tatters. Who would win or lose was obvious, right?

Wearing armor was like having a tank in the medieval era, no one could oppose it!

Countless soldiers outside the battlefield and the nobles from both sides couldn't help but predict Damian's demise.

He was as good as dead.

However, as they walked, Howard noticed that Damian was accompanied by a peasant woman.

Just a peasant woman, there shouldn't be any problem.

Maybe Damian was less brave than a woman.

Thinking this way, they had already reached the opposite side of the bridge.

Damian raised his spear.

Howard drew his sword.

However, at that moment, Howard suddenly roared, "Why aren't you attacking?" Then a large group of Viking pirates surged out from the nearby mill, brandishing swords and shields, rushing towards Damian!

It turned out, Howard never intended for a one-on-one duel!

Joan was shocked, realizing that reality was not going according to plan.

Damian was also anxious, thinking, You are even more treacherous than me with these underhanded tricks!

"Archers, draw your bows!" Damian raised his spear, and Greb's archers emerged from cover, aiming at Howard and the Viking pirates.

Both sides glared at each other and couldn't help but curse:

"You despicable!"

"You shameless!"