How unfortunate

It's surprising that the system actually provides exchange options for Damian's plundering behavior.

These highly recognizable and untraceable gold and silverware can be exchanged for equivalent gold coins!

In the previous raid on the Marion Estate, the system didn't offer the same option. To explain, the only difference between the two raids was a strategic skill—Plunderer.

Because Damian activated this corresponding strategic skill, he gained convenient options, avoiding losses from selling off loot or recasting processes.

Damian couldn't help but imagine what powerful bonuses he would gain if he had more strategic skills.

Of course, after the imagination, Jeffrey would still lead the Chivalrous Bandits around spreading their fame in the countryside. And Scoke's body would be hung on a carriage, showing the county people the scoundrel's fate.

Meanwhile, Damian quietly returned to Bovendon Village after leaving some money behind, pretending nothing had happened.

When Conosa saw Damian leave for a night and return as if nothing happened, she suspected deep down that his plan had failed. It made sense; what use could a group of robbers who only knew plundering have?

Furthermore, the two children Damian took with him didn't return, further proving the failure of his operation.

Conosa's lively eyes met Joan's, and both guessed Damian's plight, suppressing their laughter along the way.

However, Damian continued to show neither joy nor sorrow, leading Conosa to think he was saving face and unwilling to admit failure.

Now, the group was gathering into an army, heading towards Gothingen County's capital, Gothingen Castle. The main force of the army was still the one organized by Damian.

During wartime, even if Damian defecated on most knights' backs, they wouldn't dare retort. But in peacetime, the aristocratic games took on a different style.

Everyone ranked themselves based on wealth and lineage; if Damian was a nobleman, he could only sit in the back rows.

Fortunately, Damian's new position was as a court pastor, not seated among the nobles. This strongly confirmed his rationality in refusing to return to the family.

Amelia rode her horse and called out to Damian, "The bend of Duck Pond River is just ahead. Three miles further, and we'll reach Gothingen Castle."

Duck Pond River was the name of a secondary branch of the Rhine River that ran through Gothingen County.

It had a considerable flow suitable for small boats but lacked facilities, so few merchants were willing to come here. At this bend, there was a bay at least three meters deep, perfect for a port.

But it was desolate, without even fishermen.

In reality, Gothingen Castle didn't need economic facilities like a port. Cities in the traditional Eastern sense had economic functions and citizen life. Places purely for military use were called fortresses.

However, in Europe, where nobles lived was often such fortresses, purely for combat and defense against enemies. Cities with economic functions were very rare, only near the Mediterranean.

So, Gothingen Castle was just a fortress.

How big was it?

It was less than a mile in circumference, about the size of an ordinary school. The walls were about five meters high, made of stone at the bottom and earth on top.

It was quite obvious that the castle was built on ancient Roman ruins, showing a strange combination of multiple styles stitched together.

The servants left inside the castle breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Conosa return and opened the gates for the countess.

According to them, many nobles had recently come, all falsely claiming to help the countess, but their real purpose was to deceive their way into the castle and forcibly occupy it while its owner was away.

The countess was so angry that she gritted her teeth, but she couldn't do anything about them.

"Call a noble assembly! Warn them that I've resolved the rebellion. Anyone who dares not to come will be immediately deemed a traitor and their land handed over to reliable relatives!" Conosa's eyes sparkled as she immediately came up with a new plan.

It's good for a count to have guardianship over all the nobles in the domain. Damian chuckled silently.

The countess returned to her residence and began to play subtle tricks on Damian.

There was a small chapel in the castle naturally belonging to Damian, but she arranged Damian's residence next to her own.

Conosa lived on the top floor, the third floor, so the implication was clear.

However, if one thought this was the countess's hint, they were mistaken. The shining knight Joan slept in the same room as the countess. If Damian dared to enter, she dared to strike.

Damian's sister-in-law Amelia, also due to her merits in protecting the lord and her achievements on the battlefield, was prematurely appointed to an official position—a river patrol officer.

With this position, she could openly monopolize river resources and prohibit other villages from building bridges.

This was because anyone within a dozen miles around Duck Pond River had to cross through Bovendon Village. Amelia thus gained more control over the river resources, which was logical.

As for Damian himself, he temporarily entertained various groups from the domain every day, praying for them and holding mass, gradually gaining popularity.

Not only was there a separation between the castle and the city, but also the bishop of Gothingen County, Matt, along with his church and affiliated believers, met in another district center, requiring appointments.

Three days later, the noble assembly convened at Gothingen Castle. The vast majority of nobles were all in attendance.

Radiant and charming, Countess Conosa attended the meeting in a majestic hunter outfit, while Damian stood confidently beside her in a black priest's robe.

This assembly was essentially a sharing of spoils.

Howard left behind a castle, over a dozen villages, two estates, and his son mysteriously disappeared.

It was a very lucrative estate, and everyone wanted a share. So, they all eagerly forged documents with their elders at home, proving themselves as relatives of Howard and thus qualified for a share.

Conosa mistakenly thought Damian had failed in his previous actions, in order to compensate him, she spoke up beforehand, "I intend to take ownership of one of the two estates and donate it to my court pastor as an offering to God."

This statement was very clever, even twisting a couple of turns, but the ultimate goal was to let Damian get hold of the estate.

The nobles below covered their mouths and snickered, mocking Damian as a softie who relied on women.

"No, this estate should be given to Joan first."

Who knew, Damian once again refused Conosa! Conosa was furious, wondering if this annoying Damian enjoyed rejecting her because it made him feel good.

The nobles were also surprised, casting strange glances at Damian.

Damian smiled slightly and took a step forward, "I just learned that a group of unknown bandits killed the monastery head Scoke three days ago and looted the monastery. Now, I'm thinking, if they change their target to your families... how unfortunate that would be."