The use of Chivalrous Bandits

Actually, just half a day ago, Damian and Conosa were discussing the next strategic steps for Gothingen County. During this time, Maadi and his daughter-in-law Amelia had an unpleasant conversation.

The layout of Bovendon Castle was very cramped, with only two narrow floors.

The kitchen was right next to the living room on the first floor. Maadi stopped his daughter-in-law here, looking sincere but also embarrassed as he rubbed his hands, "Amelia, there's something I want to discuss with you."

Although Amelia enthusiastically agreed, when Maadi asked the servants to leave the room, Amelia felt uneasy.

"Amelia, if you... consider remarrying, could you... just marry Damian?" Maadi finally managed to say the words awkwardly.

Maadi had no choice either. In this era, widows were allowed to remarry. Remarried widows would take away a large amount of property, especially their dowries.

If Amelia remarried, the Bovendon family couldn't come up with a decent amount of money as compensation, which would lead to the family falling apart on the spot.

Moreover, Damian was not willing to return. The master of the family had changed from Schneider to the widow Amelia. If she took the family's wealth and ran away, the Bovendon family would be ruined.

Taking all these factors into account, Maadi had to take the risk and discuss the family's internal matters with his daughter-in-law.

Amelia felt embarrassed and annoyed, questioning her father-in-law, "Schneider's body has just been placed in the coffin, and you want to humiliate me like this? If you're unwilling, I can leave with my dowry."

Maadi certainly didn't dare to let her leave, so he had to say, "I know you're unwilling. But listen to what the others think. They all think Damian is coming back, and I don't know how to explain to them that Damian doesn't want to come home. You will have to manage the household in the future, but everyone's approval...."

In short, Maadi described Amelia's dilemma.

She would have to manage the household in the future, but the whole family was counting on Damian.

This was also why Amelia lived in Damian's room.

"I warn you, I know how to use a sword." Amelia placed a sword by the bed.

Damian just chuckled and ignored her.

No one would really think that the situation-forced Amelia would let Damian get intimate with her.

Moreover, Conosa and Joan were still living next door.

In the middle of the night, Damian and Amelia were both safe and sound. It was the neighboring Conosa who couldn't sit still.

"Joan, go see how far that little widow and Damian have progressed," Conosa sat at the bedside,urging Joan to quickly disperse the accidental rendezvous.

Because the castle was too small and built of wood, soundproofing was lacking, causing Conosa and Joan to overhear Maadi and Amelia's conversation.

Although they knew it was the helplessness of a small family, the countess was still unhappy. After enduring until midnight, she finally decided to break up this mismatched pair of lovers.

Joan reluctantly got up and knocked on Damian's door.

Upon entering, she realized that Damian and Amelia were sleeping in separate beds, with no connection between them.

"I haven't forgotten the vow between the count and me yet," Damian joked humorously.

Joan reported Damian's words to Conosa, causing the countess to toss and turn all night.

...

The next day.

Damian and Amelia sat in the main house, receiving the vassals and servants of the Bovendon family.

Although nominally Amelia managed all the household affairs, it was clear to everyone that Damian was the most important.

So all the vassals reported to Damian.

Following medieval traditions, Bovendon Village had a village head overseeing village affairs, a hunter patrolling the forest, a miller, and a tax collector collecting road taxes.

these four were relatively privileged officials. Additionally, there were a few wealthy free men who automatically became overseers during busy farming times, serving as a kind of local gentry.

Damian talked to them one by one to understand the situation in the village.

Actually, Bovendon Village is in a dire state today. The food supplies have been completely ravaged, with less than half of the usual harvest.

Due to the war, passing merchants have disappeared, and even the mill's donkey has been killed. It will take a lot of time to restore production.

As Damian still had to deal with the matter of Scoke, he took out several dozen gold coins he had acquired and instructed Amelia, "First, go buy a donkey to get the mill running. Then, have the hunter inform the neighboring villages of their safe return. Take this money; all taxes for this year are halved."

Damian could only do this much. Amelia accepted the money shyly and got up to busily attend to village affairs. She had to patrol the village and soothe people's hearts.

Back in the countess's bedroom, Conosa was somewhat annoyed as she said to Damian, "Give me an idea. How should I deal with Scoke?"

It turns out that the Bishop Matt of Gothingen County had just sent a letter to Conosa, hoping that she wouldn't blame the trustworthy Scoke for Howard's rebellion.

These two were obviously colluding, but they controlled the religious affairs of Gothingen County, even the countess had to respect them.

"Idea.... I have one!"

Damian suddenly came up with a plan.

Since Howard's son was still in his hands, Scoke should value brotherly feelings.

"I happen to know some Robin Hoods from the jungle. They are skilled in horseback archery and are famous bandits nearby. If we use his brother's son as leverage, make a deal with Scoke in the wilderness, and then let the bandits ambush them..." Damian's cold-blooded approach implied a beheading.

"This..." Joan, the shining knight, felt uncomfortable. This didn't align with the knight's morals.

Conosa, as a noblewoman using political tactics, confirmed, "Alright, let's do it this way. But I won't take responsibility for the group of thieves you know."

Damian smiled faintly.

Who knew, as long as the money was enough, Damian had absolute control over them.

...

Gothingen Monastery.

The Dean Scoke, who had just finished talking with the Bishop's messenger, wiped his forehead with satisfaction.

His and Howard's plan had failed.

The Damian he sent out, for some stroke of luck, unexpectedly recruited reinforcements, first defeated the orc besieging the countess, then wiped out Howard's rebel army, step by step making a name for himself.

Now, the county calls Damian the 'Fortunate Friar'.

While secretly helping Howard, Scoke had become the biggest clown.

Now, Scoke couldn't care less about his grudges with Damian; he could only rely on Bishop Matt to force Conosa to recognize his status.

First things first, save his life.

However, just as he hoped to maintain his power, news came from the monastery overnight that a group of bandit knights was lurking near the monastery and had just ambushed and seized a cart of wine.