Chapter 46: El Cid, the Death Knight [3] - Peace

Chapter 46: El Cid, the Death Knight [3] - Peace

 Hearing the Emir's words, a weird silence was maintained in the scene. Albeit distant voices of the crowd could be heard, who were murmuring amidst with each other, nearby, everyone fell quiet.

But to break this silence, came in the sound of many galloping horses. On the horses were many soldiers, each wearing an armor that seemed stronger and sturdier than the other. The one leading all of them sat on a brown horse, wearing a silver armour - he was Count Ordonez.

'Hmm, looks like some bigshot arrived.', Allen tapped his chin, scanning Ordonez's features, noticing that Ordonez didn't seem much different from Rodrigo, as he had the same build, similar height and even similar complexion. The only difference would be the color of his hair, which was brown.

A few soldiers close to him held flags that bore the symbol of the Empire, showcasing the Imperial troop that had arrived.

Rodrigo, Diego and everyone else turned towards Ordonez, who now halted and stared at the prisoners. Shifting his gaze, he now looked at Don Diego. Noticing him, he got down from hs horse and took a few steps towards him with a smile on his face.

"Don Diego, I will take your prisoners back to the King at Burgos.", rather than asking, it was as if he commanded or was giving an order.

Hearing that, Diego frowned a bit as he added, "They are not my prisoners. They are my son's."

Hearing that, Ordonez gave a sly smile as he instantly looked at Rodrigo who stood not too far from the prisoners.

"Oh, forgive me, Don Rodrigo. If not for your telling, I would have considered him a prisoner too."

"Hahahaha.", the soldiers behind Ordonez burst into laughter as they heard their lord say that.

The townsfolk that gathered fell quiet, each boiling in anger as they heard the mockery, yet, they controlled themselves as there was nothing they could do.

Don Diego also remained quite hearing that, merley exchanging glances with the calm Rodrigo.

Ordonez, after a moment of heartfelt laughter, turned towards Rodrigo before saying, "Then it will be your prisoners whom we will hang in the palace square at Burgos."

"We will hang their bodies high as an example to the other Moors!"

Hearing that, the crowd was excited again. Including the soldiers, everyone raised their voice which turned into a loud cheer, "Hang them! Hang them! Yaaaayyy!"

'Hey hey! He is trying to take all your credit!', Allen read Ordonez's intentions. Being a professional scamme-, ahem, businessman, he knew very well how to read a person. And right now, Ordonez did seem like one who steals credit.

'Unless you are some great idiot, you won't let him take them away.', Allen bit his nails, waiting for Rodrigo to take action.

Rodrigo, maintaining a calm expression, walked a few steps forward.

"Don Ordonez, these prisoners will not go to Burgos."

'Haha! Take that!', Allen clapped as hard as possible, pleased by what Rodrigo said.

He then looked at Ordonez, whose eyebrows twitched momentarily as he tried to maintain a calm expression. Knowing that the crowd was present here, and his knights who were behind him, Ordonez decided to change the way he played.

"The King will be just as pleased if you hang them here.", the moment these words left his mouth, the crowd roared loudly, way louder than before!

Earlier, they were just pleased to have the prisoners be killed, but now, they could enjoy the show and could perhaps even participate in it! What could have been more entertaining for them?

Rodrigo, even calmer, scanned the Emirs and then looked back at Ordonez. He waited for the crowd to calm down and after they well, with a straight gaze, he said, "We've been killing them for years. What has it brought us? Peace?"

Ordonez had no words after he heard that. The soldiers also contemplated on that. As for Diego and the church's father, both stared at Rodrigo with a gaze filled with pride.

'He won't let go, will he now?'

'Hmm… I don't think he is that foolish.', Allen talked to himself, wondering what Rodrigo was trying to do.

Before Rodrigo could continue or say something else, the Emir who was ready to give up his life, suddenly spoke up, "Hang me, and my sons will not rest..."

"My sons will ravage the entire place until not even a single person remains alive in Vivar."

'Ha? And he wanted to die? Looks like it was indeed a facade.', Allen commented as he judged the Emir's previous and current words which seemed more like a threat.

Hearing that, Ordonez was rather angered. He raised his voice and asked, "What other way is there to treat the Moors?"

"Hang them now!", another echoed chant followed as the crowd rose their voice.

Seeing this, Rodrigo walked a few steps forward, now standing face to face with Ordonez.

"Do you want these people to live in fear for the rest of their lives?"

Ordonez turned his gaze away instantly as he heard that, moments after which Rodrigo turned away, walking straight towards an old man filled with frickles, standing close to Diego.

"Antonio, do you want to see your church burned too?"

"Your villages destroyed?"

"If that's what you desire, then kill him!", Rodrigo said as he gently lifted Antonia's hand that held a shovel.

Hearing that, Antonia lowered his gaze, now hesitant to do anything. Seeing him, many other close by lowered their heads as well, understanding the gravity of the situation.

Seeing how the crowd was ready to listen to Rodrigo, Ordonez became furious. He turned towards Diego and with a rage-filled voice, he said, "Don Diego, tell your son that it is treason to refuse to turn over prisoners to an officer of the King."

Don Diego, hearing Ordonez's words, momentarily glanced at Rodrigo who stared back at his father. No words were exchanged between them as they stared at each other.

Turning back, Don Diego looked at Ordonez and said, "Rodrigo is wise. He knows what he must do."