“My Lord… I vow my loyalty once more.”
When I woke up and left the barracks, I found Kurt, wrapped in bandages, kneeling in front of me.
He was holding the blade of his sword, offering the hilt towards me.
The soldiers around us were murmuring in confusion, making some noise.
This ceremony was something that was commonly done during the appointment of knights in the past, but recently it hadn’t been done much. Nowadays, the appointment of a knight is often done by gifting a cloak with the family crest or a sword and armor in good condition.
The reason this ceremony had fallen out of use is because it involved swearing loyalty to the master family, and if that family were to fall, swearing allegiance to another would interfere with the knight’s vows, leading to its decline.
In other words, it’s an old-fashioned ceremony, but it’s impressive that Kurt still remembered it. However, I couldn’t dismiss Kurt’s sincerity. I accepted the sword he offered and placed it on his shoulder.
“Ainzich von Sil Baltia asks. Kurt, do you vow to dedicate your sword to me for your entire life?”
“Yes! I swear it, even if it costs me my life!”
“…Very well. I appoint Kurt as a knight.”
After the ceremony of appointing Kurt as a knight, I went outside the fortress.
“So, what will you do, Ainzich?”
Outside the fortress, my brother, Lord Rumer , and his retainers were gathered along with my own retainers and soldiers. They were surrounding a group of captives—nobles and surviving knights who had invaded. By the way, the cowardly general and the knight from the enemy’s side weren’t captured.
“What about Father?”
When I asked, Lord Rumer shrugged in a somewhat playful manner.
“He said to do as you wish…”
Sigh… Same as always.
I scratched my head and called over a nearby retainer to receive the list of captured nobles.
The list contained several nobles I recognized.
“Lord Ainzich, shall we execute all of them?”
At Werner’s suggestion, the faces of the captives stiffened.
Werner… Isn’t that a bit too violent? Well, I guess it’s common in these chaotic times. While there are times when harsh measures are necessary, if we execute them here, it would only strengthen their unity, which is something we don’t want.
I shook my head in denial.
“We won’t kill them.”
“Well, if Lord Ainzich says so…”
I looked over the list and pondered. Then, an idea struck me.
I ordered my retainers to untie the ropes of a few nobles and knights listed on the document and set them free.
“You may go.”
They all left the area with puzzled expressions, and the soldiers parted to allow them to pass.
“Is that alright?”
Lord Rumer asked in a quiet voice.
I spoke softly so the others couldn’t hear.
“It’s fine. The ones I released were nobles who had sworn loyalty to the royal family. The enemy’s general is a coward and paranoid, so how do you think he’ll react when some of the nobles are released after this defeat?”
Lord Rumer seemed satisfied with my response and nodded.
“I see. You’re driving a wedge into their unity.”
There had been rumors about an arranged marriage alliance, and they would probably think the defeat was caused by betrayal on their part. Moreover, the general must think that blaming someone else is necessary for his own safety.
The impact of the defeat should keep them in check for a while.
“And for those left, we can demand ransom. Does that sound alright?”
“Well, I guess so. I was just ordered to assist you, so you can do as you please, Ainzich.”
The ransom from nobles and knights would likely be a substantial amount.
As I mentally calculated the sum, a wicked smile appeared on my face.
The captives, who couldn’t hear our quiet conversation, looked at my smile and became fearful.
Don’t worry, I won’t do anything bad to you.
When I smiled to reassure them, their anxiety only increased.
