A Crusader with System in the Middle Ages

”What kind of absurd law is this?”

”But as long as the King wishes it, he can do so at any time, can’t he? In the entire history of England or the Franks, has there ever been a king as mighty as King William? So powerful that he can interfere in the very lives of his subjects?

My lord Baron, you steadfastly enforce the King’s laws, breaking past statutes and customs without hesitation because you believe you will never be the victim. But have you ever considered, my lord Baron, how you are any different from those common subjects in the King’s eyes?”

Seeing the increasingly grave expression on Baron Velen’s face, the middle-aged man couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

He slowly leaned closer to Baron Velen, deciding to add more fuel to the fire.

”You are merely a common subject with a title. The King cannot tolerate his vassals making mistakes—first it was his own cousins, and now it is his son. On what grounds do you believe yourself to be special, my lord Baron?

When the King’s trust is lost, both common subjects and a noble baron such as yourself can only rely on old customs and laws. If you wish for those to have effect when the time comes, you must uphold them now.

No one is infallible, and no one can guarantee they will forever satisfy an arrogant monarch, can they, Baron Velen?” A smile tugged at the corner of the middle-aged man’s mouth.

Baron Velen’s gaze fell upon the middle-aged man’s face. He then turned and walked toward his knights, tapping his fingers against his chin. A moment later, he turned back to face the middle-aged man.

”I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before.”

”Then it must have been my honor.” The middle-aged man bowed slightly to Baron Velen, his posture perfectly proper.

”I remember now. It was at Baker, I think. At the Bai Jia Hermitage. You’ve been there, haven’t you?”

The middle-aged man did not respond to Baron Velen’s words. His expression remained utterly composed as he simply watched him in silence.

After a moment, Baron Velen crossed his arms and sighed.

”Perhaps you have a point. But some things are not for me to decide.”

”We can provide your army with supplies and promise not to receive any ships from London. We have no intention of opposing anyone,” Dean John spoke up from the side.

”That is far from enough. Your promises are meaningless. Everyone knows you would only be making them under the pressure of our army.

Southampton City must be taken, and we must station our troops here. If you open your gates and surrender, I can promise not to disrupt the city’s normal functions.”

”The massacre at Eastley has already bankrupted your credibility with the city council,” Dean John said again.

”War has always been a bloody affair.”

Baron Velen waved his hand dismissively.

The King’s decree had been issued so hastily that his knights’ forty days of service for the year were already up, and he lacked the funds to pay them further.

Therefore, he could only compensate his knights through slaughter and plunder.

The best he could offer was to restrain his knights from raiding the monasteries and churches.

’It seems this negotiation is going nowhere.’

He then led the group of knights behind him and walked toward the door.

Just as Baron Velen was about to step through the doorway, he turned his head to look at the middle-aged man and said:

”The Archbishop is on our side. I want you to be clear on that. I can negotiate for you. If the city falls, you can save as many people as the monasteries of Southampton can hold. I will do my best to keep my army away from there.”

”God grants to every man a heart of peace, but it is hidden in the depths of the spirit. Few find and wield it, making it exceptionally precious. May God protect you.” The middle-aged man nodded at Baron Velen.

Baron Velen nodded, said nothing, and walked out of the council hall.

The metallic clanking of chain armor ceased.

Dean John peered out the door, then slammed it shut. He spat on the ground and said loudly:

”May he burn in the fires of Hell for all eternity, never to find salvation! He’s nothing but a fraud full of lies, a violent madman!”

”If a man wishes to attain bliss, his tongue must not speak evil, John.”

”I know, I know, Anselm. I am willing to pray to God all night for forgiveness for that. But can anyone tell me what to do now? Perhaps we should display the Pope’s banner. Let them know that God’s eternal punishment awaits them.” John sighed and looked at the middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man was not a priest from Southampton, but an envoy from across the Channel. He brought with him a decree from the heart of the Church, the Roman Curia.

Of course, he had another, closer connection to England: he was a former disciple of the current Archbishop of Canterbury, Lanfrank.

”Those who know their own dismal end will often risk everything in a final, desperate gamble, for they have no path of retreat.”

”Then what should we do now?”

Southampton City was a city under the direct rule of Count Moretan. On the very day of Count Moretan’s defeat, the sheriff sent by the Count fled back to Bournemouth overnight, abandoning even his own soldiers.

Now the city was being managed by the city council, and the citizens refused to surrender. They sought to defend their property, a sentiment shared by the local priests.

”Our situation is not yet dire. The rainy season is about to arrive. Their siege progress will be slowed. They won’t be able to dig trenches to undermine the walls, nor will they be able to use fire to burn the wood and stone structures.

If Prince Robert has any intention of seizing England, then he has no reason to abandon Winchester or Count Moretan. Southampton City is crucial for taking Winchester City, so he will certainly send reinforcements.

For now, all we can do is wait.”

Anselm said, his tone completely flat as he sat in a nearby chair.

”I suppose that’s all we can do. Regarding the Archbishop...”

”Everyone makes their own choice.”

.....

Since the Roman Era, Southampton City has been a major port city in southern England and has always served as an outpost to defend Winchester.

It is situated on a triangular fertile plain formed by the De River and the Yiqin River, with its south, east, and west sides protected by water. Only the north is open, but fortunately, the Romans built a wall and dug a moat there to protect the city.

Although it had fallen into disrepair over the years, the collapsed sections were merely patched with wood and stone, and the moat had long since dried up.

Fortunately, however, the arrival of the rainy season compensated for this deficiency.

The geography allowed for a prolonged defense, but the only drawback was that it was also quite easy to besiege the city.

Eric had Belem rest where he was and keep an eye on Ansebel. He himself took his warband to scout the situation at Southampton City.

The good news was that Southampton City had not been taken. The bad news was that the enemy had about seven hundred knights and around four thousand infantry, including a considerable number of archers.

Fortunately, the knights and infantry were positioned far apart from each other, with the infantry mainly responsible for the siege engines.