A Crusader with System in the Middle Ages

The journey from Luton to London was smooth, without any trouble.

Emma finally couldn’t hold it in any longer and started complaining to Eric about the awful things she had encountered on the road.

She had managed to escape Xialing City, but being completely penniless, she was forced to seek help from her uncle, a Knight in the Gloucester Region.

Although her father and he were brothers, their relationship was quite poor, and they rarely kept in contact.

Emma had thought he would at least take Richard in, considering their blood ties. But forget about taking them in; he didn’t give her a single coin and instead threw both her and Richard out.

Because of her father, the Earl of Hereford’s, rebellion, her uncle, as the Earl’s brother, had been implicated and stripped of half his lands. Now, he could barely cover his own family’s expenses.

Not only did he throw them out, but he said many nasty things to them as well.

Now, Emma was eagerly anticipating the look on her uncle’s face when the time came.

Eric didn’t argue with Emma. He knew the young lady had been bottling things up for a long time and needed to vent a little.

What surprised Eric, however, was that compared to the resentful Emma, Richard, the Earl’s heir, didn’t seem to mind at all. He had been happy and cheerful for the past few days.

Two days later, they arrived in London.

Unlike the last time they left, the city had become much more bustling.

Robert had apparently lifted the restrictions and even loosened control in certain aspects.

People bustled to and fro. Stalls were set up even outside the city walls, packing the area around the gates.

Just as he walked up to the city gate, Eric saw a familiar figure.

”My memory seems to be stuck a week ago. I dare say there has never been a more harrowing battle...

”The gale roared! Blood boiled in our veins! Rage overcame fear, the warhorses still shrieked, consciousness faded to a blur, and victory was the only thing we craved!

”The old king’s banner fluttered in the wind! The enemy formation was imposing! Across the Trent River, they lay in wait for us, well-rested and prepared! They were brimming with strength, valiant and battle-tested!

”Our army was demoralized, starving and exhausted, our supply train lost! We were broken, in utter disarray!

”It was a crisis! A crisis! A crisis! But victory and defeat hinged on this one moment! There would be no retreat!

”Charge! Charge! Oh, fearless Normans! Oh, noble Knights!

”Forward! Forward! For the glory of Normandy! For our faith in the King of England, Robert! For a free and peaceful kingdom!

”As the great Charlie said, pain and screams are a Warrior’s dearest friends, for they show that the fire of life still burns, that we still have the strength to seize even greater glory!

”The old king led Knights several times our number in a direct charge against me.

”Ah, my comrades, my companions! Such brave Warriors they were, and I could only watch helplessly as they fell.

”Ah, my companion, my dear friend, my brother, the brilliant and quick-witted Eric!

”He has fallen forever, fallen forever on the path to glory.

”Alas! Alas! I grieve for them! And I am proud of them! With their lives, they won the honor of a true Knight!

”My grief turned to fury, my tears to a battle cry! I charged forward! My Lance was as unyielding as iron, my Warhorse thundered across the field!

”Vengeance for my dearest friend! A roar for my brother!

”The vicious enemy was struck down, the king’s banner was severed!

”Ah! We were victorious.

”God is watching us from the heavens! He praises every brave and fearless Knight!

”Belem, a noble and courageous Knight! He won the victory!

”In the most valiant and just manner! I have done right by my friend! I have done right by His Majesty! And I have done right by the Lord!”

Belem smugly took a sip of ale to wet his whistle, then raised his hands.

”Applause!”

”Bravo!” (x6)

The knights nearby dutifully began to clap.

These knights had been stationed in London, so they hadn’t participated in the vicious battle at Leicester.

With one exception—Theo, who at that moment had a booklet covering his face, grinding his teeth in frustration behind it.

The shameless Belem had stolen his notes, and he was the next one scheduled to speak.

To make matters worse, Theo didn’t dare to cross him.

’Dammit...’

”Next, let’s have Sir Theo say a few words.” Belem clapped Theo on the shoulder, indicating it was his turn.

”Uh... perhaps I should just...”

Theo was about to refuse, but all the knights’ eyes were already fixed on him.

’Looks like I have to say something now.’

”Uh... Sir Belem spoke very well... Um, right, good morning, everyone. Uh, wow. Sir Belem’s speech was truly the best I’ve ever heard. Bar none. Nobody knows speeches better than him!”

Theo suppressed the furious tremor in his voice, trying his best to sound composed.

”Nobody knows speeches better than him. Uh, and now it’s my turn. Hey, ’How is anyone supposed to follow that? Who could? Which son of a bitch came up with this speaking order?’

”Uh, I mean, wow. We... we won a victory. Let’s... let’s...”

”Hey, what’s this guy muttering about?”

”There’s something off about him. He’s not a deserter, is he?”

”He kind of looks like one...”

The other knights began to murmur among themselves.

Theo was so flustered he was on the verge of tears.

Just when he felt most helpless, someone patted his shoulder.

”Cut it out. I’m in a really bad mood right now.”

But then his shoulder was patted again.

”Hey, man, can’t you see I’m busy... Oh, Eric!!!”

Theo turned his head and saw Eric’s familiar face.

Theo immediately threw his arms around Eric.

’At a time like this, he felt so familiar, so warm.’

’Mad, I’m finally saved. I can finally escape this damn atmosphere.’

’Theo was so moved he almost started to cry.’

’Oh, thank God, I knew my eight years as a Cultivator weren’t for nothing! God can still hear me!’

’These city Knights are too damn tricky, I want to go back to the Monastery in the countryside, boo hoo... *sob*’

But out loud, Theo said, ”Oh, Eric, I knew you were still alive.”

Eric tried to push Theo’s head away in disgust, because he was getting tears and snot everywhere.

But Eric couldn’t push him off. Theo just clung to his arm, rubbing his face against it.

”God be praised, Eric, I knew you were alive.” Belem walked over, intending to shake his hand. But when he saw Eric’s arm smeared with Theo’s snot, he frowned in disgust. Finally, to avoid any awkwardness, he changed his angle and gave Eric a solid punch on the shoulder instead.

”What were you all talking about just now? Seemed pretty lively. I thought I heard my name.”

Eric clapped a hand on Belem’s shoulder, putting some force into it.

”Ah, oh, ha, we were... we were...” Belem started to get nervous. ”We were just analyzing the arrangements for the next Bayeux tournament. I am the reigning champion, after all, and we were all just agreeing that if you were to participate, you’d be a shoo-in to win.”

”Is that so?” Eric narrowed his eyes.

”Of course. As God is my witness, may lightning strike me dead if I’m telling a lie.” Belem raised his hand, swearing the oath with conviction.

Yet, the words were barely out of his mouth when a sudden clap of thunder cracked across the sky.

It made Belem jump.

”Uh..., God must have just sneezed. Don’t worry about it, just a coincidence. Hahaha. Hey? Isn’t that the young lady from the Osborne Family?”