Chapter 145: A Cheese Sandwich
A few days later, the knight brothers Massimo had summoned arrived at the Theodora Pass and joined them.
"Palmarin de la Tour Blanche, Milton de Peyrac-Perran, Reynard de Bois-Fresnes, thank you for coming."
The three knights bowed to Massimo in the traditional manner, two steps away.
Similarly, Massimo bowed in return.
"Since it is a summons from a knight brother, we are naturally duty-bound."
Next, Massimo introduced Lynn and the others to the three knights.
Afterward, he said, "I thought it might take you longer to arrive. It's quite unexpected. Such a coincidence, were you just nearby?"
"It wasn't a coincidence." Milton answered Massimo.
The emblem on his breastplate was a large bull's head on a white snowfield, earning him the nickname "Bull Knight" among his colleagues.
"We are acting on the orders of Regent Count Raymonde, searching for the Relics of Rebiouda to save the life of the Duchess."
Massimo was taken aback. "Relics?"
This time, Palmarin explained.
This knight was tall with gray hair, his noble features sharply defined, as if carved from granite.
His coat of arms featured a cross and golden lilies on a blue background.
"The holy remains of Rebiouda. It is said that if Rebiouda's holy remains are burned to sacred ash, it will possess incredible power, including but not limited to healing all the world's diseases."
Massimo said with a worried expression, "Has the Duchess's illness deteriorated to this point?"
Toussaint was originally a country that worshipped the Lady of the Lake.
However, during Duchess Anna Henrietta's rule, the ideas and faith of Rebiouda were brought to this land by his follower, Pregger.
Pregger demonstrated his belief in Rebiouda's "miracles" to the people of Toussaint—such as walking on water and turning water into wine.
Since these "miracles" spread like wildfire throughout the Duchy,
Almost all nobles and commoners became followers of Rebiouda.
Pregger also persuaded Duchess Anna Henrietta, who was still in good health at the time, to build a Temple of Rebiouda in Beauclair.
However, even though most of Toussaint had converted to the new faith, a considerable number of ranger-knights still adhered to the worship of the Lady of the Lake.
Massimo couldn't believe that Count Raymonde would issue such an absurd order.
"It was Pregger who proposed this to Count Raymonde. He knows that Rebiouda's holy remains are enshrined in a sarcophagus in Novigrad, so Count Raymonde asked us...to commit this dishonorable act."
"But as long as it can save the life of the radiant Duchess, I, Reynard de Bois-Fresnes, am willing to stain these noble hands."
...
Later, the knight brothers were arranged to eat something, rest, and regain their strength.
Taking advantage of this time, Massimo approached the witchers alone and pleaded, "You two masters, please lend me your strength."
In Midcopse, Massimo had witnessed the swordsmanship of these two witchers firsthand.
Without exaggeration, no ranger-knight in Toussaint possessed swordsmanship that could match theirs.
If they could have their help, this raid would undoubtedly be even more powerful.
"Geralt?"
Lynn naturally had no objections and looked at Geralt.
The latter sighed. "Alright."
Witchers had a code of neutrality.
But not to mention that Geralt himself had violated the witcher code many times, brigands were the enemies of everyone, and even witchers would not feel pity for them.
To avoid any unforeseen complications, the ranger-knights and the Ducal Guard led by Damien set off immediately under the cover of night.
They arrived at the Castel Ravello estate in the dead of night.
Captain Damien had the soldiers rest briefly while he gathered the ranger-knights and the two witchers separately.
"Once the soldiers have rested, we will launch the attack immediately."
But Massimo said, "I think we should give Sir Philibert Witten a chance. Even thieves are allowed to defend themselves, let alone a knight. Perhaps he had his own reasons for doing such a thing."
Although Captain Damien also came from a noble knightly family, he had been trained as a commander from a young age. Therefore, his perspective on issues differed from knights who purely pursued honor and chivalry.
"No matter what his reasons are, they are no excuse for him to commit crimes in Toussaint. He has betrayed his honor and failed the Duchess's trust and expectations of him."
Palmarin, who also felt sympathy, supported Massimo.
"I also agree with Sir Massimo's view. We are ranger-knights, not brigand-knights. Even if we are to sentence him to death, we should let him understand why he is dying."
"If we just rush in and kill everyone we see and burn every house, what difference would that make between us and brigand-knights?"
Seeing that the two sides were at an impasse, Lynn interjected, "Captain Damien, Sir Massimo, and esteemed knights, I have a suggestion:"
"Regardless of what you intend to do, I believe we should surround the enemy in a pincer movement."
Lynn's gaze rested on the Castel Ravello estate shrouded in the night.
As an estate, it occupied a considerable area.
Of course, it was not a fortress after all.
A few ranger-knights, along with their armed squires, and a hundred Ducal Guards would be enough to flatten it.
But if handled poorly, it could lead to another tragedy in the future.
Lynn's gaze returned from the distance, lingered on Massimo for a moment, and finally settled on Damien.
"You will go to the front to call at the gate later. Geralt and I will circle around to the back. If your negotiations break down, we will attack from the back, creating a pincer attack to crush these criminals in their own fear-induced urine."
The current Philibert Witten was not yet the bandit leader of the later Mont Crane castle.
Based on the rabble under his command, even Lynn alone would have been enough to deal with them.
Not to mention that he also had Geralt.
In this era, any army would collapse when faced with a rear attack and encirclement, without exception.
A mere gang of bandits was even less comparable to an army.
Admiration appeared on Damien's face. "Then I'll send a few soldiers to go with you."
Lynn waved his hand. "No need, Captain Damien. Your soldiers are all wearing armor. The sound of armor might give us away instead. Don't worry, a mere gang of bandits can't do anything to two witchers."
(End of this chapter)
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