Chapter 146: On a Runaway Cart Downhill
"We might be in deep trouble."
A bandit scraped the dried dung between the paving stones with his spear and muttered.
"I heard a large number of ranger-knights have been summoned to Beauclair and are moving out in droves. It must be about us. Those tin cans with nothing but honor and chivalry in their heads are planning to come and wipe us out."
Another bandit chimed in, "Yeah, everyone knows those knights can't stand even a speck of dust in their eyes. If they find out that the missing persons cases that have the Duchy in such a panic are our doing..."
"Don't worry," the third bandit waved his hand dismissively. "Those ranger-knights didn't gather in Beauclair for small fry like you and me."
He yawned. "They say the Duchess is on her last legs. They're going to swear allegiance to the new boss."
"Who?" another bandit asked.
The third bandit immediately replied, "How would I know? Besides, what's it to me? Why are you thinking so much? Just follow Master Philibert's orders honestly, and we'll eat well and drink our fill. If the sky falls, Master Philibert will hold it up for us. What are you afraid of?"
Just then, the alarm bell in the vineyard suddenly began to ring violently.
Emitting an unsettling and tense clang.
The three bandits jumped up as if bitten by fleas.
They exchanged a look and quickly ran to the only watchtower in the estate, shouting upwards.
"What's happening?"
"Someone! Many, many people!"
The first bandit to speak climbed the watchtower and looked in the direction the night watchman was pointing.
He saw hundreds of torches standing on the open ground just outside the vineyard's main gate.
The firelight made their armor gleam.
He was so frightened that he almost fell off the watchtower.
"See? What did I tell you? They found out! They're coming to attack us!"
The third bandit quickly waved, signaling the latter to shut up.
"Shut your damn crow's mouth! Damn it, if Master Philibert hears your defeatist talk, he won't need those fanatical ranger-knights to act. Master Philibert will chop off your head first."
...
"A large group of Ducal Guard soldiers, and several ranger-knights and their armed squires? Damn it, how did they find out?"
Philibert cursed as he slammed his helmet onto his head and thrust his sword back into its scabbard.
His brain was racing:
Maybe I should escape through the back door right now, before they attack!
No, if I'm not here, those rabble will be scattered in the blink of an eye, and I won't be able to run far at all...
Wait...
A flash of inspiration suddenly struck Philibert's mind.
Since they hadn't attacked yet but were calling out first, it might mean they weren't certain that he was the one selling slaves.
Or perhaps it was their damn knightly spirit at work again.
But regardless of the reason,
This might be his only chance to turn the tables.
Philibert immediately called over one of his men.
He told him to gather the other bandits in the estate and bring all the crossbows hidden in the manor.
They were to lie in ambush below the courtyard walls, waiting for his command.
Then they would unleash a volley of arrows.
As long as they could kill the leader, they could temporarily repel the people outside, giving them a chance to escape.
...
The order was passed down, and after all the bandits under his command were fully prepared...
Only then did Philibert ride out on a horse, surrounded by several bandits disguised as servants, and leisurely walked out the gate of the estate.
"Captain Damien, Sir Palmarin, Sir Milton, Sir Reynard, and this...excuse me, you are..."
Massimo introduced himself to the other party in a solemn and loud voice.
"I am Massimo Norris Maclino, Sir Philibert Witten. Long time no see."
Philibert said sarcastically, "Ah, Sir Massimo. Indeed, long time no see. But it's disappointing that you haven't taken to drinking and poppy powder like your father."
Damien's eyelids twitched, and he was about to reprimand him, but Massimo stopped him.
He knew that the other had been like this since childhood.
And Massimo, just like when he was a child, didn't hold it against him.
Nor did he beat around the bush.
He took out the piece of cloth stained with rosé wine and asked, "Sir Philibert, do you recognize this?"
Philibert didn't even bother to glance at it.
"Massimo, has your brain been mashed by a mace? You just bring a random piece of cloth and ask if I recognize it? How would I know where you picked up this piece of trash?"
Philibert's attitude became increasingly arrogant.
He didn't even use the proper honorifics.
His face was filled with disdain and arrogance.
"Sir Philibert, I presume you are aware of the missing persons cases that have occurred recently."
"And this was found on a wagon that was attacked the day before yesterday. This piece of cloth has the scent of rosé wine on it. And as far as I know, rosé wine only comes from one place, and that is..."
Before Massimo could say the name of the Castel Ravello estate, Philibert angrily interrupted him and changed the subject.
"Massimo, don't go too far! Don't forget that when your gambling father lost this vineyard to my father, it was us who took your family in and prevented you from becoming homeless!"
"Instead of showing gratitude, you dare to use such vile means to bite me back! You are utterly ungrateful!"
"Captain Damien, and esteemed knights, did you gather at my doorstep because you believed this man's lies?"
"Based on a piece of cloth torn from some country bumpkin? You want to slander a knight who has sworn allegiance to the Duchess? Slander me—Sir Philibert Witten, son of Sir 'White-Cheeks' Gobert Witten?"
Philibert's indignant and angry attitude made it seem as if he were truly wronged.
But his restless, constantly shifting small eyes betrayed the truth.
His heart was far from as innocent as he appeared on the surface.
Palmarin urged his horse forward two steps and spoke up for Massimo.
"In the Duchy ruled by the radiant Duchess, no innocent good person will be wronged, and no evildoer will be spared."
"Sir Philibert, if you are truly innocent, then let us search inside, so that we may restore your good name."
Philibert scoffed coldly.
"Sir Palmarin, I was courteous to you because I thought you were deceived by that lowlife Massimo, but don't go too far yourself."
"If the Duchess were here, she could naturally search."
"But why should I let you into my home?"
Damien couldn't stand it any longer.
If he had still had doubts before coming, worried that Massimo might be mistaken,
But after arriving and seeing Philibert's attitude towards Massimo, and his absolute refusal to let them search...
He knew that Philibert was likely guilty as hell.
"Sir Philibert, I, Damien de la Tour, acting on the orders of Regent Count Raymonde, am investigating the missing persons cases and have the authority to search every inch of the Duchy, including knightly estates."
"If you refuse to cooperate, you will be disregarding the laws of the Duchy and the orders of the Regent. You had better think carefully."
Philibert's face flushed red.
"Captain Damien, if the Duchess knew that a knight who had sworn allegiance to her and was utterly loyal to her was being so humiliated, how heartbroken she would be."
"Since you have already decided that I am guilty, then I demand a trial by combat! And my chosen opponent is you, Massimo!"
(End of this chapter)
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