A Crusader with System in the Middle Ages

Fortunately, the enemy didn’t seem to have a fleet.

It made sense. They must have received their summons on short notice, leaving them no time to prepare ships.

"Maybe we can bring the ships in later," Eric said in a low voice, looking at Leif beside him.

Without a word, Leif walked straight into the water. He swam a short distance toward Southampton City before quickly returning.

"They’ve driven wooden stakes into the riverbed, and they’re packed quite densely. Fortunately, the river is deep, so they couldn’t make the stakes too long. While ordinary vessels won’t make it, we could try with the longships."

Leif said softly, wiping the water from his face.

"That doesn’t matter, as long as we can get in. We don’t need to break through the city. That would be a frontal assault, and there’s no benefit in that. We just need to get a message to them."

"What message?"

Eric pulled Leif close and whispered in his ear.

Then he pressed Robert’s gold insignia into Leif’s hand.

Leif nodded. Just as he had outside London City, he asked no questions and walked straight toward where the longships were moored.

Hessin, who was washing his face by the river, instinctively started to follow, only for Eric to grab him by the back of the collar and haul him back.

"We have something equally important to do. Leif can handle delivering the message by himself."

’Given Hessin’s track record, Eric had already decided to revoke his sailing privileges.’

’This guy is better off just sticking to being a Shipwright.’

"Priest, I’m just a Shipwright! I don’t go into battle. That’s what you promised me," Hessin said, hiding his War Axe behind his back.

"I recall Leif saying that you were the one who asked him to teach you how to use a War Axe?"

"Oh, that was just for exercise," Hessin said with an awkward laugh, waving his hands dismissively.

"Relax, there won’t be that much fighting to do. War is more about brains than brawn."

Looking thoroughly exasperated, Eric patted Hessin on the head.

"Is that really true? Then why are the noble Knights always practicing their Riding Skill and Lances? Whenever there’s a war, even the Counts and the King charge at the front."

"Because to them, honor and recklessness are one and the same. Besides, the consequences of that recklessness are rarely severe for men in their position. Unlike common Recruits, even if they’re defeated on the battlefield, they can be ransomed and returned completely unharmed.

So they often abandon reason, acting on instinct like wild beasts and indulging their emotions. They’d rather pursue the honor of a Knight than the victory of a Commander-in-Chief.

It’s only when a war’s outcome directly affects their own domains that some of them might become more cautious and use their reason. But such wars are few and far between. Typically, the only ones who truly suffer from a defeat are the King and the Supreme Lord.

Take this siege of Southampton, for example. Do you think all the Knights here are determined to serve the King to the death?" Eric asked, crossing his arms and looking at Hessin.

"Aren’t they? If they wanted to go over to Prince Robert’s side, shouldn’t they be heading to London to pledge their loyalty to him right now?" Hessin asked, looking at Eric in confusion.

"Loyalty is the core of the Knightly Spirit. Switching sides so casually would mean being looked down upon by all. Besides, the confrontation between the King and Prince Robert hasn’t reached its final stage. They have no need to pick a side right now.

Even if the King is ultimately defeated, it’s actually better for them to have served him until the very end. By doing so, they demonstrate their knightly honor to Prince Robert—unwavering loyalty.

If Prince Robert is wise, he’ll extend an olive branch at the opportune moment. They, in turn, will accept it with a clear conscience, free from any blame. In fact, they’ll receive lavish praise. In the eyes of the world, they will be far more valuable than the Knights who pledged allegiance too early.

Even if Prince Robert snubs them in the end, their adherence to the Knightly Spirit during this war will earn them employment offers from other powerful Lords on the European Continent. They will still be able to live and thrive," Eric explained slowly.

"It sounds like a game," Hessin said, scratching his head.

"Yes. For most Knights, it is a game. As a commoner, your only path is to use all your strength to achieve victory, become a Knight yourself, and join this game where the stakes aren’t really against you.

To become a Knight... that’s the dream of every Mercenary and peasant Recruit. Clothes, food, land, servants... and the privileges of war..."

"To become a Knight..."

Hessin rubbed his chin and looked at Eric.

"Priest, do you think I have a chance to become a Knight?"

"Well..."

Eric put on a thoughtful expression, then turned to face his Warband.

"This war will claim the lives of many Knights and even Lords. That will leave many fiefs vacant and without masters. To replenish the Power of the England Kingdom, I believe Prince Robert will need a new group of Knights."

The forty-seven members of the Warband began to murmur amongst themselves, clearly interested in the prospect.

Anyone could see that their commander was highly trusted by Prince Robert and would most likely be granted a fief after the war.

Since he had brought the subject up himself, it meant there was a tangible path to knighthood through him.

They had previously grumbled because Eric always assigned them tasks unrelated to direct combat—either creating diversions or staying with other units. But now, the allure of knighthood completely overshadowed those complaints.

"For now, restrain your desire for battle and follow my orders. Leave your horses here. Take only a single weapon and advance with me."

The men of the Warband moved quickly, dismounting from their horses as ordered.

Eric nodded, then immediately noticed Hessin at his side. The man had produced a War Axe from somewhere and was brandishing it menacingly.

"Priest, I feel I need to redefine my role. Being just a Shipwright hardly justifies the wages you pay me. As it happens, I’ve been learning from the Guards recently and have gotten quite good with a War Axe."

"Alright, alright."

The enemy force besieging Southampton City would never imagine that reinforcements were waiting just outside.

All Eric had to do now was find the perfect moment to launch a surprise attack and crush the enemy Knights, while minimizing the impact of their Infantry.

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