A Crusader with System in the Middle Ages

She was bent over, one hand braced against the wall, so engrossed that she didn’t notice Eric approach.

”Is something wrong?”

Eric had spoken in a low voice, but to the woman, it was like a clap of thunder. She cried out like a startled deer.

She looked at Eric, her face flushed a shade redder than a ripe apple.

”Prin—”

He hadn’t even finished the word before she clapped a hand over his mouth.

Now, Eric could finally pinpoint the source of the sound. The so-called crying was coming from behind that door, and he could glimpse the scene inside through the crack.

Before long, however, the movements inside stopped. They seemed to have sensed something outside, and the sound of footsteps came from within.

Eric quickly hoisted Sesil up, then planted his feet firmly—his right foot against one wall and his left against the other.

The door opened, and out walked the thin Nun Eric had first seen. Her face was also bright red, her habit was not properly fastened, and the skin of her neck was completely exposed, making her look extremely hurried.

She glanced left and right, saw no one, and started walking down the corridor, gradually approaching Eric and Sesil’s position.

Sesil held her breath, instinctively tucking her head down and pressing against Eric’s neck. She seemed terrified.

Fortunately, the woman passed back and forth beneath Eric twice without noticing anyone above her.

Then, the thin Nun returned to her room.

It wasn’t just Sesil; Eric also let out a sigh of relief and dropped down from the walls.

In the next instant, Sesil shoved Eric away.

”You...”

Sesil looked like she was about to curse him out, but she quickly bit her tongue. Her face was still bright red, though the blush had faded slightly.

She grabbed Eric’s arm and pulled him into a side corridor. After turning through several more, she cautiously peered back and forth. Only when she was certain there were no ”pursuers” did she finally relax.

Bracing one hand against the wall, she panted heavily.

”You... what you did just now...”

”Hm? What about it? Weren’t you, Your Highness the Princess, just inspecting the Monastery’s cleanliness? A holy Monastery must be kept in the most pristine condition. That is the duty of a Servant of God.”

Eric said with a perfectly straight face, playing the part of an understanding subordinate.

But his gaze unconsciously flickered to the hem of Sesil’s nun’s habit.

”Th-th-that’s from the rain that blew in earlier. It’s just wet. Don’t you get any ideas.”

Sesil was extremely sensitive at the moment and quickly used her hands to cover her dress.

”Of course.”

Eric’s reply was almost excessively pliant. Logically, there was nothing to fault in his answer, but the sensitive Sesil was still not satisfied.

She was filled with a sense of frustration and indignation that had no outlet.

Sesil knew this had little to do with the Cultivator before her. He had only stumbled upon it by accident, and he had done his best to remedy the situation.

But people are like that sometimes. When they get angry, they don’t care who the target is.

Sesil pursed her lips, struggling to suppress her turbulent emotions.

She turned aside, leaned her back against the wall, and slowly sank into a squat. She covered her face with her hands, resting her forehead on her knees.

The heat in her face was still scorching, her anger and indignation now mingled with a sense of guilt.

”I... I stumbled upon it... I stumbled upon it by accident, d-do you understand?”

”I understand.”

Sesil seemed somewhat fearful, her fingers clutching her sleeve.

”Am... am I... am I sinful?”

But as her words faded, she received no response.

Sesil turned her head. Eric was nowhere to be seen.

”Huh?”

....

After stumbling into that awkward affair, Eric started actively avoiding Sesil.

If it had been anyone else, Eric could have just bluffed his way through it. But he was, after all, a man. It was best not to get involved in such a private matter.

Enough had already happened these past few days. He didn’t need to cause more trouble for himself. Right now, he was just an unknown Priest.

Everything would have to wait until he met Robert.

The Monastery didn’t have much food, and even if it did, there wasn’t enough to feed so many people.

They had only been taken in because of the effect of Robert’s insignia.

So, for the next two or three days, Eric’s group did odd jobs for the Monastery as compensation. Since it was a convent, they were short on labor anyway.

After three days of rest at the Monastery, the sick among the group had more or less recovered.

In the clearing before the Monastery.

”Everyone, stop what you’re doing for a moment. I have a few words to say.”

Eric spread his arms wide, standing in the center of the grounds.

Every person in this group owed their survival to Eric in one way or another. Their ability to stay at the Monastery temporarily was also thanks to him.

As such, Eric still commanded considerable respect among them.

As his voice fell, the crowd spontaneously began to gather around him.

”Have you all considered what I told you a few days ago? This Monastery can’t shelter you for much longer. There isn’t enough food, and they have their own orphans and sick to care for.

”If you are willing to follow me to Rouen to pledge your loyalty to Duke Robert, stand to my right. If you are unwilling, stand to my left. I will not force anyone.”

Although the prisoners had been a motley crew, this batch of survivors was a cut above your average militia. Each of them possessed some kind of Skill or was physically robust.

A total of 87 prisoners had escaped with Eric. One ship was lost at sea, so only 66 had made it to Normandy. Many of them were agile Nordic People.

The crowd began to murmur amongst themselves. Two minutes passed, but no one moved; they just kept talking.

Eric felt a pang of disappointment.

Just then, a figure appeared on his right. It was Leif.

”You...”

Eric was slightly surprised. He had been certain Leif would leave.

That was why he hadn’t even told him about this gathering.

”If I can make money just by slaughtering Christians, I see no reason to refuse.”

Leif’s response was quick this time. He stood with his arms crossed, clearly impatient after several days of monastery life.

Following Leif’s lead, the Nordic People in the crowd—those who worshipped the old gods or had flexible beliefs—soon pulled one another over to stand by Eric’s side.

That made eleven.

”Christians are as timid as mice. They’re only fit for toiling on barren land,” one of the Nordic People at Eric’s side jeered cheerfully.

Perhaps the taunt worked, because a dozen or so burly Christians followed right after.

That made twenty-four.

”Anyone else?”

Eric asked again.

Then, he looked toward Hessin, the young lad.

He was still standing in the same spot. The kid was a bit of a goofball, but his Sailing Skill was decent, and he was also a Shipbuilding Master.

”Mr. Priest, I... I respect you a lot, and of course I want to help you, but... but I swore to my mother that I would despise the Normans for the rest of my life. My second brother was killed by Normans.

”I’m sorry, Mr. Priest.”

”It’s alright. I don’t blame you. Since I wrecked your ship, you can take a Dragon Ship back with you.”

”Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Priest.” Hessin lowered his head.

”It’s no problem, I understand. Hessin is a filial son, and promises are very important.

”Even if Viking Pirates are running rampant in the channel, King William’s warships are still on patrol, and sailing from Normandy requires paying an exit tax;

”Even if your Silver Coins have run out and you have to take odd jobs, enduring the scorn of employers who look down on foreigners, and you have to learn French first;

”Even if you could be fired at any time and go hungry;

”Even though I was only going to make you a Navigator...”

Eric hadn’t even finished speaking when someone suddenly appeared at his side.

”Ah, Mr. Priest, I think you misunderstood me! Despising the Normans doesn’t mean I can’t join the Norman army! I’ll join their army and get my revenge, tear them apart from the inside, and deal them a crushing blow.

”I’ll viciously consume their rations and pay, and their wine, and let them know that we English can get angry too!” Hessin said, shaking his fist with righteous conviction.