A Crusader with System in the Middle Ages

”Long time no see, my lady.”

Eric didn’t dodge, allowing Emma to pull off his helmet.

He then chuckled and gave her a small wave.

”Impersonating a Knight is a capital crime.”

”For an Englishman, yes. But I am a noble Norman.”

”Right now, the words ’noble’ and ’Norman’ make me want to vomit.” Emma tossed the helmet back at Eric.

She scraped the grime from her palm with her fingernails. ’God, I need a bath.’

”Well, I can see why. The smell is certainly a bit...” Eric leaned in toward Emma, sniffed, and then made a show of gagging.

”Eric...”

The gesture made Emma flush with shame and anger, but she managed to restrain herself, hissing his name through gritted teeth.

”I’m here, my lady. How may I be of service?” Eric said with a light chuckle.

”Give me back Aphra,” Emma demanded, holding out her hand.

”Aphra? What’s that?” The name was unfamiliar to Eric.

”My warhorse! You bastard, don’t think I don’t know you’re the one who stole her! I’ve already asked the stablehand—you were the last person near Aphra!”

”Why couldn’t the stablehand have done it? If a man’s house collapses, do you blame the traveler who was merely a guest? In any case, I refuse to accept such a hasty accusation.

If my lady insists on this, then I demand protection under the Sarum Code.”

With that, Eric stopped a passing Englishman.

”This lady believes I have committed theft. Do you think I am capable of such a depraved act?”

”Of course not, my lord. Anyone can see you are a merciful and pious man. Anyone who would say such a thing against their conscience must be a cunning and greedy fiend, an apostate who ignores the power of God! She is clearly trying to extort you.

May she be eternally damned to Hell when her body withers!” the Englishman added, muttering a few more curses at Emma.

”Oh, what astute judgment! What righteous character! Truly admirable. I am honored that England has subjects like you.” Eric praised the man with exaggerated flair, then patted him on the shoulder as a sign to leave.

”See? I could easily find ten more people just like him to prove my innocence. It’s pointless to accuse me,” Eric said with a smug smile, patting Emma’s shoulder.

”That’s only because of that disguise,” Emma seethed.

”Indeed. In this world, a convincing disguise is very important,” Eric chuckled.

”Eric. To take pleasure in bullying the weak is a despicable thing. You’re a Cultivator; you of all people should know that.”

Emma clenched her fists, doing her best to control her emotions.

Richard’s stomach rumbled. He tugged on Emma’s sleeve, hungry.

’I don’t really get what’s going on,’ he thought, ’but it seems my sister knows this Knight.’

’Shouldn’t she at least get a meal out of him first? Why start by calling him out?’

He was quite dissatisfied with his sister’s methods.

Emma let out a sigh.

”Eric, I need Aphra right now.”

”Alright, alright, I was only joking. What good would it do to have her back now? Can a single horse change your current predicament?

You gave her a name, so you obviously wouldn’t want her to be sold off. I’ve seen her. She’s a fine horse.

Perhaps you could ask me for something else instead of Aphra. For instance... where are you trying to go?” Eric leaned down to look at Emma.

”You know something, don’t you? I remember now—I think my father knows you!” Emma’s head shot up, and she seized Eric’s hand.

”I don’t know much. But if your father is still alive, he’s certainly being well looked after in London.”

Eric didn’t know much about the Earl of Hereford’s recent situation. When he’d left London, the Earl was still being held in the Tower of London by Robert’s brother, William Rufus.

To save his own skin, Rufus would have to be taking good care of the Earl of Hereford.

Eric had a decent opinion of the Earl—far better than his opinion of Odo, at least. If the Earl survived, Eric’s own position at court would improve significantly.

But what happened that day had been a matter of necessity. After all, William Rufus was capable of anything. The moment he believed he had leverage over Robert, things would have turned ugly. Eric had been left with no other choice.

In fact, Eric felt a little guilty toward Emma.

”Fath—”

Before Emma could finish, Richard shouted.

”Father, he’s alive! I’m still an Earl’s son!”

Richard jumped up in excitement, his hunger forgotten.

”Sir Knight, is it true?!”

”I’m not certain. When I left London, the Earl of Hereford was seriously injured and being held hostage. But now that the King’s Army has been defeated and peace talks have begun, he ought to be receiving excellent care, assuming he’s still alive.

The Earl of Hereford was one of the first nobles to support His Highness Robert, and His Highness is very grateful for that support. Whether your father is alive or not, if you go to London, His Highness Robert will see that you are properly taken care of.”

Eric patted Richard on the head as he explained.

”My father’s injuries...” Emma said with a frown.

”I don’t know for sure. Speculating will only cause more anxiety. Once you get to London, all will be revealed. My lady. I’m also on my way to London; you may travel with me.”

”You’re going to London, too? What for?” Emma asked, her curiosity piqued.

”Me? I’m hoping the Lord Earl will grant me some sort of reward. All of Herefordshire knows His Highness Robert has won the war, and the Earl of Hereford is about to be restored to power.

So I’m heading east, straight for London, to be there to welcome the Earl back and maybe ask for a small reward,” Eric said, lying smoothly.

Without waiting for Emma to comment, Eric let out a sharp whistle, and two light riding horses trotted over.

”Well then, no time to waste. Let’s head out now.”

”W-wait!”

”What is it?”

”I... I want to take a bath first.”

”There’s no time to waste. You’ll have plenty of time for baths in London.” Eric swung himself onto his horse.

Richard, without a moment’s hesitation, scrambled onto the other horse.

Left with no choice, Emma followed suit.

”By the way, with all the tolls, city taxes, and expenses for food and lodging on your journey, your costs couldn’t have been low. And you were selling wool on top of that. Where did you get the starting capital?”

”My sister robbed a—”

Richard started to blurt out, but before he could finish, Emma smacked him on the back of the head.