A Crusader with System in the Middle Ages

”You’ll know when you see him in a moment.”

”The guy’s furious from the humiliation. No point in saying anything more. In a bit, we’ll just watch him cry.”

”...”

Elijah looked at the other group of Knights outside the castle, which made him a little worried.

’Could that Alan really be back?’

’Impossible. There’s been no news for six years. How could he return so suddenly?’

Soon, the castle gates opened again.

A guard walked out. Elijah recognized him; it was the same man who opened the gate every time he came to Fougeres Castle.

’He’s one of the more sensible people at Fougeres Castle.’

”Lord Elijah, the Baron and the Old Baron request your presence,” the guard said, bowing to Elijah.

”Hmph.”

Elijah snorted coldly and, with a flick of his reins, was about to ride his horse into the castle. However, before his mount could take two steps, two guards inside the castle suddenly raised their Long Spears, blocking his path.

The sharp spearheads instantly startled his mount. The horse neighed and reared, its front legs leaving the ground. Elijah was nearly thrown off, but he managed to hold on by gripping the reins tightly.

”What are you doing! Are you mad!” Elijah said angrily.

”According to custom, one must dismount before entering the castle. Regardless of status, high or low, this is an established custom of the Mann People, is it not, Lord Elijah? Moreover, the Baron only invited Lord Elijah alone, so...” The guard bowed with a faint smile.

”You... And what if I refuse?”

”Then I apologize, but we will have to ask Lord Elijah to leave. Fougeres Castle does not welcome those who do not respect its customs. I’m sure Lord Alan’s men would be more than happy to greet Lord Elijah.”

The guard glanced meaningfully at the Knights outside the castle.

”You... Fine, fine. Keep acting. Such a fine performance. Anyone who didn’t know better would think they were in a theater in Rome. I’d like to see how long you can keep this tough act up.”

Elijah dismounted, gritting his teeth.

”When I take over Fougeres Castle, I’ll have every last one of you thrown out.”

The guard did not respond and simply led Elijah toward the great hall inside the castle.

It was a very long and wide hall, but disproportionately low-ceilinged. In the hall stood a long oak table with a very rough surface; its planks had been cut directly from the Forest and barely planed. The rest of the hall’s furnishings were just as crude.

The Old Baron, who was usually not all there, sat in the main seat. He quickly spotted the beautiful figure of Eleanor. She was as lovely as she had been last week.

The next moment, however, his hackles nearly rose. A strange young man was sitting in a chair with his arm around her, brazenly pinching her cheek.

This turned Elijah to stone right where he stood.

”Lord Elijah, your arrival brings glory to my humble Fougeres Castle. Today is truly a joyous day. My son, Alan, has returned safely from Iberia. As a true God’s Warrior, he has returned home in glory. God must surely be watching over Fougeres Castle at this very moment.

Your arrival, Lord Elijah, is most timely, allowing you to share in this joy with us. In a little while, we shall drink fine wine together.” The Old Baron smiled, stood up, walked right over, and took Elijah’s hand.

”Alan...”

Elijah was in no mood for the Old Baron’s pleasantries. His eyes were fixed on Eric.

He was burning with jealousy.

But he suppressed it and took a few quick steps toward Eric.

”Hello there, the famed Baron Alan. I have long heard of your legendary deeds fighting the Heretics in Iberia.” He extended his hand to Eric.

”Say a few words to him. It’s proper etiquette, E... Alan.” Eleanor pressed down on the hand Eric was using to pinch her cheek.

”Have the years in Iberia made him forget the language of the Mann People? How rude.”

”No, it’s just that I see no need to speak with a man who covets my wife. As for etiquette, there is no need to extend it to the faithless. A faithful believer must draw a clear line with apostates. That is the most basic principle.”

Eric let go of Eleanor, stood up, and approached Elijah.

The tall frame revealed when Eric stood up startled Elijah. Seeing the Longsword at his side, he subconsciously took a step back.

”Perhaps my own words are too soft and weak to make you face your sins, but the word of God is powerful and resounding.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. As for those who transgress, God shall condemn them and slay them without mercy!

I do not know what has caused you to forget the word of God. Perhaps your audacity has surpassed Cain’s, your wickedness has surpassed that of Judas, and your arrogance has surpassed that of Great Herod!”

”I... I didn’t. It’s just... there was no news of you for so long... Everyone thought you were dead,” Elijah said hastily.

”Everyone thought so? Did my father think so? Did my wife think so? Is a man’s death not determined by his closest kin, but instead by the wild speculation of unrelated outsiders?

Let’s say I decided you were dead, then bribed dozens or even hundreds of people to spread the news. I could even pay off all the people in Mann. Would that mean you, a living, breathing person, are truly dead just because of that?

Lies are driven by wicked thoughts. You covet my wife, and you do not hesitate to use lies to conceal your sin. The mouths of the righteous bring joy, but the mouths of the wicked speak perverse things.

You are just like that arrogant false Prophet, Hananiah, who misled the people with lies. Do you want to hear the judgment Yahweh spoke against him?

’I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you are going to die, because you have preached rebellion against Yahweh.’”

As Eric’s words fell, Elijah felt a sharp sting on his neck. A Longsword was pressed against his throat.

Terrified, Elijah instantly collapsed to the ground, then scrambled backward.

”No, no, it can’t be. I am a devout believer,”

”It will be, it will be, it will be! Because you are arrogant! Because you are foolish! Because your sin is unforgivable! Because you are greedy! Because you are treacherous! Because you twist right and wrong! You bring shame upon Christ!”

”I... I have Devotion to God! Salvation comes from faith in Christ!”

”You cannot escape, for the day of judgment is near. For all who are against Christ appear in the guise of Christians!”

”No... No, no, no... You’re lying. Salvation comes from faith in Christ.” Elijah staggered to his feet.

Suddenly, the sound of a horn echoed from outside the great hall—clear and long. The sound entered the castle, reverberating through its wide, open space.

It was like a bolt from the blue.

”Listen! He has come! For he can bear it no longer!” Eric roared.

”Christ... Christ, no, Gabriel... Gabriel...” Elijah suddenly screamed and ran out of the hall.

The great hall fell silent.

Eleanor and the Old Baron couldn’t help but stare blankly at Eric, somewhat stunned.

This made Eric feel suddenly a bit awkward.

”What’s wrong with you two?” Eric closed the doors to the great hall, then noticed their strange expressions.

”No, it’s nothing. I’m just getting on in years. Don’t take things in as well as I used to. You really spun a convincing tale.” The Old Baron patted his own forehead.

He had done his fair share of lying and deceiving in his time.

”Doesn’t it feel like he was talking about us? Father, perhaps you should reconsider.” Eleanor averted her gaze, resting her hands on her thighs and staring at the tabletop before her.

”Reconsider what? You’ll have to marry a sinner eventually. Why not pick the lesser evil? He looks so much like Alan, what’s so hard to accept? Besides, he’s nineteen. And you? Tell me, how old are you?”

The Old Baron slammed his hand on the table. He hated it when people contradicted him.

”Twenty-five,” Eleanor answered weakly.

”And in a few months, you’ll be twenty-six,” the Old Baron added, slamming the table again.

”Fine, fine... I’m... I’m twenty-six...” Eleanor covered her head with her hands, pained by the cruel reality of her age. ”All... alright... I have no objections.”

Feeling the Old Baron’s gaze upon her, Eleanor immediately lowered her head and raised her hands in surrender.

”I have no objections either,” Eric said, finding the situation somewhat amusing as he looked at Eleanor.

Hearing Eric’s voice, Eleanor lifted her head and shot him a glare.

But then, noticing the Old Baron’s gaze again, she immediately lowered her head.