Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 495 - 275: A Little Man’s Decision

Baron Fulk opened his eyes wearily. In front of him was a prison cage made of logs—there were many such cages, so many that he couldn’t count them all within his sight.

The air was filled with a foul stench, and every now and then, someone let out a muffled wail.

Beside him, someone had begun to speak nonsense.

Instinctively, he turned towards the sound and saw a soldier stripped of his armor, wearing only tattered linen trousers. His leg wound was swarming with green flies.

He quickly looked away.

Baron Fulk vaguely remembered being struck on the helmet by a flying chain hammer (meteor hammer), causing him to fall off his horse and failing to escape in time. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

So, he’s been captured?

Just then, he saw a Crusader Soldier in a red and yellow cloak walking towards him, with a large bunch of keys hanging from his waist, evidently the guard of these cages.

He instinctively opened his mouth to explain his identity, only to hear the guard shout loudly, "Chief, Lord Tiberias wants us to drag all the cowards who deserted to the square for execution immediately."

"Understood, do it immediately!"

Following the guard’s gaze, he saw a one-eyed man with a conspicuous scar on his face, who cursed, "Those motherfucking fools drink fine wine every day and consort with Greek girls, while we have to watch over this group of heretic dogs all day. It’s time to scare those cowards soaking in wine barrels."

The guard responded fawningly, "Yes, chief, I have a good bottle of wine hidden away. Perhaps tonight we could..."

"Ahem—"

The scarred guard gave a light cough, his gaze sweeping over the peeking prisoners, he said sinisterly, "You filthy heretic dogs better behave, don’t play tricks. Once the ransom is paid, you can go in peace, otherwise..."

He gestured towards the side, where a corpse, already looking mummified after just a day, hung on the gallows.

Soon after.

Right under the prisoners’ noses, a group of "fellow Franks" were bound with shackles or grass ropes, pushed and escorted to the square—desertion was unforgivable in any army.

Ivan watched this scene, and his initial eagerness to reveal his identity gradually cooled.

"You’re awake..."

A familiar voice, full of energy, sounded from behind him.

Fulk turned around and exclaimed, "Ivan?"

"You were captured too?"

A familiar Mamluk beside him said sourly, "If it wasn’t for the lord saving you, we wouldn’t have been trapped in the enemy’s encirclement."

Fulk was ashamed beyond words.

Ivan, however, remained indifferent.

"I’ve sworn before you all, it doesn’t matter who you were, or what god you worshipped, you are my brothers. If my brothers are trapped in enemy territory, can I abandon them?

Unfortunately, all the money we carried was left at the camp. After the Crusaders took the camp, it all became theirs, and we couldn’t pay our ransom. Otherwise, we would have already been on our way home."

Fulk was momentarily at a loss: "I will do my best to help everyone leave safely, I know the housekeeper of Marquis Losa... and Baron Reynard’s wife."

"Fulk, don’t do anything unnecessary. The Franks want money, and Lord Taqidin will prepare enough ransom for us."

Ivan shook his head.

Fulk fell silent.

His mind raced with thoughts.

In battle, he had killed Crusader Knights on his side, some of whom could even have been genuine noble knights. (Knight is a title, but also a profession, with many nobles—from Kings to Barons—being knights)

If he was recognized, he would certainly be seen as a murderer and blasphemer.

Ivan continued, "Fulk, if you want to return to your lands in Languedoc, I suggest you don’t reveal your identity now. Wait until the Franks release us and leave, don’t let anyone know you ever joined us."

"Ivan!"

Fulk felt deeply moved.

The Mamluk who had followed Ivan for a long time said resentfully, "Fulk, the lord got trapped to save you, are you really such an ungrateful person? Even the Gypsies and Jewish people are more honorable than you."

Ivan rebuked, "That’s enough, Nuer, stop talking. Fulk is different from us; he never joined us willingly."

Fulk remained silent for a long time before speaking suddenly, "I won’t go back, Ivan. From now on, I’ll follow you—perhaps even now, my brother is being joyously brought out from the Monastery by the family to inherit my title."

In reality, it’s more likely that his land would be taken over by his Lord, the Count of Carcassonne due to his disappearance—unless news of his death returned, otherwise it could be kept indefinitely by him.

If Fulk bore the reputation of "having served the heretic demons," even if the Crusaders spared him, upon returning to his lands, he would have no place to settle and could even be sentenced to hanging by his Lord and the Church Court.

Moreover, the Crusaders would never be so merciful.

Even Marquis Losa had the infamous nickname of "Bloody Butcher" when dealing with those heretic chiefs.

Bam—

At this moment, the scarred guard impatiently tapped the wooden fence of the cell with the stick in his hand, "Keep it down, you lot, discussing an escape plan in secret, were you? I’m warning you all to behave."