“...... Do you really want to?" Sir Leonardo, who had hesitated for a long time, suddenly pressed one hand on the table, and the dim light made his face look a little gloomy.

Edward, who was standing in front of him, didn't look nervous at all, as if the named "unlucky guy" was someone else, and shrugged his shoulders as if he was very relaxed: "I am a member of the Knights of the Sacred Tree - isn't unconditional obedience to any orders and sacrifices the proudest tradition of the Knights of the Sacred Tree?"

"The more you do this, the less I dare let you go to Fort Horn. Sir Leonardo got up from his chair: "I'm not Gayor Valence and won't let you risk it in vain - tell me, do you really understand how dangerous this task is?!"

"For the Otoviks, this castle is the only way to connect them to the entire Kingdom of Dominica, and the only way they can rescue the Shining Star City, and if they fail, they will definitely want to take it back at all costs. Edward, of course, knew how dangerous it was, and lowered his head slightly and whispered.

"But on the other hand, Hornfort is also their only hope, as long as the banner of the flaming goshawk is still hanging on the tower of this castle for a day, the despair of Bright Star City will deepen day by day, and the expeditionary fleet will face a group of demoralized, lamenting Dominica troops, and it is as important to hold this place as it is to defeat their fleet!"

The corners of Sir Leonardo's mouth twitched a little and stared at Edward's still "calm" expression, as if he was saying something trivial and worthless: "It seems that you have already thought it through...... But have you ever wondered how much it costs to stay here?"

"I'm ready for this, Sir Leonardo. Edward was silent for a moment, "Just like Luceen, I know how jealous my status as a lieutenant is - I need a chance to prove myself." ”

“...... I have allocated you a hundred sergeants of the Order and a warship to garrison the Horn Fortress. Sir Leonardo did not hesitate any longer, and walked over and pressed his right hand on his shoulder: "In addition, you can recruit volunteers from any army of the expeditionary force, and bring as many men as you can." ”

"Tell them, just say it's my Leonardo Gombray order - anyone who is willing to go with you, as long as they can come back alive, will have the same feats as the first hundred team to attack the head of Bright Star City!"

"Then I'll thank you for them first. Edward shrugged his shoulders and said with a somewhat self-deprecating smile, "Of course, if anyone really wants to go with me." ”

"If you have any other requirements or something, just say it, and try to satisfy your kid. The angry and funny Sir Leonardo punched Edward hard: "Don't think so comfortable when you get to Fort Horn!"

"Nothing special to ask for, except that I want to take all my attendants and maids with me, if I can. As if joking, Edward said, "That's all." ”

"Are you sure?" Leonardo frowned, "Little Goodwin may be a smart kid, but that maid of yours...... Maybe it's better to let her stay. ”

"She's going to be useful. Edward smiled and shook his head: "Angela is a very good pharmacist, sometimes age doesn't mean everything, even if she only looks ......"

"Then why are you asking me what I'm doing?" Leonardo, who was not angry, glared at Edward viciously: "- remember not to die in that place, Turin has no tradition of honoring the dead!"

"Yes, Knight Chief Leonardo Cambrai!" Edward, with a curvature on his lips, turned and retired, closing the door with his hand.

"This bastard boy ......" Leonardo gritted his teeth in hatred, but he could only smile helplessly and shrug his shoulders, and beckoned to the Sacred Tree Knight, who had been standing in the corner without speaking: "Brother Blake Hubble, I have a task for you. ”

"The Sacred Tree Knight is always waiting for orders. The good-looking middle-aged knight replied stiffly, his gaze extremely plain, and even a little indifferent - the standard Knight of the Sacred Tree style.

"You are in charge of the 100 veterans of the Knights - the battle heroes of the East, there is no reason why they will lose to the scum soldiers of Dominica!" Leonardo still trusted this brother who had fought side by side with him in the Blood Cliff: "This is a difficult task, and I am relieved to have you." ”

"I guess the daunting task you're really going to give me is to protect that arrogant kid. Blake Hubble replied, "He's the squire of Thernier, isn't he?" I heard the chief knight of Gaio tell me - Valence doesn't praise people, this young man is very good. ”

"What did he boast about?"

"He didn't, he just kept saying that he regretted not killing him. Blake Hubble replied sullenly, "So he must have liked this kid very much, otherwise he wouldn't have been like this." ”

............ Seeing Edward walking out of the cabin alone, little Goodwin immediately ran over and asked a little nervously, "How is it, my lord, how many people are willing to join you?"

Edward smiled a little sarcastically, shrugged his shoulders a little weakly, and little Goodwin's face immediately showed a look of disappointment - this was the fourth, but there was not even one willing to join in so far.

Although he knew early on that it was difficult for anyone to join this kind of mission, which was almost equivalent to sending him to death, little Goodwin did not expect such an outcome, no matter how Edward "coerced and enticed", those guards and call-up soldiers just refused to agree, even if they were not willing to give more money.

It was already getting dark, and Edward had to set out by waiting for the next morning, as had been arranged—but not a single soldier had been recruited. Little Goodwin silently lowered his head and followed Edward, not asking any more questions.

"It seems that I can only take a hundred soldiers and find a way to take and hold Fort Horn. As if a little self-deprecating, Edward chuckled and said, "It seems like a rather difficult task." ”

While smiling, Edward, who was quite playful, half-leaned on the side of the side and lowered his head to look at his squire, but still did not say a word: "Are you scared?"

Little Goodwin was stunned for a moment, and wanted to muster up the courage to shout out a "no" fiercely, but in the end he bit his lip and nodded with a trembling shoulder.

Of course he was afraid, even by soldiers who had actually experienced war, especially in the face of such a mortal battle, no one would not be afraid.

"You can leave here now, if you want - I'm not going to force anyone. Edward patted him on the head, "I'll ask Ruthon to arrange a job for you, stay on this flagship." ”

"Sir, don't you want me as a squire?" asked little Goodwin, with a look of astonishment, "if you still want me to be your squire, please don't do this—yes, I'm afraid, I'm scared to death, but I still don't want to be thrown down by you!"

"Maybe you've forgotten it long ago, but I remember it—I remember what you said that day when I was almost killed by the Friese. Little Goodwin looked at Edward in a daze, "You said you need to be brave, smart and powerful enough to be your squire—I know I don't think so, but I'm not going to give up yet!"

"Fear of death, fear of pain, is the only way to regain courage. Edward said with some distraction, "A priest has told me this, and you are not far from the word 'brave,' little Goodwin. ”

"In that case, don't be stunned, we have to keep busy. ”

"Continue?" Little Goodwin tilted his neck, "But those people have already rejected you—do you really plan to set off with only a hundred soldiers?"

"Of course not. Edward smiled, "But those conscripts have been frightened, and no matter how much coercion and temptation are useless, we don't have to fantasize about it anymore." ”

"But it just so happens that I know that there is a group of people who are very well suited to coercion and lure and might be willing to take on such a task - if we can afford it. ”