The retreating army passed through the village, the icy rain lapping the armor and cheeks of the soldiers, and the sky was a dark cloud that could not melt away for days.

The elderly King Charles lay in the carriage, pale and tired. He was seriously wounded in the recent Valley Breakout. It was the Knight of the Holy Grail and the Duke of Barsto who worked together to rescue him. The laceration on his chest is now clearly visible. Even with the best ointments, it still doesn't get a quick recovery. And the bumpy road made the old king even more emaciated. He looked at Prince Viktor, who was still young, and stopped talking a few times.

"Tonight, we're resting here. ”

Outside the carriage, Duke Barsto shouted loudly. The team stopped in an orderly manner, silent in the rain. Everyone soon began to get busy, except for the prince who ran past the center of the convoy. He stopped the horse's hoof in front of the esteemed Duke of Basto.

"Why stop, we should keep going and get back to Cologne as soon as possible!"

The prince's words were filled with dissatisfaction and questioning. As Charles's eldest son, his status is prominent, and even several grand dukes have to call him His Royal Highness the Prince. If Charles hadn't deliberately pressed him, Victor, as the prince, might have already commanded the entire army.

"The weather was bad, the roads were muddy, and the soldiers were running out of strength. Also, your father needs to recuperate, even if it's just for one night. ”

In the face of doubts, Basto did not compromise at all, he did not even dismount, and answered the prince directly on horseback.

Victor's eyes were full of resentment, but he had nothing to say. As a prince, he has not yet been approved by the fairy of the lake, so it is impossible for him to rule over several dukes.

......

It is a dilapidated village with only a few simple farmhouses. In normal times, it would have been impossible for nobles and knights to live in such a place. But the situation was peculiar, the defeated legions had nowhere to rest, and there was still at least a week to go from the capital, Cologne, and two days to the nearest castle, Breits Castle. In desperation, I can only camp here.

The owner of the farmhouse was "invited" from the house and made room for the king to rest. The soldiers cleaned the farmhouse and carpeted it, so that the king was carried inside. The villagers were placed in military tents.

In the farmhouse, Duke Barstow sat down at King Charles's bed after arranging his affairs.

"My brother, I'm dying. I felt like my life was passing away every moment. You know, it's not this shallow wound that really robs me of my health, it's years of fatigue and worry. I'm old......"

On the bed, King Charles said with difficulty. He raised his pale hand and placed it on the hand of the Duke of Basto. Just as they fought together when they were younger. They are the relationship between the king and his courtiers, and the relationship between brothers and comrades-in-arms.

"Don't say that, my brother. You'll be fine, I'm sure. ”

Holding the old king's hand, the Grand Duke replied so calmly. His face also looked a little old, but he was still full of strength.

"Well, I used to say that to myself every time before. But this time it was different, I could feel that my life was coming to an end. You don't have to comfort me. There's just one thing I can't reassure about. ”

Charles said in a tone that bordered on himself.

The Duke looked at him with sadness in his eyes. He knew what the king wanted to say, but he couldn't bear to listen to him.

"The Heinrich Rebellion is not over yet, and it is even more serious, with the undead raging in the territory of Bretonnia. And I don't have the power to stop him. ”

"My life is coming to an end, and there will be a new heir to the throne. But, you know, Victor doesn't have that qualification...... His character is not good......"

In no one else's room, the king no longer hid his thoughts, confided his true thoughts to his brothers, his comrades.

"In normal times, we may have time to slowly cultivate and correct him. But now the situation is special, and there is no time for him to grow up. ”

The king raised his other hand—

"But Bretonnia needs a king, and when I die, Bretonnia needs a new king!"

Charles emphasized. Despite his exhaustion, he still cares about the kingdom and its future. For Charles, his life belongs not only to himself, but also to the goddess of the lake. On his shoulders were the millions of people of Bretonnia.

"Don't talk about that, brother. I know what you think. But now is not the time to think about that. ”

Barsto squeezed Charles' hand and said calmly.

"The king of Bretonnia has never been the sole rule of a few dukes and kings, and even if you and I agree to let Victor inherit the throne, it will have to be agreed by the lady of the lake. She will send messengers to convey her will to us. I believe that the goddess will not let a cowardly and mediocre person become king. It's like she chose you back then, and we are doing our best to assist you. "Ninety-six flavors

Duke Barsto looked at Charles on the bed and said with a sincere face. Charles knew the loyalty of his old friend, and he never doubted him, for in Bretonnia there was no one who could deny the will of the Goddess of the Lake.

"Well, hopefully that's the case this time. ”

Charles waved his hand tiredly—

"You go and help me call Berto in. ”

A few minutes later, Berto arrived at the chamber where the king was resting. The king was still amiable, but the old king, whose face was pale and badly wounded, looked very weak, and even his lips were a little purple.

"Your Majesty. ”

As soon as Berto entered, he made a serious salute.

Until the king waved his hand and motioned for him to come in, not so reserved.

"My king. ”

Berto walked up to the king, then bowed down and sat down beside King Charles.

"The legendary hero of Bretonnia. ”

King Charles said with a smile.

Berto couldn't help but feel a little ashamed and smiled lightly.

"It's a bit of a legend, even if it's a hero, people are middle-aged, and they still haven't been recognized by the lady of the lake. I don't think there's a more failed knight in Bretonnia than I am. ”

Berto laughed at himself.

Unexpectedly, the old king Charles just smiled, "It's not the most defeat, at least you saved the king's life." Charles joked.

"It's a pity I couldn't save you a second time. ”

Berto spoke, his words full of self-reproach and guilt.

"It's just bad luck that you didn't find me this time. ”

Charles laughed, but the injury caused him to cough up blood. Hu Cong hurriedly stepped forward, wiped the blood, and sent a decoction.

Charles just waved his hand and motioned for Hu to go down first.

"You're brave, and that's something for everyone to see. It's just that sometimes there is a little bit of unruliness. Honestly, Tallinnam, does that squire have anything special to do with you?"

Charles asked with a pun on his face and a wicked smile.

I saw that Berto's face was gloomy, and he suddenly didn't know how to answer.

"Don't blame yourself, don't be shy, my knight, everyone makes mistakes when they're young......"

"It's not what you think, Your Majesty. ”

Bertol interrupted Charles bluntly.

But the old king didn't get angry, but just laughed—

"In Bretonnia, many people in this kingdom claim to be chivalrous, but I know that many do not do it at all. Berto, I don't mean to blame you, in fact, I can't do that much. I'm just a mortal with limited energy. Of course, I believe in you, you are a trustworthy person. ”