Chapter 2: Oath and Glory (2)
In the small training ground of Caesarea Castle, the young Gendry Spada's "Cadet Knight" was receiving special training from one of the best knights of the Imperial Guard, the Knight of Elendil, which Theodore had promised him that if Elandil recognized him, he would be granted the status of "Knight of Rome" and allowed to go with the army. With a desire to avenge his family, little Gendry practiced desperately.
Unlike when he fought against Theodore, Elendil could be said to have left him with no mercy at all. The lead-filled practice wooden sword would leave bruises on little Gendry's body every time, and he was hit in the head by the cold-faced Elendil and fainted to the ground, but the boy couldn't even get close.
Elendil also learned the so-called "Spartan training" from the chief instructor of Quintus -- little Gendry could only bathe in the cold pool every day, and in the afternoon he would kneel and meditate in the temple of Mars, the god of war, with the sacrifice of Kaisso, to undergo "whipping training" to exercise his endurance; food could only be stolen from the castle's kitchen, and of course the knights of the imperial guard patrolling the castle were definitely not easy to talk to.
Gendry, who has been used to it since childhood, is not dissatisfied, and he does not dare to have the idea of arguing with the "Lord Knight of Elendil". He made it all part of his training -- what boy on this shijie didn't have a knight's dream, let alone Gendry, who went crazy and wanted revenge.
On the other hand, although Elendil was harsh to the point of being almost unkind, all of her fellow Imperial Guards agreed on one thing - Elendil was indeed training Gendry as a knight. Gendry was not from an aristocratic background, nor was he as gifted as the genius knight Elendil. Lacking nutrition since childhood, and the physical development is not complete, and there is not even any foundation in swordsmanship and equestrianism, it is absolutely useless to want to train like an ordinary knight squire.
Rigorous training gave Gendry a sense of vigilance and basic combat experience, religious training allowed him to build up faith, which is an essential part of perseverance and courage, and Caesarea's kitchens were dedicated to the daily diet of knights and Theodore, and there was no shortage of meat. No matter how stupid the little guy is, he can get the leftover bones and cured meat to put outside to meet his energy needs.
"A good little fellow, do you say yes?" Virgil, who was standing in the hallway, smiled at Valence standing next to him like a sculpture, "I should admit that he is indeed making rapid progress." β
Gendry under the corridor was still chased by Elendil's wooden sword and rolled on the ground, but he gritted his teeth and didn't dare to shout a "pain". He knew very well that the young knight would not pity his pain because of this, he would only fight harder until he could not shout anything.
"I remember when I saw this little guy two days ago, he was beaten up by Elendil. Virgil shrugged his shoulders: "But now, at least in terms of dignity, there is a bit of a knight's look." β
"But he's still a Severcro. Valens's face was like ice for eternity, forever melting: "The Severns, not the Romans, this is very important. β
"I don't mean to offend you, but it's clear that Caesar wasn't a racist, so there's no room for such remarks in Caesar's court. The corners of Virgil's mouth curled very slyly: "I believe that when this Gendry Spada, he will be loyal to Caesar!"
"Spada, an excellent surname. "I believe that in the near future," said the young foreign secretary, "there will be more children of the lower who have sworn allegiance to Caesar to acquire this glorious surname and turn it into some kind of tradition...... Mores. β
The captain of the Imperial Guard didn't reply, or he didn't think he needed to reply, "What useful information did you get about that so-called 'good Samaritan'?"
"You're really good at changing the subject. Virgil raised an eyebrow and grumbled with some annoyanceβin his opinion, it was a sign of Valens' admission of defeat. But the smug look quickly sank: "Nothing, that guy committed suicide - simply sloppy." β
"By the time he found out we were trying to get something out of his mouth, this guy probably knew he was exposed. Virgil sighed, with some regret: "He asked to stay for a while, and we agreed." Of course, there were guards all over the place, but this guy actually smashed the cup and slit his neck with shards, and by the time we got inside, he had been dead for a long time. β
"So, there is no intelligence, no progress, except for a corpse?"
"You can't just say that. Virgil muttered, "At the very least, the misunderstanding has been resolved." Our relationship with Her Highness Helena is still strongβeven stronger, well, so to speak. β
"The relationship between Caesar and His Highness Helena is already very strong, and it is not at all something that this so-called nameless assassination can shake. Valence said in a loud voice: "You won't understand." β
"I know the benefits of Caesar's righteous deeds, but we need to be aware of the reality. Sometimes ordinary relationships don't make up how strong they are. Virgil retorted, but he was soon struck by his other thought: "Oh my God! it could not be Caesar......
"Be careful with your words, if you dare to slander Caesar, my sword will not forgive you!" Valens' face was as hard as a sculpture: "............ With that in mind, I won't say it a second time. β
"Venus is above, it's really like this!" Virgil looked at Valence with a look of astonishment, muttering to himself: "Now I finally understand that Kaiser must fight for supremacy in the north. β
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Inside Haringos Castle, Helena sat quietly on an oak chair in front of the window, looking at the gently falling raindrops outside, and her heart was indescribably lost.
She had just met with the El Knight Commander from Severcro, and learned that the Severcro Fortress had fallen - the Severcro Castle, known as an impregnable wall that could withstand tens of thousands of troops, had fallen overnight!
The lord and all the knights were killed, all the people in the castle suffered a terrible massacre, and more than 10,000 orcs were entrenched in the southern foothills of the Broken Boundary Mountain, they were ready to move, and they could attack north at any time!
Such a scene reminded Helena of the scene that her brother once faced, when the imperial capital Issos was besieged, and it seemed that people were also panicking, as if the end was coming.
Seeing the knights, who were either stunned, or ready to fight, or indignant, all looking at themselves with hope, Helena experienced for the first time in her life the eyes of being believed, and then full of expectation--it was a kind of liliang on the back, incomparably heavy.
Outside the window, it was raining lightly in Haringos, the sky was overcast, and the thick clouds blocked out all the sunlight. There was no thunder, but it was dull and painful.
"Every rainy day like this comes at a time of deplorability. Helena looked at the rain and whispered, "They must be weeping for the dead of Severcro, and for the knights who fought bravely." Do you say yes, Lord Terenus. β
"The rain is falling on Shijie because God thinks it is time for some rain to moisten the dry land. Terenus bowed his head slightly: "If every time the empire loses, there will be a spring rain." I'm afraid that the farmers who farm the fields will wish the empire would come several times a year. β
"The fall of Severcro means that the strongest walls in the north are gone, and the enemy can cross the Fault Mountain and attack the north from Salion or Laria. The former is now your loyal courtier, and the latter is still related to you by blood. Terenus recounted: "Neither of them can be easily given up, and we are all trying to fight for them. β
"Although I may be a little sorry for the warriors who died heroically in Severcro, now is your chance to reign in the north!" Tyrenus looked at Helena: "The walls have been lost, and no one can continue to be his own shrunken turtle!"
"If someone refuses to pledge allegiance to you, then you have the most appropriate reason to go to war. Eliminate local lords who have been self-righteous and independent for too long, then reward those who are loyal. β
"Well, Terenus. Helena turned her head and her eyes were calm: "In my name, send a notice to all the lords in the north, let them come to Haringos as quickly as possible, if they hesitate, it will be regarded as treason, and all the lords have the right to crusade against him!"
"Send invitations to Singar and Anduria and invite them to come with them. We've helped them, and let's not forget that humans, dwarves, and Noldor elves are allies in the fight against orcs!"
"Follow your will, Your Highness Princess!" Terenus knelt on one knee and said in a calm voice, "I'll do it, and I will definitely live up to your trust!"
"Wait!" the maiden called out to the old man, "Also, send a messenger to Caesarea and tell him to tell Theodore, and he will say...... Let's just say, I need his help now. β
The girl looked at Terenus with some uneasiness, her eyes a little evasive: "He won't refuse me, believe me." β
"............" Terenus gave Helena a deep look, then nodded, "Follow your will, Princess!"
"Long live the Radiant Cross!"