Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Chapter 226 The Nature of Greed

However, just as Waquelin felt the time was ripe and wanted to take things further, he caught a glimpse of the old butler, who had been silent and unfriendly, staring intently at them from the corner of the room, his eyes filled with contempt and warning.

Waquerin felt as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water.

Even an affair needs to take place in a private space. Having an old man watching over you would spoil the fun, even for the French knights known for their romance.

He had no choice but to give up the idea, and reluctantly found a chair to sit down, wondering how long he could live a luxurious life with those 100,000 Grosshins.

After cleverly isolating the Frenchmen on the top floor, Peter immediately took action and began a systematic looting of Malesov Castle.

He personally led the team to conduct a thorough and efficient search, from the cellars to the attic, from the earl's private vault to the armory.

The harvest far exceeded expectations: a full 50,000 Groshens in cash, neatly stacked in several large boxes; more than fifty sets of well-made plate armor, chainmail, and helmets; and mountains of grain, cured meat, and barrels of wine.

Peter discreetly stored all these spoils of war—gold coins, armor, and provisions—into his mysterious "weight space."

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When Peter saw the Rosenberg family crest clearly imprinted on the box containing 50,000 Grossens, he couldn't help but chuckle, his tone laced with sarcasm and knowing knowingness.

"Well, that old fox von Polgao, the money he got from selling the Trossky territory has come full circle back to me. It's truly God's will that this wealth should be used for a more just cause."

Eric, Chris, Brienne, and the others around him smiled knowingly upon hearing this, and the joy of victory filled the air.

As the looting operation neared its end, Henry approached Peter and asked in a low voice, "Sir, the castle is under control, and Hans has been rescued. When do we withdraw and return to the ruins of Chimburg to rejoin the others?"

Upon hearing this, Peter gave a cryptic smile and countered, "Evacuate? Why leave?"

Henry was taken aback. Before he could ask any further questions, Peter had already issued a new order: not only should they not evacuate, but all personnel in the ruins of Zimberg—including the knights and squires who remained, as well as the enemy personnel captured earlier—must be transferred to Malesov Castle!

This order surprised some people, but no one questioned Peter's decision.

The order was carried out swiftly, and a small team was dispatched back to Zimborg for liaison and relocation. In the stillness of the night, the movement was carried out silently.

By 3 a.m., all personnel and prisoners of the entire Zimberg stronghold had been safely transferred and settled in the more sturdy and comfortable Malesov Castle.

Only then did the castle truly fall completely under Peter's control.

After everything was arranged, Peter knocked on the door of the "prisoner's cell" on the top floor of the castle again. He woke the sleepy-eyed...

Waquerin Brabant is still dreaming of getting rich.

Peter, his face a mixture of weariness and excitement, said to the Frenchman, "Sir, good news! Our men have secretly made contact with Count von Polgár!"

Waquelin immediately regained his senses and asked eagerly, "He agreed?"

"He agreed. He is willing to pay the ransom to redeem his wife, steward, and castle."

Peter lowered his voice, as if sharing a huge secret, "However, for the sake of the Earl's reputation, he insisted that the transaction be kept secret, and that no one should know that his important castle and family had fallen into our hands."

Therefore, he demanded that we choose a secluded location—the ruins of Zimborg—as the place where the ransom would be delivered.

"Zimberg?" Waquelin asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Yes, it's now a ruin, a deserted place, the perfect location for such secret transactions."

Peter explained, then changed the subject, revealing a troubled expression, "However, this matter is highly confidential, and the fewer people involved, the better. My side is too conspicuous, so it's not convenient for me to come forward directly."

He looked at Waquelin with eyes full of trust and reliance: "Sir, I would like to ask you for a favor."

With your distinguished status and exceptional eloquence, you are the most suitable person to represent us in the transaction with the Earl's envoy at Zimborg!

I am confident that with your wisdom and eloquence, you will be able to persuade the other side and successfully obtain the ransom.

Waquerin was initially hesitant, as there were risks involved in conducting transactions deep into "enemy-occupied territory."

Peter immediately escalated the offer, throwing out a deadly bait: "Of course, I can't let you work for nothing. After it's done, I'm willing to give you 10% of the 100,000 Groshen ransom as your service fee!"

One-tenth! Ten thousand Grosshins!

This is almost equivalent to the entire fiscal revenue of an ordinary baron's territory for more than two years!

Waquelin Brabant's breathing quickened instantly, his greedy nature completely overriding his reason and doubts.

He thumped his chest and, spitting as he spoke, declared, "Sir! Don't worry! Leave this to me!"

"I'm not bragging, but when it comes to the art of persuasion, I'm unmatched in all of France and even the Low Countries. I will certainly complete the mission perfectly and bring you back every penny of the ransom!"

He could almost see the glittering coins piled up before him.

So, in the darkest and quietest hour of the night, just before dawn, Peter personally led a group of three horse-drawn carriages and left Malesov Castle.

Lady Ophelia, blindfolded, and her old butler sat in the carriage.

Waquelin Brabant rode his splendid zebra, which, like its owner, had a somewhat flamboyant air about it.

The group returned to the desolate ruins of Zimberg.

Lady Ophelia and her old butler were placed in a relatively intact section of the ruins.

Peter solemnly instructed the Frenchman: "Sir, after dawn, light a campfire here and cook some simple food."

When the people of von Polgár see the signal, they'll know you've arrived. They'll come to make the transaction around noon.

My men and I will hide in the nearby woods with a wagon. Once you've completed the transaction and received the money box, we'll immediately come to pick you up in the wagon.

At that time, one truck will be yours to load the money, and I will use both trucks. Remember, be careful in everything you do; completing the transaction is the primary objective.

Waquelin Brabant once again patted his chest, confidently promising that he would not fail in his mission.

He watched Peter and his companions drive away into the pre-dawn darkness, his heart filled with disdain for the "foolish bohemians" and ecstatic joy at the prospect of striking it rich.

"Only one bag for me? Humph, I want them all!"

He rubbed his hands together, looking forward to noon.