I'm not a Witcher anymore.

Chapter 177 Turning the Wheel of Fate

When the castle's lattice doors slowly opened, accompanied by the groaning of winches, the entire city of Skarlitz fell silent for a moment.

One after another, carts rolled across the drawbridge, their wheels sinking deep into the mud with a creaking sound as they struggled under the weight. The carts were piled high with armor, halberds, crossbows, shields, and gold and silver goblets plundered from Sigismund's tent.

Following closely behind the caravan was a long line of horses led by thick hemp ropes.

There were tall warhorses left by noble knights, as well as draft horses and pack horses responsible for pulling carts and carrying supplies. Hundreds of horses crossed the drawbridge one after another, and the dense sound of hooves echoed in the city gate, like a deep rumble of thunder.

The guards, militiamen, and civilians in the square were all stunned.

"My lord, are all of these really ours?"

The castle steward stepped forward, his voice trembling.

Radji did not answer immediately.

He looked toward the main castle building, remained silent for a moment, and then forcibly suppressed the surging emotions in his heart.

"Put the goods in storage, keep the warhorses in separate enclosures, and send the most knowledgeable horsemen to take care of them."

His voice carried an undeniable sternness.

"If you lose even a single horseshoe, I will hold you accountable."

After saying this, Radji dismounted, threw the reins to his attendant, ignored the commotion in the square, and strode towards the main building of the castle.

The guards standing at the door straightened up immediately when they saw him.

"Where is His Highness the Duke?"

"My lord, His Highness the Duke is in the prayer room upstairs."

The prayer room above the main tower of the castle was so quiet that the noise outside could hardly be heard.

The heavy wooden door blocked out the sounds of horses neighing and wheels turning in the square. Only a few rays of morning light shone through the narrow window high up, illuminating the somewhat faded portrait of the crucifixion on the wall.

Below the portrait was a narrow altar, with several beehive candles burning quietly, and a faint smell of wax and old wood in the air.

Sieg stood before the altar.

He closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into the depths of his mind.

The Book of Adventure is opened, and words appear on the page: "Main Quest Two Completed: Defend Skarlitz 'Gift Arrived: Attribute Agility +3'"

Current Agility: 8 → 11

"Milestone Achieved - Civil War Expert: Kill over fifty Lord Alliance soldiers |"

"Gift Arrives: Strength (Attribute) +1"

Current strength: 8→9

The next instant, two warm currents surged from deep within the body.

Zig felt as if an invisible weight had been removed from his shoulders and back, making his limbs feel lighter, yet his strength was even more abundant.

He gently moved his fingers.

A very soft, crisp sound came from between the joints.

Immediately afterwards, the ink on the pages gathered again.

Main Quest 3: Drive Sigismund's minions out of Bohemia, leaving none behind.

Outside the door, footsteps grew closer.

The Book of Adventure was hidden deep in his mind, and Sieg opened his eyes.

The next moment, the wooden door was gently pushed open from the outside.

Radji stood at the doorway, subconsciously slowing his footsteps.

Even he himself didn't realize that at this moment, he was more like a subject about to meet the king than a burglord.

Sieg was standing in front of the altar.

The morning light fell on his dark blue velvet hunting suit and on the portrait of the crucified victim behind him, making the scene quiet and solemn.

Hearing footsteps, Zieg turned his head.

"Have you taken care of everything outside?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

Radji took a deep breath and strode forward. Looking at the excessively young duke before him, he could no longer suppress the surging emotions within him.

His voice trembled with excitement.

"There were 472 horses, of which more than 100 were warhorses capable of fighting. In addition, there were 50 large carts of military equipment, provisions, and supplies."

Radji took the tray from the servant outside the door. On the tray were an earthenware wine jug and two tin cups.

"Glug, glug—"

The wine was poured into the glass, creating rings of tiny bubbles.

"Your Highness, this is wine made by Skaritz himself. It may taste a bit sour and astringent, and it cannot compare to the fine wines of the Prague court."

Radji held the wine glass with both hands and respectfully pushed it towards Zig, his voice low and hoarse, "But this is the best we can offer right now."

Zieg reached out and took the glass.

"That's enough, Lord Radji." Sieg nodded slightly, his expression gentle.

"Your Highness————"

Radji tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.

He put down his glass, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force: "If you hadn't come—"

His voice was choked with emotion.

"Skaritz is probably a wasteland now. My soldiers will become corpses, my people will become slaves, and I will be dragged along as a defeated man, hanging on the back of Sigismund's wagon."

Raddy stared at Zieg, his eyes filled with undisguised gratitude and awe: "You saved Skaritz."

You pulled us back from the brink of hell. This glass of wine—it's not just a toast, it's a debt that all of Skalitz owes you.

Faced with these heartfelt words, Zieg picked up his glass and took a small sip.

"Skaritz will not die."

"Because the people of this land have not given up the fight."

He gently set down the glass, and the tin cup fell back onto the tray with a soft, crisp sound.

"Lord Raddy, Skalitz is just the beginning."

"Although we won this battle, we have also completely torn off all pretense of civility. Sigismund is an extremely proud and vindictive man, and last night's humiliation will drive him mad. Once he comes to his senses, he will mobilize more troops and use even more ruthless methods to wash away this disgrace."

Radji's heart tightened, and her slightly relaxed nerves tensed up again: "So you mean—"

"We cannot sit idly by and wait for our demise, much less expect to hold out forever with this isolated city."

"Defense is always passive; the best defense is offense."

Zieg's face remained calm and composed, but his words resonated like thunder in Raddy's ears: "What we need to protect is not just Skalitz, but all of Bohemia."

"Since Sigismund has turned this land into his hunting ground, then we will turn it into his imperial graveyard. I will drive him—along with all his Hungarian henchmen—back to his homeland without leaving a single one behind."

Radji gaped in shock, staring at the composed Zieg, feeling a chill run down his spine.

Drive Sigismund out?

It sounds like the ravings of a madman, but coming from the mouth of this man who has repeatedly created miracles, it has a convincing magic.

"Your Highness, what do you need me to do?" Radji took a deep breath, his body involuntarily leaning forward, a subconscious desire to follow.

"people."

Siegfried succinctly stated, "Whether it's the royalists or the neutral nobles dissatisfied with Sigismund's tyranny, now..."

Bohemia was like a pile of dried-out kindling, needing only a spark to start a prairie fire. And Skaritz's great victory was that spark.

"I want you to send out all your messengers now, in the name of the great victory at Skarlitz, to invite all nobles who are loyal to the crown or who want to make a living in this chaotic world. Tell them that there are warhorses, weapons, and a banner that can lead them to victory."

Radji felt his blood boil at that moment.

He originally thought he had only protected a homeland, but he never expected that he would be fortunate enough to participate in a game of chess that could change the fate of the entire kingdom.

"I understand, Your Highness."

Radji nodded heavily, said no more nonsense, gave Zieg a standard bow, then turned abruptly and strode towards the door.

His combat boots pounded the stone pavement with a resounding clang, each step carrying an unprecedented firmness and determination.

Even if there's a bottomless abyss ahead, as long as the man behind him is still standing there, he dares to jump down without hesitation.

Outside the door, the sun is just right.

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