Author's Note: 5,400 words long chapter begging for subscriptions begging for rewards begging for monthly votes!
More than ten years ago, serfs were insignificant to Brittania. In the fief, they were regarded as livestock, property, and food for their own income. Serfs were lowly, and could be ordered and conscripted at will. They were sent to their deaths in battle, and then it would be convenient for the knights to charge from the side or the back.
But now, the era of change had quietly arrived under King Leon's changes. Unbeknownst to them, the serfs had found that their tithes had been changed to a fixed tax. The more they worked, the more they would get. Unbeknownst to them, the knights had been forced to pay more attention to the serfs' role in the war.
The Bastogne Duchy was a Duchy that placed great emphasis on tradition. That meant being conservative, slow to change, and decadent. But it also meant that the people here were extremely proud of their hometown, their culture, and their customs. The knights of Bastogne had always been proud of their special status in the kingdom. This was the hometown of the first Knight King Arthur, the place where the Brittany rose. The entire Duchy, from the Duke of the Red Dragon to the serfs, were proud of being Bastogne people.
The village of Tyneweir was a place that was proud of its history. It was ruled by the famous Baron Gascoigne of Tyneweir, who was a household name in Bastogne. It wasn't because of how brave and virtuous Baron Gascoigne was, but because the Baron was an out-and-out drunkard. The local serfs often joked that Mr. Gascoigne only had two states in his life: "drunk mad" and "drunk out of his mind."
However, not only did Baron Gascoigne know how to get drunk, he also knew how to levy taxes. He treated Tyneweir as a cruel lord who took pleasure in collecting debts and even taxed the poor. The serfs resented and hated him, but the Baron's uncle was a vassal of the Red Dragon Duke Berchemund, so Gascoigne had the legal right to rule this territory.
And today, an Old Guard, riding a strong warhorse, wearing a full set of uniform and dwarven rune half-body plate armor, returned to his hometown with a large backpack and a roll of blanket.
His name was Nikolai, and he came from a serf family in Bastogne. In the Eight Peaks Mountain Expedition, he participated in the battle of the Giant Tower, the Armory Fortress, the Battle of the Iron Cliff, the Great Battle of the Gate of Valaya, the Final Battle of the Titan Gate, and the Final Battle of the Eight Peaks Mountain. In the series of battles, this serf soldier advanced to the Legendary level in countless bitter battles and was promoted to the position of the Old Guard, gaining the status of an honorable freedman. In war, he was known for his fearlessness and tenacity.
He wore the Old Guard's unique dark blue coat, collar, white lapel, breeches, leggings, red epaulettes, cuffs, feathers, and a tall bearskin hat. When he appeared in front of the villagers, the serfs who were farming and chatting welcomed Nikolai's return with the loudest cheers and praises.
After a year and a half, Nikolai saw his family again. His parents, who were full of wrinkles, and his two younger siblings. His elder brother was still outside serving the Baron. Nikolai's military uniform made the villagers unable to look straight at him. Many serfs could not help but kneel down and call him Lord.
The Old Guard's illustrious military exploits and endless glory had spread throughout the kingdom. Their names were now like thunder. For the serfs, the existence of the Old Guard gave them hope of promotion. It was the only way for serfs to be promoted to nobles. These serf-born soldiers had proven their strength time and time again with dazzling military exploits. Now, this army had become the idol of the entire kingdom.
As the commander of the Dragon Cavalry Company, Nikolai finally got a rest. This time, he returned home to move his family away. The officers already had the right to do so.
Nikolai's bag contained a lot of spoils and gold coins from the war. Baron Gascoigne's castle was near the village. The baron's castle was only a large residence with walls and an area of no more than 800 square meters. The two tax collectors appointed by the baron obviously coveted Nikolai's wealth. But looking at his military uniform, the medals on his body, the musket on his back, and the scimitar on his waist, the tax collectors knew that this was a tricky idea, so they had to give up.
From his family, Nikolai learned that the knight of his village, Gascoigne, was in trouble.
This trouble came from His Majesty Laing, whom he admired and respected. After Laing returned to Brittany, he announced that if a knight's family couldn't produce a qualified knight within four generations, the family's fief and title would be confiscated.
Unfortunately, Master Knight Gascoigne was such a person. Apart from getting drunk, his life was filled with violence and women. Even though he had the title of a knight, Master Gascoigne had never been on the battlefield before. He was just a useless person waiting for death to come.
Upon hearing this decree, the baron couldn't sit still. He scolded Laing's new policies. "What's wrong with nobles like us enjoying some privileges and benefits? Are you eating your king's bread or opening up your wine cellar? Didn't our ancestors spend countless efforts and sacrifices to conquer the entire kingdom? As their bloodline descendants, shouldn't we continue to be our masters as a matter of course?
It was useless. He looked for his uncle, but it was useless. He even tried to meet Duke Berchemund, but it was useless. In the end, the exasperated baron decided to find an easy opponent. Since the snow had melted in March, Gascoigne formed a team of 200 soldiers from the baron's territory. He planned to find an Orc or Goblin War Gang at the border of the Arden Forest to exterminate them so that he could continue his drunken life.
After drinking tens of bottles of beer and three bottles of wine, as well as carrying two boxes of wine, Gascoigne led his army into the Arden Forest. It had been a few days, but there was no news of him.
After hearing his family's description, the captain of the Dragoon Guards said helplessly, "Okay, we'll stay here for a few days. When the baron returns, we'll inform him and leave."
That night, Nicholas rested at home on an uncomfortable wooden bed. The nights in Bastogne were peaceful. When he returned home, he fell into a deep sleep.
In his dream, the Old Guard saw the lady smiling at him, but her eyes were cold and emotionless. Her words were like ice in the cold winter. "Mr. Nicholas?"
"I'm here, my lady!" The Old Guard knelt down in fear and said humbly, "Please give me your orders! My lady. "
"Darkness is approaching Tyneville." The beautiful face and figure of the Goddess were indistinct in the fog, and she muttered indistinctly.
After saying that, the Goddess disappeared into the fog.
The next day, Nikolay woke up from his sleep. It took him a few minutes to confirm that the dream he had last night was not a dream. The old guard silently kept this matter in his heart. Today was the day of the market. Tyneweir Village was very lively, and there were people coming and going on the streets. Even the most old-fashioned Bastogne had been greatly affected by King Leon's reforms. Now, there was a wide variety of things in the market. The serfs were selling grains, vegetables, chickens, ducks, and mutton in the market. Many industrial products, such as tools, had also appeared in the village. Although it was not as prosperous as Gene City, the flow of people was considerable.
The serfs gathered and bargained while cursing their baron. They hoped that he would never return.
Nicholas went to the market with his family. His family was overjoyed at his return. They bought two chickens, a large piece of mutton, and a barrel of Empire beer. They wanted to have a good meal.
Before they finished shopping, someone shouted, "The Orcs are here! The Orcs are here! "
"Help! The Orcs are here! "
"Those filthy bastards are charging towards our village!"
"Everyone, run! Run! "
All the serfs in the bazaar immediately dispersed, letting out cries of fear and fright, turning the place into a chaotic mess.
Nicholas shouted loudly for everyone to calm down. The Old Guard used his angry roars and actions to calm everyone down. He told everyone that the Baron's Castle wasn't far from here. The Nobles wouldn't watch their village be destroyed by the Orcs. They would send their troops.
However, the Old Guard was disappointed.
Tens of Orcs formed a small Orc Combat Gang. They carried the heads of Baron Gascoigne and his subordinates. The Chaos Beasts charged into the village under the leadership of the Horned Beasts and Inferior Horned Beasts. They plundered half the village, slaughtered the innocent civilians, and burned the crops.
But there was no response from the Baron's Castle. The guards inside closed the castle gates and refused to fight. Baroness Shirley ordered that no untouchables were allowed to enter her castle. When the female noble saw the ferocious Chaos Beasts, her legs turned to jelly, and she almost wet her skirt. She shouted sharply, "Don't fight! Don't let anyone out. These d * mn Orcs only want to plunder! Don't fight them. Let them plunder and eat their fill. Then they'll leave! Pass down my orders. No arrows are allowed! Anyone who resists will die! "
"Yes!" The guards obeyed Baroness Shirley's orders. They refused to fight and didn't fire a single arrow. They allowed the Orcs to slaughter the serfs and ravage the village.
Nicholas witnessed this scene with his own eyes. A silent fury burned in the Old Guard's heart. He knew that he couldn't escape or retreat. After becoming an Old Guard, he was surrounded by glory and responsibility.
This made him strong.
Useless! Useless! Parasite of the Kingdom!
"Scum who gave up the Knight's oath! These are your people! Baroness, how can you abandon them! " Nicholas rode his warhorse and rushed to the Castle. He shouted, "Open the gates and let me command the army. I'll deal with the Orcs!"
"Don't try to deceive me!" Lady Shirley straightened her back and said, "Don't underestimate the determination of a Noble's wife! The Orcs are only here to plunder. They'll leave after they've eaten their fill. I won't open the gates. "
"You're not a Noble's wife. You're just a coward and a rat! Parasite of the Kingdom! "Nicholas shouted angrily," You're not fit to be a Noble! "
"Noble?" Madam Shelley coldly snorted and replied, "Not every noble madam can wear my corset."
"Scum!" The Old Guard gripped the hilt of his Curved Sword tightly and snorted. He was too lazy to continue arguing with her. Instead, he took out a large flag from his back and placed it in his backpack. Then he rode his warhorse and rushed into the village.
The crops were trampled, the houses were burned, and the Orcs were wreaking havoc in the village. Without a commander and a Knight to lead them, the serfs were like a sheet of loose sand. They could only flee in all directions.
At this moment, the majestic singing of 'La Marseillaise' was heard from the village. A large flag danced in the flames.
The flag was red, white, and blue. The body of the flag was branded with golden irises and the image of the Holy Grail. The commander of the Old Guard's Dragoon Cavalry raised the flag and rode his warhorse into the village. He sang the Old Guard's military song, 'La Marseillaise', "Citizens of the Kingdom! Wake up! The most critical moment has arrived! "
The military song was loud, the warhorse neighed, and the flag fluttered.
"Look at this military flag! Citizens of the Kingdom! Unite under my banner and fight to protect the village! Fight to protect our homes, our property, and our food! "Nicholas waved the military flag wildly.
"It's the Old Guard! It's the King's Old Guard! "
"The Kingdom didn't abandon us!"
"Let's fight to the death with these Orcs!"
"Kill them all, kill them all!"
When the serfs saw the military flag, they also saw the figure of the old guards. The loud and clear military song and calls ignited the flames of anger from the bottom of the serfs' hearts. The serfs might be cowardly, they might be lowly, and they might not have enough fighting power, but in the situation where their homes were destroyed, their food was burned, and their loved ones were killed, their fighting power was enough to shock everyone. After the old guards appeared and took the lead, the serfs quickly gathered together. They held pitchforks, hoes, hammers, and wooden sticks, howling as they gathered under the military flag. Soon, Nicholas had gathered more than 200 people.
"Follow me! Charge! " The commander of the Old Guard's Dragoon Cavalry, Nicholas, gathered the serfs. He unsheathed his Curved Sword and said, "Charge! For the Lady and the King! "
"Kill, kill, for the Lady!"
The assembled serfs charged towards the Orcs.
The Orc King was cutting a four-year-old girl into pieces and devouring her flesh. At this moment, he heard the charging and roaring of the Humans. He lifted his head and said, "Meat … eat meat … more meat … eat!"
The human who was charging at them was wearing a tall bearskin hat, colorful feathers, and a half-dwarf suit of armor, a dark blue cape, and white breeches. He was releasing the fury of a human, "Kill them all! Kill all these Chaos creatures! "
The Beast King's will to fight instantly disappeared without a trace. The Beast King's body immediately leaned back, and he could not help but let out a terrified voice from his throat. "Old … old … guard!"
"Old … Old Guard!"
"We can't eat … meat!"
"Iron … Iron … Kill … Kill us!"
When the Orcs saw Nicholas' attire, they couldn't help but shout in fear. Their morale was shaken, and many Orcs retreated in fear.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Nikolay personally charged at the front. The old guard's eyes were burning with anger. He raised his musket and killed a horned beast. Then, he rushed to the side of the Beast King and slashed down with his scimitar. The Beast King, who was in fear, was caught off guard. After exchanging a few blows with the old guard, Nikolay clenched the steel scimitar made by the dwarven workshop. He found an angle and chopped off the Beast King's blade, head, left shoulder, and left arm at the same time.
Fresh blood splattered everywhere, and the Orc King was killed. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the serfs charged towards the Orcs in a frenzy. The Orcs' morale was shaken.
After a battle, more than 60% of the invading Orcs were killed. The remaining Orcs fled into the depths of the forest in search of easier meat.
Tyneville's crisis was resolved. Nicholas killed seven to eight Orcs, but the Old Guard's anger didn't subside. He led a large group of armed serfs to seek an explanation from the Baroness.
If you can't even protect your own people, how can you be a Noble?
The serfs shouted the names of Nicholas, the King, and the Lake Nymph as they followed Nicholas' footsteps.
The Castle guards wanted to aim their weapons at Nicholas, but when they saw his attire and the bleeding head of the Orc King, they kept their weapons in shame and fear and opened up a path.
What greeted him was Nikolai's question.
Why didn't you attack? Why didn't you protect your own people? Aren't these serfs your own people?
Both sides confronted each other in the Castle. Madam Shelley scolded the guards for allowing these lowly commoners to enter her noble Castle. She ordered Nicholas to scram, or else she would order the guards to use force. In the Knight King's Kingdom, if a serf harmed a Noble, the entire family would be punished.
At the entrance of the Castle, hundreds of people were at loggerheads.
At this moment, the light of the Lake Nymph shone brightly.
The Lady appeared from the dense fog amidst the dazzling light. She had a smile on her face, and everyone knelt down and paid their respects to the Kingdom's Guardian, the Lake Nymph.
The Lake Nymph smiled and nodded. She gestured for everyone to raise their heads and placed the Sacred Grail at Nicholas' mouth as she said, "This is what you deserve. You're a brave warrior, Laing's Old Guard. From you, I see the virtues of a Knight."
"Thank you so much! My Lady! " Nicholas' eyes were filled with tears. He knew why the Goddess appeared in his dream. He had passed the test and obtained the right to drink from the Sacred Grail. Under everyone's gaze, the Old Guard lowered his head and drank from the Sacred Grail.
His life had been changed forever. From today onwards, he was no longer a mortal.
He was the first Old Guard of the Sacred Grail.
"The glory of the Sacred Grail belongs to all Brittany." The Lake Nymph's voice echoed throughout the Castle. The Goddess' words were cold and firm, "The Sacred Grail is not proud of the bloodline, but the bloodline is proud of the Sacred Grail. A Knight's virtue is to protect the Kingdom, not to be a parasite!"
Madam Shelley trembled and fainted on the spot.
It's over, it's all over!
The guards all knelt down in front of the Goddess, waiting for the Lake Nymph to deal with them.
"Nicholas, is this your name?" The Goddess didn't bother to look at the noble madam and the guards. She gently asked Nicholas, the company commander of the Old Guard's Dragon Cavalry Battalion, "Don't you have a surname?"
"No, my Lady, I only have a name." Nicholas knelt on the ground and kowtowed.
"Then can I bestow upon you a surname?"
"It's a great honor!" Nicholas kowtowed again.
The Goddess' face suddenly revealed a sly smile, "Davu, I bestow upon you the surname Davu."
"From today onwards, your name is Nicolás Davu!"
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