He's only ever drunk the blood of others, when has anyone ever drunk his blood?

Send them directly to the labor camp; with intensive labor and lack of proper nutrition, they're basically wasted in about three to five years, and then they're transferred to the rehabilitation center for research, after which they go straight to sacrifice, a one-stop service.

However, Lance wasn't in a hurry with Baldwin, and he turned to reassure him with a word.

"You still need to explain the potion shortage to those patients. If you're not around, they'll think I've done something to you. Without you, how will anyone reassure them? Who will take care of them?

Moreover, you've just finished treatment, and it will take some time to fully recover. As for the illness, it still needs to be observed, and we don't know if there will be any unknown side effects from the potion.

So don't argue about it. It's better to take this time to get familiar with your physical condition."

Lance directly used the patients to stall Baldwin's steps, which indeed made him hesitate.

In fact, Lance already had plans for Baldwin's arrangements.

Because most of the army had been deployed, the entire Honor Guard had to be on stage, and the heroes united around Lance almost all had assignments.

It's safe to say Lance was risking everything to open the path to the Old City Ruins.

Naturally, this grand operation had to be personally overseen to coordinate everything.

With the whole army advancing, the town lacked high-end combat power, so if anyone had to stay, it surely had to be Baldwin.

Now in town, the first-tier team that has enough deterrent force would be Lance, Alhazred, and Baldwin—the three champions.

Below them would be Grendel, Amanda, Geralt, Reynard—these masters.

Because Alhazred's condition was very unstable, sometimes he could instantly kill the Limping Walker, but most of his power was battling that evil presence.

To harness his combat strength, Lance had to help suppress the Void's surveillance, while Alhazred could detect the corruption's movements, which was crucial for their actions.

With sufficient strength at the front line, leaving Baldwin behind would mean that even if the ancestor wanted to take over, it could hold them off for a while, at least until he returned.

"Alright, this is settled then, you go and clean up first..."

Lance was about to persuade Baldwin to go back when Reynard came running over. Seeing his armor with only the helmet removed, it was clear he had just returned from a mission.

"Sir, the guard mission was completed successfully."

Of the convoy captured from Gene, Lance only kept a portion; he sent thirty grain-filled wagons back to Ovando for Walter to handle, also to send a top-secret message.

This involved Michelle, Gene, and the plan against Ovando, so only someone trustworthy, namely Reynard, could take the trip.

Conveniently, the Cavalry Squad ran some drills. The warhorses needed regular activity, and they checked if there were bandits refreshed along the road for the cavalry to gain experience.

"Just in time, let me introduce, this is Reynard, the head of the Hamlet Cavalry Squad. This is Baldwin, a chivalrous man. I initially heard about..."

Lance began to sing Baldwin's praises, naturally to elevate him.

He also took this opportunity to introduce them to each other since they'd have interactions in the future.

However, Reynard, who initially didn't pay much attention, had a change in expression upon hearing the name, examining Baldwin with a frown, as if pondering something.

Similarly, Baldwin turned oddly toward Reynard after hearing the name, seemingly recalling something, but with some uncertainty.

But soon enough, both seemed to realize something, and two voices rang out almost simultaneously, indistinguishable from one another.

"King Baldwin!"

"Knight Reynard!"

Lance, who had been talking, couldn't help but look at the two, suddenly realizing something—they knew each other from before? 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"I'll take my leave first, you two carry on." Baldwin's gaze showed a hint of evasiveness. Finishing this sentence, he quickly left on his own, as if avoiding something.

Seeing this, Lance grew a bit curious. He had mentioned Baldwin's name in front of everyone before, and Reynard hadn't reacted like this then.

Thus, Lance had to turn and look at Reynard for an explanation.

"What's happening?"

Reynard watched that departing figure, steeped in indescribable emotion. When Lance asked, he came to and began to explain in detail.

It had to begin with the Holy War, which was not just about pillaging in the name of the God to amass wealth for the Church. The real motive was to support the Holy City, constantly invaded by heretics.

And Baldwin was the lord of the Holy City, a king installed by the Church. At least, he was when Reynard last saw him.

Back then, Baldwin had just taken over the Holy City and was renowned for his military talent, leading to several defeats of the heretics and stabilizing the situation in the Holy City.

At the time, Reynard naturally served under Baldwin's command in the war and was even summoned due to his bravery in combat.

It was only through close proximity that Reynard barely recognized him. Of course, Reynard initially couldn't believe it until the other's reaction confirmed his suspicion.

However, before the war was over, he was removed by the Church and left the Crusader, so he really didn't know what happened afterward.

But seeing Baldwin here, the situation probably wasn't much better.