"But you are the Count’s soldier. Since the Count has given the order, we must march," Bertrand walked not far from him, the newly knighted man’s face displaying a bit of smugness. "At least, the Count has distributed all the rations and full pay to us, right?"

"Hmm, truly unexpected that I, a ... could reach this step. Initially, I thought the Count just needed someone like me, Raymond, to farm and work for him, but I ... became the Long Halberdier Raymond, and now Captain Raymond. I will forever be grateful for the Count’s promotion, forever," Raymond remarked softly, wearing a fine chest armor, tight pants, and a round cap with three plumes. "Tell me, Sir Bertrand, I’m thinking of sending my brother Thomas to apprentice with the Dwarves. Would they accept him?"

"Your brother?" Bertrand had already fitted five brand new black arrows into the silver-trimmed quiver on his back.

"Yes. I have an elderly mother and a brother. My mother is currently doing needlework for some master knights in the city and can earn a dozen or so silver coins a month. My brother is apprenticing with a carpenter in the city, but I’ve heard the skills there are quite limited," Raymond hesitated to say more.

"I think it’s possible. Compared to Dwarves, human craftsmen are indeed much inferior," Bertrand sighed softly. "If I have children someday, I will make sure they go to school. I’m with you, young Raymond."

"Great, I’ll go back and speak to Mr. Hex ... should call him Baron Hex now. I’ll inform him upon my return!" Raymond was quite excited to receive Bertrand’s support. "Thank you for your advice, Sir Bertrand."

"Don’t get too happy yet, young Raymond. Consider the matters at hand first!" Bertrand suddenly laughed. "Everything you have was earned through brave combat. You must demonstrate your worth. Our Dwarven allies are right beside us, and if you can impress them, perhaps better opportunities await your brother."

"Ah! Alright!"

On the Gray Mountain Range, the rebel peasants’ stronghold was established among the distant ridges, built mostly with simple wooden materials along with some stone structures. The rebel peasants used short bows, slings, and numerous traps to protect themselves. Had this been within the Empire, they would long have been subdued by the Empire’s standing army or even conscripts.

However, in Brittania, the master knights truly found these strongholds troublesome. Catapults couldn’t be brought here, and their numbers were too few to capture the strongholds, while too many would not be worth the cost. Duke Hagen needed these troops to help maintain order.

"In the name of the Duke, rebellious peasants, come out and surrender to the esteemed Duke of Jisoleox, the most legitimate heir of Beron, one of the first twelve Holy Grail Knights!" Sir Kelson shouted toward the stronghold.

The raggedly dressed rebel peasants atop the stronghold responded to Sir Kelson’s calls for surrender with a sparse rain of arrows.

"It seems the negotiations have failed," Kaled frowned.

"No, the negotiations are still ongoing. I mean, we should try a different method of negotiation," Belgar stood on the Oath Stone of his ancestors. "Human friends, negotiations can take many forms, and your approach to negotiation is obviously flawed."

Behind him, a Dwarf Heavy Cannon had already been loaded. The Dwarf Engineer gave a thumbs-up toward the location of the stronghold. "Elevation up by 5°13′!"

"5°13′!"

"Fire!"

"Boom!" With the thunderous roar from the cannon’s mouth, a bursting shell shot forth, landing on the stronghold’s tower. Earth and timber splattered about, and the entire tower, along with seven or eight rebel peasants atop, shattered into fragments.

"Very well, now is the time for negotiation. Sir Kelson, please continue to call out,"

"In the name of Duke Hagen, rebellious peasants, come out and surrender to the esteemed Duke of Jisoleox, the most legitimate heir of Beron, one of the first twelve Holy Grail Knights!"