Chapter 52: The Current Situation
Chapter 52: The Current Situation
"Thirty men?" Lothar surveyed the shabbily armored, dark-faced, and emaciated sergeants, frowning. "A castle garrison actually has only thirty men?"
Thirty defenders, and all of them infantry. At best, they could only hole up in the castle for self-preservation, completely lacking the ability to protect the surrounding villages from desert bandit raids.
"It is a bit few, but we can’t afford more, can we?" The castellan forced a smile, his face full of apprehension.
Such a powerful lord, upon discovering his fief was so utterly destitute, would surely erupt in thunderous rage. What if he vented his anger on him...
Although he was nominally the castellan, technically a household vassal of His Majesty the King, he didn’t even have a title; in reality, he was just a servant. If he didn’t have to present taxes every month, His Majesty the King might not even know such a place existed.
"Is there not even a single church in the castle for the subjects to worship in?"
The castellan, struggling to maintain his smile, said, "There is only a small prayer room, located on the first floor of your inner keep."
Lothar smiled. "Good, very good. Truly a destitute place."
The castellan’s heart leaped into his throat.
Fringilla looked at the castle with dissatisfaction. "This place is simply too dilapidated. I doubt even rats would bother to patronize such a ruin." She added, "The most broken-down place I’ve ever stayed was a castle in Moldavia when I ran away from home before. Compared to this, even that was like a royal palace."