Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Chapter 167 Aftermath

6 month 29 day.

Following the victory celebration in Troski, news of the victory quickly spread to the surrounding areas.

Upon hearing the news of Count Turnov's capture, the three northern border counts, Liberets, Vorkhlabi, and Trutnov, were greatly surprised and sent messengers to Trossky to inquire about the situation.

Having risen to power through military exploits, they could not stand idly by and watch their centuries-old alliance with the northern nobility crumble.

The three barons of New Paka, Horze, and Royal Palace Town, located east of Itchin Castle, were eyeing Itchin City, which was situated on a major transportation route, and wanted to take advantage of the situation.

Count Benatki, south of Rowen, was alarmed to hear that Rowen had been occupied and was garrisoned by a strong army, fearing that the barbarians from the north would sail down the Izera River.

Senitz's forces also stopped approaching Trotsky and instead withdrew to continuously reinforce the city's defenses.

Jerry reported to Peter one by one the activities of the surrounding lords that the intelligence personnel had gathered, making Peter understand that his victory had made him look powerful and had also made the jackals around him shrink back.

But the trouble was not over. How the three captured lords were dealt with would determine whether the next period would be one of war or peace.

If he were to forcefully annex the three territories, the three war lords of the North would not agree; the three neighboring barons of the East would also constantly cause him trouble; and the Rosenberg family of the South would be waiting for an opportunity to act.

If we want peace, we must make compromises.

Therefore, after dealing with the celebrations and military affairs, Peter decided to take different actions based on their previous roles in the conspiracy and Peter's strategic needs.

Soon, Baron Persson, Baron Rowan, and Count Turnov were led into the drawing room together. Father Nick Dams and his bodyguard Blackbatos stood on either side.

Good morning, Baron Griffin.

Good morning, Sir Paissen.

The first to greet him was Baron Paeson. He was obese, wore small glasses, and looked like a hamster. He asked nervously, "Why did you summon me? Have I done something wrong to cause you trouble?"

Baron Persson reflected on himself and realized that apart from indulging in excessive eating and drinking every day in an attempt to recoup his losses, he hadn't done anything particularly outrageous, had he?

"That's not the case, Sir Paissen."

Peter's voice echoed in the drawing room, calm yet authoritative. "You three knights have already checked the accounts, haven't you? What are your thoughts?"

"Yes, but I'm not familiar with them." Baron Paeson carefully observed Peter's expression and decisively cut ties with the two.

Baron Rowan and Count Turnov glared at him.

"But you did participate in the plot to divide my territory, which is an unforgivable crime."

"Lord Peter, I—I was momentarily confused and misled by those two!"

Baron Persson's legs buckled, and he almost collapsed, his voice trembling with tears, "Please, for God's sake, forgive my folly!"

Baron Rowan and Count Turnov cursed the man inwardly for his shamelessness! The plan to divide the spoils was discussed and agreed upon by everyone, yet he's now trying to take all the credit. Does he think Red-Haired Peter will believe him?

Peter gazed at him for a moment and saw only fear and pleading in the man's eyes, not defiance or resentment. Only then did his tone soften, and he gestured for Black Bartosh to pour the man a glass of wine.

"I trust you."

"ah?!"

Not only Rowan and Turnov were surprised, but even Persson was astonished. With so much evidence, how could you still believe such a simple lie? Had Red-Haired Peter drunk too much fake wine and become stupid?

Peter, disregarding their thoughts, turned to Paissen and said gently, "Given that your army did not actually invade, nor caused any casualties to our side, and that you yourself have been quite cooperative, I have decided to show you mercy."

"Thank you, thank you so much!"

Paissen hurriedly stood up and bowed. He was somewhat relieved that his men were a bunch of useless fools who hadn't caused Peter any casualties, otherwise things would have been much worse.

"But you need to pay a ransom of 10,000 Groschen and promise never to be an enemy of Trotsky. After that, you and your family can return to Itchin Castle under the pretext of the end of your visit."

"Very good!"

Baron Persson could hardly believe his ears; the overwhelming joy of surviving the ordeal left him speechless. A family of four could return home for only 10,000 groschen, averaging 2500 groschen per person—truly an incredibly cheap deal.

"Thank you so much for your magnanimity, Lord Peter! I swear, the Itchin family will always be your most loyal neighbors!" He almost said "vassal," but stopped himself in time.

Then he looked troubled and said, "But my treasury is empty, and I'm afraid I can't come up with this money for the time being."

"It's okay, we are all trustworthy Christians. Just write an IOU and you can go."

"Just pay off the debt within a year."

Peter waved his hand generously, indicating that he didn't care.

"That's wonderful, thank you again for your kindness. I'm willing to write an IOU, I'll do it right away!"

Baron Persson picked up the quill and parchment on the table almost without hesitation, quickly wrote down an IOU for a debt of ten thousand Grossens, to be repaid in one year, and then left his noble mark. Father Nickdams, as a clergyman, witnessed the event.

Peter then ordered his men to escort Baron Paessen and his family safely back to the castle.

The reason for this arrangement was certainly not because Peter had drunk himself silly, but simply because Baron Persson was quite "useless." The territory of Ichin, ruled by a useless man, could serve as a buffer, temporarily shielding him from the harassment of the three Eastern Barons.

Baron Rowan and Count Turnov watched Persson leave in high spirits, their hearts filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred, muttering under their breath, "What a lucky bastard!"

Peter then turned his gaze to Baron Rowan of Rowan.

This elderly nobleman, nearing sixty, was thin, with meticulously combed white hair and deep-set, raven-like gray eyes.

He was more cautious than Baron Pessen, more decisive than Turnov, and the only one to invade Trossky's territory.

He was reviewing the situation with Turnov, giving the foolish black bear a thorough dressing-down, and constantly saying that if Turnov had followed his plan to send troops to help, the situation would have definitely changed.

So he still had a resentful look on his face.

"Baron Rowan, your guilt is far greater. Not only did you participate in the conspiracy, but you also resolutely carried it out, causing immense damage to my territory."

Peter's voice was icy. "Therefore, your ransom is 20,000 Groshins, in addition to 30,000 Groshins in war reparations to compensate for the damage you have caused to my territory."

"Do you mean the few broken wooden pillars of the Nebakov city wall? Or a section of the moat that was filled in with mud? Actually, I suffered the greatest loss! The entire town of Rowen has been occupied by you, and you even looted my house and warehouse!"

Baron Rowan, his white hair still neatly combed and gleaming even in captivity, declared, "I can accept defeat and buy my freedom with gold. But I will never accept so-called war reparations!"

"That's not up to you."

Peter gave a villainous smirk. "The Griffin family always pays its debts! Your offense against my family's honor and the damage you have done to my territory are far more serious than you imagine."

Count Turnov rolled his eyes. Everyone already knows you're the illegitimate son of the Seidleitz family, and you're the only one in your Griffin family. What family honor do you have to offer?!

Peter continued, “I could have put your whole family to death as a warning to those who offend me. But I am giving you a chance to atone; you should kneel down and thank me for my mercy.”

Baron Rowan was startled. Why the stark difference in treatment? He was all smiles and even poured wine for Paisson just now, but now he's all talk and no action against me?

"No, you can't do that. I am a nobleman; you can't execute a nobleman!"

Baron Rowan argued his case forcefully.

"Very well, I will not execute you. But I will execute all the non-noble members of your family, your sons, and your grandsons."

Peter's words were even more terrifying.

Baron Rowan and Count Turnov were both horrified, their skin crawling with goosebumps. "You cruel monster, you can't..."

'

"I can!"

Peter was resolute.

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