Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Chapter 221 Changing Generals in the Midst of Battle

Count Herman Celes's words carried an irrefutable authority, for he was not announcing personnel appointments or dismissals, but rather a preordained fact.

Inside the tent, you could hear a pin drop. Only the faint sounds of soldiers clamoring and cicadas chirping outside accentuated the oppressive, deathly silence within.

General Ducat's face turned ashen instantly. His fingers, which were resting on the table, curled slightly, and in the end, he could only let out a silent sigh.

He had long anticipated that the king would be dissatisfied with the repeated defeats, but he did not expect the punishment to come so quickly and so mercilessly.

Grozav, the affairs officer, looked up abruptly as if bitten by a venomous snake, his eyes flashing with shock, anger, and resentment.

He said so many bad things about Ducat, but unexpectedly, he ended up suffering the consequences himself.

But he quickly lowered his head to hide his emotions, knowing that any rebuttal at this moment would be futile and might even lead to his death.

Count Herman Celes was the king's most trusted minister, a figure who rose to power by stepping on the heads of countless nobles.

Herman was very satisfied with the deterrent effect.

He didn't sit down immediately, but instead strolled to the main seat of the rough wooden table. He gently brushed the tabletop with his soft leather-gloved fingers, dusting away non-existent dust. His movements were elegant and deliberate, completely out of place with the rugged, militarized environment inside the tent.

"General Ducat".

Herman said in a slightly feigned tone, "You have served the country for many years and made great contributions. His Majesty the King remembers that."

However—the recent banditry surrounding the "Silver Dawn" has caused His Majesty great anxiety. His Majesty believes that perhaps some—

A new approach to break the deadlock.

He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze sweeping sharply over the crowd. "After all, how incompetent must the commander be of an army that can't even guarantee its supply lines and has to repeatedly beg the king for provisions?"

The accusatory tone in his words made Dukat's cheek twitch. He wanted to curse: What a terrible king who can't even provide his soldiers with pay and food!

But he held back. The old general silently stood up, gave up the main seat, and stood to the side, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.

Herman sat down as a matter of course, then looked at Grozav: "Grozav, His Majesty the King appointed you to be in charge of the daily affairs of the military camp because he appreciates your shrewdness and cunning. Unfortunately, it seems that you only use your cunning to scheme against your colleagues and to demand resources from Prague, rather than to share His Majesty's burdens and suppress the rebels."

He chuckled softly. "Count Polgard is better at untangling this mess. You can hand it over to him now."

Grozav's face turned ashen, and through gritted teeth, he managed to squeeze out a single "yes."

Herman's gaze fell on Sir Jesse, who was still standing straight but looked ashen, and the two Polish soldiers kneeling beside him.

"So, it seems this place was quite lively just now?" Herman asked, feigning curiosity. "And who is this old gentleman? Why does he look so disheveled?"

At the opportune moment, the Prague artillery captain Katz stepped forward and briefly recounted in a low voice what had just happened, including Jezek's insistence on fighting Heltan.

"Oh? A knightly duel? For honor?"

Herman raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on his face. "Truly—classic and touching."

"So, Sir Jezek, now that you've lost two battles in a row, utterly disgraced, and without even decent armor and a warhorse, do you still cling to your chivalric code?"

Jezek raised his head, his body exhausted and his shoulder still throbbing, but his eyes remained resolute: "Your Excellency, honor and creed will not change because of the loss of external things. I promised to ensure the safety of my companions, and I must keep my promise."

"Even if this might jeopardize our entire campaign? Even if it would allow those self-proclaimed knights to continue their rampage?"

Herman's voice turned cold. "Tell me the location where the ransom is to be paid, and I can assure you that we will rescue your people at minimal cost and completely wipe out that rabble."

Jezek shook his head bitterly: "I'm sorry, sir. I can't trust such a guarantee."

The other party made it clear that they only wanted to bring the ransom; if they discovered any trace of the army, the hostages would surely die.

I cannot gamble my comrade's life on an uncertain plan.

"madness!"

Herman slammed his hand on the table, the force not great but the momentum was strong. "You think you're upholding honor?"

You are condoning the enemy! You are harming His Majesty the King's interests! You and your captured comrades are, in the end, mercenaries, people who do things for money!

Now, as the new commander, I order you to state the location!

Jezek met Hermann's piercing gaze and stubbornly remained silent.

His heart sank, not only because of the pressure he was under, but also because of his disappointment with the entire situation.

The Hungarians didn't care about the lives of the Polish soldiers; they only wanted intelligence and wanted to take advantage of the opportunity.

So-called alliances are so vulnerable when faced with self-interest.

A strong sense of humiliation and despair welled up in his heart, and a thought quietly took root: perhaps, taking the rest of the people away from this quagmire was the best choice?

At least, he could save some of his comrades, whether they were captured or left behind.

Seeing that Jessek remained unmoved, Herman knew that further questioning would be futile and might even incite the Polish mercenaries, who were still capable of fighting, to rebel. The camp could not afford internal strife.

He snorted coldly, no longer looking at Jessek, and instead turned his gaze to the two still-shaken Polish soldiers on the ground.

"Hmph, stubborn old bones."

Herman seemed to give up, waving his hand, "You may all leave!"

Sir Jezek, I hope you will think carefully about whether abstract beliefs or practical responsibilities are more important!

Don't forget, Commander Zawish has also been captured, and his life or death rests in your hands!

Jezek's body stiffened, but he ultimately said nothing. He simply bowed slightly, gave a stiff salute, and then, with two soldiers, staggered away from the tent. His departing figure was filled with loneliness and resolve.

After Jezek left, Hermann's anger vanished instantly, replaced by a shrewd calm. He looked at Count von Polgów and whispered, "Count von Polgów, what do you think?"

Having returned to the center of power, von Polgar cherishes his current position and is determined to reverse the unfavorable situation in the army and demonstrate his worth to King Sigismund.

"Leave it to me, Lord Hermann. Those two soldiers look terrified. With people like that, bribery is worse than coercion."

I would seek opportunities to reach them, offering them substantial sums of money or promising to protect their future positions in the military.

Von Polgar laughed and said, "Such people are more likely to speak up when they are away from their superiors and colleagues."

2

"I trust you, my friend. You're always good at manipulating people. Although I'm nominally the commander-in-chief, my focus has always been on serving His Majesty the King. I won't be staying in the military camp for long, so I'm entrusting everything here to you."

Hermann said that his greatest skill in serving King Gigi was understanding the king's thoughts. He knew that King Gigi wanted the very talented Count von Polgao to command the army, but was also concerned about the feelings of the Hungarian soldiers, so he appointed him as commander-in-chief.

Feng Boergao nodded in satisfaction. He felt the King's trust and Count Herman's respect, and was determined to make a big move and use the heads of the Silver Dawn rebels to prove his loyalty.

After the meeting, Herman Celes, surrounded by his guards, began to tour the camp, his critical and scrutinizing gaze revealing his dissatisfaction with everything he saw, further solidifying his image of absolute authority. He made no improvements whatsoever.

von Polgár also began his secret operation.