Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Chapter 222 Insidious Plan

That evening, in a corner of the camp, by the campfire, the two released Polish soldiers huddled together, gnawing on dry, hard black bread, their expressions still filled with fear and unease.

Von Polgar, accompanied by two trusted men, appeared before them like ghosts.

"Soldier," Polgar's voice was much gentler than during the day, "you must have been terrified during the day, right?"

Sir Jezek has his principles, but what about you? Do you want to live? Do you want your future to be better?

""

Two soldiers watched him warily.

Borgo pulled a small purse from his pocket, weighed it in his hand, and the silver coins clinked enticingly. "Tell me where this is, and these are yours."

Moreover, I guarantee that afterwards you can join my personal guard and never have to return to the Polish mercenary group—that place that is about to lose its glory.

His words were full of implications.

Under the pressure of survival and the lure of silver coins, coupled with the fear of Jezek's potential downfall, the two soldiers' psychological defenses quickly crumbled.

They exchanged glances, and finally, one of them licked his chapped lips, lowered his voice, and said in a trembling voice, "It's—it's Zimberg—the ruins of Zimberg Castle—"

"Zimberg?" A glint flashed in von Polgar's eyes. "Are you sure?"

"It's confirmed—that the prince—said it himself—that the old knight must bring the ransom to the ruins of the main hall two days from now at noon for the transaction—"

Having obtained the exact location, von Polgar immediately returned to the central command tent and reported to Hermann Czerny.

"The ruins of Zimberg Castle—" Herman murmured, unfolding the rough but well-marked map of the area he carried with him.

Just then, the Cuman chieftain Hertan arrived uninvited, a bloodthirsty smile on his face: "Count, Lord Polgao, I've heard an interesting name—Zimberg?"

Herman frowned, somewhat displeased with the Cumans' rudeness, but still nodded.

"Haha! What a coincidence!"

Hertan slapped his thigh. "One of my cavalry patrols is stationed in that valley nearby! They know the terrain like the back of their hand!"

This news cheered Hermann and Polgar. Hermann immediately gestured for Hertan to come closer to the map: "Tell me in detail, what's the terrain like there?"

Heltan extended his thick finger and pointed to the approximate location of Zimberg on the map: "That ruin sits on a small hill, easy to defend but difficult to attack, but with a wide field of vision."

Behind the hill lay a dense forest, and in front and on both sides were rolling hills and wasteland. My sentry knew every path.

A sinister glint flashed in Herman's eyes as a plan quickly took shape in his mind.

He looked at Polgao and Heltan, lowering his voice: "Excellent—this is a golden opportunity. We can immediately send out a large army and wipe them out in one fell swoop!"

von Polgao shook his head and said, "Count, please don't be impatient. The Silver Dawn is a group of fast-moving bandits."

First, they may not be there now.

Secondly, if they see the dust and smoke from our army's movement, they will likely flee quickly.

Third, is this news true?

"As expected of a fine earl praised even by His Majesty the King."

Hermann wasn't annoyed by the suggestion; instead, he smiled and asked, "Lord von Polgau, what is your suggestion?"

Feng Boer smiled smugly and said, "Therefore, our primary task is to send a small number of elite cavalry to scout out the situation in Zimberg, to see if the bandits have arrived, how many there are, and to keep a close watch on them."

"My lords, please entrust this task to us Cumans! No one is more suitable than us," Hertan said confidently.

"Yes." Herman and von Polgao exchanged a glance, then nodded approvingly at the imposing, powerful, honest, and loyal Cuman chieftain before them. "Do your best. His Majesty the King will not mistreat any warrior."

0

"We Cumans are willing to pledge our loyalty to the generous His Majesty Sigismund, but..."

'

Hertan hesitated for a moment, then said, "Although I am willing to give without expecting anything in return, my unruly tribal soldiers are barbaric and uncivilized, always clamoring for pay and such. I'm at my wits' end..."

'

Seeing Hertan's coy behavior, Herman and von Polgao retracted their assessment of him as "honest, kind, and brave." This guy really was a Cuman barbarian who wouldn't draw his bow without a silver coin!

"His Majesty the King is incredibly generous, so naturally he wouldn't owe you any wages..." Herman tried to brush it off with sweet words.

But these words did not convince Hertan at all. The Cuman chief still looked like he didn't understand, as if he couldn't see Groshin and no amount of persuasion would work.

Hermann and von Polgao were furious, but helpless about Hertan's last-minute coercion. The Hungarians in the camp were unreliable, the Polish mercenaries were disloyal, the Prague militia could not be easily moved, and the most capable fighters were the Cumans.

"I will make up your wages first thing tomorrow morning!" When Herman came, the king did give him 10,000 Groshens for expenses, but he never expected that before he could even enjoy it, these Cuman barbarians would extort it away!

"Haha, we'll set out first thing tomorrow morning. His Majesty's generosity will surely be worthwhile," Hertan immediately promised.

Damn it!

Herman cursed inwardly, but his noble composure kept him outwardly calm. He said to von Polgar, "Please continue."

Feng Boergao was also furious, but he suppressed his anger and continued, "Once we find out that the bandits are really there, we can have that old man Jezek go to make the deal with a small number of people and the ransom as originally planned, to lull them into a false sense of security. Our main force will then secretly infiltrate the forests and hills surrounding the ruins in batches to hide."

Heltan grinned and continued, "My Cuman light cavalry are skilled in reconnaissance and tracking. They can follow Jezek at a distance to ensure they don't stray from their course, while also monitoring for the appearance of the Silver Dawn's men and their retreat route."

"great!"

Herman pointed his finger heavily at Zimberg's location. "Once the deal begins, we will move out immediately. At that time, Heltan, your cavalry will quickly flank them and cut off their retreat route to the forest."

"Polga, you lead the Hungarian army in a frontal assault from behind the hills! I will command the Hungarian cavalry to wipe out any remaining enemy forces attempting to break out!"

Herman's face revealed a smug expression of victory: "They want a ransom? We'll give them a funeral!"

This time, we will ensure that the so-called Prince Brunswick and his arrogant knights are forever condemned to remain in the ruins of Zimberg!

Von Polgao chuckled sinisterly, "Moreover, we can take this opportunity to greatly weaken the Polish mercenary group."

Afterwards, regardless of whether Jezek lives or dies, this unruly mercenary army will have to rely on us even more.

Under the dim light of an oil lamp, the three men huddled together, meticulously refining this insidious and vicious plan.

Meanwhile, Sir Jezek, completely unaware of this, was in his tent, wiping his only remaining sword by the dim candlelight, his heart filled with regret and uncertainty about the future.

Unaware that he and his companion, whom he desperately wanted to rescue, had become pawns in someone else's game.

"Zavish, you wretched bastard, I hope you don't die!" Jezek sighed.