Chapter 662: I Even Bought You Dinner!

Even though Lynd's side has the advantage of lances, Lawrence is still not too worried. Especially when Lynd looks ready to charge him head-on.

Lawrence still has more than six hundred men, with over thirty at the Knight rank.

These knights aren't placed at the front as the sharpest edge. They are positioned in the middle of the formation.

Once the front cavalry wear Lynd's side down and slow their speed, these knights will strike.

Now, Lynd raises a banner and rides out alone. This signals that he wants to negotiate before the battle.

After hesitating for a moment, Lawrence still rides to the space between the two formations under the escort of four family knights holding banners.

When the two men meet, an awkward silence comes first.

In the end, Lynd speaks first.

"My lord viscount, is there truly no room to turn back? If both sides withdraw now, we can pretend nothing ever happened."

"From now on, I will present the viscount with another ten thousand gold coins every year."

"Among all the people under you, I am the only one who can present thirty thousand gold coins each year. Even those two barons can't do that."

Lawrence says flatly, "Once I destroy you, I will take back your territory. All the money it earns each year will be mine."

Lynd shakes his head. "You don't know how to manage it. You won't make that money."

"That is none of your concern. Peace Haven's people aren't the only ones in the world who know how to make money."

Lynd sighs.

"To be honest, I never meant to turn against you. Why are you so determined to target me?"

"You have other unruly lords under you. Why do you have to keep your eyes fixed on me?"

Viscount Lawrence sneers.

"Because you don't treat me as your lord. I gave you a chance."

"I wanted my second son to marry your youngest daughter, and I personally went to propose the match, but you rejected me without mercy."

"Your territory is so wealthy and strong, yet you weren't even willing to form a marriage alliance with me. Tell me, should I not target you?"

Hearing this, Lynd laughs as well.

"Heh... So it was because of that. Then I can give up on that hope."

"By the way, Your Excellency, that second son of yours isn't your child. He is the child your wife had with another man."

"Of course, you know that too. I actually don't care about his identity."

"The main issue is his character. I find it impossible to accept. Like you, he is a monster in human skin."

"If he truly became my son-in-law, I imagine it would not take long before I cut off his head."

Anger appears on Lawrence's face, then quickly recedes.

"See, Lynd? We have been mortal enemies for a long time."

Lynd nods.

"Fine. But right now I am flying Peace Haven's banner. Are you truly willing to risk war with Peace Haven just to kill me?"

Lawrence laughs.

"Heh... Lynd, you really are still a farmer by birth. You don't understand how nobles operate."

"More importantly, once you're dead, no one will fight for a dead man. Also, dead men can't defend themselves."

Lynd sighs and turns his horse away.

After taking a few steps, Lynd looks back.

"Viscount, someone will fight for a dead man. The lord of Blood Hill will."

"Also, you are right about that last sentence. Dead men can't defend themselves. I personally agree with that very much."

After Lynd returns to his formation, the horn sounds again. This time, it isn't the long, drawn-out call from before, but several short, rhythmic blasts.

Lawrence and the others don't notice anything unusual. They are busy arranging their formation and preparing to meet Lynd's charge.

On Lynd's side, the cavalry form a wedge assault formation. Lynd himself takes the lead, holding a metal war lance.

This is an extraordinary metal weapon that Lynd spent tens of thousands of gold coins to buy from Peace Haven.

His armor is also a full set of extraordinary equipment. He is armed from head to toe.

After a while, when the enemy finishes preparing, Lynd urges his horse forward slowly.

The cavalry behind him control their horses, maintain formation, and follow Lynd as they gradually accelerate.

A few breaths later, the flag bearer beside Lynd waves the banner. Lynd and every cavalryman behind him lower their visors, raise their lances, and enter a charge formation.

Fighting spirit gathers at the tip of Lynd's lance. Several knights following closely behind him also begin condensing fighting spirit.

The formation of Viscount Lawrence on the opposite side also enters a charge formation.

The several hundred meters between them vanish in the blink of an eye, and the two sides slam into each other.

With the advantage of lances, Lynd's side gains a major edge.

After the two sides pass through each other, more than thirty of Lynd's cavalry are gone, and most of the remaining lances are broken.

Lawrence's side suffers worse. Nearly a hundred cavalry lose their ability to fight.

But the difference in numbers between the two sides has become even greater. Lawrence's tactics have worked.

The knights hidden in the formation have inflicted no small amount of damage on Lynd's side.

Just when everyone thinks the outcome is settled, several more short horn blasts sound.

As Lawrence's side is still turning around, someone suddenly realizes that cavalry have appeared on both flanks.

Two cavalry units of four to five hundred men each are charging at Lawrence's troops from two directions.

The enemy has already entered charge formation, and their horses are at full speed.

Lawrence and his men are terrified out of their wits. They are still adjusting their formation, their horses have not gained speed, and they have not formed an anti-charge formation.

Even worse, many knights panic and flee with their subordinates.

Without an advantage in speed, running from two well-formed, fully equipped cavalry charges only hastens death.

There is no suspense. After the two cavalry forces cross and strike through them, only severed limbs remain on the ground, along with riderless horses fleeing in all directions.

Next, the two cavalry forces split into several hundred-man units and begin hunting down the scattered enemies.

Half an hour later, a captured knight lord is dragged before Lynd.

When the knight lord sees Lynd, he shouts in panic.

"Knight Lynd, I didn't know Lawrence's plan!"

"You know I never wanted to be your enemy. If I had known he wanted to kill you, I never would have agreed!"

"You can't kill me!"

"I am a knight lord, a knight lord personally ennobled by His Majesty the king!"

"Have you forgotten? I even treated you to dinner. You can't kill me!"

Lynd nods.

"Mm. Of course I remember. I remember even more clearly that you extorted six thousand gold coins from me over that dinner."

"And all because my convoy passed through your territory and crushed some crops."

"That wasn't my intention! Lawrence made me do it. We are neighbors. How could I target you..."

Lynd waves impatiently.

"Kill him."

Afterward, every captive on the battlefield is executed.

Lynd himself comes before the surviving civilians on the official road.

"My name is Lynd. I am a knight lord, and I serve the lord of Blood Hill of Peace Haven."

"All of you saw what happened today. Viscount Lawrence ignored our declared identity."

"He launched a shameless attack against us and even tried to kill every witness."

"Fortunately, our reinforcements arrived in time, and that is why we survived."

"I have recorded your names and native places. If there is need later, I will come find you to testify."

"Do not think about running. As long as you remain within Vorry, Peace Haven can find you."

"Now each of you will take ten gold coins. Hurry home and hide. Do not tell anyone what happened today."