webnovelfull Chapter 216 The New Knight
Chapter 216 The New Knight
Chapter 216 The New Knight
"Remove my armor."
Earl Hubert's resolute voice continued to resonate in Dick's mind.
Kneeling on one knee, he was at a loss for what to do.
To remove one's armor on the battlefield is tantamount to...
Dick's mind was in complete chaos; he didn't know what to do.
This was indeed a loyal dog's order, and as the Earl's squire, Dick was obliged to obey.
But he could sense the resistance that came from the bottom of his heart.
That damned sea wind was still crying, continuing to torment Dick's heart.
No one spoke again, as if the whole world was waiting for Dick to make a choice before things would move forward.
In the end, Dick chose to obey Earl Hubert's orders.
A true knight-errant will always be loyal to his mission.
He first removed his helmet and gauntlets and placed them on the deck before getting up and walking toward Earl Peyton.
The armor, which was originally dark green, had now turned grayish-black.
Dick reached for the loyal dog's helmet, intending to lift it up.
But the resistance he encountered was greater than he had imagined.
Just as Dick was wondering, the loyal dog said:
"Stop being so hesitant and be quick."
Upon hearing this, Dick pulled hard and yanked the helmet out.
At the same time, he heard a tearing sound.
Dick looked at the loyal dog's face, only to find it was already a bloody mess.
He quickly peered inside the helmet and saw several large pieces of flesh stuck to the inside.
Dick leaned in and took a sniff... It smelled burnt!
He immediately realized that the adults must have been injured in those flames!
The flames scorched the adults' bodies.
"grown ups--
Dick held the helmet, looked up at Earl Hubert, and couldn't help but call out to him.
However, the loyal dog's face remained serious, and he coldly gave the order:
"continue."
Dick opened his mouth several times, but hesitated to speak.
In the end, she simply bit her lip and reached out to the loyal dog's body.
Dick removed the armor pieces one by one, including the wrist guards, arm guards, elbow guards, shoulder guards, neck guard, breastplate, abdominal plate, and back plate.
Even the smallest parts were covered with charred clothing and flesh.
With each component removed, Count Hubert's breath trembled.
Dick will also tremble.
He knew the pain the adults were enduring, but Count Hubert remained almost completely silent.
Even now, with his left hand and entire right arm gone and his entire body burned, Hubert Payton, the loyal dog, remains strong and proud.
Finally, Dick removed all of Lord Hubert's tattered armor and piled it beside him.
The loyal dog turned its head and stared at the suit of armor for a long time.
He then turned to Dick and asked, "Buchanan, do you remember where it used to hang?"
"I remember," Dick nodded, "on the wall of your study."
"Put it back where it belongs, and my sword too."
"My lord," Dick's voice trembled.
"Enough with the nonsense," said the loyal dog. "I have some things to say, and the navigator might not be able to wait patiently."
The leader, however, hypocritically interjected, "Don't worry about it, you can take your time."
The loyal dog did not respond to the navigator, and Dick certainly wouldn't either.
"First is the issue of succession in the port. My eldest son, Pena Peyton, will inherit my title and lands."
"I have left the edict in the study of my castle. You can find it in the drawer of the desk where I usually work."
"You must obtain that edict, verify its authenticity, and then hand it over to Horney, the herald of Chau Harbor."
"Let Master Horny summon all my sons and have them read my decree to me in my audience hall."
"My lord—" Dick called out sadly.
"Such wording is inappropriate in responding to orders, Buchanan."
Even now, Earl Hubert remains stern with Dick.
Dick straightened his expression. He could not let his master down. This was the only thing Dick had to do!
"Yes, sir!"
"Yes," the loyal dog nodded, "If the navigator is willing to return my remains, then let Pena bury me in the Peyton family cemetery."
The leader, feigning toughness, retorted, "I will absolutely not stand in your way."
“There’s one more thing, Buchanan,” the loyal dog continued, “but this isn’t an order, it’s a request.”
Dick hurriedly said, "My lord, please don't say that! I am your servant, and I will certainly grant you any request!"
The loyal dog nodded gently: "Since I came to rule, Caogang has always been known for its toughness, so all sorts of villains dare not provoke my surroundings."
"But Pena lacks my methods and is sometimes indecisive. As for martial arts, he is quite mediocre, and I worry..."
Once he takes office, the security situation in Chau Harbour will no longer be stable.
"Therefore, I believe that Pena needs a capable and strong ally. This person must be upright and strong, absolutely loyal to the Peyton family, and able to offer timely advice and suggestions when the time is right."
"After much thought, Buchanan, you are currently the only one who meets these conditions. Therefore, I implore you to continue to stay with the Peyton family and assist my son."
Upon hearing this, Dick immediately drew his sword.
Kneel on one knee, plant the sword in front of you, grip the hilt with both hands, and touch the guard with the top of your head:
"I swear in the name of a warrior that I will be loyal to the Peyton family, never betray them, and never fail the mission entrusted to me by my lord."
"Hmph!" The loyal dog chuckled. "You should swear an oath in the name of a knight."
Dick looked up in confusion.
"Dick Buchanan, I will make you my knight of the fief."
Dick was taken aback, then immediately shook his head and said:
"My lord, a master cannot bestow the title of squire knight upon himself."
"A knight cannot save a knight, but I am an earl."
Unable to refute it, Dick could only ask for another word:
"fief?"
"I have already designated a piece of land in my territory, which will be your fief. I have also written the decree, which is in my captain's cabin. You can retrieve it yourself in a moment."
"Furthermore, I will bestow upon you the title of hereditary knight, and your descendants will be able to inherit your title and lands. So, Buchanan, accumulate wealth, and you will own your own castle."
Dick stared wide-eyed, unsure of what to say.
He felt flattered and unworthy of the honor.
"My lord, what have I done to deserve such a favor from you!"
"Don't be modest, Buchanan. During your time as my squire, you have been dutiful and have continued to grow. You have long since reached the level of a first knight."
"But."
"Moreover, to serve my son, without knighthood, one will surely be ostracized by the other knights in the castle. Buchanan,"
"I'm doing this not only for you, but also so that Pena can make better use of you and assist him in managing the harbor."
Hearing this, Dick knew that if he refused again, he would be disrespecting his loyal dog.
He could only lower his head and say, "Yes, sir, I am grateful."
The loyal dog suddenly shouted, "Navigator!"
Dick wondered, "Why is the master summoning that pirate?"
The navigator stepped forward: "What is it?"
"I can no longer lift the sword, but the blessing of the knight requires a ritual. My hands are still attached to that sword, which is equivalent to my hands clenching it. I would like to ask you to help my hands lift the sword."
The navigator simply nodded slightly, then walked to the count's side and drew his sword:
"What do I need to do?"
"Follow my instructions, place this sword on the right shoulder of this newly recruited knight, then move it to his right shoulder, and finally place it on his head."
Then, Earl Hubert rose:
"Buchanan, look into my eyes."
Upon hearing this, Dick looked at the loyal dog.
The Earl asked, "Squire Dick Buchanan, are you willing to treat the weak with kindness?"
Dick answered firmly, "I do!"
"Are you willing to oppose all forms of rape?"
"I do!"
Are you willing to fight against all mistakes?
"I do!"
"Are you willing to fight for the unarmed?"
"I do!"
Are you willing to never betray your comrades and brothers?
"I do!"
Are you willing to remain loyal?
"I do!"
"Are you willing to give your life for justice?"
"I do!"
At that moment, the loyal dog gave the navigator a wink.
The navigator drew his sword and stepped forward.
The Earl declared, "Dick Buchanan, bury your head!"
Dick did as instructed, and the next moment, the heavy sword touched his shoulder.
If a pirate were to hold a sharp sword to his neck and then pass by, Dick would inevitably dodge in response.
But since the loyal dog believed that the navigator would not do anything despicable, Dick, as the loyal dog's squire, had no choice but to believe it as well.
The sword touched his left and right shoulders, then the top of his head.
The loyal dog said, "Dick Buchanan, I hereby bestow upon you the title of Glorious Knight, from this day forth you shall fight for fairness and justice!"
"We will not fail in our sacred mission!"
"Raise your head, Buchanan, you are now a knight."
Dick looked up and saw that the Navigator had already sheathed the sword next to the loyal dog.
He slowly rose and called out, "My lord—"
"Congratulations, Sir Buchanan. Of course, a knighthood usually requires at least three knights to witness it, or a written certificate. I have already prepared that, and it is in my captain's cabin along with your land grant."
By now, how could Dick still not understand?
The loyal dog had long anticipated that he might die on this ship.
But he still did it, which shows that from the very beginning, the loyal dog was prepared to die!
But he had already figured out a way out for Dick long before that.
Dick stood there, stunned. The loyal dog said again:
"Buchanan, do you remember our first meeting?"
"I remember, sir!" It was a roadside inn in the Montero Hills.
"So, what did you say to me back then?"
"A knight cannot abandon the weak."
"And I said then, 'Remember what you're saying now,'" a terrifying smile appeared on the loyal dog's face, "and I'm still going to say it to you now."
"However, Buchanan, you were just an unappointed squire back then, but now you are a knight."
"I've seen countless people give up on riding the earth path, but you might be an exception. Don't forget what you said back then."
Buchanan, go and become a true knight.
"Yes, sir!" Dick said, puffing out his chest and raising his head.
"Yes," the loyal dog nodded, "that way, I can tell you the second thing."
"The second thing?"
"I will give you my youngest daughter in marriage."
Dick thought he had misheard, until he saw Earl Hubert's unwavering gaze and realized that the loyal dog was not joking.
Dick frowned: "Sir, you know I already have a fiancée."
That's just unrequited love on your part.
"But Anne has already asked me to propose marriage!"
“Going to propose is the same as not proposing; she is not your fiancée,” the loyal dog said. “Besides, I don’t believe that girl truly wants to marry you. Do you know that nine out of ten heraldic officers dedicate their lives to their profession and never marry?”
Dick knew, of course, that he couldn't refute it.
"But, sir," Dick tried to refuse again, "how could I, of my status and position, be worthy to marry your daughter?"
"You are now a nobleman with a fief and a hereditary title, Buchanan, and I believe you will be faithful to your wife."
"But why, my lord," Dick asked, puzzled. "I know you think highly of me and want me to assist Lord Pena, but you surely know me. I always keep my word and will never betray you. There's no need to bind me with land or marriage."
"Of course I understand, but it's also partly my own selfish reason."
"Self-interest?"
"Do you remember the story I told you about me and Duke Pena?"
Dick nodded.
"I once served him as a servant, and he eventually gave me his sister in marriage. My reputation as a loyal dog comes from my lord, and I wish to emulate him."
Loyal dog way,
"I don't have a sister, but I happen to have a daughter who is close to your age. I think if she marries you, she will definitely be happier than if she marries a duke."
Dick was momentarily at a loss for words, but the loyal dog said:
I hope you won't refuse.
Anne—.·
Dick closed his eyes, then gritted his teeth and opened them:
"My lord, I understand."
The loyal dog smiled: "I also wrote and signed the marriage contract in advance; you can find it in my captain's cabin."
After saying that, the loyal dog breathed a sigh of relief.
He suddenly turned around and looked around the pirate ship.
"The Navigator!"
"What is it?"
"Is this a good ship?"
"nature."
"What's its name?"
"Two gold coins?"
Why is it called that?
The navigator paused for a few seconds: "Because of a woman."
"Huh?!!" The pirate Benson exclaimed in surprise.
The loyal dog looked at the navigator, remained silent for a moment, and then laughed:
"I really want to have a few drinks with you, to test what kind of person you really are."
After saying this, the loyal dog knelt down and stuck its head out:
"Give me a quick death."
Without saying a word, the navigator picked up his axe and walked toward the loyal dog.
Dick gripped his sword tightly, his whole body trembling.
He desperately restrained himself to avoid impulsively drawing his sword against the navigator.
The navigator raised his axe.
Dick suddenly shouted, "Wait a minute!"
Everyone looked at Dick.
Dick took a deep breath and said loudly:
"Before you stands Hubert Peyton, Lord of the Harbor, rightful heir of the Peyton family, vanquished by the Royal Army, champion, siege mastermind, fleet advisor and commander, embodiment of honor, valor, strategy, and justice, the loyal dog!"
After he finished speaking, he saw the adult give him a pleased smile.
The navigator nodded vigorously: "I will remember that."
The axe fell.
The head rolled off.
The navigator kept his promise and spared Dick and the rest of the crew.
Dick transported the adult's body and equipment back to the ship.
The first mate asked in a panic, "Lord Payton, what is this—"
Dick really didn't want to say it aloud, even though it was true.
He changed the subject with a command: "Now I'm in charge of this ship. Raise the sails and set sail."
"But sir, where are you going?"
Yes, where should we go?
Dick didn't know: "Let's set sail first."
Dick pieced together the loyal dog's body on the Earl's ship.
Just then, the first mate came to report:
"Sir, a ship has been spotted."
"Boat?"
"To be precise, a fleet?"
"A fleet?" Dick exclaimed in surprise. "Whose fleet?"
"Our fleet."