Little Fish (Part 2) (Special thanks to alliance leader Last Leaf Fragrance for the bonus chapter!)

Tortosa Castle's master finally turned his eyes on Cesar. Though he regarded the boy's arrival as a humiliation, the moment he saw him, he could not help praising him inwardly.

This castle existed entirely for military purposes. Even with the blazing sun outside, the fortress remained dark and stifling, yet standing there, he was still like a luminous pearl.

Walter had seen many beauties in royal courts and lords' castles, but someone outstanding to such a degree truly made one marvel. Either God had done everything in His power, or the Devil had spared no effort. In any case, no human beings could possibly have given birth to such a flawless creation.

The expressions of the other knight commanders beside him had long since softened, as though they had merely been waiting for such an excuse. Walter suspected that even if Geoffrey had said, "I picked up a stone outside the castle just now, and it said this person was favored by God," these men would have believed him.

Even so, Walter merely tilted his head slightly and looked at the squire behind him. Walter's squire was also a sharp, handsome young man. He immediately understood and stepped forward to speak with this unimaginably young envoy. "What message did Amalric I send you with?"

"If you are asking about Amalric I's command—the king wants you to surrender. Lower your banners, lay down your weapons, remove your armor, bring the keys to the castle outside the gates, and bow your heads to beg his forgiveness."

Walter gave a loud, mocking laugh. He looked toward the knight commanders seated on either side of him and, as expected, found traces of anger on their faces.

Then he glanced at Geoffrey, as though saying, "Look, look—this is the result of your guarantee."

Geoffrey's face