"We could be in big trouble."
One of the robbers used his spear to scrape the dried feces between the stone slabs and muttered.
"I heard that a large number of knights errant were summoned to Beauclair and sent out in groups. It must be our fault. Those tin cans who only have honor and chivalry in their minds are planning to come and encircle us."
Another robber took over the topic. "Yes, everyone knows that those knights can't tolerate sand in their eyes. If they know that the missing persons case that has caused panic in the principality is our fault..."
"Don't worry," the third robber waved his hand nonchalantly, "Those knights errant did not gather in Beauclair because of small characters like you and me."
He yawned. "It is said that the duchess is dying, and they are going to swear allegiance to the new master."
Another robber asked, "Who?"
The third robber said immediately.
"How do I know? Besides, it's none of my business. Why do you want to do so much? Just follow Lord Philibert and do things honestly, and just drink the hot stuff. If the sky falls, Lord Philibert will support us, so what are you afraid of?"
At this moment, the alarm bell in the vineyard suddenly sounded violently.
Makes a disturbing and nervous clanking sound.
The three robbers looked as if they had been bitten by a flea.
He jumped up immediately.
They looked at each other, quickly ran to the only sentry tower in the manor, and shouted towards the top.
"What happened?"
"There are people, many, many people!"
The bandit who spoke first climbed up the guard tower and looked in the direction pointed by the guarding bandit.
But they saw hundreds of torches erected in the open space outside the main entrance of the vineyard.
The firelight made their armor gleam.
He was so frightened that he almost fell off the guard tower.
"Look what I'm saying, they found out and they came to attack us!"
The third robber quickly waved his hand to signal the latter to shut up.
"Shut your damn crow mouth, hell, if Lord Philibert hears your frustrated words, Lord Philibert will chop off your head first without the help of those fanatical knights errant."
"A large group of Ducal Guard soldiers, and a few knights errant and their armed attendants? How the hell did they find out?"
Philibert cursed and put the helmet on his head, then put the sword back into the scabbard.
His brain is running rapidly:
Maybe I should escape through the back door now before they get in!
No, if I wasn't there, the mob would be dispersed in the blink of an eye, and I wouldn't be able to run far at all...
Wait...
Suddenly, a light flashed through Philibert's mind.
Since they haven't called in yet but are shouting first, this may mean that they are not sure that they are selling slaves.
Or maybe their damn chivalry is at work again.
But no matter what the reason is.
This may be your only chance to make a comeback.
Philibert immediately called one of his men over.
Ask him to call the other robbers in the manor and bring all the crossbows hidden in the manor.
Ambush under the courtyard wall, just waiting for his order.
Then they fired arrows at random.
As long as you can kill the leader, you can temporarily repel those outside, so that they have a chance to escape.
The order is passed on, and when all the robbers under his command are fully prepared...
Only then did Philibert ride a horse, surrounded by several bandits disguised as servants, open the door of the manor, and Shi Shiran walked out.
"Captain Damien, Ser Parmelin, Ser Milton, Ser Lenard, and this... I'm sorry, you are..."
Maximus introduced himself to the other party in a solemn and loud voice.
"I am Maximus Norris Maclinor, Sir Philibert Wetton. Long time no see."
Philibert said sarcastically, "It turns out to be Sir Maximus. It's been a long time since I last saw you, but you didn't get addicted to alcohol and narcotics like your father. It's really disappointing."
Damien's eyelids twitched and he was about to scold him, but Maximus stopped him.
He knew that the other person had this kind of personality since he was a child.
And Maximus, just like he did when he was a child, didn't care about the other party.
Don't go around in circles with the other person either.
He took out the piece of cloth stained with rose wine and asked, "Sir Philibert, do you recognize this thing?"
Philibert didn't even bother to take a look.
"Maximus, have you been blinded by a mace? Just bring a piece of cloth over and ask me if I recognize it? I know where you picked it up?"
Philibert's attitude became increasingly arrogant.
Not even the proper honorific was added.
His face was filled with disdain and arrogance.
"Sir Philibert, I believe you should be aware of the missing persons cases that have occurred recently."
"And this is what was found on a caravan that was attacked the day before yesterday. The smell of rose wine remains on this piece of cloth. And as far as I know, rose wine only comes from one place, and that is..."
Before Maximus could say the name of Castelcia Manor, Philibert interrupted him angrily and changed the subject.
"Maximus, don't go too far! Don't forget who took your family in when your gambling father lost this vineyard to my father so that you wouldn't be homeless!"
"You don't want to repay me, and you dare to bite me back with such despicable methods. You are simply ungrateful!"
"Captain Damien, and all the knights, are you gathering at my door just because you listened to this man's deception?"
"Only a piece of cloth torn from some country bumpkin? To slander a knight who swore allegiance to a duchess? To slander me, Sir Philibert Weedon, son of Sir Cooper "White-cheeked" Weedon?"
Philibert was filled with indignation and angry attitude, as if he had really been wronged.
But his anxious little eyes, which kept opening and closing, exposed the truth.
His heart is far less innocent than he looks on the surface.
Palmerin rode forward two steps and spoke for Maximus.
"In the Principality ruled by Her Majesty the Glorious Duchess, no innocent good person will be wronged, and no evil person will be spared."
"Sir Philibert, if you are really innocent, let us go in and search, so that you can be cleared."
Philibert snorted coldly.
"Sir Palmerin, because you were deceived by that dirty guy Maximus, I am a little polite to you, but don't go too far."
"If Her Royal Highness the Duchess is here, she can naturally search her."
"But why should I let you into my home?"
Damien couldn't stand it anymore.
If he had doubts before coming, he was worried that Maximus might have made a mistake.
But after arriving, he saw Philibert's attitude towards Maximus and how he refused to let them go in to search...
He knew that there was a high probability that this Philibert had something up his sleeve.
"Sir Philibert, I, Damien de la Tour, have been ordered by the regent Raymond Earl to investigate missing persons cases and have the authority to search every inch of land in the duchy, including the knight's manor."
"If you refuse to cooperate, you are ignoring the laws of the Principality and the orders of the Regent. You must think clearly."
Philibert's face turned red.
"Captain Damien, if Her Highness the Duchess knew that the knights who swore allegiance to her and were loyal to her were so humiliated, how distressed would she be."
"Since you have found me guilty, I demand a trial by combat! The person I designate is you, Maximus!"