Capítulo 105: Good news
"How's the production going?" the head commander inquired, leaning over the table where reports and maps were spread out.
"We managed to make ten crossbows during the past week, sir. Our informant mentioned that production should only increase from here on out. The craftsmen have memorized the process," the guard standing before him reported.
"Now that's what I call good news! Hahahaha... And what about that man in the white robe?"
"He's been in his room the entire week, only leaving to sleep or relieve himself. He keeps asking for strange materials like white and yellow rocks and other oddities. I have to admit, sir, there's a rumor spreading that he's practicing witchcraft or black magic."
"Some of the soldiers are growing uneasy with him inside our walls," the soldier explained, his voice tinged with concern.
The commander sighed heavily. "I feel the same, but these are orders from the Count himself. Good job, soldier. Keep me informed if anything changes. You may go now."
After the soldier left, the commander spent another half hour receiving updates from other men, including a report that the enemy had made no significant progress in advancing towards them.
Thank you, Father! If our intelligence is correct, the enemy's advance has stalled, and they won't reach our city until the end of the month, the commander thought, feeling a surge of relief. He grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill, quickly jotting down the report he had just received.
I don't care why they've slowed down; all that matters is that this was their first mistake—a mistake that will lead to their downfall. Winter is coming, and surviving in unfamiliar territory will be much harder for them.
After finishing the report, he called for a messenger to deliver it to someone important in the castle.
Inside his office, Count Edwin was reclined in his chair, behind his large wooden desk. "Mmm... Ohh yes..."
A knock on the door interrupted his moment of pleasure, causing him to curse under his breath. The door opened, and a man in fancy clothes entered.
"Sir, a message from the commander."
"...Leave it over—over the t-table," Edwin stammered, his voice strained.
The butler, noticing Edwin's tense demeanor, chose to ignore it. He placed the parchment on the large table in the middle of the room and promptly left.
"Huff... Are you crazy? What if he noticed you?" Edwin hissed, looking down.
"Hmm, don't tell me you didn't enjoy it? It's even better with the risk of getting caught," a beautiful woman teased as she crawled out from under the table, licking her lips. She adjusted her dress to cover her exposed chest.
"Heh, now that I think about it, you're kind of right," Edwin grinned, grabbing her by the waist. He wasn't wearing any pants.
"Oh, already up for more?" she asked seductively.
"Before that, bring me that message," Edwin demanded, his eyes never leaving her.
She slowly undressed, tossing her clothes to the floor before sauntering over to the parchment. She deliberately took her time, letting Edwin admire her every movement.
Edwin reached out for the message without taking his eyes off her, but she playfully pulled it away. "I heard you need to concentrate when reading, so I'll put it on your desk so you can... concentrate." She placed herself between the desk and Edwin, dropping the parchment on the table as she bent over.
"Bad girl, I'll have to teach you some lessons again!" Edwin growled, and soon, her moans filled the room. As he indulged in his desires, she kept her eyes on the opened parchment lying on the table.
Later that same day...
"You called for me, sir?" the commander asked as he entered Edwin's office, summoned by a scout sent by the Count.
"Earlier today, you sent me a message, correct?"
"Yes, sir, I did."
"Could you repeat what was written? I want to hear it in person," Edwin requested, his tone calm and authoritative. His hair was neatly combed, and his clothes were spotless, a stark contrast to the state of the parchment, which had become smudged and blurred as if a sweaty hand had rested on it.
"Of course, my lord," the commander replied, reciting the contents of the message. He couldn't understand why he was being asked to repeat what had already been written, but he knew better than to question the Count's orders.
"I don't care what caused them to halt their advance; what matters is that this is excellent news for us. We're almost done with the harvest before winter, which will certainly help us in case of a siege," Edwin remarked, pleased with the situation.
"Also, ten crossbows in a single week?! That's just... unbelievable! Commander, who would have thought that such a ranged weapon could be made in so little time? How is the training of the crossbowmen progressing?"
"It started a week ago with the three crossbows we received from the refugees. The first group of fifty men is almost fully trained; they need just one more week."
"Good, that's more great news," Edwin said, his spirits noticeably high. The commander, however, sensed that the Count's mood was almost too jubilant for the circumstances.
"Sir... May I speak freely?" the commander asked hesitantly, unsure if he should voice his thoughts.
"Go on," Edwin encouraged.
"I understand that this weapon is great and can have a significant impact on the war, but... I find it somewhat a dishonorable weapon."
"What? What in hell are you saying?" Edwin demanded, his good mood turning into confusion.
"Me, my soldiers, and even the knights feel the same. A weapon that can be used by a mere peasant to kill someone wearing decent armor... We soldiers train our entire lives, only to be killed by something even a child could use? There's no honor in that."
The commander's words were filled with a sense of betrayal, the bolt's potential to penetrate lighter armor like gambeson or chainmail only adding to the unease.
"I'm not against its use in this war, especially against those pigs from the Swabia and Austrasia kingdoms. They'll pay dearly for what they did to us, I promise. But after this war ends, I advise you to restrict its public use—make it a military-only weapon."
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