The crow crows low in the woods, sometimes flapping its wings. As night fell, the robbers fell asleep around a small campfire, and the sound of snoring was heard in the cave. Blonde Tom and another robber stood guard not far away, staring silently into the deep, dark woods. The woods were so quiet that there was not even the chirping of insects except for the damned crows of crows.

Bode leaned his hands behind his back to the cave wall in an attempt to find a sharper stone. I don't know if it's fate or the arrangement of the blonde Tom with ulterior motives, the whole stone wall is very smooth, and it even seems that someone specially carved it. Pod tried for a long time and gave up in exasperation.

Constance had already closed his eyes in a daze and fell asleep. Bode looked at her beautiful side face, and his heart was indescribable. He was helpless against the arrogant and innocent Pope, who was the key to the fate of Sivicchia, but to Bode, she was just a girl who often messed up little things on her travels.

Bord leaned back against the stone wall and closed his eyelids. It was his first rest in two days. He hopes that the blonde Tom's fabricated identity will be delayed until help arrives. However, he was also worried that if Count Varina did not react and refused to admit it, what would happen to them. Bode's mind was groggy, and the images in his mind gradually dimmed.

I don't know how long it took, but I heard someone shouting to me, and the voice became louder and louder. Bode woke up, and Constance on the other side was whispering to Bode.

"Sir Bode, listen to the movement outside. Constance said excitedly. Bode straightened up and listened carefully.

"Tom, old man Varina has sent someone back. Said that the ransom was on two horses, to Stamford Bridge, one hand to pay the other money. ”

"Extinguish the campfire. Don't leave a trail, and snatch their horses away when you hand them over. ”

"Understood. ”

The robbers got busy. Bode looked out of the cave, and the rays of sunlight began to shine on the ground, and it looked like it was already morning. The blonde Tom sat on the stone, slowly winding his longbow, then saddled his back and slowly walked towards the cave.

"It's finally time to get out of this place!" Constance said.

"Don't worry. My lord. Pod said, watching as the blonde Tom slowly approached.

"Two, you're ready to go. Blonde Tom still had a smile on his lips. But he drew his dagger in his hand, pointing first at Bode, then at Constance.

"Bode, you're standing behind this young lady. Tom swung his sword. Bord knows. This is to prevent himself from running away while he is not looking. Let Constance, who has limited mobility, invisibly block his way. The two stood up and walked out of the cave. Tom pointed his sword at Bod's back and told them to walk to the horse they were leading by the tree.

"Jack, you're carrying a man. Monte, you take the big lady with you. In order to prevent accidents, you have to do something to wronged the two of you. Tom pulled out two dirty handkerchiefs and gagged Bord and Constance. Constance whimpered incessantly, and Tom shook his sword in front of her. She was honest.

"Get on the horse," Tom beckoned to his men.

The Stamford Bridge was deserted, with no one around. It's a great place to pay the ransom. Sir Roland rode his horse, cursing at the cold weather while rubbing his hands together. At his side was Baron Matt, son of the Count of Varina. Both were dressed like servants of the Count's family, but they both wore chain mail under their tunics, and both wore sharp Pauliis daggers at their waists. The Earl of Varina, just in case, had ambushed twenty men by Stamford Bridge as early as yesterday evening. At this moment, dozens of yards away in the pile of stones and bushes were ambushes with crossbows. Roland wasn't worried about the robbers ripping the ticket, but he was worried that Matt would impulsively not follow the signal.

The horses' hooves rattled, and several horseback riders appeared in the forest in the distance. At the head was a young man with blond hair, carrying a longbow, who seemed to have no idea what was about to happen. Behind, two hostages were carried on horseback. Roland saw the brown-haired mercenary at a glance, and was surprised to see that Pope Constance was also being carried on horseback. On second thought, the robbers didn't know who they were. Roland thought that if he knew, he would not be able to redeem Pope Constance even if he sold Fort Varina.

Blonde Tom rode to the edge of the bridge and raised his right hand to stop.

"You kept your word, and sure enough, you took only two men with you. Blonde Tom said with satisfaction.

"We don't have time to talk to you about it, hand over one hand and pay the other money. ”

"All right, this lord. Tom looked at Roland slyly as he beckoned his men to put the hostages down. Roland feared that Tom would realize that he was not a servant, so he did not dare to speak any more.

"Woo woo woo ......" Constance was gagged, dismounted by the robbers, grabbed his arms and pushed to the other side of the bridge. Bode was on her side, also being pushed forward. Sir Roland dismounted, and led the horse carrying two heavy boxes to the other side of the bridge. The blonde Tom smiled as he watched the two sides walk to the middle of the bridge.

The robber pushed the hostage towards Roland, who threw the reins of the horse to the robber. The robber sneered and slowly walked back to the bridge. Sir Roland hurriedly took the handkerchiefs from the mouths of Bode and Constance, and cut the rope behind their backs with his short sword.

"Don't come unharmed, Bode. Sir Roland let out a long breath and said to Bode.

"You too. "Bode maintains Roland's disguised identity.

"Please take us out of here. Constance said to Roland, "Fort Varina isn't far from here, I've had enough of it." Constance looked at Bode. Bode avoided her gaze, and said to Roland:

"Please hurry up and take us to that side, they seem to have something to ......

Before Bode could finish speaking, he heard the blonde Tom's shrill whistle. From the woods on the other side of the bridge, more than a dozen robbers emerged, each pulling their bowstrings to the center of the bridge.

"Considering that the Eastern Wikibians are coming, I'm afraid this thousand dinars is not enough for the brothers. So please come with us, so that we can ask your earl for more pocket money. ”

Roland and Bode froze in the middle of the bridge, not knowing what to do. Constance exclaimed in surprise and subconsciously hid behind Bode. There was silence for a moment, and Bode could even hear the robbers pulling their bowstrings. Suddenly. I only heard Baron Matt shouting behind the bridge: "Release the arrow!"

The crossbowmen hiding behind the bushes had already aimed at the bandits on the opposite side, and about twenty crossbow bolts were fired at the opposite side and the side of the bridge. Immediately there were wails on the other side of the bridge, and several robbers were immediately shot. The rest retreated into the woods with scattered arrows in a blind manner.

"Bastard, ambush us!" roared the blonde Tom on his horse. With a terrible howl, one of the robbers behind him fell from his horse. Sir Roland drew his dagger and stood in front of Bode and Constance, glaring at Tom.

"You ambushed us! You should have hanged you!"

The blonde Tom whipped his horse hard and fled. Crossbows and arrows fly. Bode hoped that a force would shoot this unruly bandit. Unfortunately, until he plunged headlong into the woods, he was not shot.

Baron Matt laughed as he looked at the bandits who had fled. Sir Roland put away his sword. To Bode and Constance, "Welcome home, both. ”

Eleanor stood early on the tower and looked at the stone path beyond the town in the distance. The Duke of Wickwood accompanied her as she walked along the city walls, but her mind was thinking about the inevitable war ahead. Sunset. The church bells rang loudly. Finally, a team of people appeared on the horizon.

Baron Matt, Sir Roland, Pope Bode and Constance, escorted by the guards, slowly rode into Fort Varina. Curious people in the castle crowded the corridors, whispering about the coming.

"I heard that it was the man who escorted the Pope all the way......"

"Oh, it's a knight. ”

"No, I heard it's just a mercenary......

"It's incredible. Where were the Duke's knights?"

"Fleeing with the Duke. ”

Duke Wickwood and Eleanor descended the spiral staircase, and the chattering crowd leaning on the railing immediately shut up.

The servants hastily laid a carpet outside the main castle door. The other heraldic flags of the Count of Varina's green-and-white castle on a red background were raised. The trumpeters blew their trumpets, and the nobles of Varina waited in the small square in front of the main fort. Constance and the others dismounted, and were welcomed into the main castle hall by the various nobles of Varina. Count Varina and the two dukes were already waiting here. After some compliments from the nobles, the group was greeted and sat down. Count Varina raised his glass with a big belly, and said in a loud voice:

"To the savior of the people of Vekia and the hero of the Holy See!"

"To the Pope, to the warriors!"

A sound of jubilation sounded like thunder, and the candles in the hall seemed to be vibrated by the sound. Flattered, Bode said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I just did as the Duke instructed. ”

"It is written in the Lord's Scriptures that excessive humility is pride. Constance said coldly.

"Haha!" said Count Varina with a smile, "Ladies and gentlemen, in order to celebrate the infallible return of His Holiness the Pope, I will hold a banquet in the castle tonight!"

"Ulla!" the nobles cheered. The servants had already been ordered to prepare for the feast, and now they were busy. Constance felt a little unwell at this moment of all the noise, and went up to the Count of Varina and said:

"Lord Varina, I wish I could take a break. In addition, the Holy See advocates frugality and self-purity, and I am afraid that I will not be able to attend your banquet. ”

"Oh......" Count Varina was a little disappointed. At this time, Margaret gently tugged at the corner of her father's clothes, suggesting that he could not be forced because he was the master.

"Then, please rest for His Majesty the Pope. Count Varina muttered to Margaret, who nodded and led Constance out of the hall. At the same time, the Duke of Savalon and the Duke of Wickwood began to take their seats. As guests, they knew it was their last dinner at Fort Varina. The Pope had arrived safely, and the war with the Knights was evident, so they had to go back to their fiefdoms to gather their armies.

Duke Wickwood had other plans in mind. The survival of Pope Constance is, of course, a trump card in the hands of the West Vecchian nobility to fight back. If the Pope is not unfortunate enough to die, the nobles can also wage war in the name of "against aggression". But Constance is the Pope of the Wikibians, and even though the Holy See is gradually degenerating, the Pope is still the spiritual hope of the Wikibians. Duke Wakewood was preoccupied with his adventures in Frost City, and he shouldn't have gone along the lines of the zealous Duke Savaron. Fortunately, the value of surviving the Pope seemed to be worth the risk. (To be continued......)