novelODS Chapter 19 The Additional Bet
Chapter 19 The Additional Bet
"Please make your decision, Commander!"
Faced with the stubborn and persistent approach of the old man, the cavalry commander became somewhat annoyed.
Astride his warhorse, his gaze swept over everyone present, his fingers unconsciously tapping the hilt of his sword. For a moment, he was speechless.
He really didn't dare to make a judgment in public. Old Rolf had put the conflict on the table, with both sides sticking to their own version of events, and he didn't know the cause and effect of the matter.
The thought that even if the judgment is fair or unfair, I will still be doing a thankless job.
If this stubborn mule really dares to lead the villagers to cause trouble in front of the lord, then he'll really have a hard time explaining himself to the lord...
The cavalry commander glanced at Rolf, who stood resolutely beside his horse, and cursed inwardly:
"Stubborn donkey!"
Olsen's face was full of anger, and he roared:
"Old man, you refused the duel with Holmgang before, don't expect me to grant your wish now!"
"You don't take the Commander's words seriously and want to keep causing trouble, huh? So what if we take this to the Lord! Who's afraid of who!"
Olsen was spitting as he pointed at old Jarre and cursed him angrily.
The cavalry commander coughed heavily a few times, interrupting Olsen's angry shout.
The cavalry commander unconsciously curled a slight smile at the corner of his mouth. He had already thought of a solution, and Olsen's words reminded him.
The cavalry commander adopted a more impartial and amiable tone, and slowly spoke to old Yar:
"Rolf, it's just that you all have your own version of events, and I don't know who is right and who is wrong."
You agree, don't you?
Seeing that the cavalry captain had softened his tone and that what he said made some sense, old Yar had no choice but to go along with it.
"What the Commander says is true..."
The cavalry commander, however, changed the subject, glanced at old Yar, and continued:
"Even if this matter goes to the lord, with both sides sticking to their own versions of events, the lord won't be able to determine the truth!"
"How could this be? Our catch was stolen, and our people were injured!" Old Yar shouted.
The cavalry captain seemed to be referring to something specific.
"Only God knows the truth of this matter! Besides, the lord is not even in the territory..."
Some people may appear honest on the surface, but who knows how many wicked thoughts they harbor in secret!
Let's follow our ancient tradition and have the "Holmgang Duel"!
God will protect the brave, loyal, and faithful; God will judge the cowardly, the treacherous, and the deceitful!
Upon hearing this, Old Yar's face instantly darkened, and he no longer concealed his true feelings.
He certainly knew what the Holmgang duel was, and he also knew why Olsen had made that request before.
The able-bodied men of Gangde Village are generally stronger than those of Duanpo Village, and their equipment is also better. If it really comes down to a duel, Duanpo Village has little chance of winning.
In the Holmgang Duel, each side sends three people to engage in one-on-one duels. Unless one surrenders midway, the stronger fighter has the right to kill the other during the duel!
Turning his head to scan the villagers of Duanpo Village, Old Ya'er's face flashed with a barely perceptible look of pity and helplessness.
Old Yar secretly regretted his old age and declining health. If he were ten or eight years younger, he would have dared to agree to it directly.
Olsen, standing nearby, was equally taken aback. The duel at Holmgang was a matter of life and death. With the cavalry commander's suppression and warning, he didn't believe old Rolf could do anything. He didn't want to duel anymore either; forty villagers were to be conscripted, and every death meant one less...
Olsen thought to himself, there's no need to take the risk and do something unnecessary...
He was about to say something when the cavalry commander stopped him.
Seeing that neither of the two remained silent, the cavalry commander spoke again:
"Only through God's judgment can I fairly judge who is right and who is wrong..."
If you don't want the Holmgang duel, Rolf, as far as I can see, it's your arrival in Gonde Village that leads me to conclude that Brokenpe Village is being unreasonable and deliberately provoking conflict within their territory.
Now take your people back! I won't pursue this matter further...
"Of course, if we're willing to have a duel in Holmganga, to make the duel more meaningful and to compensate the winner for their losses, I have a personal idea: let's make a bet!"
The cavalry commander paused deliberately at this point, then stopped speaking.
Old Yar, of course, did not want to go back directly, and immediately asked, "Commander, what is the bet?"
The cavalry commander's lips curled slightly as he glanced at the two men. Seeing that Olsen also looked curious, he immediately said:
"It's very simple, God's just judgment can't be wrong! Since it's the loser's fault, the winner shouldn't suffer losses for no reason!"
Without this wager, this duel would be meaningless.
At the heart of the conflict, the losing side in the duel will not only accept all the negotiated demands, but will also have to bear one-tenth of the increased agricultural and fishery taxes from their territory for the winning side throughout the year!
"What?!"
Old Jarl took a half step back, his face filled with disbelief:
"Commander, this...this is simply unacceptable! They broke their oath and assaulted us first; there's no need to add unnecessary conditions!"
Orson, who originally didn't want to engage in the Holmgang duel, lit up when he heard this. He crossed his arms, remained silent, and just looked at Rolf provocatively.
To be honest, even Olsen was intimidated when he heard about this bet.
But he maintained a defiant stance, hoping that old Rolf would back down...
The tax rate was already high, and now it has been increased again. Old Yar has to carefully manage the livelihood of the whole village every day. If he loses, he will have to bear another 10% of the other party's tax. Life will be unbearable.
For Duanpo Village, losing the land and fishing area means that if they have to pay an additional 10% in taxes, the whole village will have to tighten their belts to make ends meet!
The common people have very little savings and are too vulnerable to risks. If some natural disaster suddenly occurs in the next year, the whole village will starve to death!
Seeing old Yar's resolute refusal, the cavalry commander's face turned cold, and his tone became icy:
"Can't even do the 'Holmganga Duel'?"
That means you're not cooperating with the ruling and are deliberately stirring up trouble...
These are extraordinary times. My lord is so busy defending against the pirates and protecting you that he has no free time at all, and his hair has turned white from exhaustion!
Rolf, I'm warning you, don't go looking for trouble and cause the lord any problems!
If you can't do it, then go back. Anyone who dares to start a large-scale brawl, don't blame us for being impolite!
Hearing this, Olsen spoke up at the opportune moment, laughing loudly:
"Hahaha, I knew you cowards wouldn't dare to duel Holmgang! You all look so serious, but you're all spineless cowards who can barely even paddle!"
How about I send my sister to fight you? Don't even mention you can't beat her! You bunch of cowards, if you were really on the battlefield, you'd just abandon your sisters and run away!
Throughout Pendor, only the Fieldsway City-State Alliance recruits a large number of shield-wielding women to form a military force.
Even though most men don't think it's shameful to lose to a shield-wielding woman,
The idea that they would abandon their female comrades and run away was unacceptable to most of the men in Duanpo Village. Olsen's words were a public humiliation to all the men in Duanpo Village.
"You're talking nonsense!"
"Who's afraid of who? Let's duel them!"
"I'll accept the duel and teach this treacherous dog a lesson!"
"You bastard who broke your vow, the sea will capsize your ship!"
"..."