Ruin Wielder

Bernard came after a while, many people gathered in the courtyard, and Rowan saw them enter and gather around.

"My Lord, everyone is waiting for you."

Bernard reported he was also wearing good clothes just to make a good impression on the people. Rowan nodded his head and glanced at Hynek and Henry, then went downstairs.

After going downstairs, he saw many people, some were curious, some scared, and some didn't care about him. Rowan smiled and took a step closer.

Even though people had many emotions about them, they simultaneously bowed. Rowan was a noble, and people had to bow to him, that's customary.

Rowan nodded, and Hynek placed the wooden stool behind him. Rowan sat down and guessed there were maybe around sixty people present, which was a good sign.

"Be at ease, everyone."

Rowan, saying this, smiled, he was being very down-to-earth and approachable. People hearing his voice straightened their waists, then looked at each other with nervousness, because they didn't know what to say and do next.

"Everyone, don't be nervous. Let me start by saying this: thank you. I really appreciate you coming here on my call. We are missing a few, but that's fine. Thank you very much for coming."

Rowan said with a smile and lightened the mood of the courtyard. Hynek and Henry stood behind him like guards, and Bernard stood a step ahead of where Lukas was seated, showing his position as a chamberlain, and he was also representing the people of the village.

"You might not know me, but you might have heard about my family. My name is Rowan Oakvale, eldest son of Alaric Oakvale. I was disinherited from my birthright by my father because I chose you, my serfs, over my king."

"As you know, our country Bohemia has plunged into a war. Our king's disinterest in his country's affairs has led to so many deaths that you can't even count them. My father supports this king wholeheartedly. I don't blame him, he is a loyal person, but I, who have been to the battlefields, know who suffers the most: it's you guys."

"I said that we support Sigismund, our king's half-brother, also the King of Hungary, until his army has left our domains, but my father refused and even sent me here, disinheriting me of my birthright. Now you must also be thinking that I am a traitor and a huge bastard."

The crowd hearing him fell into a murmur, they were shocked to hear such a thing from Rowan's mouth. Some supported his ideas, while some opposed them, as he was talking against the king, but Rowan smiled because he got what he wanted: people's attention.

Rowan stood up, and the murmur quieted down a lot seeing him walking towards them. Then Rowan placed his hand on a child's head gently. The little girl's mother was beside her, and seeing how gentle Rowan was with her child, she nodded her head.

This is a true noble.

"I know I did the horrible thing, but let me tell you this: our king has been kidnapped by this Sigismund, and Sigismund has eight thousand barbaric Cuman soldiers under him. He cannot pay them, so they do whatever they can after invading, like whereverthey have passed, children like this and women like this have vanished, and you can imagine what they can do."

"I don't support this violence, so I said to side with him so that he will spare my people at least, but my father, sigh!"

Rowan, saying this, sat back in the stool. He looked sad and pitiful. People around the courtyard understood his plea and how good he was to them. They were cursing Lord Alaric in their hearts because a peasant only wants to live, and if someone shoves them in death's door without any reason, they will have them.

"My Lord, what you did for us, the people of Bramble End, won't forget this debt."

The child's mother said she was standing in the front row and, seeing Rowan's pitiful appearance, said she was also very scared nowadays because of her child.

"Yes, my lord, you are right to choose treason over death."

"Lord is Wise."

"My people, I didn't do it because I wanted to be a treacherous person. Let me tell you something about high politics: Sigismund is the brother of our king and also his rightful heir, so it's not technically treason. Whatever it is, I am with you, I'll die with you if necessary."

Rowan said, then smiled at the people. Not a single person is opposed to him now, they look like they have seen their savior.

"I support you, my lord."

"This old Bernard will die for you, my lord."

Hearing the old captain's voice, people started to clap, and they became instantly happy. Rowan smiled at his success.

Damn! He has words, man. I would have just said, 'Obey me.'

Hynek thought he saw the cheerful crowd, Henry, on the other hand, just smirked.

"Okay, everyone calm down. I need to discuss things with you."

Rowan said, then gestured for people to calm down, they were cheering too much. After they had calmed down, Rowan stood up from his seat once again.

"Even though King Sigismund won't come here, the same can't be said for the mercenaries or bandits. They are armed and can do very much damage. Old Bernard here will take on the office inside the castle from now on, and these are my two friends who will be guarding you. The one with the bow is Hynek, he is a good archer, and this is Henry, he knows his way around a sword, so I will recruit eight young men to my garrison."

" I hope you guys can join it, it's to protect ourselves and also earning money, after that we will solve the food issue, I want my people to be healthy and strong, meats should be provided for people by the castle in the coming months "

People were erupting in cheer whenever Rowan said things because they were pretending to be guards without payment, now they will officially be guards while getting payment and protect their families better.