Chapter 165 - 160: The Outville Family

Because Hereford hadn’t fully recovered, he would not be personally participating in the cross-sea campaign. He entrusted about two hundred of his Knights to Eric.

Because of Red Nose Savary’s rebellion, this was all the Knights he could muster at the moment.

He had thought this wouldn’t be enough and was prepared to send some Recruits, but Eric declined. Eric didn’t have enough ships, and besides, the effectiveness of Recruits on the battlefield was always questionable.

For the two hundred Knight’s Squires Hereford had sent, Eric used a ’sponsorship fee’ from Robert to equip them all with Armor and Warhorses. Added to the two hundred Knights also from Hereford, Eric now commanded a force of over four hundred Knights.

At the same time, Eric wanted to ensure his army’s mobility. He planned to equip every one of his Infantry with a light horse to ensure they could keep up with the Knights.

After resting for a day, Eric led his army and set sail for Normandy, landing on the Cotentin Peninsula. He planned to cross Cotentin to reach Mann.

The Cotentin Peninsula had been the territory of the Count of Mortain. Now that the Count of Mortain had been deposed, Robert had granted twenty of his manors to Eric, five of which were located on the Cotentin Peninsula. This was also the ancestral fief of the Outville family and the location of Outville Town.

His old uncle, Ambel, had not gone to Italy. Due to a series of accidents, all of his older brothers had either died in battle or chosen to remain in Italy. Ambel, who had been far down the line of succession, inherited the Outville family’s fief in Normandy by a twist of fate.

Unlike his other brothers, Uncle Ambel preferred the leisurely life of a simple country squire at home over fighting on horseback. He would mock the bellicose Knights who were so keen to gallop across battlefields, only to lose their lives for little honor or land in return.

He often quoted the Bible to lend weight to his words, always claiming he was being pious before God and that this pleased God, but he couldn’t even be bothered to attend Church services once a week.

On a typical day, he was either at home or off in the city of Cherbourg doing a little business, trading things like household goods, scented oils from Provence, dried sausages from Burgundy, and cider from Champagne.

Of course, he mostly sold wheat from his own land and the low-quality malt liquor he brewed (at least, Eric didn’t like to drink it).

However, his luck and memory were both poor. He would constantly forget the purchase price of the goods he worked so hard to procure, which meant that even when he sold a lot, he usually ended up losing money.

Whenever Aunt Margaret asked about his earnings, he would always say, "In business, the most important thing is to have fun."

A few months ago, for the expedition to England, Ambel was obligated by his duty to his Feudal Lord to provide ten Knights, including himself, to serve Robert. However, after readily agreeing, the man ended up refusing to go, citing poor health.

Instead, his second son, Celio, led five Knights to fulfill the service. But Celio was only eighteen, and the greatest trial of his eighteen years had been helping his old man sell cider from Champagne in Cherbourg. The hardest work he’d ever done was as a helper at the carpenter’s guild in Cherbourg.

He probably knew Eric was serving Robert, so he sent him a special letter trying to justify his actions. Left with no choice, Eric arranged for Celio to serve under Arno and asked Arno to look after his cousin.

According to Arno, he did quite well and was rewarded with twelve Hides of land. For context, a common Knight’s fief was five Hides.

「In Outville Castle, on the Cotentin Peninsula」

"Uncle, you’ve lost money again. If this keeps up, you should really start keeping ledgers."

"Bah, why keep ledgers? Parchment is so expensive these days. Two palm-sized sheets for a single pence. Too expensive, way too expensive." Ambel waved his hand dismissively.

"You don’t even blink at paying five pence for a trip to the bathhouse, but you’re too stingy to spend one pence on two sheets of parchment," Eric retorted, exasperated. He then untied a pouch from his belt and handed it to Ambel.

"Come now, what matters most in business is having fun. Besides, you can’t compare a bathhouse to parchment."

Ambel took the Money Bag from Eric and began carefully counting the Silver Coins inside.

"The Outville family has produced another hero. Your father would be so proud of you. From now on, your old uncle will have to call you Lord Earl."

Ambel gestured for Eric to sit, then picked up a small hound from beside the fireplace. Its coat was pure white, which was quite rare.

Ambel had found the little hound. He’d discovered it one day on his way to work in Cherbourg. It had been on the verge of death. For reasons unknown, Ambel ran to several monasteries to find an Herbalist, spending about half a pound to get it treated.

His absurd actions led Aunt Margaret to kick him out of the house, forcing him to sleep in a tenant farmer’s thatched hut for a week.

"Him? He probably only cares about his Apulia."

"Don’t think that way. He’s your father, after all. It’s like with Celio. Although I may be a little... neglectful of him at times, always sending him out to earn extra money, I know he must complain. He probably thinks I’m a little bit biased."

"But the bond between father and son, the connection of blood, that never changes. It’s the purest thing, hidden deep within our veins. What does the Bible say? ’Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.’ It’s a commandment."

"A father is a father of the flesh, and also a father of the spirit. You’re still young. You don’t understand yet."

"I’m sure he still thinks of me as his father. Even if he’s made a life for himself in England, he would never..."

"Uncle, have you wondered why Celio didn’t come back with me?"

"Hm?"

Ambel froze for a moment. That was right. He hadn’t seen his son, Celio.

"He’s probably... held up by something. I know things must still be chaotic in England. The Scots, the Danish... that sort of thing."

Ambel gave an awkward laugh and waved his hands, trying to dispel the tension.

But Eric just stared straight at him.

This made Ambel feel a bit desperate, but he still tried to maintain his dignity.

"See, Eric, you always like to joke around. Hahaha, Celio is such an obedient boy, hahahaha, you must be joking, hahahaha! Quick, tell me you’re joking, Eric..."

Eric sighed, stood up, and patted his uncle’s shoulder sympathetically. He gave him a moment of silence.

"Uncle, the most important thing in life is to be happy. Don’t dwell on these sad things."

Seeing that his uncle couldn’t accept reality, Eric untied another pouch from his belt and handed it to him.

"Uncle, take this money for now. Buy our cousin Alina some new clothes."

"Eric, you’re so considerate. Eric, your old uncle has always thought of you as a son. Why don’t you just become my son?" Ambel said, clutching the heavy pouch and looking at Eric with deep affection.

Eric was struck dumb.

Just then, a shout came from outside the hall.

"Count, the men are all settled. We can depart now."

The Welsh had no sailing experience, and many suffered from severe seasickness. They were vomiting and had diarrhea, resulting in over a hundred non-combat casualties before a single battle was fought.

Eric had them quartered nearby in Outville Town, where he had a manor.

"Uncle, I have to go now. The situation in Mann is critical, and I must get there as soon as possible. Please give my regards to our cousin Alina."

"So soon? Alright. That child Alina has run off somewhere to play. She’s been wanting to see you."