Chapter 315 - 234: The Powerful Uncle Odo

"With such vast wealth, if Odo were to mobilize for war, he alone could command about 600 Knights. If he chose to hire Free Knights, the number would be even more staggering."

"If only it were that simple. The worst-case scenario is that he *doesn’t* go to war. If he’s content with his current position, then he’ll have all the time in the world to finish us off," Eric said.

"Maybe we should finish him off first. Once he’s dead, all our problems will be solved. Arno is much easier to talk to than him. I’ve always gotten along with him.

We just can’t let him know we’re going after his old man, of course. What do you think? The old guard should know when to step aside for the young."

"Let’s wait. It’s too risky. If we fail, we’ll just have another enemy on our hands. Perhaps God has his own plans for Odo."

By now, they had emerged from the Forest. The royal lodge stood a short distance ahead.

The lodge was a timber structure with a large main hall at its center. Its defensive walls were also made of wood and dotted with several watchtowers, though they were currently unmanned.

They dismounted and led their horses toward the lodge.

"I know you’re married now, but don’t be so cautious. Matilda is in Italy; it’s not like Odo can reach her there.

Sometimes you just have to take a stand. It’s better to solve this sooner rather than later.

In any case, I don’t believe Odo knows when to stop.

Robert might lend us one ear, but he’ll surely be lending the other to Odo. And you only need one ear to be persuaded," Belem said.

"Sometimes, having a constant voice of opposition isn’t necessarily a bad thing," Eric said.

They arrived at the stable.

"What?" Belem did a double-take, thinking he must have misheard.

"It’s nothing. I just said we should get together sometime when we’re not busy." Eric didn’t repeat himself. Instead, he tied his horse by the stable and clapped Belem on the shoulder.

"Of course. We’re friends, Eric." Belem, finding this odd, grinned and gave Eric a playful punch on the chest.

The two of them then went inside the lodge.

They asked a Guard where Robert’s room was and made their way up to the second floor.

Lodge was just a title; in reality, it was little more than a small timber stronghold.

With so few rooms, it didn’t take long for Eric to find the right one.

He straightened his clothes before pushing the door open.

Then he saw two naked men.

He froze for a second before shutting it again.

’I must have opened it the wrong way.’

He opened it again. The scene hadn’t changed.

"Ten shillings and ten pence, ten shillings and twenty pence, ten shillings and forty pence... twenty shillings..." a naked Robert chanted as he pulled garments from a chest, tossing them one by one to a bald man beside him.

Robert announced a price for each garment he produced.

Next to Robert, another man was also naked—it was Arno. He was doing the exact same thing, tossing clothes at the bald man and calling out prices.

When the door was pushed open again, Robert noticed Eric.

"Eric? You’re back?" Robert walked over to him, and Arno stopped what he was doing as well.

"Your Majesty, you’re..." Eric stammered, stunned, because Robert was, in fact, wearing absolutely nothing. Eric then offered Robert his own Cloak.

Robert draped the Cloak over himself.

"My lord, this isn’t enough. You still owe me a shilling," the bald man said hastily, thinking the transaction was over.

"Alright, alright, you greedy pig! You’ve made more than enough. How could you possibly be losing money on a business like this? Moderation is a virtue, and who knows, we might become regulars at your establishment. Don’t haggle over every last coin. Think of this insignificant loss as an investment in future, much larger, business. Now, go on, go on. Can’t you see we have to receive our distinguished guest? We have government affairs to discuss." Arno pushed him out the door and slammed it shut.

Belem looked at the still-naked Arno, hesitated for a moment, then offered him his own Cloak.

"Were you ambushed on your tour?" Eric asked.

"Not at all." Robert waved his hand with a laugh. "Arno and I just had a run of bad luck at the gambling den last night and lost everything. Now we’re paying for it. I’m nearly broke after my trip to Scotland, so luckily these clothes are still worth something."

Arno enthusiastically picked up the story: "We hired a prostitute to seduce a Priest, then cheated him out of all his money! We took the cash to a gambling house, intending to have a wild night, but we lost spectacularly. Then we had to knock out the Guards to escape. While they were searching for us all night, we were carousing in a tavern! We spent the night sleeping in a wine cask, right up until the debt collectors smashed down the door, leaving us with no way out. They tried to bring in the Judge, and the townsfolk all gathered for the trial, only to find out the Judge *was* one of the criminals! HAHAHAHA! You should have seen their faces! I’d have paid a hundred pounds just for that!" As he spoke, Arno tossed the Cloak into the air, then snatched a limp Money Bag from a nearby table and shook it in front of Eric and Belem. "And get this—our King Robert here quietly lifted the tavern keeper’s Money Bag to pay for our drinks. The idiot owner thought he’d landed a couple of rich fools and even danced for us like a girl."