civilwarnovels Chapter 149 Dark Green Armor
Chapter 149 Dark Green Armor
Chapter 149 Dark Green Armor
The life of a knight's squire was far more boring than Dick had imagined.
There was no evenly matched contest, nor any risky death struggle; there was only endless standing and waiting.
Earl Hubert Peyton, for the most part, was not as mystical as the rumors suggested, but a real person.
Perhaps he has exhausted the legendary brilliance in his soul, and the loyal dog who once struck fear into people's hearts has long been sealed away in the legends about him.
At this moment, the count was nothing more than an old man whose strength had waned.
Dick, of course, could not hope to gain any more thrilling experiences from such a loyal dog.
Just like now, the loyal dog is standing by the window, gazing aimlessly into the distance.
The count would often talk for half a day, but Dick could never figure out what he was thinking.
Although loyal dogs always appear decisive and heroic when handling matters within their territory, their demeanor is no less than that of a strong young man.
But in moments of leisure like these, Dick could sense the weariness of time in Earl Hubert's blank expression and lifeless eyes.
No one can deny the loyalty of the dog's past honors and achievements, but no one can refute the fact that he is indeed old now.
Although this was not the kind of thinking a knight should have, Dick couldn't help but occasionally wonder if it was truly Dick's good fortune to become a loyal squire, to serve and follow a loyal dog, as Dean Matt and Sir Mick had said.
Dick didn't know that he had indeed gained a more comprehensive understanding of the loyal dog and learned a lot from the Earl, but he couldn't deceive his own heart; he wasn't satisfied with it.
As winter deepened, the loyal dog left the castle much less frequently.
After all, warm clothing must be made of expensive materials, which cannot be concealed by simple attire; a loyal dog cannot hide its noble status.
Staying at the castle for extended periods made Dick's already tedious job as a servant even more monotonous and boring.
Even someone as focused as Dick couldn't keep his attention on the loyal dog all the time in this situation.
His gaze began to wander around the study.
The most important piece of furniture in the room was undoubtedly the large desk made of small arbor wood.
Even though he was getting on in years, Earl Hubert still preferred to do things himself, let alone Master Horney, who was even older.
Therefore, all government affairs within the territory were basically handled there.
The desk was placed against the wall near the window, resting on a large rug.
Judging from the top-notch craftsmanship of the carpet, it must have been a Benson carpet custom-made in Benson Gobi.
The carpet features a color-blocked pattern of cream and dark green, simple yet sophisticated.
It covered almost the entire study, except for the area in front of the fireplace.
The coal fire inside the fireplace was burning brightly, warming the entire room.
Around the fireplace, there was a circle of low, cushioned round chairs, where the loyal dog would occasionally sit and read, and even call Dick to sit down as well.
Against the wall opposite the fireplace, there was a large bed.
If the count needed to work late, or if he felt tired in the middle of the workday, he would lie down on this bed to rest.
However, since Dick became the loyal dog's servant, the loyal dog has never been seen using this large bed.
On the wall directly opposite the desk is a wall of medals.
Hanging in the very center is the Peyton family's guilder, a black coat of arms with yellow stripes and a molar-yellow dog.
Next to the shield were countless medals, the honors and awards that the Peyton family had received throughout the ages.
There were also dozens of weapons with many nicks and chips hanging on the wall, mainly longswords.
Dick guessed that the Peyton family must be a martial family, and the weapons hanging on the wall were probably the weapons used by the head of the Peyton family throughout the ages.
However, the two-handed greatsword used by the loyal dog was not hanging there, but Dick was certain that it would happen sooner or later.
The most eye-catching item was the suit of armor hanging on the edge.
The armor was olive-colored, and Dick could see the numerous scars on it, knowing that it was not just for show, but must have accompanied its owner on the battlefield, sharing life and death.
But whose armor is this?
Why is this person's armor the only one hanging on the wall?
Could it be the first head of the family?
Just as Dick was wondering, a cold voice came to his ear:
"You're daydreaming."
Dick shuddered and hastily turned toward the direction of the sound.
Hubert had already turned around, his back to the window, and was looking at Dick:
"A qualified servant must always keep his attention on his master, see what his master sees, hear what his master hears, and feel what his master feels."
Dick humbly accepted the criticism and lessons from his loyal dog:
"I'm very sorry, Lord Hubert."
Dick lowered his head, but the loyal dog did not give him the order to raise it.
But Dick dared not move, remaining in the position of watching the hairdresser.
Until the loyal dog asked, "Why were you daydreaming?"
Dick looked at the loyal dog's face.
The count asked again, "What were you thinking about just now?"
"That suit of armor," Dick said, "the green suit of armor hanging on the wall."
After listening, Earl Hubert slowly turned his head towards the armor, stared at it for a moment, and then spoke:
"What happened to that armor?"
“I was wondering whose armor that was,” Dick said. “I initially thought it was the armor of the first Sir Peyton, but upon closer inspection, I don’t think so.”
"Oh?" The loyal dog turned to Dick again. "Why?"
"The coat of arms of the Payton family is a yellow dog with a molar, which must have been inherited from the first head of the Payton family. The yellow dog's color scheme is black and yellow, but this suit of armor is green."
"Hmph!" The loyal dog's laughter carried a hint of disdain. "Who says the color of armor must match the color of its crest?"
"I was being presumptuous, sir, but this was merely my—"
"—But you're right," Hubert interrupted Dick, "this is indeed not my ancestor's armor. This armor—is mine."
Dick wasn't surprised by this answer.
The color that appears most frequently in the daily attire of loyal dogs is green.
Dick had been very curious about this for a long time:
"Why is it green?"
"Because my personal emblem is green."
"Personal crest?"
"Yes," said the loyal dog, "at that time, I had not yet inherited the title; I was just a squire."
Dick was surprised: "You were a servant too?"
"Is there anything strange about that?" Earl Hubert glanced warily at Dick. "Most martial artists go through this stage."
"But you are a nobleman qualified to inherit the title!" Dick Mei declared. "You have no need to become a squire." "Indeed, as you say, knights are merely low-ranking nobles, utterly unworthy of my attention, as I will eventually inherit land and a hereditary title."
Count Hubert strode toward the suit of armor, until he reached the wall, and looked up at it intently.
"But the so-called squire is not just an intermediate process in the promotion to knight. For a lord with a long-term vision, it is also an opportunity for the heir to come into contact with the superior."
"The superior one?"
"The Duke of Montero and I—" The count paused for a few seconds, "...the previous Duke of Montero, or Lord Pena,
My connection with him began with this very opportunity.
Dick had long heard that the loyal dog and the previous lord of the hills were close friends.
He had previously only listened to rumors without blindly believing them, but now that his loyal dog had told him himself, he was finally convinced that they were not just rumors.
Dick was also very interested in this matter:
"What kind of opportunity?"
"That happened a long time ago."
The loyal dog stood quietly beneath the armor, as if lost in thought, before finally speaking again after a long while.
"The lord of the Montero Hills has long held only the rank of earl. The reason is simple: the hilly region is poor."
Furthermore, the soil is not fertile enough, so development faces numerous difficulties and naturally cannot be given much attention.
"The lord at the time, having heard that the Far East continent possessed the most advanced planting technology, sent his eldest son, who was in his twenties and was known as Lord Pena, to learn it."
"Back then, the port of Cough was much more shabby than it is now, but it was already the largest port on the coast of the Montero Hills. Therefore, if Lord Pena wanted to go to sea, Cough would be the best choice, and he would requisition the Peyton family's ships."
"My father naturally accepted the lord's request, but he also put forward a condition: I must go to the Far East continent as Lord Pena's attendant."
"I was only a teenager then, but I still remember that experience vividly, as if it were yesterday. Speaking of this armor..."
It was around that time that Lord Pena gave it to me.
It's clear that Earl Hubert cared deeply about that experience.
Normally, Dick would never hear the Earl say so much.
Dick was therefore very curious about what the two of them had experienced in the Far East:
"My lord, could you tell me about the origin of this armor?"
Hubert turned around upon hearing this, glancing at Dick out of the corner of his eye a few times, before falling into a long silence.
When the loyal dog spoke again, it didn't answer Dick, but instead began to recount the past:
"The Far East continent and the kingdom are two completely different worlds. Everything there is well-organized, with houses arranged in a neat and orderly manner and roads leading in all directions. It seems that everything is about promoting efficiency above all else."
"When Lord Peyton and I first arrived, we were both dumbfounded. But when we learned that their god was the Wise Man, we quickly realized that it was only natural that they could build the city to this extent."
"He and I were immediately certain that we would return with a full load on this trip. Haha, although we were both full of fighting spirit at the beginning, our hearts soon became wild."
"The thing Lord Peyton did most often in the Far East was climb into women's rooms through windows, while I was responsible for holding off their husbands."
"But even cats can slip up. Lord Peyton has been caught and captured quite a few times, and his thing almost broke several times on the Far East continent—."
"And what about you?" Dick couldn't help but ask.
The air suddenly fell silent, followed by the disgruntled voice of the loyal dog:
"I was still a virgin until I returned to the hills."
Yes, that makes sense. With a loyal dog's earnest nature, it's impossible for it to do anything that would damage its honor.
Dick regretted asking such an offensive question, but fortunately the loyal dog didn't seem to mind and immediately continued:
"But we weren't just playing around. Soon, we found a clue. A botanical college seemed to have developed a technology that could increase fruit tree yields."
"We quickly went there to discuss the matter with the college's leaders. But when the person in charge heard that we were from the Kingdom, he decisively rejected us."
He believed that the people of the kingdoms who came to the Far East must have only one purpose: to steal their technology and to insult us as conservative and corrupt immigrants.
"Looking back, I realize that the person in charge was quite good at judging people, but at that time, Pena and I were both young and easily impulsive. Even though there were better solutions, we chose the narrowest path for the future."
"We kept it a secret from the two heraldic masters from Kew Gardens who came with us. They secretly infiltrated the botanical academy, intending to steal the technical information."
"But we underestimated the scholars' vigilance. They had set up traps in the archives, and our infiltration was discovered. The academy's guards quickly surrounded us."
"Fortunately, the Peyton family has practiced martial arts for generations. By learning the ancestral style, I had already become an extraordinary martial artist. I risked my life to protect Lord Peyton. That night, I killed more than thirty people."
"Of course, Lord Pena also assisted. In the end, although we were both seriously injured, we managed to escape with the technology."
"But when we returned to the hotel we were staying at, we found it surrounded by soldiers. A few days later, everyone, including the herald, was executed."
"To avoid being caught, we had no choice but to flee the city and hide in a remote rural area to recover from our injuries so that we could escape back to the hills."
"Because we fled in haste, we had limited funds and should have been frugal. But when I woke up one day, I found that the money was gone. I thought it had been stolen, but Lord Pena admitted that he had used it to tip prostitutes."
"I had a fight with him, which was the first time we ever had a fight. But when my injuries finally healed, he took me to a blacksmith's shop, where a set of armor had already been prepared and made to my specifications."
"I just learned that Lord Pena didn't go to find prostitutes. He heard that even the forging technology in the Far East was much more advanced, so he wanted to forge me a set of armor to repay me for risking my life to save me at the academy."
"Before leaving, my father told me not to accept any favors from Lord Pena, otherwise I would have to pay a much higher price to repay them in the future. I touched the yellow dog crest with its molars on my chest and refused Lord Pena, because I knew that I would inherit that crest."
"But Pena grabbed a bucket of dye that was placed nearby and splashed it on me. The dye was olive green, and it splattered onto my armor and turned the yellow dog on my chest green."
I said, "I must obey my family's orders; I cannot accept it."
"But Lord Peyton said, 'Look at your chest, Hubert! There's no longer that yellow molar there! You're no longer the Peyton's pup; you're my dog, Hubert, you're my loyal hound!'"
Upon hearing this, Dick suddenly understood the origin of the term "loyal dog":
"So, this is the same helmet from back then?"
“That’s right,” Peyton nodded. “I knelt before him, and his first order to me was to use the remaining dye to help him dye that suit of armor olive green. The green hound that Lord Pena splashed on my chest became my personal coat of arms before I inherited the title.”
"Have you always used this armor?"
The loyal dog nodded in front of Dick.
"But I've never seen you wear it."
The loyal dog turned around, walked to the window, and looked out:
"Since acquiring this armor, I have never worn any other armor; I have simply removed it."
Dick recalled what happened on his way to take up his post here:
"Is it because Duke Pena has passed away?"
The loyal dog waited for more than ten seconds before answering Dick's question:
"That's part of the reason, but it's also because I no longer need to wear that armor."
Dick didn't believe it at all:
"Everyone says you are invincible, and there must be many who admire your talent and want to recruit you as their fighting force."
"And in the time I've been by your side, I've personally heard you refuse three military invitations from other nobles."
"I have no interest in those childish wars, and fighting has never been my hobby in the first place. Or rather, I'm too old. I long for peace rather than conflict, which is why I stayed in Chow Harbor to govern the territory wholeheartedly, and—"
The loyal dog paused for a moment, and Dick saw the breath he exhaled through his nose forming condensation on the winter glass.
"Moreover, I am not invincible. I have failed many times, but they are not as famous as my victories. I have also lost to the same person many times."
Upon hearing this, Dick's eyes widened in surprise. How could someone defeat a loyal dog so many times in the war?
Do such people really exist?
Is this really true?
"It's not entirely true."
Faced with this answer, Dick frowned in confusion:
"Sir, what do you mean?"
"If we only talk about the results, I was undoubtedly the victor in those instances, but that person slipped away from me multiple times, even when I was at a disadvantage. For me, that was undoubtedly a defeat, a stain on my record."
Dick breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this.
It turns out that Lord Hubert simply set his expectations too high. As expected, there is no one who can defeat a loyal dog multiple times.
Dick asked, "Sir, were those incomplete victories important to you?"
After another long silence, the loyal dog finally answered:
"So much time has passed, of course I've let it go. I'm not young anymore, and I'm not as competitive as I used to be." Dick nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
Since Earl Hubert is now able to retire from the military and stay in his territory, it means that he has been able to fully accept his past.
What's so unacceptable about it? Dick thought, how many people in the world can experience a life as wonderful as that of a loyal dog?
Meanwhile, Dick felt he had gained a lot today.
Not only did he learn more about Earl Hubert, but the Earl also mentored him.
The servant must always keep his attention on his master. After learning that the loyal dog had also been a servant, Dick found this teaching even more credible.
At this moment, the loyal dog suddenly spoke up:
"Buchanan, you must have complained that I never guided you in your spiritual practice, right?"
A servant must never conceal the truth from his master: "That was the case for a time, but now there is almost no such thought."
"It's normal to have that," Hubert said. "But a martial artist's training lies in self-awareness. Besides, compared to Lord Pena, I'm a competent master."
That's true; at least Dick never saw a loyal dog climbing through a woman's window.
"Yes, sir."
Do you spend time practicing swordsmanship every day?
"Yes, though not much," Dick said, "but it's enough to keep the body from degenerating."
"What extraordinary abilities have you acquired?"
"I've basically mastered everything taught at the academy."
"More than that, isn't it?"
The loyal dog suddenly turned around, faced Dick, and narrowed its eyes.
"That day at the hotel, in your fight with the bandits, your moves were indeed very academic at first, but later on..."
The techniques you used are definitely not something a knight academy would teach.
Dick had anticipated this; if the loyal dog truly lived up to its name, it would have been impossible for him not to have noticed the ability Dick used that day.
He just hadn't expected that even though several months had passed since he arrived at the port, the loyal dog would only bring it up now:
"Your Majesty, it is clear."
"What kind of power is that?"
"It's probably the ultimate secret."
"Probably?" the loyal dog asked, frowning.
“Yes, sir,” Dick nodded. “That ability, I learned from a book, and that book never mentioned the word ‘secret technique,’ but based on my experience using it, I believe it is.”
"The profound technique you used back then was a method that ordinary people could not comprehend. What kind of book could teach you such power?"
'
Upon hearing this, Dick took out the book and handed it to the loyal dog.
To make the most of every spare moment, Dick carried the book with him at all times.
The loyal dog took the book, stared at the title for a few seconds, then opened it and quickly read it for a few minutes:
"This book must be quite old, but there are no signs of damage. It seems that whoever kept it must have been very careful and had at least decades of experience in book care."
"I think so too," Dick agreed.
"I'll study this book for a while."
"That's no problem, but," Dick said seriously, "please be sure to return the original after you've read it."
I need it to marry my wife.
Hubert frowned, puzzled. "Getting married based on a book?"
Afterwards, Dick recounted his proposal to Anne to his loyal dog in detail.
Upon hearing this, the count asked with concern, "Why do I have a feeling that you've been taken by that girl?"
"No," Dick shook his head firmly, "I can feel that Anne also desperately wants to marry me."
"Since you're so confident—well, I'll return it to you soon."
"Yes," Dick nodded.
"However, Buchanan, to become a knight, simply improving your martial arts skills is far from enough," the loyal dog said. "You also need to improve your thinking ability."
"Yes, sir, I have been observing you and trying to understand and learn your way of thinking."
The loyal dog's lips curled into a slight smile: "Then it hasn't been in vain that I've kept you by my side all this time. In that case, let me ask you, why have I often taken you to secretly explore the docks?"
"In order to know the true situation of port trade."
"That's right," the loyal dog nodded, "or to be more specific, it's to obtain information that's closer to the truth. Buchanan, don't underestimate the power of intelligence."
"Reliable and truthful intelligence can secure victory, while false and erroneous intelligence can lead to destruction. The ability to acquire and utilize intelligence is a skill that is overlooked by many, but is actually extremely important."
"I understand, sir."
Dick nodded vigorously, firmly remembering the loyal dog's teachings.
"Since you've brought it up, let me test you. What intelligence have you gathered recently?"
"My lord, I have been by your side all this time. You must already know the information I have."
"But I haven't left the castle for almost half a month," Hubert said, "while you've gone to the docks to buy tangerines for me several times. You may have heard some new information that I don't know about these days."
Upon hearing this, Dick fell into deep thought.
The loyal dog then said, "Okay, give me two examples, and you'll pass."
Two—that's not simple.
Dick said, "I can't be sure if the information is true or false."
"Authenticity can be verified, but knowledge is a prerequisite."
Hearing this answer, Dick had nothing to worry about:
"I've heard that there seem to be a lot of murders in the western part of the kingdom, and strange characters are left at the crime scenes."
"To be precise, it's square characters," the loyal dog corrected. "But this has been circulating for a long time, so let's count it as one, Buchanan. Think carefully about what new information you've heard in the last two weeks, and then tell me the second one."
Dick nodded and began to carefully select options in his mind.
"Knock knock!"
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
But the loyal dog didn't respond; instead, it stared intently at Dick, presumably waiting for his reply.
Dick then realized that the loyal dog was giving him serious instructions.
"grown ups?"
A voice came from outside the door, and it sounded like Master Horney.
The loyal dog still didn't respond, and Dick knew he had to hurry.
So he replied, "This happened in the north of the kingdom. Pirates attacked the port of Vira Wetlands, but it was probably false information. They said that a sea lion as big as a mountain roared so loudly that it almost caused the city walls to collapse."
"And the pirates who attacked the port were even more outrageous. That group shouldn't be lurking in the gloomy sea; they should be active in the sea of despair. Rumor has it that the attacker was that infamous navigator, Henry Gijano Panza—"
After speaking, Dick looked intently at the loyal dog, trying to discern the Earl's evaluation of his "homework" from his expression.
However, Earl Hubert stared blankly ahead, as if he were in a daze.
But that's obviously impossible; a famously loyal dog like him wouldn't show such an expression.
"The Earl of Peyton?"
With a call, Master Horney pushed open the door and entered.
As Earl Hubert's squire, Dick frowned, turned to look at Horney, and questioned him:
"The master did not allow you to enter, Master Horney. You should not have pushed the door open without permission."
"I'm sorry, Dick. And please forgive me, Your Excellency," Master Horney bowed with his emaciated body. "But Dick, I've come to see you."
"Me?" Dick asked, his eyebrows furrowing.
"Yes," Master Honey nodded, "Come here for a moment, I have something to say to you."
Dick glanced back at Hubert, but the Earl maintained his previous expression and showed no reaction to Master Horney's words.
He then walked over to Horney's side: "Master Horney, what is it?"
Master Horney spoke in a low voice, so much so that even Dick, who was whispering in his ear, could barely hear him.
However, his breathing always seemed to stir up the thick phlegm in his lungs, producing an unpleasant noise:
"Have you been to the docks lately?"
"Yes," Dick nodded, "the Earl ordered it."
"So, you've heard about the Navigator?"
Dick continued to nod, not understanding why Master Horney would ask such a question.
"This must be kept a secret from the adults!"
Dick's eyes sharpened, but judging from Master Horney's expression, it didn't seem like he was bringing it up casually.
Why?
Master Horney shook his head and said, "It's a long story, but in short, you must do as I say."
"But—" I've already said it.
Dick turned around uneasily.
But he found that Earl Hubert had been staring straight at him, which made him feel terrified.
"Buchanan," Earl Hubert called softly.
Dick approached nervously: "What is it, sir?"
Earl Hubert gestured in a certain direction with his chin, and Dick looked in that direction.
That was none other than the dark green armor that had been sitting on the wall for so long.
The loyal dog's short but firm command rang in my ears:
"Carry my armor!"