The witch thought I am a Demon God
Chapter 698 - 373: Conspiracy and Temptation_1

Chapter 698: Chapter 373: Conspiracy and Temptation_1

Ivita arranged accommodations for both the members of the Church and the Mango Tooth Kingdom. Although Yosef Castle might seem somewhat shabby in its decorations to those high-ranking professionals, the interior was actually spacious with numerous rooms, sufficient to accommodate hundreds of soldiers without a problem.

In her own territories, among all the castles, Yosef Castle was the most well-equipped. Therefore, Ivita decided to make this castle her center of administration.

As for building a new castle...

Not only would it cost tens of thousands of pounds but also a lengthy period of ten to several decades.

She couldn’t afford to wait that long.

After welcoming these new subordinates, Ivita consulted with Tartax in the study about who should stay behind in the territory and who should participate in the knight’s tournament.

Ivita decided to leave Iron Mountain Knight, Coral Princess, and Chino Kennedy behind to manage the nobles within their territory. She herself would lead the army from the Church and the Mango Tooth Kingdom, along with the Blue Illusion Witch, Knight Kelmu, Vampire Wilson, the Hearthstone Witch, and other newly arrived high-ranking professionals to the so-called knight’s tournament.

Ivita studied the materials Tartax prepared for her on the desk.

Tartax explained to Ivita, "Lady, the so-called knight’s tournament is basically a form of entertainment for the knights during times of peace. For the ordinary citizens, it’s a kind of recreational activity. Knights who won the championship in various knight’s tournaments will receive monetary awards and the status that far exceeds those earned in the battlefield."

"Such people are often highly regarded by the kings. They can even usually become some sort of official."

Ivita nodded her head, this is somewhat similar to the military examinations in the heavenly dynasty on Earth.

Only, knight’s tournaments were spontaneously organized events in various places.

Tartax said: "But I have no idea what a knight’s tournament hosted by pirates would look like. It might turn into a circus of sea creatures... Oh, I’m sorry, my lady, I shouldn’t be joking with you in such a serious setting."

Seeing Ivita’s puzzled expression, he quickly explained. "Generally, it’s easy to have provocation, accidents, and riots during a knight’s tournament. The host needs to gather a group of warriors in one place, so they need a part of the army to keep watch."

"So, you are allowed to bring troops into the competition."

"I guess this competition will eventually turn into a farce where pirates kill each other. Your best plan is to keep yourself safe and wait for those madmen and idiots to massacre each other."

Ivita nodded. "That’s what I’m thinking."

Tartax said to Ivita, "But things rarely go as we wish. There are two unstable factors here."

"First, those two unidentified witches, Sea Spirit Witch, and Tide Witch. We don’t know how their existence would change the situation."

"Second, because you are now an earl of the Holy Empire, the captains of the Black Light and the Nightmare might do something to you. It might be an alliance or hostility. Either way, please be cautious. I’ll wait for your good news in your territory. If you get stuck there, I’ll have the Iron Mountain Knight lead the troops to support you."

Ivita drummed her fingers on the desk and nodded, "I see. You’re doing well, Tartax."

"You may leave now. I’ll consider the two situations you’ve mentioned and figure out a solution as soon as possible."

...

Two days later, Ivita and her troops arrived at the entrance of Blacktins Town.

She was accompanied by the Hearthstone Witch, Knight Goken, Knight Robinson, Face-saving Priest, Knight Kelmu, and many other high-ranking professionals, along with more than six hundred soldiers.

The small town of Blacktins, which was the venue for the knight’s tournament, was initially of very small scale with only a few hundred residents.

But now there were many rough and randomly built temporary structures built outside the town, apparently to house the incoming soldiers. They were simple structures erected with bamboo, thin branches, and stones, arranged in an elliptic shape, likely for easy construction.

Seems like the host might have found it a bit awkward to accommodate guests with these bare structures, so numerous colorful ribbons were tied over these simple ellipse buildings.

On the buildings where the noble guests lived, even a few expensive silks from the East were hung, embellished with rubies and sapphires as a show of luxury.

These ugly yet expensive structures fully exposed the pirates’ vain inner self, their poor aesthetic taste, and the lavish wealth they had plundered.

At the entrance of the town, there was another troop of about 500 people, who arrived almost at the same time as Ivita’s troops.

Since both troops were blocking the entrance to the town, nobody could enter. So Ivita sent Knight Kelmu to ask the other troops.

Soon, Knight Kelmu returned on his black horse, with three young man riding white war horses trailing behind him.

Knight Kelmu said to Ivita, "My Lord Earl, that’s Countess Milly Simich’s troops. However, she said that since you’re a newly-promoted earl, she is willing to let your troops enter the town first and choose a place to station."