Chapter 407 - 289: Black Stone Castle

Ruben and his commanders roared, trying to halt the rout of his army.

However, the battlefield was already in utter chaos. The Norman Knights had torn their army to shreds.

The only answer to Ruben’s cries was the pained screaming of horses and the agonized shouts of his soldiers.

Ruben watched his soldiers crumble under the Norman Knights’ charge. A moment’s hesitation was all it took for him to realize he had fallen into a trap.

Vardan’s flight, Salvar’s betrayal... it was all an elaborate plot.

The Norman Knights, led by Count Eric, were now delivering the killing blow.

Duke Ruben’s heart went cold, but his pride wouldn’t allow him to surrender so easily.

He drew his sword and, with a roar, charged toward Eric. However, his horse had barely taken a step before several Norman Knights swiftly surrounded him, their long spears expertly blocking his path. Count Eric slowly rode toward him.

"I, the Earl of Gloucester from England, a Norman pilgrim bearing the cross on his journey to the tomb of our Lord, salute you and your honor, the venerable Duke Ruben, Lord of Cilicia. At the same time, I declare that you are now my prisoner." From his saddle, Eric offered Ruben a smile and a bow in the Armenian fashion.

"A pilgrim? A pilgrim who covets Armenian land? A pilgrim who bears the cross, yet raises his sword against other Christians? God will be furious at your blasphemy," Ruben scoffed.

"Watch your tongue. You’re only alive because we allow it! We can make you wish for death at any moment." Infuriated by Ruben’s arrogance, Belem drew the dagger from his belt and plunged it into Ruben’s shoulder.

"My life is in God’s hands, not yours." Ruben endured the searing pain without a sound, his voice remaining calm.

"Your life isn’t in our hands. It’s in the hands of the Armenians," Eric said softly, urging his horse closer and patting Ruben on the shoulder.

Then, Eric ordered Hook Eye, "Keep him alive. We are not his executioners."

"No, Count! You can’t let him live! Once he’s dead, the entire Cilician Principality will be yours!" Salvar cried out, shocked and displeased by Eric’s decision.

"We have no interest in this barren land, boy," Hook Eye said with a smile. "The Count has made himself clear. We are pilgrims, on our way to the tomb of our Lord."

"But... impossible... Count, you..." Salvar looked at Eric.

"We did not come here to be rulers, but to teach the people here to rule themselves. The Armenians can govern themselves. Every Armenian can farm here as they please, and we will guarantee each of them has enough land.

They will not have to pay taxes to anyone, including us. The food they grow will be to sustain their own lives.

The Normans will expel all Turkic People from Cilicia and restore its ruined cities to their former glory. The Normans will only be present in the cities, and through their prosperity, the cities of Cilicia will provide support for the pilgrimages of all Christians.

You will not see any Normans or Norman flags in the villages, because the Armenians can manage themselves, judge themselves, and help themselves. They will be both their own Monarchs and their own subjects.

As for Ruben’s life, that is not for me to decide either. It is for the Armenians to decide. Whether he lives or dies is not up to me." Eric waved his hand. "So end this interrogation, and never mention it again. You will get what you want, Salvar. But not now."

"I just want him utterly ruined!" Salvar spat on the ground, then glanced at Ruben. "Let him atone for his past mistakes and realize how foolish and arrogant he was.

That’s all I want!"

"Salvar, he’s your father," Vardan snapped.

"Is that so? I’m just the product of his lust. When my mother was called a whore and I was called a whore’s son, what was he doing? He was going to send me to a monastery, as if the slander heaped upon me was perfectly justified.

I swore an oath to God that day! I want nothing! I want only your ruin! That is my wish for the rest of my life!" Salvar screamed hysterically at Ruben.

Yet Ruben appeared exceptionally calm, just as he had been when the dagger was plunged into his shoulder without making a sound.

He seemed like a wooden Holy Image.

This only fanned the flames of Salvar’s rage.

"You must believe me, the Armenians’ anger toward him is no less than yours."

Eric ordered his men to take Ruben away, and at the same time, sent Salvar away.

Just as Eric spurred his warhorse, about to depart, Vardan’s voice rang out.

"Perhaps I can be of some assistance," Vardan said.

"I recall you saying you would only pledge your loyalty to one man in your life."

"They are all good soldiers. There’s no need for them to die here. That is all." Vardan shook his head. "Perhaps they can die a better death, in a better place, falling to the blades of Heretics rather than Christians."

"Are you confident you can persuade them? They may already consider you traitors."

"Ruben was never one to tell them the truth."

The Norman Knights did not stop, pursuing them all the way to Black Stone Castle.

The camp before Black Stone Castle had descended into chaos. The fire started by Salvar had thrown the soldiers into a panic, and they were scrambling to douse the flames.

The firelight illuminated their panic. No one had expected the Norman Knights to launch a surprise attack now.

The iron-shod hooves of the Norman Knights swept in, and with lightning speed, they shattered the defensive line before the fortress. The soldiers fighting the fire were caught completely off guard and scattered in all directions. The sound of long spears piercing armor, the screaming of warhorses, and the cries of warriors became a single, horrifying chorus.

"Full charge! Don’t let them form up!" Belem roared.

The soldiers outside Black Stone Castle had no time to react. With almost no power to fight back, they quickly routed. Some tried to flee into the fortress, but the gates could not accommodate so many people at once and became hopelessly jammed.

The garrison inside the fortress—it was unclear whether they were acting on their own to protect themselves or following orders—began attacking the soldiers trying to surge inside.

"Disarm and kneel, and you may live! Disarm and kneel, and you may live!" Vardan shouted in Armenian.

Some soldiers recognized Vardan, and since they had no other choice, they dropped to their knees and immediately began begging for mercy.

Once the first group surrendered, a second followed, and then more and more soldiers began to kneel and give up.

The fortress gates never had a chance to close. The knights charged in and quickly occupied the stronghold.

"Ruben’s eldest son isn’t here." Vardan scanned the captured court Attendants and shook his head at Eric.

"He can’t have gotten far. I’ll go after him." Hook Eye moved to mount his horse at once.

Eric shook his head. "No need. This is exactly what I want. In all of Cilicia, there’s only one person he can ask for help."