As Edward advanced through the military camp, he saw and understood more and more.
Many soldiers in the camp did not have complete sets of armor, and some even wore stolen civilian clothes. The discrimination between nomadic tribesmen, who still maintained their nomadic customs, and settled farmers was very severe.
As for the Magyar nobles here, they were full of grievances, very dissatisfied with cooperating with the German and with their current awkward situation.
The armor of the Magyar nobles also varied; some still looked like nomadic warriors, while others were dressed in German or Byzantine styles, and some even in Slavic attire, clearly showing the influences of various ethnic groups.
Fortunately, although the large army in this camp was plagued with various problems and lacked confidence, they were still obedient to the King.
Moreover, everyone harbored a deep anger towards the rebels who had put them in such a desperate situation.
Edward understood that if this anger was properly guided, it could have the effect of a bomb, and he greatly anticipated the sight of that explosion.
Edward observed and remembered every scene before him. He did not comment, as that was not his place.
He simply followed the guide in silence to meet King Andrew, the commander of this great army.
At the same time, he couldn't help but wonder about the German situation. The imperial army would play a crucial role in the upcoming battle, but unfortunately, the imperial camp was hidden behind those fortifications, making it impossible to see what was happening there.
Furthermore, the German were very wary of them. Edward still remembered the vigilant gaze of the German when his troops entered.
The King's tent soon appeared before them. It was a large red and white tent, firmly secured to the ground by thick ropes. The ancient black eagle of the Árpád Dynasty and the new flag of a red background with a white cross, adopted after their conversion to Christian, stood side by side.
Standing at the entrance of the tent were the guards of the Árpád Dynasty, the King's personal guard. These warriors, dressed as nomadic warriors, loyally protected the King's tent, with composite short bows and quivers hanging from their waists.
They had existed since the Magyar were still nomadic on the steppes. When the Khan became King and abandoned the old gods to convert to Christian, they still existed, continuing to protect the safety of the Árpád royal family.
Facing Duke Bela's rebellion, they chose loyalty, continuing to pledge allegiance to King Andrew.
Edward was quite familiar with the Árpád royal court and had often interacted with these loyal guards, so the guards simply glanced at him and let him pass.
"Edward Wessex requests an audience!"
As Edward entered, the guards announced his arrival. Their voices were firm and strong, like all royal heralds.
An Anglo-Saxon noble, dressed in Magyar attire, entered the King's tent. As soon as he entered, he was hit by an overwhelming smell of herbs and incense, so strong that it made his nose very uncomfortable.
Edward subconsciously complained inwardly about the King's attendants for making the air so pungent.
However, after seeing the scene inside, he understood what the smell was for: to mask other odors, the scent of decay.
Andrew Árpád, the monarch of Hungary, was now lying weakly on the bed. A physician in white was carefully holding the King's hand, cautiously examining his condition. After confirming his state, he gently helped the King sit up.
When Edward saw the King's face, he momentarily wondered if he had mistaken him for someone else. Compared to the person in his memory, King Andrew now looked as if he had aged ten years, with twice as many wrinkles on his face than he remembered. Fatigue covered his face, and the torment of illness was clearly visible.
The King wore a simple red robe, but the cross on his chest was extraordinarily ornate, a golden cross encrusted with various jewels.
On the table beside the bed lay the famous Holy Crown and sword of the Kingdom of Hungary. Edward's gaze was subconsciously drawn to them. So engrossed was he that he subconsciously forgot to bow, until the King spoke.
"Edward, what, do you not recognize me, your brother-in-law?"
Although the King's words were playful, the bitterness within them was audible to everyone. Andrew knew that he had changed greatly in recent years, and not for the better.
The King's spirits had recovered much, and the pain on his face was not as obvious. At this moment, the King stood before Edward as if nothing was wrong.
But seeing the doctor's solemn expression behind the King, the Anglo-Saxon noble knew that he was merely putting on a brave front.
Edward felt a pang of sadness. His relationship with Andrew was very good; they had once hunted together in the wilds of Hungary, and at banquets, they were drinking companions, sharing joyous conversations.
While feasting with Andrew, Edward even forgot his Anglo-Saxon identity, considering himself a native Hungarian.
As for everything on those distant islands, he had forgotten it all, retaining only this lineage.
"Your Majesty."
Realizing himself, Edward immediately bowed in respect.
"It's so good that you could come. Let's take a walk. We haven't chatted in a long time. Share your experiences with me."
The King did not immediately discuss the current war with his old friend; that was not his way of hosting. Moreover, Edward had come with troops to assist, so there was no need to say much to him.
Facing the King's request, Edward could only follow. The two walked out of the tent together, with the guards immediately following. Edward then began to tell the King everything that had happened in Northeast Rus'.
As they spoke, they walked through the military camp. Upon seeing His Majesty the King pass by, everyone respectfully knelt down. Although King Andrew was ill, he still maintained his prestige within the army; people instinctively submitted to him upon seeing him.
Edward's story was brief, finishing quickly, as his experiences in Northeast Rus' were merely a cycle of pioneering and warfare. He also mentioned the composition of his army, informing the King that Rostislav had also provided much strength.
"Ah, Rostislav, I have heard his name. The legend of breaking ten thousand with four thousand is still recounted in this land. It's rare that he still remembers me, his distant relative."
The King smiled when mentioning that descendant of Rurik. He hadn't expected such distant kin to be willing to offer strength. However, he then changed the subject, because the most important thing at present was still the war.
As they spoke these words, they were already inside a watchtower. This was a temporarily constructed sentry post, an excellent place for private conversations, with no worries about anyone eavesdropping.
"Edward, you've come at just the right time. In three days, I will engage Duke Bela in battle. With your troops and the German, our forces will outnumber that rebel Bela. He is bound to fail."
"Then, Your Majesty, if you win, how do you intend to deal with Duke Bela?"
Edward brought up a question he had been pondering. Edward never doubted King Andrew's victory. This King had endured so many trials of battle, achieving victory after victory. How many in this world could do the same?
Edward and Bela had a very good personal relationship, so he naturally worried for his friend.
Bela was indeed an experienced general, but compared to his brother, he was still too inexperienced. Most importantly, his forces were not as strong as Andrew's.
Currently, the King commanded a full five thousand men. The Duke of Bohemia's follow-up troops would arrive tomorrow, bringing the King's army to eight thousand, while Duke Bela could at most gather six thousand.
"I will imprison him, lock him up for life. No one shall release him. Regardless, he is my blood kin, and I will not take his life. Even at that banquet, I only intended to capture him. However, I will not spare the provincial governors who rebelled with him, nor that scoundrel Bolesław. I will not let him off. He must answer for these rebellions."
Andrew's answer made Edward breathe a sigh of relief. The monarch had maintained his benevolence, which also showed the King's confidence; in his view, Bela could not possibly win.
"Your Majesty, you are truly merciful."
Next, the two began to discuss the specific details of the battle. And just as they were deep in their discussion, they did not notice a troop of riders hastily entering the imperial army's camp.
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