Chapter 20: The Battle of Dublin

Upon learning that John's army consisted of only about 500 men, Regent Odo confidently announced this fact to the Leinster nobles and prepared to deliver a decisive blow to the evil Plantagenet royal family.

Meanwhile, outside the city, John had already found a suitable ambush spot, ready to strike a powerful blow against the Dublin rebels.

For three days, both sides continued to plot against each other until Odo agreed to bring the young master Gilbert to meet with John.

Of course, a medieval meeting was quite different from a modern one, much more barbaric in form. Both sides brought their armies, prepared to resolve disputes with weapons if words failed.

On one side was the suspicious Regent Odo, on the other the scheming Prince John. They met at the foot of a small hill.

Seeing the army Odo brought, John admitted he felt a bit weak in the knees. He couldn't understand how Odo had managed to assemble such a large force, with troops covering the hills and fields. John had only a little over 400 men behind him, including 100 Irishmen drafted to make up the numbers.

But after a closer look, John felt more reassured.

"These are just makeshift troops, Your Highness," Guillaume seemed to sense John's tension. "You needn't worry. Once they face the knights' iron hooves, they'll collapse in an instant."

Guillaume's reassurance made John feel much better. Odo's army looked large, but many were unarmored, loosely organized, and hardly seemed like a real military force.

John's own troops were in similar condition, but he had a larger, well-equipped force led by Brenton and Little Roches hidden behind the hill. This ambush force was well-equipped and high-spirited, incomparable to the two armies now facing each other.

"Prince John—"

A call from the opposite side urged John to move forward. He rode his warhorse slowly, observing the other side. Several knights emerged from the enemy ranks, lightly armored and unarmed, without helmets.

This suggested the other side was abiding by the rules.

As they faced each other, John finally got a clear look at the young face of Longbow Richard's son Gilbert, and Odo's thick, bushy beard.

"Honorable Prince John, I am Odo, Regent of the Duke of Leinster," Odo introduced himself. "I hail from Normandy and have followed Longbow Richard into battle since childhood."

John said, "So, you claim to be a loyal subject of Longbow Richard."

Odo nodded, "That's right, Your Highness. The late lord entrusted me with great responsibility, appointing me as the Regent of Leinster to assist Gilbert. May I ask the purpose of your visit this time?"

Looking at Gilbert's face, John fell into thought. This Odo, he sure knows how to talk in circles. If it's a fight, let's fight; if it's a negotiation, let's negotiate. Why all this unnecessary chatter?

"Your Highness, are you contemplating something?" Odo interrupted John's silence.

Prompted by Odo, John slowly responded, "Regent of Leinster, do you really think that becoming the regent of this duchy gives you the right to act so arrogantly?"

Everyone present was stunned by John's aggressive tone, including Odo.

"Odo, have you reflected on your actions? You were supposed to bring Gilbert and come out to greet me, but did you do that?" John's questioning tone made Odo uncomfortable. "And what about your men? Why do they show me no respect at all? Am I the ruler of an enemy nation?"

These rapid-fire questions left Odo momentarily speechless, but John was not about to let him off easily.

John continued, "When I was in Waterford, the local nobles couldn't wait to meet me. How many of them were Irish? And look at you lot. Though you're Normans, your loyalty to the crown is laughably inferior to that of a group of Irishmen."

Before Odo could retort, John waved his hand dismissively and turned to leave.

As he walked away, he said, "If you don't wish to show loyalty, then let's go to war."

John and his entourage abruptly ended the meeting, the dust kicked up by their horses' hooves blurring Odo's vision, leaving him feeling a bit disoriented.

This prince doesn't seem to play by the rules.

But none of that mattered now. Since His Highness had chosen war, war it would be. Odo once again surveyed John's troops, confirming their numbers, and felt a bit more at ease.

The Earl of Bedford hadn't lied, and this prince truly seemed like an inexperienced noble.

With this judgment, Odo returned to his troops and ordered the messengers to relay the command to prepare for battle. He was now full of confidence, believing the opportunity was at hand, and he had to seize it.

On the other side, when John returned to his own army, he turned to Guillaume beside him and asked, "Shouldn't our men move out now?" Guillaume nodded slightly and proceeded to the ambush point behind the mountain, following John's command.

Meanwhile, John remained in the main formation, raising the grand flag of the House of Golden Lily. He knew Odou's target must be him, as he was the most valuable target.

The battle soon commenced, with the massive enemy army slowly advancing towards John's position, their banners of the Lünster nobility fluttering in the wind, as if to prove their glorious past. On John's side, the flag of the House of Golden Lily stood alone, indicating who the true master of this land was.

As he watched the large enemy force approaching, John felt a bit nervous. It was his first time facing such a large-scale confrontation, and it was hard not to feel anxious.

Odou, the leader of Lünster, was also nervous. In the previous confrontation with the royal family, the Lünster nobles suffered a humiliating defeat and lost their leader, Longbow Richard. This time, they couldn't afford to lose again.

Odou glanced once again at his soldiers. Although most of them were mere recruits, as long as they appeared numerous enough, it would do.

Turning his gaze back to the enemy formation, Odou noticed the ground beneath the House of Golden Lily's position beginning to shake, even though the enemy hadn't yet reached them. The front line of red-haired Irishmen seemed restless, and the entire formation started to retreat.

This was the opportunity they had to seize.

With only this thought in his mind, Odou raised his sword.

"Knights, charge!"