Eric's strategy proved effective. The results of the Third Estate Meeting were surprisingly good.
The citizens ended up donating twenty-two thousand pounds, while the Nobility squeezed out around eight thousand pounds. Even filled with righteous indignation, they couldn't give any more; they still had their own armies to maintain. The Church contributed about nineteen thousand pounds.
Adding the fifteen thousand pounds contributed by the Jewish Community, a total of sixty-four thousand pounds was raised. This was enough for Robert to recruit and maintain an army of five thousand Mercenaries for over a year.
All that remained was to wait for provisions to be levied and purchased, for the Count of Flanders's fleet and Lance Soldiers, and for the Genoese Crossbowmen who were still on their way.
「On the training grounds of Rouen Castle.」
With a crisp clang of metal, a simple Swordsmanship duel came to an end.
