Chapter 159: 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐆𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 (8)

How to Live as a Wandering Knight

“Those empire peasants are slurring drunk with swollen balls. . .”

“Shh. Calm down.”

The mercenaries who were protected by Johan must have had some skills or were the elites among elites seasoned from the battlefield to follow him this far. Even if they were mercenaries sent by the Emperor, they were not afraid.

Moreover, their loyalty was sky high. They wanted to kill those arrogant Empire nobles in front of them as much as the next person. Regardless of the hostages, to the point of wanting to see blood.

“Wait for the signal. Give them poisonous drinks.”

“They are quite restraining themselves too.”

“Wouldn’t they drink anyway? Replace the beer with poisonous drinks. They will pretend they can’t handle it and drink.”

In the meantime, Baron Gartner only drank beer lightly and wiped his mouth. The other subordinates also had some tact, so they would restrain themselves accordingly.

“I heard the viscount had collapsed. Is it true he’s coming out?”

“He will be out soon.”

“I heard he’s not well. He shouldn’t push himself. There’s no need for that.”

The baron said those words but his attitude was enthusiastic. It was because the work had become much easier.

━𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐨, 𝐁𝐚. . .𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐧?

━𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐛 𝐡𝐢𝐦! 𝐈𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞. 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫.

Unlike a noble, the baron did not bother with means and methods.

If it was any other noble, they would have spoken in front of the viscount and given him a chance to explain before arresting him, at least for dignity and honor. . .

But the baron had no intention for that and did not want to give the viscount a chance to escape either. Who cares if he gets cursed at a little?

‘𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬. . .’

If Johan saw this, he would have sneered.

Such crude methods that went against customs may be convenient now but would come to strangle your own neck later. Johan did not arbitrarily endure and obsess over righteousness for nothing.

“The viscount is coming out!”

As the servant shouted, the viscount appeared, supported by others. The baron nodded satisfactorily and said,

“Take the Viscount!”

As soon as he finished talking, the mercenaries kicked the tables away and pulled out their weapons. The nearby ministers were so startled they screamed. The minister from the Emperor’s side who was talking earlier shouted in horror.

“What are you doing?!”

“I’m trying to arrest a traitorous noble who abandoned his loyalty!”

“Don’t spout nonsense! The viscount never had any other intentions, he said so himself! And drawing swords at a banquet like ruffians, what is the meaning of this. . .!”

“Shut your mouth.”

With a dull sound, the minister collapsed. The baron grinned wickedly. This is why surprise attacks were so good.

Most of the soldiers were outside and there were only servant herds and a few guards in the banquet hall.

No matter how they wanted to talk about etiquette, with the viscount captured first, the other side could not do anything.

“Capture him! There is a reward!”

Excited, the baron’s subordinates charged into the banquet hall. They did not even bother to look at the servants next to them.

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐝━

“?”

Suddenly, the servants took off the cloth covering the box and took out crossbows. At the same time, servants from outside came in aiming crossbows as well.

And the young servant next to the Viscount punched and smashed an approaching mercenary’s head and said,

“Shoot down everyone except the leader.”

Words accompanied bolts firing and screams rang out. The mercenaries were massacred just like that. From the seating arrangements, they had prepared to shoot crossbows from all sides.

“Ahhhhhhh!”

“Da*n. . .!”

“Captain! Captain!”

The remaining few mercenaries hurriedly grouped around the baron. Like driven rats, their eyes rolled around seeking a way out.

But without shields or obstacles, there was no way to break through the siege of crossbows. Johan spoke slowly.

“What disrespect in front of you.”

“What the f*ck. . . Do you even know who the hell you’re touching right now?!”

“Emperor’s son of a b*tch who wants to abandon his loyal subject, I bet.”

Seeing the vassals collapsed at Johan’s words, they nodded their heads with angry expressions. Even in this shaky situation, if they were still loyal, they were not human.

“. . .Fine! I surrender! Can’t I just surrender!”

Not even acknowledging the Emperor’s name and realizing that the situation was overwhelmingly unfavorable, the baron raised both hands and shouted. Somehow he didn’t know what had happened, but he had to save his life first.

However, neither Johan nor the viscount had any intention of sparing the baron’s life. Even if they spared him and sent him back to the Emperor, he would not have anything good to say.

“I heard you were trying to arrest His Excellency and his relatives and take his place?”

“What nonsense! Absolutely not!”

Johan already expected the baron would deny it. He asked the mercenary next to him.

“Did your boss say that, yes or no?”

“No. . . no, sir.”

“Shoot him.”

Even before the words ended, a bolt flew in and cut off the mercenary’s breath. The atmosphere turned icy cold.

“Did he say that, yes or no?”

“Y-Yes sir! He said he would secretly kill the viscount after arresting him!”

“Well said. Shoot him.”

“No I didn’t sa. . . ack!”

“Did you think I would spare the one who tried to kill His Excellency? Now that the truth is confirmed, wipe them all out.”

Although there were witnesses and testimonies, Johan wanted to hear the confession in front of everyone. The impact would be doubled when everyone present was excited.

From today on, no vassal would openly proclaim their loyalty to the Emperor here!

“Ugh!”

The baron quickly realized what was happening. Although he didn’t know exactly what had happened, he sensed that everyone here would be killed. He gritted his teeth and suddenly grabbed the neck of a mercenary next to him. Then he pulled him forward and used him as a shield.

“Cough. . . let. . . go. . .”

With gurgling sounds, bolts pierced the mercenary’s body. The mercenary staggered and died. The baron lifted the mercenary like a bull and charged forward. It was the will to break through the encirclement somehow.

“Get out of my way. I’ll take him on.”

Johan strode forward with the Giant Slayer. The baron stabbed frantically with his spear. His movements were agile and nimble, contrary to his size.

“If you are a warrior, get your men out of the way and fight me fair and square!”

“A duel is for those qualified enough to do so. You don’t have that qualification.”

The baron, who was trying to provoke him, was provoked by Johan instead. The baron screamed and thrusted his spear. He moved with footwork, not easily allowing Johan to get close.

‘𝘋𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘬 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘐 𝘢𝘮?’

Johan wondered. Usually the Empire’s knights were not afraid to get close with their weapons. Getting close, clashing weapons, then subduing the opponent with strength and technique.

Of course, trying that against Johan would mean immediate death. Falling down losing balance of the body before even showing technique, overwhelmed by brute strength.

Now the baron kept his distance as much as possible, just glaring. It was as if he knew Johan’s strengths.

‘𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣*𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘨𝘶𝘺. . .’

Of course, the baron didn’t even know who Johan was. That was just how the baron wielded his spear. The baron became more and more impatient. Drawing out time was disadvantageous for him.

He had to quickly subdue the viscount and escape. . .

At that moment, Johan’s warhammer spun around and slapped the baron’s spear. Unlike usual where he would brush off the impact by swinging the spear to the side, the baron was horrified.

More than half of the spear’s tip was gone.

With the weapon length shortened, Johan approached with ease. The baron panicked and pulled out a dagger.

With one strike.

With one single strike, the baron spat out blood and tumbled forward. His whole body in armor seemed to be smashed, unmoving.

“. . . . . .”

“. . . . . .”

The vassals watching just kept blinking their eyes, with astonished expressions.

They knew Count Yeats was a great warrior, but seeing him up close, his imposing manner was no joke.

They could newly realize how much he held back during the competition.

“Remove the corpses and escort His Excellency inside. No one else got hurt, right?”

“Ah, yes. Count sir. I’m fine.”

The vassals nodded their heads, answering promptly. Their attitudes had become very polite without them realizing.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

When he returned to Coolia, snow had already begun falling. Ardolata said in a clear voice,

“Snow rarely falls in this area, so the fact that it’s snowing as soon as the count has arrived means the count has received the blessing of the gods.”

“Your praise makes me happy.”

The third child of the viscount was full of ambition and enthusiasm. At first she feared Johan, but when she realized Johan wasn’t overly hostile, she immediately made efforts to assert herself.

For nobles without inheritances, asserting themselves like this was only natural. It was just surprising that someone Amien’s age would act this way.

“What do you think about this?”

“Uh. . .it’s a beautiful fiefdom?”

“I see. Thanks for the compliment.”

The second child giggled foolishly. Johan was reminded of the attitude shown by Aola, the viscount’s eldest.

‘𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧.’

While chatting during the aftermath, Aola tried to dig up how much advice Ardolata had given. If Johan had told the truth, the captain and several servants likely would have been kicked out of the castle.

It was rare for an heir to like a clever younger sibling. Aola was no exception.

‘𝘐𝘧 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘈𝘰𝘭𝘢, 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳. . .𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸.’

The county was changing so much day by day it was hard to believe. Technicians from the Republic were pushing hard on port construction, and a new city was being prepared accordingly.

The dawn of the city unfolding around the castle was moving not just to Johan but the people here as well, and that emotion was directly translated into enthusiastic support for Johan.

“Good to see you again, Sir Knight!”

The centaurs were the first to welcome Johan back. Teaching the slave soldiers, they were writhing in boredom and tedium.

While peaceful and prosperous, the county was a place that fattened warriors and made them lazy.

“When will you head out on a new expedition?”

“I should think about it after winter passes, no?”

“Count! When will you head out on a new expedition?”

“Did I not just get back? I need to give the mercenaries time to rest too.”

“Count! When will. . .”

“Geoffrey. Go around shouting for a while that there will be no expeditions for some time.”

Johan looked around the barracks of the slave soldiers. The elite forces of several hundred were an expensive experiment.

Truthfully Johan wasn’t doing this with clear benefits in mind either. . .he was just doing it because he currently had the means.

The spoils of war from the expeditions, the gold offered by new surrendered vassals, plus trade tariffs that were now seriously being levied.

Although hastily built up and still unstable, this southern kingdom was already spewing gold.

“Where’s Iselia?”

“He’s inside preparing.”

Johan made a subtle expression. Iselia would likely be showing maximum sincerity and respect for Johan, fully equipping herself before meeting Johan, but. . .

From Johan’s perspective, why make such a big deal when they weren’t even at war? He understood Iselia was an elven knight, but still.

“Oh. . .is that Sir Iselia?”

Jyanina became curious and asked. Thanks to Johan’s high praises of her beauty, she had become quite interested.

From rumors, apart from her smooth face, she was far from a beauty. . .?

“Here she comes.”

“???”

“What’s with that expression?”

“. . .There are quite a few southern races among those soldiers, did you buy and gather slave soldiers? It’s really amazing. It seems like no army could beat them.”

“They haven’t experienced real combat yet, have they?”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

“A wizard I haven’t heard of before?”

“. . . . . .”

Suetlg’s reaction made Jyanina’s face crumble.

Unlike the court wizard Caenerna, who was given official status at the Emperor’s court, Jyanina was an unofficial figure even within the Emperor’s court. It couldn’t be helped given the magic she practiced.

“. . .It’s an honor to meet the philosopher of the Ipaël River.”

“Is there any reason to bring along someone so insignificant? While wizards are rare, it’s not like they’re impossible to find.”

“. . .”