Chapter 161: 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥 (2)

How to Live as a Wandering Knight

“They are not envoys from the republic?”

“Oh?”

Johan was puzzled. Aside from the republic, there were not many places that would send envoys now.

“Did the merchants from the city send envoys?”

The Republic of Beneto was not the only city-state. In the central and northern parts of the peninsula, there were several city-states. They also had great interest in the trade led by the southern overlord.

Of course, it was inevitable that the closest partner, the republic, received benefits in many ways. Still, considering that, it was worth jumping into the southern trade.

To the east sea was trade with the Eastern Empire, and to the west sea was trade with the hundred kingdoms and south of there. It was blessed with being an optimal location.

“No, Your Excellency. The envoys came from the Vynashchtym.”

The Vynashchtym empire. Originally it had a long ancient imperial language name starting with Vidonaiteparotrarara, but even the Vynashchtym people did not call it that in unofficial settings.

Moreover, the current Vynashchtym empire was a declining and collapsing empire. To the north it was threatened by the petty kingdoms of the Ulcana Peninsula, and to the east by the eastern pagan empire.

It’s no wonder it’s called the “Blind Old empire” among the empires and peninsulas.

But however old and sick, a lion was still a lion and an empire was still an empire. As they proudly carry on the lineage of the ancient empire, their tenacity remained.

This is why magistrates of the republic have titles of the empire, and nearby petty nobles covet the titles of the empire.

The legitimacy and prestige held by the oldest empire still held tremendous power.

“Oh. . .”

From Johan’s position, it wasn’t bad news either. There was no harm in adding authority to the authority he already held. It was even more so in the situation where he had just taken control of the south.

“I see. . .”

“Is there some kind of problem with the Vynashchtym people?”

“You would be the problem.”

Suetlg said in disbelief.

From the hundred kingdoms to the south, this was originally the Vynashchtym empire’s fief. It was lost when it was occupied by the pagans and then occupied by the empire people.

“That was ages ago. Why would it become a problem now? Unless they’re crazy b*tches, they won’t ask to hand over territory or become a vassal.”

“Hmm. Certainly so.”

Asking for ancient land back after hundreds of years would be laughable. So would proposing Johan, master of the south, to “become a vassal of their empire”.

If they made such a proposal, they would have to offer Johan mostly honorary privileges with barely any actual obligations. Otherwise Johan wouldn’t accept.

They would have to offer to practically treat him like a petty king, otherwise the Vynashchtym side would gain nothing from it.

Rather, there was a high chance Vynashchtym nobles would fiercely oppose, ‘𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘻𝘺 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵?’

“Are the Vynashchtym nobles really that crazy?”

“. . .Ahem. There are such rumors about them.”

Suetlg looked around. It was to preserve Johan’s count dignity. Fortunately no one was listening.

“Perhaps because Vynashchtym customs are so different. . .”

The Holy Empire was an empire in name, but really a collective built on countless feudal lords’ fiefdoms.

In contrast, the Vynashchtym emperor truly held the authority of an ’emperor’, and the state itself could be called an empire to an extent.

At the very least there was an administrative organization governing the entire empire, and the fact that the emperor could appoint viceroys, commanders, positions and titles was already impressive.

To Johan, it warranted saying ‘𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺!’

He was disgusted by the primitive system of sending an official to collect taxes from a fief and calling a priest to ask ‘𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘧?’

However, that didn’t mean the Vynashchtym’s emperor could do anything. In some ways he had to be more careful than the Holy Empire.

He had to have the support of the capital citizens, priests of religious orders, Vynashchtym nobles, and the military.

Lose any of that support, and another noble could instantly declare himself emperor and take the throne, as was customarily tolerated.

So while he had authority on paper, he had to maintain balance under tremendous checks.

“The Vynashchtym emperor must be exhausted.”

“Anyway, empire nobles ridicule Vynashchtym for things like that.”

From the perspective of the Holy Empire where even a feudal lord held king-like power in his fief, Vynashchtym probably seemed strange.

“Still, aren’t you envious of the well-established administrative organization? One that’s been maintained for over hundreds of years?”

“. . .Of so many things, is that really what you’re jealous of?”

Instead of being envious of the lineage from the ancient empire or the name, he was envious of the administrative organization. . .

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“Propose marriage??”

Johan asked in a bewildered voice. It was a proposal he had never even imagined. The envoy was satisfied with Johan’s surprise and continued speaking.

“Yes! Your Excellency. Would it not be an honor befitting Your Excellency, who has become the master of the south?”

Having multiple spouses is frowned upon by the church but not prohibited. Moreover, if the other party is royalty from the Vynashchtym Empire, there would be more honorable praise than criticism from the public. They have had noble bloodlines since the days of the ancient empire.

The Vynashchtym have tremendous pride in their bloodlines and do not easily divulge it to outsiders.

The fact that they made this offer proves how highly they value Johan. With many enemies, the Vynashchtym Empire needed a sturdy ally.

The problem is. . .

“Prince Agarpos is known for his handsome looks and is wise, faithful, and without any scandals. You will surely find him agreeable.”

‘. . .𝘐𝘧 𝘐’𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴, 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳. . .’

Johan fell into thought with a troubled expression. He had only heard of same-sex marriages, so it was complicated now that the offer came to him directly.

Of course, no one would say anything if they just married but lived separately. But human hearts are not so simple. Complete assimilation was difficult for Johan the foreigner.

“The following dowry has been prepared. A dowry befitting Your Excellency’s honor.”

Annual tributes of Vynashchtym gold and honorable positions. Johan almost said “I’ll take it” at the tempting offer.

“I understand. I will consider the proposal.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

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“The Vynashchtym have sent an envoy for marriage!!”

The people of the Republic residing in the city hall of the district given to the Republic were astonished. The fastest possible message was sent racing back home.

“We must stop it! We must stop it no matter what!”

“What were these idiots doing that they didn’t notice a proposal like this was exchanged?!”

A proposal like this was not for the emperor to decide on a whim. It required discussion from the elders and nobles before approval could be given.

Merchants of the Republic actively operated in cities of the Vynashchtym Empire as well. In addition to being merchants, they also played the role of spies. And yet they didn’t notice this.

“Giada! I heard you are close with Count Yeats. You must persuade the Count.”

“Of course! I will do my best!”

‘𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨.’

Inside, Giada was flabbergasted. Who would reject generous dowries and a partner with a prestigious lineage?

But it couldn’t be helped from the perspective of the Republic’s merchants.

The relationship between the Republic and the Vynashchtym Empire had always been delicate.

In the distant past they were vassals, but now they were independent in practice. Looking only at their aggressive expansion in all directions, it seemed the Republic was overwhelming the Vynashchtym Empire.

In eastern trade and colonies in the Ulcana Peninsula, the two were competitors.

Clearly not enemies, but not intimate allies either.

If the Vynashchtym joined hands with Johan in this situation, the Republic would be strangled immediately. It absolutely could not happen.

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“It’s a good opportunity. My dear. Isn’t the bloodline of the Vynashchtym the bloodline of a dragon? It will be more honorable if you accept him as your spouse.”

“The world is not all about honor, Iselia.”

“Ah. I think I know what you’re saying. Are you worried about having to march out as an ally? It won’t be too difficult compared to what you’ll get in return. You just need to show a minimum of sincerity. If it burdens you, I will take up arms and go out.”

As an elven knight, Iselia was very supportive.

It was an honorable thing in itself, and marriage alliances were familiar to elven knights. It was common for poor elven knights to go out and fight in exchange for gold.

If you buy force that expensively, you obviously have to sell it as a knight.

‘𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘭𝘧. . .’

“Master. Someone wants to see the master in secret, avoiding people’s eyes. . .”

“A republic envoy? Tell him not to come in.”

Giada had already told him. The republic people’s territory was blazing like it was on fire now. He didn’t want to be bothered by meeting them before making a decision.

“No. It’s Horamric-gong.”

“Horamric? Let him in.”

Johan was puzzled but welcomed the third son of Brduhe Duke’s house coming to find him.

“Oh my, aren’t you covered in dust? If you had revealed your status I could have prepared. . .”

“No, Count Yeats!”

Horamric properly showed courtesy. Johan was no longer the former Johan. If he was insolent like before, he might not even get a word out before being chased out.

Johan smiled warmly and said,

“Considering our friendship has been so deep for so long, what’s the need for formality? Please sit comfortably.”

‘𝘞𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴?’

Iselia cocked her head. They didn’t look particularly close.

Rather, they looked more like a servant and master.

Johan took Horamric’s overclothes with his own hands and handed him a basin full of warm water. Seeing that attentive action, tears welled up in Horamric’s eyes.

“Waaaaah! No one is as honorable as you, your excellency.”

“Don’t mention it. What brings you here like this?”

“To tell you. . . the treachery of the Vynashchtym b*stards!”

“!”

Having gotten close with Sir Gareld, Horamric went to the Vynashchtym Empire thinking things had worked out well. As he was from a duke’s bloodline, he was able to receive some decent treatment in the empire as well.

The Vynashchtym place was beautiful and Horamric was enthralled. As he met with various nobles and mingled, he looked around for any opportunities he could take.

In the middle of that, he heard unbelievable talk.

“The one called Agarpos is no royal! He’s just from a low ranking noble house. He’s disguising himself as a dragon beastman of the same race.”

“. . .?!”

Horamric was often invited to debauched banquets. At the banquet gathering of a certain region, Horamric overheard talk that ‘𝘈 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. ‘

Out of curiosity he looked into it and asked around, and even more shocking words followed. That the fake is being prepared to be sent to Count Yeats!

The moment Horamric heard those words, he dashed across the land, boarded a ship, and headed for Johan’s court. It was truly dazzling loyalty.

‘𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘩𝘪𝘮.’

Johan felt proud for no reason. He didn’t think he would do this much.

“You have to keep it secret that I told you this, your excellency!”

“Of course. No one will be able to know.”

Johan had nothing to fear but Horamric did not. The Vynashchtym nobles might become enraged immediately and could even attack his tiny islands.

It wasn’t for nothing that he secretly met Johan, hiding his status.

“How dare these crude and vicious fools try to deceive someone?! They should be cut down!”

Iselia was extremely angry. No matter how precious they felt their bloodline was, to try to commit fraud. . .

“Calm yourself, Iselia. It’s not like we’ll be staining swords with blood either. Anyway, it might be a bit awkward when talking about this if I can’t say Horamric-gong told me. . . Oh.”

Johan thought of a good idea.

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“The republic people already said so. There is no such royal in the imperial palace! Are you trying make fun of me by bringing out a fake?!”

“No, your excellency! It’s a misunderstanding! Bring the republic person who said those words to meet face to face!!”