How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 164: 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥 (5)

Jyanina was flustered. As she was about to say , she flinched at the mysticism oozing from Johans silver sword.

Mysticism was clearly pulsating from the swords spirit.

Didnt you notice, Your Excellency? Something must have changed for sure!

Do you know me as an *sshole?

No, thats not what I meant. . .

Jyanina desperately racked her brains. She had to prove her point now that things had come to this. Cyclops, if it was a cyclops. . .

There was a high possibility that its unique power was contained.

Dont you feel a surging sense of power? This dagger is. . . Guh!

As soon as Jyanina drew the dagger, Iselia punched Jyanina in the stomach and grabbed her by the neck.

It was a knights instinctive action.

Jyanina, who was grabbed, dropped the dagger and desperately opened and closed her empty palms as if she had nothing.

Misunderstanding, *cough cough*, misunderstanding. . .!

Iselia. You can let her go. She cant do much with just a dagger in her hand. From now on, open your mouth before taking out a dagger.

. . .!

While coughing with her neck grabbed, Jyanina cursed the elves. When she met Iselia in the fiefdom, she was slightly attracted to her as a gentle and kind noble.

But elves were still elves. Their races unique militant and daring personality did not suit her at all.

Im. . . Im sorry, Your Excellency.

Hmm. Its good to apologize for mistakes. You can fix them as you go.

As Iselia said this sincerely, Jyanina got even more angry.

!

So what do you want me to do with this dagger?

I thought that if it was the power of the cyclops, it would be able to easily break a dagger. . .

Johan nodded and gripped the dagger with force. Although it was made of quite solid steel, it snapped in an instant with a pop.

Jyaninas expression brightened.

I told you, Your Highness!

Jyanina. I dont have a sword in my hand right now.

. . .????

Only then did Jyanina realize that Johan had a sword at his waist. He had put it back in its sheath when Iselia hit her earlier.

Draw it again and. . . try it. . .

Hmm. Doesnt seem to have changed.

Johan still didnt feel much of a difference. The mysticism from the sword did not enhance Johans power. Something flickered past Jyaninas confused mind.

Ah, thats why, Your Highness! Because youve already tapped into power, receiving the cyclops power wouldnt make much of a. . .

My dear. That wizard seems a bit. . . hard to believe.

Iselia whispered softly. As a noblewoman, Iselia was also well aware of con artists posing as wizards.

While Suetlg was an exceptionally gifted wizard that could not be denied, Jyanina was found quite lacking.

Well anyway, I get it. Ill try to believe it.

Your Excellency, this is real. . .! There can be no other reason. . .! Ask Suetlg-nim too!

How can I ask when were on a ship?

Good place for pirates to show up.

Yes. You can see all sorts of pirate scums gathered here from all over. Monotheistic pirates, polytheistic pirates, slave pirates, noble pirates. . .

The islands around here were intricately intertwined with small islands, and the currents were also strong and rough.

It felt like a great place for pirates to prowl and engage in roguery.

The republic keeps trying to expand into the Ulcana Peninsula. Arent they drooling over these islands too?

How could they not be drooling?

Not only the Republic of Beneto, but other city republics and petty kingdoms were also eyeing Vynashchtyms rich and abundant lands.

Properly utilizing these islands could turn them into both outposts and trading ports.

But occupying suitable islands isnt easy, so theyre just putting it off for now.

The islands Horamric received as fiefs were on the small side, only good enough to serve as fortresses or outposts and nothing more.

The republic wanted bigger islands with cities on them.

Where is that?

Further south from where were headed, the Korhe Island. Its quite a large island, with many coveting it. . . Hey.

Giada flinched at the flag waving from another ship while speaking. A signal had gone up.

It looks like pirates have appeared, Your Excellency! I will demonstrate my skills.

Looking forward to it.

The skills of republic sailors were famous. They were accustomed to naval battles and read the Edene Sea like the back of their hand.

Recognizing the unique galley shape of the republics ships, the pirates did not engage and instead fled in panic, turning their ship around.

Naval battles in this world were quite primitive. Colliding into each other for melee combat, showering iron shells and arrows and getting more intense by mobilizing siege weapons like catapults.

In these fights, the most important factor was the tonnage of the ships. The bigger and taller ships had an absolute advantage.

Well-versed in building these galleys, the republic was the nightmare of pirates with their large and powerful galleys.

Running away.

. . .Dont worry, Your Excellency, theyll be back soon. Pirates are ferocious and brutal but not stupid enough to just run away in situations like this.

Retreat when disadvantaged and wait for another day.

It may have sounded obvious when heard briefly, but not everyone could pull it off. Shaking off pursuit while fleeing without scattering requires more than just a motley crew.

Let alone pirates being able to demonstrate such close-knit solidarity and loyalty. Retreating like this would only disperse them. They probably knew this well themselves.

Not coming?

. . . . . .

However, there was no counterattack even as the ships approached the island. Giada looked around with a perplexed expression.

Hey. Where are they? Check the ambushers properly.

Searched twice over. Looks like the b*stards abandoned ship and went up the island but. . .

Really none? Good spot to attack here, isnt it?

Well, its not my responsibility if cowardly b*stards got scared and ran away. . .

Giada had no words for the sailors protest.

Alright. We have to land right away if the pirates fled. Tell them to dock the ship.

Yes. Got it.

Giada explained to Johan as if making excuses.

They probably went up to ambush after landing. Please wait a bit. I will show you how republic sailors land.

I didnt say anything though.

As Giada said, the pirates were waiting for them to land and ambush.

As soon as the soldiers disembarked after the ship had anchored, the pirates sent envoys carrying white flags. It was a proposal to abandon the island in exchange for guaranteeing their assets and lives.

Are you crazy asking me to guarantee your property?

T-Then, just our lives. . .

Hmm, Ill think about that much.

Johans harsh words quickly discouraged the pirate envoys.

Judging by their looks, it seemed the pirates hadnt expected much property guarantee either.

They had good numbers and nothing to lose, so why would they guarantee property as well?

Guaranteeing their lives was the most important. Just not being sold into slavery would be a huge blessing.

.

Giada and Iselia, who hadnt gotten to show their skills in naval battles or take any heads, sat with subtle, frustrated expressions.

The pirate envoys glanced around nervously without a clue.

Fine. Once the inspection is over, Ill release you from the island.

Thank you, Your Excellency! Your generosity is. . .

Go back and send more people.

After landing, Johan toured the islands fortress. It was quite sturdy for a small island. It was in disorder after being occupied by pirates, but looked usable for a long time after repairs.

.

Double the patrols in case the enemies ambush after letting down their guards. Mercenaries will take turns standing watch.

Mounted warriors, follow me. Well patrol the vicinity.

Giada and Iselia enthusiastically prepared for raids. Rather than actually preparing for raids, they seemed to hope for one to happen.

It was absurd enough for Iselia, but even Giada was acting like that. It made Johan wonder what was up with their pride.

Ill be resting in the tent. Call me if anything happens.

Yes, sir.

Shall I keep you company?

Jyanina cautiously asked. While it was true Johan feared the ladies, he couldnt always avoid them. He had to establish himself and gain favor to get introduced to other nobles while staying at court.

I dont think thats something you can help with.

. . .What is it? Im quite good at chess, you know.

No. I was thinking of reading a book written in the ancient imperial language. But you dont know it, do you?

. . . . . .

Jyanina wasnt always wise in her life, but she had never lost her position as a mystical advisor among nobles.

Yet now she was being looked down upon in terms of academic knowledge even by a noble knight. Unable to refute, she felt even more upset.

. . .Y-You could just tell me about it. Ha, ha, haha. . .

Hmm. Maybe I should.

Jyanina was more nervous than when she lied to the emperor for gold.

My dear, Ive caught a spy.

?!

Lit by a fire fueled by dragon oil, Johan was startled by Iselias voice while testing Jyaninas knowledge as he read ancient books in the bright tent late at night.

Wheres the spy? Vynashchtym? Pirate?

A pirate. Look.

Iselia proudly held up a pirate by the nape of his neck. He seemed to have been beaten up so badly that he didnt dare resist.

I. . . Im not a spy.

No spy ever admits theyre a spy.

That may be so, but. . . you look familiar?

The pirate brightened at Johans words. Fortunately, Johan remembered his face.

Yes, Your Excellency. You showed me mercy and released me.

The pirate was Tamir. He was released for his exploits against southern pirates when suppressing them on the peninsula.

Even after Count Yeats showed you mercy, you went back to piracy. You are not worth forgiveness.

But. . . I didnt raid Count Yeatss fief. . .

Tamir spoke as if very wronged. Hearing that, Iselia was convinced.

That is true.

Dont get convinced so easily, Iselia. . . So why did you come here, Tamir? To show gratitude for mercy and be shown it again? Or to ask for guaranteed property?

Neither. There is a noble from the empire here.

There are more than three empires here, which one?

There was the Holy Empire, Vynashchtym empire, and Eastern Empire, etc.

Oh, sorry, the Eastern Empire, Your Highness.

Why has a noble from the Eastern Empire come here?

While the Eastern Empire was encroaching north after occupying the southern part of the Ulcana Peninsula, they were still far away. Most advances were blocked with little gains.

But the sea was different. The Eastern viceroys and nobles wanted to occupy islands and ports through the sea. The western coasts were difficult to occupy and hold via land due to mountain ranges, so the sea was preferable.

Naval power was important here.

Pirates were always good pawns. The pagan ones often worked as mercenaries for the Eastern Empire as well.

The noble who came here was an envoy sent to persuade local pirates to serve them.

But meeting the sudden raid fleet here was terribly unlucky for the Eastern Empir noble envoy.

We need to capture him.

Yes, we do.

They almost let him sneak away among the pirates. Johan nodded.

Thank you, Tamir. Thanks to you, we didnt lose the noble.

I merely returned the favor, Your Excellency.

Tamir spoke with dignity. He would have looked more credible if not beaten up by Iselia. As is, he just looked pitiful.

Take him and treat his wounds. And capture that noble before the pirates leave. We need to collect ransom for him.

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