How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 261: ๐†๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ž๐ง ๐‘๐ž๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง (1)



Chapter 261: ๐†๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ž๐ง ๐‘๐ž๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง (1)

โ€˜๐˜๐˜ฎ๐˜ฎ.โ€™

Johan thought of himself as a fairly pragmatic person. He wasnโ€™t even that obsessed with revenge against the emperor who had massacred his family.

However, his hometown where he spent his childhood in this world felt different. If possible, he wanted to keep it as his fiefdom.

โ€œWhy are you making that face, my dear?โ€

Iselia asked, looking puzzled. Iselia was simply enjoying the moment of being on the move, having left the camp. Her expression was calm, but her ear tips were twitching slightly.

โ€œThe fiefdom weโ€™re going to now was originally owned by my family.โ€

โ€œ!โ€

Iselia gasped in surprise.

โ€œIs that so? Then we must definitely take it back!โ€

As an elf aristocrat, Iselia valued family and honor. It was more painful than having her heart torn out to have a fiefdom that her family had owned taken away by someone else.

How much must it have pained Johan to see his rightful fiefdom in the hands of someone else?

When she thought about it, Iselia felt like her heart was breaking. She took Johanโ€™s hand and looked at him with pity.

โ€œ. . .Whatโ€™s that look?โ€

โ€œI didnโ€™t think you would be so upset.โ€

โ€œNo. I wasnโ€™t really upset.โ€

Johan was taken aback when Iselia had a strange thought. Usually, it was Johan who would look at Iselia with pity, not the other way around.

โ€œDo you think Iโ€™m the type of person to be upset about losing a piece of land?โ€

โ€œNow that you mention it, it doesnโ€™t seem like it.โ€

Iselia quickly understood. When she thought about it, Johan had quite a cheeky side to him.

Nobles who had never spoken to him properly would think of Johan as a strong and unshakable knight among knights, but his actual personality was quite different.

In fact, that personality was closer to Iseliaโ€™s, and Johan was a person who could easily change his attitude depending on the situation.

โ€œBut even if we get it back, it wouldnโ€™t be bad, right?โ€

Iselia nodded vigorously at Johanโ€™s words. As a knight, she couldnโ€™t help but understand his feelings.

โ€œBut. . . isnโ€™t it too many people to come for just one castle?โ€

Johan turned around in surprise. It was understandable that there were so many troops under his direct command, including the nobles, even Suetlg and Caenerna had joined the expedition.

Not all castles were the same. A castle with steep terrain, a moat, and stone walls would be impregnable, but a castle with flat terrain, no moat, and wooden walls could be easily taken by a mercenary band of just a few dozen.

The castle they were heading to, Tidellen, was just such a castle.

โ€œI guess no one wanted to take care of things in your absence.โ€

The southern nobles were so eager to please that some of them even approached mercenary captains to speak to them. By that point, the mercenaries were too baffled to respond.

โ”๐”๐ฆ, ๐ž๐ฑ๐œ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ž ๐ฆ๐ž, ๐›๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ˆโ€™๐ฆ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐š ๐œ๐š๐ฉ๐ญ๐š๐ข๐ง.

โ”๐˜๐ž๐ฌ, ๐›๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎโ€™๐ฏ๐ž ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก๐ญ ๐š๐ฅ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ž ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐„๐ฑ๐œ๐ž๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ž๐ง๐œ๐ฒ ๐‚๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ, ๐ก๐š๐ฏ๐ž๐งโ€™๐ญ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ?

โ”๐–๐ก๐š๐ญ ๐œ๐ซ๐š๐ณ๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ž๐ซ๐œ๐ž๐ง๐š๐ซ๐ฒ ๐œ๐š๐ฉ๐ญ๐š๐ข๐ง ๐ฐ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ ๐จ ๐ญ๐จ ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐„๐ฑ๐œ๐ž๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ž๐ง๐œ๐ฒ ๐‚๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ ๐š๐ง๐ ๐š๐ฌ๐ค ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐š ๐Ÿ๐š๐ฏ๐จ๐ซ? ๐€๐ซ๐ž ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐ญ๐จ ๐ ๐ž๐ญ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฆ๐ž๐จ๐ง๐ž ๐ฌ๐ž๐ง๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐ ๐š๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ๐ฌ?

โ€œWell, itโ€™s not a bad thing to have a lot of people. We donโ€™t need to wait long with one castle. . .โ€

Iselia nodded her head and said, โ€˜๐˜ž๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ฉ ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ณ ๐˜ต๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ธ๐˜ช๐˜ป๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ฅ๐˜ด, ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ค๐˜ข๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ญ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ธ๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜ญ ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ด๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜บ ๐˜ค๐˜ข๐˜ฑ๐˜ต๐˜ถ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ, ๐˜ณ๐˜ช๐˜จ๐˜ฉ๐˜ต?โ€™

โ€œThereโ€™s also a high possibility that the enemy castellan will come out first.โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s true too.โ€

In the elf kingdom where Iselia was from, they did not drag out sieges in areas without castles. They would either flee or come out and surrender.

If the enemy castellan has his head screwed on straight, he will make the right decision.โ€

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

Tidelenโ€™s castellan was much more calm than Johan or the other lords thought.

The administrator who worked under him was even more restless.

โ€œSir Castellan. I heard that the emperorโ€™s army has retreated to the north.โ€

โ€œYes, I heard that too.โ€

The castellan nodded.

Originally, he was not a feudal lord of this area. He used to be a minor nobleman who lived in that northern city.

Even if one is born into a large family, if they do not inherit a fiefdom, they are nothing. Even more so if it is a small family. So it is natural for a low-ranking noble to be moved to have ascended to such a castellan position.

โ€™๐˜‹๐˜ฐ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ฑ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ด๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ญ๐˜บ ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ต ๐˜ฌ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ธ, ๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ซ๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜ฑ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ?โ€™

The administrator was not a noble, but he had lived in this area for a long time, so he knew well who this castellan was and how he became a feudal lord.

He was able to sit in the seat because he was from a family in this area and caught the eye of one of the emperorโ€™s vassals.

The castellan seemed to believe that it was only natural for him to sit in this seat and that it was a right given to him by God. โ€˜๐˜ ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏโ€™๐˜ต ๐˜ฌ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ธ ๐˜ช๐˜ง ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜ด ๐˜ซ๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜ฑ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ฆ๐˜ท๐˜ฆ, ๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ ๐˜ช๐˜ง ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ญ๐˜บ ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ฆ๐˜ท๐˜ฆ ๐˜ข๐˜ง๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ ๐˜ต๐˜ณ๐˜บ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ฆ๐˜ท๐˜ฆ. . .โ€™

But that did not change reality.

Even though the administrator did not know much about the politics of the Empire, he felt that the great feudal lords of the west would not leave this castellan alone now that the emperorโ€™s army was gone.

โ€˜๐˜ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ฌ ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ ๐˜ด๐˜ฉ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ญ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฐ ๐˜ด๐˜ฐ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ณ๐˜ช๐˜จ๐˜ฉ๐˜ต ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ธ. . .โ€™

But the castellan, without any intention of bribing or negotiating, was comfortably enjoying his drink, holed up in his own castle.

โ€™๐˜‹๐˜ฐ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ญ๐˜บ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ท๐˜ฆ ๐˜ด๐˜ฐ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜บ ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ?โ€™

โ€œLord Castellan! Lord Castellan!!โ€

โ€œWhatโ€™s all this noise?โ€

A soldier ran up from below. To call him a soldier was a stretch; he was more like a slave brought by the castellan, who had been handed a spear. Considering the people inside the castle, this was enough of a deterrent.

โ€œThe army, the army of Count Yeats is approaching this way!โ€

โ€œSo it has come!โ€

The administrator dropped the glass he was holding. The loud noise went unnoticed. The administrator frantically thought about when to flee.

The castellan did not move. His calm demeanor surprised both the administrator and the soldier.

โ€œLord Castellan. The army of Count Yeats is approaching. Did you hear that correctly?โ€

Who was Count Yeats again?

Even the castellan, who had little interest in knights, knew his name; he was a famous knight of the Empire.

Once, Sir Karamaf, the most famous knight in the empire, disappeared. His fame was so great that other ambitious knights had not yet made a name for themselves.

His stories were so numerous that some people were suspicious that they were not true. It was hard to believe that such an achievement could be made at such a young age.

โ€œI heard.โ€

โ€œDo you have any plans?โ€

โ€œItโ€™s stupid.โ€

โ€œ. . .?โ€

โ€œOf course itโ€™s a rumor. Why would a count come here?โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

The administrator and the soldiers were speechless at the bold words.

However, the castellan was serious.

โ€œThink about it. The count is currently chasing the emperorโ€™s army and making a name for himself. Is there any reason why he would come down here?โ€

โ€œThat. . . That makes sense.โ€

The administrator, who at first thought it was nonsense, felt persuaded as he listened. No, he might have wanted to believe it.

The administrator did not realize that he was doing the same thing as the castellan he had just cursed.

โ€œStill, the rumors are too detailed. . .โ€

โ€œThose rumors are probably from the bandits that have been plaguing this area. If the count is coming, the villagers will run away.โ€

The castellan nodded in agreement.

โ€œAnd think about it. Count Yeats is a knight of honor and faith. Why would he come to me, who was granted this fiefdom by the Empireโ€™s just laws?โ€

โ€˜๐˜•๐˜ฐ ๐˜ช๐˜ตโ€™๐˜ด ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ต. . .โ€™

The administrator was brought back to reality by the castellanโ€™s nonsense.

Of course, the procedure was properly followed, but all the nobles in the Empire with eyes knew the truth. The castellan had become lord of this land with the emperorโ€™s power.

The western feudal lords would not let that stand. They would find some way to expel him, no matter what the charge.

โ€˜๐˜š๐˜ฉ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ญ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ ๐˜ณ๐˜ถ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ข๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜บ?โ€™

The administratorโ€™s thoughts were cut short. The first of Johanโ€™s soldiers arrived at the castle and sounded their horns.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

โ€œThe fiefdom is not bad.โ€

Johan had not yet reached his original town, but the towns he had seen so far were not in bad shape. When they saw Johan, the serfs fled with frightened expressions on their faces.

โ€œJoseph, have you ever returned since you escaped?โ€

โ€œOf course not.โ€

Joseph shook his head with a wry smile. He had originally been living a wandering life, and he had only stayed in the village for a short time. Why would he return to that village with any regrets? He could be beheaded if he was caught.

Before Johan could even approach, the village chief came out of the nearby village. He had come out early to prepare for any eventuality.

โ€œC-Count, it is an honor to meet you.โ€

The village chief spoke in a trembling voice, prostrating himself on the ground. He could not even look Johan in the eye.

The village chief knew that the war had not yet reached here, but he had heard the rumors. Several villages had been burned and looted. The eyes of the soldiers lined up behind the count were chilling.

โ€œYes, you have worked hard.โ€

Johan signaled, and the guard next to him took out a purse and threw it to the village chief. The village chiefโ€™s eyes sparkled at the jingling sound.

โ€œIf we accidentally hurt any of the animals you raise while passing by, we should pay for them in advance.โ€

โ€œOh. . . no. . . thank you! Thank you so much!โ€

Johan gestured for him to go in as if it was settled. The village chief bowed several times and then went in.

The mercenaries did not seem surprised or anything, and they carefully observed the surroundings. Johan could afford to be relaxed, but not his subordinates. They had to be prepared for any ambushes or attacks.

โ€œHeโ€™s really here?โ€

However, there was no need for that. When they arrived at the castle, the castellan was standing in front of the wide-open castle gate. Soldiers who had run ahead were standing next to him, as if guarding him.

โ€œYour Excellency Count. It is an honor to meet you.โ€

โ€œI am also pleased to meet you, Castellan.โ€

The castellan felt relieved at Johanโ€™s reaction, which was more favorable than he had expected. โ€™๐˜”๐˜ข๐˜บ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ธ๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜ญ ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฌ๐˜ข๐˜บ. . .โ€™

But that was it. Johan didnโ€™t say another word and rode his horse into the castle. It was a clear act of ignoring him.

โ€˜๐˜๐˜ตโ€™๐˜ด ๐˜ฐ๐˜ท๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ, ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ.โ€™

The administrator regretted that he had almost been fooled by the castellanโ€™s words. The castellanโ€™s pale face made it clear that he had not expected this at all.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

Even without grabbing the castellan by the collar or tying him up and throwing him away, Johanโ€™s will spread clearly.

Newly arrived administrators and village chiefs who came to the castle went straight to Johan. They immediately realized who was the master.

โ€œWho is in charge of this town now?โ€

โ€œT-That. . . a knight is ruling it.โ€

โ€œI hope youโ€™re not just picking a mercenary and making him a knight and calling him a knight.โ€

The castellan broke out in a cold sweat at Johanโ€™s words. He had guessed it correctly. The emperor had given a town to a mercenary who had made a contribution.

โ€œY-Yes, thatโ€™s right.โ€

โ€œSend someone to have him come here with his subordinates within three days.โ€

โ€œIt may be a little late due to the bad road, but. . .โ€

โ€œOh? If you want to be late, you can be late. Iโ€™ll understand if youโ€™re late. Donโ€™t you think so?โ€

โ€œ. . .No. Iโ€™ll go myself.โ€

Johan was demonstrating how to intimidate someone without using any threats to life, insults, or humiliation.

The castellan, who had been in a dream, realized as soon as he met Johan that he had to worry about his life first.

To avoid being caught on any charges and hanged, one should appear as pitiful and wretched as possible.

โ€œHe said he is currently preparing for a hunt and may be a little late. . .โ€

When a stupid-looking mercenary came and said that, the castellanโ€™s anger exploded.

โ€œIf you donโ€™t bring him here right now, Iโ€™ll twist his neck myself! Tell him that!โ€

He couldnโ€™t believe that the mercenary captain, who had no sense of the situation, was talking nonsense when he was feeling anxious with his life on the line.

When the castellan, who usually didnโ€™t say much, caused a commotion, the mercenary hurriedly returned.

โ€œThe castellan wants to meet the captain in person!โ€

โ€œWhat? I told you, didnโ€™t I? Does he think heโ€™s really my lord?โ€

The mercenary captain stepped out with a frustrated expression. On the surface, that may be true, but in reality, they were both in the same position of having received land from the emperor. He couldnโ€™t tolerate it if he tried to play the lord with that.

โ€œIs that him?โ€

โ€œYes!โ€

โ€œHe looks like a dirty-natured guy, so just arrest him.โ€

โ€œ. . .?!โ€

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