How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 262: ๐†๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ž๐ง ๐‘๐ž๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง (2)



Chapter 262: ๐†๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ž๐ง ๐‘๐ž๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง (2)

Mercenaries who followed Johan had several similarities, regardless of their race or origin.

They had combat experience gained from traveling to many places while following their lord, they had good equipment, and they had a strong loyalty that could do anything to carry out their lordโ€™s orders.

These people were like gentle sheep in front of their lord, but they moved like ferocious wolves in the absence of their lord.

Just like now.

โ€œWhat. . .โ€

โ€œTake your hand off your waist. If you touch it, Iโ€™ll cut off your wrist and put it around your neck.โ€

The mercenary captain, who was about to lose his temper at the absurd insult, flinched. The appearance of the soldiers who followed the castellan was not insignificant.

If it were a worthless rogue, he would have lost his temper and been angry here, but the mercenary captain was a wiser man. He thought that the opponent was coming out strong for a reason and took a step back.

โ€œWhere. . . are you from?โ€

โ€œWhat do you care? Decide whether youโ€™re going to follow quietly or be dragged like a dog and beaten.โ€

The soldiers spoke without regard for the castellan. From their attitude, the mercenary captain realized that the soldiersโ€™ backgrounds were stronger than he had thought.

โ€˜๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ณ๐˜ฐ๐˜จ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ต ๐˜ต๐˜ณ๐˜ข๐˜ด๐˜ฉ ๐˜ฅ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ. . . ๐˜ ๐˜ธ๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜ญ ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ๐˜ง๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜บ ๐˜ฌ๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜ญ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ ๐˜ธ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ ๐˜ค๐˜ข๐˜ฏ ๐˜ฌ๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜ญ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ ๐˜ญ๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ.โ€™

It was rare for someone to be able to easily accept being humiliated like this in their own fiefdom. The mercenary captain gritted his teeth but held back.

โ€œl. . . I understand. I will follow you. But still, shouldnโ€™t you tell me where I am going? As the legitimate right of a Empire noble. . .โ€

โ€œYou sound like a noble.โ€

The soldiers scoffed, but the castellan spoke up instead, still on the same side. Although they often ignored each other because they were not on good terms, they were on the same side after all.

โ€œYour Excellency Count has brought his army to this area.โ€

โ€œWh. . . what? Why? Who?โ€

โ€œI donโ€™t know the reason either! Anyway, I said the reason, so get ready soon.โ€

The mercenary captain had a better sense of danger than the castellan.

What could the feudal lord who brought the army do?

โ€˜๐˜๐˜ตโ€™๐˜ด ๐˜ฅ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜จ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ด ๐˜ช๐˜ง ๐˜ ๐˜จ๐˜ฆ๐˜ต ๐˜ค๐˜ข๐˜ถ๐˜จ๐˜ฉ๐˜ต ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ข ๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ค๐˜ฉ๐˜ฏ๐˜ช๐˜ค๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜บ!โ€™

The war might have ended, but the south was in a chaotic time. It was a period when those with power could lead an army and seize a fiefdom, and if you were powerless, it was hard to complain.

The mercenary captain knew better than anyone that a just cause could be created if you had the power.

โ€œPlease. . . Just wait a moment, Sir Knights.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m not a knight, you fool. Do you have eyes but cannot see?โ€

Johanโ€™s soldiers were experienced. They did not care about being flatteringly called knights by the mercenary captain. Usually, being called a knight would make someoneโ€™s face light up.

โ€œIf I need to speak to Your Excellency the Count, shouldnโ€™t I bring someone who knows well about my fiefdom? Please let me take him with me.โ€

The soldiers looked at each other and murmured. It wasnโ€™t entirely wrong.

โ€œFine. Weโ€™ll give you some time. But keep in mind, if you try any foolishness, youโ€™ll have something sticking in your back.โ€

โ€™๐˜‹๐˜ข๐˜ฎ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ช๐˜ต.โ€™

As the conversation went on, one might expect gaps to appear, but the mercenary captain clicked his tongue at the sight of them pointing their weapons without a single lapse.

They were completely different from his own subordinates who were drunk in the town from early in the day.

Even if they woke up, there was a good chance that the mercenary captain would die before they could save him. Of course, he was skeptical that his subordinates would come to save him. It was more likely that they would run away without looking back.

โ€œHurry up and get priest Valberga!โ€

โ€œB-But the priest is at the monastery.โ€

โ€œGo right now and get him. If youโ€™re late. . .โ€

โ€œIs there a problem?โ€

โ€œNo!โ€

The mercenary captain, who was strangling the servant, quickly changed his attitude when he heard the question flying from behind.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

โ€œA feudal lord has come?โ€

โ€œYes, priest! It seems that another noble has come with an army. He wants to hear about how the fiefdom is doing!โ€

Valbergaโ€™s face clouded over. This was not good news.

The town had originally been the fiefdom of the Aitz family, but after the family fell into ruin and several frequent disputes, the position of lord was given to a newly arrived mercenary captain.

Of course, even lords who had ruled their fiefs since birth did not rule them so well, so it was unlikely that a mercenary captain would rule well.

The mercenary captain was even worse at ruling the town than Sir Gessen.

He was so bad that he was even said to be better off when he was drunk. He was ignorant of management, but he had many desires, so the ones who died were the lower-ranking people.

At first, the mercenaries who wanted to do something realized that management was not their responsibility and entrusted everything to Valberga. Of course, that was not easy. If he had not been a patient priest, he would have run away long ago.

โ€œWhy are you so worried, Priest? Isnโ€™t this a good thing?โ€

โ€œItโ€™s more likely to be a bad thing.โ€

The servants thought that the distant feudal lord would come and fix the mercenary captainโ€™s mistakes, but the priest was not so naive.

The distant feudal lord was more likely to want money.

If so, the mercenary captain would have to squeeze money out of the people, and the damage would remain the same. . .

โ€œIn any case, we need to prepare. Wait here.โ€

Valberga the priest called a few monks from the monastery and had them hold papers with the number of fiefdoms written on them. It would take great skill and evidence to persuade the feudal lord.

โ€œPriest, do I have to go too?โ€

โ€œDonโ€™t worry. No one will recognize Fern. I need your help.โ€

Fern Aitz was once a nobleman of the Aitz family, but he is now a monk at the monastery.

The emperor was not a busy man who would go out of his way to kill every single descendant who did not have a right to inherit, but it was not good to be seen.

Since Fern had entered the monastery with the help of Priest Valberga, he could not refuse the priestโ€™s request.

โ€œI understand. Iโ€™ll do my best to help.โ€

โ€œThank you! The townspeople will be grateful too.โ€

โ€œWhy would I need the gratitude of such people?โ€

Fern grumbled. Over time, he had come to understand who were friends and who were foes. Everyone from the village chief to the slaves had fawned over him when times were good, but it had all been an illusion.

โ€œFern-nim, please donโ€™t hate the townspeople too much.โ€

โ€œAlright, I understand. Please stop now.โ€

Fern picked up his luggage and followed the priest, along with the other monks.

โ€˜๐˜๐˜ฆ ๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ญ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ท๐˜ฆ ๐˜ซ๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜จ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ด๐˜ฐ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ๐˜ธ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ.โ€™

Although he didnโ€™t show it, Fern had a considerable respect for Priest Valberga. It was hard not to respect someone who had risked their life to hide him and his brother.

While others had left the fiefdom to try their luck elsewhere, Fern had entered a nearby monastery. He was scared, but he also wanted to help the priest.

โ€œAre you here? Move quickly! I wonโ€™t forgive you if I get whipped because of you!โ€

The mercenary captain was furious when he saw the priest running towards him from afar.

โ€˜๐˜๐˜ฆ ๐˜ด๐˜ฉ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ญ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ท๐˜ฆ ๐˜ข๐˜ต ๐˜ญ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜ญ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ต ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ๐˜ง๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ ๐˜บ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ข๐˜ต ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ฌ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ต.โ€™

Fern, as well as the other monks, were also frowning. The mercenary captainโ€™s lack of respect for the priest was simply too much. At the very least, he could have lent him his horse if he was in a hurry.

The soldiers waiting there yawned.

โ€œAre you all gathered?โ€

โ€œYes!โ€

โ€œCome here.โ€

โ€œ?โ€

The mercenary captain approached with a look of innocence that did not match his size. The soldier immediately raised his spear and struck him in the face.

โ€œGah!โ€

โ€œHow dare you yell at the priest? If you want to be cursed, then take it on yourself!โ€

โ€œIโ€™m sorry! Iโ€™m sorry!โ€

โ€œGet off your horse! Let the priests ride behind you.โ€

The soldiers made the mercenary captain walk. Even though it was a small town, he was the captain, and the treatment was too humiliating.

However, no one stopped him. The townspeople were actually looking at him with satisfaction. The mercenary captainโ€™s subordinates, who came out late, hid in fear.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

โ€œOh, is priest Valberga still here? I thought he might have moved on since heโ€™s been here for a while.โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s good news.โ€

While waiting, Johan had captured a townsperson and was asking him about the situation.

If he had looked calmly, he would have realized that Johanโ€™s face was familiar, but the townsperson was too scared to look up.

Joseph was also grateful to the priest, even if not as much as Johan, so he was also pleased to hear the name.

โ€œI see that the situation in the town is not good.โ€

โ€œWell, itโ€™s rare for a town ruled by mercenaries to be doing well.โ€

Among the eastern rangers, there were those who had distinguished themselves and risen to prominence, and had been given small towns. And usually, the end of these people was not very good.

โ€œHe held a trial without having the right to do so and hanged a person. . . it would have been difficult to resist because it was a small town. He also violated the custom and requisitioned more days for corvรฉe labor. He believed in evil heresy and performed suspicious rituals.โ€

โ€œ. . .Yes? Was he a cultist?โ€

Joseph asked in surprise. He had heard the other things, but this was the first time he had heard the story.

Johan answered with an indifferent expression.

โ€œI added one more just to make it look more realistic.โ€

โ€œ. . .Oh, I see. Yes.โ€

In the distance, the mercenary captainโ€™s entourage could be seen approaching. The castellan and the mercenary captain hurried over and knelt down.

โ€œYour Excellency Count! It is an honor to meet you. Your reputation has reached even the corners of this Empire, and I thought that if I could meet you even once as a warrior, I would die without any regrets.โ€

โ€œIs that so? Thatโ€™s good. What are the monks behind you doing?โ€

โ€œI brought these knowledgeable people with me in case Your Excellency has any questions! They will answer anything!โ€

The mercenary captain trusted priest Valberga. Even though the priest was usually annoying with all sorts of bothersome talk, he was not the type of person to act clueless in this situation.

However, the count shook his head without any expression.

โ€œNo need.โ€

โ€œOh. . . is that so? Then. . .โ€

Johan gestured. Then, the soldiers who had been waiting stepped forward and grabbed the mercenary captainโ€™s arms and forced him to kneel forward.

โ€œThe crime of holding a trial without jurisdiction and executing a feudal lordโ€™s people. The crime of violating customs, collecting taxes, and extending the number of days of labor. The crime of believing in an evil religion and performing sinister rituals. In return for these crimes, I will punish you.โ€

โ€œ. . .Yes? Your Excellency! Your Excellency! What is that! I am a legitimate aristocrat of the Empire. . .!โ€

Johan did not have the hobby of listening to the words of the rogue who had turned his hometown into a mess in the meantime. The soldiers immediately knelt the mercenary captain down and cut his neck. It was a movement so quick that none of the servants could react.

โ€œ!!!โ€

โ€œThe rest of you, go and catch all the cultists who colluded with this man.โ€

โ€œYes, sir!โ€

After finishing his work, Johan looked around and said to the priest, who he found, with great joy.

โ€œNo. priest. Itโ€™s been a long time. Have you been well?โ€

โ€œ. . .??!!โ€

Priest Valberga was surprised as if she had seen a ghost.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

The castellanโ€™s face was ashen after seeing the mercenary captainโ€™s head fly off next to him. Johan didnโ€™t pay any attention to the castellanโ€™s reaction and spoke to the priest.

โ€œIโ€™m surprised to see you here still.โ€

โ€œItโ€™s only natural that Iโ€™m here since these are my brothers. . . I guess I should call you Count.โ€

โ€œYou can call me by my name as you used to.โ€

โ€œI. . . I suppose I could. . .โ€

โ€œWhy not? Weโ€™re friends, after all.โ€

The castellanโ€™s face began to return to normal when he saw that the two were clearly close friends. Even if their social statuses were different, their friendship would not change as if they had been friends since childhood.

โ€œValberga is a wonderful priest. I often call him to hear his good words and pray.โ€

Johan stared at the castellan intently instead of answering. The castellan was shocked, as if his heart had stopped.

โ€œIโ€™m sorry to interrupt your conversation.โ€

โ€œAnyway, priest. I have a question for you. Do you know how those who ran away at that time are doing?

Johanโ€™s question brought a smile to Valbergaโ€™s face.

โ€œThatโ€™s good timing, Count. Fern-nim is right behind me.โ€

โ€œFern? You mean. . .heโ€™s a slave now?โ€

โ€œWhat are you talking about? Heโ€™s a monk.โ€

โ€œA monk?โ€

Johan couldnโ€™t believe his ears. Fern was never the type to be a monk.

โ€œHeโ€™s right there. . . uh?โ€

Priest Valberga was confused for the first time. One of the monks had disappeared. It was of course Fern.

โ€œWhat happened?โ€

โ€œHe ran away after seeing the execution earlier.โ€

โ€œNo. . .โ€

Valberga looked shocked.

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