How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 268: ๐๐ž๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐Œ๐ข๐ง๐ž (2)



Chapter 268: ๐๐ž๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐Œ๐ข๐ง๐ž (2)

โ€œWe havenโ€™t figured out the whole situation yet, but itโ€™s probably fine. Itโ€™s likely that the expedition members will be fine since theyโ€™ve dealt with similar situations several times.โ€

โ€œYes. . .โ€

The dwarves had no choice but to reveal their hidden intentions. They couldnโ€™t hide anything from the countโ€™s questions, even though he hadnโ€™t shouted at them or used any tricks. His logical approach was impeccable.

โ€œItโ€™s good to have faith in the expedition team, but thereโ€™s always a chance of something going wrong. We need to be more thorough in our preparations and not rush into things.โ€

โ€œ. . .Our thinking was shortsighted.โ€

The elderly dwarves had never imagined that they would be lectured by a young human lord for being reckless.

However, the countโ€™s words were not wrong.

โ€œHow will the rescue team be organized?โ€

โ€œWe will go in first to assess the situation, and if we canโ€™t resolve it, additional support will arrive from our clan, Count.โ€

โ€œI see. However, if there is a mistake or failure along the way, the expedition team that went in first will be in danger.โ€

Johanโ€™s words were true. If the first attempt failed, the chances of success decreased. It would take time for reinforcements to arrive, and if they failed twice, it usually meant that a very strong monster had taken up residence in the mine.

โ€œThat is true, but. . .โ€

โ€œI canโ€™t just leave guests who have come to my fiefdom in danger. I will help you with some of my brave and capable men.โ€

โ€œThank you, Count!โ€

One of the dwarven craftsmen responded with a moved voice. He was a dwarf who had been ostracized by the other dwarves for submitting a flawed design.

He was already grateful to the young count for showing interest in him and acknowledging his work, but now he was truly touched by the countโ€™s thoughtfulness.

Usually, feudal lords did not look after individual craftsmen. Their relationship was strictly financial, with no further obligations. If expensive craftsmen disappeared, it was their own problem, and the feudal lord would not worry about it.

Among these feudal lords, this young man was truly generous. . .

โ€œWhat are you thankful for?! Are you crazy?!โ€

Benglong whispered in a low voice, terrified. He even used the old dwarven dialect in case the count overheard.

Of course, he was grateful for the generous and kind offer, but they were not here to volunteer; they were here to do business. They had to find the vein, develop the mine, and receive a fair price from the count.

Somehow, during the preparation process, they had ended up preparing under the countโ€™s leadership, and now they were going to have the countโ€™s help in contacting the missing expedition team?

If this happened, the dwarves would be too ashamed to claim their share even after the job was done. If the other dwarven clans heard about this, they would surely scold them, saying, โ€™๐˜ž๐˜ฉ๐˜บ ๐˜ฅ๐˜ช๐˜ฅ ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ ๐˜ฆ๐˜ท๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ ๐˜จ๐˜ฐ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ช๐˜ง ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ ๐˜ธ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ ๐˜จ๐˜ฐ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ค๐˜ฆ๐˜ช๐˜ท๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ฑ ๐˜ธ๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ฉ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด๐˜ช๐˜จ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด๐˜ค๐˜ถ๐˜ฆ?โ€™

โ€œBut why not? His Excellency the Count is offering to help.โ€

โ€œYou have to think about the future! How are we going to repay him if we accept his help?โ€

โ€œW. . . Well, we canโ€™t refuse his kindness, can we?โ€

โ€œOkay, okay. Donโ€™t be so harsh. The dwarves are just worried about their comrade. Theyโ€™re not crazy. In fact, itโ€™s an honor.โ€

โ€œ. . .??!โ€

Benglongโ€™s face turned pale as he listened.

The count in front of him could understand the dwarven dialect!

โ€œY. . . Your Excellency. . . What I just said. . . It wasnโ€™t meant to be disrespectful to you.โ€

โ€œI donโ€™t know what youโ€™re talking about. Now, letโ€™s stop arguing and prepare the rescue team.โ€

Johan spoke decisively, and the argument ended there. Johan had the authority to push through whatever he wanted.

What was truly frightening was that he didnโ€™t do that. He convinced them one step at a time. Benglong began to feel like the count in front of him was a monster in human skin.

โ€˜๐˜ž. . . ๐˜ž๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ต ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ฏ๐˜ต. . .โ€™

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

The loss of contact from the mine was not enough to determine the severity of the situation. Sometimes, contact was lost even when nothing serious was happening.

It was the rule to send regular updates, but it wasnโ€™t always possible to follow the rules.

There were times when they had to wait a while without sending any updates if they lost the small bird they used to send messages or if the messenger who was supposed to go up and deliver the message couldnโ€™t find a suitable path.

โ€œBut even so, there are times when itโ€™s dangerous. There are always vicious creatures in the mines.โ€

โ€œI know.โ€

Suetlg wanted to go with them, but Johan wanted him to assist Iselia in his absence. Iselia was an excellent knight, but she was a bit. . .

Reckless.

Caenerna sat still with an indifferent expression. She had already expected that Suetlg would be excluded.

He was old, and Suetlg knew everything that happened in Johanโ€™s camp. Johan would need Suetlg to stay behind so that things would run smoothly.

However, they couldnโ€™t enter the underground mine without a wizard.

There was only one choice left.

โ€œJyanina. Come down with me.โ€

โ€œโ€œWhy?!โ€โ€

The two voices overlapped. Jyanina and Caenerna looked at each other. Unlike Caenerna, who hesitated with embarrassment, Jyanina spoke up first.

โ€œYour Excellency! You know how skilled Caenerna-gong is!โ€

โ€˜. . .๐˜ ๐˜ง๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜จ๐˜ฐ๐˜ต ๐˜ข๐˜ฃ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ต ๐˜‘๐˜บ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ขโ€™๐˜ด ๐˜ฑ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ด๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜บ.โ€™

Caenerna was taken aback.

For a wizard with a typically arrogant and prideful personality, not being chosen for a mission in the lordโ€™s camp was humiliating.

However, Jyanina was the epitome of a petty character, even in the emperorโ€™s court. She was someone who aimed to be treated easily and comfortably, not caring if her abilities were recognized or not.

โ€œBut Jyanina-gong. Arenโ€™t you the most knowledgeable about monsters?โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

Jyanina momentarily cursed her own magical abilities. Why did she have to get involved in this kind of magical ability?

โ€˜๐˜ ๐˜ด๐˜ฉ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ญ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ท๐˜ฆ ๐˜ซ๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ถ๐˜ค๐˜ฌ ๐˜ธ๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ฉ ๐˜ง๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ต๐˜ถ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฆ-๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ. . .โ€™

The collected Caenerna raised her hand. Caenerna spoke confidently in her characteristic languid voice.

โ€œYour Excellency. I acknowledge Jyanina-gongโ€™s abilities, but wonโ€™t we need the power of fire when we go underground?โ€

โ€œI was hoping Caenerna-gong would use the Fire Goblet to contact us.โ€

โ€œ. . .Couldnโ€™t Suetlg-nim do that just as well?โ€

Caenerna asked, dumbfounded. If she wasnโ€™t a wizard, that would be understandable, but Johan had been using magic for quite some time now, so why was he still saying such ridiculous things?

โ€œAh. Now that you mention it, that would work.โ€

โ€œThen can I join?โ€

โ€œBut. . .โ€

Caenerna thought Johan would accept immediately, but she frowned and glared at him.

Shee didnโ€™t understand why he wanted to take Jyanina but leave her above.

โ€œItโ€™s dangerous.โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

โ€˜๐˜š๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ฐ๐˜ง ๐˜ข ๐˜ฃ*๐˜ต๐˜ค๐˜ฉ. . .โ€™

Jyanina cursed her lord inwardly. Johan seemed to have forgotten, but she wasnโ€™t a mercenary or a swordsman; she was a wizard.

Caenernaโ€™s face softened slightly at Johanโ€™s sincere words. Caenerna spoke in a slightly humble voice.

โ€œI donโ€™t think we need to worry about that. I have the ability to protect myself. And more importantly, Iโ€™ll be with Your Excellency Count, wonโ€™t I?โ€

โ€œThen letโ€™s go down together. I think it will be much more reassuring if youโ€™re there.โ€

Johanโ€™s words made Caenerna nod happily. Jyanina spoke quietly from the side.

โ€œIf Caenerna-gong is going, then I. . .โ€

โ€œYou should come too.โ€

โ€œ. . .Yes. . .โ€

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

Water containers, ropes, food, mining tools, and magical items for communication. . .

The more luggage they had, the better, but that wasnโ€™t realistic. Except for Johan.

โ€œAre you okay?โ€

โ€œYes.โ€

The dwarves were amazed by the countโ€™s incredible strength, as he lifted the heavy luggage without breaking a sweat. They didnโ€™t even notice the extraordinary fact that the count himself was carrying the luggage.

โ€œWhat is this?!โ€

โ€œA fire and light spirit.โ€

Instead of a heavy and oily lantern, Caenerna summoned a firefly spirit. It was a spirit that illuminated the way with light instead of heat.

The dwarves were once again impressed by the fact that the countโ€™s court was full of capable people.

โ€œ. . .??โ€

Jyanina was flustered by the dwarvesโ€™ gazes, which were fixed on her. They were looking at her with anticipation.

โ€œYour Excellency. The dwarves keep staring at me.โ€

โ€œThey seem to be expecting you to show them some magic.โ€

โ€œThere are no monsters yet, so what kind of magic do you want me to show them?โ€

โ€œHuh. . . Itโ€™s not my fault that youโ€™re incompetent, is it?โ€

Jyanina was speechless at Johanโ€™s overly honest words.

He was right, though.

โ€˜๐˜ ๐˜ด๐˜ฉ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ญ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ซ๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜ฑ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ต ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ค๐˜ฆ.โ€™

Jyanina pretended not to see, but the dwarves still looked at her with expectant eyes.

Surely, as a wizard, she would show them some amazing magic that was different from Caenerna-gongโ€™s!

โ€œItโ€™s a bit sad, though.โ€

โ€œThe dwarven expedition team? Iโ€™m worried about them, but I donโ€™t think Your Excellency needs to worry. They went down there knowing what they were getting into. And dwarves are tougher and stronger than you think.โ€

โ€œNo. Iโ€™m talking about Jyanina.โ€

โ€œ. . .Surely sheโ€™s not Your Excellencyโ€™s daughter?โ€

It was ridiculous to worry about a fully grown wizard like that. Should Jyanina be ashamed, or was the count strange, or maybe it was both?

โ€œIโ€™m careful when Iโ€™m with Iselia, so sheโ€™s not my daughter.โ€

โ€œI was joking, Your Excellency.โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s why I took it as a joke.โ€

Caenerna chuckled. It had been a long time since she had had a conversation like this with the count. And she still found it difficult to win.

โ€œItโ€™s not just because sheโ€™s not my daughter, but I care about everyone who works for me. No matter how low-ranking they are, if I donโ€™t take good care of them, they might become resentful someday.โ€

โ€œ. . .!โ€

Caenerna felt like she had a glimpse of the root of Johanโ€™s leadership skills.

Sometimes, she wondered how people from different races and backgrounds were so loyal to him. Even Caenerna herself, who was by Johanโ€™s side because of their friendship, couldnโ€™t understand it.

But now that she heard this, she felt like she had a glimpse of it.

Where else could you find a lord who cared for his subordinates one by one like this? Especially someone like Jyanina.

โ€˜๐˜ ๐˜ด๐˜ฉ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ญ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ง๐˜ญ๐˜ฆ๐˜ค๐˜ต ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ฎ๐˜บ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ง.โ€™

Caenerna reflected. The count was so considerate, but she was jealous as a wizard.

โ€œThe happiest moment for a wizard is when they understand and unravel a mystery.โ€

โ€œIโ€™ll have to ask you to dissect the monster when we catch it.โ€

โ€œ. . .Iโ€™m not sure about that. . .โ€

It was questionable whether Jyanina would enjoy that.

โ€œAnd the next best thing. . . I guess itโ€™s being recognized as a wizard. Itโ€™s surprisingly difficult for wizards to be treated well.โ€

Before a wizard could build a solid reputation and establish connections with various nobles, their life was extremely difficult.

If they were unlucky, they could be accused of heresy, and who would support their research?

โ€œI brought Jyanina on this expedition because I recognize her abilities, so I guess thatโ€™s okay.โ€

โ€œWell. . . Maybe. How about asking the dwarves to recognize her by asking her about monsters?โ€

โ€œNot a bad idea.โ€

Johan called Jyanina. Jyanina was startled and raised her head.

โ€œWhy did you call me?โ€

โ€œCan you tell us about the monsters we might encounter in this underground mine? You can teach the dwarves a thing or two.โ€

โ€œC. . . Can I?โ€

The dwarves also listened humbly, even though they actually knew quite a lot about the monsters they could encounter as they gained experience.

As a wizard, she could tell them things they didnโ€™t know.

โ€œFirst of all, there might be creatures like goblins who live in caves and build burrows.โ€

โ€œOh. How can you tell?โ€

โ€œYou can tell by shining a light on the cave walls. Goblins leave marks to help them navigate their complex underground caves. . . .Like that!!โ€

โ€œE-Excuse me, wizard-nim. Thatโ€™s a mark left by our expedition team.โ€

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