Chapter 325: ðð§ ðð¡ð ððšðð (2)
âWhat will you do?â
The captain of the dozen guards guarding the gate asked cautiously. Neither the captain nor the city lords here had expected Duke Yeats to enter.
Normally, asking a high noble such as Duke Yeats to enter a city with only a hundred men in his retinue was like politely making an excuse and refusing entry.
What did a duke have to be so pitiful that he would make such concessions just to enter?
While it was good for both sides because the city could refuse entry without incurring the dukeâs wrath thanks to the old-fashioned pretext, things got complicated when the duke said he would enter with only a hundred men.
âDidnât you say theyâd already won the battle?! Why are they here instead of going to the Holy Land?â
âDidnât they pursue the remnants of the defeated army. . .?â
The lord of the city was furious at the captainâs words.
âDo you think I have so much free time on my hands?! Who in the world would come here themselves just to catch a few remnants of the defeated nobles?â
Johan would have been troubled if he had heard that, since the city lordâs guess was exactly right.However, the situation didnât change just because the city lord was angry. The captain urged him on.
âYou need to make a decision. If weâre going to relay the message down below. . .â
The mercenaries employed by the city moved according to the orders of the city lords who ruled the city. They were loyal in their own way, but they werenât enough to fight against the formidable dukeâs army. And the same went for the city lords.
âTell them to open the gate. Make sure that there is nothing lacking when we receive the Duke.â
âYes!â
After the captain hurried away, the city lord thought to himself.
He would absolutely have to keep the fact that the Sultanâs men had entered the city a secret.
If it were to be discovered. . .
âðâðð ð«ð¶ðŽðµ ð¥ðŠð¯ðº ðªðµ ðµð° ðµð©ðŠ ðŠð¯ð¥.â
The eunuchs had promised a large sum of money and asked for their safety to be protected, but the city lord had no intention of doing so. If a problem arose, he planned to cut them down without hesitation.
ðžðžðžðžðžðž
âIt certainly is a fine city.â
A hot wind flowed down the street, and the exotic smells of various mixtures stung the nose. The soldiers tossed coins to the beggars gathered on the side of the road. The beggars, marveling at the noblesâ generosity, offered their praises and thanks in various languages.
âShall we go to the mansion?â
When a noble like Johan entered, it was only polite for the leaders of the city to invite him to the mansion. However, Johan shook his head.
âLetâs go straight to the harbor.â
âYes.â
The soldiers wore slightly disappointed expressions, having expected a luxurious reception, but they followed his orders without question. Suetlg spoke with an air of anticipation.
âI wonder what the harbor here is like.â
âWere you interested in harbors?â
Johan was puzzled. Compared to that, Suetlg hadnât shown much interest in harbors when he had been in his fiefdom. Not even in the shipyard the dwarves had built. . .
âIâm not particularly interested in the pulleys, ropes, and anchors. Interesting things tend to gather at harbors, donât they? Especially in a place like this.â
Caenerna nodded in agreement with Suetlgâs words. With so many goods flowing in and out, there were bound to be many suspicious individuals as well as interesting things discovered in a large harbor like this.
Especially in a place like this, where people of various religions gathered.
âIâm not sure.â
âWell. . . Itâs not like thereâs definitely something. And itâs not like Iâm thinking that I have to find something. Isnât it fun just to have something to look forward to? The anticipation is supposed to be the most enjoyable part. . .â
Johan let Suetlgâs words go in one ear and out the other, and had the soldiers call the captain over.
âGo and ask if we can borrow a ship.â
âYes.â
â. . .Heâs still talking.â
âAh. I apologize.â
âAnyway, youâre thinking of borrowing a ship when you havenât even found them yet?â
âItâs not bad to secure a ship just in case. But still. . .â
Johan fell into thought.
If pagan nobles who had escaped had entered the city, where might they be hiding?
If they had entered openly, they would be hiding in the mansion of an acquaintance, and if they had entered in secret while concealing their identities, they would probably be hiding somewhere in a suitably shabby warehouse.
It would be difficult to find either of them right away.
âðð©ð°ð¶ðð¥ ð ðŽðŠð¯ð¥ ðŽð°ð®ðŠð°ð¯ðŠ ð°ð¶ðµ ðµð° ðŽðŠðŠ ðªð§ ðµð©ðŠðº ð€ð¢ð¯ ð¥ðªðš ð¶ð± ð¢ð¯ðº ð³ð¶ð®ð°ð³ðŽ?â
Galambos, a hunter from the eastern rangers, spoke up.
âIf you give the order, I will search the vicinity and see.â
âNo. I forbid any rash actions. Itâs not good to cause unnecessary friction within the city.â
While they were talking, the soldier returned. It seemed that the captain had readily lent them a ship. Not many would refuse when they were offered a generous sum and the duke himself was borrowing it.
âWeâll have to check and see if the ship is okay since weâll be stowing people away on it.â
âShush. Your voice is too loud.â
ðžðžðžðžðžðž
Although they had allowed the duke to enter, the city lord werenât entirely without a conscience. He secretly sent word to the eunuchs.
âðð¡ð ðð®ð€ð ð¢ð¬ ðð®ð«ð«ðð§ðð¥ð² ðð§ððð«ð¢ð§ð ð°ð¢ðð¡ ð¡ð¢ð¬ ðð¬ððšð«ð, ð¬ðš ðŠðð€ð ð¬ð®ð«ð ð²ðšð® ð¡ð¢ðð ð²ðšð®ð«ð¬ðð¥ð¯ðð¬.
âWhat kind of nonsense is that?!â
The eunuch was furious. It didnât make sense no matter how he looked at it.
Why was the duke, who should be rushing to the Holy Land at this point, in this southern port city?
There was only one conceivable reason. They had been sold out by these city nobles.
âIâve known all along that the city folk are shameless scoundrels without a conscience, but I didnât know that theyâd sell even their own parents!â
âOh, do be careful with your words. Now is not the time to be crossing swords.â
Although they were resentful and indignant, the eunuchs werenât in a position to fight the city nobles right now. They had to stay quiet and slip away as quickly as possible.
âIsnât this mansion dangerous too?â
âSurely not. . .â
The knights escorting the eunuchs reacted negatively. The mansion they were in now felt quite safe to them.
How could they be discovered when there were only so many mansions belonging to nobles in the city, and so many rooms in the mansion on this hill? There seemed to be no chance of being discovered as long as they stayed quietly inside.
âYou fool! The very fact that the duke came here means that weâve been betrayed, and you still havenât come to your senses?!â
âItâs not certain that they betrayed us. . .â
âWith how stupid you are. Tsk, tsk.â
The humiliated knight turned red in the face.
âMoreover, even if they didnât betray us, itâs still dangerous. What will you do if the duke starts searching the noblesâ mansions?â
âSurely he wouldnât commit such rudeness in a city that isnât his own?â
No matter how great a noble he was, he was still just a guest in a city that wasnât his fiefdom. Searching the mansions of other nobles at will was an intolerable disrespect.
âCome to your senses. Do you think that violent man would respect such customs? âHe will search as much as he wants!â
â. . . . . .â
The knights were completely speechless, their spirits crushed. The eunuchs huddled together and talked among themselves.
âLetâs go to the harbor. It wonât be comfortable, but if we hide inside a ship, thereâs no way weâll be discovered. If anything happens, we can escape quickly.â
âHmm. . . I donât like it, but we have no choice.â
The eunuchs hurriedly finished their preparations and headed for the harbor. They were told that the ship was anchored, but staying on a ship was quite a bothersome and difficult thing to do. Who would enjoy it? But they had no choice if they wanted to avoid the duke.
However. . .
â. . . . . .â
â. . . . . .â
The eunuchs held their breath, frozen in place below the deck. Not far away, they could see the duke looking around the harbor.
âðð°ðž ð°ð¯ ðŠð¢ð³ðµð©. . .?!â
âððŠ ðŽð©ð°ð¶ðð¥ ð©ð¢ð·ðŠ ð¬ðªðððŠð¥ ðµð©ð¢ðµ ðŽðŠð³ð·ð¢ð¯ðµ ðªð¯ ðµð©ðŠ ð®ð¢ð¯ðŽðªð°ð¯. ððŠâðŽ ð¥ðŠð§ðªð¯ðªðµðŠððº ðµð©ðŠ ð°ð¯ðŠ ðžð©ð° ðŽð¯ðªðµð€ð©ðŠð¥.â
ðžðžðžðžðžðž
âAn ogre cub?â
âYes, Your Grace.â
Johan was looking around at the pagansâ artifacts while he was at the harbor. Then a merchant came up to him and said that he was raising an ogre cub.
âIt would be a creature worthy of Your Highnessâs majesty!â
âCan you. . . raise an ogre cub?â
Johan asked Jyanina, looking at her. Jyanina hesitated and stammered out her words.
âIâm not sure either.â
â. . . . . .â
â. . . . . .â
Iselia tried to change the subject with a fake cough. It was clearly to help Jyanina.
âItâs possible.â
âNo. Listen! Itâs normally impossible, but we canât conclude that the pagans here canât do it just because of that, can we? Thatâs why I said it like that!â
Jyaninaâs words were reasonable. Johan nodded in agreement. However, his doubts were not dispelled.
âðð©ðº ð¥ð° ð ð§ðŠðŠð ððŠðŽðŽ ðªð¯ð€ððªð¯ðŠð¥ ðµð° ðµð³ð¶ðŽðµ ððºð¢ð¯ðªð¯ð¢ ðžð©ðŠð¯ ðŽð©ðŠ ðŽð¢ðºðŽ ðµð©ðŠ ðŽð¢ð®ðŠ ðµð©ðªð¯ðš ð¢ðŽ ðµð©ðŠ ð°ðµð©ðŠð³ ðžðªð»ð¢ð³ð¥ðŽ?â
Perhaps it was because the power in her voice was weak. Suetlg and Caenerna made use of the magic power in their voices and used it effectively, but Jyanina was clumsy in that regard.
âBring it here.â
âYes! Here it is.â
A large monster growled from inside the cage. The soldiers exclaimed in admiration at how similar it looked to an ogre.
âThis is a goblin.â
âItâs a goblin? A mutant perhaps?â
â??!!â
The merchantâs mistake was that the duke himself had once caught an ogre. Having caught an ogre, there was no way he wouldnât be able to tell the difference between it and an ogre cub.
The expressions of the soldiers behind Johan and Jyanina hardened.
âHow dare such an impudent wretch speak to Your Highness in such a manner. . .â
âAh, no! I didnât know! I was completely fooled too!â
âI should rip your tongue out!â
While the soldiers grabbed the merchant by the collar and shook him, Johan turned his head, hearing a strange noise coming from behind him.
âðð©ð¢ðµ ðªðŽ ðªðµ?â
Johanâs senses were several times sharper than those of others, as befitted someone who had received a blessing. Even in the noisy harbor where all sorts of people were bustling about, he could hear the sound of someone fighting.
It wasnât just a fistfight or a scuffle, but a fight where swords were being swung and clashed against each other.
The fight grew louder and louder. The insults they were hurling at each other became clear enough for Johan to understand.
âððšð° ððð«ð ð²ðšð® ð¢ðŠð©ð«ð¢ð¬ðšð§ ðŠðð¬ððð«. ððšð® ð¥ðšð°ð¥ð², ðð¢ð¥ðð¡ð² ð¬ð©ðð°ð§!
âðð«ð ð²ðšð® ð©ð¥ðð§ð§ð¢ð§ð ððš ð«ðððð¥ ðð ðð¢ð§ð¬ð ðð¡ð ðð®ð¥ððð§âð¬ ðšð«ððð«ð¬??!
â. . .Wait. Stop.â
âYes?â
At Johanâs words, the soldiers threw the merchant aside. The merchant, who had fallen face-down on the ground, nervously glanced at the duke from behind a cloud of dust.
âThat ship! Get on that ship!â
At the dukeâs command, the soldiers ran off at once. The sailors were startled and tried to block their way.
âYour Highness! What is the meaning of this?! You canât do this!â
It was originally forbidden to board someone elseâs ship without permission, even in a cityâs harbor, let alone the dukeâs. Moreover, the sailors here had a rough idea of what was on the ship.
The lizardman who seemed to be the captain rushed out and shouted forcefully.
âI donât know what misunderstanding you have, but if you board without permission, I will call the soldiers.â
âCall them.â
âYes?â
âI said call them. Move!â
The captain thought that the duke would back down since he had only brought his escort with him when he entered the city, but he was taken aback by the unexpected response.
Johan, on the other hand, was convinced by the captainâs response.
âEveryone, keep your heads down! Anyone who raises their head will be beheaded!â
âGet down! I said get down!â
Although they were sailors who had been hardened by their rough work, they werenât foolish enough to face off against heavily armed soldiers with just a club in their hands. The sailors fell to the ground in terror.
Johan pushed aside the sailors and boarded the ship. Just then, several people scrambled up from below the deck and onto the deck.
âYour Highness! Please help us!â
â. . .???â
Johan was momentarily taken aback when pagan knights he had never seen before asked him for help. When people experience something too unexpected, they canât react right away.
âYour Highness. Are these perhaps your other subordinates?â
âIâve never seen them before!â
Johanâs escorts asked just in case and then looked embarrassed. Their lord was so good at skillfully recruiting others that they had wondered if that might be the case.
âKill them!â
Before he had even finished speaking, others rushed out from below the deck. Several of the knights were bleeding, suggesting that they had been swinging their swords at each other.
âHow dare you defy the Sultanâs orders. . .!â
âShut up! You kidnapped Yeheyman-gong without permission. Youâre the rebels!â
Johan couldnât know the exact details of the situation, but he could roughly guess what had happened.
âShoot them all.â,
âWhat will you do?â
The captain of the dozen guards guarding the gate asked cautiously. Neither the captain nor the city lords here had expected Duke Yeats to enter.
Normally, asking a high noble such as Duke Yeats to enter a city with only a hundred men in his retinue was like politely making an excuse and refusing entry.
What did a duke have to be so pitiful that he would make such concessions just to enter?
While it was good for both sides because the city could refuse entry without incurring the dukeâs wrath thanks to the old-fashioned pretext, things got complicated when the duke said he would enter with only a hundred men.
âDidnât you say theyâd already won the battle?! Why are they here instead of going to the Holy Land?â
âDidnât they pursue the remnants of the defeated army. . .?â
The lord of the city was furious at the captainâs words.
âDo you think I have so much free time on my hands?! Who in the world would come here themselves just to catch a few remnants of the defeated nobles?â
Johan would have been troubled if he had heard that, since the city lordâs guess was exactly right.
However, the situation didnât change just because the city lord was angry. The captain urged him on.
âYou need to make a decision. If weâre going to relay the message down below. . .â
The mercenaries employed by the city moved according to the orders of the city lords who ruled the city. They were loyal in their own way, but they werenât enough to fight against the formidable dukeâs army. And the same went for the city lords.
âTell them to open the gate. Make sure that there is nothing lacking when we receive the Duke.â
âYes!â
After the captain hurried away, the city lord thought to himself.
He would absolutely have to keep the fact that the Sultanâs men had entered the city a secret.
If it were to be discovered. . .
âðâðð ð«ð¶ðŽðµ ð¥ðŠð¯ðº ðªðµ ðµð° ðµð©ðŠ ðŠð¯ð¥.â
The eunuchs had promised a large sum of money and asked for their safety to be protected, but the city lord had no intention of doing so. If a problem arose, he planned to cut them down without hesitation.
ðžðžðžðžðžðž
âIt certainly is a fine city.â
A hot wind flowed down the street, and the exotic smells of various mixtures stung the nose. The soldiers tossed coins to the beggars gathered on the side of the road. The beggars, marveling at the noblesâ generosity, offered their praises and thanks in various languages.
âShall we go to the mansion?â
When a noble like Johan entered, it was only polite for the leaders of the city to invite him to the mansion. However, Johan shook his head.
âLetâs go straight to the harbor.â
âYes.â
The soldiers wore slightly disappointed expressions, having expected a luxurious reception, but they followed his orders without question. Suetlg spoke with an air of anticipation.
âI wonder what the harbor here is like.â
âWere you interested in harbors?â
Johan was puzzled. Compared to that, Suetlg hadnât shown much interest in harbors when he had been in his fiefdom. Not even in the shipyard the dwarves had built. . .
âIâm not particularly interested in the pulleys, ropes, and anchors. Interesting things tend to gather at harbors, donât they? Especially in a place like this.â
Caenerna nodded in agreement with Suetlgâs words. With so many goods flowing in and out, there were bound to be many suspicious individuals as well as interesting things discovered in a large harbor like this.
Especially in a place like this, where people of various religions gathered.
âIâm not sure.â
âWell. . . Itâs not like thereâs definitely something. And itâs not like Iâm thinking that I have to find something. Isnât it fun just to have something to look forward to? The anticipation is supposed to be the most enjoyable part. . .â
Johan let Suetlgâs words go in one ear and out the other, and had the soldiers call the captain over.
âGo and ask if we can borrow a ship.â
âYes.â
â. . .Heâs still talking.â
âAh. I apologize.â
âAnyway, youâre thinking of borrowing a ship when you havenât even found them yet?â
âItâs not bad to secure a ship just in case. But still. . .â
Johan fell into thought.
If pagan nobles who had escaped had entered the city, where might they be hiding?
If they had entered openly, they would be hiding in the mansion of an acquaintance, and if they had entered in secret while concealing their identities, they would probably be hiding somewhere in a suitably shabby warehouse.
It would be difficult to find either of them right away.
âðð©ð°ð¶ðð¥ ð ðŽðŠð¯ð¥ ðŽð°ð®ðŠð°ð¯ðŠ ð°ð¶ðµ ðµð° ðŽðŠðŠ ðªð§ ðµð©ðŠðº ð€ð¢ð¯ ð¥ðªðš ð¶ð± ð¢ð¯ðº ð³ð¶ð®ð°ð³ðŽ?â
Galambos, a hunter from the eastern rangers, spoke up.
âIf you give the order, I will search the vicinity and see.â
âNo. I forbid any rash actions. Itâs not good to cause unnecessary friction within the city.â
While they were talking, the soldier returned. It seemed that the captain had readily lent them a ship. Not many would refuse when they were offered a generous sum and the duke himself was borrowing it.
âWeâll have to check and see if the ship is okay since weâll be stowing people away on it.â
âShush. Your voice is too loud.â
ðžðžðžðžðžðž
Although they had allowed the duke to enter, the city lord werenât entirely without a conscience. He secretly sent word to the eunuchs.
âðð¡ð ðð®ð€ð ð¢ð¬ ðð®ð«ð«ðð§ðð¥ð² ðð§ððð«ð¢ð§ð ð°ð¢ðð¡ ð¡ð¢ð¬ ðð¬ððšð«ð, ð¬ðš ðŠðð€ð ð¬ð®ð«ð ð²ðšð® ð¡ð¢ðð ð²ðšð®ð«ð¬ðð¥ð¯ðð¬.
âWhat kind of nonsense is that?!â
The eunuch was furious. It didnât make sense no matter how he looked at it.
Why was the duke, who should be rushing to the Holy Land at this point, in this southern port city?
There was only one conceivable reason. They had been sold out by these city nobles.
âIâve known all along that the city folk are shameless scoundrels without a conscience, but I didnât know that theyâd sell even their own parents!â
âOh, do be careful with your words. Now is not the time to be crossing swords.â
Although they were resentful and indignant, the eunuchs werenât in a position to fight the city nobles right now. They had to stay quiet and slip away as quickly as possible.
âIsnât this mansion dangerous too?â
âSurely not. . .â
The knights escorting the eunuchs reacted negatively. The mansion they were in now felt quite safe to them.
How could they be discovered when there were only so many mansions belonging to nobles in the city, and so many rooms in the mansion on this hill? There seemed to be no chance of being discovered as long as they stayed quietly inside.
âYou fool! The very fact that the duke came here means that weâve been betrayed, and you still havenât come to your senses?!â
âItâs not certain that they betrayed us. . .â
âWith how stupid you are. Tsk, tsk.â
The humiliated knight turned red in the face.
âMoreover, even if they didnât betray us, itâs still dangerous. What will you do if the duke starts searching the noblesâ mansions?â
âSurely he wouldnât commit such rudeness in a city that isnât his own?â
No matter how great a noble he was, he was still just a guest in a city that wasnât his fiefdom. Searching the mansions of other nobles at will was an intolerable disrespect.
âCome to your senses. Do you think that violent man would respect such customs? âHe will search as much as he wants!â
â. . . . . .â
The knights were completely speechless, their spirits crushed. The eunuchs huddled together and talked among themselves.
âLetâs go to the harbor. It wonât be comfortable, but if we hide inside a ship, thereâs no way weâll be discovered. If anything happens, we can escape quickly.â
âHmm. . . I donât like it, but we have no choice.â
The eunuchs hurriedly finished their preparations and headed for the harbor. They were told that the ship was anchored, but staying on a ship was quite a bothersome and difficult thing to do. Who would enjoy it? But they had no choice if they wanted to avoid the duke.
However. . .
â. . . . . .â
â. . . . . .â
The eunuchs held their breath, frozen in place below the deck. Not far away, they could see the duke looking around the harbor.
âðð°ðž ð°ð¯ ðŠð¢ð³ðµð©. . .?!â
âððŠ ðŽð©ð°ð¶ðð¥ ð©ð¢ð·ðŠ ð¬ðªðððŠð¥ ðµð©ð¢ðµ ðŽðŠð³ð·ð¢ð¯ðµ ðªð¯ ðµð©ðŠ ð®ð¢ð¯ðŽðªð°ð¯. ððŠâðŽ ð¥ðŠð§ðªð¯ðªðµðŠððº ðµð©ðŠ ð°ð¯ðŠ ðžð©ð° ðŽð¯ðªðµð€ð©ðŠð¥.â
ðžðžðžðžðžðž
âAn ogre cub?â
âYes, Your Grace.â
Johan was looking around at the pagansâ artifacts while he was at the harbor. Then a merchant came up to him and said that he was raising an ogre cub.
âIt would be a creature worthy of Your Highnessâs majesty!â
âCan you. . . raise an ogre cub?â
Johan asked Jyanina, looking at her. Jyanina hesitated and stammered out her words.
âIâm not sure either.â
â. . . . . .â
â. . . . . .â
Iselia tried to change the subject with a fake cough. It was clearly to help Jyanina.
âItâs possible.â
âNo. Listen! Itâs normally impossible, but we canât conclude that the pagans here canât do it just because of that, can we? Thatâs why I said it like that!â
Jyaninaâs words were reasonable. Johan nodded in agreement. However, his doubts were not dispelled.
âðð©ðº ð¥ð° ð ð§ðŠðŠð ððŠðŽðŽ ðªð¯ð€ððªð¯ðŠð¥ ðµð° ðµð³ð¶ðŽðµ ððºð¢ð¯ðªð¯ð¢ ðžð©ðŠð¯ ðŽð©ðŠ ðŽð¢ðºðŽ ðµð©ðŠ ðŽð¢ð®ðŠ ðµð©ðªð¯ðš ð¢ðŽ ðµð©ðŠ ð°ðµð©ðŠð³ ðžðªð»ð¢ð³ð¥ðŽ?â
Perhaps it was because the power in her voice was weak. Suetlg and Caenerna made use of the magic power in their voices and used it effectively, but Jyanina was clumsy in that regard.
âBring it here.â
âYes! Here it is.â
A large monster growled from inside the cage. The soldiers exclaimed in admiration at how similar it looked to an ogre.
âThis is a goblin.â
âItâs a goblin? A mutant perhaps?â
â??!!â
The merchantâs mistake was that the duke himself had once caught an ogre. Having caught an ogre, there was no way he wouldnât be able to tell the difference between it and an ogre cub.
The expressions of the soldiers behind Johan and Jyanina hardened.
âHow dare such an impudent wretch speak to Your Highness in such a manner. . .â
âAh, no! I didnât know! I was completely fooled too!â
âI should rip your tongue out!â
While the soldiers grabbed the merchant by the collar and shook him, Johan turned his head, hearing a strange noise coming from behind him.
âðð©ð¢ðµ ðªðŽ ðªðµ?â
Johanâs senses were several times sharper than those of others, as befitted someone who had received a blessing. Even in the noisy harbor where all sorts of people were bustling about, he could hear the sound of someone fighting.
It wasnât just a fistfight or a scuffle, but a fight where swords were being swung and clashed against each other.
The fight grew louder and louder. The insults they were hurling at each other became clear enough for Johan to understand.
âððšð° ððð«ð ð²ðšð® ð¢ðŠð©ð«ð¢ð¬ðšð§ ðŠðð¬ððð«. ððšð® ð¥ðšð°ð¥ð², ðð¢ð¥ðð¡ð² ð¬ð©ðð°ð§!
âðð«ð ð²ðšð® ð©ð¥ðð§ð§ð¢ð§ð ððš ð«ðððð¥ ðð ðð¢ð§ð¬ð ðð¡ð ðð®ð¥ððð§âð¬ ðšð«ððð«ð¬??!
â. . .Wait. Stop.â
âYes?â
At Johanâs words, the soldiers threw the merchant aside. The merchant, who had fallen face-down on the ground, nervously glanced at the duke from behind a cloud of dust.
âThat ship! Get on that ship!â
At the dukeâs command, the soldiers ran off at once. The sailors were startled and tried to block their way.
âYour Highness! What is the meaning of this?! You canât do this!â
It was originally forbidden to board someone elseâs ship without permission, even in a cityâs harbor, let alone the dukeâs. Moreover, the sailors here had a rough idea of what was on the ship.
The lizardman who seemed to be the captain rushed out and shouted forcefully.
âI donât know what misunderstanding you have, but if you board without permission, I will call the soldiers.â
âCall them.â
âYes?â
âI said call them. Move!â
The captain thought that the duke would back down since he had only brought his escort with him when he entered the city, but he was taken aback by the unexpected response.
Johan, on the other hand, was convinced by the captainâs response.
âEveryone, keep your heads down! Anyone who raises their head will be beheaded!â
âGet down! I said get down!â
Although they were sailors who had been hardened by their rough work, they werenât foolish enough to face off against heavily armed soldiers with just a club in their hands. The sailors fell to the ground in terror.
Johan pushed aside the sailors and boarded the ship. Just then, several people scrambled up from below the deck and onto the deck.
âYour Highness! Please help us!â
â. . .???â
Johan was momentarily taken aback when pagan knights he had never seen before asked him for help. When people experience something too unexpected, they canât react right away.
âYour Highness. Are these perhaps your other subordinates?â
âIâve never seen them before!â
Johanâs escorts asked just in case and then looked embarrassed. Their lord was so good at skillfully recruiting others that they had wondered if that might be the case.
âKill them!â
Before he had even finished speaking, others rushed out from below the deck. Several of the knights were bleeding, suggesting that they had been swinging their swords at each other.
âHow dare you defy the Sultanâs orders. . .!â
âShut up! You kidnapped Yeheyman-gong without permission. Youâre the rebels!â
Johan couldnât know the exact details of the situation, but he could roughly guess what had happened.
âShoot them all.â
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