How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 184: ๐๐จ๐›๐ฅ๐ž๐ฌ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐‚๐š๐ฉ๐ข๐ญ๐š๐ฅ (2)

โ€œJyanina-gong?โ€

Caenerna asked in a probing tone. She thought it was Jyanina but still wasnโ€™t completely sure.

โ€œAh. . .no, I think youโ€™ve got the wrong person.โ€

Jyanina denied it casually. It was because of her pride. To think she would run into this embarrassing situation in front of Caenerna of all people.

โ€œ. . .If itโ€™s not Jyanina-gong, then are you some unknown assassin?โ€

Caenerna asked back in disbelief. Her fingertips were aimed at Jyanina.

The mercenaries didnโ€™t understand what was going on but those well-versed in mysteries like Johan and Jyanina could feel the threatening aura gathering.

โ€œNo. She is Jyanina-gong so donโ€™t do anything rash.โ€

Johan, who was hiding, stood up. He stepped in because an unexpected situation could have developed if he just left it alone.

Seeing Johanโ€™s face, Caenerna blinked in surprise.

โ€œWhy is the count here?โ€

It was because Caenerna remembered who Jyanina was attending when she knocked down the gamekeeper.

The Empire people who fought and escaped from that peninsula reported that Jyanina was working under Count Yeats and Caenerna made sure to remember that.

So she tried to help. . .

But she never expected Johan to come here personally.

โ€œIโ€™m here due to circumstances. But why is the wizard here?โ€

โ€œIโ€™m here because of circumstances too. . .โ€

The two exchanged very subtle and complex gazes. They were unexpectedly meeting again after being apart for quite some time.

They felt happy yet flustered to see each other so they didnโ€™t know what to say first.

โ€œLovers?โ€

Kaegalโ€™s voice broke the silence.

It was rare to see a count directly exchanging such gazes with an imperial court wizard who worked in the emperorโ€™s palace.

โ€œI knew it. . .!โ€

As Jyanina cried out as if she expected it, Johan hit her waist with the scabbard he was holding. It hurt more than she thought and Jyanina teared up.

โ€œOh, is that so?โ€

โ€œYou didnโ€™t possibly think that way because you overestimated Caenernaโ€™s abilities, did you?โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

โ€˜๐˜‰๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ๐˜ฐ.โ€™

In any case, Kaegal spoke indifferently as if he didnโ€™t care.

โ€œWhether you two are lovers or not, it doesnโ€™t matter if you cooperate with us. First, letโ€™s get moving. Weโ€™ll only run into beasts if we stay here for long. Should we kill that gamekeeper?โ€

At Kaegalโ€™s words, Caenerna shook her head.

โ€œShe was just surprised by Jyanina-gongโ€™s appearance and spoke rashly but sheโ€™s someone who will listen if we talk.โ€

โ€œIs that so? Then bring her along. It was a useless mistake sending that wizard.โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

Johan patted Jyaninaโ€™s back. This time, he felt a little sorry for her. Jyanina slowly nodded, still with tears in her eyes.

โ€œYou didnโ€™t make any particular mistakes this time so donโ€™t take it too hard. I think I was too harsh on you, sorry about that.โ€

โ€ . . .!โ€

Jyanina was slightly moved. It was rare for a count to say something like that.

Jyanina, who normally looked down on Johanโ€™s warriors who devoted their loyalty to him, thinking โ€˜๐˜๐˜ฐ๐˜ธ ๐˜ด๐˜ช๐˜ฎ๐˜ฑ๐˜ญ๐˜ฆ-๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฐ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ ๐˜จ๐˜ถ๐˜บ๐˜ด ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ! ๐˜‹๐˜ฐ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด ๐˜ช๐˜ต ๐˜ฎ๐˜ข๐˜ฌ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ๐˜ท๐˜ฐ๐˜ต๐˜ฆ ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ณ ๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ง๐˜ฆ ๐˜ซ๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ๐˜ค๐˜ข๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ ๐˜ค๐˜ข๐˜ฏ ๐˜ด๐˜ธ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ข ๐˜ด๐˜ธ๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ธ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ญ?โ€™ didnโ€™t realize that she was also being moved by a single word.

The old assassin asked Caenerna.

โ€œWizard. If she displeases you, I can put in a word with the count to convince him to whip her. I can do that much as compensation for your cooperation.โ€

โ€œThereโ€™s no need for that. . .โ€

โ€œIs that so? I must have been mistaken. I thought I saw her with murderous eyes.โ€

โ€œI didnโ€™t see it. Donโ€™t say anything that could be misunderstood.โ€

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

The awakened gamekeeper was delighted to hear Johanโ€™s identity.

โ€œCount Yeats? I know you by reputation. I didnโ€™t expect to meet you like this!โ€

โ€œIโ€™m also extremely happy to meet the Baron like this.โ€

Johanโ€™s courteous attitude made the Baron happy. It was a pleasure that such a famous knight was politely addressing the Baron.

โ€œI know there are no knights that can match the Countโ€™s skills, but still, isnโ€™t it dangerous for you to wander around like this? Ah. Of course, I have no intention of capturing an honorable knight through despicable methods!โ€

โ€œI thought it would be rude to send a subordinate to talk to the Baron. How else could I convey my sincerity if we donโ€™t meet in person?โ€

โ€˜๐˜ˆ๐˜ด ๐˜ฆ๐˜น๐˜ฑ๐˜ฆ๐˜ค๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ.โ€™

Caenerna quietly listened next to her with an admiring expression. There was no need for her to step forward and persuade. Johan had the Baron dancing on the palm of his hand.

Originally harboring dissatisfaction towards the Emperor, it was not an easy task to make a nobleman betray the one he served.

But by the end of the conversation, the Baron was wishing for Johanโ€™s victory more sincerely than anyone else.

โ€œAside from the soldiers under me and Caenerna-gong, there are quite a few other soldiers in the castle, but if you give me the opportunity, I can definitely open the gates. More than anything, Caenerna-gong has considerable authority among the people here.โ€

โ€œIs that so?โ€

Johan looked at Caenerna in surprise. It was not easy to gain the trust of the suspicious Emperor.

โ€œA wizard who is not adept in conduct is not a wizard.โ€

โ€˜๐˜๐˜ด ๐˜ด๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ด๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ญ๐˜ฅ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ?โ€™

While Jyanina was thinking that, Kaegal spoke to Johan separately.

โ€œIf she is that cooperative, canโ€™t we ask for more? It would make things easier if we get the soldiers to attack others.โ€

โ€œNo, thatโ€™s dangerous.โ€

Both the Baron and Caenerna had a number of soldiers with them, so they could wield swords directly inside the castle.

But Johan had no intention of doing so.

It was likely the Baron, who had just become friendly, would not grant such a request, and more than anything, it was dangerous if things went wrong.

While Johan could pierce through the darkness with his men and would be hard to catch, there was a lot at stake for someone like Caenerna.

โ€œSome will sneak in disguised as entourages, then coordinate attacks from the inside and outside when the timing is right. We need to burn down at least half from here.โ€

Not many could remain composed when there was fire and assault at the castle behind them. Especially when supplies were lost as well.

The feudal lords who were holding their ground were also likely to retreat or withdraw their troops.

That frantic moment was what Kaegal was aiming for.

โ€œYou stick with the Baron, Iโ€™ll stick with the wizard.โ€

โ€œWell, if anyoneโ€™s going to betray us, itโ€™s more likely to be the baron.โ€

โ€œWhat kind of nonsense are you talking about? Why would the baron betray us now? Sheโ€™d be a fool if she did.โ€

โ€œSo what?โ€

โ€œYouโ€™re asking a strange question for someone whoโ€™s good at handling the baron. Figure it out for yourself!โ€

Kaegal laughed as if he was at a loss for words, then followed the baron. There were so many people coming and going in the castle that a few new attendants wouldnโ€™t even be noticed. Kaegal quickly blended in with the crowd.

โ€˜๐˜๐˜ฎ๐˜ฑ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด๐˜ด๐˜ช๐˜ท๐˜ฆ.โ€™

Johan stood behind Caenerna with admiration. When Caenerna frowned at him, Johan asked in a puzzled way.

โ€œIs there a problem?โ€

โ€œNoโ€ฆ I was just wondering what position would be appropriate for me.โ€

โ€œYouโ€™re not enjoying this now, are you?โ€

โ€œWow. Are you criticizing the wizard for choosing friendship over loyalty now?โ€

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

Gashstadt Castle was a terribly well-built castle. Just thinking about attacking such a castle head-on was enough to make one dizzy.

Not only was it located on a rocky mountainside, but the outer and inner castles were organically connected. To target just one castle gate, you had to withstand the combined attack of the wall towers near it.

Nor were there any low or weak parts of the castle walls, and the gates themselves were unbelievably sturdy. Inside and out, supplies brought in from around this area were piled high. . .

โ€œThereโ€™s so much to burn Iโ€™m worried about what to do.โ€

Caenerna said in a playful tone. Johan suddenly thought of something and asked.

โ€œBut will it be okay?โ€

โ€œWhat are you suddenly talking about?โ€

โ€œWell. . . Iโ€™m asking if itโ€™s okay to cooperate like this. You have the position of the emperorโ€™s court wizard, donโ€™t you?โ€

The position of court wizard was not a title light enough to discard easily. Isnโ€™t it the most honorable position a wizard can have in the Empire?

However, Caenerna laughed as if it was absurd.

โ€œYouโ€™re asking that now?โ€

โ€œOf course I donโ€™t feel that way, but when I thought about it, I couldnโ€™t help but ask.โ€

โ€œItโ€™s an act Iโ€™m determined to abandon my position accordingly. The count will promise me a position befitting me. Right?โ€

โ€œYes. If you wish, I will give you a title.โ€

โ€œ. . .If you say it so seriously, I feel a little embarrassed.โ€

There was nothing bad about receiving a title, but Caenerna was not so greedy.

But hearing such words didnโ€™t make her feel bad.

โ€œGreetings, Wizard.โ€

A man who looked like a mercenary sub-captain came from afar and politely greeted her. He glanced up and down at Johan. He had no memory of him.

โ€œHeโ€™s a new bodyguard I hired.โ€

โ€œIf you had said so, we would have sent one of our excellent subordinates.โ€

โ€œI couldnโ€™t impose such an inconvenience.โ€

โ€œI understand. Take good care.โ€

After the sub-captain left, Johan said in wonder.

โ€œHeโ€™s more polite than I thought.โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s because he wants a lot from this Caenerna. If you know how much these mercenaries check each other, youโ€™ll be surprised. They desperately try to get the emperorโ€™s attention and receive a small title.โ€

You could see them fighting much more fiercely for such a reward than for a reward like silver. It was indeed an emperor-like skill of his to exploit such an aspect.

โ€˜๐˜๐˜ฎ๐˜ฎ. ๐˜ ๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ข๐˜ค๐˜ต ๐˜ข ๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ต๐˜ญ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ญ๐˜ข๐˜ป๐˜ช๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ. ๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜บ ๐˜ด๐˜ฑ๐˜ช๐˜ณ๐˜ช๐˜ต ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ๐˜ด ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜จ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ช๐˜ป๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ ๐˜ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜จ๐˜ฉ๐˜ต.โ€™

Mercenaries who fight for money became lazy as soon as they got out of surveillance. Experience was needed to keep them brisk.

โ€œBy the way, communication by the Fire Goblet must have been cut off. Werenโ€™t you surprised?โ€

โ€œI was worried.โ€

โ€œ. . .Really? There was no particular reason. There are too many wizards to use it. When mysticism changes, wizards notice right away.โ€

Under the pretext of patrol, Caenerna walked around the castle. Seeing that no one was particularly concerned, it seemed that she usually walked around.

As Johan walked around, he memorized the structure of the castle in his mind. There were maps available but their quality was quite poor, so it was better for Johan to redraw them.

โ€œI guess I should cause some kind of disturbance after all. Do you have any advice?โ€

โ€œHmm. How about a monster?โ€

โ€œDo monsters appear often?โ€

โ€œRumors always float around castles as old as this. Sometimes when you get used to them, they appear. Mercenaries seem interested enough to make a move. . .โ€

To mercenaries starving for a reward, a threatening monster would feel not like a crisis, but an opportunity.

โ€œBut for a monster to conveniently move around at my request. . . Ah, thereโ€™s Jyanina.โ€

โ€œJyanina-gong?โ€

โ€œWas there some issue between you two?โ€

โ€œWell, sheโ€™s a wizard who used to do all sorts of things to get my power when she worked as a court wizard, so itโ€™s hard not to pay attention.โ€

โ€œOh dear. I shouldnโ€™t have brought her.โ€

โ€œIt doesnโ€™t matter. If I had been attacked, I would know, but I have never been.โ€

โ€œ. . .โ€

Johan pitied Jyanina for her confidence. She seemed to be very confident, judging from what she said.

๐“๐ก๐ฎ๐!

A faint sound of something collapsing could be heard from afar. Johan furrowed his brows.

โ€œWhat was that sound?โ€

โ€œ?โ€

Caenerna, whose senses were duller than Johanโ€™s, couldnโ€™t hear it and tilted her head. But the sound was heard again.

๐“๐ก๐ฎ๐!

โ€œ. . .Is there any force around here that could attack this castle?โ€

โ€œNone, unless the feudal lords have gone mad and charged over here.โ€

๐“๐ก๐ฎ๐!

As the noise grew louder, even Caenerna could hear it now. Caenerna narrowed her eyes and stared in the direction the noise was coming from.

At the same time, the huge outer wall of the castle collapsed.

The dwarves inside the castle who had been boasting that not even a dragon could bring down this wall were stunned speechless at the sight.

โ€œAn earthquake?!โ€

โ€œIf it were an earthquake, the surroundings would have shaken.โ€

Johan tensed his body. The spirits sleeping within cried out shrilly, and his intuition rang out sharply. It was a reaction Johan had never seen before.

A blood-soaked mercenary came galloping in on a ragged horse, fleeing this way.

And he screamed,

โ€œA dragon has appeared!โ€

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