How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 221: ๐€๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐š๐ง๐œ๐ž ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐๐จ๐›๐ฅ๐ž๐ฌ (3)

โ€œIs Parre really safe?โ€

One of the elf knights looked at the envoys with disdain and asked.

To be precise, although it was a place a bit far west even in the south of the Empire, away from the turmoil of war, the envoys also had something to say.

How could they know how the situation around here would change as they left their fiefdom, went around the mountain range, and headed south?

โ€œIt looks like those who covet merit have brought their troops here.โ€

Count Puakonyu murmured as he identified the enemyโ€™s military. At best, it was a force of less than a thousand.

After the emperor had won a great victory, the feudal lords of the south would have shrivelled up, and the nobles under the emperor would naturally have been swaggering around the south.

Originally, war was more often a series of small forces attacking and occupying towns, rather than hundreds of thousands gathering in one place to fight. It was closer to a tedious land grab than something dramatic.

โ€œShould we wait for the follow-up troops, or attack right away. . .โ€

โ€œLetโ€™s attack right away, Your Excellency!โ€

Johan was currently leading the vanguard of several hundred at the very front.

Behind them, the rest of the mercenaries and feudal lords of the Order faction followed, leading their troops separately.

To exert all their power, they had to wait for the whole army to gather, but the elf knights, as well as the mercenaries and centaurs, also wanted to attack immediately. And this was common. Whether nobles or commoners, they did not particularly want to share merit with others.

โ€˜๐˜•๐˜ฐ. ๐˜๐˜ต ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ๐˜ด ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ง ๐˜ฌ๐˜ฏ๐˜ช๐˜จ๐˜ฉ๐˜ต๐˜ด ๐˜ซ๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ต ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ค๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜จ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ค๐˜ฌ๐˜ญ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด๐˜ด๐˜ญ๐˜บ.โ€™

In fact, charging was not a bad judgement either. Johanโ€™s vanguard consisted of some of the best warriors among the eastern tribes, and seasoned veterans among the mercenaries who were also well armed.

The fighting strength of the elf knights and the envoys was also considerable, so they were confident they could win even if they charged as they were. Giving the enemy little time to judge was also basic tactics. . .

โ€œIt looks like the enemy has noticed. Theyโ€™ve started to retreat.โ€

โ€œ!โ€

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

There were many nobles from traditional families under Cardirian, but there were also quite a few upstart nobles. They were mainly former mercenary captains who had rendered merit and received peerage.

The emperor employed far more troops than the strained finances could afford, and had to utilize various methods to pay their wages. One was conferring titles and certain rights.

Sir Torsten was one of them. Though to be precise, he was from a knightly family and worked as a mercenary captain before rising in status, other nobles didnโ€™t care much about that fact. Mercenary captains and petty nobles looked much the same to them.

โ€œWhere did the relief troops come from? Could they be from Count Jarpen? I heard he doesnโ€™t have any to spare??โ€

โ€œI think you should retreat.โ€

โ€œDamn it. Weโ€™re just about to take it. . .โ€

Sir Torsten looked at the castle walls with an expression full of regret. Originally, castles big and small were hard to capture swiftly, but Parre Castle was an exception. Its walls hadnโ€™t been properly repaired since collapsing a few years prior.

Thanks to that, they could push relatively quickly, and the enemy was nearly beaten. . .

โ€œCaptain! Their numbers are smaller than expected! We can ignore them and push through! They probably canโ€™t charge easily either!โ€

โ€œAnd what if thatโ€™s just the vanguard?โ€

As the staff argued contradictory opinions noisily, Sir Torsten was getting a headache. Both sides had a point.

Reluctant to retreat after spending all that money, yet worried about the unknown reinforcements that could arrive anytime. . .

โ€œThe banners have been identified! Itโ€™s Count Yeatsโ€™ banner!โ€

โ€œWe retreat! Damn it! Whatโ€™s that guy doing here?โ€

Upon learning which family the enemy banners belonged to, Sir Torsten made his decision instantly. His dilemma disappeared.

Some glory-hungry nobles and knights bragged about wanting to cross blades with Johan one day, but Sir Torsten didnโ€™t have such lofty goals. He simply aimed to rise in status and wealth.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

โ€œIs it a trap?โ€

Johan was puzzled. The opponent who had been aggressively trying to siege suddenly retreated, getting entangled and confused. The defenders along the city walls suddenly gained momentum and launched a counterattack.

Seeing them stumbling around like that even though theyโ€™re fine. . .

โ€œWeโ€™ll find out if itโ€™s a trap or not. Permission to advance!โ€

Euclyia shouted confidently. Johan nodded.

The centaurs would detour to the right to block the opponentโ€™s escape route. Even if it was a trap, they would be able to get out immediately.

โ€œWe request permission to charge as well!โ€

Johan ignored the shout of the elf knights and waited. There didnโ€™t seem to be any particular movement in the nearby forest either.

โ€œIt doesnโ€™t look like a trap, does it?โ€

โ€œIt doesnโ€™t seem so.โ€

โ€œWe request permission to charge as well!! Your Excellency!โ€

โ€œHmm. But letโ€™s wait a little more.โ€

โ€œPlease give us permission to charge!! The centaurs will take them all!โ€

โ€œThat doesnโ€™t sound too bad either. . .โ€

The elf knights were panting as if they were out of breath. Johan gave them permission, as he was worried they might challenge him to a duel if he left them alone any longer.

โ€˜๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜บ ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ญ๐˜บ ๐˜ง๐˜ช๐˜จ๐˜ฉ๐˜ต ๐˜ธ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ญ.โ€™

The elf knights charged into the center like hungry hounds, brandishing their swords and maces. Iselia watched them with an envious expression. She couldnโ€™t join the charge because she had to guard Johan.

โ€œThe other side is requesting negotiations, Your Excellency!โ€

โ€œTell them to go negotiate in the afterlife.โ€

Johan sneered.

Why would they want to negotiate when the situation was not unfavorable at all?

However, the expressions of the envoys were strange. After hearing the terms of the negotiations, their faces turned pale as they spoke.

โ€œ. . .Your Excellency. It appears that Caccia-nim has been captured by those people.โ€

โ€œ!โ€

Caccia Jarpen. The youngest daughter of Count Jarpen and the wife of Ulrike. The envoysโ€™ faces turned blue when they heard that such a noblewoman had been taken hostage by the opponent.

Iselia asked in puzzlement.

โ€œWhat was she doing when she got caught?โ€

โ€œShe was probably walking around the area with some guards when she was ambushed. . .โ€

The envoy said in an anxious voice. Marriages between major noble families were quite dry.

Since there were no regrets or deficiencies on either side, they respected each otherโ€™s territories and didnโ€™t interfere with what the other was doing.

โ€œEven so, she should have brought more guards with her when going hunting.โ€

โ€œIselia. She probably wasnโ€™t out hunting.โ€

Although Johan didnโ€™t know the Jarpen familyโ€™s bloodline in detail, he had never heard that the youngest daughter enjoyed hunting.

He had heard talk about her having a beautiful appearance, talent for managing assets, and various other qualities that made her a good match. . .

โ€œWe have no choice. Tell them we accept the negotiations.โ€

He couldnโ€™t abandon a noblewoman from the Jarpen family to capture some nameless knights and mercenaries. Johanโ€™s words brightened the faces of the envoys.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

The battle was temporarily halted, and people came out from each camp. Sir Torsten looked ahead with a tense expression.

โ€˜๐˜‹๐˜ข๐˜ฎ๐˜ฏ. ๐˜ ๐˜ธ๐˜ช๐˜ด๐˜ฉ ๐˜ ๐˜ฅ๐˜ช๐˜ฅ๐˜ฏโ€™๐˜ต ๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ท๐˜ฆ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฑ๐˜ถ๐˜ต ๐˜ด๐˜ฐ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ ๐˜ง๐˜ณ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜ต ๐˜ช๐˜ง ๐˜ ๐˜ฅ๐˜ช๐˜ฅ๐˜ฏโ€™๐˜ต ๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ท๐˜ฆ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฌ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฑ ๐˜ถ๐˜ฑ ๐˜ข๐˜ฑ๐˜ฑ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ค๐˜ฆ๐˜ด.โ€™

Although Count Yeats was not a nobleman who did not keep his faith, apart from that, facing someone from the central region was an extreme burden.

On one side was a mere mercenary captain, while on the other was the overlord of the south. He wanted to avoid accumulating resentment by facing him or drawing attention.

The count was younger than expected. The elven knights were escorting him. With the handsome count already surrounded by the elven knights, the pressure felt even greater.

โ€œSir Torsten, I presume?โ€

โ€œY-Yes, Count.โ€

Sir Torsten had to hold back the honorifics that wanted to come out.

โ€œI will promise to not pursue you if you hand over the hostage.โ€

โ€œSwear on your honor.โ€

โ€œHow dare a vulgar rascal like you doubt the honor of the Count!โ€

As the elven knight drew his sword, there were gasps around them. Johan stretched out his hand to stop him.

โ€œI swear on my honor. Hand over the hostage.โ€

โ€œI-I will do that.โ€

โ€œYou must be very angry. You were just about to take the castle, and then you got a hostage on top of that. . .โ€

โ€œWe were just lucky.โ€

They really were lucky. They happened to catch them because some people who looked valuable were wandering around, and it turned out to be the youngest daughter of the Jarpen family.

โ€œA knightโ€™s achievement is not determined by luck. Remember this knightโ€™s name.โ€

Johan spoke as if making small talk. He meant for the other to save face by hearing this much since he must be very angry. However, the look on the otherโ€™s face was not very good.

โ€˜๐˜๐˜ฆ ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ๐˜ด ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ท๐˜ฆ ๐˜ข ๐˜ญ๐˜ฐ๐˜ต ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ข๐˜ค๐˜ต ๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ฌ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ต.โ€™

โ€œCaccia-nim!โ€

The envoys were delighted to see Jarpenโ€™s lineage. Other than looking a little tired, Caccia did not seem to have any other issues. It was natural since she was a precious hostage, but still it felt reassuring to see her in person.

โ€œYour Excellency Count Yeats. You are the valiant knight who has visited the family fiefdom in the past.โ€

The envoy group was indebted to Johan so they sang his praises as much as possible. Even if they didnโ€™t like it, they had to give compliments in this situation and with this debt, the flattery was inevitable.

Johanโ€™s feats were exaggerated and the things he did for the Order were packaged as sacred devotion.

Seeing this, a dreamy look appeared on Cacciaโ€™s sullen face. Caccia looked at Johan with shining eyes and said,

โ€œSir Knight. You risked your life and honor to save me.โ€

โ€œIt wasnโ€™t me but my subordinates who fought. . .โ€

The returning centaurs could be seen waving their hands behind, carrying two or three backpacks each on their backs.

Caccia held Johanโ€™s hand, disregarding everything else.

โ€œBut it was Sir Knight who saved me.โ€

โ€œIf that is what my lady thinks, I can only feel honored. Hey, take Caccia-gong.โ€

At Johanโ€™s gesture, the servants politely led Caccia away but Caccia shook off the servantsโ€™ hands and pressed a handkerchief into Johanโ€™s hand. Then he walked away proudly.

Seeing this, the envoysโ€™ expressions grew perplexed.

This. . .

Atmosphere. . .?

Suetlg whispered from the side.

โ€œMy friend, I think youโ€™ve gotten yourself into big trouble.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m thinking the same thing right now, Your Excellency.โ€

Iselia, the only one who didnโ€™t grasp the mood, cocked her head and asked.

โ€œIsnโ€™t it a handkerchief given as thanks and reward? When I was little, I also received one after saving a young maiden.โ€

โ€œYou should have looked into that maidenโ€™s eyes. . . Were they the eyes of pure reward? They were the eyes of desire and longing!โ€

โ€œSuetlg-nim. There are people from other families here too.โ€

The envoys pretended not to hear and awkwardly coughed. Suetlg waved his hand in irritation.

โ€œDonโ€™t pretend not to hear and come here. I donโ€™t want things to get complicated so be honest with me. Who is Caccia-gong?โ€

โ€œA kind and generous person.โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s not what Iโ€™m asking right now.โ€

โ€œ. . .She likes tales of chivalry and courtly love and dreams about them.โ€

Suetlg and Johan understood the situation just from that and held their tongues. Despite being wrapped up in various stories and ballads, neither Suetlg nor Johan were the types to fall for such romance.

For noble ladies staying in castles, there were no more exciting partners than young and gallant knights.

Frankly put, it was just a fancy packaging for them to hook up when they were in heat.

The problem was that the nobles themselves were fooled by these stories made to trick others. The custom of swearing secret loyalty to an already married partner provided intense immersion and stimulation to knights and spouses alike.

Suetlg asked Johan.

โ€œIsnโ€™t she married to Duke Ulrike?โ€

โ€œYes.โ€

โ€œUlrike-gong is the power behind the Abner family?โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s right.โ€

โ€œDoes Duke Ulrike happen to be the type to tolerate her wife openly having an affair with a nobleman?โ€

โ€œ. . .Sheโ€™d kill them both.โ€

While it was customary not to care who hooked up with whom, that was only when it wasnโ€™t public. Having an affair with a visiting count was a matter of face for Ulrike.

With his understanding of Ulrikeโ€™s temperament, the future was clearly laid out before Johan.

โ€œWell, itโ€™s fine. We just have to prevent her from approaching him.โ€

โ€œ. . .You still donโ€™t know the blindness of love.โ€

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