How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 56: ๐๐ž๐จ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ž ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐€๐›๐ง๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ๐š๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฒ (๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ)

Suetlg was flawless.

The face was unfamiliar, and the fact that he was said to be Countess Abnerโ€™s son suggested he was either an imposter or a b*stard. Either way, there was no good in keeping him alive.

It would only incur Countess Abnerโ€™s enmity for no reason.

โ€œEven if to kill, it would have been better to extract information first. . .โ€

โ€œWhat would such a kid know anyway? Probably just foolishly used. Itโ€™s already been a hassle delaying this long, and it would get more complicated if someone from above comes in.โ€

The moment someone else from above saw this man, neither Johan nor Suetlg could hastily kill him. Especially with Stephen outside.

In this chaotic situation, it was essential to make sure he was dead.

Suetlg was thorough in this regard.

โ€œYou donโ€™t think Countess Abner is involved, do you?โ€

โ€œ. . .I doubt it. If she were, she would have sent a punitive force, wouldnโ€™t she?โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s a relief at least.โ€

โ€œLetโ€™s hope she didnโ€™t care much for the b*stard. Otherwise, he wouldnโ€™t be in such a place to begin with.โ€

The slaves crushed the b*stardโ€™s face and destroyed anything that could identify him. Meanwhile, Suetlg searched the wizardโ€™s body.

โ€œAs expected, he was studying blood magic.โ€

Blood-related magic was referred to as blood magic. Among various magical fields, magic dealing with blood was particularly considered ominous and evil.

And then there were the shadows. . .

Even the most talented wizards couldnโ€™t get proper recognition if they dealt with such magic.

โ€œDo you have any idea what he was planning to do with these monsters?โ€

โ€œWizards are human too. Probably planned to sell them to nobles.โ€

โ€œEven at the risk of being excommunicated?โ€

โ€œIf they donโ€™t get caught, thatโ€™s the end of it. . . The Church tends to be more lenient towards nobles, doesnโ€™t it?โ€

The life of a wizard unrecognized in public was miserable. Magic was a study that consumed all kinds of wealth, and without a patron, research was difficult. Especially blood magic required many sacrifices.

A wizard studying such magic would have desired a strong patron. Regardless of right or wrong, many nobles wanted powerful monsters infused with magic.

โ€œSearch the surroundings. Take out anything useful. We must search thoroughly before anyone arrives.โ€

The slaves moved busily. Soon, people would enter, and the temple would be completely burnt down. They had to gather anything useful before that.

The first thing Suetlg prioritized was the wizardโ€™s research papers. For a wizard who could perceive mysteries, these papers were more precious than gold.

โ€˜๐˜๐˜ฆ ๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜ด๐˜ฏโ€™๐˜ต ๐˜ซ๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜บ ๐˜ฎ๐˜ข๐˜ฅ๐˜ฎ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ. . .โ€™

Suetlg frowned. Even among wizards who explored mysteries, there were differences in methods. This wizardโ€™s methods were those of a lunatic.

Feeding goblins to each other to strengthen them, collecting their blood for evil spells, controlling beasts. . .

The ultimate plan was to mix the strengthened goblins and beasts to create a robust monster.

The monster encountered in the temple corridor was the result of this. It was not maintained properly, but its combat power was indeed threatening.

โ€œIs this. . . an Empire University bracelet?โ€

โ€œNot surprising. There arenโ€™t many places to learn magic in the first place.โ€

There werenโ€™t many places to learn the mysteries of magic. Suetlg was lucky to learn the secrets of the Ipaรซl River passed down from his master, but not everyone was that fortunate.

โ€œYet, if one still desired to learn magic, they had to seek it anywhere. One such place was the Empire University.

Empire University, a hall of various disciplines such as law, astronomy, medicine, alchemy, theology, and numerology, was one of the most advanced educational institutions. Young intellectuals from across the continent traveled great distances to reach it.

โ€œDo they teach magic?โ€

โ€œHardly. Magic isnโ€™t that easy. If youโ€™re lucky, you might find just the tip of it. This fellow here did the same.โ€

โ€œWhat about universities in other cities?โ€

โ€œWhether itโ€™s Erlans or Catalia, itโ€™s the same. Magic isnโ€™t something you can learn just anywhere. Surely youโ€™re not still harboring the vain hope of learning magic?โ€

โ€œDoes this Empire University bracelet sell for a high price?โ€

โ€œChanging the subject. . . Itโ€™s more of a symbolic item, not a costly one. Rather, this ring would be better. Look, this ring. It would be best if you took it.โ€

โ€œEh? Why offer such a suspicious. . .โ€

โ€œNo, itโ€™s not that suspicious.โ€

Suetlg wiped the ring with his robe before tossing it to Johan. The copper ring held a dark abyss at its center, which strangely flickered if stared at continuously.

โ€œCleverly encapsulated shadows. If it breaks, darkness will spread around. Good for deception.โ€

โ€œWhy didnโ€™t you use it?โ€

โ€œBecause youโ€™d blow your head off?โ€

โ€œAh.โ€

Johan gratefully accepted it. Although he didnโ€™t know the extent, he figured it would be useful.

โ€œThereโ€™s some gold from the Erlans Kingdom. Take this too.โ€

โ€œOh, can I really take all this?โ€

โ€œI swore to repay you properly. Compared to this research, itโ€™s nothing.โ€

To a wizard, mysteries and secrets were more valuable than gold. It didnโ€™t matter much to give these to Johan.

โ€˜๐˜‰๐˜ถ๐˜ต ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆโ€™๐˜ด ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ญ๐˜บ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜จ๐˜ช๐˜ท๐˜ฆ.โ€™

Suetlg was frustrated. Searching this heretical temple was somewhat risky for Johan too. If a promise was made, it needed to be honored accordingly.

But nothing useful was in sight. This wizard seemed to have delved only into evil magic, owning things that were ominous or cursed.

In contrast, Johan was at ease. In fact, he had little intention of getting his investment back. He had already gained enough.

โ€˜๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ด๐˜ถ๐˜ฃ๐˜ซ๐˜ถ๐˜จ๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜ด ๐˜ข ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ๐˜ง๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ฆ ๐˜ด๐˜ถ๐˜ค๐˜ค๐˜ฆ๐˜ด๐˜ด.โ€™

Just succeeding in the subjugation, which had failed numerous times before, was enough. Besides, more gold would soon come.

An anxious wizard and a leisurely knight.

It was the knight who made an unusual discovery. Johan noticed a red leather belt hanging on the wall and asked.

โ€œWhat is this?โ€

โ€œ. . .Donโ€™t touch it for a moment.โ€

Suetlg cautiously picked it up, swung it a few times, and clicked his tongue.

โ€œReally trivial research.โ€

โ€œWhat is it?โ€

โ€œA weapon suited for an assassin. Desperate as one might be, creating such a thing to sell to nobles. . .โ€

The red leather belt transformed into a whip-like weapon when swung with force, draining blood from its target. It was an assassinโ€™s tool.

Suetlg sighed, saddened by the desperate intent of the cornered wizard.

โ€œSuch a thing is not even worth giving to you.โ€

โ€œNo, Iโ€™ll make good use of it.โ€

โ€œ??!โ€

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

The news that Johan had successfully completed the subjugation was immediately delivered to Count โ€˜s ears.

It was surprising enough that the several failed subjugations had succeeded, but what was more surprising were the people behind it.

The report of the subjugation of the group left Countess Abner with no choice but to shake her expression. It was a background she truly hadnโ€™t anticipated.

The vassals, who were equally astonished, regained their senses and exclaimed.

โ€œCongratulations, Countess!โ€

โ€œWhat could be the reason for the previous failed subjugations to succeed? It must be that God has chosen you, Countess.โ€

โ€œI have always thought that Sir Stephen was a brave and outstanding knight. I am overjoyed that such an opportunity has come to prove it!โ€

โ€œStop talking nonsense.โ€

The noble who had opened his mouth at Countess Abnerโ€™s cold words blushed and had to bow his head.

โ€œIf Sir Stephen had the opportunity to show his ability, he would have shown it long ago. Donโ€™t make unnecessary remarks. The matter now is about Johan.โ€

Honestly, it was good news that Stephen played an active role, but Countess Abner was not foolish enough to be deceived now.

The success of this subjugation was entirely due to Johanโ€™s ability.

She thought that she should have placed Stephen among credible knights earlier. . .

But now, such assumptions were meaningless.

โ€œThe monks sent by Bishop Mocheau were lurking around the fiefdom. Ordinarily, I would have immediately expelled them and protested, but this time is different. I should send a messenger to express gratitude and make a donation.โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

The vassals wore dissatisfied expressions.

Normally, meddling in someone elseโ€™s fiefdom, even if done by a bishop, was not something that could be overlooked.

But the situation was different this time.

Since the monks had subjugated the heretics, it would have been an affront to the Countessโ€™s dignity if she did not express gratitude. Generosity and piety were virtues of nobility.

โ€œCountess, someone from the church has come to see you.โ€

โ€œLet them in.โ€

A priest entered with a respectful demeanor, unfazed by the scornful looks of the nobles. If he were to be deterred by the gaze of lower nobles without fiefdoms, he wouldnโ€™t have been able to be a priest.

โ€œWe are grateful for this subjugation, and Bishop Mocheau sends his thanks. Without the Countessโ€™s decisive action, the subjugation would have been impossible. We plan to send a priest back to Heincut town to care for the people, hoping for the Countessโ€™s magnanimity. Please show mercy.โ€

โ€œโ€ฆ?โ€

Countess Abner, who was puzzled by the speech, realized the situation and cursed Stephen.

โ€˜๐˜š๐˜ถ๐˜ค๐˜ฉ ๐˜ข ๐˜ง๐˜ฐ๐˜ฐ๐˜ญ. . .!โ€™

Stephen had reported too briefly.

He reported finding all the goblin dens and that the monks came to subjugate the heretics, leading Countess Abner to assume, โ€˜๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ค๐˜ด ๐˜ธ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ด๐˜ถ๐˜ฃ๐˜ซ๐˜ถ๐˜จ๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ฃ๐˜บ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฌ๐˜ด.โ€™

But now, it was clear that the heretics were also wiped out by the subjugation team. The priestโ€™s words made it even more certain.

โ€œ. . .It was a duty that naturally had to be done. I will consider sending a priest positively.โ€

โ€œThank you, your grace.โ€

The priest politely stepped back as if he had come in. As the worries turned into luck, the expressions of the spirits present brightened.

What used to be a matter of owing a debt to the church had now become something that could be approached with enthusiasm.

โ€œWhen Sir Stephen returns, he shall be rewarded. Let the treasurer prepare according to custom.โ€

โ€œYes!โ€

Upon witnessing this, the nobles thought to themselves.

โ€˜๐˜‹๐˜ฐ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜ญ ๐˜ง๐˜ข๐˜ท๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ ๐˜š๐˜ช๐˜ณ ๐˜š๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฑ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ?โ€™

โ€˜๐˜Š๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ญ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ช๐˜ต ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ต ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆโ€™๐˜ด ๐˜ด๐˜ถ๐˜ฑ๐˜ฑ๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜š๐˜ช๐˜ณ ๐˜š๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฑ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ข๐˜จ๐˜ข๐˜ช๐˜ฏ ๐˜ถ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜จ๐˜ถ๐˜ช๐˜ด๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฐ๐˜ง ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜บ ๐˜ข๐˜ค๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ฆ๐˜ท๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ต. . .โ€™

However, contrary to the noblesโ€™ worries, Countess Abner was unfazed.

While she may have overestimated Johan, she never did so with Stephen.

โ€œAre you sure about this?โ€

After the vassals had left, the head butler asked cautiously. Among the vassals, the head butler held a high-ranking position.

This position entailed managing the fiefdom and even acting as a representative in the lordโ€™s absence.

Naturally, Countess Abner knew what she had given to Stephen.

Now that the campaign was successful, Stephen would certainly try to use the tax rights. After all, that was the purpose of starting the campaign.

And if Ulrike-gong found out. . .

โ€œI have made my decision. The rest is up to Sir Stephen. Even if Ulrike-gong kills him, I wonโ€™t concern myself.โ€

โ€œYes. Understood.โ€

โ€œ. . .However, delivering this letter wouldnโ€™t be a bad idea. Deliver this letter to Sir Johan.โ€

โ€œI will do so.โ€

Though often deemed heartless, Stephen was an exception. Indeed, Stephen was favored by the Countess.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

Johan and the expedition force were preparing to return with high morale.

Calling out the hidden villagers, repairing the town, and burning down the temple in front of the clergy. . .

Having completed these tasks, it was time to return.

Repairing the town wasnโ€™t necessarily a duty of mercenaries, but they followed Johanโ€™s command without much complaint. Sometimes, orders could be given without gold.

โ€œAre you really going to meet Ulrike?โ€

โ€œAs I said, negotiating with Ulrike is the priority. Other matters come after.โ€

The best candidate to sell the tax rights to was Ulrike.

Of course, she was also the one most likely to be enraged upon learning the truth, but Johan believed that if Ulrike understood the situation properly, she would engage in the deal.

Unlike Stephen, she had that level of intelligence.

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