How to Live as a Wandering Knight
Chapter 56: ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฒ (๐๐)Suetlg was flawless.
The face was unfamiliar, and the fact that he was said to be Countess Abnerโs 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 Abnerโs enmity for no reason.
โEven if to kill, it would have been better to extract information first. . .โ
โWhat would such a kid know anyway? Probably just foolishly used. Itโs 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.
โYou donโt think Countess Abner is involved, do you?โ
โ. . .I doubt it. If she were, she would have sent a punitive force, wouldnโt she?โโThatโs a relief at least.โ
โLetโs hope she didnโt care much for the b*stard. Otherwise, he wouldnโt be in such a place to begin with.โ
The slaves crushed the b*stardโs face and destroyed anything that could identify him. Meanwhile, Suetlg searched the wizardโs body.
โAs 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 couldnโt get proper recognition if they dealt with such magic.
โDo you have any idea what he was planning to do with these monsters?โ
โWizards are human too. Probably planned to sell them to nobles.โ
โEven at the risk of being excommunicated?โ
โIf they donโt get caught, thatโs the end of it. . . The Church tends to be more lenient towards nobles, doesnโt 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.
โSearch 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 wizardโs research papers. For a wizard who could perceive mysteries, these papers were more precious than gold.
โ๐๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ข๐ด๐ฏโ๐ต ๐ซ๐ถ๐ด๐ต ๐ข๐ฏ๐บ ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฏ. . .โ
Suetlg frowned. Even among wizards who explored mysteries, there were differences in methods. This wizardโs 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.
โIs this. . . an Empire University bracelet?โ
โNot surprising. There arenโt many places to learn magic in the first place.โ
There werenโt 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.
โYet, 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.
โDo they teach magic?โ
โHardly. Magic isnโt that easy. If youโre lucky, you might find just the tip of it. This fellow here did the same.โ
โWhat about universities in other cities?โ
โWhether itโs Erlans or Catalia, itโs the same. Magic isnโt something you can learn just anywhere. Surely youโre not still harboring the vain hope of learning magic?โ
โDoes this Empire University bracelet sell for a high price?โ
โChanging the subject. . . Itโs 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
โEh? Why offer such a suspicious. . .โ
โNo, itโs 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.
โCleverly encapsulated shadows. If it breaks, darkness will spread around. Good for deception.โ
โWhy didnโt you use it?โ
โBecause youโd blow your head off?โ
โAh.โ
Johan gratefully accepted it. Although he didnโt know the extent, he figured it would be useful.
โThereโs some gold from the Erlans Kingdom. Take this too.โ
โOh, can I really take all this?โ
โI swore to repay you properly. Compared to this research, itโs nothing.โ
To a wizard, mysteries and secrets were more valuable than gold. It didnโt matter much to give these to Johan.
โ๐๐ถ๐ต ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆโ๐ด ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ๐บ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐จ๐ช๐ท๐ฆ.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.
โ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ด๐ถ๐ฃ๐ซ๐ถ๐จ๐ข๐ต๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐ธ๐ข๐ด ๐ข ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ต๐ฆ ๐ด๐ถ๐ค๐ค๐ฆ๐ด๐ด.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.
โWhat is this?โ
โ. . .Donโt touch it for a moment.โ
Suetlg cautiously picked it up, swung it a few times, and clicked his tongue.
โReally trivial research.โ
โWhat is it?โ
โA 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 assassinโs tool.
Suetlg sighed, saddened by the desperate intent of the cornered wizard.
โSuch a thing is not even worth giving to you.โ
โNo, Iโll make good use of it.โ
โ??!โ
๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ
The news that Johan had successfully completed the subjugation was immediately delivered to Count โs 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 hadnโt anticipated.
The vassals, who were equally astonished, regained their senses and exclaimed.
โCongratulations, Countess!โ
โWhat could be the reason for the previous failed subjugations to succeed? It must be that God has chosen you, Countess.โ
โI 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
โStop talking nonsense.โ
The noble who had opened his mouth at Countess Abnerโs cold words blushed and had to bow his head.
โIf Sir Stephen had the opportunity to show his ability, he would have shown it long ago. Donโt 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 Johanโs ability.
She thought that she should have placed Stephen among credible knights earlier. . .
But now, such assumptions were meaningless.
โThe 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. . . . . .โ
The vassals wore dissatisfied expressions.
Normally, meddling in someone elseโs 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 Countessโs dignity if she did not express gratitude. Generosity and piety were virtues of nobility.
โCountess, someone from the church has come to see you.โ
โLet 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 wouldnโt have been able to be a priest.
โWe are grateful for this subjugation, and Bishop Mocheau sends his thanks. Without the Countessโs 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 Countessโs magnanimity. Please show mercy.โ
โโฆ?โ
Countess Abner, who was puzzled by the speech, realized the situation and cursed Stephen.
โ๐๐ถ๐ค๐ฉ ๐ข ๐ง๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ญ. . .!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, โ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ต๐ช๐ค๐ด ๐ธ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ด๐ถ๐ฃ๐ซ๐ถ๐จ๐ข๐ต๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ฃ๐บ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฌ๐ด.โ
But now, it was clear that the heretics were also wiped out by the subjugation team. The priestโs words made it even more certain.
โ. . .It was a duty that naturally had to be done. I will consider sending a priest positively.โ
โThank 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.
โWhen Sir Stephen returns, he shall be rewarded. Let the treasurer prepare according to custom.โ
โYes!โ
Upon witnessing this, the nobles thought to themselves.
โ๐๐ฐ๐ฆ๐ด ๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ด๐ต๐ช๐ญ๐ญ ๐ง๐ข๐ท๐ฐ๐ณ ๐๐ช๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฆ๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฏ?โ
โ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ช๐ต ๐ฃ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ฉ๐ฆโ๐ด ๐ด๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ต๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ช๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฆ๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐ข๐จ๐ข๐ช๐ฏ ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐จ๐ถ๐ช๐ด๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ด ๐ฎ๐ช๐ญ๐ช๐ต๐ข๐ณ๐บ ๐ข๐ค๐ฉ๐ช๐ฆ๐ท๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต. . .โ
However, contrary to the noblesโ worries, Countess Abner was unfazed.
While she may have overestimated Johan, she never did so with Stephen.
โAre 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 lordโs 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. . .
โI have made my decision. The rest is up to Sir Stephen. Even if Ulrike-gong kills him, I wonโt concern myself.โ
โYes. Understood.โ
โ. . .However, delivering this letter wouldnโt be a bad idea. Deliver this letter to Sir Johan.โ
โI will do so.โ
Though often deemed heartless, Stephen was an exception. Indeed, Stephen was favored by the Countess.
๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ
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 wasnโt necessarily a duty of mercenaries, but they followed Johanโs command without much complaint. Sometimes, orders could be given without gold.
โAre you really going to meet Ulrike?โ
โAs 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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