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)



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)

Johan seemed to think he should defend his younger sister a little in response to what he said, as the emperor continued speaking.

โ€œHmm. My younger sister isnโ€™t the only one pretending to be a centaur among the young nobles in Vynashchtym. There are quite a few guys among the young nobles who pretend to be centaurs.โ€

โ€œFamily issues arenโ€™t something that just work out easily, so thereโ€™s no need to make excuses like that. I have some useless younger brothers too.โ€

โ€œItโ€™s not an excuse. . .โ€

Among the various races, the centaurs were an exceptionally militant and powerful people.

Born with sturdy lungs that could run thousands of miles and hooves from birth, they were threatening destroyers of civilizations.

Just look at the legends from when the ancient Empire fell โ€“ werenโ€™t the fierce centaurs a major factor?

Even now, empires and minor kingdoms donโ€™t forget that history and are wary of centaur tribes beyond their borders.

Of course, it wasnโ€™t like you never saw centaurs within Vynashchtym at all. If you went to the borders or provinces, you could see many centaur tribes. They were employed as mercenaries or accepted as nobles.

But even so, it was nonsense that young nobles in the capital were pretending to be centaurs. If there was nothing to emulate, why were they emulating it?

โ€œHey. Explain.โ€

โ€œYour Excellency, it really is a trend among the young nobles. . .โ€

โ€œ. . .??โ€

The attendantโ€™s words left Johan flabbergasted. What trend?

But the attendant wasnโ€™t lying. It really was a kind of trend among the young nobles for them to pretend to be centaurs.

Young people always tend to be hot-blooded and rebellious.

It wasnโ€™t strange at all that pretending to be a centaur was a trend among wealthy, idle young nobles as a symbol of rebellion. The fact that centaurs were a symbol of fear was actually an advantage.

โ€œHuh, theyโ€™re pretending to be us?โ€

The centaurs standing nearby were dumbfounded when they overheard. Those arrogant young nobles were pretending to be them?

โ€œI didnโ€™t even know they were pretending to be us.โ€

โ€œWhy are they imitating us anyway?โ€

โ€œCity folks have no common sense.โ€

As the centaurs muttered amongst themselves, the banquet was becoming more and more lively. The dragon beastwoman whipped the horse sculpture and screamed. The nobles excitedly applauded.

โ€œ. . .I wish I could go stop them.โ€

โ€œWhy? The mood is good.โ€

Johan said it half-teasingly, but it was true that the mood was good. Everyone around them looked happy. Isnโ€™t it a superiorโ€™s duty to make their subordinates happy and drunk?

Of course, Johan wouldnโ€™t stand on a horse sculpture and theatrically make the commoners happy even if you gave him a pile of coins. . .

โ€œThere arenโ€™t just young nobles following my younger sister around Vynashchtym.โ€

โ€œAh.โ€

Johan immediately understood. The old nobles definitely wouldnโ€™t like such an impersonation. The emperor of Vynashchtym should be splendid, noble, and generous, but there was a limit.

โ€œI didnโ€™t want to ruin the banquet, but I couldnโ€™t help it.โ€

Johan got off his horse and walked towards the lively banquet hall. He wasnโ€™t unguarded, but his escort was smaller than the emperorโ€™s. On top of that, they were quite drunk.

โ€˜๐˜Œ๐˜ท๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ช๐˜ง ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฑ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ ๐˜ด๐˜ข๐˜ช๐˜ฅ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ซ๐˜ฐ๐˜บ, ๐˜ด๐˜ฉ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ญ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฏโ€™๐˜ต ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜จ๐˜ถ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ฅ๐˜ด ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜ญ ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ค๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ด๐˜ถ๐˜ณ๐˜ณ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ๐˜ด?โ€™

With the emperor and her imperial guards stopped on the roadside, unaware and chatting among themselves. . . that was a bit. . .

โ€œHey, whatโ€™s going on? โ€œ

โ€œ. . .An interesting guard.โ€

Looking at the drunk elf guard, Johan shook his head. Only then did the guard become convinced that Johan was approaching, and spoke strongly.

โ€œStop right there. I donโ€™t know who you are, but if you come any closer, youโ€™ll see heaven early!โ€

โ€œHave you seen heaven before?โ€

โ€œWhat?โ€

โ€œIt looks like you havenโ€™t. Let me show you something similar.โ€

Johan stood in front of the elf guard, grabbed him by the armpits, and threw him straight up.

At that moment, people could see an elf flying through the sky.

โ€œWoahhh!โ€

โ€œDid you see heaven?โ€

After catching the falling elf, Johan asked without waiting for an answer and threw him back up again. After touring the skies twice, the elf was too dizzy to stand back up, vomiting instead.

โ€œYour Majesty! Where did you find such a talented performer? Amazing!โ€

โ€œHuh? What did you say?โ€

โ€œThat actor, didnโ€™t Your Majesty hire him? I mean that actor who looks like a knight.โ€

โ€œ??โ€

The nobles next to them thought Johan was an actor hired by Gaoalkana. He really looked like a convincing knight. They made way for Johan to pass.

โ€œCome now, show Her Majesty your might! Sing praises of that majesty you cannot withstand!โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

The power of the drunks was tremendous. Being among them made Johan feel drunk even though he didnโ€™t drink. Gaoalkana looked at Johan in surprise.

I donโ€™t know who he is, but judging by his knightly looks, did another noble call him?

โ€œHear me, I am Tanggur. I am the wrath and flame of god that came to destroy this world. All the crowns and treasures of the world must come into my hands, young knight, so fall before me!โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

โ€œI said fall! Why donโ€™t you fall?โ€

โ€œYour Majesty. I have come to serve Your Majesty as the newly hired captain of the royal guard.โ€

โ€œI donโ€™t recall hiring you. . . Oh. Gaรฏaros hired you? I see. But wait a little. My play hasnโ€™t finished yet.โ€

Johan didnโ€™t intend to talk long with a drunk person. He politely set the emperor down then started walking carrying her in one arm. The nobles shouted excitedly.

โ€œIn the end the knight defeats the centaur, isnโ€™t that too clichรฉ?โ€

โ€œClichรฉ? This is tradition! This too is drama! Is an avant-garde drama necessarily good?โ€

โ€œWhere does a talentless hack who knows nothing of drama get off criticizing?โ€

The drunk nobles fought throwing cups at each other. Since they were all drunk there was little danger but it did make a mess. As jugs were knocked over and wine spilled they all yelled.

The emperor held in Johanโ€™s arm lamented as if heartbroken.

โ€œMy play has not yet ended! Put me down, young knight!โ€

โ€œThe play is now over, letโ€™s applaud.โ€

โ€œWhatโ€™s that. . . No. Thatโ€™s not bad actually. Say that line one more time.โ€

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

โ€œEuclyia. May I politely ask to take care of Your Majesty?โ€

โ€œAlthough I would feel like shit, if Your Excellency commands it, I will certainly do so.โ€

โ€œ. . .Then I guess Iโ€™ll just have to carry her on my back.โ€

Gaoalkana sobered up from the alcohol rather quickly. She looked around and was surprised to see the centaurs. Was she finally seeing hallucinations beyond her status as an actress?

โ€œGaoalkana. They are my new imperial guard, so donโ€™t think strangely.โ€

โ€œOh. . .โ€

At his words, Gaoalkana nodded. Her brother had always loved the military and enjoyed hiring and training imperial guards. Adding a centaur was nothing surprising.

โ€œIt works out well. I needed centaurs for my play. Who wants the honorable position of participating? The spots are limited so first come first serve!โ€

The centaurs collectively gave her the cold shoulder. No matter how fascinated they were with the city, they were not so obsessed as to appear in a play. Gaoalkana was taken aback.

โ€œWhy is no one volunteering? What, no confidence in acting? Donโ€™t worry. I wonโ€™t give you that difficult of a role.โ€

โ€œGaoalkana. The centaurs have little interest in plays.โ€

โ€œThat makes no sense?โ€

โ€œAnd the one in front is the newly hired imperial guard captain, Johan from the Yeats family, holding the title of count. Now that youโ€™re sober, get down from his horse and show some manners.โ€

โ€œJohan? I see. Please treat me well.โ€

โ€œYou should call him Count Yeats. . .nevermind.โ€

The emperor started to say but gave up. He was annoyed. Gaรฏaros did not like interfering in his competent younger sisterโ€™s affairs.

It was not out of consideration for his sister but because he personally found it tiresome.

โ€˜๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ฌ๐˜ช๐˜ฅ ๐˜ด๐˜ฉ๐˜ถ๐˜ต ๐˜ถ๐˜ฑ.โ€™

On the way to the palace riding her horse, Gaoalkana chattered nonstop.

About what region Johan was from, what he used to do, what family he was part of, what weapon he used as a knight, what monsters he hunted, how he leads the centaurs and dwarves around, and so on.

Beside her, Euclyia whispered in Eastern:

โ€œJust give the order and I will gag her.โ€

โ€œNo.โ€

Seeing Euclyia, Gaoalkana curiously reached out her hand to touch herโ”Johan sai

โ€œYour Majesty. centaurs consider it very rude for someone they are not engaged with to touch them.โ€

โ€œIs that so? I didnโ€™t know. Surprising.โ€

Gaoalkana made a mental note for later use. Inspiration was already striking.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

Upon entering the palace, eunuchs and mutilated slaves were waiting. After Johan was bathed in fragrant water and had the toxins sweated out under their service, he came back out wearing typical Vynashchtym attire.

Various nobles were already coming and going, trying to get an audience with the emperor. Gaรฏaros didnโ€™t delay even though he could have. He wanted to get it over with quickly and deal with his own business.

โ€œCount Yeats?โ€

โ€œDo you know me?โ€

โ€œWhile you do not know me, I know you. To have gained so much of His Majestyโ€™s trust.โ€

The other party was from the senate nobility but had strong Republic of Beneto blood mixed in. With support from the republic, he helped represent the republicโ€™s interests within Vynashchtym.

From the โ€˜outsiderโ€™ perspective, the emergence of a young noble like Johan who gets along well with centaurs and has the emperorโ€™s deep trust could only be welcoming. Moreover, Johanโ€™s relationship with the republic was also special.

โ€œI was just lucky.โ€

โ€œThe love you receive from God is not luck but a blessing. As you already know, Vynashchtym is truly overflowing with gold.โ€

All the wealth in the world gathered here. The republic desperately lobbied and bribed nobles to grab even a tiny bit more influence. It was more intense than the wars happening outside their territory.

โ€œIf you ever need help, please call me anytime.โ€

The noble left meaningfully. The will to join hands for mutual benefit could be strongly felt. Johan nodded his head.

In the meantime, the young emperor was receiving praises and oaths of loyalty from the gathered nobles. With the chamberlain purged and the recent victory against the eastern pagans, the emperorโ€™s authority was at its peak. No one currently coveted his seat.

โ€œYour Majesty. Your hunting of the manticore is surely a sign from God. The manticore is a monster from the east. Catching it means that Your Majesty will crush the eastern pagans and place the empire on a firm foundation.โ€

While Johan didnโ€™t believe in such superstitions, the nobles present had quite refreshed expressions.

โ€˜๐˜‹๐˜ฐ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด ๐˜ค๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ค๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ข ๐˜ฎ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ท๐˜ฆ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ต ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ?โ€™

He was curious what meaning catching a troll held but Johan decided to just observe.

โ€œYour Majesty. I wish to hold a victory celebration to commemorate this triumph. If both Your Majesties attend and grace the event, it will be a truly honorable occasion for the citizens of the capital.โ€

โ€œI see.โ€

โ€œSo will you attend?โ€

โ€œNo. Gaoalkana will go instead.โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

The gathered noblesโ€™ faces twisted a little. If not for the emperorโ€™s recent victory, they might have said something.

โ€œYour Majesty. It would be complete if both of you attend.โ€

โ€œI know. But Iโ€™m unwell.โ€

โ€œThereโ€™s still time before the celebration. Surely youโ€™ll recover by then?โ€

โ€œItโ€™s a chronic condition so I should rest in the quiet palace.โ€

Johan was amazed. He asserted he would live however he wanted despite the atmosphere and expectations.

Does one need this level of mental fortitude to become emperor of the empire?

The fight between the prideful nobles and emperor ended in the emperorโ€™s victory.

Since the emperor had nothing to lose from the start, by insisting โ€˜๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐโ€™, โ€˜๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜ญ ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐโ€™, and โ€˜๐˜ ๐˜ถ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ฃ๐˜ถ๐˜ต ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐโ€™, the nobles had nothing they could do.

โ€œCount Yeats over there will help Gaoalkana attend instead. If thereโ€™s nothing else to say, I should go rest.โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

The emperor slipped away on the excuse of being sick.

What remained were the Vynashchtym nobles staring intently at Johan. Their gazes showed their determination to use Johan as leverage to make the emperor move.

โ€˜๐˜š๐˜ฉ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ญ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ ๐˜ฑ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ ๐˜ค๐˜ข๐˜ฏโ€™๐˜ต ๐˜ด๐˜ฑ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ฌ ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ค๐˜ช๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ต ๐˜ช๐˜ฎ๐˜ฑ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ช๐˜ข๐˜ญ ๐˜ญ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜จ๐˜ถ๐˜ข๐˜จ๐˜ฆ?โ€™


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