How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 286: ๐’๐ญ๐ซ๐š๐ง๐ ๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ (4)



Chapter 286: ๐’๐ญ๐ซ๐š๐ง๐ ๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ (4)

The rogues of the mountain were a group formed by rugged tribes, and it was not easy to play the role of leader among them.

Only the strong, vicious and cautious could take on the role of leader.

Among them, Lamar had served as a captain of the Eastern Empireโ€™s Ten Captains. Thanks to that, he did not lack any of the virtues a warrior should have, such as spearmanship, swordsmanship, archery and horsemanship.

However. . .

โ€˜๐˜ž๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ต ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ด. . .?โ€™

The moment Lamar crossed weapons with the duke, he felt like he had become a young child. No matter how much strength he put in to push back, his opponent did not budge at all. It seemed it would have been better even if he was wielding weapons against a giant.

Soon the duke pushed his weapon strongly. Lamar then helplessly tumbled off his horse. Lamarโ€™s face flushed deep red with humiliation.

โ€œA b*stard who made a pact with such a demon!!โ€

โ€œYes, I heard a lot on my way here.โ€

Without changing his expression, Johan took out a riding crop and whipped Lamar. Although the riding crop with its blunt and fast tip was quite a destructive weapon, it was decently endurable if it hit sturdy and thick armor.

. . .Unless wielded by Johan, that is.

A sound that could not be made by human strength rang out, and Lamar flew away screaming. The impact was so great that he could not even tell what he had been hit by.

โ€œCatch him. We need to take him hostage.โ€

โ€œAs expected of Your Highness! We do not need to humor the tricks of these rogues!โ€

From the moment Johan had brought the centaurs with him, the gang of rogues should have realized something was off.

For the centaurs, who lived in the eastern plains by customs different from the laws of civilization, deceiving tricks like this in negotiations with gangs of rogues was no big deal.

Rather, this was proof of a clever leader with the head of a fox.

โ€œHaa, haha, Y-Your Highness! Your Highness, what is the meaning of this?! Your god is watching!โ€

As the regained Lamar shouted, Johan lazily waved his hand in annoyance.

โ€œAh, I said Iโ€™ll atone.โ€

โ€œWhat do you. . .โ€

โ€œI said Iโ€™ll atone! Shut your mouth!โ€

The centaurs immediately silenced Lamarโ€™s mouth. Lamarโ€™s face flushed red again. The shock of being captured was one thing, but the bigger shock was being toyed with so easily by the young duke he had looked down upon.

Now that he saw him, far from being devout, he seemed to have the level of faith of a bandit!

โ€œI wonder if theyโ€™ll agree to exchange him for the pilgrims since heโ€™s the boss. What do you think?โ€

โ€œThat kind of guy tends to cherish those of the same tribe, so it may be possible, Your Highness.โ€

โ€œIs that so?โ€

โ€œYes. I recommend severing some fingers and sending them over first. Then theyโ€™ll grasp the situation as well.โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

The captured rogues rolled their eyes in horror at the centaursโ€™ conversation.

Just because they were of the Eastern Empire, the centaurs did not have a good image. The nomadic centaurs, who would come rushing in like a storm from afar, ravage the land, and disappear were an object of fear to all civilizations.

โ€œDo you have something to say?โ€

โ€œLeave him be until he loses his strength. Heโ€™ll just spout nonsense like blasphemy anyway.โ€

โ€œHe must think heโ€™s some priest! Hahaha!โ€

Seeing the prisoners loaded onto horses and chatting away, they looked more like the rogues rather than the captives. Lamar and his men were dragged away feeling dreadful.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

More people than Johan had expected were heading east. Numerous monks and paladin orders had joined the journey, both to protect the people and to make the pilgrimage themselves.

Among them were Halzedel and the Three Brothers Order of chivalry, gathered before the Black Mountains.

โ€œWe must rescue the captured pilgrims, by all means.โ€

โ€œO. . . Over there?โ€

โ€œYes. Halzedel-nim.โ€

โ€˜๐˜ˆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏโ€™๐˜ต ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜บ ๐˜ค๐˜ณ๐˜ข๐˜ป๐˜บ?โ€™

Halzedel felt very uncomfortable with the attention he was receiving.

Of all the monotheists gathered here, Halzedel was the one with the highest status, at least in terms of the Empireโ€™s hierarchy. He had yet to become a baron, but he at least had the title of feudal lord of the Empire.

Thatโ€™s why the monks in the Three Brothers Order of chivalry, as well as the other pilgrims, respected Halzedel.

However, Halzedel was not from a noble family with deep roots. He was an impoverished noble who had gotten lucky and earned his title during the recent serf rebellion in the south.

During the rebellion, he had no fear and went around calling himself a duke, but as soon as the rebellion ended, he kept his mouth shut and paid close attention to the opinions of those around him.

Thanks to this, he was able to save his own life, earn a title, and lead an expedition to the east. . .

But he was no fool. He had led mercenaries into battle on several occasions and had actual combat experience.

โ€˜๐˜๐˜ตโ€™๐˜ด ๐˜ฑ๐˜ณ๐˜ข๐˜ค๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ค๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ญ๐˜บ ๐˜ข ๐˜ค๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ง๐˜ง. . .โ€™

On the way here, he had heard rumors that the bandits holding their ground in the Black Mountains hadnโ€™t been subdued even by the sultanโ€™s forces. When he saw it for himself, he understood why. The terrain itself served as a natural fortress.

But the fanatical paladins didnโ€™t care. They believed in their faith and their steel, and they were ready to charge up the mountain.

From Halzedelโ€™s point of view, it was a spine-chilling proposal.

โ€œHalzedel-nim. We absolutely cannot!โ€

โ€œI know that, wizard. But look at the atmosphere. If we refuse them outright, theyโ€™ll all leave.โ€

Bolts, who had acted as Halzedelโ€™s philosopher since the rebellion, whispered, but Halzedel couldnโ€™t help it.

A well-armed paladin who had trained at a monastery for a long time was worth ten mercenaries, at least.

If he could travel with them, he needed to do whatever it took to keep them happy.

The good news was that they had some acquaintance with Baron Serderdits, who was called a saint in the order.

Thanks to that friendship, he had been able to get close to the order of chivalry and the pilgrims and travel with them. . .

But if he didnโ€™t participate in the attack this time, their companionship would surely come to an end.

โ€œCaptain. How about we make an excuse and wait until the Saint arrives? We can stall for time, and things might change once he gets here.โ€

โ€œ. . .No. Thatโ€™s even more dangerous.โ€

It was tempting, but Halzedel shook his head vehemently. He knew very well just how terrifying the Baron Julienne called the Saint could be.

He seemed gentle and harmless on the surface, but when he received a revelation, he would charge forward without hesitation, even if it meant crawling through a pit of fire.

Sometimes, when things worked out incredibly well, it seemed like he really was receiving divine revelations, but he was still human, and he couldnโ€™t help but be afraid. Just being near him made him feel like he might die a horrible death.

Thatโ€™s why he had made up an excuse to get out of this expedition. . .

โ€œGiven his abilities, he might arrive sooner than we think. We can say no now, but once he gets here, we wonโ€™t be able to.โ€

โ€œWhy not? How many of your men will actually listen to you, Captain!โ€

โ€œYou say that because youโ€™ve never seen a baron. His charm is almost like that of a malevolent spirit.โ€

At Halzedelโ€™s words, Bolts nodded repeatedly. Even Bolts, who considered himself a wizard, had never seen anything like it.

Those fierce and greedy mercenaries, bandits, wanderers, and beggars would nod their heads with possessed looks on their faces and do whatever the Saint told them to.

It was a truly devout and terrifying sight.

โ€œLetโ€™s just join them and play it by ear. Theyโ€™ll take the lead!โ€

โ€œWizard.โ€

Bolts tensed up when Halzedelโ€™s voice dropped.

Had he gone too far with his suggestion, even for a master wizard?

โ€œThatโ€™s a wonderful idea!โ€

โ€œI knew youโ€™d be pleased!โ€

When Halzedel relayed the message, the paladins nodded eagerly.

Preparations continued for several days, and once they were complete, the attack began.

The paladins of the Three Brothers Order of chivalry were truly fearsome. They wore two layers of heavy chain mail and carried shields and swords in their hands, yet they moved with ease.

They didnโ€™t retreat, even when arrows rained down on them like a hailstorm. They ended up with more than ten arrows embedded in their bodies.

Despite this, capturing the fortress was not easy.

โ€˜๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ฎ๐˜ถ๐˜ค๐˜ฉ ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฅ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜จ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ด ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ ๐˜ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜จ๐˜ฉ๐˜ต!โ€™

Halzedel gulped. Even from where he was standing at the back, he could sense how thorough their preparations were.

โ€œLord!! Requesting reinforcements. They said to send them immediately!โ€

โ€œI. . . I know. Iโ€™ll be there soon.โ€

โ€œLord. You need to give the order right now!โ€

The paladin spoke in a forceful voice. His tone was polite, but it was laced with killing intent.

Only a grand feudal lord known far and wide would make the monks pretend to die. A feudal lord who ruled some small town in the middle of nowhere in the Empire didnโ€™t have much influence in these distant eastern lands.

Halzedel had a gut feeling that if he delayed any longer, the paladins might attack them first.

โ€œAt. . . Attack! Attack! Sound the horn!โ€

At Halzedelโ€™s command, the soldiers of mercenary origin charged forward. At that moment, bandits with black flags ambushed them from both sides, shouting. Halzedel felt his vision go black.

โ€˜๐˜–๐˜ฉ, ๐˜จ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฅ!โ€™

To be surrounded in this situation, of all times. Now he had to figure out how to escape.

โ€œReinforcements are here!!โ€

โ€œReinforcements? Where? Why??โ€

Halzedel asked in confusion. There was nowhere reinforcements could come from.

And thatโ€™s the opposite direction. . .?

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

After experiencing the various torture techniques of the Western Empire, Lamar from the Eastern Empire became very meek and cooperative.

โ€œIs that true?โ€

โ€œI swear on my name that it is, Your Highness!โ€

The ragged Lamar spoke urgently. And what Johan had asked him was something he didnโ€™t need to hide anyway.

The fortresses throughout the Black Mountains couldnโ€™t be captured just by knowing their locations. They were situated on such steep cliffs.

โ€œIโ€™d like to exchange you for the pilgrims. What do you think?โ€

โ€œIf you do that, Your Highnessโ€™s generous and merciful grace will spread throughout this region for all eternity!โ€

A centaur who had been listening nearby exclaimed in admiration.

โ€œWow. Heโ€™s really good with words. Why wasnโ€™t he like that when we first captured him?โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

Lamar cursed the centaurs in his heart, but he kept his mouth shut on the outside. He had to stay alive, after all.

โ€œVery well. Go and demand negotiations.โ€

โ€œWhat if they refuse the exchange?โ€

โ€œThen letโ€™s just execute him and go back. I donโ€™t feel like climbing up that cliff to save the pilgrims.โ€

Lamar almost screamed at Johanโ€™s words. How was this devout believer acting?

โ€œSend a messenger and make them agree to negotiations.โ€

The messenger ran off and quickly returned, looking resentful.

โ€œTheyโ€™re telling us to get lost!โ€

โ€œ???โ€

โ€œAh, no! Thereโ€™s a misunderstanding!โ€

Lamar shouted hastily. Fortunately, the messenger continued speaking.

โ€œTheyโ€™re in the middle of a battle, so they must be noisy!โ€

Caenerna spoke up at his words.

โ€œWouldnโ€™t it be better to just take over now, while we have the chance?โ€

โ€œNow?โ€

โ€œTheyโ€™re bandits, no matter how disciplined they are. They wonโ€™t be able to handle an attack from both sides. Iโ€™ll summon spirits and burn down the obstacles in our way.โ€

โ€œHmm. . .โ€

Johan looked at Caenerna with an unreadable expression. Caenerna spoke in a slightly irritated voice.

โ€œSurely youโ€™re not worried that I wonโ€™t be able to do it, Your Highness?โ€

โ€œI was worried that you might overexert yourself and hurt yourself.โ€

โ€œ. . .Thatโ€™s. . .โ€

Just as Caenerna was about to say thank you with an embarrassed expression, Suetlg cut her off.

โ€œCaenerna-gong, Iโ€™ll pour water on you if you go berserk, so go ahead. We canโ€™t miss our chance to attack by surprise.โ€

โ€œYes. Letโ€™s do it.โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

Caenerna started to curse, but then she stopped. If she lost control of her spirits, the most reliable person was Suetlg.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

โ€˜๐˜•๐˜ฐ. ๐˜š๐˜ถ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜บ ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ต. ๐˜‰๐˜ถ๐˜ต ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜ญ. . .โ€™

Lamar, who had been watching anxiously, felt the back of his neck stiffen with anger when he saw the dukeโ€™s flag go up over the fortress.

Even they wouldnโ€™t be able to take a fortress, right?

โ€œWhat the hell are those good-for-nothing b*stards doing, getting caught in a surprise attack like that?!!โ€

The centaurs, who had been guarding them in the Eastern language, asked fiercely.

โ€œHey, thief. What are you blabbering about?โ€

โ€œL. . . Long live His Highness the duke.โ€


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