How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 84.1: 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭 (𝟑)

It was rare to catch a troll with fire around here. Despite their reputation for being dull, this troll was a quick and cunning monster. It would either deftly avoid or try to extinguish any fire.

To land a proper hit with fire despite such evasion required special vision or skills.

. . .No. Um. So, thats. . .

What is it? Please tell us how you caught it. Dont worry, Sir Knight. We are not fools who would insult Sir Knight for not fighting one-on-one fairly.

At Achladdas words, the other warriors also nodded in agreement, laughing. However, they had no idea what Johan was about to say.

.

Johan explained the events as convincingly as possible. The warriors, initially listening with great interest, gradually made more bizarre expressions.

You tore off the trolls arm and beheaded it?

Is that really a human?

This knight might have been born with the soul of an ogre. We should mention this to our tribes shaman.

Sir Knight looks normal, but the things he does are unimaginably crazy. . .? Even the craziest of our tribes hunters wouldnt catch a troll like that.

. . .If you want to speak without being heard, why not just talk in Eastern language?

Johan spoke with a bitter expression. Despite his efforts, these barbarians. . .

Oops. Sir Knight. My apologies.

Were not saying Sir Knight is an ogre.

Actually, being an ogre would be a compliment.

.

Euclyia, that might be misunderstood by Empire people, dont you think?

. . .Anyway, Sir Knight! We plan to use poison.

Achladda, trying to recover from the awkward situation, spoke up. Even for these brave Eastern warriors, Johans method was not an option.

I wasnt planning to use my method anyway. I just answered because you asked.

Wait. You said you caught a werewolf before. How did you do it then?

One was with an arrow and the others. . .

The others?

. . .I fought them with blades.

The warriors looked at Johan with a expression. They murmured in Eastern language, a language Johan barely knew, but he could make out something like .

But dont monsters usually resist arrows?

There were even humans who could dodge or deflect arrows, let alone monsters.

The archery of the Centaurs is quite special.

Other warriors answered instead. Achladda, proudly, showed Johan their bow and arrows. The arrows were shorter than usual, equipped with an additional small arrow.

Sir Knight. Do you know how to use this?

. . .Perhaps you insert the arrow in the addition and then only shoot the arrow?

What?

Achladda was surprised. This archery technique, called Solenarion, was a traditional skill passed down among Centaur tribes.

A technique dating back to the ancient Empire era, so revered that the Centaurs enemies feared it as .

But Johan knew what it was.

, ?

A technique of archery that increases range and speed by reducing the size of the arrow. Seeing the small arrow placed on the addition, Johan was sure of it.

Achladda was amazed when Johan immediately guessed correctly. He had never seen anyone from the Empire recognize it before. . .

Do you also know how to use it?

No, not that.

Seeing that you recognize it, you must have a talent. Why dont you try learning it?

.

. . .youre not good at shooting bows, remember?

!

No, is it my fault that you chose a spear over a bow? Keep this up, and Ill relay exactly what youre saying. Anyway, Sir Knight. Weve been hunting werewolves with this.

Seeing how confident Achladda and the other warriors were, it seemed they werent new to hunting.

Indeed, a smaller arrow that flies swiftly like a shot arrow would be hard to react to compared to other arrows.

I understand the method of hunting, but shouldnt we first find out where they are?

Sir Knight, do you know what means in the ancient imperial language?

Born hunter?

. . .why do you already know what Im about to say, Sir Knight?

Achladda said with a slightly deflated expression.

There are hunters in our tribe, Sir Knight. Since you asked to find the werewolf pack, they should be tracking them by now. Lets go to a nearby village and rest until we get news, then well depart.

I-I see.

The trial of a knight wandering the borderlands alone, seeking glory as the Duke had described, never existed. The Duke himself probably didnt believe in it.

The warriors of the nomadic tribes and the knights of the Empire used whatever means necessary, each in their own way.

Only the gathered crowds were unaware of this and cheered.

Achladdas predictions turned out to be accurate. The warriors who joined hands with the Empires knights mostly had ulterior motives.

! . .

!

. . .

. . . ? . . .

The tribal warriors received a hefty sum, but they never intended to conduct a fair deal from the start. To them, Empire knights were easy targets to exploit.

A warrior who receives a knighthood from the Duke would be a member of a fairly significant tribe.

As soon as they got away, they summoned their tribal warriors and turned the tables, threatening the others.

? , ? , . ?

. . . . . .