How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 85.1: 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭 (𝟒)

Being a knight didnt always mean adhering to honorable methods. As humans, knights could be just as dishonorable.

Compared to the various cunning deceptions used in war, infiltrating in such a way wasnt particularly surprising.

Of course, getting caught meant life could not be guaranteed.

Lets flay his skin off!

Sir Knight, please give me a chance!

The warriors wanted to flay the knights face with their sharp daggers. Johan raised his hand to stop them, and surprisingly, the ferocious warriors quieted down.

The awakened knight looked at Johan with startled eyes. It was astonishing to see an outsider handle these fierce tribes so well.

How exactly?

You have two choices: Speak before being flayed, or after. What will you choose?

. . .Theres nothing to hide. Ill speak.

The knight, Botan, readily revealed his purpose for being there.

He was ordered by Boriska to secretly enter the tribal community, eavesdrop on information about their prey, and if possible, disrupt them.

Achladda glared fiercely at Botan.

Im sorry, Sir Knight. I didnt expect other scoundrels to also covet the werewolf.

For a prey of that caliber, its not unusual for rumors to spread across the plains. Dont worry too much. Since theyre resorting to such tricks, they clearly havent succeeded in tracking it down.

Indeed, it wasnt surprising for others to covet prey that the Centaurs had been eyeing for a while.

.

Johan thought of Boriska and other knights. While using deception was always an option, the type of deceit varied among individuals.

Dressing as barbarians and infiltrating a tribe was a ruse not typically considered by knights.

Surely?

Who among your allies devised this strategy?

. . .!

Botan was shocked. He had no choice but to assume Johan already knew about the Arrowhead Mercenary Group.

Botan was already disgruntled before arriving. To think he had to stoop so low because of a mere mercenarys scheme.

Even the mercenaries didnt partake in their own plan. No matter the money offered, they didnt want to venture near the barbarians unarmed.

This prompted Botan to speak freely. He even disclosed the fact that they had hired mercenaries. The warriors were shocked. Even mercenaries?

A guy named Galambos from the mercenaries came up with it.

And what does he do?

Hes a hunter, originally a ranger from the east. Thats all I know.

Achladda, overhearing this, asked Johan in a whisper.

Sir Knight, how did you know that Boriska had allies?

Just guessed it.

. . . . . .

Despite saying it was a guess, Achladda still looked at Johan with admiration. Modesty aside, intuitively uncovering such things was indeed a warriors instinct.

Do you wish to be treated as a prisoner?

. . .I dont expect such from these barbarians. If youre going to kill me, just do it.

Well, this elder here is about to skin you. . .

Enough.

Johan restrained the warriors who were about to attack again, and called them aside.

This mans life is mine, right?

Yes, it is.

Im thinking of letting him go, what do you think?

The warriors, instead of reacting angrily to Johans unexpected proposal, nodded in agreement.

Truly like a Sir Knight from the Empire.

I know what that is. Thats a yoke, right? Did I use it correctly?

Seems a bit different, but since Sir Knight caught him, do as you please. Its a pity we cant skin him, but it cant be helped.

. . .No, its not for honor.

Achladda asked with curiosity.

Are you planning to release him and then follow him? Its impossible. We are masters of tracking, but he will notice since he has eyes.

The plain was a cumbersome place to secretly follow someone, especially when the other party was alert and on guard.

If he had a brain, he would check his surroundings repeatedly.

Why not torture him and find out where he was supposed to meet? It cant be far.

No. I thought about that too.

?

Achladda had to suppress a laugh. He liked what Johan was saying.

The ones who sent this knight must have prepared for such a situation. They wouldnt have failed to anticipate his capture.

. . . . . .

Achladda agreed with Johans words. Indeed, the enemy would have prepared for such a scenario.

Even if we locate their hideout and ambush them, it wont be much fun. Theyre likely in a place well-suited for a fight.

Indeed. But Sir Knight, even if they are prepared, we are confident of victory.

I know that.

There was no reason to spare the knight who crawled here and tried to infiltrate, as he would not yield any useful information.

Johans reasoning lay elsewhere.

Think about it. You send a subordinate on a secret mission and he returns safely, but his face is a mess and his weapon gone. What would you think in such a situation?

. . .!

Already seeming discontented, wouldnt he be more suspicious? It seems better than walking into a trap theyve prepared.

Sir Knight is truly like Tanggru!

I heard that Tanggru name before, who is that?

He was a warrior from our tribal myths, fought and died bravely.

Oh. I like that.

Achladda smiled satisfactorily at Johans response. It was a relief that he didnt react negatively like other knights might have, deriding their polytheistic deity.

Tanggru, the destroyer of worlds and the embodiment of pure rage sent by the gods, burned cities from west to east and turned the weak into slaves.

. . . . . .

Isnt that just a madman?

Johan almost blurted that out but restrained himself, out of respect for the others beliefs.