How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 93.2: 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 (𝟓)

There are a few guys up ahead.

Is it a surprise attack?

No. The people from the town came to pay tribute.

At Achladdas words, Johan had a grim expression.

Did the mercenaries attack?

No sign of them. Sir Knight. I dont trust the Empire, but I dont think theyll attack.

Good. I worried for nothing. Is that it?

Ha ha. I didnt say that to hear that. But Im in a good mood anyway.

Johan scoffed as he received the money from the village chief. Rumors had spread, and the village was sending people over to him first.

They probably planned to appease him first in case the army came close and caused unnecessary damage.

, , . . .

. , , , , . .

. . .

, ? ?

-! ! !

After sending the town village chief away, Johan checked the map.

? ?

The map was rudimentary for Johans standards, but he knew they could reach Umdim in a day or two.

Count Ganolwoods vanguard had left first, followed by the mercenaries. . .

Didnt see the vanguard nearby?

Yes.

Could it be were the first to arrive?

Its possible.

Marco, who had been on several campaigns, agreed. Johans march was notably fast. Usually, they would slow down due to looting and resupplying.

Huh. . . Didnt expect this, but we arrived first. Might receive some praise.

The first to arrive, the first to scale the walls, the first to breach the gates. . . all were rewarded. Johan wasnt particularly eager, but it wasnt bad to receive.

Lets stop here for today. Lets prepare for camp.

Are you going out again?

Its fine if you come with me, but do you want to?

No. To be honest, I was really bored.

Johan laughed at Achladdas honest answer.

Ill just take Sir Gerdolf with me. Please prepare for camp.

It was only natural that Achladda was bored. Johan was drawing a new map every time they stopped.

For centaurs, who mostly record things orally, paper and ink were unfamiliar objects.

, .

Gerdolf. Are you bored?

Yes.

. . .Im sorry I brought you along.

Gerdolf was loyal, but he was also honest.

Boredom is boredom!

D-Damn it, those s-son of a b*tches. . .

I will issue a warning.

I-Its no use, i-its counterproductive.

Count Ganolwood said while sweating. The town they had just passed through was completely destroyed.

Count also understood the need for supplies and self-sufficiency. But it was clear that the mercenary b*stards were being greedy.

Once they had taken the supplies, they should have restrained themselves, but they had taken everything down to the roots. Even though they were blinded by money, it was a bit too much.

But he couldnt warn them either. This was one of the customary rights of mercenaries. If he prohibited it, there would be discontent.

If he had to choose between serfs and soldiers, he had to take care of the soldiers.

T-Tell them that those who arrive late will be severely punished. I-I think that will get their attention. H-Have you found the enemy?

No, but. . . they may be surrendering or holding out in the city.

The Count thought it was quite likely that Umdim City would surrender before fighting, begging for mercy.

The nearby cities and small kingdoms all lacked the ability to intervene. In such a situation, it was not strange to surrender to such a large army.

T-That may be the case. B-But we need to be careful.

I will remember that. Just leave it to me.

Sir! Weve been ambushed! The Barba mercenary group in the east has been ambushed!

!

Sir Karpati was surprised. He didnt think the Barba mercenary groups were so sloppy that they could be ambushed, but there were always those who made mistakes or were careless.

What is the scale?

About a hundred barbarian raiders, a mix of cavalry and centaurs, had attacked the merchant caravan! They focused on the merchants and supplies rather than the mercenaries.

Count Ganolwood, who was listening, forgot about the situation and was amazed. How could they use those barbarian raiders so effectively?

If they fought properly, they would be crushed, but they were enough to slow down the army. The speed was slowed down not only because of the supplies but also because of the fear of being attacked.

They managed to hire those barbarian raiders.

N-No, they probably didnt hire them. I-It must be the work of the s-small kingdom. T-They could do it. T-Tell them to close the gaps between the troops and s-slow down the speed. Tell them to double the n-number of scouts.

The Count responded immediately.

It was better to arrive a little late than to be played with. Fortunately, the Count had a reputation that would not be tarnished even if rumors spread that he was afraid.

I understand.

A-And, Sir Karpati. I-I would like you to protect R-Repiata-gong.

Sir Karpati nodded. Repiata-gong was also leading the army, but he was honestly worried. He would feel much more at ease if he protected him personally.

The duke said I could do whatever I wanted, but I cant do that. Ill be responsible for it later.

Even if the duke was serious, a vassal could not do that.

As Sir Karpati was leaving, he said,

Oh, we should also warn the vanguard.

Yes, I will do that.

Upon arriving at Umdim, Johan was certain he was the first to reach. People who saw the army were screaming and running into the city.

Achladda asked with an expression that suggested itching for action,

Shall we pursue?

Whats the use in catching them? Wed barely make anything. Lets focus on what needs to be done.

After setting up a camp outside the citys shooting range, they controlled those trying to enter and exit the city. It was a basic siege tactic.

Siege warfare wasnt just about storming the walls. Most sieges were, in fact, quite tedious.

, . . .

Regardless of the walls height, attempting to breach it with this force was madness, especially without siege engines.

Johan decided to do only what he could.

However, Johans arrival caused a greater stir than expected.

Unaware of the happenings within the city walls, Johan didnt know that the people of Umdim were imagining the worst.

Defense captain! What in the world is happening?!

Calm down. Its just the vanguard that has arrived. Theyre not that many.

Not many? They fill the horizon! And didnt you hear what those who fled here said? There are barbarians from the east too!

Inside Umdim, they barely scraped together a thousand soldiers. Even after hastily hiring more mercenaries, that was all they had.

The mercenaries, sensing the tide, were reluctant to join a losing battle.

The only reliable figure was a defense captain from a distant small kingdom. He was of lower nobility and had connections to request reinforcements.

Ah. . . You must have seen the cavalry wrong. Barbarians are not so easy to deal with. Unless the duke himself is here, their heavy bodies. . . Oh sh*t.

?

The defense captain looked down from the wall in horror. Centaurs were visible. Clearly, the eastern barbarian tribes had arrived.

? ?!

While the small kingdoms that had previously mingled with the tribes had somewhat assimilated with the barbarians, the Empire had not. Even if the duke had pursued a policy of appeasement, participating in the war was unexpected.