How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 157: 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐆𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 (6)

The outer castle is easy to enter, but the inner castle is not for anyone to enter, the defense captain. . . no. Excuse me. Your Excellency.

The second one who was about to speak paused again.

No matter how much he thought about it, it was too strange. If its Count Yeats, he can proudly hold the family flag and stand in front of the outer castle and call people, why is he trying to sneak in?

Please tell me the reason.

Hmm.

Johan felt troubled. He felt a little sorry for the second and third ones who were scared and trembling but strongly resisting.

But it was also ambiguous to explain. The reason was purely dependent on Johans intuition and experience.

, ? , , , . , , .

. , ?!

. . .It was bound to be like this. Johan said what came to mind.

Actually, I had a dream last night. In that dream, I heard the words of a prophet with a holy symbol.

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? ?

Even after saying it, he regretted a little thinking ?, but the second and third ones were listening with a devout attitude, even making a cross.

Johan, who was speaking, was embarrassed to the point. They believe so easily. . .

Oh. . .

. . . . . .

When the escorts next to him also fell for it, Johan was dumbfounded. Isnt this naive?

But there was no choice. The religious authority that Johan had was much stronger than Johan thought.

The church claimed, and his own words and actions were there, but above all, Johans journey proved that faith.

If a knight who wins like that is not loved by God, then who is the loved one?

Of course, from the churchs point of view, . , , . . . such words would naturally come out, but among ordinary nobles and knights, there was no choice.

Honor and custom inevitably influenced faith in the world.

What, what did the prophet say?

The ones who came to the Viscounts castle are trying to harm the Viscount. He asked me to stop it as an honorable knight.

Indeed. . .! Your Excellency. Im sorry! How dare I doubt that!

. . . . . .

Although the persuasion was successful, Johan felt a sense of frustration for some reason.

As befitting a castle built during the days of the Old Empire, Carquilano Viscounts castle was massive and sturdy. Just the area between the outer and inner wall was considerable.

Naturally, the inner wall is where the viscount and his vassals resided. While the gates of the outer wall were easy to pass through, the inner wall was not. Cooperation from someone familiar with this castle was necessary.

I know a garrison captain here. Ill send someone to get him to open the gates of the inner wall.

Excellent. Some will disguise themselves as laborers, others as merchants.

. . .Uh, will we be doing that too?

I see. Are you two going to proudly enter through the gates and declare you are the viscounts kin?

. . .Y-Yes, we will.

The second and third sons had anxious expressions as they changed into clothes and roughly applied makeup to their faces. The mercenaries seemed well accustomed to this.

Well hide the weapons inside the wagons.

Do not draw your weapons until I give the signal. Things may get complicated if you draw them prematurely.

The worst case would be if the other party genuinely came as envoys and Johan came charging in wielding his sword.

To the viscount, Johan would look insane. To suddenly return and cut down envoys then run amok. . .

To prevent that, they first had to wait and confirm the other partys purpose, then make their move when the opponents revealed their true colors.

. , .

Did he make a mistake in telling them about his dream?

Sir.

Why dont they just raise a flag?

Uhm, Im sorry, Captain. Arent those guys mercenaries?

The city gates were not always opened to armed men who claimed to be envoys. Especially in this chaotic situation, it was even more so for secret envoys.

First, they had to submit a certificate and permit, and then present a token proving their envoy status. After that, they would be called in after being confirmed inside.

Why do they seem to be wandering around separately?

Isnt it obvious? Theyve been traveling for a long time, and their bodies are burning up. How can they just sit still? Look at them. Dont they look like theyre looking for a beer and a gamble?

Thats good. Bring them here.

Yes.

Geoffrey and relatively harmless-looking guards approached the other side, pretending to be merchants. The other side was overjoyed when they lost a little silver in a game of dice.

Oh, its already this late. I need to go.

Going? Going where? Play a bit more before you go!

Oh my. My master will get angry if I stay out. . . How about this then? Since I only need to go back and report, wait here for a bit outside.

Is that alright? Shall we do that then?

The opponents naively followed them out. After turning a corner into an alley, Johan and his subordinates appeared from both sides. Their intimidating act resembled city gangsters.

The mercenaries scoffed as if they couldnt believe it. If they got scared of petty gangsters wandering the city, they wouldnt have survived on the battlefield.

What the hell, this son of a b*tch, trying to pull something because he lost some dice?

Looks like you took us lightly. Were mercenaries who fought over ten battles on the battlefield. Dont even think of pulling out your dagger-sized knife, just put your hands up ni. . .Guh

Rather than answering, Johan swung his club at their torsos. The men let out a Guh as they collapsed.

Move them over there. Ill have to thank that garrison captain later.

Having an empty warehouse lent for their use made things several times easier. Johan began interrogating the mercenaries. Karamaf stuck their heads between his thighs. As the mercenaries crotches grew damp, their mouths promptly opened up.

Any. . .anything! Ill tell you anything!

Good to see you catch on quickly. As expected of mercenaries who fought over ten battles.

As Johan smiled satisfactorily, the viscounts third child took out paper and a pen, seeming intent on recording the mercenaries testimonies.

Oh. Smart move. Hm Ginolen. . .

Ardolata. I am Ardolata, Your Excellency.

I see. Ill remember that name.

Johan expected the mercenaries would make up some story for him. Even trivial words could be exaggerated several fold.

It was the baron! The baron plotted all this! I have nothing to do with it!

Tell me in more detail. What is this baron trying to do?

However, things went more simply than Johan anticipated. Baron Gartner was a more violent and quick-tempered warrior than Sir Karamaf. He constantly blabbered to his subordinates about what he wanted.

Ardolatas hands shook as she wrote. She couldnt help but rage at the gall of some lowly outsider to ignore and trample on her Houses contributions.

I see. Did Baron Gartner also pillage around here?

Huh? No, he didnt.

Karamaf. He seems quite comfortable. Put some strength into those teeth.

Ah! No, no! He did! Now that I think about it, he did!

There were some burnt down buildings around. Did the baron do that too?

Yes! Yes!

. . . . . .

The guards beside Johan had very awkward expressions. Werent those things done by Johans men running amok after he collapsed?

Got everything written down? This should be good enough. Let us go see His Excellency.

. . .Sir Count.

?

The viscount is still recovering right now, so Aola-gong is acting as regent. And Aola-gong. . .

She wont readily believe me?

. . . . . .

Ardolata hesitated before nodding her head. Despite her young age, Johan found her conduct quite unique and refreshing.

What do you think?

I. . . I dont really know.

He seemed even more trustworthy than the second son. Johan decided to listen to the advice of this young noble.

Ah sh*t. . .

Jyanina muttered curses as she prepared the medicine. The gazes of the servants watching her like hawks were uneasy.

In such a guarded state, it was difficult to persuade them with charm.

?

?

?

? . . .

. . , . , . . . .

. . . . . .

As a wizard, there were times when things like this happened. When forced to do something completely beyond ones ability.

A wizard had to be skilled at slipping away cleverly at times like this. Although Jyanina had slipped away cleverly many times before, this time the situation was terribly tangled.

There was nothing she could do in this state of bound hands and feet. And this was completely foreign territory at that.

, ? ? . . .*. . . . . .

While she knew how to control monsters and use their power, healing a fallen elderly man was not a mysticism she explored.

For now, she was using medicine with no effect to buy time, but soon if she didnt show some results. . .

I wondered, so you are a wizard after all. What are you doing?

. . .Kek!

Jyanina tried to scream. Or rather, she tried before Johan landed a blow to her throat.

She was unable to breathe, choking and gagging.

Ah. My apologies.

Cough. . .cough. . . yo. . .ba. . .

Johan waited until Jyanina calmed down. It seemed her anger was also under control once her voice returned.

How did you get in here?!

I came to see the viscount, and happened to see a familiar face in the adjacent room.

. . .Your Excellency! Please help me!

Jyanina grabbed Johans hand.

When she left Johans side, she had walked away with her middle finger raised, cursing ! ! Yet upon entering the viscounts side, Johans suddenly seemed preferable.

How can I help you?

These sons of b*tches are trying to kill me!

How so His Majestys loyal subject?

Thats what Im saying, theyre empty-headed fools! They dont even know who I am and are daring to threaten me!

Jyanina clung to Johan and poured out her story. Johan had to hold back his laughter as he listened. Was this not the misunderstanding wizards often suffered, as Suetlg had told him many times?

The wizard I know could revive injured people. Why cant you?

. . . . . .

Jyanina moved to curse but stopped upon seeing Johans fist. It looked plenty capable of crushing her neck.

Its good fortune I came. My purpose in coming here is similar.

?

Follow me. Im going to see the viscount.

Where did the servants go?

Ah. . .dont worry, theyre not dead.

I wasnt worried at all.

How very wizard-like.

?

Ardolata had said it would be best to speak directly with the viscount rather than Aola-gong, who lacked experience. The viscount could make a much cooler judgement than young Aola, she said.

Johan took her advice.

While Johan had been outside and did not know the precise condition of the Viscount, he seemed capable of at least holding a conversation. That was enough.

. . .?

The reclining Viscount showed surprise at the sudden guest, blinking his eyes.

?

Johan picked up a nearby silver cup and discreetly poured some water that had been blessed with an assassins movements. He didnt necessarily have to hide it, but there was no need to explicitly say anything either.

Johan offered a simple prayer and made the sign of the cross over the cup before raising it to the viscounts mouth to drink. Jyanina was exasperated.

No. . .Count, Count doing that wont work even if you were a bishop. . .

As Jyanina spoke, she flinched. The viscounts finger had twitched.