How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 134.2: 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲 (3)

Surprisingly, Johan treated the high-ranking pagan pirates among those captured quite well. Even pirates, if they were leaders of a sizable group, typically held a rank equivalent to a knight.

Originally, it was customary among nobles not to kill each other but to take prisoners, but this did not apply to pagan pirates. No one would have complained if they had been killed.

But Johan held back.

.

The thought of the ransom he would receive filled him with anticipation.

Count, I am grateful for your honor.

There are few values I hold in as high regard as honor.

At Johans words, several leaders expressed their respect. They had to behave wisely towards the count who was responsible for their lives, especially because they were pagans.

Have you sent an envoy? They should be returning soon, right?

That they should.

Johan looked at the brothers of the Nusard family with a pleased expression.

The brothers of the Nusard family felt intimidated by his gaze. The immense strength Johan had shown when he burst through the door was still vivid in their memory.

They had thought, -?, but later found out he was a count.

It was both absurd and frightening. . .

However, contrary to their worries, Johan was in a very friendly state.

Still, the nobles and attendants of the Mulc family have not been caught yet. Do you really not know where they went?

It was surprising that the marquis, who was familiar with the local geography, had been caught, but Ahir, a foreigner from afar, had not.

Upon Johans question, one of the leaders jumped up and said.

Why would we hide where Ahir-gong went if we knew? Especially when you, count, are showing us such mercy!

Youre more suspicious when you get so agitated.

No! If only I could split my chest open to show you my sincerity!

The pirate knight pounded his chest, shouting in frustration.

. . .

The Mulc family seemed to be quite famous in the east. The thought of the ransom was too tempting.

?

In this world, it was honestly hard to find someone who decided to hide. There were too many undeveloped forests and mountains.

Of course, hiding in such places was also tough for the hider, having to face monsters and wild beasts barehanded. . .

But desperate people would still enter. Just as Johan had escaped through the forest, so could the nobles of the Mulc family.

Your Excellency. The envoys from the republic have returned.

Ah, good.

The faces of the hostages brightened at the servants words. They would soon be released and able to return home.

. . .What in the world is this?

Johan looked at the people of the republic with disbelief. Their heads were completely shaved, and they had tattoos on their foreheads. They trembled and burst into tears.

Your Excellency! Please appease our resentment!

Upon Johans order, the envoy of the republic didnt hesitate and headed towards the hundred kingdoms.

The order was furious, saying , but few forces in the peninsula listened to that. The city-states were making huge profits from trade with the East, and even the Empires nobles coveted the wealth of the East.

Naturally, the republic also had connections with the Jekyllid Hundred Kingdoms. Sending an envoy was not difficult.

. . .But upon facing the face of the count of Jekyllid, all such thoughts vanished.

, ??

, , . . . .

! , .

!

To the newly appeared Johan, the count of Jekyllid saw nothing but a lucky, upstart mercenary captain. It was outrageous for someone not from a deeply rooted noble family from the south to audaciously demand a ransom.

The republic envoy was stunned. It seemed that the Count of Jekyllid was miscalculating the situation.

Did he not know that the man he had just insulted as a wandering mercenary was the leader of the south?

Even a mercenary captain with no background, if he had an army of ten thousand, would have the power of a king of a country. And if he was a nobleman of Johans legitimacy, he was not someone the count of Jekyllid should insult.

With the support of the church and vassals, what kind of courage was this?

. ! . , .

. . .he said that.

. . . . . .

Johan snickered. Sometimes, in the face of utterly ridiculous situations, people are more prone to laugh than to get angry. Just like now.

This son of a b*tch. . . Ill kill him!

If I dont rip out his heart and offer it, Im no warrior!

Fierce cries erupted among Johans warriors. Their eyes were ferocious with rage. If the count had been in front of them, they would have torn him to pieces.

Calm down. Theres no need to react to every insult of these pagans.

. . . . . .

?

If he wasnt crazed with a desire for battle, there was no reason for such provocation. Johan was truly a wonder.

Why do nobles act on their whims without considering the consequences?

If they want war, well give them war. Dont worry! We will surely avenge this grudge.

A cheer erupted among Johans subordinates.

The vassals forces had returned to their fiefdoms, but there were still mercenaries who pledged their loyalty to Johan. They were very angry at the insult Johan had received.

.

. . . .

Although he shouted firmly in front of others, Johan was not someone who lived as he pleased, like the Count of Jekyllid.

It was winter, and the matter with Viscount Ginolen was still unresolved. He had no intention of leaving it be and going on an expedition.

Ultimately, stability was key. Johan did not intend to govern his fiefdom precariously like other nobles. He didnt want to suffer from rebellion by just leaving it to the administrator and village chiefs and extorting taxes.

During the winter, Johan hunted the remaining pirate remnants, rogue bands, and monsters, and made charitable donations to the serfs. It was possible because there were surplus mercenaries and a large amount of spoils.

Your Excellency. A vampire has been spotted in the Viazo forest.

!

During his rounds, an enticing report came in. Vampires were usually nobles from the Eastern Empire. It was definitely the escaped person from the Mulc family.

Guide me. We must capture him!

.

The servant thought so. It was evident from the chatter of the surrounding priests and the fact that Johan was personally intervening. Surely, he wasnt doing this out of greed for the ransom.