How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 41: ๐‰๐จ๐ก๐š๐ง'๐ฌ ๐œ๐ก๐จ๐ข๐œ๐ž๐ฌ (๐Ÿ)



Chapter 41: ๐‰๐จ๐ก๐š๐ง'๐ฌ ๐œ๐ก๐จ๐ข๐œ๐ž๐ฌ (๐Ÿ)

The base of the guilds was in the city-states of the Catalian Peninsula, not in Marcel. For the guilds rooted in Marcel and the magistrate, the guilds were an entity hard to trust completely.

โ€œBut the case with the knight is different. Now, please tell me.โ€

โ€œCardirian is not a good Emperor, is he?โ€

Upon hearing Johanโ€™s words, the magistrate grinned triumphantly.

โ€œIs that so?โ€

โ€œDid you call me to ask which side Iโ€™m on?โ€

โ€œAh. Of course not. The main point starts now. You have captured Baron Einbeck, and the right is yours. The knights sent by Count Bartok also said so.โ€

It was Johan who had captured Baron Einbeck, so the ransom for this hostage was also rightfully Johanโ€™s.

โ€œDo you plan to hand over Baron Einbeck to another noble?โ€

โ€œ!โ€

Instead of releasing Baron Einbeck for a ransom from the Einbeck family, handing him over to a third noble for money.

Certainly, this would have been a difficult task for nobles related to the Emperor or the Emperor himself. It was like throwing dirt on the face of the Einbeck family.

Of course, Johan was not at all concerned.

โ€œIf the price is right.โ€

โ€œ. . .Of course, we will offer you a generous price. Are you really okay with this?โ€

โ€œYes. But Iโ€™m curious. Who wants to take Baron Einbeck?โ€

โ€œI cannot tell you yet. I will inform you once itโ€™s decided.โ€

โ€œIs it a noble of the Empire?โ€

โ€œYou are quick-witted. Instead, I will tell you something else. When the sun rises tomorrow, all Empire people in Marcel cityโ€”especially those related to the Emperorโ€”will be expelled.โ€

Johan was surprised by the magistrateโ€™s words. Although what the Emperor did was indeed unethical, he didnโ€™t expect such a strong reaction.

โ€œIs that allowed?โ€

โ€œCardirian refused to explain or compensate and insulted our diplomats. Itโ€™s a challenge to us, so thereโ€™s no reason to tolerate anymore.โ€

โ€œArenโ€™t there pro-Emperor factions in the disaster relief council?โ€

โ€œThey will be gone from tomorrow.โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

Johan felt a chill for a moment.

โ€œSir, I was honestly surprised by your power. When the guilds mobilized you, I wondered what their intentions were.โ€

โ€œI understand, being a foreign knight who drifted here.โ€

โ€œBut as things become more chaotic around us, a knight like you will become more valuable. As a magistrate, I look forward to your achievements. And donโ€™t think that only the guilds can be your backing.โ€

The magistrate smiled meaningfully.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

โ€˜๐˜œ๐˜จ๐˜ฉ. ๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฃ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฒ๐˜ถ๐˜ฆ๐˜ต ๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜ด ๐˜ข ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ฅ๐˜ข๐˜ค๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ, ๐˜ฃ๐˜ถ๐˜ต ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ต ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜บ ๐˜ ๐˜ฆ๐˜น๐˜ฑ๐˜ฆ๐˜ค๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ.โ€™

The conversation with the magistrate was beneficial but also burdensome.

It was clear what the magistrate wanted. When the interests of the trading company and the magistrate diverged, then come under the Magistrateโ€™s seal instead of the companyโ€™s flag.

Considering the magistrateโ€™s status, it was an undeniably good offer. . .

From Johanโ€™s perspective, who neither knew the magistrateโ€™s thoughts nor plans, it was inevitably suspicious.

In contrast, the trading company was straightforward. Give and take. Suetlg wasnโ€™t wrong when he said the company was easy to understand.

โ€˜๐˜ˆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ช๐˜ต ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฎ๐˜ด ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ๐˜ฐ ๐˜ด๐˜ฐ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ๐˜ต๐˜ณ๐˜ข๐˜บ ๐˜ด๐˜ฐ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฆ ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถโ€™๐˜ท๐˜ฆ ๐˜ซ๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜ด๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ฌ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ๐˜ด ๐˜ธ๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ฉ.โ€™

Not just fame or power, but trust was also one of Johanโ€™s valued principles. It was because many ignored this.

While pondering, Johan handled his tasks in order. He took care of the silver and gold from subjugation and merits (some of which he distributed to mercenaries and donated to the monastery), and decided to sell the trollโ€™s skin and blood to Marcel.

โ”๐€๐›๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ก๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ž๐, ๐š๐ซ๐ž ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ญ๐š๐ค๐ข๐ง๐  ๐ข๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐„๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐ž?

The magistrate, naturally, Marcel wanted to buy those precious ingredients. If Johanโ€™s family had not been gone, they might have even hauled them by the cartload.

Meanwhile, the elf knights finished their work in the city and prepared to leave. They hugged Johan, telling him to send a messenger if he was ever nearby.

As busy as Johan was, the city was equally bustling. As the magistrate said, edicts of exile, executions, and property seizures burst forth everywhere. It was such a measure that people wondered if the Emperorโ€™s army was invading.

Yet, people didnโ€™t worry seriously. They had that much trust in the city. Even if it was the Emperor, it wasnโ€™t easy to lead an army from afar and conquer this city.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

โ€œAre you feeling rested, Sir?โ€

Iaon, who ran the trading companyโ€™s branch, seemed more respectful than before for some reason.

โ€œYes.โ€

โ€œThe reason I called you today is that thereโ€™s a proposal thatโ€™s difficult for me to decide.โ€

The frivolous proposals Johan received at the banquet also reached Iaon. They were letters from various places, but the contents were roughly similar. They praised a knight who had just started gaining fame and asked him to hunt monsters near their territories.

Monster hunting was a rare poison for young knights.

One could easily gain fame, but intoxicated with it, they often ended up with nothing. If they continued to win, maybe, but a severe injury could leave them with nothing in the end.

However, among these proposals, some were worthwhile.

Two proposals were such.

โ€œCount Bartok and Count Jarpen wish to meet you, Sir.โ€

โ€œ. . .!โ€

Johan couldnโ€™t help but be surprised when suddenly told that two Counts wanted to meet him.

โ€œDo I have to choose between the two?โ€

โ€œYes. If you go to meet one, the other will surely hear about it, as neither of them is a fool.โ€

From the Countโ€™s perspective, Johan was merely a knight who had gained a little fame. It was rare for a Count to view favorably a knight who rejected his offer.

Choosing one side meant it would be difficult to meet the other again.

โ€œIt would be best for you to make a decision quickly and assemble a party to depart the fiefdom. Thereโ€™s nothing good in delay in this situation.โ€

When dealing with those of higher status, one had to be extra cautious. There was always a chance of being faulted for some reason.

โ€œFrom the companyโ€™s perspective?โ€

โ€œWell. . . Whoever it may be, they are people of high repute, so I think it will be a good opportunity. And Sir.โ€

โ€œ?โ€

โ€œHas the magistrate made any proposal?โ€

โ€œA proposal? Iโ€™m not sure what you mean.โ€

Johan kept his face unchanged, feigning ignorance, but Iaon looked already convinced.

โ€œThe magistrate always likes to not trust others and create his own people. Our company has no intention of betraying Marcel City, yet he made the offer. Youโ€™re free to accept the magistrateโ€™s offer, but just know one thing. Unlike our contract, once you accept a deal with the magistrate, itโ€™s hard to get out of it. Anyway. . . weโ€™ll wait for your decision.โ€

Iaon, like a seasoned merchant, did not rush the response, said what he had to, and gracefully retreated.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

โ€œThey probably want to use you as an escort, a young knight of skill and status. You know that the cityโ€™s guards and the captain of the guards are originally mercenaries, right?โ€

โ€œI am aware.โ€

The mercenaries fought well but lacked loyalty. Knowing this, the city employed various methods to appease them.

They provided the mercenaries with homes and families, gave the mercenary captains positions, and continuously mixed mercenaries to maintain control.

Carrot and stick!

Mercenaries were tricky beings to deal withโ”neither too little nor too much.

In contrast, Johan was a noble-born knight. A much more reliable entity.

โ€œThey must want to use you like that. Itโ€™s not a bad offer, but the timing is off.โ€

โ€œ?โ€

โ€œLooking at Marcelโ€™s atmosphere, thereโ€™s a strong scent of war. Accepting the offer now means youโ€™ll have to fight bloodily, in someone elseโ€™s war.โ€

โ€œWho would they be fighting against?โ€

โ€œI donโ€™t know that. But if we do fight, itโ€™ll probably be against the Empire, maybe a fiefdom related to the Emperor. The city wouldnโ€™t stay idle after such an incident.โ€

Johan suddenly remembered what the magistrate had said.

Could the one wanting to buy Baron Einbeck be a feudal lord within the Holy Empire?

Selling the Baron and borrowing an army would definitely be a worthwhile venture, especially to start a war.

โ€˜๐˜ž๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ฉ ๐˜ด๐˜ถ๐˜ค๐˜ฉ ๐˜ค๐˜ช๐˜ณ๐˜ค๐˜ถ๐˜ฎ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ค๐˜ฆ๐˜ด, ๐˜ช๐˜ตโ€™๐˜ด ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ข๐˜ธ๐˜ฌ๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ข๐˜ค๐˜ค๐˜ฆ๐˜ฑ๐˜ต ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฐ๐˜ง๐˜ง๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ.โ€™

Participating in the war was one thing, but joining as a subordinate of the magistrate was another. The difference in rewards received would be too great.

โ€œIn my opinion, what you should be worrying about right now is not that. You can honestly put aside the merchant guild or the magistrate for now. Choosing one side wonโ€™t make the other hold a grudge against you. But an invitation from the Count is a different story.โ€

โ€œDo you have any advice to offer?โ€

โ€œDonโ€™t go to Count Bartok.โ€

โ€œ. . .Why not?โ€

Johan asked, seemingly bewildered by Suetlgโ€™s abrupt statement.

โ€œBecause Count Bartok is a miser.โ€

โ€œHis spending is miserly?โ€

Johan recalled seeing the elf knights indulging lavishly in food and luxury. It seemed odd that a Count who allowed such extravagance could be a miser.

โ€œIโ€™m not talking about his spending. He spends lavishly because he has a reputation to maintain. But he wonโ€™t easily grant fiefs. Havenโ€™t you seen those knights? None of them received a fiefdom.โ€

Count Bartok, though generous in spending for his own luxury and pride, was stingy in holding investiture ceremonies and granting fiefdoms to his subordinates.

โ€œItโ€™s quite obvious. He will invite you, make you compete in a few contests, praise you, and then hold an investiture ceremony. But after that, he wonโ€™t grant you a fiefdom.โ€

โ€œThen what about Count Jarpen?โ€

โ€œCount Jarpen isโ€ฆโ€

Suetlg trailed off.

โ€œThe Count is?โ€

โ€œ. . .I donโ€™t know much about him.โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

Seeing Johanโ€™s expression, Suetlg quickly made an excuse.

โ€œI havenโ€™t met all the nobles. Especially someone like Count Jarpen, who doesnโ€™t seek wizards, thereโ€™s even less chance of meeting.โ€

โ€œWhen I was passing through, it seemed like there was a war going on.โ€

โ€œOh, thatโ€™s fortunate. Were they losing?โ€

โ€œIโ€™m not sure, but I think I heard they were at a disadvantageโ€ฆโ€

โ€œEven better. Such desperation might mean youโ€™ll be treated well.โ€

Johan chuckled at Suetlgโ€™s words. It sounded like a joke, but it made sense.

โ€œSo, inviting me would mean. . . theyโ€™re looking for a useful mercenary.โ€

โ€œDoes that bother you?โ€

โ€œNot really. I thought it could be possible.โ€

โ€œYouโ€™re quite an unusual person. Sometimes I think you have a broad perspective, and other times, it seems quite narrow.โ€

โ€œIโ€™ll take that as a compliment.โ€

Thanks to the conversation with Suetlg, Johan felt his thoughts becoming clearer. Indeed, it seemed right for Johan to go to a noble who needed him, rather than one who didnโ€™t.

If Count Jarpen is desperate, he will likely make a substantial offer.


Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.