How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 46: ๐‰๐จ๐ก๐š๐งโ€™๐ฌ ๐‚๐ก๐จ๐ข๐œ๐ž (๐Ÿ•)



Chapter 46: ๐‰๐จ๐ก๐š๐งโ€™๐ฌ ๐‚๐ก๐จ๐ข๐œ๐ž (๐Ÿ•)

The hostage situation seemed natural, as if it had always been done.

Johan briefly wondered if his aptitude was not for a knight, but for a rogue knight.

A rogue knight who kidnaps passersby on the road and takes them to a fortress to demand a ransom!

โ€œC-Calm down. Sir. Just calm down.โ€

โ€œWe respect your honor! Please calm down!โ€

The knights nearby panicked and tried to stop Johan. In one hand, Johan held a sharp sword, and in the other, he grasped Stephenโ€™s throat.

But what worried them more than the dire situation was Johanโ€™s monstrous strength.

How could he swing that massive body around so effortlessly? Was that really human strength?

โ€œM-Marcelโ€™s troll slayer!โ€

One of the knights, witnessing this strength, suddenly recalled and exclaimed. Was the rumor created during the chaotic troll hunt actually true?

โ€œWas the troll slayer from Marcel a knight?!โ€

โ€œYes.โ€

โ€œCalm down and put down your sword! I swear, no revenge will be taken.โ€

โ€œWhat about my honor? My honor trampled by that merchant?โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

The knights fell silent.

Mercenaries might have ignored and threatened, โ€˜๐˜—๐˜ถ๐˜ต ๐˜ช๐˜ต ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฐ๐˜ธ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ธ ๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถโ€™๐˜ญ๐˜ญ ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฌ๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜ญ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ!โ€™ But these knights, born and trained as such, couldnโ€™t argue against such a statement.

Why be a knight if one doesnโ€™t draw their sword when honor is trampled?

โ€œI came here to keep my promise to Count Jarpen, and I acted without shame in the process. But this noble scorned and mocked my honor.โ€

โ€œC-Calm down. Please, just calm down.โ€

As the shortsword inched closer to his neck, Stephen trembled. He was a knight untrained for such situations, lacking the fortitude to handle them bravely.

โ€œI. . . I misjudged you, sir. I apologize for disrespecting your honor. I apologize.โ€

โ€˜๐˜•๐˜ฐ!โ€™

One of the knights internally screamed. Apologizing was not right. The moment Stephen apologized, it would confirm that he had insulted Johanโ€™s honor.

Stephen, lacking patience, spoke out when he should have instead insisted it was a misunderstanding.

With the apology, everything from Dorisโ€™s assault on Johan to the knightโ€™s claims became true.

โ€œDo you acknowledge that Dorisโ€™s wealth and his life are mine as retribution?โ€

โ€œYes. I acknowledge it!โ€

โ€œGood. As payment for his misdeeds, Iโ€™ll take his wealth and life, and for my honor, this manโ€™s life.โ€

โ€œ?โ€

Stephen didnโ€™t understand at first, but the knights grimaced as if they had anticipated this.

A knight who rose up for his tarnished honor wouldnโ€™t just back down, especially after taking Stephen hostage.

โ€œA-Arenโ€™t you afraid of my family?!โ€

โ€˜๐˜‹๐˜ข๐˜ฎ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ช๐˜ต. ๐˜๐˜ฐ๐˜ธ ๐˜ฅ๐˜ช๐˜ฅ ๐˜ธ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ถ๐˜ฑ ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ท๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ด๐˜ถ๐˜ค๐˜ฉ ๐˜ข ๐˜ง๐˜ฐ๐˜ฐ๐˜ญ.โ€™

The knights internally lamented.

What use was such a statement?

Even if Countess Abner was a high-ranking noble with a wide fiefdom, outside her own territory, there was little she could do. Even the Emperor had limited power outside his domain, so what could Countess Abner do?

Besides, they were dealing with a knight respected in Marcel. If he fled to Marcel, Countess Abner couldnโ€™t send a pursuit party.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

โ€œCaptain, they are coming again.โ€

โ€œIs it another envoy?โ€

Dwarf crossbowmen stationed on the ramparts squinted at the procession of dozens approaching from afar.

โ€œSurely they arenโ€™t foolish enough to attack with that force. Another envoy, perhaps?โ€

โ€œAs if my lord would surrender just like that.โ€

โ€œIโ€™ve never seen a human as tough as a dwarf before.โ€

The Dwarf mercenaries held Count Jarpen in high regard. He was timely with pay and had a dwarf-like personality. . .

Thanks to this, the Dwarf mercenaries didnโ€™t waver even when the castle was besieged. Some fearless mercenaries were ready to shoot crossbows and bolt anyone who approached.

The Dwarf captain rushed to the ramparts upon receiving the report.

โ€œAre they newcomers?โ€

โ€œPerhaps a new envoy sent?โ€

โ€œNo. Go down and inform Count Jarpen.โ€

The castle gates opened, and an envoy from Count Jarpenโ€™s side emerged. He seemed to be unaware of the situation.

โ€œI am Johan of the Yeats family, invited by Count Jarpen.โ€

โ€œAh. . . Sir Johan?!โ€

As Johan handed over a seal-stamped letter to the envoy, who was surprised after reading it. Johan, a young knight who had distinguished himself in Marcel, was invited by the Count.

But given the current situation in the fiefdom, wasnโ€™t his arrival expected much later?

โ€œAre those in the procession behind you. . . your subordinates?โ€

The procession was oddly lavish for a knight, as if they had plundered merchant caravans.

โ€œBy my rightful claim, I have captured and taken hostage those who attacked and insulted me.โ€

โ€œI-I see. . .โ€

The envoy was still unaware of whom Johan had taken as a hostage and asked something more urgent.

โ€œHow did you pass through Countess Abnerโ€™s army? Did they allow your entry?โ€

โ€œYes.โ€

โ€œ????โ€

How exactly?

Persuaded in the name of the family? Or bribed?

The reason became clear soon after.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

It wasnโ€™t too difficult to get permission to enter the castle. After all, it was just a procession of a few dozen people.

The castleโ€™s inhabitants suspected spies, wondering how they could enter under such impossible circumstances.

โ”๐ˆ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž๐ซ๐ž ๐š ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ฒ ๐ก๐ข๐๐๐ž๐ง ๐š๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐  ๐ญ๐ก๐ž๐ฆ, ๐จ๐ซ ๐ก๐š๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐ค๐ง๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ ๐›๐ž๐ž๐ง ๐›๐ซ๐ข๐›๐ž๐?

โ”๐–๐ก๐š๐ญ ๐œ๐š๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ž๐ฒ ๐๐จ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ณ๐ž๐ง๐ฌ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐ฉ๐ž๐จ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ž? ๐๐ž๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ž๐ฌ, ๐ฐ๐žโ€™๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐›๐ž ๐ฐ๐š๐ญ๐œ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐  ๐ญ๐ก๐ž๐ฆ.

โ”๐“๐ก๐ž๐ง ๐ก๐จ๐ฐ ๐ž๐ฑ๐š๐œ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐š๐ง๐š๐ ๐ž ๐ญ๐จ ๐ ๐ž๐ญ ๐ข๐ง ๐ก๐ž๐ซ๐ž?

But the suspicion was soon resolved.

An unbelievable hostage was among the group.

โ€œH-Hey, isnโ€™t that Countess Abnerโ€™s third son?โ€

โ€œYes! You lowlifes. As a son of the Abner family, I demand proper treatment!โ€

โ€œA-Alright, we will treat you as a guest of the castle.โ€

Conflicts among nobles were far from brutal combat. It was a battle with long-established customs and rules.

A captured noble had to be treated properly as a hostage until ransom was paid. There were a few exceptions, but violations were rare.

Of course, that was one thing, and the Dwarf mercenaries were quite astonished.

โ€œ. . .How on earth was he captured?โ€

โ€œWhat? That son of a b*itch?โ€

The dwarves murmured behind the walls. What foolish thing must one do to get captured by such a large group, as the commander?

Sensing the atmosphere, Stephen became even more irritated. He was aware of his own foolishness.

โ€œSir Stephen.โ€

โ€œ. . .Count Jarpen, itโ€™s been a while.โ€

โ€œYes. Itโ€™s regrettable to meet like this.โ€

A middle-aged man with broad shoulders and scars across his face, clearly a veteran of many battles, emerged wearing armor.

Count Jarpen was a born knight and warrior, with achievements to match. Stephen felt intimidated under his gaze.

โ€œI thought you were leading the siege. What happened here?โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

Stephen blushed, unable to respond.

โ€œSince youโ€™ve come to my castle, Iโ€™ll treat you as a guest.โ€

โ€œ. . .Thank you, sir.โ€

โ€œBut your fate lies with that young knight, not me.โ€

โ€œSir! This is your castle!โ€

Stephen exclaimed in surprise. It was better to be in Count Jarpenโ€™s hands than in Johanโ€™s. Count Jarpen was at least reasonable.

โ€œAre you, a knight, begging for mercy from the enemy? Maintain your honor.โ€

At Countโ€™s firm words, Stephen closed his mouth, unable to retort.

โ€œTake him inside.โ€

After speaking, Count Jarpen looked at Johan, who greeted him respectfully.

โ€œItโ€™s an honor to meet you.โ€

โ€œNo, the honor is mine, meeting a young knight of such renown.โ€

Count Jarpen smiled, a smile that didnโ€™t quite fit his stern face.

โ€œWould you walk with me? Iโ€™d like to show you my castle.โ€

โ€œPlease.โ€

Count and Johan began walking slowly, followed by knights at a distance.

โ€œDo you know why I called you here?โ€

โ€œI thought you were seeking a knight for the war, but it seems thatโ€™s not the case.โ€

The condition of the castle was too good for someone seeking a mercenary. The besiegers would have fallen before Count needed to worry.

โ€œExactly. Why would I, even at a disadvantage, call unknown knights to fight for gold and fiefdom?โ€

โ€œThen why did you call me?โ€

โ€œPurely to meet a knight who killed a troll. I was curious if you were as good as they say. Iโ€™ve killed a troll in my youth, not alone though.โ€

Count Jarpen wore a unique leather armor, clearly made from a monsterโ€™s hide, a trophy from his own conquest.

โ€œI was curious if you lived up to the rumors, but seeing you now, it seems they were an understatement.โ€

โ€œYou flatter me.โ€

โ€œNo. Modesty is a virtue, but too much modesty doesnโ€™t suit a knight. If youโ€™re too humble, the knights behind you wonโ€™t dare to lift their heads.โ€

The knights looked at Johan with eyes mixed with envy and admiration. The courage to enter enemy territory and capture their leader was an achievement not easily accomplished, even by the bravest of knights.

โ€œThanks to you, I find myself both grateful and in need of an apology to you.โ€

โ€œI understand the gratitude, but why the apology?โ€

โ€œNow, because of this, you have also incurred the wrath of Countess Abnerโ€™s court.โ€

โ€œOf course, I was prepared for that.โ€

In committing such an act, it was impossible that he hadnโ€™t prepared himself for the enmity it would bring upon his family. He had already braced himself for it.

After all, it wouldnโ€™t matter much if he didnโ€™t go into Countess Abnerโ€™s territory.

โ€œIt was Countess Abner who first tarnished my honor. For the sake of reclaiming it, I am willing to accept any enmity.โ€

โ€œExcellent! Truly befitting a knight. Then, the only thing left for me to do is to reward a young knight like you.โ€

Upon hearing Count Jarpenโ€™s words, Johan struggled to maintain a calm expression.

What else could be the reason for causing such turmoil and meeting the Count, if not for a reward that matched his newfound fame?

โ€œI hear you captured a merchant along with Sir Stephen, but youโ€™re not planning to return with his wealth. Iโ€™ll buy it from you for a fair price.โ€

โ€œNo, in fact, I was thinking of presenting it to you.โ€

โ€œWhat are you saying? To simply accept the spoils a knight has earned. Do you see me as someone who doesnโ€™t understand honor?โ€

Count Jarpen seemed infuriated, as if the idea was preposterous. At this, Johan realized that Count Jarpen was more affluent than he had thought.

โ€˜๐˜ž๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ต, ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฒ๐˜ถ๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ฆ ๐˜ข ๐˜ฃ๐˜ช๐˜ต ๐˜ฐ๐˜ง ๐˜ธ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ด๐˜ช๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ค๐˜ข๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ญ๐˜ฆ?โ€™

If he hadnโ€™t had wealth, he wouldnโ€™t have offered to buy it outright. The morale of the mercenaries and the depth of Count Jarpenโ€™s pockets clearly indicated his wealth.

โ€œIf I show off by buying goods, then Iโ€™m no different from a merchant. Listen, give the knight the finest warhorse in the castle, and a sword and shield made of quality steel.โ€

Offering a horse and weapons was the most honorable custom to welcome a worthy knight. It was a way to show respect for the knight by presenting these items.

Just this was enough to make his journey here worthwhile. Moreover, the ransoms for Doris and Stephen had yet to be calculated. . .

While Johan was contemplating his merchant-like schemes beneath his knightly facade, Count Jarpen brought up a shocking proposal.

โ€œHave you considered receiving a knighthood ceremony?โ€


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