How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 54: ๐๐ž๐จ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ž ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐€๐›๐ง๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ๐š๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฒ (๐Ÿ–)



Chapter 54: ๐๐ž๐จ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ž ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐€๐›๐ง๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ๐š๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฒ (๐Ÿ–)

Usually, itโ€™s basic for the experienced soldiers to stand at the front unless itโ€™s a special case.

Well-armed and experienced senior soldiers could hold their ground in a fight, but newcomers often just collapsed.

If the front line collapses, even the skilled fighters in the back line get affected.

In that regard, it wasnโ€™t surprising that Johan and Gerdolf were leading at the front.

Because they were the best armed and the best fighters.

It was surprising that the knights werenโ€™t leading in a cave fight against goblins. . .

The mercenaries who entered the cave were curious to see how well the two knights fought.

The knights, skilled in horsemanship, were invincible on horseback.

But what about on foot?

Could they be just as invincible in a muddy, close-quarters fight in a dark, narrow cave?

Turns out, the knights were indeed invincible on foot as well.

โ€œT-The goblins. . .โ€

โ€œThe goblins? Did they cast some wicked magic or something?โ€

โ€œIt was the first time I felt sorry for the goblin scum.โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

A mercenary briefly and simply shared his impression. Everyone was shocked by his words.

What in the world. . .?

It was like hearing a soft, inexperienced newcomer talking, not a seasoned mercenary.

โ€œAs the goblins were rushing forward, not stopping, just trampling everything in their path, and we were about to help from behind, but they were swept away like boulders. . . I was just stunned. . .โ€

โ€œSo you did nothing but watch? What kind of *sshole are you? Worthless?โ€

โ€œI, I took down a few that jumped out from the side.โ€

โ€œBecause of guys like you, Sir Knight canโ€™t work properly. Theyโ€™re not going to fire us for that, right?โ€

โ€œM-Maybe not. . .โ€

The mercenaries swallowed hard. Even mercenaries have their own pride.

Being fired for incompetence was a disgrace. Especially if the opposite party was not some insignificant noble, but a respected warrior.

Without the mercenaries realizing, Johan had already earned their respect.

Gaining respect among tough warriors wasnโ€™t difficult.

Just donโ€™t shy away like a coward, lead the fight, be generous with gold, and respect the mercenaries.

Though, it was actually hard to do.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

โ€œStephen.โ€

โ€œYes?โ€

โ€œI hope you havenโ€™t been saying unnecessary things to the mercenaries.โ€

โ€œWhat? No, why would I. . .โ€

Stephen, who had been sitting quietly as instructed, was taken aback by Johanโ€™s question.

What a baseless accusation.

โ€œI really did nothing! Ask the servants around!โ€

โ€œThe mercenaries started fighting fiercely, so I wondered.โ€

Johan suspected that Stephen might have made some unnecessary threats or promises of rewards to the mercenaries, considering how aggressively they attacked.

It seems that was not the case.

โ€˜๐˜ˆ๐˜ง๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ ๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ญ, ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ธ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ญ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฏโ€™๐˜ต ๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ท๐˜ฆ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฆ๐˜บ ๐˜ง๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ต.โ€™

โ€œSo, how did the subjugation go?โ€

โ€œSo far, itโ€™s successful. Seems like weโ€™ve caught about a thousand.โ€

โ€œA thousand. . . A thousand?! Are you serious?!โ€

Stephen was astounded. How could he speak so calmly about such an achievement?

โ€œThatโ€™s a great success! A grand success! I must write a report to the Countess right away!โ€

Until now, the mercenaries who came here for subjugation had only managed to catch a few dozen at best.

After that, the goblins would disappear and not show up again, and the mercenaries would spend their time idly around the town, eventually giving up and returning.

This was indeed a success, no, a grand success.

Suetlg opened his mouth in admiration of the quick victory.

โ€œWeโ€™ve indeed benefitted greatly from the wolf.โ€

โ€œCertainly, it was good to actively pursue the subjugation rather than wait.โ€

โ€œYes. It would have been harder if we waited, scared by someone.โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

โ€œBut did the goblins not counterattack?โ€

โ€œThe mercenaries said the same, but no. They just holed up in their caves.โ€

Karamaf, encouraged by Johanโ€™s praise, energetically found every goblin cave.

In each cave, there were dozens, even hundreds of goblins, and Johan and the mercenaries thoroughly annihilated them.

The mercenaries expected that even the fleeing ones would gather and attack desperately, but there was no sign of it.

โ€œArenโ€™t the goblin creatures plotting something? Like an ambush. . .โ€

โ€œNormally, I wouldโ€™ve dismissed it as nonsense, but there are many suspicious instances this time. Itโ€™s better to be cautious.โ€

โ€œAnyway, the initial search is over. Now weโ€™ll stay in the town, persuade the escaped serfs to return, and look for any remaining caves.โ€

โ”๐†๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ๐ฅ.

โ€œRight, right. Well done.โ€

Johan playfully tickled Karamafโ€™s chin. Suetlg found the giant wolf acting coquettishly quite fascinating.

Where did Johan find this creature?

Taming monsters is quite a special skill, after all. . .

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

โ€œHave the goblins gone mad? Why wonโ€™t they listen?!โ€

โ€œQuiet! Thereโ€™s just a temporary issue, theyโ€™ll soon follow my commands again.โ€

โ€œCanโ€™t you see those mercenaries swarming below? We canโ€™t even get out like this! You might have nothing to lose with your lowly status, but I have a lot at stake!โ€

โ€œDidnโ€™t I tell you to shut up?โ€

The wizard, cloaked in robes, threatened the young nobleman with a fierce voice. Startled by the tone, the nobleman hesitated.

โ€œExpeditions have come and gone before. Left alone, theyโ€™ll eventually leave. It doesnโ€™t matter if the goblins donโ€™t attack.โ€

The wizard was using the nearby goblins as his minions, orchestrating attacks on the town and fending off the expeditions, all under his command.

But this time, the expedition was different.

Not only did they capture the carefully raised monstrous boar, but the goblins also began to flee in fear. . .

The most astonishing thing was that the goblins, usually frenzied by drugs offered as rewards or by special scents that enhanced their wildness, started hiding in their dens, refusing to move.

At this point, the wizard realized something.

The knight leading this expedition was clearly not to be underestimated!

โ€˜๐˜ž๐˜ฉ๐˜บ ๐˜ธ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ญ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ด๐˜ถ๐˜ค๐˜ฉ ๐˜ข ๐˜ง๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ฅ๐˜ข๐˜ฃ๐˜ญ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฌ๐˜ฏ๐˜ช๐˜จ๐˜ฉ๐˜ต ๐˜ฅ๐˜ข๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ด๐˜ถ๐˜ค๐˜ฉ ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ด๐˜ช๐˜จ๐˜ฏ๐˜ช๐˜ง๐˜ช๐˜ค๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ต ๐˜ฃ๐˜ข๐˜ค๐˜ฌ๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ?โ€™

It was frustrating, but nothing changed that reality. The wizard, true to his nature, had to accept it and start scheming.

โ€œIf the goblins donโ€™t attack, it might take longer, but those guys will eventually be satisfied and retreat. Would such a powerful knight dastard stay here long?โ€

โ€œCan you stay calm even after the goblins have been annihilated?โ€

โ€œGoblins will repopulate over time! The ones I directly raised are still fine. Leave them be!โ€

โ€œBut if things stay this way, we canโ€™t go outside. . .โ€

โ€œDidnโ€™t I tell you to stay put and endure? Donโ€™t you have any patience? Whatโ€™s lacking here, water or food?โ€

The wizardโ€™s clear, aged voice sparkled with a killing intent, sending chills down the noblemanโ€™s skin.

โ€œAl. . . Alright, Iโ€™ll wait inside.โ€

โ€œIf you try any foolish tricks to go outside, I wonโ€™t let you off easy. Just pray quietly!โ€

โ€œY-Yes.โ€

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

While cleaning up the corpses and gathering the loot, nothing happened in the town as they searched for the scattered serfs.

Not even a single raid.

Among the mercenaries, mundane talks circulated: โ€˜๐˜๐˜ด๐˜ฏโ€™๐˜ต ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฆ๐˜น๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ฐ๐˜ท๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ?โ€™ โ€˜๐˜ˆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏโ€™๐˜ต ๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ญ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜จ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฃ๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ด ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ฅ?โ€™

However, Suetlg and Johan felt uneasy. Of course, they had caught a tremendous number of goblins, but. . .

โ€œWe havenโ€™t encountered those wearing metal armor.โ€

โ€œRight. Thatโ€™s the problem. Isnโ€™t it strange? And what about that boar? There must be a place where itโ€™s being raised.โ€

โ€œMilord. The monks have arrived.โ€

Johanโ€™s face twisted at Geoffreyโ€™s report. Suetlg struggled to suppress a laugh.

โ€œAnother prayer?โ€

โ€œNo. The monks say they have something to report.โ€

โ€œ?โ€

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

After the massive subjugation ended, the monks scoured the mountains, wandering around.

It was because of records mentioning a forgotten temple nearby. It was part of their duty to search for such temples based on the information recorded in the monastery.

โ€œYou found it? Isnโ€™t that good? Itโ€™s great news for the people of the town.โ€

โ€œWell. . . um. . .โ€

โ€œ??โ€

โ€œIt seems to be a temple of a different faith. . .โ€

The monks hesitated as they spoke, feeling it blasphemous even to discuss such a matter.

โ€œWhat?!โ€

Suetlg showed even more interest. A temple of a different faith? In such a place, something precious?

โ€œSuetlg-nim.โ€

โ€œAh. My apologies.โ€

Suetlg cleared his throat. There was no need to act like a heretic in front of the monks. They were not ordinary fools.

โ€œIt definitely looks like a temple of a different faith, but it feels too blasphemous for us to examine it further. . . we are sorry.โ€

โ€œHaha. Donโ€™t worry. God will understanโ”. . . forgive us.โ€

โ€˜๐˜ž๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ต ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ. . .โ€™

Suetlg looked at Johan with a horrified expression. Did he almost say โ€˜๐˜ถ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅโ€™ just now?

Such words were not fitting for a devout believer.

Of course, the thoroughly smitten monks did not notice.

โ€œYou came to ask to report to the bishop, right?โ€

โ€œYes. It doesnโ€™t seem like something we should verify. . .โ€

Suetlg desperately nudged Johanโ€™s back. It was a signal to show him first, before the Bishop of Mohsho saw it. Johan nodded.

โ€œUnderstood. But I canโ€™t report directly to the bishop easily, so I will verify and report after seeing it myself.โ€

โ€œOh. . .! To give Sir Johan such trouble. . .โ€

โ€œItโ€™s obviously my duty.โ€

The monks, moved, made the sign of the cross and then withdrew. Their faces were filled with trust, believing Johan was reliable.

Hearing this, Suetlg said,

โ€œIf thereโ€™s a trial later, itโ€™s better to be judged by the church. That would be very reassuring.โ€

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

Johan selected the strongest and most discreet among the mercenaries. While scouting was important, for Suetlgโ€™s sake, tight-lipped mercenaries would be better.

That was all well and good.

Suetlg was grateful for Johanโ€™s thoughtfulness. Indeed, friendship is felt in such moments.

However. . .

โ€œWhy did you bring that foolish knight dastard?!โ€

โ€œ. . .I had no choice, he kept following.โ€

Behind them, โ€˜The butcherโ€™ Gerdolf and the mercenaries were walking.

For Suetlg, it was an astonishing situation.

โ”๐ˆ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ.

โ”๐๐จ. ๐ˆ๐ญโ€™๐ฌ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ง๐ž๐œ๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ๐š๐ซ๐ฒ.

โ”๐ˆ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐ฆ๐ž๐ซ๐œ๐ž๐ง๐š๐ซ๐ข๐ž๐ฌ. ๐ˆ ๐š๐ฆ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ž๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐š๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐š๐ญ ๐ฆ๐ž๐ซ๐œ๐ž๐ง๐š๐ซ๐ฒ. ๐“๐ก๐ž ๐ฆ๐ž๐ซ๐œ๐ž๐ง๐š๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐›๐ž ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ . ๐ˆ๐ญโ€™๐ฌ ๐จ๐›๐ฏ๐ข๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ.

โ”. . .๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐ข๐œ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐; ๐ก๐š๐ซ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐š๐ซ๐ ๐ฎ๐ž ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐š๐ญ.

โ€œWe need people to guard outside too, so having Gerdolf isnโ€™t bad. Heโ€™s a loyal friend.โ€

โ€œI think you have a knack for befriending strange people, huff huff. . .โ€

โ€˜๐˜‹๐˜ฐ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด๐˜ฏโ€™๐˜ต ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ต ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ค๐˜ญ๐˜ถ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ, ๐˜š๐˜ถ๐˜ฆ๐˜ต๐˜ญ๐˜จ-๐˜ฏ๐˜ช๐˜ฎ?โ€™

Johan thought so but didnโ€™t say it aloud.

โ€œSo, why do you want to see that temple?โ€

โ€œDonโ€™t you know? They say itโ€™s a heretical temple, but itโ€™s surely from the ancient Empire era!โ€

โ€œ. . .!โ€

โ€œOf course, it could be a new temple secretly built by heretics, but considering itโ€™s mentioned in monastery records, itโ€™s unlikely. It must be an artifact from long ago. Huff huff. . . Imagine the mysteries and secrets it holds.โ€

Suetlg, out of breath, was glad they reached the reported location without getting lost.

โ€œWhat do you think?โ€

โ€œWeโ€™ll see. . .โ€

Suetlg looked around mesmerized. The small temple perched on a cliff looked very ordinary, almost like a church.

Suetlg touched and licked the walls, pacing back and forth. The mercenaries had to restrain their expressions at this bizarre sight.

Wizards are indeed a bit crazy. . .

โ€œIs there anything valuable?โ€

โ€œNothing. Itโ€™s all gone.โ€

There were no silverware or unused sacrificial implements that Johan wanted. Most of the valuable items had been made of gold or silver.

Suetlg, wandering inside, stopped in front of a wall for a while.

โ€œ?โ€

โ€œThis is. . . a door. A barrier against intruders. During the Empireโ€™s chaotic times, various looters roamed. A church was prime prey, so such a door is not surprising.โ€

โ€œCan you open it?โ€

โ€œWell. It might take days to figure out how. We can stay and investigate.โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s a bit. . .โ€

โ€œWhy not?โ€

โ€œHow can we leave everything to Stephen alone?โ€

โ€œThen leave me behind.โ€

โ€œHow can I leave Suetlg-nim alone? If itโ€™s really a door, Iโ€™ll try to open it.โ€

โ€œWhat are you talking about? If itโ€™s something that can be opened with strength. . . Oh.โ€


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