How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 55: 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 55: 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—)

The stone gate, carved out of a massive boulder, was not meant to be opened by human strength. It was fine to regard it simply as a piece of rock, to prevent intruders from opening it.

But Suetlg definitely heard it.

The sound of the stone door twisting and moving!

โ€œUgh. . .!โ€

Johanโ€™s forearms swelled as the giant stone wall began to slowly roll to the side. Suetlg couldnโ€™t close his gaping mouth.

โ€œMy goodness, oh divine. . .โ€

A miracle that even a wizard like Suetlg would seek the divine!

Johan, sweating profusely, pushed the door open.

โ€œFortunately, itโ€™s open. We are lucky.โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

โ€œSuetlg-nim? snap out of it.โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

Regaining his senses, Suetlg quickly gave an order.

โ€œEnsure the mercenaries cannot enter. The fewer eyes, the better. Iโ€™ll only take my slaves inside.โ€

โ€œAre you sure? It would be okay for me to go alone.โ€

โ€œNo. That would be too unfair to you. Iโ€™ll protect my own body. And. . . donโ€™t worry about secrets. Their mouths are special.โ€

Suetlgโ€™s slaves had undergone a special procedure, something Johan had guessed. Deciding to ask later, Johan spoke softly.

โ€œHow suspicious are you planning to be?โ€

โ€œEnough that the mercenaries shouldnโ€™t see. In exchange, I swear to repay you properly, in the name of Ipaรซl River.โ€

โ€œI always liked the Ipaรซl River.โ€

Johan and Suetlg exchanged meaningful smiles. Whether it was a pagan temple or anything else, if there was something useful, they would surely take it.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

โ”๐๐ซ๐ž๐ฏ๐ž๐ง๐ญ ๐š๐ง๐ฒ๐จ๐ง๐ž ๐Ÿ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Ÿ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ž.

โ”๐‘๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ. ๐๐จ ๐ฆ๐š๐ญ๐ญ๐ž๐ซ ๐ฐ๐ก๐จ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ. . . ๐ž๐ฏ๐ž๐ง ๐ข๐Ÿ ๐’๐ญ๐ž๐ฉ๐ก๐ž๐ง ๐œ๐จ๐ฆ๐ž๐ฌ, ๐๐จ๐งโ€™๐ญ ๐ฅ๐ž๐ญ ๐ก๐ข๐ฆ ๐ข๐ง.

โ”? ๐ˆ ๐š๐ฅ๐ซ๐ž๐š๐๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐š๐ข๐ ๐ฐ๐ž ๐ฐ๐จ๐งโ€™๐ญ ๐ฅ๐ž๐ญ ๐š๐ง๐ฒ๐จ๐ง๐ž ๐ข๐ง.

โ”. . .๐„๐ฑ๐œ๐ž๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ž๐ง๐ญ ๐š๐ญ๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ž, ๐’๐ข๐ซ ๐†๐ž๐ซ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐Ÿ. ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ ๐š๐ซ๐ž ๐š ๐Ÿ๐ข๐ง๐ž ๐ค๐ง๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ.

โ”๐“๐ก๐š๐ง๐ค ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ, ๐’๐ข๐ซ.

โ€œA corridor. . .!โ€

Johan and Suetlg, having entered through a passage behind the stone wall, marveled at the expansive hallway before them. To find such a well-constructed building hidden within these remote mountain cliffs was astonishing.

Alongside the corridor stood statues they had never seen before. Suetlg commented on each one as they passed.

โ€œA pantheon. During the ancient Empire era, people worshipped many gods. Isnโ€™t it fascinating?โ€

โ€œWell, itโ€™s possible to believe, isnโ€™t it?โ€

โ€œ. . .Your lackluster reaction takes the fun out of it. Anyway, they must have hidden here to pray. Look at this. Isnโ€™t it beautiful? This god might have been a warrior deity.โ€

โ€œOr perhaps the god of drunken brawlers. . .โ€

Suetlg scowled. After hearing Johanโ€™s words, the statue indeed began to look that way.

โ€œBut, Suetlg-nim.โ€

โ€œWhat is it?โ€

โ€œDonโ€™t you think the strange behavior of the goblins is related to this pagan temple?โ€

โ€œIt might be, but itโ€™s too quiet for that, isnโ€™t it? I donโ€™t sense any presence. It might be unrelated.โ€

โ”๐†๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ๐ฅ.

Karamaf let out a low growl. In response, footsteps emerged from the darkness, and three figures appeared. The zealots, clad in peculiar religious robes, held torches.

โ€œUgh!โ€

โ€œI-Intruders!!โ€

The zealots seemed more frightened than Johan and Suetlg. From their perspective, they had encountered armed intruders unexpectedly.

โ€œHow did you get in here!โ€

Suetlg empathized with their reaction. Honestly, he would have thought the same in their shoes.

A well-hidden secret door. Under normal circumstances, it would have taken days to open it, by which time those inside would have noticed.

โ€œ. . .I understand why youโ€™re surprised. Attack them!โ€

Regardless of the opponentโ€™s surprise, an attack was necessary, especially since those dwelling in such a pagan temple couldnโ€™t be sane.

โ€œHow dare these corrupted ones!โ€

The zealots, enraged, drew short swords from their waists. Sensing an evil aura in the flickering shadows, Suetlg shouted in astonishment.

โ€œBe careful! They have magical aura!โ€

Suetlgโ€™s slaves, though not as strong as Johan, were skilled swordsmen. As they clashed with the zealots, they immediately disrupted their balance and aimed for vital points.

However, the zealots appeared to be less skilled in sword fighting. As their swords met, they floundered. But as Suetlg said, they were imbued with magic.

A โ€˜thunkโ€™ sound was heard as a sword slashed a zealotโ€™s throat, but he did not fall. The shadow quickly spread over the zealotโ€™s body, wrapping around the neck to prevent bleeding.

The zealotโ€™s eyes reddened, and his face darkened.

โ€œI shall not die. . .โ€

While the slave hesitated, Johanโ€™s mace flew in, blowing the zealotโ€™s head off.

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

โ€œDoesnโ€™t he come back to life?! Heโ€™s dead!โ€

โ€œWait. . .!โ€

Johan crushed another frozen zealotโ€™s head. Whatever magic they had, it seemed to withstand only slashed wounds, so decapitation was more effective.

โ€œNo need for such brutality if theyโ€™re not trolls!โ€

โ€œAh. Should have said so earlier.โ€

โ€œโ– โ– โ– ! โ– โ– !โ€

As they finished off the zealots, goblins appeared from the other end of the corridor, wearing metal armor and wielding spears, looking quite formidable.

โ€˜๐˜š๐˜ฐ, ๐˜ช๐˜ต ๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜ด ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ.โ€™

โ”๐†๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ๐ฅ!

Johan lifted his mace, soaked in goblin blood from this campaign. Sensing its ominous aura, the goblins flinched.

โ€œCome.โ€

With those words, Johan, like an avatar of violence, charged at the goblins.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

โ€œHow could the strike force possibly!โ€

The wizard, with a face mired in confusion, was ready to flee.

All the zealots in this secret temple were in turmoil, including their leader, the wizard.

A sudden ambush, a frantic fight. . . anyone would have to brace for the worst. The intruders were few, but there was no way to know that.

โ€œWhere do you think you are going?โ€

โ€œWe must escape.โ€

โ€œBut didnโ€™t Nahra-nim promise to protect this place?โ€

Nahra, the god of shadows and blood, had existed since the ancient Empire but was now forbidden in most places. Already disliked by other churches, Nahraโ€™s teachings were excessively cruel and barbaric.

โ€œHe is protecting us!โ€

โ€œIf heโ€™s protecting us, how did the strike force get in here!โ€

โ€œGods can be capricious at times. Just shut up and follow!โ€

The wizard looked at Zirbo with annoyance. He would have discarded him long ago if not for his status. Among those in the temple, Zirbo was the most useful.

The illegitimate child of the Abner family!

Illegitimate children were treated worse than younger legitimate siblings. It wasnโ€™t hard to entice such a disgruntled man into joining the cult.

Although Zirbo had little to offer, his access to other nobles was crucial. He couldnโ€™t be discarded yet.

โ€œEven if the strike force follows, they wonโ€™t enter here. Iโ€™ve unleashed the shadow monster. Itโ€™s a kind of revelation from Nahra. Move!โ€

โ€œUnder. . . Understood.โ€

Zirbo prepared to follow the wizard but looked nonchalant.

โ€˜๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ณ๐˜ช๐˜ฌ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ง๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ค๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜จ๐˜ฉ๐˜ต ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ต๐˜ด๐˜ช๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ๐˜ฐ. . .โ€™

Initially tempted by the wizard, Zirbo now doubted his reliability. What if they were shot by the blind with arrows outside?

Perhaps it was better to reveal his identity and surrender.

Slap!

โ€œ!โ€

Sensing his thoughts, the wizard lashed out with his whip. The black whip writhed as if alive, leaving the ground where it passed pitch black.

โ€œDidnโ€™t I tell you to move?โ€

โ€œI-I said I understood.โ€

โ€œMove? Where?โ€

Johan entered the room, growling, covered in the blood of his enemies. His exposed eyes blazed with a fierce fire.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

Johan, who had killed goblins indiscriminately and headed to the wizardโ€™s chamber under Karamafโ€™s guidance, encountered a monster he had never seen before.

A four-legged monster as if draped in dark shadows!

But upon closer inspection, parts of the creature resembled a goblin. It was unclear what had been done to the goblins, but the mere sight of it exuded an evil aura.

โ€œGive Johan the silver sword!โ€

Suetlg shouted sharply. Then, a slave hurriedly pulled out and threw a sword. It was a blade coated with silver.

Indeed, silver always works against evil beings.

Johan grabbed the sword and viciously slashed the monsterโ€™s torso.

๐‚๐ก๐ข๐ข๐ข๐ค!

The blood from the monsterโ€™s torso made a noxious sound as it burned the ground. Johan clicked his tongue at the creaking durability of the silver sword.

โ€œWhat a weak weapon. . .!โ€

โ€œWhat are you talking about?! Thatโ€™s a sturdy weapon! What are you doing, help Johan!โ€

โ€œDonโ€™t come! Itโ€™s better to fight alone.โ€

Fighting the monster with these uncoordinated allies was more of a hindrance.

โ€˜๐˜Š๐˜ข๐˜ฏ ๐˜ ๐˜ฌ๐˜ช๐˜ญ๐˜ญ ๐˜ช๐˜ต ๐˜ธ๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ฉ ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ ๐˜ธ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ฑ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ? ๐˜โ€™๐˜ฎ ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ถ๐˜ค๐˜ต๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ต ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜จ๐˜ณ๐˜ข๐˜ฃ ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ณ ๐˜ช๐˜ต ๐˜ข๐˜ฑ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ต. . .โ€™

The greatest strength of the shadow monster was its unknown identity. Whether beating it was effective, or if it was safe to touch it. . .

This was what hindered Johanโ€™s charge.

Sensing Johanโ€™s hesitation, the monster grew increasingly ferocious. Johan made up his mind.

โ€˜๐˜โ€™๐˜ญ๐˜ญ ๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ ๐˜š๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ญ ๐˜™๐˜ฆ๐˜ต๐˜ณ๐˜ช๐˜ฆ๐˜ท๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ.โ€™

Facing an unknown enemy, his most confident attack was indeed the Seal Retriever.

Suetlg was neither someone to distrust nor to accuse. Above all, they both held too many of each otherโ€™s weaknesses.

Johan fiercely threw the silver sword at the monster, whipping its long forelegs.

โ€œWhat are you doing?!โ€

Thud!

Synced with the monsterโ€™s scream, Johan charged forward. In his hand was another longsword, the ancient Empireโ€™s famous sword, <๐’๐ž๐š๐ฅ ๐‘๐ž๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐ž๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ>.

๐Ž๐ง๐œ๐ž, ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ข๐œ๐ž, ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐ข๐œ๐žโ”

With each flash of the sword, the monster convulsed and bled. The embedded silver sword shone brighter, inflicting more damage on the creature.

๐“๐ก๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฉ!

Johan spat. The Seal Retriever seemed to shake off the monsterโ€™s filthy blood, becoming clean again.

Suetlg said,

โ€œ. . .By the name of the Ipaรซl River, I swear to silence about what I just saw.โ€

โ€œYou donโ€™t need to swear for me to believe.โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

At Johanโ€™s words, Suetlg almost burst into emotion, momentarily forgetting his age. This young knight had a talent for moving people in strange ways.

Though the swordโ€™s story was unknown, its rare use implied a significant past.

And yet, he wielded it without hesitation. . .

โ€œSo, what is this monster?โ€

โ€œI donโ€™t know everything. It seems to have done something to the goblins. . . Hurry! We mustnโ€™t lose the wizard.โ€

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

โ€œโ– โ– . . .โ€

As soon as he saw Johan, the wizard attempted to recite a strange spell. At that moment, Johanโ€™s Seal Retriever flashed and beheaded the wizard.

The shadows and spells protecting the wizardโ€™s body were torn apart in one strike, killing him.

โ€œWell done!โ€

Suetlg admired it. Although there was never anything good in having long conversations with wizards, those who encountered wizards always inadvertently heard such words.

Those who handle magic deal with the deepest secrets and mysteries. The voices of those who know the truth inevitably have more persuasive power than ordinary people.

But Johan, seemingly uninterested, beheaded him right away. It was a refreshingly good judgment.

โ€œI-I am the son of Countess Abner! I demand a fair trial. The Abner family will not forgive you for touching me!โ€

โ€œ?!โ€

โ€œ. . .Kill him!โ€

Suetlg coldly ordered. Then, the slaves following him swung their swords. In an instant, the noblemanโ€™s b*stard was reduced to a bloody heap and fell.

โ€œThe wizard, I get it, but why him?โ€

โ€œBecause he saw your sword.โ€


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