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“I said greedy, not stupid.”
Caenerna said matter-of-factly. Coming to seek help and being stingy with gold was a fool’s act. If the bishop had been such a person, he would have died long ago.
Any tyrant would at least lavish their subordinates without stint.
“The gold offered to you is hardly a significant amount for the bishop. If he wants, he can earn much more at any time.”
In the north, silver, iron and wool from the Empire, and in the south, olive oil, dyes, glass, and crafted jewels, and from the eastern seas, silk and spices flow into this place, making it the best spot to amass wealth.
The bishop, with a diocese here, was as good as having a purse overflowing with gold.
“So, this friendly approach is because of betrayal, after all?”
Caenerna smiled broadly. Johan was a pleasant conversationalist. It was rare to find nobility who understood and didn’t arrogantly shout their own opinions.
“I suppose so. The politics of the republic can be somewhat. . . barbaric.”
‘𝘐𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘶𝘥𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳…?’
From the perspective of Caenerna, a typical Empire person, the system of city-states where influential families shared power seemed extremely unstable.
Even those elected as magistrates could be gone with a few mistakes.
Suetlg agreed and added,
“In Beneto, there are those who can give more gold than the bishop offered. From the bishop’s point of view, it must be unsettling. After all, mercenaries are reliable when it’s convenient but become suspicious when the tide turns.”
Hiring mercenaries was always a dilemma. Even if one pays them well, there is no assurance they won’t betray.
It was not much different even for soldiers led by knights. Knights were human too. If all knights were so loyal and noble, there would be no talk of rogue knights.
“Protecting the bishop seems like a profitable business. . .”
“I’m not sure if it can be called a business, but I agree it’s a good opportunity.”
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
𝙖𝔴𝙚ʙ𝔰𝕥𝚘𝘳𝙞ė̇𝚜.𝕔ᴏ𝐦
Biagione was extremely satisfied. Not only had he spoken with Repiata, but also with Count Ganolwood. He had sincerely conveyed that the republic had no intention of fighting with the duke.
Of course, that wasn’t the only reason for his satisfaction. It was because of the hundreds of soldiers following him.
Johan, as well as Gerdolf and Marco, were reliable, despite their somewhat suspicious appearances. Even warriors like Achladda were dependable.
“Is there anyone who dares to threaten the bishop?”
“Ah, brother. There are indeed many immoral and corrupt people in the world.”
The bishop said with a sad expression.
“Among the families affiliated with the city council, there are those who envy and are jealous of Biagione. How dare they threaten Biagione in the diocese and openly blackmail!”
“Such wretches deserve divine punishment.”
The republic might only be a council in name, but it was almost like a noble family. The families employed mercenaries like private soldiers and each ruled over their own part of the widespread republic’s territory.
When conflicts arose, it was common for them to attack each other, bloodshed ensued.
“. . .!”
Dozens of people appeared over a grass-covered hill. Marco was shocked to see the flag of one of the families from the south of Catalia.
“Sir, sir, that’s the flag of the Orlon family.”
“Should I know that?”
“Well, that family is from the south, and the southern families are. . .”
Marco hesitated. It was somewhat embarrassing for him to speak, being a captive.
“Are they a vassal family of the Emperor?”
“. . .Yes. They probably are.”
“Thanks for telling me. That’s good to know.”
Johan observed the knights and soldiers belonging to the Emperor’s faction. They were not at all intimidated by the bishop’s substantial military force.
‘𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘱?’
Of course not. They rode up to the bishop, stopped, and arrogantly raised their heads. They were polite, but their expressions were not.
“What are these warriors doing, your grace, bishop?”
“They are here to help Biagione eliminate the rogue bands in his fiefdom and deal with monsters.”
“For such a thing, aren’t they too. . . rough and untrained?”
A knight of the Orlon family frowned as he looked at the eastern tribal warriors. The nobles in the southern part of the peninsula were heavily influenced by the Empire. To them, the eastern nomadic tribes were no different from barbarians.
Achladda was chuckling, but his eyes were cold. He seemed ready to draw his bow at a moment’s notice. Johan gestured for restraint.
“It’s better than borrowing power from the Emperor! Is your master still acting like a loyal servant of the Emperor?”
“You speak too harshly, bishop.”
The knight glared at the bishop as he spoke. In this situation, a sword fight wouldn’t break out, so it felt like they were both intent on spewing venomous words to their heart’s content.
“There are rumors that the corruption you committed has reached the holy one. I hope that’s just a rumor.”
“To believe such rumors. I swear to God, this Biagione has never harbored corrupt thoughts.”
At the bishop’s words, the knights snickered. Anyone who had spent time in the republic knew that the bishop was a greedy person.
Moreover, the bishop was currently under attack for the corruption he had committed, which had been reported to the church. They weren’t afraid of a powerful figure who could crumble with just a little more pressure.
Despite the insult that would normally be unthinkable to utter, the bishop remained unshaken. There were times when one must endure.
Moreover, since he had brought soldiers with him this time, the opposition wouldn’t dare to attack for a while.
“Well, who would believe that. . .”
As they idly chatted without any real substance, Johan had finished his calculations.
Upon reflection, being employed like this was an opportunity. It wasn’t just about receiving the bishop’s gold.
It was an opportunity to act in the name of the bishop!
There was no need to just take the offered gold and stay quiet. It was alright to take everything that could be taken while the opportunity lasted.
‘𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘱, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘵𝘴.’
“Prepare to attack!”
“??”
“I am Johan of Yeats. I am the cavalry officer of Brduhe and a knight of the duke. State your names!”
As Johan suddenly declared an attack, the opposing knights were taken aback.
“What are you talking about? Didn’t you say you were employed by the bishop!”
“Are you acting on your own without the bishop’s orders? Right now, the bishop is. . .”
The knights could afford to be so confident with their much smaller force because of the bishop. Biagione, who was under attack for various corruptions, was in a situation where he should have been more restrained. They couldn’t even dream of striking first.
However, Johan was not a mercenary who simply followed orders obediently. Moreover, the fact that the enemies failed to understand their situation and mocked them gave him a plausible justification.
A knight who stood up unable to tolerate insults to the bishop!
“For the insult to the bishop, I will cleanse it with this sword. If you are a knight, reveal your name and face me!”
“Wait, wait a minute. . .”
The bishop was horrified and tried to stop them. Hiring Johan and his warriors was meant to be a show of force, not to initiate an attack.
If they rashly got angry and ran amok, how were they any different from mercenaries!
“Attack them! Catch every single one of them so they can’t escape!”
“I’ve been waiting for those words, Sir Knight!”
Achladda cheered and started to quickly outflank with the tribal warriors. It was a move to block the enemy’s retreat.
Gerdolf, Marco split left and right to charge, and Johan rushed in from the front.
“Catch that man! He must be captured alive at all costs!”
At Johan’s shout, the warriors grinned. Speaking like that, it seemed that their leader was quite valuable.
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
𝕒ᴡᴇ𝘣𝕤ᴛ𝕠ṙ̇𝚒𝚎𝚜.𝐜ȯ̇𝐦
The battle was short but fierce. Those who had the will to fight were struck by arrows and beaten down first, and the remaining ones quickly surrendered. The difference in numbers was too great from the start.
“. . .W-We surrender.”
The remaining knights and soldiers surrendered with faces that couldn’t believe what had happened. They couldn’t understand what the bishop was thinking when he did this.
Was he prepared to lose his position as bishop?
“Bishop. We will take these prisoners according to tradition.”
“No. . . No! Brother! What is this madness! What do you think you’re doing acting on your own?!”
“But didn’t these men insult you, bishop?”