How to Live as a Wandering Knight

𝐊𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 (2)

𝚊𝚠𝕖𝕓𝚜𝔱ȯ̇𝐫𝙞ᴇs.𝘤𝚘𝐦

Johan did not refuse the embracing bishop and accepted it.

Despite the rumors of having a greasy and corrupt soul, the bishop’s appearance was plausible enough to deceive even Johan.

True to being a sheep beastman, he had two well-groomed, stylish horns on his head, his face was slightly emaciated like a priest practicing asceticism, and his voice and eyes were full of restrained power.

‘𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘺𝘵𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨.’

Surely, not just anyone could be a bishop. Of course, one needs a supporting family in the background, but personal capability is essential too.

After the greetings, Bishop Biagione praised Johan for capturing the troll and wiping out the den of the heretics, clapping his hands and stamping his feet in an experienced manner.

Even a knight who shunned the bishop upon hearing his rumors couldn’t help but be swayed by his reputation and aura once meeting him face to face.

Especially after hearing such words directly!

‘𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.’

Of course, Johan was thinking about what to have for dinner, letting the bishop’s words go in one ear and out the other. What was interesting was how well the bishop knew about the events that happened far away.

It meant that the communication between the church orders was that detailed.

No surprise there. Even now, most of the record-keeping and administration in the fiefdoms were handled by the church. . .

Johan waited, then bowed his head and covered his face with his hands. To anyone looking, it seemed like he was overwhelmed with emotion and holding back tears.

“What’s wrong?”

“I didn’t expect to meet you, Bishop. . .”

“Don’t be too nervous! I, Biagione, am just a humble servant of God.”

Karamaf, who was lying next to them, growled indifferently. Biagione flinched. It seemed he was quite afraid of wolves, given Karamaf’s size.

“We are all the same souls before God. I, Biagione, consider you a brother in faith, and you should also consider me one.”

After an awkward moment passed, the bishop began to get to the point.

He praised the bravery of the mercenaries and warriors led by Johan, and then asked where he planned to go now that the city’s fight was over.

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“Then fight for faith and belief, brother.”

For a moment, Johan thought the bishop was suggesting going on a crusade, but realized the bishop wasn’t that insane.

It was just a fancy way of saying to fight under the bishop’s name!

‘𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.’

In this era, everyone had many enemies, especially the powers attached to the Edene Sea. For instance, the Beneto Republic fought with other city-states in the west, small kingdoms in the east, and pagans and pirates in the southern sea.

In this light, the several hundred fierce and brave warriors led by Johan were certainly noteworthy, especially for their accomplishments in the recent siege.

“Fighting for the city?”

“No. You’re fighting for me, Biagione. Remember, that’s different. Don’t fall for the city folks’ attempts to corrupt you.”

The bishop stated it bluntly.

Johan was puzzled. Don’t people usually say they’re fighting for the city?

“The path of a faithful person is always lonely. There are many who target me, Biagione. Both outside and inside the city. Will you protect me with your well-honed sword and fiery faith?”

“Of course.”

Though Johan intended to negotiate depending on how much the other party was willing to pay, he initially agreed. After all, he could always come up with an excuse to refuse later.

‘𝘚𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴.’

However, the bishop turned out to be surprisingly generous.

He had a servant bring out a chest full of Empire gold coins and insisted that Johan fill his hands with them himself. It was an effective display of wealth. With this much, he could easily employ people for a year and still have some left.

“I don’t doubt your faith, brother, but those you employ will need gold. Is this sufficient?”

“It’s more than enough, thank you.”

‘𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵?’

Johan felt slightly baffled as his expectations were off. He had thought the bishop’s friendly demeanor and mention of faith were ploys to hire him cheaply.

But with this amount of gold, such tactics were unnecessary.

Was it just a conversation to build camaraderie?

“But, Bishop, I am a knight of His Excellency the Duke, and at the same time, a cavalry officer. . .”

“D-Don’t worry about that, brother. I have no intention of clashing with His Excellency. Even if I did, I wouldn’t send you to such a place. Do you feel reassured now?”

“Yes, thank you.”