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Gurelic’s departure created a larger reaction than expected. Among the mercenaries following Johan’s forces, who were under the bishop, an awkward atmosphere lingered.
“Gurelic himself isn’t such a fool. . .”
Mercenary captains, who knew Gurelic’s character, groaned. It all seemed very strange, no matter how one looked at it.
Johan was known to be a knight who had been achieving great feats recently, but was he so impressive as to switch sides like this?
Still young and seemingly inexperienced. . .
Some mercenary captains held back their words. If Gurelic’s judgment was correct, they started to hold back, planning to quietly switch sides. This was especially true for masters of relatively small mercenary groups, numbering around a hundred.
Ambitious mercenary captains were very dissatisfied with this departure and gritted their teeth.
“Brother. Let us pray. For this holy mountain of Cyrandel.”
As they climbed the hill overlooking the Cirandel mountains, the bishop said to Johan. Johan prayed with even more humble and earnest posture than the bishop. The inspector was truly satisfied.
“Is that Uranonium over there?”
The small-looking capital of the ancient Empire seen from afar was, as Suetlg said, more than half in ruins.
And yet, the remaining area alone boasted an enormous scale, suggesting how beautiful the city must have been in its heyday.
“Your Excellency, bishop.”
One of the mercenary captains approached, riding a horse. Uniquely, this mercenary captain was an elf, clearly a lower noble from the Erlans Kingdom.
“There are swarms of rogues in the forest in front of the mountain. I request your permission for a punitive expedition.”
“Oh. . .”
Bishop Biagione was flustered. It was an unexpected and ill-fitting proposal. Mercenaries offering to do a job without pay?
Johan smiled inwardly.
‘𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴.’
It seemed the mercenaries wanted to demonstrate their capabilities to the order by dealing with the rogues. But the order wouldn’t change their judgment over something like this.
He could imagine how frustrated they would feel upon realizing this.
“Isn’t it a good proposal? Please grant your permission, Your Excellency, bishop.”
The inspector was delighted. The swarms of rogues rampaging in the vast forest below the mountain had been causing pain to nearby towns. Dealing with them would be a service to the serfs.
Biagione looked to Johan for guidance. Unlike the inspector, the bishop was aware of the subtle power struggle unfolding between them. It was what he did best.
‘𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘐 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴?’
Johan signaled with his eyes that it was okay. Gurelic, who was watching this, was shocked.
It wasn’t the bishop controlling Johan, but Johan controlling the bishop.
‘𝘋𝘪𝘥 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨?’
Even upon re-evaluation, it was unbelievable. If Johan wasn’t the bishop’s kin, this relationship made no sense. . .
“I permit it. Your dedication is indeed commendable.”
“Yes! Thank you.”
The inspector asked Johan.
“Do you also plan to join them, sir?”
“No. Someone must stay to protect His Excellency. I and the Wilago mercenary group will guard the bishop here.”
Once affection is formed, other actions also feel more welcome.
Johan’s actions, contrasted with the mistakes of a hot-blooded knight, appeared even more favorable. The inspector nodded in satisfaction.
At this point, Gurelic started to feel sorry for the other mercenary captains.
They were blinded by pride and stubbornness, failing to make calculated decisions.
‘𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘴. . . 𝘕𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘢 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.’
Johan’s army halted, and the following mercenaries started changing their formations, approaching the forest to search and punish the rogue swarms.
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
𝙖𝙬𝘦𝙗𝙨ṫ̇𝘰𝚛𝕚𝚎s.𝘤ȯ̇ᴍ
“That elf is the one leading the b*stard of Arkten. He used to hold the position of captain in the Wolves of Arkten.”
“Wolves of Arkten. . . I’ve seen them before.”
“Did you lead them?”
“No.”
Johan’s words didn’t seem to concern Gurelic much. They might have been on opposing sides, after all.
“The b*stards are quite skilled at riding. Being from the Erlans Kingdom, they are better than. . . Oops. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay to speak freely. It happens.”
The elf knights always boasted that their horsemanship was the best, and indeed, people tended to rate the elf knights’ skills above those of the Empire knights.
“So that’s why elves were often seen.”
“Yes. Elves are foul-tempered and arrogant, so they will likely offend the honor. Please be generous in your judgment. . .”
“No. I like elves.”
“??”
“Any other mercenaries to be wary of?”
“The Gorgale Mercenary Group is famous for their crossbowmen. They are so skilled that they sometimes charge double.”
The mercenary group from Gorgale, armed with expensive crossbows, was known for their deadly attacks. They had even taken down several large monsters.
“And you should also be mindful of the Medusa Mercenary Group and the Mano Mercenary Group. . . Where are you going?”
“Something’s happened in the forest.”
Johan quickly stood up. Karamaf, realizing something was amiss, raised its head and glared. Smoke was rising from various parts of the forest, and faint screams could be heard.
“Enemy! It’s the enemy!”
“Prepare for battle! Prioritize protecting His Excellency!”
“Yes!”
Johan directed his elite troops near the bishop, then donned his armor and rushed forward. Euclyia followed, wielding a spear.
𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡—
The grass of the meadow rustled, and then dozens of people stood up. They realized they had been discovered.
They had hoped to ambush the unsuspecting outside, but their opponents were too formidable.
The eastern warriors and mercenaries patrolled tirelessly, making it impossible for anyone, no matter how skilled, to approach undetected.
“We’ve been spotted!”
“Run! Break through!”
The rogues, though caught, fiercely ignited their fighting spirit. Their approach had been stealthy, but they were no ordinary foes.
‘Could they be mercenaries?’
“Spears!”
“■■■■■■!”
“Don’t let them near the camp! Crush them!”
Johan and his warriors charged forward on horseback. The rogues, faced with mounted knights on the plains, gritted their teeth.
“Haaaah!”
Several of them dodged to the side, screaming wildly, and tried to unseat the horse-riding warriors with lassos.
However, the eastern warriors either handled their horses as if they were part of their own bodies, or were beings with the bodies of horses themselves. They easily evaded and struck down their foes with their weapons.
Even when fatally wounded, the rogues neither retreated nor surrendered. They fiercely glared and swung their weapons, seemingly unaware of the blood pouring from their own bodies.
Then there was no choice but to completely crush them.
“Move aside!”
Johan, wielding a mace, charged in. With each swing, the fierce rogues crumbled. The leader of the rogues looked at Johan in disbelief.