“Yes. It was too reckless to concentrate on the subjugation and let the main camp be attacked.”
“. . .I’m sorry.”
“Let’s move out.”
Upon Johan’s command, the mercenary captains looked at him incredulously.
Moving while the rogue gang was still in the forest?
It was unbelievable.
Shouldn’t a knight at least try to finish the job himself?
“It seems the rogue gang is hidden deep in the forest, making them difficult to subdue. It would be rude to spend too much time here when we didn’t gather for subjugation.”
“But. . .”
One of the mercenary captains started to speak but hesitated. There was no real counterargument to Johan’s words. Besides, this was a fight without pay. Continuing could lead to severe discontent among the mercenaries.
“. . .Still, isn’t there a matter of saving face?”
An elf spoke up. It was definitely the elf from before, as Gurelic had mentioned. While profit was important, saving face was equally crucial.
If they retreated now, the mercenaries who had entered the forest would be made fools.
“Since we’ve captured one of the three brothers and beheaded him, we’ve saved face. The others, losing one of their leaders, will surely be frightened and cower.”
“C-Caught one of the three brothers? When??”
“During the attack.”
The inspector nodded in confirmation of this fact. At his words, the faces of the mercenary captains showed a sense of deflation.
It’s said that a lucky person can do anything, and it turned out one of the three brothers led the surprise attack!
The youngest, known for his impetuous and aggressive nature, had led the charge himself and ended up captured and killed.
“Is there still someone who is dissatisfied with the move?”
“If so. . .?”
“Then there’s nothing to be done about it. We’ll leave them behind. If they’re so eager to subdue the rogues, they can do as they please.”
“. . . . . .”
With that, the meeting came to an end.
Johan did not shout at any of the mercenary captains, nor did he threaten them with his authority. Nevertheless, the mercenary captains were caught up in his words without realizing it, and could not say a word.
The faces of the mercenary captains entering the Cyrandel mountains were filled with confusion and dismay.
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
𝔞𝙬𝔢ʙ𝔰𝚝𝕠𝔯i̇̇ᴇs.𝘤𝕠𝔪
“Beautiful.”
The papal residence on the mountain boasted beautiful yet powerful defenses. It was surrounded by cliffs as if they were cut out, and the only way up was a narrow, winding path.
Moreover, rumors said that it stored enough food and water to last for years.
“How did the Emperor manage to conquer this place?”
This made Johan even more curious.
“Brother, I need you for a moment.”
Upon arrival, after unpacking, and while the mercenary captains were resting, Johan was immediately requested. Johan nodded in agreement. He had anticipated such secret dealings.
“This way. . .”
“What about His Excellency Bishop Biagione?”
“He is resting.”
“. . . . . .”
Johan felt sympathy for Bishop Biagione. He was excited about the honor of meeting the Pope in person, but other bishops of the miracle faction had not allowed it.
“What is about to happen must be kept secret, sworn in the name of God.”
“I swear on my honor and faith.”
“Thank you.”
The inspector smiled warmly. He had complete trust in Johan. Unbeknownst to Johan, the inspector had already reported on him during their camp in the forest.
“Please show some respect.”
In the quiet, spacious room, the smell of sulfur and myrrh was evident. Without being told, one could intuitively sense the Pope’s presence inside.
Johan entered and showed respect. However, his eyes keenly observed the Pope.
‘𝘏𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘯.’
Caenerna and Suetlg were very envious of Johan. They, too, as wizards, had wanted to meet the Pope in person.
Johan could feel it.
The powerful mystique emanating from the Pope’s body, lying there as if dead.
Though the body was a gaunt, lifeless corpse, the mystique was real.
The bishops called Johan, marveling. They were bishops of the miracle faction.
“Sir Johan of the Yeats family, the duke’s herald and executioner of trolls and demons. We believe you are here because of your piety.”
Johan nodded. Then, a feather pen began to move in front of him, writing letters on paper. The bishops read the paper together.
“Soon Count Coolia will be excommunicated, and her position will be vacant. Before other evil ones take her place and torment the serfs, can you step in?”
“I shall do so rightfully.”
Johan spoke, concealing his rising sense of achievement. The bishops in front of him were oblivious to his true feelings.
They had no doubt that Johan would be their faithful sword and shield.
Count Coolia’s position was one of the most tempting prizes. Located in the southeast of the Catalian Peninsula, it allowed easy traversal between two peninsulas and ample opportunity for maritime trade.
‘𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘳𝘪𝘤-𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘨’𝘴 𝘪𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘳 𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸.’
Not just a few small towns, but meeting the minimum requirements of a feudal lord.
. . .Of course, all this was to be dealt with later.
In case of failure, Johan would be left with nothing but the corpses of his mercenaries and the hatred of the Emperor’s nobles. If he failed, the order would decisively sever ties with Johan.
“Then swear it. Fight only for God, for your faith.”
“I will fight only for God, for my faith.”
Johan kissed his sword and took the oath.
The order’s method of hiring reliable mercenaries and knights to fight its enemies had always been somewhat successful.
Those who succeeded did not sever ties with the order. They too needed the order’s power. But they were too greedy to be mere puppets.
But this time, it would be different. Those gathered were certain of it.
Among those entrusted before, there had been no knight so endowed with both piety and force!