The nobles did not like to conscript serfs to fight. They were all their property. However, if thousands of pirates were to swarm into the fiefdom, they had to fight back first.
‘𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘐 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘦. . .?’
He wanted to leave the marquis alone because he is detestable, but if the pirates looted everything, the fiefdom would be completely ruined, and it would be a shame for Johan, who was targeting the fiefdom. After all, there would be nothing left to eat.
Should he just wait comfortably, or should he intervene somehow?
Johan’s worried expression was interpreted in a different way by the baron. When it seemed that Johan would leave soon, the baron became anxious.
“It looks like the soldiers are tired. Please rest well before you go.”
“There is some wine prepared for the knights. . .”
“Do you see that elven maid over there? She is the daughter of my relative. She is quite beautiful, isn’t she? If you like, I will take her away for you.”
“Baron. Don’t be so anxious.”
Johan interrupted the baron’s words. He felt the need to somehow clear things up.
“What are you afraid of right now, baron? Pirates and monsters, right?”
“. . .Yes. . .”
“There is nothing to be afraid of from pirates. I brought soldiers, so the smart ones will run away, and the stupid ones will be dealt with. Of course, you want to ask what if the guys from other areas come after I leave? Tell the other vassals that the marquis has brought all sorts of treasures from the Empire.”
“Yes. . .?”
“Spread the rumors to all possible places. And also, let this message be spread subtly. Those who do not come here and swear allegiance to me may be the first to be subjugated.”
“. . .!”
Johan’s army will soon be rumored. The anxious pirates will be forced to unite. If the rumor of the marquis’s treasure is also spread, the pirates will actually gather in one place.
That was enough.
While the marquis is dealing with the pirates, Johan plans to take control of the other vassals. There will be more than a few desperate people like the baron, so it would be easy to make them swear allegiance with carrots and whips.
Of course, Johan will not attack the lords here without any reason, but. . .
It was enough for the lords to be mistaken and scared.
“I will be staying here until the work is done. I will see the baron’s ability by how many vassals come.”
“I-I will do my best!”
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
𝙖𝐰𝘦𝔟𝙨𝚝𝚘𝕣𝙞𝕖𝚜.ċ̇𝙤𝐦
“The monsters are the problem.”
Johan muttered as he stroked Iselia’s skin. The desperate baron had mobilized all his connections and friendships to gather the marquis’ vassals from the nearby area.
The vassals didn’t want to be beaten up by the pirates and then by Johan as well. They came and knelt down to perform the vassal ceremony.
According to the reports from the scouts he had sent out, the pirates were also fleeing in a hurry. Most of them seemed to be heading for the marquis’ territory.
Things were going well according to plan. But Johan wanted to deal with the monsters decisively. Especially in front of the marquis’ vassals.
There was no more impressive declaration than to go out and sweep away the monsters when the marquis could not fulfill his duty!
‘𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘦𝘳.’
“. . .My dear. Why are you stroking me?”
“Your muscles are a bit tense. I’ll loosen them up.”
“Oh. Is that so? I’m sorry for misunderstanding.”
Iselia was slowly starting to relax. She had slept with Johan several times and fought side by side with him, and these experiences had helped her to let down her guard. She tried to stay focused, but it was hard to resist her instincts.
“That’s not. . . the swollen part. . .?”
“Oh, really?”
“My dear. You deceived me. . . eep. Ahh🖤.”
Johan covered Iselia’s mouth and pressed her down. Iselia’s breathing became ragged. The elf, who had once been so stiff, was now responding quite tenderly.
“But. . . my dear.”
“?”
“Why did you refuse the baron’s maid?”
“What? You wanted me to hold that elf? You’re pretty bold to say that to me. I thought people didn’t talk about their lovers when they were having sex.”
“I-I don’t want you to hold her!”
Iselia was shocked by the misunderstanding. She didn’t have a problem with people having lovers, but she didn’t have that kind of interest herself. In fact, she was already feeling overwhelmed by Johan.
However, Johan’s behavior was strange. His marriage to her was political, and his young blood was boiling. In addition, the baron’s maid was a traditional elf beauty.
“Why didn’t I hold her? If I hold the baron’s maid, things will get complicated. I don’t want to see the baron crying with joy. I have to explain this to you, Iselia. I told you to read books instead of just swinging swords.”
“I. . . I read. So that was it. . .”
“Of course, it was also because you were much more attractive. Who would pick up a fairy tale over a gold coin?”
“You’re lying again.”
“I’m not lying, Iselia. You’re still not good at discerning lies. Come on. Does this still look like a lie?”
While feeling the weight of his body pressing down on her, Iselia gasped and felt a strange sense of satisfaction welling up inside her. It was a feeling she had never felt before.
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
𝔞ᴡė̇𝚋𝔰𝚝𝔬𝘳𝙞ᴇṡ.ċ̇𝕠𝔪
“I heard that you are looking for the minotaur.”
“The rumors even reached the prisoners?”
Johan agreed to meet Tamir when he asked. Tamir took a deep breath several times.
“Why are you so nervous?”
“Because I am afraid of you, Sir Knight.”
“. . .You’re honest.”
“Hiding your fear is a sign of weakness. The stronger a warrior becomes, the more he accepts and overcomes his fears.”
“Alright. I’ll hear about your customs later, so let’s hear what you have to say.”
“I have a way to call the minotaur.”
“!”
Johan’s eyes widened.
“What method is that?”
“One of my subordinates is from a family of alchemists. He knows a secret formula that can definitely lure the minotaur.”
“What do you want?”
“I would like to be sold as a slave.”
Every vassal who came to the camp spat on and insulted the pirates. Of course, the soldiers were also talking about how they would soon be executed.
The pirates were people too, so it was only natural that they would not want to die. If there was a way, they would have done anything, but frankly, there was no answer.
Pagan, pirate.
It was a situation where two elements of summary execution coincided. At this point, being sold as a slave was a tremendous mercy.
“Only you alone?”
“. . .My subordinates and I too. . .”
Tamir spoke with a bit of trepidation.
There was another way for Johan.
He declared not to negotiate with the pagans, torturing his subordinates to extract slander.
Originally, it would have been a disgraceful act, but it wasn’t a sin against pagans. Pirates would have thought the same if they captured these people.
“Impressive. Fine. If you’re useful, I’ll sell you as a slave.”
“!”
Tamir was surprised by Johan’s too ready agreement. No swearing, no mocking, no insult, just accepting it?