𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐆𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 (2)
The knights were frustrated at the administrative official’s complacent response, as rushing to make preparations now was impossible for them.
With an astonished expression, Sir Padovesi looked around. Indeed, there seemed to be no preparation whatsoever. The harbor was the same as always, with merchant ships peacefully sailing up the river.
The Earldom of Carquilano, owned by the Emperor’s family and administered by the Viscount, was a fiefdom located at the southernmost tip of the peninsula.
With mountain ranges curled around it above, it actually had more trade with the hundred kingdoms nearer to the sea.
That isolated geographic trait allowed it to stand firm even amidst the chaotic situation on the peninsula. . .
‘𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘢!’
They should have somehow blocked or desperately prevented those coming by sea from landing.
The knights were frustrated at the administrative official’s complacent response.
“We received orders from above to treat them as esteemed guests! Should we have told them to turn their ships around?”
The administrative officials had plenty to say as well. Though there were forceful orders from above, still. . .
Even if they had blocked them, would that fleet have just stayed put?
It would have immediately led to bloodshed.
“Why such commotion on this fine day?”
Johan, having set all this in motion, breezily spoke as he walked over. The administrative officials quickly bowed their heads in courtesy.
The soldiers behind Johan were why, as much as the orders from above.
“The voyage seems to have tired my soldiers. I would appreciate some food and drink.”
“We will. . .prepare them shortly.”
“I’m grateful for your generous hospitality. And Sir Padovesi, don’t be too harsh on your subordinates. It is because proper preparations were not made above.”
“We. . .did not even hear that you would be coming. . .”
“??”
“Hmm. Seems to be a mistake. Well, just show me the way. I don’t want to keep standing here.”
Johan cut off the administrative official’s words. After all, the most difficult part was solved. If he could just land, the rest would be easy.
He was lucky to have taken advantage of the opponent’s confusion.
“Mackald, why do you look so worried?”
“We are not prepared enough to make siege weapons. Your Grace.”
“. . .Didn’t I say that I didn’t intend to fight a siege this time?”
“You never know what will happen in the future, do you? To those who prepare stone and wood. . .”
“I know the dwarven proverb that says luck follows.”
When Johan remembered their proverb, Mackald’s face brightened.
“If that happens, I will use all my means to bring you the necessary materials. I promise.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency!”
As the dwarves withdrew, this time the captain sent by the republic approached Johan. Johan’s face brightened.
“The anchorage is complete. Your Excellency.”
Bishop Biagione worked hard to repay Johan in kind. As a result, Giada Zepol was newly elected to lead the ship.
He was Bishop Biagione’s cousin and one of the republic’s captains, and above all, he was greedy for his own greed.
If Johan provided him with the appropriate benefits, he would be a person who would be more loyal to Johan than to the republic.
“It was a brilliant strategy. The nobles of the Emperor won’t even come to their senses.”
“What about the people of the republic?”
“Well. . . nothing much has changed. Some are worried, and some say to shake hands. . .”
The republic had to cooperate with Johan because it had many other enemies, but Johan’s growth was too threatening. Within the republic, there was a steady stream of caution.
“Still, no one will hinder this matter. The republic needs Edene Sea, you know.”
Edene Sea, the sea in front of the republic, was like the republic’s lifeline. In order to safely travel through this place, the republic also needed Johan’s cooperation.
In order to completely dispel the misunderstanding that they had colluded with the Emperor, they had to persuade the viscount.
The people of the republic were also putting their heart and soul into this matter as much as Johan.
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𝙖ᴡ𝐞𝙗𝕤𝐭ᴏ𝐫𝔦ᴇ𝔰.ᴄ𝙤ṁ
“Count Yeats is here to see you!”
They must have quickly sent word that an army had landed, because envoys came rushing from a distance, kicking up clouds of dirt.
Some who looked to be nobles hurriedly dismounted their horses and entered the encampment. Under normal circumstances, they would have acted more slowly and deliberately, conscious of keeping up appearances, but they seemed to have no time for that now.
“Your Excellency, upon hearing rumors that you led troops here, I rushed to greet you.”
Aola, the viscount’s eldest daughter, spoke with propriety. Johan recalled what Jyanina had told him. Giada beside him smiled faintly.
━𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫.
‘𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.’
“Indeed. We have been welcomed and are resting comfortably.”
Aola nodded. She did not say things like, ‘𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘨𝘰 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘮,’ or ‘𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺.’ She understood well enough that it would be useless.
That alone warranted a decent evaluation.
“I have come to escort you. Please grant me the honor.”
“If preparations are complete, there is no reason we shouldn’t head out. Are the territories properly prepared?”
Aola’s eyebrows shot up. Johan’s words had wounded her noble pride.
“We are always prepared to receive guests, Your Excellency.”
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