𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐲 (5)
Regardless of Johan’s suspicions, those words were purely well-intentioned. Both Jusvan and the emperor had no intention of putting Johan in the vanguard.
It wasn’t just because of the goodwill from the battle. Anyone with a brain wouldn’t make an outsider who could leave at any time do thankless tasks in this situation.
On top of that, Johan’s subordinates were the ones with the most intact fighting strength.
“I understand. I will order the soldiers to stand watch.”
“Your Majesty’s soldiers?”
“?”
The emperor was puzzled.
Did he think he would order Johan’s soldiers instead?
Since the emperor reacted like that, Johan didn’t say anything more. He was taken aback but if the other party was willing to do the dirty work, who was he to complain?
“Still, please allow my soldiers to also participate in the watch.”
“Will you do that? I’m grateful for your goodwill.”
“I’m thankful for Your Majesty’s kindness.”
Jusvan’s face brightened.
Leading and commanding an army, the problem was always people.
It would be less troublesome to always command alone but a mercenary captain could not do that.
Sometimes he had to meet employers, sometimes he had to cooperate with others hired by the same employer, sometimes he even had to negotiate with former enemies.
In cases like that, you really appreciated someone you saw eye-to-eye with. Johan was like that.
Despite his great contributions, he didn’t act arrogantly or greedily. His way of speaking was the same before and after the battle.
Even with the same capabilities, you could trust and rely on someone like this.
“I will also order my subordinates to stand watch.”
“. . .?”
Just a casual remark to be cautious turned into the emperor and Jusvan offering to participate, leaving Johan puzzled.
What’s up with these guys?
‘𝘋𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰𝘰?’
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Count Yeats himself has ordered it directly. Do not neglect vigilance.
━𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬. . .
The sub-captains and captains had tensely stood guard in response to the order from above.
The enemies were not right before their eyes, and had retreated far away to the west to set up a new camp, but since Count Yeats had said so, there must be something there.
Despite him not being their commander, the soldiers tentatively trusted him for now. It is human nature that when one witnesses a miracle, they start believing even in a foreign stranger they just met. Moreover, the post-battle chaos and excitement was very conducive to spreading rumors.
“Uh. . .we’re just going like this?”
“Don’t they have something hidden?”
“Scouts went and checked the vicinity and found nothing though?”
However, the pagan army quietly withdrew after concluding negotiations, without any tricks.
Of course they were not leaving happily, so morale was low and they were cautious, but there were no hidden plots whatsoever.
The soldiers were confused but soon realized why.
“Ah, I see. They couldn’t do anything because the count noticed.”
“That must have been it.”
Once an impression sets in, it does not disappear easily. There could have been complaints about giving useless orders, but not a word was uttered.
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“. . .I swear I will definitely return.”
Yeheyman turned around and looked back with anguish. The half-broken fortress gate came into view painfully.
“Master is not defeated.”
“If coming all the way here and gaining nothing and returning is not defeat, then what is it!”
Yeheyman had been excited about taking over the fortress and advancing eastward. He was exceptionally angry as all of that was foiled.
Vynashchtym still had their fangs alive and the republicans were quite decent too. Of course that much was expected. He didn’t expect the emperor himself would come, but it was rather a better opportunity.
Count Yeats’ flag fluttering could be seen from afar. Some of the nobles who were nearby let out agonizing noises. Just seeing the flag made them shake in fear.
Yeheyman was about to rebuke them but stopped himself. They were returning after failing the expedition. Their hearts must already be uneasy enough without berating them.
“Bashkhar-gong.”
“Yes, Yeheyman-nim.”
Bashkhar, who was captured by Johan but later released after paying ransom during negotiations, shivered.
The atmosphere was horrible and dangerous due to the defeat. If any blame were to fall on him, his head could roll.
Fortunately, Yeheyman did not do so. Beheading a valuable talent who watched the situation alongside Johan was a fool’s act.
“What kind of man was Count Yeats?”
“He was. . . he was quite cultured and courteous.”
“. . .What?”
Yeheyman unconsciously repeated the question. The nobles nearby also questioned their ears and repeated the question.
“What nonsense is that?”
“Did you get money from the pagan?”
“Quiet, everyone! Do not interrupt when he hasn’t finished speaking!”
The surroundings quieted again at Yeheyman’s shout. Bashkhar broke into a cold sweat. The others had expressions showing they absolutely could not believe it but they had no choice. He could not speak falsely.
Bashkhar stuttered as he spoke of the experiences he had. That the count knew not only the ancient imperial language but also spoke Eastern language and treated Bashkhar quite courteously. Sometimes he would take up Go stones and play against Bashkhar, and his skills were formidable.
“It must have been someone else.”
“Maybe a twin. . .”
“Bashkhar is not someone who would lie. All of you stop.”
Yeheyman said so and turned away. It was too shocking that he needed some time alone to think.
But not so for the other nobles. They grabbed Bashkhar and tried to get an explanation they could accept until the end.
“Didn’t he torture offerings during break and sacrifice them to the demon? Think of the power he had, it must have been impossible without a pact with the demon!”
“The cultured and scholarly attitude could also be something you were fooled by. The demon is exceedingly crafty by nature. Ordinary people cannot withstand his glib tongue!”
Exhausted by the barrage of questions, Bashkhar finally gave them the answer they wanted.
“Now that you mention it, he did seem a bit devilish.”
“I knew it. . .!”
“He had a wizard under him, and took that wizard into his tent at night.”
“A wicked sorcerer indeed.”
“And under him were elves who served him. They were violent, and skilled at horsemanship, spearmanship and swordsmanship. . .”
The noble warriors, who found every action of Johan’s mystical, reacted very realistically about the elves.
“Elves are like that originally.”
“Vicious long-eared b*stards.”
The elven race of western nobles had an infamous reputation even among the eastern warriors.
Knights who would show up and be equipped with sturdy warhorses, solid armor, and sharp spears, able to pierce through even the walls of the ancient empire with their charges.
Even well-equipped eastern knights were inferior compared to elven knights.
Seeing the warriors become sullen, Bashkhar was perplexed. Honestly, what felt most vicious and brutal in Johan’s camp were the elves, yet they reacted this way hearing about them.
“T-Those elf b*stards were especially ferocious.”
“Elves are originally like that, didn’t you say? It’s in their bloodline. Rather, tell us more about the wizard under the Count. What magic did he use?”
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Only after the fleets disappeared beyond the horizon could Johan let down the tension in his mind.
‘𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵?’
Honestly, he found it hard to believe. Of course it was a cold and rational judgement, but humans do not act solely rational.
If they were in such a situation, it would not be strange for them to stubbornly cling on in hopes of recouping their losses. . .
“Why do you look like that?”
“It seems the enemies have retreated.”
Iselia rubbed her eyes and got up from the makeshift bed. Next to her were the armaments she had looted piled up. There was originally a severed head too but Johan got scared and made her take it outside.
“You must be tired, rest a bit more won’t you?”
“I’m fine. I don’t feel tired at all.”
Hearing that, Johan turned to look at Iselia. Misunderstanding his gaze, Iselia blushed and waved her hands.
“I-I mean not enough to do it in the morning.”
“. . .I didn’t think anything. Anyway if you’re not tired call the attendants and get ready to go out. I want to look around.”
The enemies were gone and Johan got the gold he was after. Originally they could leave immediately but life was not so simple.
Right now the viceroy of the port wanted Johan to stay a bit longer. Things like this happened, no one would let down their guard just because the enemies left.
Considering their future relations, he could afford to do this much. Reassuring them by staying a few more months was good business.
‘𝘈𝘩. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘰.’
Cooped up in the fortress he had forgotten, but thinking about it the chamberlain was the b*stard who insulted Johan by sending an envoy.
He left it while busy but now that the emperor was gone too, it was time to settle accounts.
“Your Excellency. Are you going hunting? May I join you?”
“Hunting?”
Hearing Jusvan’s words, Johan was slightly taken aback. Of course he knew nobles would enjoy everything on campaign, bringing personal chefs and attendants despite being on the battlefield, but he didn’t know Jusvan was that kind of person.
He seemed quite practical so Johan didn’t think he would do so needlessly. . .
‘𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦.’
From Jusvan’s expression Johan realized there was something he wanted to say, so he nodded.
“Let’s do that.”
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As Iselia dashed out to chase her prey, Jusvan opened his mouth as if he had been waiting.
“Your Excellency. What do you think of Leoanos?”
“I have no thoughts in particular?”
He did owe him a debt, but it wasn’t some grudge. In the first place, Johan wasn’t the sort to be shaken by such insults.
Jusvan seemed satisfied with Johan’s answer. He looked around and lowered his voice.
“Then, Your Excellency, would you have any issue with killing Leoanos?”
“. . .?!”
Johan was surprised at Jusvan’s words. Johan, who was about to ask if he could move as he pleased, flinched. Come to think of it, he wouldn’t do such a thing on a whim.
“Did His Majesty request it?”
“. . .!”
This time it was Jusvan’s turn to be surprised. No matter what, it was surprising how he guessed it right away after just hearing it. Despite being practically the same age as Jusvan’s son, his actions were those of a seasoned noble.
“Y-Yes. How did you know?”
“I thought you weren’t the sort to act arbitrarily. Hmm. . . Is it possible to kill Leoanos?”
“Not only are there already mistakes he made, but His Majesty also built up great merit from this battle. The timing couldn’t be more perfect.”
The young Emperor needed military exploits. To suppress other political enemies and establish his position, he needed them even more.
‘𝘚𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘎𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧.’
Having won that gamble, now was the time to take bold action. Most people would take the Emperor’s side.
“It’s not ‘𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘪𝘮’ but ‘𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥’. He looks quite thorough from what I’ve seen.”
“Ah, my apologies, I misunderstood. Yes. In fact, His Majesty has invited Leoanos to the banquet.”
With the battle over, a grand banquet was planned near the city with the purpose of celebration and praise.
Of course, hearing this alone, the other side would still be suspicious. And so Jusvan would also attend, hoping Johan would as well.
Surely they wouldn’t intend bloodshed in front of many other people.
“Not even Leoanos could refuse.”
Leoanos certainly didn’t expect the Emperor to come with an army and win. In that situation, making excuses to miss a celebratory feast would be an enormous burden.
“So you want my permission?”
“Yes. Taking action without informing the Count would be extremely discourteous.”
“Thank you, Sir Jusvan. To think you’d consider my honor so.”
“Ah, it was His Majesty who asked me to relay the message.”
“. . .?”
Johan was slightly taken aback. Wouldn’t they usually just knock the target out and say ‘𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵, 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘦𝘥’ later?
Of course Johan would be quite annoyed, but such affairs were normally endured. Security was important, was it not? Even Johan would have done the same.
Annoyance could be soothed with gold later. . .
‘𝘏𝘦’𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥, 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴.’
When he had nothing to lose, the goodwill of others wouldn’t warrant doubt, but now that he had much to lose, it made him inexplicably doubtful. Still, this proposal didn’t particularly matter. Johan nodded.
“Tell him I said to do as he pleases.”
“Yes! Thank you very much.”
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