𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐭 (1)
While such sinister proposals were being exchanged on one side, Leoanos was having similar thoughts.
Originally, the tradition of Vynashchtym was assassination and rebellion. It was customary to assassinate when the opponent showed a gap and rebel when popularity declined.
The old royal Leoanos could not have not known this.
When the armies of the emperor, republic, and counts clashed with the armies of the pagans, Leoanos was confused about who to cheer for.
It would be troublesome if the pagan b*stards won, and it would be troublesome if the emperor won. . .
It would be better if both were devastated enough to annihilate each other.
But the situation flowed opposite to expectations. The emperor’s army endured and repelled the fierce attack of the pagan army. Negotiations followed, and the pagan army left miserably.
━𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐬𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭? 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤! 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭!
Leoanos was flabbergasted. The pagan army was one of the fiercest he had ever experienced. The guys who didn’t care if their comrades fell and stacked corpses to climb the fortress walls.
How could guys like that give up and retreat after just one battle?
━𝐋𝐞. . .𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐬-𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐠. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞.
Upon hearing his subordinates’ words, Leoanos regained his composure. He had failed to restrain himself due to accumulating misfortunes.
His subordinates were right. He could no longer call back those who had left. Moreover, if he really called them back, the fortress soldiers would not sit still.
Leoanos, it’s okay to run away if things don’t work out, but from the soldiers’ perspective, it was crazy nonsense.
━𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝.
━. . .𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭?
They had similar concerns that it might be a relative or something. Leoanos worried about assassination first.
━𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐭. . . 𝐒𝐢𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐬, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭?
At his subordinate’s words, Leoanos nodded. He would also bring skilled guards with him. He had caught dozens of them disguised as rogues before. He could notice anything more than that first, and. . .
━𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐘𝐞𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐲. 𝐇𝐨𝐰’𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐡? 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐬. . .
━𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. 𝐈𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭.
━. . .
━𝐃-𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐈 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠?
━𝐍𝐨. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝. 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬.
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
The viceroy looked very happy. The pagans were leaving, and Johan’s army had promised to stay for a few more months.
“But I’m counting on you for the customs duties.”
“Isn’t that a given? Trust me.”
Johan managed to secure tax exemptions for the merchant ships coming and going from the port. The goods transported by sea were on a different scale from land routes, and the associated duties constituted tremendous income.
The privilege of tax exemption was not something just anyone could get.
“It’ll come out eventually, but please don’t tell the republicans for now.”
“Of course. Do you think I have no tact?”
Johan wrapped up a good deal with the viceroy, mutually beneficial.
“Clean up the corpses and sprinkle black powder and medicinal herbs so monsters don’t come. It’s a headache when monsters get tangled up.”
After a major battle, powerful monsters tended to appear nearby. Ignorant people would prattle on about ‘𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘳𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴,’ but to Johan it seemed because there was ample prey.
It would be stranger if they didn’t grow when there’s so much to eat.
━𝐆𝐫𝐫𝐫!
“Right on target.”
Johan and the centaurs went around exterminating monsters. Karamaf sniffed out monsters hiding in wait.
It was best to eliminate threats that could harm the city prematurely. Besides, creatures like these made for good shows of force to the city.
“Sir Knight, do you by any chance have plans to go to Vynashchtym?”
Vynashchtym was the name of the empire and also its capital. Johan looked puzzled by Achladda’s question and answered.
“Why Vynashchtym?”
“It must be so, since I heard it was the city within the city.”
“Even if we raid it, we probably can’t take anything. I heard its walls have never fallen.”
“What? Do you think I’m asking if I can just raid it unconditionally? Do you think I’m only interested in raids? Of course I’m only interested in raids, but. . .”
Achladda trailed off, seemingly embarrassed by what he just said.
“I was just curious. And I heard rumors that the emperor there covets Sir Knight’s skills. I wondered if you might be hired to go there. The Vynashchtym often do that, don’t they?”
The weak Vynashchtym often hired external mercenaries. Nobles and mercenary captains from small kingdoms and republics, and sometimes even aristocrats from the Orthodoxy would do so.
The emperor’s elite guards, known for their loyalty, were also descendants of those external mercenaries.
“There were such rumors? I didn’t really get that sense. . . Rather, the viceroy was the one coveting me.”
Johan was skeptical. He hadn’t gotten that sense from the emperor’s attitude.
“Besides, just hiring some of the soldiers for a year costs a fortune. Unless his gold was rotting away, there’d be no reason to hire more. “
The mercenaries Johan had brought were expensive. Dwarves, trained slave soldiers, eastern mounted archers – they were irreplaceable elite forces.
Also, there were many well-armed, experienced mercenaries, like the skilled Gorgale Mercenary Group and illegitimate children from Akiten who owned multiple horses.
Unless the enemy forces were swarming the walls like now, there’d be no need to specially hire those expensive mercenaries. With that money, Johan could have hired numerous cheaper mercenaries.
“Is that so. . . Oh, isn’t that the guy?”
“Which guy are you referring to?”
“The one who insulted you. There aren’t many who have insulted you, right?”
Achladda was pointing at Leoanos’s procession. He remembered the emblem on the flag of the envoy Leoanos had sent earlier.
“Looks like he came after getting invited.”
“That b*stard who should get trampled under hooves, where is he getting the nerve to shamelessly show his face. . .”
More than Johan, the other centaurs like Achladda were agitated. Invited or not, they looked ready to charge down and shoot arrows at them immediately.
Johan restrained them.
“Don’t threaten them unprompted when they’ve come after getting invited.”
“We were just hunting here. Who knows what nonsense they’re thinking.”
The centaurs glared threateningly down the hill at the processions. Those approaching noticed them and flinched.
“Why are there centaurs here?”
“I heard they’re count Yeats’s subordinates.”
“. . .”
They wanted to say something about that temper, but the attendants couldn’t bring themselves to. They were cowed by the centaurs’ imposing manner. What’s more, Johan’s reputation made it hard for them to act lightly.
They meekly bowed their heads and passed by.
Johan briefly considered going over to Leoanos and greeting them, but decided against it. They would soon be crushed according to the emperor’s plan anyway, and Johan didn’t feel positively enough about them to bother exchanging pleasantries.
‘𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦. . .’
It was only expected for high nobles to have a crowd of servants, maids, and entertainers.
Johan had only heard rumors, but he knew of nobles taking nearly a hundred servants, jesters, courtesans, and concubines with them even on campaigns.
Still, Johan’s eyes picked out those among the entourage with a swordsman’s bearing.
Muscles developed differently, steps seemingly light yet firmly balanced – these were traits unique to prosecutor, not obvious at a glance.
Johan also sensed it intuitively first before thinking it through. It wasn’t apparent from the start.
‘𝘓𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘝𝘺𝘯𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘤𝘩𝘵𝘺𝘮? 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘬 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴.’
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
“Ah. They are from the Silk Corridor, aren’t they?”
The viceroy had Johan sit in the seat of honor and then ordered the slaves to fan him. His deferential attitude as he waited was like that between a retainer and his lord.
After popping a piece of fruit in his mouth, Johan wiped his hands on silk and asked,
“Since I’m not from Vynashchtym, I wouldn’t know, so why do you say that?”
“My apologies, Your Excellency. They are excellent performers. And dancers as well.”
The capital had several massive theaters. The oldest and largest was nicknamed the Silk Corridor. It was because of the unique silks hanging on the walls of the corridor.
Although it was a theater, it was run with rules like those of a temple or monastery. They took oaths when joining and were locked inside to receive a closed education. According to rumors, these were vestiges of native faiths from before the Advent.
In any case, due to these rules, they were outstanding actors and dancers. To say someone was from the Corridor meant they were a recognized performer in Vynashchtym.
“Theater is. . . isn’t it clumsy priests and monks coming out and stumbling over their lines?”
The Holy Empire had theater as well. Usually priests and monks dressed up clumsily and put on edifying plays with terrible acting.
When he was young, Johan had helped out a priest and participated before.
“Heh heh. . . Your Excellency, not like the primitive theater done by rural bumpkins in the Holy Empire. We truly enjoy sophisticated secular and satirical plays.”
Seeing the viceroy babbling excitedly, Johan asked with pure curiosity.
“Did you forget I’m from the Holy Empire?”
“I-I’m sorry. I’m very sorry.”
The viceroy who had momentarily lost his composure hurriedly apologized. Of all times for the pride of a Vynashchtym person to flare up.
“In any case, so they’re actors? The atmosphere seemed off for that.”
“You are perceptive, Your Excellency. The actors from the Silk Corridor are also excellent swordsmen.”
“Actors and yet. . .?”
“They are masters of swordsmanship as well.”
Like monks training swordsmanship within the monastery, they did the same. It wasn’t that surprising for those of other professions to learn the sword.
‘𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘺?’
After hearing the viceroy’s explanation, Johan realized the chamberlain had also been quite attentive in bringing escorts. Not just soldiers, but the pages had also been chosen as ones skilled in swordsmanship.
He suddenly thought the feast might not go as smoothly as the emperor anticipated. It seemed the will to not be easily cowed had already been felt.
Of course the emperor probably also knew guards had been brought like this. . .
“Hmm. Maybe I should hide some soldiers as well.”
The banquet was held in tents pitched near the city, and you had to leave your weapons before entering. The emperor had hidden guards with swords in nearby tents, planning to ambush and finish off Leoanos.
If things went according to plan, even if Leoanos brought some guards, he would be going “Oh, oh” before dying, but world events never unfold as expected, as he had experienced many times.
“A good idea. Just give me a signal and I’ll draw my sword and go in.”
“Dwarves. . . no, centaurs. . . no, I don’t like elves.”
“. . .”
Iselia sulked. However, Johan did not change his mind. Elven mercenaries stood out too much, and it was difficult to expect patience from them.
“It’s better to pick from the slave soldiers.”
The slave soldiers were generally young, so they could be thrown in anywhere credibly. They fit in well enough as servants or slaves.
“I understand. Then just give the signal and I’ll. . .”
“Iselia. You need to be by my side. Why are you trying to take on that kind of role?”
“I. . . I can fight better than the others, so. . .”
“If you put it that way, then I should be the one hiding in the back. They’ll ask where you’ve gone if you’re not there, so you have to be by my side.”
“!”
Johan inserted slave soldiers among his retinue. They could skillfully procure weapons once inside anyway.
‘𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥.’
“My dear, just in case, wouldn’t it be better to strongly insist on bringing a sword inside?”
“Don’t worry, it’ll be fine. I have a belt I can use as a sword.”
“I don’t think I’ve seen you use it before. . .?”
“There just hasn’t been an occasion to use it yet.”
“Ah, I see.”
Iselia accepted it readily.
This time, Johan thought that if a situation arose, he should fight in a way that preserved some dignity.