How to Live as a Wandering Knight – Chapter 174

𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 (1)

Johan remained silent as he was overwhelmed by the wealth, so the emperor misunderstood his attitude and explained further. 

“Hmm. I hope you don’t find this suspicious. I’m only trying to pay the price for the count’s abilities.”

Sometimes an excessive price makes the other person doubtful. The emperor elaborated so Johan wouldn’t get the wrong idea.

If Johan accepted the offer, he would have to serve as the emperor’s right arm for a while. He couldn’t leave any distrust.

“Of course I have my imperial guards. The captain is loyal. . . But their abilities are. . . somewhat limited. They know how to wield swords and fight on the battlefield, but that’s not enough for the current situation.”

The emperor was young, but he knew well what he lacked. 

He was very unpopular. 

When he had to meet citizens, merchants, nobles and foreigners around the capital, being cooped up in the barracks was bound to cause that. His younger sister was actively helping on his behalf, but the situation didn’t change easily.

His recent military exploit might raise his popularity a bit, but the fundamentals remained the same. There were still many political enemies, and his position was unstable. A single rebellion could cost him the throne.

At times like this, the captain of the imperial guard at his side needed to be competent in various ways.

Able to deal with discontent among the nobles, well-read and scholarly, with some reputation, able to foil assassination attempts. . .

And such a person was rare. The emperor was willing to pay any price.

‘𝘕𝘰, 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯.’

Johan grew tense even though it was someone else’s business. From his words, it seemed there had been several more assassination attempts or rebellions.

In truth, even if assassination or rebellion erupted in the capital, it wouldn’t be too dangerous for Johan. He was an outsider, a count from another fiefdom. There were no idiots who would stir up trouble by provoking a hornet’s nest for no reason.

Even if things really went awry, Johan had his elite troops. He could just slip away to the republic’s territory or elsewhere, borrow a ship and sail off.

But after receiving all the rewards, it would sting if the emperor died.

‘𝘈𝘣𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘶𝘱𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴.’

“The privileges at the port, specifically. . .?”

Seeing Johan show interest, the emperor’s expression brightened. He nodded and answered.

“Privileges regarding tariffs, of course, and ports prohibited to foreigners will also be permitted to the count. Not only will lodging be provided, but all of this will be documented with the emperor’s gold seal.”

“!”

The emperor’s offer was irresistible. In short, he would give Johan top priority on Vynashchtym’s seas.

‘𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘐’𝘮 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤.’

“Very well. I will do my best even though my abilities are lacking.”

” . . .!”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Once a decision was made, subsequent actions were quick. Johan organized the spoils and gold and sent the soldiers back to their fiefdoms. Iselia was very disappointed.  

━𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧?

━𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧.

━𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤. . .

━𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐟 𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭, 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐲. 𝐆𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐝𝐨𝐦. 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬.

━𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐫. . .

━𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠?

Johan did not intend to take Iselia with him. Although Suetlg is there, he was still a foreigner within the fiefdom. It would not be good to leave Iselia empty for too long either.  

Besides, despite her looks, Iselia was an elven knight from the Erlans Kingdom. She had sufficient combat power to deal with any incidents arising in the fiefdom.

“I’m worried the citizens might be terrified when they see you guys. . .”

“What are you saying, Sir Knight? We asked around already. No one has been scared of centaurs in a thousand years. They say people don’t even bat an eye these days.”

Johan’s elite escort consisted of dwarves and centaurs. The dwarves were chosen not only for their combat power, but also for their unique talents, while the centaurs were chosen simply for being centaurs.

“Are the preparations complete?”

“Yes, just give the order.”

While waiting, Johan was able to get quite close with the emperor. The emperor was not a miser who skimped on people to guard his side. He provided Johan with various privileges to win him over.  

And contrary to the viceroy’s evaluation that he was frugal and difficult to deal with, Johan got along well with the emperor.  

Fundamentally, they were both rational, hated unnecessary etiquette. . .

Seeing the viceroy bidding them farewell, Johan remarked as if recalling:

“Hey, didn’t the viceroy say you were frugal?”

“. . . . . .”

The emperor stiffened and glanced at the viceroy. The viceroy, who was far away, kept waving goodbye with a bright smile, oblivious.

“He didn’t say anything else?”

“Was there anything else to say?”

“Like I dress shabbily. . .”

“Hmm. . .”

The same outfit could look peculiarly sloppy depending on who wore it and how. In Johan’s eyes, that was precisely the emperor’s case.  

It was an amusing story, but these things mattered too. Wasn’t fashion one of the virtues knights learned?

Even a wandering poor knight could look dignified with skill and an eye for style.

“Well, I don’t think he said things like that. But do buy and wear some expensive clothes if it bothers you.”

“Expensive clothes weaken and tear easily.”

“Then bring multiple sets.”

The emperor let out a rather annoyed groan. He seemed quite displeased.

But to Johan, it was a necessary thing. Perhaps due to Johan riding beside him now, the emperor looked particularly shabby.  

Johan had the talent to capture the gazes around him whether on or off a horse. Not only was he tall and well-built, his armor and overcoat were imbued with magical power.  

In contrast, the emperor looked just like a sub-captain.

“Is it true that there is so much silk in the imperial palace?”

“Yes.”

During a break, Jyanina carefully asked. Fortunately, the emperor did not take offense and kindly answered. She must have thought him as Johan’s subordinate.  

Rumors about Vynashchtym’s imperial palace spread around like legends, and little of them could be confirmed. Catching a chance to ask someone who was born and raised there now, Jyanina did not miss it.

“So the stories about its outer walls covered in gold and corridors lined with silk to dampen footsteps. . .”

“What nonsense is that?”

Johan scolded Jyanina. It was nonsense indeed.   

“It’s not nonsense. It’s true.”  

“?!”

“There is such an imperial palace. That’s probably where those rumors came from.”

“. . .!”

Johan thought he should not tell this story to the centaurs. If they heard it, it might spawn a whole new legend among them.

“And gold and silk are not important. The key here is the brick.” 

“You speak correctly. Yes. His Majesty’s words are true. Jyanina.”  

‘𝘖𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴.’

Jyanina complained internally about getting accused of greed when she only asked about a rumor. Johan and the emperor sat side by side, chattering on about how magnificent these roads dating back to the ancient empire were.  

“Is there no way to recreate them?”

“I think it’s beyond us. Even the best wizards in the imperial palace don’t know the secret methods.”

Structures built with the lost ancient empire’s construction secrets remained unbroken over time, proudly displaying their majesty.  

Despite countless wars and turmoil, they connected different parts of the nation like a spider web.  

‘𝘚𝘶𝘦𝘵𝘭𝘨-𝘯𝘪𝘮 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴.’  

Perhaps because it was a place where many ancient empire traditions and customs survived, every story was fascinating.  

The emperor also seemed quite excited to have such an appreciative audience for this boring topic, chattering lively.

“In Vynashchtym, the elite forces learn how to build fortifications before learning how to fight. The pioneers secure land first, then the later arrivals dig into the ground and erect walls. . .”

“Oh. Shoveling ability is definitely a key ability.”

“Indeed.”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Walking along the path was pleasant and fast, but not without danger. The centaurs galloping ahead found the soldiers lying by the roadside and signaled. 

“There’s a monster, Your Majesty! And it’s quite a big one.”

The soldiers seemed to be out on a raid or reconnaissance. They were already dead, and nearby was an overturned cart.  

“Let’s move to the nearest castle. Guard His Majesty.”  

Johan made the judgement right away. Protecting the emperor took priority over chasing the monster. The imperial guards also looked relieved at Johan’s decision.

“Who’s the castellan?”

“Zertao. A loyal one.”

“Then we can stay there comfortably.”

The emperor didn’t mind camping at all, which suited Johan as well, but it was customary to be welcomed and accommodated at a nearby noble’s castle or fiefdom.

Preferring to sleep outside like this was unusual. . .

The centaurs took the emperor’s message and raced to the nearby castle. And before long they returned with embarrassed expressions.  

“They won’t open the door. . .?”

“. . .”

Perhaps noticing Johan’s gaze, the emperor hastily spoke.

“It must be because they’re centaurs.”

“That may be it. . .”  

“What? What did we do wrong?”

“You guys look scary. Step aside. Let the normal looking imperial guards try.”

Handsome, noble-looking imperial guards raced out. Soon they too returned with the same embarrassed faces.

“Y-Your Majesty. They won’t open the door.”

“Those insolent fools!”

Even if one didn’t care much for honor, this was an insult. And having received this insult in front of the outsider Johan, the emperor was furious.  

“Shall we attack??”  

“Shh. Don’t spout nonsense.”  

The dwarves whispered, and Johan whispered back. Seeing the emperor’s expression, he seemed ready to attempt an attack.

“Your Majesty. As much as I understand, it’s not wise to waste your power here. . .”

“I cannot let such an insult slide! I don’t even need your troops. I will attack with my imperial guards alone.”

“Just in case, let’s send one last notice.”

This time Johan stepped up himself, along with the centaurs. The castle was neither big nor small, but it was still a castle. It looked difficult to hastily attack.

‘𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘣 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦?’

“Why do you look around so, Your Excellency?”  

“I was looking for weaknesses.”

“. . .You aren’t thinking of going yourself, are you??”

Not all centaurs were as fearless as Achladda. Any centaur in their right mind had to stop him.  

“No. I was just looking around. What nonsense are you spouting?”

“S-Sorry, Your Excellency would never do that. Haha. Hahaha.”  

‘𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳?’

While their mouths said no, their eyes still shone with suspicion.

“Listen, people inside the castle! His Majesty Gaïaros with the righteous dragon’s blood has arrived. If you open the gates now, he will graciously forgive the previous disrespect, but if not, the dragon’s wrath will befall you. Open the gates!”

“We. . . We can’t believe it.”  

“What? Does this flag look fake to you?”

“W-We have no choice! Please understand!”  

Desperate cries came from inside the castle. Sensing something amiss, Johan looked around. Though there should have been some sign of people near the tightly shut castle, there was not a soul in sight.  

It did seem a bit strange.

“Explain yourselves. If you don’t, we attack!”

“A-A monster disguised as one of us might enter the castle!”

“. . .!”