How to Live as a Wandering Knight – Chapter 253

𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦 (7)

“Jyanina-gong?”

Caenerna asked in a probing tone. She thought it was Jyanina but still wasn’t completely sure.  

“Ah. . .no, I think you’ve got the wrong person.”  

Jyanina denied it casually. It was because of her pride. To think she would run into this embarrassing situation in front of Caenerna of all people.

“. . .If it’s not Jyanina-gong, then are you some unknown assassin?”  

Caenerna asked back in disbelief. Her fingertips were aimed at Jyanina.

The mercenaries didn’t understand what was going on but those well-versed in mysteries like Johan and Jyanina could feel the threatening aura gathering.  

“No. She is Jyanina-gong so don’t do anything rash.”

Johan, who was hiding, stood up. He stepped in because an unexpected situation could have developed if he just left it alone.  

Seeing Johan’s face, Caenerna blinked in surprise.   

“Why is the count here?”

It was because Caenerna remembered who Jyanina was attending when she knocked down the gamekeeper.  

The Empire people who fought and escaped from that peninsula reported that Jyanina was working under Count Yeats and Caenerna made sure to remember that.  

So she tried to help. . .

But she never expected Johan to come here personally.  

“I’m here due to circumstances. But why is the wizard here?”

“I’m here because of circumstances too. . .”

The two exchanged very subtle and complex gazes. They were unexpectedly meeting again after being apart for quite some time.  

They felt happy yet flustered to see each other so they didn’t know what to say first.  

“Lovers?”  

Kaegal’s voice broke the silence.  

It was rare to see a count directly exchanging such gazes with an imperial court wizard who worked in the emperor’s palace.   

“I knew it. . .!”  

As Jyanina cried out as if she expected it, Johan hit her waist with the scabbard he was holding. It hurt more than she thought and Jyanina teared up.   

“Oh, is that so?”  

“You didn’t possibly think that way because you overestimated Caenerna’s abilities, did you?”  

“. . . . . .”  

‘𝘉𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘰.’  

In any case, Kaegal spoke indifferently as if he didn’t care.  

“Whether you two are lovers or not, it doesn’t matter if you cooperate with us. First, let’s get moving. We’ll only run into beasts if we stay here for long. Should we kill that gamekeeper?”

At Kaegal’s words, Caenerna shook her head.   

“She was just surprised by Jyanina-gong’s appearance and spoke rashly but she’s someone who will listen if we talk.”

“Is that so? Then bring her along. It was a useless mistake sending that wizard.”  

“. . . . . .”

Johan patted Jyanina’s back. This time, he felt a little sorry for her. Jyanina slowly nodded, still with tears in her eyes.   

“You didn’t make any particular mistakes this time so don’t take it too hard. I think I was too harsh on you, sorry about that.”  

” . . .!”  

Jyanina was slightly moved. It was rare for a count to say something like that.  

Jyanina, who normally looked down on Johan’s warriors who devoted their loyalty to him, thinking ‘𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦-𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦! 𝘋𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭?’ didn’t realize that she was also being moved by a single word.  

The old assassin asked Caenerna.  

“Wizard. If she displeases you, I can put in a word with the count to convince him to whip her. I can do that much as compensation for your cooperation.”   

“There’s no need for that. . .”  

“Is that so? I must have been mistaken. I thought I saw her with murderous eyes.”

“I didn’t see it. Don’t say anything that could be misunderstood.”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

The awakened gamekeeper was delighted to hear Johan’s identity.  

“Count Yeats? I know you by reputation. I didn’t expect to meet you like this!”

“I’m also extremely happy to meet the Baron like this.”  

Johan’s courteous attitude made the Baron happy. It was a pleasure that such a famous knight was politely addressing the Baron.

“I know there are no knights that can match the Count’s skills, but still, isn’t it dangerous for you to wander around like this? Ah. Of course, I have no intention of capturing an honorable knight through despicable methods!”

“I thought it would be rude to send a subordinate to talk to the Baron. How else could I convey my sincerity if we don’t meet in person?”

‘𝘈𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥.’  

Caenerna quietly listened next to her with an admiring expression. There was no need for her to step forward and persuade. Johan had the Baron dancing on the palm of his hand.

Originally harboring dissatisfaction towards the Emperor, it was not an easy task to make a nobleman betray the one he served.  

But by the end of the conversation, the Baron was wishing for Johan’s victory more sincerely than anyone else.

“Aside from the soldiers under me and Caenerna-gong, there are quite a few other soldiers in the castle, but if you give me the opportunity, I can definitely open the gates. More than anything, Caenerna-gong has considerable authority among the people here.”

“Is that so?”

Johan looked at Caenerna in surprise. It was not easy to gain the trust of the suspicious Emperor.  

“A wizard who is not adept in conduct is not a wizard.”

‘𝘐𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦?’  

While Jyanina was thinking that, Kaegal spoke to Johan separately.  

“If she is that cooperative, can’t we ask for more? It would make things easier if we get the soldiers to attack others.”

“No, that’s dangerous.”

Both the Baron and Caenerna had a number of soldiers with them, so they could wield swords directly inside the castle.  

But Johan had no intention of doing so.  

It was likely the Baron, who had just become friendly, would not grant such a request, and more than anything, it was dangerous if things went wrong.  

While Johan could pierce through the darkness with his men and would be hard to catch, there was a lot at stake for someone like Caenerna.  

“Some will sneak in disguised as entourages, then coordinate attacks from the inside and outside when the timing is right. We need to burn down at least half from here.”

Not many could remain composed when there was fire and assault at the castle behind them. Especially when supplies were lost as well.  

The feudal lords who were holding their ground were also likely to retreat or withdraw their troops.  

That frantic moment was what Kaegal was aiming for.  

“You stick with the Baron, I’ll stick with the wizard.”

“Well, if anyone’s going to betray us, it’s more likely to be the baron.”

“What kind of nonsense are you talking about? Why would the baron betray us now? She’d be a fool if she did.”

“So what?”

“You’re asking a strange question for someone who’s good at handling the baron. Figure it out for yourself!”

Kaegal laughed as if he was at a loss for words, then followed the baron. There were so many people coming and going in the castle that a few new attendants wouldn’t even be noticed. Kaegal quickly blended in with the crowd.

‘𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦.’

Johan stood behind Caenerna with admiration. When Caenerna frowned at him, Johan asked in a puzzled way.

“Is there a problem?”

“No… I was just wondering what position would be appropriate for me.”

“You’re not enjoying this now, are you?”

“Wow. Are you criticizing the wizard for choosing friendship over loyalty now?”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Gashstadt Castle was a terribly well-built castle. Just thinking about attacking such a castle head-on was enough to make one dizzy. 

Not only was it located on a rocky mountainside, but the outer and inner castles were organically connected. To target just one castle gate, you had to withstand the combined attack of the wall towers near it.

Nor were there any low or weak parts of the castle walls, and the gates themselves were unbelievably sturdy. Inside and out, supplies brought in from around this area were piled high. . .

“There’s so much to burn I’m worried about what to do.”

Caenerna said in a playful tone. Johan suddenly thought of something and asked.

“But will it be okay?”

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

“Well. . . I’m asking if it’s okay to cooperate like this. You have the position of the emperor’s court wizard, don’t you?”

The position of court wizard was not a title light enough to discard easily. Isn’t it the most honorable position a wizard can have in the Empire?

However, Caenerna laughed as if it was absurd.  

“You’re asking that now?”

“Of course I don’t feel that way, but when I thought about it, I couldn’t help but ask.”

“It’s an act I’m determined to abandon my position accordingly. The count will promise me a position befitting me. Right?”

“Yes. If you wish, I will give you a title.”

“. . .If you say it so seriously, I feel a little embarrassed.”

There was nothing bad about receiving a title, but Caenerna was not so greedy.

But hearing such words didn’t make her feel bad.

“Greetings, Wizard.”

A man who looked like a mercenary sub-captain came from afar and politely greeted her. He glanced up and down at Johan. He had no memory of him.  

“He’s a new bodyguard I hired.”

“If you had said so, we would have sent one of our excellent subordinates.”

“I couldn’t impose such an inconvenience.”

“I understand. Take good care.”

After the sub-captain left, Johan said in wonder.

“He’s more polite than I thought.”

“That’s because he wants a lot from this Caenerna. If you know how much these mercenaries check each other, you’ll be surprised. They desperately try to get the emperor’s attention and receive a small title.”

You could see them fighting much more fiercely for such a reward than for a reward like silver. It was indeed an emperor-like skill of his to exploit such an aspect. 

‘𝘏𝘮𝘮. 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘦𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵.’

Mercenaries who fight for money became lazy as soon as they got out of surveillance. Experience was needed to keep them brisk.

“By the way, communication by the Fire Goblet must have been cut off. Weren’t you surprised?”

“I was worried.”

“. . .Really? There was no particular reason. There are too many wizards to use it. When mysticism changes, wizards notice right away.”

Under the pretext of patrol, Caenerna walked around the castle. Seeing that no one was particularly concerned, it seemed that she usually walked around.

As Johan walked around, he memorized the structure of the castle in his mind. There were maps available but their quality was quite poor, so it was better for Johan to redraw them.

“I guess I should cause some kind of disturbance after all. Do you have any advice?”

“Hmm. How about a monster?”

“Do monsters appear often?” 

“Rumors always float around castles as old as this. Sometimes when you get used to them, they appear. Mercenaries seem interested enough to make a move. . .”

To mercenaries starving for a reward, a threatening monster would feel not like a crisis, but an opportunity.  

“But for a monster to conveniently move around at my request. . . Ah, there’s Jyanina.”

“Jyanina-gong?”

“Was there some issue between you two?”

“Well, she’s a wizard who used to do all sorts of things to get my power when she worked as a court wizard, so it’s hard not to pay attention.”

“Oh dear. I shouldn’t have brought her.”

“It doesn’t matter. If I had been attacked, I would know, but I have never been.”

“. . .”

Johan pitied Jyanina for her confidence. She seemed to be very confident, judging from what she said.

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐝!

A faint sound of something collapsing could be heard from afar. Johan furrowed his brows.  

“What was that sound?”

“?”

Caenerna, whose senses were duller than Johan’s, couldn’t hear it and tilted her head. But the sound was heard again.

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐝!

“. . .Is there any force around here that could attack this castle?”

“None, unless the feudal lords have gone mad and charged over here.”

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐝!

As the noise grew louder, even Caenerna could hear it now. Caenerna narrowed her eyes and stared in the direction the noise was coming from.  

At the same time, the huge outer wall of the castle collapsed.

The dwarves inside the castle who had been boasting that not even a dragon could bring down this wall were stunned speechless at the sight.

“An earthquake?!”

“If it were an earthquake, the surroundings would have shaken.”

Johan tensed his body. The spirits sleeping within cried out shrilly, and his intuition rang out sharply. It was a reaction Johan had never seen before.

A blood-soaked mercenary came galloping in on a ragged horse, fleeing this way. 

And he screamed,  

“A dragon has appeared!”

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