How to Live as a Wandering Knight – Chapter 346

𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 (1)

A deafening silence hung in the air.

There was no such method in the first place. How could one possibly find every single ship passing through the narrow strait without putting up an iron chain?

However, the haughty pride of the republic’s people did not allow them to accept that.

If a duke or another expeditionary noble had heard this conversation, they would have been dumbfounded, but fortunately, no one was there to hear this conversation.

“Don’t worry too much. We’ll come up with something eventually.”

“. . .Thank you.”

He had blurted it out in the heat of the moment, but the other captains did not blame their colleague. They were just as resentful as he was.

The nobles who participated in the expedition kept bragging about their achievements on land whenever they met. The republic’s people, who were in charge of all the dirty work at sea, couldn’t help but feel resentful.

If it had been the duke himself, they could have understood. The duke’s achievements were truly remarkable. Never before had there been anyone in the history of overseas expeditions who had achieved so much in such a short period of time like the duke.

However, the duke himself was humble, but his subordinate nobles acted as if they were superior, which made them even more resentful. If it hadn’t been for the duke mediating, they would have gotten into a fight or two.

“Is there really no way?”

They said that a solution would come if they thought about it, but sometimes there were exceptions. The captains fell silent as they racked their brains but couldn’t come up with a solution.

“There’s no helping it. I didn’t want to use this method, but. . .”

“. . .?”

“How much does each of you have on hand right now?”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

“What do you think the republic b*stards are up to?”

“I’m not sure, but I hope they fail. I can’t stand seeing those b*stards brag! While we risk our lives fighting on land, those b*stards are profiting by moving supplies!”

“But if they fail, our rear will be in danger?”

“Tsk. . .”

Johan could hear the nobles’ conversations as he walked around the camp. He smiled bitterly.

From the outside, it might seem like the expeditionary force was united by a single faith, but the reality of the expeditionary force was more complicated than one might think. Each group stuck together according to their origins and interests.

Johan had tried to unite them several times, but he had long since given up.

‘𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘺.’

Johan was satisfied with just being able to have them go where he told them to go and fight where he told them to fight. By objective standards, this was considered to be very good military discipline. Originally, even if the commander-in-chief gave an order, the soldiers would say things like, ‘𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦, 𝘴𝘰 𝘐’𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦,’ or ‘𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰, 𝘴𝘰 𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨.’

Johan prayed that the Sultan’s army would fight among themselves like this.

‘𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘴𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦.’

He felt a little better when he thought about it like that. However, the problem still remained.

“Are things going well? Let me know if you need any help.”

Johan spoke carefully and softly. He didn’t want to hurt the pride of the republic’s people.

To be honest, Johan was a little suspicious right now.

‘𝘚𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺?’

The captains of the republic were also human. They might have made a declaration on impulse since they had been laughed at so much.

It was fine to bluff, but he had to prevent things from getting worse by agonizing over it after the fact when there was no solution. Johan intended to listen if the republic’s people had something to hide.

“Heh. Don’t worry about it.”

“. . .?”

However, the faces of the republic’s people were beaming with confidence. Johan was taken aback by their determined expressions.

‘𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦?’

To be honest, Johan, Ulrike, and the other nobles with military experience didn’t have a clear answer to the question, ‘𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮?’

But that expression.

Do they really have a way?

“Can you tell me?”

“Of course, Your Highness. Your Highness is different from the others.”

Johan glanced around unconsciously. Fortunately, none of the other nobles from the expeditionary force were there. If they had heard, there would have been another uproar.

“It’s bribery.”

“!”

The captains of the republic spent their own money. The wealth they had accumulated through trade during this expedition was enormous.

Originally, they really didn’t want to spend it, but. . .

They had no choice.

Using that money, the republic’s people sent spies and personnel to the port where the enemy fleet was gathering. They started bribing everyone they could.

Although the Sultan’s orders ensured thorough security, they couldn’t do anything when faced with a large amount of gold. From the lowest-ranking laborers to the most senior navigators, they spilled information one by one.

“Well done.”

Johan was impressed. They must have needed a lot of money to bribe them, but they managed to get it. He wondered how they had gotten it, but the important thing was that they had succeeded.

“Wait a minute. Even if you know the departure date, can you figure out the sea route? That must be really difficult.”

Usually, only a few of the captains knew the sea route that the fleet was taking. There was no point in telling their subordinates in advance because they had already acquired the information.

“. . .There’s a way to do that too.”

“How?”

“We plan to mobilize more fleets and have them lie in ambush along all possible routes.”

“. . . . . .”

Johan was speechless at the method, which was more ignorant than he had expected.

Even so, this is really. . .

‘𝘐𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘰?’

“Your Highness?”

“. . .I’m impressed by your devotion!”

Johan quickly changed the subject. He didn’t know why the other party was doing this, but if they were this enthusiastic, he had to show his appreciation.

The captains were satisfied when the duke responded warmly. They couldn’t help but feel touched. They had spent a lot of money, starting with bribes and even additional fleets. . .

If the Sultan’s fleet didn’t come after all this, one or two of the captains might go bankrupt.

“I’ll help too.”

“Your Highness is going to help?? There’s no need for you to. . .”

“It’s not good to underestimate your enemies.”

Most naval battles in this era were fought after a collision, followed by close combat. The sailors were confident in close combat, but they were no match for skilled knights.

The captains must have wanted help inwardly, because they didn’t refuse any further. They nodded and said,

“We’d be grateful for your help, Your Highness.”

“With Your Highness’s centaurs, we can rest assured.”

“. . . . . .”

Johan didn’t say that he wouldn’t bring the centaurs because they were too timid to be on the sea. It was to protect their honor.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Johan’s men and a few trustworthy paladins from the monastery were additionally deployed.

The captain of the ship that Johan was on, Perzeno, was the most experienced and skilled captain among the captains. He was a sheepman from the Zepol family and was also acquainted with Johan.

“Your Highness. No matter what happens, I will make sure that no harm comes to Your Highness.”

“Don’t worry about it. Captain. I’m counting on you.”

Johan wasn’t stupid enough to take over command on someone else’s ship. Perzeno was relieved by his attitude. It wouldn’t have been strange for another noble to jump around and try to take command.

“The republic’s fleets must be located all over the sea right now, but how do you plan to contact them?”

Perzeno’s fleet was currently hiding behind a small island. The Sultan’s fleet would pass through the darkness of the night, so they planned to lie in ambush and attack them.

In the event that they were discovered elsewhere, it had been agreed in advance that they would contact each other for support.

However, it was pitch black and they were on the sea, which was like a vast ocean. He didn’t quite understand how they were going to contact each other.

“Hey.”

The captain called someone over. A pale and thin man came out of the cabin. He was holding a flat candlestick with long branches in his hands.

‘𝘈 𝘸𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘳𝘥!’

Johan could tell right away that the other party was a wizard. The wizard from the republic nodded at Johan.

“We’ll use this magic candle to contact them. The captain who finds them will light the candle.”

“That’s great. Are you a wizard who has contracted with the fire spirit?”

“Excuse me? What are you talking about, Your Highness! I’m not like that!”

The wizard exclaimed in surprise, waving his hands. The captain also looked at Johan with a bewildered expression.

“Your Highness. We’re not arrogant enough to let such people onto the deck of the ship that Your Highness is on. Please don’t misunderstand.”

“. . . . . .”

Fire spirits had a bad reputation for being ferocious and difficult to tame. Wizards who contracted with such spirits often failed to control them.

It would be fine if they died on their own, but if a fire broke out on the ship, it would lead to a major disaster. It wasn’t for nothing that the republic’s people were terrified when they heard about the fire spirits.

“No. . . Can’t you just knock them out if they go berserk? There’s no need to be so scared.”

The captain and the wizard burst out laughing at Johan’s words. They seemed to think that the duke was trying to joke to ease their nerves.

It was usually difficult to kill them even when they went berserk, let alone knock them out. It was a funny joke.

“Hahaha! Thank you, Your Highness. You’ve eased our nerves.”

“Hey, I guess we can go somewhere and talk today. Where else in the world would you have the chance to hear a joke from His Highness the Duke?”

“. . . . . .”

Johan was flustered, but he held back. He didn’t want to ruin the friendly atmosphere right before the operation for no reason.

“. . .Wait a minute. Isn’t that a fleet?”

“Yes?”

The captain turned his gaze around in surprise at Johan’s words.

It was still too dark to see anything in the pitch black darkness. It was a night when the moon and stars were faint, and the sailors on the lookout were doing their best to keep watch.

It wasn’t a situation where Johan, who was below deck, could see it first.

“Are you mistaken, Your Highness?”

“No. That’s right. They’re coming this way. Captain. Send out the signal.”

“. . . . . .”

Perzeno hesitated for a moment before realizing.

‘𝘋𝘪𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘢 𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘭𝘦?!’

Perzeno had also heard stories of the duke’s victories, which were guided by visions of miracles. Perzeno nodded with a hardened expression.

“I understand. If Your Highness saw a miracle.”

“No, what the. . .?”

“Light the candle to request support. Tell the other ships to prepare for battle!”

“Yes!”

The sound of creaking and knocking could be heard quietly in the darkness, and a murderous aura began to rise. The skilled sailors quietly looked out at the sea with gleaming eyes.

Soon, lights began to flicker in the darkness.

The Sultan’s fleet had really appeared.

“We did it. . .!”

Soft exclamations erupted from all over the place. The sailors rejoiced at their good luck. It seemed that God loved them a lot today.

Capturing even one ship would be a huge profit. It would be even greater if it was the Sultan’s ship. Greed made the sailors even braver.

“. . .Wait, just a moment.”

However, it didn’t take long for that joy to turn into bewilderment.

The sailors with good eyesight realized something strange.

There were too many lights.

“T-The size is. . .?”

“It looks like there are five or six ships!”

“. . .!”

Perzeno was shocked. He realized what had happened.

‘𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰?!’

He couldn’t believe it. No matter what, he wouldn’t send the fleets from other places to carry out the operation. It was a stupid thing to do, like removing the bottom stone to support the top stone. He hadn’t expected the Sultan to be this reckless.

“What are we going to do? Send out the attack order!”

“Yes. . .?”

“If they stay here anyway, they’re bound to get caught. The number of enemies has increased slightly, but what’s the problem? The enemies will be just as scared and confused. Send out the signal to attack! The enemies will definitely be confused.”

“. . .!”

At that moment, Perzeno was deeply grateful that the duke was on his ship. Otherwise, fear would have spread throughout the ship like a plague.

“Send out the signal! Spread out the ships and light the fire!”

“Prepare for battle!”

Watching the sailors moving busily, Johan opened his palms. They were wet with sweat.

‘. . .𝘋𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘻𝘺 𝘣*𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘢𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴?!’

The fleet in the city must have been expensively assembled, but on top of that, they bring in a fleet from somewhere else.

He wondered if he was out of his mind, but he was the one who had led such a large army south in the first place. He should have known that he was crazy by now.

“Don’t be scared and move forward!”

“His Highness the Duke is with us!”

“Waaaaaaah!”

Despite being outnumbered, the sailors’ morale rose.

And so the night raid began.

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