𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 (𝟏)

The soldiers immediately drew their weapons without hesitation at Johan’s command, a testament to their training.

The orderly momentum of the army was easily recognizable from afar. The spectacle of the troops quickly aligning side by side made their pursuers stop in their tracks.

Any sensible rogue would not engage with dozens of well-armed warriors. The band of rogues slowly retreated.

“Shall we pursue them?”

“No, it’s fine.”

Johan restrained Marco. While they could win the fight, he did not want to waste time battling in such a place.

‘𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘴.’

Johan and Suetlg seemed as incredulous as Caenerna about the situation. She rode her horse slowly towards them and stopped in front.

“Really bad luck today, isn’t it?”

“. . . . . .”

Despite Suetlg’s call, there was no response. Caenerna’s face seemed devoid of energy. Johan spoke up.

“Should I offer some consolation?”

“No need. A viper dies if it eats anything other than poison. Don’t bother with pointless comfort.”

“Suetlg-nim, even vipers eat normal snake food. . .”

People in this world often had limited information.

They were unaware or misinformed about things outside their knowledge. Johan once seriously heard someone say, ‘𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥.’

“. . .Really? I didn’t know that. Anyway, don’t offer empty comfort to that wizard. It might sound like mockery.”

“If it sounds like mockery, it’s because of their twisted disposition, not mine.”

“. . . . . .”

Suetlg was slightly impressed.

Johan was not usually eloquent, but occasionally he had the ability to strike sharply like an arrow.

Caenerna would have bristled if she had heard this.

When Johan approached to console her, Caenerna surprisingly did not get angry. Instead, she showed a different reaction.

“. . .Is it okay if I join you for a while?”

Johan openly showed his displeasure. Noticing this, Caenerna raised her eyebrows. She was an advisor to the Emperor and a renowned wizard, yet he was openly wary. . .

“I’ll ask Suetlg-nim.”

“Wait a minute.”

“?”

“My reputation rivals that of the philosopher of the Ipaël River, and I hold the position of a court wizard.”

It was pitiful for a wizard to boast about their own fame, but sometimes it was necessary.

Of course, to Johan, it was nothing more than a ‘𝘴𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵?’ moment.

“So what am I supposed to do with that. . .?”

“. . .Never mind.”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸      

“It’s bound to be worrisome.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Misfortune, that’s what. Wizards believe in omens. If one experiences misfortune thrice and fails to recognize any sign, they don’t deserve the title of a wizard. A true wizard ought to hear the voice of fate in such signs. Caenerna, skilled in prophecy, might have heard something in this misfortune.”

“Like a voice saying, ‘𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘬𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵’?”

“That sounds trivial when you put it that way. . . It’s not exactly a direct voice, but more like a revelation. Honestly, if I were in her shoes, having faced thrice misfortune, I’d do anything. I haven’t experienced it myself, but Caenerna, having gone through it, might see things differently.”

“So, is it alright to accompany us?”

“Why ask me? It’s for you to decide.”

“Aren’t you worried she might poison your drink?”

“Ah. That’s what you meant. . . As I said before, no need to worry about that. Haven’t you saved her life multiple times?”

The wizard’s debt to Johan was several times more significant and weighty than he imagined.

“And besides, accompanying her would be beneficial given your skills.”

“But?”

“She’s the Emperor’s wizard. Saving her might be seen as a noble act by you, a knight, but accompanying her is different. Remember, others might misunderstand.”

‘𝘏𝘢𝘴 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘳𝘥’𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘭?’ People like the Jarpen, the Abner family, or the soldiers might misconstrue.

To those not wizards, a wizard can seem far more suspicious than one would think.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Oh? Are you sure?”

“Yes. Those with us won’t be swayed by such.”

Johan trusted his companions and the image he had shown them.

Their faith wasn’t so weak as to waver just because he was accompanying the Emperor’s wizard.

Johan’s expectation was correct.

Even with Caenerna joining, the mercenaries and his family members weren’t overly surprised. Marco was more shocked than anyone.

“Is it alright for the Emperor’s wizard to join us?”

“Sir Johan must have his reasons.”

“But she’s the Emperor’s wizard. . .”

“Aren’t you a knight of the Emperor?”

“. . . . . .”

At a loss for words, Marco fell silent.

Caenerna asked Marco.

“Aren’t you the illegitimate son of Marquis Crucho? You’re still alive.”

“. . .Yes. . . How is the Marquis?”

“How can he be well?”

Having strongly advocated for a military action that led to defeat, even a Marquis couldn’t be unaffected, especially since he couldn’t even face the Emperor and was in seclusion.

Marco’s face darkened.

“So, why are you here?”

“I’m serving with my sword to raise a ransom.”

Caenerna nodded. It wasn’t unusual for knights.