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𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 (𝟑)
Duke Brduhe’s city, Baien, was nicknamed the “Glory of the East.”
The vast, expansive East had many unexplored territories. There were only a few cities dating back to the ancient Empire era. A little to the north, barbarians and pagans who mocked the name of the Empire swarmed from all sides.
Hence, it was natural for others in the Empire to regard the East as barbaric.
Baien in the southern East was a city that defied such mockery. A beautiful and massive city dating back to the ancient Empire era.
Located at the foothills of the Dwarf Mountains and embracing the Drnal River branching from the Ipaël River, this city had never fallen since the ancient Empire era.
Even when the ancient Empire collapsed and numerous kingdoms and barbarians swept the surrounding areas.
The centaur warriors smiled contentedly. Johan’s expression, as he gazed at the city emerging in the distance, filled them with pride.
“Am I speaking correctly?”
“That’s quite fluent.”
“Eastern language is quite difficult, isn’t it?”
The centaur warriors shrugged their shoulders. They looked at Johan as if he was unusual. None of the knights from the Empire bothered to learn the language known as Eastern.
There was no need for the nobles of the East to learn a language used further east while speaking the language of the Empire.
“Isn’t it more difficult than the language of the Empire?”
“Well, maybe for you folks.”
“In fact, there’s only one thing to learn in Eastern language. ■■■■.”
“■■■■? What does that mean?”
While other centaurs tried to intervene in confusion, the centaur warrior grinned and explained.
“Roughly, it means, ‘𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.’ It’s good to say this before a fight.”
“I’ll remember that.”
Despite the seemingly rude words, Johan chuckled and moved on. It was, after all, a useful phrase.
“Sir Knight. My name is Achladda of the Alcia tribe. Please remember it.”
“I’ll remember. It’s a pity I couldn’t show my skills.”
Since the centaurs joined, surprisingly, no monsters were seen. Actually, it was rare to encounter monsters in the plains.
“There will be an opportunity soon.”
“?”
Achladda’s words sounded quite significant. As Johan was about to inquire about their meaning, he saw a large group setting up camp in the distant plains.
With various banners and flags, hundreds of warriors and thousands of people were gathering.
They were there to attend the investiture ceremony and to watch it.
The orderly gathering of so many people in the field was a spectacle in itself.
“Sir Knight’s honor is ■■■■ ■ ■■ ■■■■.”
“Did you just curse at me?”
“Of course not! Ha ha! Sir Knight. Please visit the Alcia tribe. Don’t forget the name Achladda.”
With these words, Achladda raised his arm. The centaur warriors who had finished their escort duty raced ahead, heading towards their tribe.
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“Be careful when dealing with the nobles of the Empire, Achladda.”
“Why is that? I quite liked that knight. We got along well. There are such knights even among the people of the Empire.”
Achladda spoke cheerfully. His manner of speaking fluently in Eastern language was a stark contrast to when he dealt with people from the Empire.
To the nomadic tribes of the East, the Empire had always been a cautious adversary.
This was also true for those who entered the fences of the Empire.
They had sworn allegiance as vassals to the Duke, but at the same time, they never let down their guard. They were not dogs, but wolves. And wolves cannot be tamed.
“Do you know how annoying those Empire folks are? If you meet them on the plains, they are the type to be shot in the neck with an arrow and die. . .”
“There’s some truth to that.”
“You should not believe that the knight caught three werewolves. The braggadocio of those from the Empire is quite serious, isn’t it?”
“His eyes didn’t seem to be lying. Did you see the expressions of the soldiers behind him?”
Upon Achladda’s words, the centaur warriors could not refute. A superior warrior’s subordinates always had a different expression. The soldiers genuinely revered Johan.
“In the upcoming appointment ceremony, I plan to show those from the Empire who the real warriors are.”
“Right. Do your best.”
The Alcia tribe was one of the renowned nomadic tribes nearby, and Achladda was the beloved youngest son of the chieftain.
As such, Achladda inevitably heard information about the appointment ceremony.
Duke Brduhe was a wise man, and he knew well how useful the Eastern nomadic tribes could be.
This upcoming appointment ceremony was going to be an event for their pride.
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“He’s really handsome.”
“Why is that?”
“Ah. I was admiring how handsome the Duke is.”
Suetlg chuckled at Johan’s words.
“Duke’s appearance is famous even in the Empire. How are you getting along with the centaurs?”
“They were affable friends.”
“You must have made them so. A great river accepts all streams without discriminating.”
“Just like a great mountain accepts even the smallest clod of earth.”
“Is there such a saying? That’s also a good one.”
Duke Brduhe dismounted quickly upon seeing the group. The people of the Jarpen family were moved by this gesture. Stephen felt the same.