How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Strangely, I found myself thinking of the elf knights. They were annoying when we were together, but now that we’re apart, they somehow seem like decent fellows.

Actually, they might have been decent. If it were them, they would have insisted on one-on-one even in that situation.

A knight is supposed to be honorable, but. . .

If every knight were honorable, why would an honorable knight be praised?

Honor is not easy to uphold. Everyone says it must be maintained, but only a few can actually do so, and that’s what makes it great.

The knights attacking me now were like that too.

Johan actually felt a sense of kinship with them.

Ah, these knight dastards here are human too! They act just like me in a pinch, despite what they say!

But then, Johan’s eyes met Achladda’s.

Achladda didn’t speak, but his proud eyes conveyed a strong message to Johan. It was a plea for help.

Getting involved now wouldn’t result in a good relationship with the western knight dastards after it’s all over, but. . .

Johan decided. He would side with the centaur knights.

He didn’t know which side would benefit more. It could even be a loss. But honestly. . .

He found the centaurs more likable than the knight dastards.

“■■■■!”

“Gasp!”

As Johan charged forward, shouting in Eastern language that he would kill their parents and children and bury them together, Achladda stumbled and almost fell. It was truly a first-time experience.

“What did he say?”

“A knight from the Empire speaking Eastern language. . .?”

Those nearby who had fallen off their horses or were scattered laughed uproariously at the sudden use of Eastern language. Only the western knights were confused.

But Eastern language was just the beginning.

“If you are a knight, fight one-on-one!”

“Shut. . .”

Johan swung his sword at the helmet of the most unfortunate knight in front. Sparks flew as the knight rolled to the side.

Next was another knight’s shield. Striking with full force, the enemy fell from his horse as the sword finally broke.

“Catch. . .”

The knight, thinking he saw an opening, eagerly tried to mount his horse, but Johan approached first. The knight was taken aback by Johan charging at him unarmed.

‘𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺?!’

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐝!

Johan snatched the mace from the knight’s hand. Confused at having his weapon taken, the knight looked at Johan, who responded with the mace.

In an instant, three were rolling on the ground. Johan joined Euclyia with a war cry.

“!”

The opposing knight, witnessing all this, showed remarkable judgement. He turned his horse and fled.

Even though fleeing the scene was a shameful and dishonorable act for a knight.

Such was the fear Johan’s presence instilled.

Loud jeers followed the fleeing knight, and Johan mercilessly struck down the knights who didn’t flee.

No knight, even with a shield, could maintain balance after several hits from Johan, especially on horseback.

“■■! ■■! ■■!”

“Speak slowly, I can’t understand when you say it like that!”

Responding to the excited centaur knightess, Johan turned his horse.

The knights attacking Achladda were distracted and unaware of the situation behind them. Only when Johan joined them with a demonic face did they turn at the urgent cries.

━𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝! 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮!

“Uh-huh!”

A knight fell off his horse in a rather absurd manner without even being hit. It was a result of sheer panic, losing grip on the reins and tumbling to the side.

The audience burst into laughter, almost losing their minds in the uproar.

‘𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶. . .’

Stephen thought to himself.

While the onlookers were laughing, it was indeed a situation where falling off the horse wouldn’t have been surprising. Johan’s momentum had something beyond just a knight’s prowess.

“It seems you’re delighted with Sir Johan’s performance!”

“Ah. . . Of course, indeed!”

“Sir Johan has taken down another one!”

━𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐥’𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫!

The excitement reached its peak.

Johan, entangled with the knights, took a few hits while charging in. He absorbed the impact on his back and shoulders, enduring it with his muscles.

He certainly reaped the rewards. Though the attacks were exchanged, Johan was the only one standing.

“Damn it! Is Sir Knight even human?!”

“Look ahead, you fool!”

“Haha! I’m watching!”

Achladda cheered and swung his spear.

Johan had unseated all the other knights, but left the leader-like figure alone. It was Lucas of the Lachio family.

Even though Johan could have taken him down, he yielded to Achladda, prompting the audience to cry out, ‘𝘉𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳!’

This honorable conduct, so different from the knights in the west who attacked in groups, set the crowd ablaze.

Johan shouted in Eastern tongue.

“Do you wish for assistance from behind?”

“No, I’m fine!”

Achladda shouted back, sweating. He was tired from continuous combat, and Sir Lucas was no easy opponent. Lucas’s horse, particularly exhausted, was panting heavily.

Achladda, more aware of Lucas’s horse than Lucas himself. Although he might have been inferior to Lucas in pure weapon skill. . .

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐝!

Instead of clashing swords, Achladda collided with Lucas’s horse. The horse neighed and toppled to the side.

“Sorry, you’re an honorable companion!”

Achladda apologized to the horse in Eastern tongue and quickly pointed his sword at Sir Lucas’s throat. Lucas, trying to pick up his dropped weapon, resigned with a look of defeat.

“. . .I’ve lost.”

Eastern knights still energetic enough to yell, raised their weapons high in the air. It was a clear victory.