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𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 (𝟑)
Piracy has traditionally been a lucrative business, but it also required choosing the right time and place.
In the Edene Sea, teeming with city-states, attempting piracy would invite the fleets hired by these city-states to attack your town.
Next, you’d end up hung at the gallows, known as a rogue knight!
“How do you see me. . .”
“Ah. Sorry. That wasn’t my intention?”
“Of course, when engaging in piracy, it’s about joining hands with the right opponent. Surely, there must be a city wanting to plunder the fiefdoms of the Emperor.”
“. . . . . .”
Caenerna was honestly impressed.
When piracy was mentioned, it wasn’t just about profit or risk, but rather finding forces to connect and move in such a manner.
This knight possessed the innate instinct of a born plunderer.
Rogue acts required not just bravery but also restraint to last long.
“War has always been profitable if you win. There’s no shortage of enemies around.”
Caenerna was well aware of the local situation. It was different from the western fiefdoms of the Empire.
Nearby, various noble families of the Empire were intricately entangled, making it difficult for knights like Johan to start wars on their own.
But here, the situation was much freer from a moral standpoint.
With the protection of the Brduhe family, it was feasible to confront other local powers. Johan was not lacking in confidence for battle either. . .
“But for the sake of the duke’s dignity, shouldn’t there be some preparation?”
“I’ve already finished talking with the mercenaries I brought. They agreed to follow.”
Suetlg nodded, unsurprised. Johan’s control was remarkable. His natural bravery and generous rewards had earned him the mercenaries’ absolute loyalty.
“I also plan to mobilize tribal warriors if possible.”
“The eastern tribes??”
“Is there a problem?”
“Won’t they refuse?”
Caenerna asked incredulously. It wasn’t a matter of conditions. The barbarian tribes outside the east had a different mindset from the people of the Empire.
While mercenaries within the Empire would rush anywhere for gold, the eastern tribes preferred to directly seize gold. Only someone of the duke’s stature could rule them through authority.
“They agreed to come. They liked the idea of sharing the spoils.”
“???”
Leaving the confused Caenerna behind, Johan discussed detailed plans with Suetlg.
They planned to gather as many soldiers as possible and, once the weather cleared, join the duke’s army and head for Umdim!
People from the Jarpen family, as if it was their own matter, happily offered advice and suggestions.
Despite being sent by the Count , Johan had quickly gained the duke’s favor, surpassing many other knights.
They couldn’t help but feel proud.
“But Suetlg-nim, are you sure you can join us? I heard you’re in demand elsewhere. . .”
“Most of those inquiries can wait for a response. Nobles always want to know the future, even though they don’t know if it’s accurate.”
Caenerna nodded in agreement with Suetlg’s words.
“Interpreting prophecies like you might be most beneficial. Anyway, I plan to join. Attacking a city will be a big fight, and you’ll need help.”
Johan expressed his gratitude. Only with friendship could one refuse such calls and join the army, no matter where a remarkable wizard was summoned.
However, Caenerna’s participation was unexpected. Johan thought she would stay in the city.
In the plains, bad luck led to three life-threatening incidents, but in the city, there was no reason for that. There were no nobles wanting to kill her, even for the Emperor.
“. . .That’s obviously because the reason is lame. Do you think there are no Emperor’s people in this city?”
Caenerna asked as if she was dumbfounded. She was currently accompanying them on the pretext of being captured as a prisoner. If she acted too freely, she would arouse suspicion.
Johan looked at Caenerna with a new look in his eyes when he heard that.
“It’s not a question for me to ask, but what are you going to do with the aftermath later? Is the Emperor such a lenient person?”
“No. He’s a strange and belligerent person. And I can handle the aftermath myself, so don’t worry.”
No matter what excuse she made, she would be unable to avoid the suspicious eyes. But she was so calm.
‘𝘐𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘳𝘥?’
Without certain confidence in the Emperor’s trust, this would not have been possible.
“I see. Then, can I Count on your help during the siege?”
“Of course.”
Caenerna spoke, shaking her pipe. It was an event she would rather welcome.
‘𝘐 𝘰𝘸𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩.’
Johan’s and the wizards’ mindsets differed. As Suetlg said, a life’s debt was not light for a wizard.
If there’s a mental burden, one can’t be free, and if not free, magic is restricted. Self-deception was impossible.
Moreover, Johan’s connection with Caenerna seemed quite peculiar to her. Leaving after three oaths and being saved three times seemed almost prophetic.
‘𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦. 𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴. . .’
In a siege, she would have many opportunities to shine. After significant contributions, the mental debt might fade.
The three oaths would be considered later, but for now, the mental debt needed addressing. . .
“Suetlg is a great philosopher, but his magic is not destructive. Sometimes evil is necessary in war.”
“Must be nice being evil.”
Although Suetlg sneered, he did not deny Caenerna’s words. If it was about ruthless tactics, she was a step ahead. After all, the suspicious mysteries that occurred in the Emperor’s court were all probably related to her.
“Wait. Can you also summon trolls?”
“I deal with the flames of prophecy, not trolls. . . Perhaps you should have asked the savage of the Black Forest?”
“Hmm.”
Caenerna seemed surprisingly ignorant about it. Johan asked if there were other wizards under the Emperor. Caenerna nodded as if it were obvious.
“Every day, dozens claiming to be wizards come. Most are fake, but one or two remain. . .”
“There are always bold ones.”
Suetlg said with a smirk. Being exposed as a fake wizard led to cruel punishment. Comfortable death was out of the question. It was a grave crime to deceive nobles for preferential treatment.
‘𝘚𝘰, 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘴?’
“But why are you asking me that? Do you know any wizards?
“No. Just curious.”