How to Live as a Wandering Knight

𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 (𝟔)

“Barbarian fools, have you no pride? Blinded by the duke’s gold coins!”

The defense captain insulted the tribes. Though it was ironic coming from him, who hailed from a small kingdom that acted arrogantly among the nobles of the larger kingdom.

“C-Can we trust this guy?”

“Shh. Be careful with your words. Doubting our own in front of the enemy!”

When complaints arose, others rebuked him.

The defense captain was originally from the Slovak Kingdom, located on the east of the Edene Sea, on the Ulkana Peninsula.

In this situation, the only force that agreed to support Umdim city was from this place.

The people of the Empire mocked them for calling themselves a ‘kingdom’, but a kingdom was still a kingdom.

“Ha. I must speak my mind! What did I say! Surrendering as soon as possible is the only way to appease the duke’s anger and save us all!”

“Quiet! That’s just your way of saving yourself!”

“Saving myself?! Then what’s your plan?! If greed got us into this mess, we should at least think of taking responsibility!”

The people quickly became divided. Especially in a city where various families had control, these situations became more vulnerable.

Some supported the duke, others the small kingdoms, and others various city-states, clashing with each other.

Whoever lost ground here was as good as dead. They grabbed each other by the collar, growling.

“Calm down. It’s just the vanguard! They are not even approaching here. If we hold out relying on the walls, they will soon retreat.”

“Nonsense! If we are to surrender, it must be before the attack begins! Once it starts, it’s too late!”

Siege warfare had its own customs.

If a city wanted to surrender, it had to do so before the attack began. If it surrendered after the attack had begun, it was unlikely to receive mercy.

Even if the commander wanted to show mercy, the soldiers below him would go crazy.

Surrender meant that a few people might be executed, but most people would be spared. It was only natural to be tempted by that.

“Send out the soldiers and drive the members of the council away.”

“Yes, sir.”

The commotion soon died down. The Umdim city was controlled by nobles who opposed the duke, and the captain of the guard was also one of them.

The people retreated in fear as the soldiers threatened them. The captain of the guard let out a sigh of relief.

“Captain. Are you sure that reinforcements are coming? Those barbarian b*stards should be on our side.”

“Those tribesmen are not the only ones on the plains. They are as numerous as acorns that have fallen from a tree. A few greedy and stupid ones have come, so don’t worry too much.”

“. . .I understand. By the way, make sure the gate is well-guarded. We don’t know who might betray us.”

“Yes, sir.”

It was frustrating to have to worry about internal betrayal on top of having such a small number of soldiers, but there was nothing he could do.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

The second army to arrive was the Wilago Mercenary Group. They saw Johan’s army, which had arrived first and was neatly set up, and flinched.

“Sir Johan. Hello? I was amazed that you arrived first. You are indeed a knight of the duke.”

“Sir Gurelic. I see the ability of the mercenary company by coming here earlier than others.”

Gurelic smiled at Johan’s praise. They knew it was mutual flattery, but they didn’t feel bad.

“By the way, I punished the man who was rude to you severely.”

“Hmm? Oh. Well, you don’t have to do that. . . Thank you.”

“. . .?

Gurelic was a little surprised. He thought Johan would be happy or satisfied.

What’s with this young knight? Why is he so calm? He should be happy, even for his own petty pride. . .

“Do you have anything to ask or discuss? I think we should wait until the advance party and main force arrive.”

“Uh. . . Have you not heard the news? They will be a little late.”

“?”

Gurelic was able to hear the news by chance because he arrived a step late. Tribal warriors were roaming around in groups of tens, stirring up the camp.

“That’s too bad. It will take some time.”

“That’s right, isn’t it? I heard that a few of the guys in the nearby town told the location of the marching army.”

“Huh. Is that so?”

“The priests say that we should show mercy, but it seems that the world is a place where those who show mercy lose. There is no one to trust, so it would be easier to wipe them all out.”

Gurelic gently mocked Johan within a harmless limit. He thought that this would make him feel a little better.

“Hmm. . . Were you attacked on the way?”

“. . .No. If I had been attacked, I would have come later.”

“That’s right. I would have been attacked if I had plundered the town.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Think about it carefully. It’s strange that a few men would report the location of an army of over a thousand people. They must have reported it because they had nothing to lose. What would they hide when the town was in ruins? Only hatred would remain.”

“. . . . . .”

“Since neither you nor I have been attacked, I guess at least the towns we passed did not report it. Isn’t mercy quite useful?”

“. . .Isn’t it because they were afraid that they didn’t report it?”

“That can also be another side of mercy. God does not always appear in one form. Sir Gurelic. That’s enough thanks. If you don’t have anything else to say, you should go and prepare for your camp.”

Gurelic honestly felt like he had been punched by this young knight. It wasn’t a punch that made him feel disgusted, but a punch that made sense.

He was completely refuted!

He thought he was an immature knight dastard who had no experience leading an army and only had individual strength. . .

He was much more of a stumbling block than he thought.

Gurelic bowed and withdrew. Without Gurelic knowing it, his attitude when he withdrew was much more respectful.