How to Live as a Wandering Knight

“Then let’s get moving.”

With those words, the three nobles immediately dispersed. All three were people with a lot of experience leading armies.

It was rare for the enemy to be as weak during a retreat as they were during an advance, but they mustn’t let their guard down because of that.

How many knights had underestimated the enemy only to fall for their tricks?

“Of course, that story doesn’t apply to us at all.”

The centaurs were confident. They had already scouted the surroundings before the enemies arrived and had a decent grasp of the terrain in the forest.

If the enemies tried some petty tricks while retreating, they were ready to spot it right away and counterattack.

“Look at them acting all high and mighty when they couldn’t even find the Count in the forest.”

“We don’t believe your boasting anymore.”

The other mercenaries on horseback taunted the centaurs. At first, they had awe for the raiders and renowned warriors from the East. . .

But as they got to know each other, that awe disappeared. While the centaurs did enjoy fighting and were militant, they were still human(?) like everyone else. And more than anything, their mistake in the previous forest was huge.

“It wasn’t our fault, it was because of the forest’s magic! What can warriors do when Mother Nature has a temper?”

“The Eastern rangers still found him, though.”

“. . . . . .”

“Shh. That’s enough chatter.”

Suetlg silenced them from atop his horse at the wizard’s words. Everyone promptly nodded.

The pursuit unit here consisted entirely of cavalry, carefully selected hundreds of well-armed and seasoned veterans. They were confident they could mercilessly trample over clumsy mercenaries or conscripted soldiers even if they numbered over a thousand.

But the enemy was also quite elite. Carelessness was forbidden.

“They probably won’t be going into the forest, right?”

“Most likely not. And that would be for the best.”

The pursued side also utilized various methods to prepare for the chase. Dividing troops and moving them separately was one, and using terrain like forests to obscure their trail was another decent tactic.

But in this situation, the chances of that seemed low. More than anything, the ones needing to retreat quickly were unlikely to waste time by entering the forest.

A fiery arrow was shot from the front. It was the centaurs signaling that they had spotted the target.

“Found them! Let’s go! Pick up the pace!”

Johan and the warriors shouted as they spurred their horses on.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

“It’s the pursuit squad! The count’s pursuit squad!”

When attacking the castle, their fighting spirit was great, but when fleeing, it was the complete opposite. The knights had fearful expressions, hearing that pursuit was coming from behind.

They were also noticing. That the atmosphere around here was the worst.

First, the expressions of the mercenaries that each person was leading were not good. Since the mercenaries also have eyes, they guessed how the expedition was rolling along.

They moved as best they could, didn’t properly plunder, only fought amongst themselves, and now were returning.

“We can still fight, can’t we?”

“No. . . let’s just join up with the main force.”

Moving separately was meant to block the main force from assembling if pursuit came chasing from behind, but the knights didn’t really want to do that.

Of course Lindemann-gong and Sir Yein would be furious, but even considering that, they didn’t want to become arrow bait here.

“What is this? Not going to fight?”

Johan was puzzled as he discovered and chased the enemy who were moving in a different direction without forming any battle formations.

Wouldn’t it be better if a battle happened in this state?

“Isn’t the main force beyond that hill over there?”

“If the main force is there, shouldn’t we fight here and block them? Anyway, we pursue.”

It was a bit absurd that they were confused right after staying behind, but there was no reason not to chase the enemy.

Johan slowly went over the hill the enemies had passed, letting the horses rest.

“. . .?!”

An unbelievable scene was unfolding before his eyes.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

“It is certain that the pursuit is coming, so Sir Karamaf should come out too.”

At Lindemann’s words, Karamaf nodded. Although he did not show his face to the knights and did not participate in the banquets, he made an exception when retreating.

As Sir Karamaf readily agreed, Lindemann heaved a sigh of relief.

‘𝘏𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯.’

He had been an infamous knight originally, but after recovering from his illness, he exuded an even more ominous and creepy aura. To the point of not feeling human.

“No. Those crazy b*stards!”

Emerging from the tent, Lindemann was incredulous. The knight dastards left to guard the rear were hastily joining them.

Lindemann rode past the carts and charged at the knights.

“What are you doing! You have to guard the rear!”

“The enemies chased right up to us. Let’s fight together!”

“You call that words? No fool would say to fight here where the supplies are!”

Battles also required some preparation. They should clear the supplies first before clashing and get into formation, shouldn’t they?

And yet they retreated without exchanging a single blow despite being left to guard the rear. This was too much.

However, what happened next was even more shocking.

It was Sir Karamaf who had appeared behind them and swung his sword.

“!!!!”

As the knight fell down spurting blood, those around were stunned by the shock. No matter how the knights retreated, they were nobles who had received their knighthood. To punish them like this without any trial!

“Sir! What is the meaning of this?!”

“Sir Karamaf! Please restrain yourself!”

Lindemann was also shocked and tried to stop him. No matter how disobedient the knights were, attacking them now was beyond common sense.

Sir Yein stabbed the knight with a whip, and Sir Karamaf took a step further with rage in his eyes.

In any case, Karamaf swung his sword and struck down another knight.

“You arrogant elf!”

Seeing his comrade fall, an enraged knight charged at Karamaf with his spear.

𝐓𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐜𝐤!

The spear accurately pierced the shield Karamaf was holding, but he did not move at all. As if he felt no impact at all, an inhuman reaction.

“What the. . .”

The horrified knight had his neck severed in an instant. Karamaf swung his blood-stained sword and charged at another knight.

At this point, the knights gathered understood Karamaf’s intention.

That crazy elf is trying to kill all the knights here!

“That son of a b*tch!”

“This will definitely not be let go!”

Despite facing just one opponent, the knights abandoned their subordinates behind and started fleeing on their horses.

The pursuing squad arriving on the hill blinked at the absurd sight.

What are they doing down there?

“Is this kind of trap also part of the Empire’s tactics?”

Despite the squad’s appearance uphill, Sir Karamaf paid them no heed and continued chasing the knights like a hunting dog. One knight managed to run uphill towards Johan.

“Save me! Your excellency! Save me! I surrender!”

“Uh. . . What should we do? What about the one behind?”

“Shoot him.”

Johan immediately gave the order. He didn’t know if that was Karamaf or not, but there was no reason not to capture him after he came forward alone like this.

The excellent archers drew their bows and accurately fired their arrows. Sir Karamaf, who was riding a horse chasing them, also took the arrow rain head on.

With a dull sound, Karamaf’s body shook violently. However, he did not fall. None of the arrows pierced his armor either.

The centaurs spoke in an awed voice.

“Is that the armor of the ancient Empire? An unbelievable armor.”

“Uh. . .”

Johan trailed off, not knowing what to say.

That’s not the armor of the ancient Empire. . .

“No matter how great the armor, getting hit by arrows like this should have an impact. Isn’t something strange?”

Achladda was puzzled, but the mercenaries from the Empire were not very surprised.

“It’s possible if it’s Sir Karamaf.”

“For a knight of that level.”

“Is that so?”

Achladda grew suspicious and tried to find a gap in the armor somehow, but Sir Karamaf did not budge an inch.

“My Lord! Please come back! Please come back!”

Lindemann cried out desperately from below, but Karamaf paid no attention. The other soldiers wondered whether they should charge after Karamaf or stop him.

If Lindemann was an experienced warrior, he would have given the order to charge first without thinking about the consequences.

Even in a chaotic situation, it would have been better than just standing there and giving the initiative to the opponent. They had to create a melee rather than let the opponent take control.

However, Lindemann was more of an administrative official than a knight, and when Karamaf took sudden action, he failed to demonstrate the ability to regain control. Knights who could lead the troops were on the other side, and the knights here were being killed by Karamaf. . .

“I feel an extremely evil magical power.”

“I agree.”

They still could not figure out how something like this was made, but Johan decided to deal with the urgent matter first.

He had a way to plunge the soldiers here into panic without spilling a drop of blood.

“. . .?”

Johan drew his sword. It was not the silver sword he usually used. It was a beautiful sword made of steel seen only in ancient Imperial times. As the blade reflected the sunlight, a light that could not be imagined to be made by man shone out.

The soldiers below unconsciously gazed at the sword, as if enthralled. Even though they didn’t know the situation, they couldn’t take their eyes off the sword.

“Hear me, people who know the honor of the Empire! I, Johan of House Yeats, have rightly defeated Sir Karamaf in the past. This Seal Retriever is proof!”

” . . .?????!! “

A silent shock spread around. Lindemann looked at Johan with a horrified expression.

What is the Count talking about?

“As the winner, I took this sword, and out of respect for the promise with the late Lord, I did not spread this fact around. But look! That evil wizard has defiled the honor of the dead knight and summoned an imposter!”

Although Lindemann knew nothing about magic, in an instant he had turned into an evil wizard who kept and manipulated the corpse of a dead knight.

Lindemann tried to protest but he couldn’t get the words out. He also instinctively felt that what the Count said was the truth.

Otherwise, there would be no explanation for that sword.

“W-What’s going on, Sir Lindemann?”

The guards were confused and whispered, but there was no way Lindemann could explain it. The soldiers began to glare at him angrily.

“Commit no more sins! God sees what you do. Do you not know how heavy a sin it is to command the dead?!”

After he finished speaking, Johan pointed his sword forward. It was because Sir Karamaf was charging towards him.

‘𝘏𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤!’

As a wizard now, Johan could see the aura emanating from the fake Karamaf.

The sharpness of his blade was gone, but in its place a sinister force pulsated and spread with every movement.

𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠!

Their swords collided and Johan tried to overpower his opponent with brute strength. Even if his opponent had the body of a demon summoned from hell, Johan didn’t think he could be easily overpowered.

But Karamaf engaged Johan in a different way. Before Johan could exert his strength, a chilling aura of death traveled up the crossed swords and began seeping into Johan’s body.

The spirits Johan wielded strongly pushed out their energy. Johan was dumbfounded.

‘𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴, 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘬𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵?’

It was bizarre to see someone walking on two legs normally spread such an aura. No matter how he thought about it, it was a curious thing.

“Fake Sir Karamaf. Don’t you intend to answer me?”

“. . . .”

“It seems you can’t even speak.”

Johan attacked again alongside his words. Though the unpleasant aura of death was annoying, Johan possessed a strong vitality and was protected by his spirits. He could endure it.

Even without a famed sword like the Seal Retriever in hand, he had defeated Karamaf before, so with such a sword now. . .

He set his posture, concentrated his strength throughout his body, and gripped the Seal Retriever tightly. Despite that, the Seal Retriever withstood Johan’s might. Something no famed sword had accomplished before.

With a roar, the sword flash flickered brightly. Karamaf’s armor was deeply gashed, spilling forth black blood.