How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 279: ๐“๐ก๐ž ๐…๐š๐ข๐ญ๐ก๐Ÿ๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐‚๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ (8)



Johan was speechless at the sight of the elf king, who claimed to have heard the whisperings of his heart.

How could he argue with a heartโ€™s whisperings?

โ€œI see. . .โ€

In fact, Johan realized that he didnโ€™t need to convince the elf king of his innocence. The elf king wasnโ€™t suspicious of Johan, but rather the pagans far to the east.

Johan couldnโ€™t care less if the elf king spent his nights worrying about the pagans to the east.

โ€œYour Majesty, you may have a point.โ€

โ€œFinally, the count listens to reason!โ€

The elf king rejoiced like a boy. He had been frustrated by Johanโ€™s resistance.

โ€œThe count is too lenient. However, there are times when one must show the ferocity of a beast. Otherwise, these vermin will continue to swarm.โ€

โ€œ?โ€

โ€œ???โ€

Suetlg, who stood nearby, and Gerdolf, who was escorting Suetlg, were puzzled.

โ€˜๐˜“๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ช๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ต. . .๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ?โ€™

Of course, Johan was known to be quite lenient among the feudal lords, but it didnโ€™t seem like the elf king was referring to that.

โ€œLet me execute that man personally, as a lesson to those plotting against you.โ€

โ€œIf you wish.โ€

Johan readily yielded. There were nobles who relished the opportunity to personally behead someone, but Johan wasnโ€™t particularly obsessed with such things. He saw no reason to get emotional over every single assassin.

The elf king nodded with delight at the offer to oversee an execution in someone elseโ€™s fiefdom. This gesture alone spoke volumes about the trust they had in each other.

โ€œIโ€™ll execute the men from the North as well.โ€

โ€œNo, that wonโ€™t do.โ€

Johan drew the line.

He didnโ€™t care how the assassins were executed, but the moment he started killing knights from the North, Johan knew he would be creating a new and bitter grudge.

Cardirian had already shown what could happen when one swung their sword indiscriminately.

Johan had no desire to become another one of those fools.

โ€˜๐˜ž๐˜ฆโ€™๐˜ท๐˜ฆ ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ค๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ข ๐˜ต๐˜ณ๐˜ถ๐˜ค๐˜ฆ, ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆโ€™๐˜ด ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜จ๐˜ฐ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ต ๐˜ง๐˜ข๐˜ณ.โ€™

โ€œBut. . . those men tried to kill the count! Surely there are others involved!โ€

The elf king protested, his voice filled with indignation. It wasnโ€™t that the elf king was ignorant of the political situation. He meant to sort out right from wrong, even with that in mind.

What was there to fear, even if the Northmen hurled insults and curses?

If one had a clear conscience, that was enough.

However, Johan would rather let the Northmen nurse their grudge than search for potential conspirators who might not even exist.

He knew better than anyone that such favors, though often overlooked due to their intangible nature, would eventually be returned.

The elf king tried to sway Johanโ€™s decision by weaving fabrications and slanders about the various underhanded tactics employed by the northern knights, but he could not change Johanโ€™s mind once it was set.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

The northern knights were escorted to their tents, stripped of their weapons, armor, and horses, but their spirits were low. Anyone with a head on their shoulders could tell what their current situation was, even if they didnโ€™t use their helmets as makeshift pillows.

The first to make a move was the masked knight. The masked knight removed his helmet, aware of the gazes upon him.

โ€œBiorarn-gong!โ€

The northern knights were shocked when Cardirianโ€™s third son revealed himself.

They had guessed that he was not a knight from an ordinary family, but they hadnโ€™t expected him to be the emperorโ€™s son.

It made sense for Biorarn of the Visalfurk family to conceal his lineage. Given the emperorโ€™s recent acts of blasphemy, he could have chosen to participate anonymously in order to atone for his familyโ€™s sins.

Under normal circumstances, they would have shown respect and camaraderie to someone of noble blood, but. . .

โ€œ. . .โ€

โ€œ. . .โ€

The atmosphere was tense and silent. The northern knights exchanged glances, realizing they shared similar thoughts.

โ€˜๐˜Š๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ญ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ด. . . ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ญ๐˜บ ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ด๐˜ช๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ซ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฃ?โ€™

Ordinarily, as fellow knights from the North, it was a matter of knightly honor to trust their comrade until he confessed, even if he had indeed hired assassins.

However, this time it was different. It was too much of a coincidence that Cardirianโ€™s son had participated while concealing his identity.

He couldnโ€™t be unaware of everyoneโ€™s thoughts. Biorarn spoke, growling like a wounded beast.

โ€œI swear on my honor as a knight and a member of my family that I had absolutely no part in this cowardly plot!โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

Sometimes, silence could be more insulting than any rebuttal. Biorarn seized the nearest knight by the collar.

โ€œSpeak your mind, man!โ€

โ€œLet go of me! Your Excellency, do you think this behavior is honorable?โ€

โ€œYou lot ganged up on the count, and you dare to speak of honor?!โ€

โ€œItโ€™s better than a knight who hides his face and lineage!โ€

Someone shouted. Biorarnโ€™s eyes turned bloodshot with fury.

โ€œCome out! Who said that!โ€

But the more he reacted this way, the worse the situation became. The northern knights looked at Biorarn with eyes full of bewilderment and suspicion. Even the knights who respected Biorarnโ€™s honor were pressured by the atmosphere and couldnโ€™t speak up.

โ€œGentlemen. . .should we return later if youโ€™re in the middle of a discussion?โ€

The slave in charge of delivering messages, Geoffrey, asked curiously, sensing the tense atmosphere inside.

The murderous tension was such that it felt like a duel was about to break out.

โ€œNo. Have you a message from His Excellency Count?โ€

โ€œYes.โ€

โ€œSpeak. I shall listen.โ€

โ€œHis Excellency Count respects your honor. He wishes you to know that he regrets this situation.โ€

โ€œI understand.โ€

This was a customary statement. It was common to express regret no matter who was being executed or imprisoned. Even Cardirian had expressed regret before beheading the feudal lords.

โ€œHis Excellency Count apologizes for the abrupt end to the honorable tournament.โ€

โ€œI see.โ€

โ€œNow that the message has been delivered, you may return to your barracks.โ€

โ€œ. . .????โ€

One of the knights stood up in bewilderment.

โ€œWhy is that?โ€

โ€œA. . . Are we really allowed to leave?โ€

โ€œDo you. . . have anything else to say?โ€

โ€œShouldnโ€™t we find the mastermind behind the assassination attempt?โ€

Geoffrey looked at the knight with disbelief. To put it bluntly, his gaze seemed to say, โ€˜๐˜ ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถโ€™๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ง๐˜ณ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฎ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜•๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ, ๐˜ด๐˜ฉ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ญ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฏโ€™๐˜ต ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ ๐˜ฌ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฑ ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ณ ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ ๐˜ด๐˜ฉ๐˜ถ๐˜ต? ๐˜ž๐˜ฉ๐˜บ ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ ๐˜ต๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ฌ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ข๐˜ฃ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ต ๐˜ง๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฎ๐˜ข๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ?โ€™

It was as if the rat was expressing concern for the cat, and the knight, realizing this, turned red in the face.

โ€œWe found the mastermind. The assassin confessed.โ€

โ€œWho is it?!โ€

โ€œHe said it was a pagan from the east.โ€

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

โ€œDid someone else hire him. . .?โ€

โ€œEnough. Please.โ€

One of the older knights silenced the knight who was about to ask a tactless question. There was nothing good that could come from prying further.

If the count showed mercy and let them go, they would leave gratefully. If they foolishly insisted, โ€˜๐˜•๐˜ฐ, ๐˜ธ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฎ๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜ง๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ค๐˜ถ๐˜ญ๐˜ฑ๐˜ณ๐˜ช๐˜ต,โ€™ even the count would be baffled.

They werenโ€™t asking to be killed together. . .

โ€œPlease convey our gratitude to His Excellency Count.โ€

โ€œYes, I shall.โ€

As Geoffrey left, the tension in the tent dissipated like a loosened string. Several knights let out sighs of relief. Things had been resolved much more peacefully than they had expected.

โ€œDid someone else hire him? Have you ever seen such a fool of a knight? What did you think you would accomplish by asking that?โ€

โ€œMy apologies, Your Excellency.โ€

โ€œDonโ€™t be so harsh. Sir, didnโ€™t it turn out well?โ€

โ€œIf not for the countโ€™s generosity, many would have died.โ€

The knights, who had been engaged in a friendly conversation, suddenly felt someoneโ€™s gaze and looked up.

Biorarn was glaring at them like a predator.

โ€œ. . . . . .โ€

The atmosphere had calmed down somewhat, but none of the knights stepped forward to apologize to Biorarn. The knights hadnโ€™t completely let go of their suspicions in the first place.

โ€œThen I shall take my leave.โ€

โ€œI too. . .โ€

As the knights turned to leave, a few who were close to Biorarn patted him on the shoulder in consolation. Biorarn hung his head in humiliation.

๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ๐Ÿ”ธ

Although the tournament had ended somewhat ambiguously, the banquet was held as promised. The crowd that had gathered to watch quickly forgot their troubles and became drunk, chanting Johanโ€™s name.

The mountains of food and the rivers of alcohol were enough to satisfy the excited spectators.

While feasts were held all over the vast tournament grounds, a special banquet was held in the center for those who had distinguished themselves. Knights who had performed exceptionally well and knights from renowned families were in attendance.

The elf king kept glancing at Biorarn, his eyebrows furrowed. It was obvious that he was looking at Biorarn after every sip of wine.

โ€œYour Majesty.โ€

โ€œ. . .I said nothing.โ€

โ€œHow about you praise the outstanding knights?โ€

Only after Johan said this did the elf king look away. The knights whose eyes met his bowed their heads respectfully. The elf king was a terrible lord, but he was a splendid knight.

โ€œHowever. . . thereโ€™s no one worthy of praise. . .โ€

โ€œ. . .What are you talking about?โ€

Johan was shocked to realize that the elf king was being serious. Come on, really?

โ€œLook, count. They didnโ€™t exactly cover themselves in glory during the tournament.โ€

โ€œLeave those men out of it. Didnโ€™t Biorarn-gong act quite honorably?โ€

โ€œThat suspicious man?! I should have him interrogated, honestly!โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s water under the bridge.โ€

The knights who were attending the banquet were intrigued by the whispered conversation between Johan and the elf king. They were quite curious about what the two were talking about.

โ€œI am honored to be here, Your Excellency Count. I have participated in many tournaments, but none have been as joyous and honorable as this one.โ€

An old knight from the North said, and the other knights nodded in agreement.

As the saying goes, one good turn deserves another. If Johan had shown mercy, the northern knights had to offer at least a polite toast.

The elf king muttered under his breath, โ€™๐˜Š๐˜ฐ๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜ฅ๐˜ด. . .โ€™ but fortunately, it was too noisy and far away to be heard.

โ€œThank you, sir.โ€

โ€œMay His Excellency Count be blessed by God!โ€

โ€œMay His Excellency Count be blessed by God!โ€

After the cheerful toasts, a tipsy noble stood up. Johan was about to take a sip of wine when he recognized the manโ€™s face and paused. It was the Castellan of Vipen, famous for his sermons.

โ€˜๐˜๐˜ฆ ๐˜๐˜ด๐˜ฏโ€™๐˜ต ๐˜จ๐˜ฐ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜ณ๐˜ถ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ?โ€™

However, Johan didnโ€™t mind if the knights were annoyed by a sermon.

In fact, it was rather amusing.

Johan didnโ€™t stop him and let him continue.

โ€œEveryone! I am here today to denounce the atrocities of the pagans!โ€

โ€œ. . .?โ€

The knights turned their heads at the unexpectedly passionate sermon. Encouraged by the attention, the castellan continued his speech with vigor.

โ€œYou are all aware of the recent events. The pagans dared to seize all of His Excellency Countโ€™s ships and confiscate his wealth!โ€

The knights, already quite drunk, shouted curses in excitement. Johan was slightly surprised that the fact that one of his merchant ships had been detained had been so greatly exaggerated and spread.

โ€˜๐˜•๐˜ฐ. . . ๐˜ฃ๐˜ถ๐˜ต ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฐ๐˜ธ ๐˜ฅ๐˜ช๐˜ฅ ๐˜ช๐˜ต ๐˜ด๐˜ฑ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ฅ ๐˜ด๐˜ฐ ๐˜ธ๐˜ช๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜บ?โ€™

Why on earth?

โ€œIf that was all, they could simply be dismissed as greedy vermin. But they even sent assassins. What does this mean?โ€

โ€œDamn them!โ€

โ€œYes! Damn them! May God curse them!โ€

โ€˜. . .๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ฎ๐˜ฐ๐˜ด๐˜ฑ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ช๐˜ด ๐˜จ๐˜ฆ๐˜ต๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ.โ€™

Contrary to his expectations, the sermon was progressing enjoyably. This wasnโ€™t so bad either. After all, the visiting knights would be able to return home having been treated very hospitably.

โ€œ. . .I swear!โ€

One of the knights jumped up from his seat and overturned a table. He was clearly drunk.

โ€œWhat do you swear?โ€

โ€œI swear on my family and my honor that I will punish the cowards of the East and make them kneel before me. Thus shall I clear my name of suspicion and restore my honor! By fulfilling this sacred oath, I shall reclaim my familyโ€™s faith!โ€

The knight who had shouted was Biorarn. The northern knights seemed genuinely impressed by his words.

โ€œI apologize for my rudeness, Your Excellency! I too shall swear an oath. I will bring forth the cowards of the East who sent the assassins!โ€


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