He was bound to get stabbed from the assassin’s perspective since he had taken the count place.

However, Olafsethan’s words were not for Count Shirivik.

“Among the emperor’s wizards, there are quite a few suspicious ones. You know? There’s a guy named Boutellner. He handles some pretty evil magic. . .”

There were many wizards working around the emperor and some came and went so Olafsethan didn’t know them all. But there were some noticeable ones.

One of them was Boutellner.

“There have been dubious rumors about this guy for a while. I heard he caused assassination incidents even in other nobles’ courts. There was a rumor that he advised the emperor to hire assassins. . . I’m certain of it, your excellency. You should increase security and scrutinize those entering more thoroughly.”

In fact, even without Olafsethan saying so, Johan was already thoroughly prepared.

Since he was in a position to assassinate others himself, he had no choice but to be careful of himself as well.

Johan was confident he was much better prepared than other nobles. It’s easier to prepare when you know the tricks so well.

‘𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘮𝘦.’

They could target someone like Suetlg or Iselia. Though not effective, the emperor wasn’t necessarily such a cold, rational person. If he wanted revenge somehow, he could have done anything.

“Thank you. I will increase vigilance. This camp is already difficult for outsiders to enter, but thanks to you, it will be even safer.”

Hearing Johan’s words, Olafsethan felt relieved.

For him, winning over this young count was most important right now. He wanted to use various means but was caught empty-handed.

But Olafsethan was confident.

In terms of age alone, he was nearly twice as old as this young count.

He had golden, seasoned experience. And he had the counsel of the skilled wizard, Jyanina. Olafsethan’s confidence was overflowing.

“If it pleases you, I have a few more things to say.”

‘𝘋𝘢𝘮𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘫𝘦𝘳𝘬 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘺.’

Johan cursed Olafsethan in his head. He was an emperor’s child and Johan had to get intel so he treated him well but his pointless blabber was getting on his nerves.

Most of all, it was absurd for Olafsethan to repeat Johan’s words to Jyanina as if they were some great scheme.

Having to rely on Jyanina so much when he has no one to trust. . .

“After the emperor falls, think about the future Empire, count. Making too many concessions to the elf king and other feudal lords will lead to nothing good. If they control the political landscape, there will be little left for the count.”

“Oh.”

“Luckily, the count has great fame and there are many nobles favorably disposed to you, your excellency. You should join hands with them. Of course, when I return to my family, I can assist the count as well.”

“Oh. . .”

Johan had a talent for pretending to listen attentively when he had no interest. Elated, Olafsethan spouted his perspective.

“Right. Count. Do you know the Count Palenglit?”

“I know him.”

As one of the feudal lords of the alliance, his title was Count but his influence was not that great for a feudal lord. After all, if your fiefdom is not large, there is a limit to the power you can wield.

“He seems to be quite capable. Didn’t he also have a merchant guild?”

“That Count may have been in collusion with the Emperor.”

“. . .!”

“This is not certain, but I overheard the Emperor mention it once. He said there was a collaborator among the feudal lords, so I looked into it a bit.”

Johan once again realized how bad the relationship between the emperor’s family was. Eavesdropping on conversations and secretly attaching people to follow them is basic.

‘𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳?’

The nobles were not the kind to clearly distinguish between black and white when fighting.

Once you cross over a bit, bloodlines get entangled, so changing sides was much more common than one would think.

You fight and get captured so you switch over, or you send envoys to persuade and they come over to this side.

That’s why even when there was talk of a collaborator, there wasn’t too much concern. With so many feudal lords and nobles gathered, if there wasn’t at least one person leaking information to the Emperor’s side, that would be stranger.

However. . .

‘𝘋𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘵?’

That’s why he suspected someone among the knights, so this was an entirely unexpected name.

Count Palenglit was a merchant by origin and was far removed from valor. He was not someone who personally took to the battlefield either. He made a name for himself in the alliance by providing supplies and silver.

‘𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬.’

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

“Is His Majesty awake?”

“No, he still cannot get up. . . His injuries are too serious. . .”

“Then I will take command.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. What makes you think you can?”

As soon as he spoke, Volgarek, Cardirian’s second son, twisted his face angrily at the instant rebuttal. The servants had fearful looks on their faces seeing his reaction.

While the first son Olafsethan inherited Cardirian’s wisdom and the third son Biorarn inherited his bravery, rumours said that Volgarek inherited his ruthless personality.

However, Biorarn, having inherited bravery, did not even blink at Volgarek’s words.

“Do you not know the current situation?! If someone does not step up to command the feudal lords, they may scatter!”

“That does not mean you should be the one commanding them, Volgarek. Who would listen to your command?”

Biorarn pointed out matter-of-factly. Volgarek’s charisma was in no way comparable to the emperor’s. The feudal lords would definitely not just stand by.

“Then tell me the alternative!”

“We have to wait until His Majesty wakes up. While firmly defending this place together with the other feudal lords.”

“. . . . . .”

Unable to find flaws in the sensible words, Volgarek pursed his lips. He would have preferred if Biorarn actively stepped up so he could find some fault, but with this response he was left with nothing to say.

Right now, the feudal lords of the emperor’s faction were gathered here, forming a large army.

It was to prevent the enemy from taking advantage of the momentum to advance deep into the south.

With the lightly armed soldiers gathered together and building a camp, it would take more than a normal attack to damage it. All they needed was for the emperor to wake up here.

𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠!

As Volgarek angrily stormed out the door, the servants heaved a sigh of relief. Biorarn did not leave, instead waiting inside to call the wizard.

“How is it?”

“I think we need to observe a little longer. . . Now that the dangerous situation has passed. . .”

“I see. You have worked hard.”

“Not at all!”

“It would be best to do your utmost. If His Majesty dies, you will be executed as well.”

“. . . . . .”

The wizard’s face froze. Biorarn waved his hand.

“It seems there has been some misunderstanding.”

“A-A joke. . .?”

“No. I meant the other nobles would kill you, not me. They really dislike you.”

These people who would not normally even lift their heads high without the emperor’s formal employment were now strutting arrogantly, earning the resentment of many nobles.

If the emperor died, the nobles planned to prosecute them with charges of heresy and paganism, sending them all to trial.

The flustered wizard cried out.

“Biorarn-nim must save us!”

“Why must I save wizards?”

“. . . . . .”

“Just do your best. If you save him, problem solved right? His Majesty has many enemies after all. You should stake your lives to save him.”

The wizard’s face turned ashen, but Biorarn paid him no mind.

“Biorarn-gong, the enemy has come out to provoke us.”

“Pass down the order for the knights not to respond.”

Although he spoke as such, Biorarn was well aware that the knights would likely ignore the order. After all, if it was him who received such an order, he would have ignored it too.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

The two armies faced each other, but the fights broke out only sporadically. Knights from both sides who wanted to make a name for themselves charged out one by one, shouting out their family names and challenging the enemy.

Then a knight would come out from the other side to take up the challenge, their lances clashing and swords swinging. Most fights ended before a conclusion was reached, with both sides’ lances completely shattered, and occasionally when a victor did emerge, a roar would rise from that side’s camp.

However, these were only young knights hungry for fame or mercenaries with their eyes on the rewards, not famous nobles.

Both sides knew there was no need to fight meaningless battles now.

The opponent would only send out famous knights if those on this side were of comparable status. If not, the lower knights just clashed amongst themselves and withdrew.

“Count Palenglit.”

“Yes!”

“Please speak freely.”

The Count Palenglit acted extremely politely before Johan despite being a feudal lord of equal rank and young enough to be his son. If anyone saw, they would have mocked him for being too cowardly.

“Ah. . . no, Count.”

‘𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭.’

Johan looked the Count up and down carefully. He seemed genuinely nervous and not putting on an act.

‘𝘏𝘶𝘩?’

Johan realized the pattern on the Count’s jewelry seemed oddly familiar.

‘𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦?’

Johan knitted his brows. The Count shook in fear at his sudden change in expression.

“Oh.”

After thinking it over, Johan finally remembered. It was similar to the pattern on the pagan treasures he had found in the ancient Empire ruins that the mercenaries had been cursed by.

“Count, do you believe in other gods?”

When Johan asked, pointing at the pattern, the Count’s expression changed completely. His eyes wide, he glared at Johan, his hands shaking violently. He looked about to attack Johan at any moment.

“Don’t do anything stupid. I’m not someone you can beat.”

While Johan had plenty of experience with reckless young knights thoughtlessly attacking him, it was quite shocking to see this man who looked like he had never even properly held a sword before on the verge of attacking him.

Perhaps Johan’s warning brought the Count’s mind back, as he stopped moving.

“Count, believe what you wish, but I’ve no intention of reporting you to the clergy.”

“. . .Truly?”

“Yes. I too have met the god you believe in at those ruins. What was that god’s name again?”

“Kermetis. Kermetis!”

Kermetis, one of the pagan gods, was the god of earth and life. The famously devout Johan claiming to have met such a god was unbelievable to the Count, who looked at him with wary eyes.

Johan lightly cut his palm with a dagger. The wound quickly healed at an unbelievable pace.

“See?”

“Oh. . . Oh my! I-I’m sorry, Your Excellency Count. To think Your Excellency Count believes in the same god as I!”

Johan was about to correct him that it wasn’t true, but held his tongue. There was no benefit in stimulating the man when he had just calmed down.

“I didn’t call you because of faith, but because of the accusations that came to the count. I heard rumors that you are colluding with the emperor faction.”

“. . .Your Excellency Count. Will you believe me if I tell you the truth?”

“Are we not brothers of the same faith? If we don’t trust each other, who will?”

The count was not a carefree person to the extent that he could speak easily even though Johan had a high reputation and commanded many soldiers. It is only natural for people of different faiths to be suspicious and cautious for a long time.

However, the joy of meeting the same faith here definitively relaxed the sense of caution. The count confessed straight away.

“I was made an offer. But please believe me! I really didn’t reveal any information. At best. . .”

“It must have been because of threats. I understand.”

At Johan’s words, the count nodded with a moved expression.

‘𝘕𝘰. 𝘐𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴.’

Just in case, he checked and it really was because of threats. It seemed that there was someone on the emperor faction side who knew about the count’s faith.

“You must have suffered a lot without anyone you could trust. But don’t worry anymore. I will help you.”

“Your excellency. . .!”

The count grabbed Johan’s outstretched hand tightly. This young count, who suddenly appeared in an anxious situation, felt like a divine messenger sent by God.