How to Live as a Wandering Knight - Chapter 261: 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 (1)

‘𝘏𝘮𝘮.’

Johan thought of himself as a fairly pragmatic person. He wasn’t even that obsessed with revenge against the emperor who had massacred his family.

However, his hometown where he spent his childhood in this world felt different. If possible, he wanted to keep it as his fiefdom.

“Why are you making that face, my dear?”

Iselia asked, looking puzzled. Iselia was simply enjoying the moment of being on the move, having left the camp. Her expression was calm, but her ear tips were twitching slightly.

“The fiefdom we’re going to now was originally owned by my family.”

“!”

Iselia gasped in surprise.

“Is that so? Then we must definitely take it back!”

As an elf aristocrat, Iselia valued family and honor. It was more painful than having her heart torn out to have a fiefdom that her family had owned taken away by someone else.

How much must it have pained Johan to see his rightful fiefdom in the hands of someone else?

When she thought about it, Iselia felt like her heart was breaking. She took Johan’s hand and looked at him with pity.

“. . .What’s that look?”

“I didn’t think you would be so upset.”

“No. I wasn’t really upset.”

Johan was taken aback when Iselia had a strange thought. Usually, it was Johan who would look at Iselia with pity, not the other way around.

“Do you think I’m the type of person to be upset about losing a piece of land?”

“Now that you mention it, it doesn’t seem like it.”

Iselia quickly understood. When she thought about it, Johan had quite a cheeky side to him.

Nobles who had never spoken to him properly would think of Johan as a strong and unshakable knight among knights, but his actual personality was quite different.

In fact, that personality was closer to Iselia’s, and Johan was a person who could easily change his attitude depending on the situation.

“But even if we get it back, it wouldn’t be bad, right?”

Iselia nodded vigorously at Johan’s words. As a knight, she couldn’t help but understand his feelings.

“But. . . isn’t it too many people to come for just one castle?”

Johan turned around in surprise. It was understandable that there were so many troops under his direct command, including the nobles, even Suetlg and Caenerna had joined the expedition.

Not all castles were the same. A castle with steep terrain, a moat, and stone walls would be impregnable, but a castle with flat terrain, no moat, and wooden walls could be easily taken by a mercenary band of just a few dozen.

The castle they were heading to, Tidellen, was just such a castle.

“I guess no one wanted to take care of things in your absence.”

The southern nobles were so eager to please that some of them even approached mercenary captains to speak to them. By that point, the mercenaries were too baffled to respond.

━𝐔𝐦, 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈’𝐦 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧.

━𝐘𝐞𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭, 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧’𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮?

━𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫? 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬?

“Well, it’s not a bad thing to have a lot of people. We don’t need to wait long with one castle. . .”

Iselia nodded her head and said, ‘𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵?’

“There’s also a high possibility that the enemy castellan will come out first.”

“That’s true too.”

In the elf kingdom where Iselia was from, they did not drag out sieges in areas without castles. They would either flee or come out and surrender.

If the enemy castellan has his head screwed on straight, he will make the right decision.”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Tidelen’s castellan was much more calm than Johan or the other lords thought.

The administrator who worked under him was even more restless.

“Sir Castellan. I heard that the emperor’s army has retreated to the north.”

“Yes, I heard that too.”

The castellan nodded.

Originally, he was not a feudal lord of this area. He used to be a minor nobleman who lived in that northern city.

Even if one is born into a large family, if they do not inherit a fiefdom, they are nothing. Even more so if it is a small family. So it is natural for a low-ranking noble to be moved to have ascended to such a castellan position.

’𝘋𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨?’

The administrator was not a noble, but he had lived in this area for a long time, so he knew well who this castellan was and how he became a feudal lord.

He was able to sit in the seat because he was from a family in this area and caught the eye of one of the emperor’s vassals.

The castellan seemed to believe that it was only natural for him to sit in this seat and that it was a right given to him by God. ‘𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘧 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦, 𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘧 𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦. . .’

But that did not change reality.

Even though the administrator did not know much about the politics of the Empire, he felt that the great feudal lords of the west would not leave this castellan alone now that the emperor’s army was gone.

‘𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸. . .’

But the castellan, without any intention of bribing or negotiating, was comfortably enjoying his drink, holed up in his own castle.

’𝘋𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯?’

“Lord Castellan! Lord Castellan!!”

“What’s all this noise?”

A soldier ran up from below. To call him a soldier was a stretch; he was more like a slave brought by the castellan, who had been handed a spear. Considering the people inside the castle, this was enough of a deterrent.

“The army, the army of Count Yeats is approaching this way!”

“So it has come!”

The administrator dropped the glass he was holding. The loud noise went unnoticed. The administrator frantically thought about when to flee.

The castellan did not move. His calm demeanor surprised both the administrator and the soldier.

“Lord Castellan. The army of Count Yeats is approaching. Did you hear that correctly?”

Who was Count Yeats again?

Even the castellan, who had little interest in knights, knew his name; he was a famous knight of the Empire.

Once, Sir Karamaf, the most famous knight in the empire, disappeared. His fame was so great that other ambitious knights had not yet made a name for themselves.

His stories were so numerous that some people were suspicious that they were not true. It was hard to believe that such an achievement could be made at such a young age.

“I heard.”

“Do you have any plans?”

“It’s stupid.”

“. . .?”

“Of course it’s a rumor. Why would a count come here?”

“. . . . . .”

The administrator and the soldiers were speechless at the bold words.

However, the castellan was serious.

“Think about it. The count is currently chasing the emperor’s army and making a name for himself. Is there any reason why he would come down here?”

“That. . . That makes sense.”

The administrator, who at first thought it was nonsense, felt persuaded as he listened. No, he might have wanted to believe it.

The administrator did not realize that he was doing the same thing as the castellan he had just cursed.

“Still, the rumors are too detailed. . .”

“Those rumors are probably from the bandits that have been plaguing this area. If the count is coming, the villagers will run away.”

The castellan nodded in agreement.

“And think about it. Count Yeats is a knight of honor and faith. Why would he come to me, who was granted this fiefdom by the Empire’s just laws?”

‘𝘕𝘰 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵. . .’

The administrator was brought back to reality by the castellan’s nonsense.

Of course, the procedure was properly followed, but all the nobles in the Empire with eyes knew the truth. The castellan had become lord of this land with the emperor’s power.

The western feudal lords would not let that stand. They would find some way to expel him, no matter what the charge.

‘𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘐 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺?’

The administrator’s thoughts were cut short. The first of Johan’s soldiers arrived at the castle and sounded their horns.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

“The fiefdom is not bad.”

Johan had not yet reached his original town, but the towns he had seen so far were not in bad shape. When they saw Johan, the serfs fled with frightened expressions on their faces.

“Joseph, have you ever returned since you escaped?”

“Of course not.”

Joseph shook his head with a wry smile. He had originally been living a wandering life, and he had only stayed in the village for a short time. Why would he return to that village with any regrets? He could be beheaded if he was caught.

Before Johan could even approach, the village chief came out of the nearby village. He had come out early to prepare for any eventuality.

“C-Count, it is an honor to meet you.”

The village chief spoke in a trembling voice, prostrating himself on the ground. He could not even look Johan in the eye.

The village chief knew that the war had not yet reached here, but he had heard the rumors. Several villages had been burned and looted. The eyes of the soldiers lined up behind the count were chilling.

“Yes, you have worked hard.”

Johan signaled, and the guard next to him took out a purse and threw it to the village chief. The village chief’s eyes sparkled at the jingling sound.

“If we accidentally hurt any of the animals you raise while passing by, we should pay for them in advance.”

“Oh. . . no. . . thank you! Thank you so much!”

Johan gestured for him to go in as if it was settled. The village chief bowed several times and then went in.

The mercenaries did not seem surprised or anything, and they carefully observed the surroundings. Johan could afford to be relaxed, but not his subordinates. They had to be prepared for any ambushes or attacks.

“He’s really here?”

However, there was no need for that. When they arrived at the castle, the castellan was standing in front of the wide-open castle gate. Soldiers who had run ahead were standing next to him, as if guarding him.

“Your Excellency Count. It is an honor to meet you.”

“I am also pleased to meet you, Castellan.”

The castellan felt relieved at Johan’s reaction, which was more favorable than he had expected. ’𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺. . .’

But that was it. Johan didn’t say another word and rode his horse into the castle. It was a clear act of ignoring him.

‘𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯.’

The administrator regretted that he had almost been fooled by the castellan’s words. The castellan’s pale face made it clear that he had not expected this at all.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Even without grabbing the castellan by the collar or tying him up and throwing him away, Johan’s will spread clearly.

Newly arrived administrators and village chiefs who came to the castle went straight to Johan. They immediately realized who was the master.

“Who is in charge of this town now?”

“T-That. . . a knight is ruling it.”

“I hope you’re not just picking a mercenary and making him a knight and calling him a knight.”

The castellan broke out in a cold sweat at Johan’s words. He had guessed it correctly. The emperor had given a town to a mercenary who had made a contribution.

“Y-Yes, that’s right.”

“Send someone to have him come here with his subordinates within three days.”

“It may be a little late due to the bad road, but. . .”

“Oh? If you want to be late, you can be late. I’ll understand if you’re late. Don’t you think so?”

“. . .No. I’ll go myself.”

Johan was demonstrating how to intimidate someone without using any threats to life, insults, or humiliation.

The castellan, who had been in a dream, realized as soon as he met Johan that he had to worry about his life first.

To avoid being caught on any charges and hanged, one should appear as pitiful and wretched as possible.

“He said he is currently preparing for a hunt and may be a little late. . .”

When a stupid-looking mercenary came and said that, the castellan’s anger exploded.

“If you don’t bring him here right now, I’ll twist his neck myself! Tell him that!”

He couldn’t believe that the mercenary captain, who had no sense of the situation, was talking nonsense when he was feeling anxious with his life on the line.

When the castellan, who usually didn’t say much, caused a commotion, the mercenary hurriedly returned.

“The castellan wants to meet the captain in person!”

“What? I told you, didn’t I? Does he think he’s really my lord?”

The mercenary captain stepped out with a frustrated expression. On the surface, that may be true, but in reality, they were both in the same position of having received land from the emperor. He couldn’t tolerate it if he tried to play the lord with that.

“Is that him?”

“Yes!”

“He looks like a dirty-natured guy, so just arrest him.”

“. . .?!”