How to Live as a Wandering Knight - Chapter 268: 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞 (2)

“We haven’t figured out the whole situation yet, but it’s probably fine. It’s likely that the expedition members will be fine since they’ve dealt with similar situations several times.”

“Yes. . .”

The dwarves had no choice but to reveal their hidden intentions. They couldn’t hide anything from the count’s questions, even though he hadn’t shouted at them or used any tricks. His logical approach was impeccable.

“It’s good to have faith in the expedition team, but there’s always a chance of something going wrong. We need to be more thorough in our preparations and not rush into things.”

“. . .Our thinking was shortsighted.”

The elderly dwarves had never imagined that they would be lectured by a young human lord for being reckless.

However, the count’s words were not wrong.

“How will the rescue team be organized?”

“We will go in first to assess the situation, and if we can’t resolve it, additional support will arrive from our clan, Count.”

“I see. However, if there is a mistake or failure along the way, the expedition team that went in first will be in danger.”

Johan’s words were true. If the first attempt failed, the chances of success decreased. It would take time for reinforcements to arrive, and if they failed twice, it usually meant that a very strong monster had taken up residence in the mine.

“That is true, but. . .”

“I can’t just leave guests who have come to my fiefdom in danger. I will help you with some of my brave and capable men.”

“Thank you, Count!”

One of the dwarven craftsmen responded with a moved voice. He was a dwarf who had been ostracized by the other dwarves for submitting a flawed design.

He was already grateful to the young count for showing interest in him and acknowledging his work, but now he was truly touched by the count’s thoughtfulness.

Usually, feudal lords did not look after individual craftsmen. Their relationship was strictly financial, with no further obligations. If expensive craftsmen disappeared, it was their own problem, and the feudal lord would not worry about it.

Among these feudal lords, this young man was truly generous. . .

“What are you thankful for?! Are you crazy?!”

Benglong whispered in a low voice, terrified. He even used the old dwarven dialect in case the count overheard.

Of course, he was grateful for the generous and kind offer, but they were not here to volunteer; they were here to do business. They had to find the vein, develop the mine, and receive a fair price from the count.

Somehow, during the preparation process, they had ended up preparing under the count’s leadership, and now they were going to have the count’s help in contacting the missing expedition team?

If this happened, the dwarves would be too ashamed to claim their share even after the job was done. If the other dwarven clans heard about this, they would surely scold them, saying, ’𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘨𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘦?’

“But why not? His Excellency the Count is offering to help.”

“You have to think about the future! How are we going to repay him if we accept his help?”

“W. . . Well, we can’t refuse his kindness, can we?”

“Okay, okay. Don’t be so harsh. The dwarves are just worried about their comrade. They’re not crazy. In fact, it’s an honor.”

“. . .??!”

Benglong’s face turned pale as he listened.

The count in front of him could understand the dwarven dialect!

“Y. . . Your Excellency. . . What I just said. . . It wasn’t meant to be disrespectful to you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Now, let’s stop arguing and prepare the rescue team.”

Johan spoke decisively, and the argument ended there. Johan had the authority to push through whatever he wanted.

What was truly frightening was that he didn’t do that. He convinced them one step at a time. Benglong began to feel like the count in front of him was a monster in human skin.

‘𝘞. . . 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵. . .’

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

The loss of contact from the mine was not enough to determine the severity of the situation. Sometimes, contact was lost even when nothing serious was happening.

It was the rule to send regular updates, but it wasn’t always possible to follow the rules.

There were times when they had to wait a while without sending any updates if they lost the small bird they used to send messages or if the messenger who was supposed to go up and deliver the message couldn’t find a suitable path.

“But even so, there are times when it’s dangerous. There are always vicious creatures in the mines.”

“I know.”

Suetlg wanted to go with them, but Johan wanted him to assist Iselia in his absence. Iselia was an excellent knight, but she was a bit. . .

Reckless.

Caenerna sat still with an indifferent expression. She had already expected that Suetlg would be excluded.

He was old, and Suetlg knew everything that happened in Johan’s camp. Johan would need Suetlg to stay behind so that things would run smoothly.

However, they couldn’t enter the underground mine without a wizard.

There was only one choice left.

“Jyanina. Come down with me.”

““Why?!””

The two voices overlapped. Jyanina and Caenerna looked at each other. Unlike Caenerna, who hesitated with embarrassment, Jyanina spoke up first.

“Your Excellency! You know how skilled Caenerna-gong is!”

‘. . .𝘐 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘑𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘢’𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺.’

Caenerna was taken aback.

For a wizard with a typically arrogant and prideful personality, not being chosen for a mission in the lord’s camp was humiliating.

However, Jyanina was the epitome of a petty character, even in the emperor’s court. She was someone who aimed to be treated easily and comfortably, not caring if her abilities were recognized or not.

“But Jyanina-gong. Aren’t you the most knowledgeable about monsters?”

“. . . . . .”

Jyanina momentarily cursed her own magical abilities. Why did she have to get involved in this kind of magical ability?

‘𝘐 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘦-𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨. . .’

The collected Caenerna raised her hand. Caenerna spoke confidently in her characteristic languid voice.

“Your Excellency. I acknowledge Jyanina-gong’s abilities, but won’t we need the power of fire when we go underground?”

“I was hoping Caenerna-gong would use the Fire Goblet to contact us.”

“. . .Couldn’t Suetlg-nim do that just as well?”

Caenerna asked, dumbfounded. If she wasn’t a wizard, that would be understandable, but Johan had been using magic for quite some time now, so why was he still saying such ridiculous things?

“Ah. Now that you mention it, that would work.”

“Then can I join?”

“But. . .”

Caenerna thought Johan would accept immediately, but she frowned and glared at him.

Shee didn’t understand why he wanted to take Jyanina but leave her above.

“It’s dangerous.”

“. . . . . .”

‘𝘚𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘣*𝘵𝘤𝘩. . .’

Jyanina cursed her lord inwardly. Johan seemed to have forgotten, but she wasn’t a mercenary or a swordsman; she was a wizard.

Caenerna’s face softened slightly at Johan’s sincere words. Caenerna spoke in a slightly humble voice.

“I don’t think we need to worry about that. I have the ability to protect myself. And more importantly, I’ll be with Your Excellency Count, won’t I?”

“Then let’s go down together. I think it will be much more reassuring if you’re there.”

Johan’s words made Caenerna nod happily. Jyanina spoke quietly from the side.

“If Caenerna-gong is going, then I. . .”

“You should come too.”

“. . .Yes. . .”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Water containers, ropes, food, mining tools, and magical items for communication. . .

The more luggage they had, the better, but that wasn’t realistic. Except for Johan.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes.”

The dwarves were amazed by the count’s incredible strength, as he lifted the heavy luggage without breaking a sweat. They didn’t even notice the extraordinary fact that the count himself was carrying the luggage.

“What is this?!”

“A fire and light spirit.”

Instead of a heavy and oily lantern, Caenerna summoned a firefly spirit. It was a spirit that illuminated the way with light instead of heat.

The dwarves were once again impressed by the fact that the count’s court was full of capable people.

“. . .??”

Jyanina was flustered by the dwarves’ gazes, which were fixed on her. They were looking at her with anticipation.

“Your Excellency. The dwarves keep staring at me.”

“They seem to be expecting you to show them some magic.”

“There are no monsters yet, so what kind of magic do you want me to show them?”

“Huh. . . It’s not my fault that you’re incompetent, is it?”

Jyanina was speechless at Johan’s overly honest words.

He was right, though.

‘𝘐 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦.’

Jyanina pretended not to see, but the dwarves still looked at her with expectant eyes.

Surely, as a wizard, she would show them some amazing magic that was different from Caenerna-gong’s!

“It’s a bit sad, though.”

“The dwarven expedition team? I’m worried about them, but I don’t think Your Excellency needs to worry. They went down there knowing what they were getting into. And dwarves are tougher and stronger than you think.”

“No. I’m talking about Jyanina.”

“. . .Surely she’s not Your Excellency’s daughter?”

It was ridiculous to worry about a fully grown wizard like that. Should Jyanina be ashamed, or was the count strange, or maybe it was both?

“I’m careful when I’m with Iselia, so she’s not my daughter.”

“I was joking, Your Excellency.”

“That’s why I took it as a joke.”

Caenerna chuckled. It had been a long time since she had had a conversation like this with the count. And she still found it difficult to win.

“It’s not just because she’s not my daughter, but I care about everyone who works for me. No matter how low-ranking they are, if I don’t take good care of them, they might become resentful someday.”

“. . .!”

Caenerna felt like she had a glimpse of the root of Johan’s leadership skills.

Sometimes, she wondered how people from different races and backgrounds were so loyal to him. Even Caenerna herself, who was by Johan’s side because of their friendship, couldn’t understand it.

But now that she heard this, she felt like she had a glimpse of it.

Where else could you find a lord who cared for his subordinates one by one like this? Especially someone like Jyanina.

‘𝘐 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧.’

Caenerna reflected. The count was so considerate, but she was jealous as a wizard.

“The happiest moment for a wizard is when they understand and unravel a mystery.”

“I’ll have to ask you to dissect the monster when we catch it.”

“. . .I’m not sure about that. . .”

It was questionable whether Jyanina would enjoy that.

“And the next best thing. . . I guess it’s being recognized as a wizard. It’s surprisingly difficult for wizards to be treated well.”

Before a wizard could build a solid reputation and establish connections with various nobles, their life was extremely difficult.

If they were unlucky, they could be accused of heresy, and who would support their research?

“I brought Jyanina on this expedition because I recognize her abilities, so I guess that’s okay.”

“Well. . . Maybe. How about asking the dwarves to recognize her by asking her about monsters?”

“Not a bad idea.”

Johan called Jyanina. Jyanina was startled and raised her head.

“Why did you call me?”

“Can you tell us about the monsters we might encounter in this underground mine? You can teach the dwarves a thing or two.”

“C. . . Can I?”

The dwarves also listened humbly, even though they actually knew quite a lot about the monsters they could encounter as they gained experience.

As a wizard, she could tell them things they didn’t know.

“First of all, there might be creatures like goblins who live in caves and build burrows.”

“Oh. How can you tell?”

“You can tell by shining a light on the cave walls. Goblins leave marks to help them navigate their complex underground caves. . . .Like that!!”

“E-Excuse me, wizard-nim. That’s a mark left by our expedition team.”