How to Live as a Wandering Knight - Chapter 291: πππ«ππ§π ππ«π¬ (9)
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- Chapter 291: πππ«ππ§π ππ«π¬ (9)
Abundant resources can be plundered, but the chance to subdue a fierce spirit is a rare occurrence, even throughout a lifetime.
βWhy do you press on so persistently?β
Lamar averted his gaze when he saw the young Duke leisurely conversing with the spirit he had managed to subdue. His conventional wisdom seemed to be crumbling before his very eyes.
Everything from treating the giants like children to subduing the spirit with brute force.
βYou only say that because you have no need of it.β
βAlthough I understand that the opportunity to control a spirit is extremely rare, do I not already possess a spirit?β
The reason Johan felt indifferent was that he had little desire for spirits in the first place.
Wizards like Suetlg or Caenerna would treasure an opportunity like this, as having more spirits under their control would allow them to respond to a wide range of situations, but Johan had no real need for one unless their abilities were truly exceptional.
I already have spirits like Valkalmur and Teshuka, but I rarely have any use for themβwouldnβt treasure be a better choice?
βYou werenβt really interested in luxuries to begin with! What would you do with all that treasure anyway? You already have more than enough gold coins, even now!β
βThere is some truth to that as well.β
The subdued spirit let out a growl, transforming into a beast.
If it were a greedy spirit, it would no doubt have offered its freedom in exchange for treasure, but if it was not a greedy spirit, no more options remained.
None of the spirits harbored any fondness for their lack of freedom. Mountain spirits in particular abhorred such a fate. Being held captive by a wizard and confined within the narrow confines of a magical artifact was a horrifying prospect.
βDuke. . . I did not attack the Duke first. I did not attack your subordinates first, and I have not been excessively cruel or vile during my time dwelling on this mountain. Why. . . are you treating me so harshly?β
βDo not heed the words of the spirit, Your Highness.β
Caenerna protested vehemently. Whatever honor a spirit may claim, it was laughable when they failed to abide by the rules and laws of humans.
As if Johan would be swayed so easily by such words. . .
βHmm.β
β. . .Are you actually falling for that?!β
Caenerna exclaimed in a shrill voice, utterly astounded.
βBut it makes sense when you consider it objectively.β
The spirits had not captured or obstructed Johanβs army. Johan and his party had been the ones to approach first, seeking to learn the true identity of the spirit.
It was true that they had nothing to say given their desperate pleas.
βHonor and customs only exist between people! Spirits have no such concept of honor or customs. They recognize nothing but contracts and submission!β
βEnough. Let His Highness decide as he sees fit.β
When Suetlg forcibly interrupted Caenernaβs outburst, she shot him a look of betrayal. Yet, Suetlg remained unwavering.
βI, too, am reluctant to let go of the spirit, but this is a decision that Your Highness must make. If Your Highness wishes to extend mercy to the spirit, then I shall respect that.β
βGranting mercy to a spirit is like throwing gold coins off a cliff. . .β
Caenerna looked on with pity, as if watching someone offering alms to a wandering minstrel. What was the point of showing mercy if nothing would be gained in return? Spirits were not a race known for remembering acts of kindness.
βIf you are not a malevolent spirit, if you pledge not to harm the people of this region, and if you hand over the treasure you promised me, then I shall extend my mercy and spare you.β
β. . .!!β
The spirit was taken aback by Johanβs words. The desperate words uttered in a dire situation had actually borne fruit.
βA. . . are you serious?β
βIf you are not interested, then you may as well endure until your neck snaps and you are forced into a contract.β
βConsidering itβs not all that bad a deal, maybe I should think about it. . .β
Caenerna spoke regretfully, but the spirit hurriedly replied.
βI shall do as you say. I accept your terms!β
The spirit shouted in a rush, as if fearing that Johan would change his mind at any moment. A rusted chest materialized in front of Johan, accompanied by a cloud of smoke. It contained stacks of old gold and silver coins, yet it somehow fell short of being called a real treasure.
β?β
βAmong these, the most precious treasure is this crown right here!β
The spirit hastily spoke up, sensing Johanβs thoughts.
β. . .???β
Johan frowned at the sight of the dull, tarnished, ancient crown. Caenerna whispered from beside him.
βYou donβt have to keep a promise made with a spirit, you know. . .β
βIt is the most precious treasure, I swear on my true name!β
The spirit bellowed in a booming voice. Johan tilted his head and examined it again. It did not exude any mystical aura, so it was clearly not a magical item. . .
Was it perhaps an object of historical significance?
βDuke, I have kept my promise. Please, honor. . .β
βHonestly, I feel like Iβve been tricked.β
β!β
βFine. I shall keep my promise as well.β
βT-Thank you!β
The spirit, who had been doubtful until the very end, was astonished by Johanβs words. Not many people would be willing to give up the chance to control a spirit. Even more so for a noble to willingly forfeit such an opportunity without any greed.
βDuke, I would like to know your name.β
βIt is Johan of House Yeats.β
βI shall remember that noble name.β
With a gust of wind and smoke, the spirit retreated back into the cave and vanished. Johan shrugged apologetically to the wizards, the rusted crown still in hand.
βMy apologies. It seemed like you were eager to capture the spirit.β
βIt is your choice to make. If not for your power, we wouldnβt have even made it this far.β
β. . .This line of reasoning is extremely disadvantageous for me. Even if I wanted to complain, thereβs no way I could.β
Caenerna protested in a voice laden with discontent. If Johan and Suetlg had already settled the matter amicably between themselves, Caenerna knew that anything she said would only sound like petty grumbling.
βMy apologies, Caenerna-gong. I shall make it up to you somehow.β
βItβs fine. I donβt want to be known as the narrow-minded wizard.β
Suetlg spoke up to appease her.
βAnd besides, itβs not like it would have been all that useful even if we had captured it. We have no need for the powers to heal wounds or transform into monsters, do we?β
β. . .I do need a spirit that can heal wounds, though?β
βOh. You canβt. . . without a spirit? . . .My apologies.β
β. . . . . .β
Caenerna sulked. Johan put his arm around Caenernaβs shoulders and said,
βI will reward you handsomely once we reach the city in the east. I hope you wonβt hold this against me for too long.β
βYour Highness, I clearly stated that I had no need for it. . .β
βYes, Caenerna-gong, I am sure you have no need for it.β
Caenernaβs expression turned slightly hurt at Johanβs words.
βHowever, I simply wish to express my gratitude for your devotion to justice. Would you refuse such a gift? Surely you would not do so, unless I had wronged you greatly?β
Caenernaβs expression faltered before she gave a wry smile and nodded.
β. . .Sometimes, your Highness, you can be lethally charming. I shall accept it gratefully.β
βIt may be lacking in comparison to a spirit, but these gold and silver coins are not worthless either. Considering how short our mountain journey was, this is quite fortunate.β
At Suetlgβs words, Johan held up the old crown and asked,
βDo you know what kind of crown this is?β
βMy apologies, but Iβm not sure. The spirit must not have been lying, so it may very well be a valuable crown. . .β
βEven Suetlg-nim does not know?β
βFor someone of Suetlg-nimβs experience to not know.β
Suetlg bowed his head apologetically at Johanβs words, but glared at Caenernaβs remark. He had picked up on the hidden implication.
βDonβt be like that, Caenerna-gong.β
βMy apologies. My behavior was unbecoming.β
βI accept your apology. Shall we have the dwarves polish and clean it for now? That way, we might be able to learn something more about it. It does seem to be something quite old. . .β
βExcuse me, Your Highness?β
β?β
One of the soldiers called out to Johan.
βA giant has come?β
β??β
The soldiers tensed up slightly when they saw the giant, whom they had thought had left to see them off, had returned. Lamar also felt tense.
Was this the giant finally revealing its true nature?
βWhat is it? Are you hungry, perhaps?β
βI am hungry. But giants are not beggars. Giants are not vagabonds. Giants are not rogues. We do not steal, nor do we beg.β
β. . . . . .β
Johan stared intently at Lamar. For some reason, Lamar felt like he was being mocked.
βThen what business do you have here?β
βFriends caught a brazen thief. They say he is a friend of yours. They were going to eat him, but I came to ask just in case.β
βI have no friends. Just eat. . .β
βYou have no friends? Poor traveler.β
β. . .That is not what I meant, but hold on a moment.β
Johan fell into thought. Could it be that some of the pilgrims or paladins who had been at the fort had followed them and been captured, using Johanβs name?
If that was the case, then it would make sense for them to impersonate his friend.
βJust in case, can you let me see them? They might actually be my friends.β
βVery well. Traveler, friends are important. We giants have many friends.β
β. . . . . .β
Iselia, Caenerna, Suetlg, and the others behind Johan had to carefully manage their expressions to suppress the laughter threatening to burst forth.
βIf the traveler is alright, then I will become his friend. I am Mahemaβniu.β
β. . .It is Johan of House Yeats.β
πΈπΈπΈπΈπΈπΈ
Johanβs prediction was wrong. They were neither pilgrims nor paladins. They were foreigners from the east whom he had never seen before.
βHe is not a friend. It is fine to eat him.β
βYour Highness!! Your Highness!!β
Ohmal cried out anxiously. The sight of the giant staring at them with drool dripping from its mouth sent shivers down his spine.
βYour Highness, surely you do not remember me! But I have come here as an envoy, representing the tribes of the Black Mountains! I humbly request that you recognize my rights as a duly appointed envoy!β
Ohmal, fluent in the language of the Empire, recited his entitlements with an air of erudition and intelligence. Under normal circumstances, he would have appeared more dignified.
. . .That is, if he wasnβt currently hanging upside down, completely naked, having been captured by the giant.
One of the centaurs exclaimed in admiration,
βTo be able to shout like that in such a state. He must be incredibly thick-skinned.β
βThey were sent by the rogues?β
βYes!β
βThen they should be at the fort. Why were you captured by the giants? Were you following me?β
Johanβs tone was cold. It was then that Ohmal realized what misunderstanding he had caused.
βOh. . . no! No!β
βI canβt think of any other reason why you would bring your men and follow me like that?β
βWe followed you to warn you when we saw Your Highness entering the giantsβ lair! To warn you of the danger!β
The giant, Mahemaβniu, who had been listening, became furious.
βThe audacity of these rogues! Insulting us!β
βLamar! What are you doing, standing there watching? Speak up!β
βI. . . Your Highness, he really did come as an envoy. Ohmal holds a high position in the mountain range.β
βHmm. . . Very well. I understand. Itβs not that difficult to release them.β
Johan had a discussion with the giants. Since they had brought along a generous number of sheep and cows, paying the ransom was not an issue.
The giants were overjoyed at the unexpected feast of rich food. To them, sheep and cows were far more delicious than humans.
βI will add the price of the sheep and cows to the ransom you must pay.β
β. . . . . .β
It was only natural, but the fact that even a duke would mention it separately like this was indeed quite disconcerting. Lamar could hardly believe that this was the same man who had subdued the spirit earlier.
βA. . . Amazing.β
βTo negotiate with giants. Thatβs quite a skill.β
Lamar replied as he helped Ohmal and his men, who had been released from the giantβs grasp. Being able to talk to giants and negotiate with them was truly an astonishing ability. Lamar himself had been amazed when he first saw it.
βNo. Thatβs not what Iβm talking about.β
βThen what is it?β
βIβm talking about the duke. Not only can he negotiate with giants, but he also had a whole group of giants under his command.β
The figure of Johan appearing with the giants in tow was so awe-inspiring, like a mountain king from an old legend, that even Ohmal, who had been hanging upside down, had forgotten his own predicament and felt a sense of awe.
That vivid image remained strongly imprinted in his mind even after he was released.
β. . .Mister Ohmal, itβs not to that extent.β
βLamar. No matter how captured you were, itβs cowardly to belittle your opponent.β
β. . . . . .β
Lamar was speechless.