How to Live as a Wandering Knight - Chapter 301: 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 (5)

“Oh, sorry. Was I being too informal?”

“. . .No, it’s fine. We have known each other for a long time, but this much is okay.”

Johan felt as though Ulrike’s mood had somewhat improved, perhaps because of the shift in mood. Her voice had gotten louder and her expression had softened a bit.

“I appreciate your understanding. May I ask you a favor?”

“Of course.”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Knights serving under nobles often shared similar characteristics, or at least had the ability to adapt to their nature.

That said, the knights serving under Ulrike were particularly alike in thinking and personality.

These knights, different from common knights, were not overly obsessed with honor, were able to assess gains and losses like merchants, and could make tactical decisions coldly.

 

Even in the kingdom of elves or in the sacred empire, knights of this type were quite rare. Knights were originally beings with very hot blood and hearts.

 

“Ulrike-nim.”

“Sir Caldrea. What’s the matter?”

Ulrike furrowed her brows slightly at the sight of the knight approaching her.

She had been in the middle of preparing to respond to the duke’s request and was not happy at being interrupted.

“I have something to report.”

“You came because you had something to say. Get to the point.”

“I believe you should keep an eye on Duke Yeats.”

“. . .?!”

Ulrike was quite shocked, but she hid her expression and spoke.

“Explain in detail.”

“Yes. The duke has been building ties with several powerful figures since arriving in this region. He called for Ulrike-nim this time to garner the support of Ulrike-nim and her family. . . Isn’t this just a blatant attempt to take advantage of you? The duke didn’t even offer any compensation.”

“. . .”

Ulrike felt as though she had been stabbed. Of course the duke hadn’t offered any compensation.

Because Ulrike was the one who had first offered to help!

But she suddenly felt her face heating up at the knight’s words. Wouldn’t it seem from the knights’ perspectives that she was being deceived?

But it would be humiliating to reveal the truth now. . .

“Nonsense. Would I have done such a thing without getting anything in return? I have already agreed to receive compensation from the duke.”

“Ah! I apologize!”

The knight was so embarrassed that he nearly jumped up. How dare he speak as if testing his liege?

“I will take appropriate responsibility.”

“No, there’s no need to do that. In fact, that was a keen observation on your part. I will consider your slip of the tongue today forgiven if you serve with merit in the future.”

“Yes! Thank you for your forgiveness!”

The knight bowed deeply and stepped away. Ulrike reflected on her own actions that had led to such words being spoken.

But the incident had already occurred. She had no choice but to do her best to help for the time being.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

The newly invited banquet was not an enjoyable place to be, especially for Galvar.

Although he could easily forget the humiliation he suffered at the hands of others, the humiliation he brought upon himself was not so easily forgotten. Galvar’s humiliation was exactly of that type.

If he had his way, he would have liked to return home under the pretext of ill health and send new envoys.

However, even if Galvar was a trusted diplomat, doing such a thing would immediately put him in the monarch’s bad books.

He had to properly carry out the task he had been given.

“Galvar-nim. You seem unusually bright today!”

“Galvar-nim. I’ve heard that the reputation of the knight, Valeon, is not very good. I hear he behaved very disrespectfully towards the duke several times.”

The members of the envoy’s entourage tried to cheer up Galvar. Galvar felt even more miserable at the sight.

He could hardly tell them to stop. . .

“I appreciate it, everyone.”

“It’s nothing compared to Galvar-nim’s contributions.”

“Well. . . Let’s be humble at the banquet today. The way His Highness acts suggests that there won’t be any major changes.”

If he had wanted to mediate between the two or favor one side, he would have given a verbal promise of some kind or sent someone.

It was highly likely that holding the banquet again without any of that was a kind of signal, such as ‘𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥, 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴’.

But it didn’t matter. Galvar had spoken with his master from the hundred kingdoms before coming.

━𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐮𝐤𝐞’𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐟 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭. 𝐈’𝐦 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭.

“This is Ulrike-nim of the Abner family.”

“From the Abner family?”

But Galvar’s heart suddenly began to race when an unexpected face entered the room in response to the invitation.

A noble of the empire was here.

What’s going on?

After greeting each other and taking their seats, Ulrike, having engaged in a moderate amount of conversation, asked Johan with a look of doubt.

“That envoy is being awfully quiet, isn’t he? He’s acting rude enough to be noticeable.”

A taciturn diplomat was a contradictory being, like a cowardly knight. If words were their weapons, what good did it do to just sit there in silence nursing a glass of wine?

“Hm. He used to be a bit more talkative.”

“???”

“It would be a long story to tell you about this, so I’ll tell you about it later. I hope you understand.”

“I wasn’t particularly curious, but now I am, since you put it that way. . .?”

Ulrike was wondering what on earth had happened to the diplomat to make him act as though he had swallowed his tongue.

“Anyway, once His Highness has had one more drink, I’ll step in. Are you ready?”

“Yes. Please do, Gong.”

Johan nodded and acted according to his agreement with Ulrike. As the glasses were filled by the servants, the people at their tables all raised their glasses to toast Johan.

Once the atmosphere became lively, Ulrike seized the opportunity to speak up. Her voice held a slight drunken tone, but Johan realized that Ulrike was intentionally putting on that act.

‘𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭.’

“Isn’t it so sad? For brothers who share the same faith to fight amongst themselves.”

“!”

Galvar felt a chill run down his spine. Although he had suffered the humiliation of showing off his knowledge in front of the duke, he was still an experienced diplomat.

He instinctively knew why Ulrike-nim was acting this way.

‘𝘚𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯!’

Galvar’s mind quickly began to race. But there was nothing he could do. How could he possibly stop the conversation between those of higher status than him?

“. . .But it’s not something I, an outsider, can easily speak about. There is only one person I can ask in times like this.”

“Who might that be?”

“It is none other than the one we all believe in. His Highness the duke.”

“Indeed!”

Galvar grumbled inwardly at the sickening conversation between the two nobles. They must have prepared for this in advance, exchanging such shameless pleasantries.

He had long ignored the western nobles as uncultured and uncivilized, but he was even more incensed to be caught up in such an obvious ploy.

“Then let us ask the will of God! If this thick steel can be cut and broken, wouldn’t it mean that God wishes for the two of you to reconcile?”

“!”

Something suddenly flashed through Galvar’s mind. Galvar nodded and spoke.

“You are right!”

“???”

“Your words struck a deep chord with me. If I were to witness such a miracle, I could give the count my word to reconcile, in my own name. I shall bring the steel myself, so please show me the miracle.”

Ulrike was caught off guard by Galvar’s sudden interruption. She had unintentionally underestimated him, as he had been so tight-lipped up until that point.

But judging from the way he had interjected at such a delicate moment, he was no ordinary man. Ulrike bit her lip.

“Very well.”

“Are you out of your mind?!”

Ulrike hissed in a low, fierce voice to Johan’s ear. She had to bring the prepared steel to show the miracle, but what was she supposed to do if her opponent brought the steel?

“No. I can do it just using my strength.”

“Regardless of how great His Highness’s strength may be. . . No. . . Really?”

“Really.”

“. . .”

Ulrike struggled with a look of hesitation, unsure whether she should believe these absurd words or ignore them. Had her opponent been anyone but Johan, she would have cursed them by now.

However, her opponent was not the kind of man to make such empty boasts, was he?

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

‘𝘐’𝘮 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘩𝘰𝘸.’

Galvar breathed a sigh of relief. He could now openly receive the looks of respect from the members of his envoy.

As far as he was concerned, his courage was impressive. Hadn’t he spectacularly blocked the ploy devised by the young duke and the successor of a great family?

He wouldn’t have been able to interject if he had been even a moment late.

“I’ve brought it.”

“Is it sturdy?”

“It is an object that cannot be pierced even by a siege ballista.”

Galvar was reassured when the escorting knight confirmed this. The steel looked thick and sturdy to him as well.

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes. Your Highness the duke. We will reverently await the miracle.”

From Johan’s perspective, it might have sounded like a bit of a joke, but Galvar was speaking very politely.

He had to be as polite as possible after thwarting the duke’s plan. Noticing the atmosphere, the other members of the envoy stood quietly so as not to offend him.

“. . .?!”

“Is there something wrong?”

“Your Highness. . . Are you going to do it yourself?”

“Yes.”

“I-I see.”

Normally, an outstanding subordinate knight would step forward for such a task, but come to think of it, the duke was an outstanding knight himself. It wasn’t strange for him to step in personally for something like this.

‘𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘢𝘮 𝘐 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘹𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴? 𝘐𝘧 𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘵𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘸𝘬𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥.’

Galvar racked his brain for something to say in case the duke failed, as it would be detrimental to incur his wrath.

‘𝘐 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦. 𝘐𝘧 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘵𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘺. . .’

“Watch.”

Johan walked up to the steel and stood in front of it. Then he drew his sword and swung it.

𝘍𝘸𝘪𝘱!

“Hm.”

Johan nodded at the sight of the split steel. It was because he didn’t need to explicitly say, ‘This is the will of God!’

“????????”

“W-wait just a minute.”

The reactions of the members of the envoy were delayed by a beat because of this. None of them had thought the steel would actually be cut. They had naturally thought that it would fail. . .?

“Behold! This is the will of God!”

“No. . . No. . .!”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

“So, you’re saying that after seeing God’s miracle, he swore to intercede and returned?? What a fool! Are you still the representative of the envoy? What are you doing!”

Count Tragalon had a choleric and greedy personality, much like his subordinates.

He had planned to demand compensation from Valeon and the kingdom of Ineressa for the incident that had been thwarted, but he was so furious that he threw a tantrum, flinging the goblet in his hand.

“I apologize! I have nothing to say!”

“The vow is invalid! You are responsible for your own honor!”

“T-That. . . Your Excellency! Please!”

“Do you think I’d back down out of fear of that old lunatic of a king? There are two options. Receive compensation or go to war! If those from the west have brains, they won’t side with that old king!”

The count was confident in the location of the hundred kingdoms. The hundred kingdoms was made up of sturdy fortresses and castles, as it had endured a war lasting more than a hundred years, and it was also a transportation hub that was in contact with different regions.

Those from the west depended on their harbors for most of their supplies.

If the knights and soldiers here decided to start plundering, their supply lines would be cut off. Then there would be no more expeditions of any kind.

“Write another letter. You are responsible for delivering it and relaying the message. There will be two letters. One is to the father of that Valeon! Tell him to pay proper compensation. The other is to that duke! Tell him strongly that he should not interfere in this matter, no, that he should side with us!

That side also bears some responsibility! If things end well, we will compensate him accordingly, but if he interferes again like this. . .”

However, the count’s ambitious letter was never written. This was because he was interrupted.

“C-Count. . . Your Excellency!”

“What is it?!”

“T-The port, the port! The port!!”

“Are you missing your tongue or something?! Can’t you speak properly?!”

“T-The Sultanate’s. . . The Sultanate’s flag. . . The Sultanate’s army. . .”

“. . .!!”,

“Oh, sorry. Was I being too informal?”

“. . .No, it’s fine. We have known each other for a long time, but this much is okay.”

Johan felt as though Ulrike’s mood had somewhat improved, perhaps because of the shift in mood. Her voice had gotten louder and her expression had softened a bit.

“I appreciate your understanding. May I ask you a favor?”

“Of course.”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Knights serving under nobles often shared similar characteristics, or at least had the ability to adapt to their nature.

That said, the knights serving under Ulrike were particularly alike in thinking and personality.

These knights, different from common knights, were not overly obsessed with honor, were able to assess gains and losses like merchants, and could make tactical decisions coldly.

Even in the kingdom of elves or in the sacred empire, knights of this type were quite rare. Knights were originally beings with very hot blood and hearts.

“Ulrike-nim.”

“Sir Caldrea. What’s the matter?”

Ulrike furrowed her brows slightly at the sight of the knight approaching her.

She had been in the middle of preparing to respond to the duke’s request and was not happy at being interrupted.

“I have something to report.”

“You came because you had something to say. Get to the point.”

“I believe you should keep an eye on Duke Yeats.”

“. . .?!”

Ulrike was quite shocked, but she hid her expression and spoke.

“Explain in detail.”

“Yes. The duke has been building ties with several powerful figures since arriving in this region. He called for Ulrike-nim this time to garner the support of Ulrike-nim and her family. . . Isn’t this just a blatant attempt to take advantage of you? The duke didn’t even offer any compensation.”

“. . .”

Ulrike felt as though she had been stabbed. Of course the duke hadn’t offered any compensation.

Because Ulrike was the one who had first offered to help!

But she suddenly felt her face heating up at the knight’s words. Wouldn’t it seem from the knights’ perspectives that she was being deceived?

But it would be humiliating to reveal the truth now. . .

“Nonsense. Would I have done such a thing without getting anything in return? I have already agreed to receive compensation from the duke.”

“Ah! I apologize!”

The knight was so embarrassed that he nearly jumped up. How dare he speak as if testing his liege?

“I will take appropriate responsibility.”

“No, there’s no need to do that. In fact, that was a keen observation on your part. I will consider your slip of the tongue today forgiven if you serve with merit in the future.”

“Yes! Thank you for your forgiveness!”

The knight bowed deeply and stepped away. Ulrike reflected on her own actions that had led to such words being spoken.

But the incident had already occurred. She had no choice but to do her best to help for the time being.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

The newly invited banquet was not an enjoyable place to be, especially for Galvar.

Although he could easily forget the humiliation he suffered at the hands of others, the humiliation he brought upon himself was not so easily forgotten. Galvar’s humiliation was exactly of that type.

If he had his way, he would have liked to return home under the pretext of ill health and send new envoys.

However, even if Galvar was a trusted diplomat, doing such a thing would immediately put him in the monarch’s bad books.

He had to properly carry out the task he had been given.

“Galvar-nim. You seem unusually bright today!”

“Galvar-nim. I’ve heard that the reputation of the knight, Valeon, is not very good. I hear he behaved very disrespectfully towards the duke several times.”

The members of the envoy’s entourage tried to cheer up Galvar. Galvar felt even more miserable at the sight.

He could hardly tell them to stop. . .

“I appreciate it, everyone.”

“It’s nothing compared to Galvar-nim’s contributions.”

“Well. . . Let’s be humble at the banquet today. The way His Highness acts suggests that there won’t be any major changes.”

If he had wanted to mediate between the two or favor one side, he would have given a verbal promise of some kind or sent someone.

It was highly likely that holding the banquet again without any of that was a kind of signal, such as ‘𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥, 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴’.

But it didn’t matter. Galvar had spoken with his master from the hundred kingdoms before coming.

━𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐮𝐤𝐞’𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐟 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭. 𝐈’𝐦 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭.

“This is Ulrike-nim of the Abner family.”

“From the Abner family?”

But Galvar’s heart suddenly began to race when an unexpected face entered the room in response to the invitation.

A noble of the empire was here.

What’s going on?

After greeting each other and taking their seats, Ulrike, having engaged in a moderate amount of conversation, asked Johan with a look of doubt.

“That envoy is being awfully quiet, isn’t he? He’s acting rude enough to be noticeable.”

A taciturn diplomat was a contradictory being, like a cowardly knight. If words were their weapons, what good did it do to just sit there in silence nursing a glass of wine?

“Hm. He used to be a bit more talkative.”

“???”

“It would be a long story to tell you about this, so I’ll tell you about it later. I hope you understand.”

“I wasn’t particularly curious, but now I am, since you put it that way. . .?”

Ulrike was wondering what on earth had happened to the diplomat to make him act as though he had swallowed his tongue.

“Anyway, once His Highness has had one more drink, I’ll step in. Are you ready?”

“Yes. Please do, Gong.”

Johan nodded and acted according to his agreement with Ulrike. As the glasses were filled by the servants, the people at their tables all raised their glasses to toast Johan.

Once the atmosphere became lively, Ulrike seized the opportunity to speak up. Her voice held a slight drunken tone, but Johan realized that Ulrike was intentionally putting on that act.

‘𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭.’

“Isn’t it so sad? For brothers who share the same faith to fight amongst themselves.”

“!”

Galvar felt a chill run down his spine. Although he had suffered the humiliation of showing off his knowledge in front of the duke, he was still an experienced diplomat.

He instinctively knew why Ulrike-nim was acting this way.

‘𝘚𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯!’

Galvar’s mind quickly began to race. But there was nothing he could do. How could he possibly stop the conversation between those of higher status than him?

“. . .But it’s not something I, an outsider, can easily speak about. There is only one person I can ask in times like this.”

“Who might that be?”

“It is none other than the one we all believe in. His Highness the duke.”

“Indeed!”

Galvar grumbled inwardly at the sickening conversation between the two nobles. They must have prepared for this in advance, exchanging such shameless pleasantries.

He had long ignored the western nobles as uncultured and uncivilized, but he was even more incensed to be caught up in such an obvious ploy.

“Then let us ask the will of God! If this thick steel can be cut and broken, wouldn’t it mean that God wishes for the two of you to reconcile?”

“!”

Something suddenly flashed through Galvar’s mind. Galvar nodded and spoke.

“You are right!”

“???”

“Your words struck a deep chord with me. If I were to witness such a miracle, I could give the count my word to reconcile, in my own name. I shall bring the steel myself, so please show me the miracle.”

Ulrike was caught off guard by Galvar’s sudden interruption. She had unintentionally underestimated him, as he had been so tight-lipped up until that point.

But judging from the way he had interjected at such a delicate moment, he was no ordinary man. Ulrike bit her lip.

“Very well.”

“Are you out of your mind?!”

Ulrike hissed in a low, fierce voice to Johan’s ear. She had to bring the prepared steel to show the miracle, but what was she supposed to do if her opponent brought the steel?

“No. I can do it just using my strength.”

“Regardless of how great His Highness’s strength may be. . . No. . . Really?”

“Really.”

“. . .”

Ulrike struggled with a look of hesitation, unsure whether she should believe these absurd words or ignore them. Had her opponent been anyone but Johan, she would have cursed them by now.

However, her opponent was not the kind of man to make such empty boasts, was he?

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

‘𝘐’𝘮 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘩𝘰𝘸.’

Galvar breathed a sigh of relief. He could now openly receive the looks of respect from the members of his envoy.

As far as he was concerned, his courage was impressive. Hadn’t he spectacularly blocked the ploy devised by the young duke and the successor of a great family?

He wouldn’t have been able to interject if he had been even a moment late.

“I’ve brought it.”

“Is it sturdy?”

“It is an object that cannot be pierced even by a siege ballista.”

Galvar was reassured when the escorting knight confirmed this. The steel looked thick and sturdy to him as well.

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes. Your Highness the duke. We will reverently await the miracle.”

From Johan’s perspective, it might have sounded like a bit of a joke, but Galvar was speaking very politely.

He had to be as polite as possible after thwarting the duke’s plan. Noticing the atmosphere, the other members of the envoy stood quietly so as not to offend him.

“. . .?!”

“Is there something wrong?”

“Your Highness. . . Are you going to do it yourself?”

“Yes.”

“I-I see.”

Normally, an outstanding subordinate knight would step forward for such a task, but come to think of it, the duke was an outstanding knight himself. It wasn’t strange for him to step in personally for something like this.

‘𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘢𝘮 𝘐 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘹𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴? 𝘐𝘧 𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘵𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘸𝘬𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥.’

Galvar racked his brain for something to say in case the duke failed, as it would be detrimental to incur his wrath.

‘𝘐 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦. 𝘐𝘧 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘵𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘺. . .’

“Watch.”

Johan walked up to the steel and stood in front of it. Then he drew his sword and swung it.

𝘍𝘸𝘪𝘱!

“Hm.”

Johan nodded at the sight of the split steel. It was because he didn’t need to explicitly say, ‘This is the will of God!’

“????????”

“W-wait just a minute.”

The reactions of the members of the envoy were delayed by a beat because of this. None of them had thought the steel would actually be cut. They had naturally thought that it would fail. . .?

“Behold! This is the will of God!”

“No. . . No. . .!”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

“So, you’re saying that after seeing God’s miracle, he swore to intercede and returned?? What a fool! Are you still the representative of the envoy? What are you doing!”

Count Tragalon had a choleric and greedy personality, much like his subordinates.

He had planned to demand compensation from Valeon and the kingdom of Ineressa for the incident that had been thwarted, but he was so furious that he threw a tantrum, flinging the goblet in his hand.

“I apologize! I have nothing to say!”

“The vow is invalid! You are responsible for your own honor!”

“T-That. . . Your Excellency! Please!”

“Do you think I’d back down out of fear of that old lunatic of a king? There are two options. Receive compensation or go to war! If those from the west have brains, they won’t side with that old king!”

The count was confident in the location of the hundred kingdoms. The hundred kingdoms was made up of sturdy fortresses and castles, as it had endured a war lasting more than a hundred years, and it was also a transportation hub that was in contact with different regions.

Those from the west depended on their harbors for most of their supplies.

If the knights and soldiers here decided to start plundering, their supply lines would be cut off. Then there would be no more expeditions of any kind.

“Write another letter. You are responsible for delivering it and relaying the message. There will be two letters. One is to the father of that Valeon! Tell him to pay proper compensation. The other is to that duke! Tell him strongly that he should not interfere in this matter, no, that he should side with us!

That side also bears some responsibility! If things end well, we will compensate him accordingly, but if he interferes again like this. . .”

However, the count’s ambitious letter was never written. This was because he was interrupted.

“C-Count. . . Your Excellency!”

“What is it?!”

“T-The port, the port! The port!!”

“Are you missing your tongue or something?! Can’t you speak properly?!”

“T-The Sultanate’s. . . The Sultanate’s flag. . . The Sultanate’s army. . .”

“. . .!!”