How to Live as a Wandering Knight - Chapter 307: 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 (2)

“Why the heck are they running away like that?”

“It feels like a trap. . .”

Iselia also showed a skeptical attitude as she listened to the report.

It may seem not strange to run away when an army of several thousand men is approaching, but the enemies moving around this area were not the usual ragtag band of rogue.

They were either those who had landed with the Sultan’s troops when they landed, or those who had been newly hired, or those who were the vassals of the pagan feudal lords in this area.

Rogues who didn’t have a command system and would collapse at any moment would scatter and run away, but these were different. They were good at hit-and-run tactics, scurrying away when they encountered an opportunity while firing arrows from afar, and swinging their swords when they were scattered.

Johan’s army was large, but they were not an army that could be tightly organized and immediately respond as one giant mass. They could harass you from any direction as soon as they wanted to. What do you mean, just run away?

“Increase vigilance and send more scouts in all directions.”

“Yes.”

 

Johan’s army at this time consisted of veterans who had followed Johan for a long time, slaves with high loyalty, nobles who had participated in the expedition and served in the Duke’s army, and their subordinates.

 

The former was able to issue orders quickly and move in unison, but the latter was completely different. Only very basic and simple instructions were possible, and even that was questionable if they were chaotic.

That said, they couldn’t just abandon thousands of well-armed and motivated troops. They had no choice but to move forward while taking them into account.

As long as the reconnaissance was thorough, no matter what traps the enemy set. . .

“Are they running away again??”

“. . .??”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

A beast that has been burned once remembers the heat for a long time. Suhekhar was taken aback to realize that not only beasts, but also knights could do this.

“You’ve just come back?”

“They must be severely punished!”

Suhekhar’s cavalry was now divided into small groups, unit by unit, and mercenary unit by unit, and was moving around.

It was to aim for the monotheists who had come down from the west in large numbers.

As each other had expected, it seemed that it was impossible for them to attack the castle and fortress.

Then, all that was left was to utilize the terrain, gain the cooperation of the neighboring feudal lords, ride around on horses with light armament and good stamina, plunder and harass the enemies. . .?

. . .It was inevitable to be absurd when those who went like that turned their horses’ heads away without doing anything, making all sorts of excuses.

Three Falcons mercenary group, who were said to be almost as violent as giants, and were almost rogue.

The Igolguwr tribe, that even centaurs were reluctant to face, with the unique sharpness and ferocity of the wild cat beastmen.

Even though they were not cowards, they ran away just by seeing the Duke’s flag.

“If you just give the order, I will catch one of them and cut off his neck. The others will come to their senses!”

“I can’t allow that. If you do something like that, you’ll only build up resentment. It’s like turning your back on them and telling them to betray you.”

“But Suhekhar-nim. If we leave it like this, we will never be able to match the achievements that Yeheyman-gong has made!”

The rumor that Yeheyman had captured the Holy Land had already spread to this side. Many people admired Yeheyman’s achievements, and some were jealous.

We have to make some more achievements, but the guys under me are just running away or hitting. . .

Suhekhar knew that too, but Suhekhar was wiser and more patient than his subordinates.

“Even so, I can’t allow it. Call the guys who ran away. Scold them and, using that as an excuse, give them a different order instead.”

“. . .Yes. I understand.”

The subordinates were dissatisfied, but did not refuse Suhekhar’s orders. Suhekhar maintained his expression in front of his subordinates, but he was not so comfortable inside.

We have to crush and shake the enemy’s large army before it gathers and becomes strong, but it will be difficult if we start like this.

‘𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘰, 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘪𝘵. . . 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. . .’

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

After hearing reports of them running away about sixteen times, Johan was finally able to cast aside his doubts. Iselia had given up her doubts around the seventh time, but Johan needed nine more times.

“It really was just running away.”

“. . . . . .”

The wizards looked at the Duke with tired eyes. No matter how thorough it was good, they wondered if they had to do this much.

“Although it’s quite surprising, it makes sense that they are running away after hearing about the Duke’s fame.”

“Yes. I understand.”

‘Do you have to understand that only after confirming it sixteen times?’

Suetlg swallowed his feelings. He didn’t want to say unnecessary things because it was a hot day.

In any case, it was a miracle that they hadn’t suffered even a small ambush, and thanks to that, the army’s marching speed had become insanely fast. Even Johan himself hadn’t expected to arrive at Tahkreng Castle this quickly.

Tahkreng Castle.

It was a castle located at the southernmost point of the hundred kingdoms, and from here to the south, it was now occupied by the enemy. Everyone knew that the enemy who had occupied the Holy Land would be waiting around.

Johan intended to wait around this area and buy time. Joining up with the expeditionary forces coming down from various places, preparing to imitate the miracle. . .

“Your Highness. Count Tragalon is greedy and lascivious. I’m worried that he might interfere while we stay around the castle.”

Several nobles spoke with serious expressions. The Count was very sorry, so he bowed to Johan and asked for help, but deep down, he would be very sorry for the gold coins he had spent.

It consumes a huge amount of supplies to have an army of nearly 10,000 staying and waiting near the castle. Will the castellan really stay still? The number will increase as time goes on?

“Your Highness. If Your Highness intends to occupy the castle, we will help.”

“Yes. If anyone argues, just. . .”

‘These crazy b*stards.’

Johan was taken aback as he watched the nobles of the empire gradually revealing their true colors.

The surprising thing was that they were not particularly corrupt or barbaric. This was the average of the empire’s nobles who participated in the expedition.

The nobles of this era could be greedy while having their own religious beliefs. For them, the monotheist feudal lords who had settled in over a hundred years ago were not particularly sacred and inviolable.

If there is an opportunity, if necessary, they can be chased away with swords and spears.

“Thank you for trusting me. But I respect the Count’s honor.”

Johan didn’t particularly trust or respect him, but he clenched his teeth. In fact, it was true that he would have a headache if he kept talking nonsense.

“Just give me any orders.”

“Yeah. Yeah. Go back and let the soldiers rest.”

The nobles went back, but Johan felt like he had been stabbed in a clear spot.

With the situation urgent and difficult, it was more troublesome to have allies that HE couldn’t fully trust.

‘𝘐 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘐 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦.’

It won’t be easy, though. . .

Johan planned to bribe the Count if persuasion didn’t work.

’𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘥𝘰? 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘩𝘶𝘨𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘸𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦.’

“Your Highness. This castle will soon be Your Highness’s home. Feel free to stay as long as you like.”

“???”

Johan couldn’t help but be embarrassed when he saw the castellan welcoming him without wearing armor because he had come prepared for it.

‘𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴?’

Of course, there weren’t any feudal lords who were arrogant to the commander who led a strong army from afar, but this was a little. . .

He was too friendly.

Usually, even if they knew they were coming, the Castellans would wait inside the inner castle, send a servant to deliver a letter, and invite only high-ranking people after the castle gate was opened. . .

He skipped all those customs and ran over without even wearing armor.

Galvar whispered quietly, noticing Johan’s bewildered look.

“The castellan’s cousin is the captain of the castle guard. Your Highness.”

“. . .Oh. I see.”

Johan understood as soon as he heard that.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

In the spacious hall, there were all those who had reached a certain level of status. The empire’s nobles, who had been complaining about the unexpectedly grand welcome, were also very satisfied. At this level, it was the level at which the castellan had prepared a banquet with his own money.

Strong wine was poured into the glass continuously, and the spicy rooster soup and large wild boar dishes, boiled according to the recipe influenced by the pagans, were praised by the gourmet nobles.

“The bluefish is fresher than I thought? How did you get it when there is no port?”

“Although it is not connected to the sea, it is not that far. Your Highness! If the fishermen come up the river and offer it to the nearby town, it will be here in no time.”

“Fishermen? Is the sea okay? The Sultan’s army must have landed nearby.”

“Hah. Even though those guys got their hands on the Holy Land with despicable and cunning schemes, they wouldn’t dare to look down on this land.”

The castellan’s words were not a bluff, but sincere. Even though the Holy Land had been occupied by surprise, the armies of the other feudal lords were still intact. Even the ports are functioning properly.

Johan was slightly relieved. He didn’t know about anything else, but this was definitely good news. Furthermore, the castellan’s words were quite reliable. He felt like a veteran feudal lord who had long ruled the castle and trained soldiers.’

“I will do my best to help Your Highness.”

“Thank you.”

“Once Your Highness arrives, they will collapse like rats!”

“. . .?”

As the castellan seemed to be speaking sincerely, Johan suddenly began to lose his trust in the castellan.

He is definitely an experienced person, and he is from a family with a certain status under the Count. . .?

“This castle may not be as glamorous as a city, but it is a place where the sea comes from the west, the monotheists from the north, and the pagans from the east. If Your Highness wishes, I will find anything for you.”

“Thank you. This treatment alone is an honor.”

“It’s nothing compared to the grace Your Highness has bestowed upon us.”

Johan realized that his opponent was quite drunk. The castellan, who was drinking strong alcohol without thinking, got drunk first.

“If Your Highness hadn’t helped, the Count would have stepped forward and cut down my relatives. That guy is too suspicious. Not thinking about the contributions our family has made at all. . .!”

Johan looked around without realizing it. Fortunately, no one was listening because it was so noisy. Caenerna, who was sitting next to him and quietly sipping a glass of alcohol, asked in a whisper.

“Do you need a sleeping potion?”

“Yes, please. I’d rather make him sleep.”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

There was a minor mishap at the banquet, and Johan learned about the subtle tension between the castellan and the Count, but overall it went well.

Above all, it is not easy to receive full support during the stay.

While waiting, Johan and Iselia worked hard to walk around the castle. It would be nice to leave a good impression on people.

“Wait a minute. Aren’t those guys pagans?”

Johan pointed to one side, as if wondering. There is a huge colony nestled around the castle like a city, but he didn’t know that the pagans would be there in the open.

Galvar said apologetically.

“I’m sorry. Your Highness. They are merchants. They are poor people who came after profit, so please forgive me. . .”

Johan didn’t say it out of anger, but Galvar thought Johan was angry.

In fact, other knights would openly frown when they saw pagans, so it was understandable.

“No. I was just curious.”

“I’ll go get rid of them.”

“No need.”

“No. Right now. . .”

“No need, I said?”

“. . .Oh, yes. I’m sorry.”

Galvar bowed his head, embarrassed. Johan felt something uncomfortable about Galvar’s overreacting.

“Are you guys familiar with each other?”

“. . . . . .”

“I won’t blame you, so speak.”

“Um. . . I’ve met them a few times regarding business.”

Pagan merchants who traveled further east than here and brought rare treasures were a temptation that even devout nobles could not resist. Galvar had traded with them a few times.

When Johan said nothing, Galvar got a little scared. The Duke’s bloodthirsty reputation came to mind again.

‘𝘚𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦?’

“Galvar?”

“Yes. . .?”

“Introduce me too.”

“. . .???”,

“Why the heck are they running away like that?”

“It feels like a trap. . .”

Iselia also showed a skeptical attitude as she listened to the report.

It may seem not strange to run away when an army of several thousand men is approaching, but the enemies moving around this area were not the usual ragtag band of rogue.

They were either those who had landed with the Sultan’s troops when they landed, or those who had been newly hired, or those who were the vassals of the pagan feudal lords in this area.

Rogues who didn’t have a command system and would collapse at any moment would scatter and run away, but these were different. They were good at hit-and-run tactics, scurrying away when they encountered an opportunity while firing arrows from afar, and swinging their swords when they were scattered.

Johan’s army was large, but they were not an army that could be tightly organized and immediately respond as one giant mass. They could harass you from any direction as soon as they wanted to. What do you mean, just run away?

“Increase vigilance and send more scouts in all directions.”

“Yes.”

Johan’s army at this time consisted of veterans who had followed Johan for a long time, slaves with high loyalty, nobles who had participated in the expedition and served in the Duke’s army, and their subordinates.

The former was able to issue orders quickly and move in unison, but the latter was completely different. Only very basic and simple instructions were possible, and even that was questionable if they were chaotic.

That said, they couldn’t just abandon thousands of well-armed and motivated troops. They had no choice but to move forward while taking them into account.

As long as the reconnaissance was thorough, no matter what traps the enemy set. . .

“Are they running away again??”

“. . .??”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

A beast that has been burned once remembers the heat for a long time. Suhekhar was taken aback to realize that not only beasts, but also knights could do this.

“You’ve just come back?”

“They must be severely punished!”

Suhekhar’s cavalry was now divided into small groups, unit by unit, and mercenary unit by unit, and was moving around.

It was to aim for the monotheists who had come down from the west in large numbers.

As each other had expected, it seemed that it was impossible for them to attack the castle and fortress.

Then, all that was left was to utilize the terrain, gain the cooperation of the neighboring feudal lords, ride around on horses with light armament and good stamina, plunder and harass the enemies. . .?

. . .It was inevitable to be absurd when those who went like that turned their horses’ heads away without doing anything, making all sorts of excuses.

Three Falcons mercenary group, who were said to be almost as violent as giants, and were almost rogue.

The Igolguwr tribe, that even centaurs were reluctant to face, with the unique sharpness and ferocity of the wild cat beastmen.

Even though they were not cowards, they ran away just by seeing the Duke’s flag.

“If you just give the order, I will catch one of them and cut off his neck. The others will come to their senses!”

“I can’t allow that. If you do something like that, you’ll only build up resentment. It’s like turning your back on them and telling them to betray you.”

“But Suhekhar-nim. If we leave it like this, we will never be able to match the achievements that Yeheyman-gong has made!”

The rumor that Yeheyman had captured the Holy Land had already spread to this side. Many people admired Yeheyman’s achievements, and some were jealous.

We have to make some more achievements, but the guys under me are just running away or hitting. . .

Suhekhar knew that too, but Suhekhar was wiser and more patient than his subordinates.

“Even so, I can’t allow it. Call the guys who ran away. Scold them and, using that as an excuse, give them a different order instead.”

“. . .Yes. I understand.”

The subordinates were dissatisfied, but did not refuse Suhekhar’s orders. Suhekhar maintained his expression in front of his subordinates, but he was not so comfortable inside.

We have to crush and shake the enemy’s large army before it gathers and becomes strong, but it will be difficult if we start like this.

‘𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘰, 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘪𝘵. . . 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. . .’

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

After hearing reports of them running away about sixteen times, Johan was finally able to cast aside his doubts. Iselia had given up her doubts around the seventh time, but Johan needed nine more times.

“It really was just running away.”

“. . . . . .”

The wizards looked at the Duke with tired eyes. No matter how thorough it was good, they wondered if they had to do this much.

“Although it’s quite surprising, it makes sense that they are running away after hearing about the Duke’s fame.”

“Yes. I understand.”

‘Do you have to understand that only after confirming it sixteen times?’

Suetlg swallowed his feelings. He didn’t want to say unnecessary things because it was a hot day.

In any case, it was a miracle that they hadn’t suffered even a small ambush, and thanks to that, the army’s marching speed had become insanely fast. Even Johan himself hadn’t expected to arrive at Tahkreng Castle this quickly.

Tahkreng Castle.

It was a castle located at the southernmost point of the hundred kingdoms, and from here to the south, it was now occupied by the enemy. Everyone knew that the enemy who had occupied the Holy Land would be waiting around.

Johan intended to wait around this area and buy time. Joining up with the expeditionary forces coming down from various places, preparing to imitate the miracle. . .

“Your Highness. Count Tragalon is greedy and lascivious. I’m worried that he might interfere while we stay around the castle.”

Several nobles spoke with serious expressions. The Count was very sorry, so he bowed to Johan and asked for help, but deep down, he would be very sorry for the gold coins he had spent.

It consumes a huge amount of supplies to have an army of nearly 10,000 staying and waiting near the castle. Will the castellan really stay still? The number will increase as time goes on?

“Your Highness. If Your Highness intends to occupy the castle, we will help.”

“Yes. If anyone argues, just. . .”

‘These crazy b*stards.’

Johan was taken aback as he watched the nobles of the empire gradually revealing their true colors.

The surprising thing was that they were not particularly corrupt or barbaric. This was the average of the empire’s nobles who participated in the expedition.

The nobles of this era could be greedy while having their own religious beliefs. For them, the monotheist feudal lords who had settled in over a hundred years ago were not particularly sacred and inviolable.

If there is an opportunity, if necessary, they can be chased away with swords and spears.

“Thank you for trusting me. But I respect the Count’s honor.”

Johan didn’t particularly trust or respect him, but he clenched his teeth. In fact, it was true that he would have a headache if he kept talking nonsense.

“Just give me any orders.”

“Yeah. Yeah. Go back and let the soldiers rest.”

The nobles went back, but Johan felt like he had been stabbed in a clear spot.

With the situation urgent and difficult, it was more troublesome to have allies that HE couldn’t fully trust.

‘𝘐 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘐 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦.’

It won’t be easy, though. . .

Johan planned to bribe the Count if persuasion didn’t work.

’𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘥𝘰? 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘩𝘶𝘨𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘸𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦.’

“Your Highness. This castle will soon be Your Highness’s home. Feel free to stay as long as you like.”

“???”

Johan couldn’t help but be embarrassed when he saw the castellan welcoming him without wearing armor because he had come prepared for it.

‘𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴?’

Of course, there weren’t any feudal lords who were arrogant to the commander who led a strong army from afar, but this was a little. . .

He was too friendly.

Usually, even if they knew they were coming, the Castellans would wait inside the inner castle, send a servant to deliver a letter, and invite only high-ranking people after the castle gate was opened. . .

He skipped all those customs and ran over without even wearing armor.

Galvar whispered quietly, noticing Johan’s bewildered look.

“The castellan’s cousin is the captain of the castle guard. Your Highness.”

“. . .Oh. I see.”

Johan understood as soon as he heard that.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

In the spacious hall, there were all those who had reached a certain level of status. The empire’s nobles, who had been complaining about the unexpectedly grand welcome, were also very satisfied. At this level, it was the level at which the castellan had prepared a banquet with his own money.

Strong wine was poured into the glass continuously, and the spicy rooster soup and large wild boar dishes, boiled according to the recipe influenced by the pagans, were praised by the gourmet nobles.

“The bluefish is fresher than I thought? How did you get it when there is no port?”

“Although it is not connected to the sea, it is not that far. Your Highness! If the fishermen come up the river and offer it to the nearby town, it will be here in no time.”

“Fishermen? Is the sea okay? The Sultan’s army must have landed nearby.”

“Hah. Even though those guys got their hands on the Holy Land with despicable and cunning schemes, they wouldn’t dare to look down on this land.”

The castellan’s words were not a bluff, but sincere. Even though the Holy Land had been occupied by surprise, the armies of the other feudal lords were still intact. Even the ports are functioning properly.

Johan was slightly relieved. He didn’t know about anything else, but this was definitely good news. Furthermore, the castellan’s words were quite reliable. He felt like a veteran feudal lord who had long ruled the castle and trained soldiers.’

“I will do my best to help Your Highness.”

“Thank you.”

“Once Your Highness arrives, they will collapse like rats!”

“. . .?”

As the castellan seemed to be speaking sincerely, Johan suddenly began to lose his trust in the castellan.

He is definitely an experienced person, and he is from a family with a certain status under the Count. . .?

“This castle may not be as glamorous as a city, but it is a place where the sea comes from the west, the monotheists from the north, and the pagans from the east. If Your Highness wishes, I will find anything for you.”

“Thank you. This treatment alone is an honor.”

“It’s nothing compared to the grace Your Highness has bestowed upon us.”

Johan realized that his opponent was quite drunk. The castellan, who was drinking strong alcohol without thinking, got drunk first.

“If Your Highness hadn’t helped, the Count would have stepped forward and cut down my relatives. That guy is too suspicious. Not thinking about the contributions our family has made at all. . .!”

Johan looked around without realizing it. Fortunately, no one was listening because it was so noisy. Caenerna, who was sitting next to him and quietly sipping a glass of alcohol, asked in a whisper.

“Do you need a sleeping potion?”

“Yes, please. I’d rather make him sleep.”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

There was a minor mishap at the banquet, and Johan learned about the subtle tension between the castellan and the Count, but overall it went well.

Above all, it is not easy to receive full support during the stay.

While waiting, Johan and Iselia worked hard to walk around the castle. It would be nice to leave a good impression on people.

“Wait a minute. Aren’t those guys pagans?”

Johan pointed to one side, as if wondering. There is a huge colony nestled around the castle like a city, but he didn’t know that the pagans would be there in the open.

Galvar said apologetically.

“I’m sorry. Your Highness. They are merchants. They are poor people who came after profit, so please forgive me. . .”

Johan didn’t say it out of anger, but Galvar thought Johan was angry.

In fact, other knights would openly frown when they saw pagans, so it was understandable.

“No. I was just curious.”

“I’ll go get rid of them.”

“No need.”

“No. Right now. . .”

“No need, I said?”

“. . .Oh, yes. I’m sorry.”

Galvar bowed his head, embarrassed. Johan felt something uncomfortable about Galvar’s overreacting.

“Are you guys familiar with each other?”

“. . . . . .”

“I won’t blame you, so speak.”

“Um. . . I’ve met them a few times regarding business.”

Pagan merchants who traveled further east than here and brought rare treasures were a temptation that even devout nobles could not resist. Galvar had traded with them a few times.

When Johan said nothing, Galvar got a little scared. The Duke’s bloodthirsty reputation came to mind again.

‘𝘚𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦?’

“Galvar?”

“Yes. . .?”

“Introduce me too.”

“. . .???”