How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 138.2: ????? ?? ????? (7)

Chapter 138.2: ????? ?? ????? (7)

Is that what you mean?

Yes.

Amiens eyes lit up as she stroked the bicorns mane. The bicorn grimaced and tried to shy away. Johan grabbed the the bicorns hair.

!

The bicorn glared at them indignantly but endured it. Excited, Amien stroked the bicorns mane.

I heard youve been studying hard. Here.

Johan gave Amien a present. Amien was surprised by the luxurious gifts she had never received in her life. She looked around.

What are you looking for?

Her Excellency. . . I mean, now its. . . Bluea. . .

You can call her mother comfortably.

But shell scold me.

Iselia wanted Amien to behave properly like a noble in front of Johan. A proper noble should know how to speak formally.

Of course, Johan didnt think it was necessary to go that far. Having to be attended by servants and maids to get dressed up just to bow to someone and then go back in seemed. . .inefficient.

I told her not to scold you for things like that. Theres no way shed get angry over something so trivial. And I already said Id give you the treasures in advance, so dont worry.

Amiens face brightened as she hugged Johan. With not much difference in age, they looked almost like siblings.

Ill treasure these!

No. Let me give you some homework. Try to guess which of these is expensive and which is cheap.

. . .???

Amien was confused by the unexpected assignment.

If I cant guess right. . .will you take them back. . .?

No. These are your things now. But to keep treasures, you need to know what kind of treasures they are, dont you? If you guess exactly right, Ill give you this ring.

Amien nodded hurriedly. There was no reason to refuse the offer.

Yes, Count. I, I practiced archery hard. Would you take a look?

Oh?

Apparently the archery demonstrated by Johans subordinates had aroused Amiens interest. It seemed she had practiced quite a bit while he was away, as evidenced by the calluses on her fingers.

I was going to get you some decent bows anyway since you might need them. If your skills improve enough, you can use them.

!

Ah, wait.

On their way to the castles archery range, Johan stopped. Come to think of it, he had promised Iselia to patrol the fiefdom together.

?

To hunt mutated insects as well, Johan called a maid and said,

Tell Iselia well postpone our appointment to tomorrow. Amien wants to learn archery.

Understood.

Beside him, Amien asked worriedly,

She wont feel bad, will she?

Iselias not that kind of person. Here, hold the bow. Lets see how familiar youve become with it.

s.

My dear. This coast is my favorite coast. You can see the waves of the Edene Sea crashing next to it. The people around here often described it as the hair of a goddess.

I see. Beautiful. Though not as much as you.

. . . . . .

?

Johan was puzzled. Usually, Iselia would blush and be embarrassed when he said something like that. But Iselia was looking down and didnt say anything.

Iselia. Are you not listening?

Oh, my dear. What did you say?

Its nothing. . . Forget it.

No, its not. Im sorry. I was wrong. Dont be angry.

Im not angry.

Iselia fidgeted for a moment before finally speaking.

I. . . I was just thinking that you dont seem to enjoy these patrols very much.

No? I was listening with pleasure, thinking there are places like this in the fiefdom. . .

You made excuses for Amien yesterday to postpone too. . .

Thats because Amien wanted to show off.

A count wouldnt normally teach archery himself even to his own children. Usually they would have a professional knight or another mentor teach them.

So naturally Iselia couldnt help but misunderstand that Johan didnt like going with her and was making excuses.

To be honest, whether going around outside the fiefdom together would be more enjoyable for Iselia or Johan was hard to tell.

And come to think of it, it did feel a bit boring and tedious. . .

Come here, Iselia.

?!

Johan grabbed Iselia with one hand and lifted her onto his lap. The bicorn thrashed wildly. It seemed to greatly detest Iselia.

Stay still or Ill kill you.

There was murderous intent in Johans voice. The bicorn shivered violently before quieting down.

. . .M-My dear. I was staying still.

I wasnt talking to you but to the horse.

Johan hugged the shivering Iselia. As he gently nibbled her long ears, her rigid body instantly softened. He could feel it despite the solid armor she wore.

Th. . .this is a bit embarrassing. . .

Do you still think I dont like patrols?

No! You must like them! Please, not here. . .

Whatever misunderstanding Iselia had, Johan was just holding her. As Johan stayed still, Iselia also seemed to calm down.

Shall we walk a bit more like this?

. . . . . .

Not answering means you like it. Fine.

Count! The family envoy has arrived with the ransom. . .

Ahirs third son rode excitedly on horseback but stopped abruptly. Iselias face was crimson with embarrassment.

I. . .I saw nothing, Count.