How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 153.2: ????????? ????? (2)

Chapter 153.2: ????????? ????? (2)

It was a situation that could have caused panic, but the viscount kept his composure. Thanks to the viscounts composure, his retainers also regained their composure to some extent.

Gather all the mercenaries. We must be prepared for any situation.

Dont worry, Viscount. The castle walls are solid, high and we have a lot of stockpiled supplies. We can hold out for years.

The fight hasnt started yet, has it? We need to know what the counts intention is.

What would his intention be! Hes trying to take it by force with swords and spears.

If he wanted to fight, wouldnt he have plundered the harbor first? I received a report that it is surprisingly quiet.

Then it could also be that hes not trying to fight, but trying to boast of his might. He wants to gain an advantage in negotiation.

He dares come with an army and expect us to accept his negotiation? We can fight relying on the castle walls, we dont need to accept such negotiations!

Chief of Security. If we dont accept the negotiation, the count may plunder everything around.

. . . . . .

At that one remark, the retainers fell silent. While they could endure by hiding behind the castle walls, the surrounding towns would surely be plundered.

To make matters worse, it was harvest season, an extremely advantageous situation for the opponent.

Prepare to treat them. Call musicians, dancers, jesters and hold a feast.

The viscount also seemed to know that as he had no intention to break off the negotiation whatsoever. As per custom, no, even more lavish than custom, he decided to prepare to treat them.

As the host, the preparations reflected on their dignity. Although it would cost a fortune, no nobles would skimp on this.

Will you call the count into the castle?

Then how else would I do it?

He came with those soldiers, and now only takes a few men into the castle. What could the count be dissatisfied about to do such a thing?

Why do you keep taking the counts side?

Thats not my intention, Im just thinking rationally!

Enough! Hes not wrong. Set up tents in the plains and prepare to treat them there. We also have soldiers here, so they cant make empty threats.

Oh. Is it a festival period?

Its preparation to treat an honored guest.

Aola answered simply, but her voice was full of pride.

The tents filling the plains, and people gathering to see them were a familiar sight. He had seen something similar in front of the dukes castle.

However, the duke was wealthy, while the Emperor was continuously going into debt hiring large numbers of mercenaries in the Empire.

?

Johan wondered. From various sources, he heard that the Emperors situation was not that affluent. If they held such a lavish feast like this. . .

Of course, he wasnt the one who triggered this so it wasnt his concern.

Ugh. . .

Is that the new Count?

The mercenaries on the viscounts side tensed up seeing the flags approaching from afar. They also knew of Johans fame.

Also, the mercenaries under him were elites, so they couldnt help but be nervous as fellow mercenaries. If a fight occurred, they would clash first.

As Johan approached, nobles came one after another, raising their flags and conveying greetings. Their attitudes varied. Some seemed to be spying, some wary, and some showed curiosity and goodwill at the same time.

The Emperor has made too many mistakes. See, Your Excellency. Such figures are already appearing.

Do not harbor vain hopes about the viscount before even meeting him, Sir Giada.

I know, Your Excellency. Of course, some want to keep him in check among them.

Giadas words soon became reality. After one of the nobles greeted Johan, he made a different suggestion.

How about we determine the winner with archery?

Its just a small entertainment, Count.

The middle-aged dark elf who spoke to him exuded a sense of hostility and determination. He was adamant about scoring a hit against Johan.

Seeing his one arm slightly more muscular, he was surely an excellent archer.

Aola seemed conflicted next to him, pondering whether to stop this or not.

While the talk was of simple entertainment, winning here would be a lifetime story to boast. It would also boost the morale of the viscounts side as a bonus.

Though the setting was a banquet for hospitality and fellowship, in essence it was a battlefield without swinging swords. He absolutely could not show any weakness.

?

If the knight won, the count might get angry. She couldnt be certain if this was the right choice.

Fine, lets have a match.

Will you call a representative?

No, I will shoot personally.

Hearing Johans words, Gophredo smiled satisfiedly. While winning against the counts representative would also be honorable, it couldnt compare to defeating the count himself.

Furthermore, Count Yeats was a worthwhile opponent overflowing with valor.

Lets compete here.

?

At the suggestion to compete right here instead of going somewhere else, Gophredo nodded.

He was confident he could win anywhere, in any situation. Such was Gophredos skill as an archer.

i.

. . . . . .

.

It was a good match.

From the beginning when Johan accepted the match, he planned to borrow Valkalmurs power. An archer could not overcome the archery blessed by the evil god and supported by malevolent spirits.

Gophredo was at a loss for words with an expression like he had seen a ghost. Only after his squire spoke up was he barely able to convey his greetings.

Cough. . . An outstanding archery skill. Today was the first time I realized Your Excellency is also adept with the bow.

I was just fortunate. Sirs skill was also excellent.

At Johans words, people around cheered. Though from the viscounts territory, applause usually went to the winner in such matches.

Furthermore, Johan did not exercise particular caution against the viscounts nobles or serfs and merchants under them. Rather, the rumor as an outstanding knight was more widespread.

Witnessing the exploits as such a knight, they couldnt help but cheer. With a dejected expression, Gophredo withdrew. He intended to showcase his exploits for the viscount, but instead had the opposite effect.

Master.

Whats wrong?

That archery skill is unbelievable.

The match is already over.

At his squires words, Gophredo spoke resolutely. However, shaking his head, the squire replied.

I know. If you didnt borrow the power of magic, such archery skills wouldnt make sense, right?

The choice to use a bow and arrows imbued with magical power is also the counts freedom. Do you not know that nitpicking over it only makes me a laughingstock?

Thats not it. Doesnt the count have a wizard in his camp who can imbue arrows with magical power? Just give the order and I will go to scout them out for recruitment.

!!

Frankly, Gophredo didnt pay attention to his squires remarks. The very fact that he attributed it to magic just because the opponents skill was outstanding was proof that he was still immature.

But if that was true. . .

Enough. It was an already finished match.

His squire clicked his tongue as if unsatisfied.