How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 31.2: 𝐈𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 (𝟓)

“If he stays longer and is well-treated, there might be a chance to receive more prophecies. It’s a calculation on our part. Such opportunities are rare.”

ㅤ

“Hmm. Is a prophecy that significant?”

ㅤ

“A good prophecy can change the fate of a whole guild.”

ㅤ

Even if uncertain, everyone sought prophecies about the future. Thanks to his prophecies, Suetlg had become an advisor to the Duke.

ㅤ

“Let’s leave Suetlg’s story at that and talk about you, Sir Johan.”

ㅤ

“That would be appreciated.”

ㅤ

“Sir Johan, we have a guess as to why you came to the guild.”

ㅤ

“!”

ㅤ

Had his shallow intent of making a stable income been seen through?

ㅤ

‘Isn’t this too harsh a rebuke?’

ㅤ

“Ambition is not bad in itself. And if it’s ambition in someone qualified, it’s actually a virtue. Someone like Sir Johan certainly deserves to serve a worthy lord and receive his own fief.”

ㅤ

“. . .So you’ve seen through me.”

ㅤjosei

Caught off guard, Johan decided to play along.

ㅤ

Being seen as an ambitious knight aiming for a territory seemed better than being thought of as someone just trying to make a quick buck.

ㅤ

And honestly, the latter seemed too petty.

ㅤ

“We guessed right, then. Please forgive us for speaking so frankly. As merchants, we like to understand each other’s true intentions.”

ㅤ

“Ah, yes.”

ㅤ

“Sir, would you mind or feel reluctant to fight under our flag?”

ㅤ

“Not at all, I wouldn’t mind in the slightest.”

ㅤ

“Hmm. . .”

ㅤ

Iaon hummed in satisfaction. As Eldans had observed, Johan was indeed a knight worth joining hands with.

ㅤ

His first impression had been favorable.

ㅤ

Even as a knight, Johan had shown her respect. A younger knight might have acted arrogantly, trusting solely in his status.

ㅤ

But Johan didn’t.

ㅤ

He knew his status but understood the situation. This flexibility was rare in other knights.

ㅤ

“By the grace of St. Ruoak, may this meeting be beneficial for both of us. I look forward to working with you, Sir Johan.”

ㅤ

“I look forward to working with you as well.”

ㅤ

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

ㅤ

‘𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘶𝘥𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘧𝘥𝘰𝘮.’

ㅤ

Johan was lost in thought. Back in the rural fiefdom, his primary goal was to establish his position, not to become a feudal lord. It seemed like an unattainable goal.

ㅤ

However, hearing Iaon’s words, it suddenly felt plausible. After all, becoming a feudal lord was simply a matter of catching the eye of a noble who would grant the land.

ㅤ

With the help of the guild, gaining achievements and fame, who knows if such fortune might come?

ㅤ

“Won’t you sit?”

ㅤ

“Ah, yes.”

ㅤ

Johan settled down at once. He was an assassin who had captured a grand wizard. Suetlg’s face reddened then turned ashen.

ㅤ

“Wizard-nim, shall I give you a break?”

ㅤ

“. . .I couldn’t sleep well last night because of you.”

ㅤ

“What did I do?”

ㅤ

“Didn’t you make the maid cry all night?”

ㅤ

“Ah, I guess you heard. My apologies.”

ㅤ

The maid’s seduction seemed like a ruse, and he tried to refuse, but the curiosity about her being a cat person was too much, especially her tail and ears.

ㅤ

In the end, it was true that cat people had a weakness for their tails.

ㅤ

“I’ll give you some good advice if you give me a break.”

ㅤ

“Ah, yes.”

ㅤ

“Be careful with getting too involved with the guild.”

ㅤ

“. . .Is there a problem?”

ㅤ

Johan tensed up. Suetlg’s words were not to be taken lightly. Wasn’t he much more familiar with the guild?

ㅤ

“Is there a scheme within the guild?”

ㅤ

“Scheme? The guild is transparent. They grasp what’s profitable and let go of what’s not. The issue is with you. Aren’t you from the Empire?”

ㅤ

“Yes.”

ㅤ

“The Katana Merchant Guild is anti-Emperor. A couple of times may go unnoticed, but continually associating with them might label you or your family as anti-Emperor. Be cautious and think big.”

ㅤ

“Um. . . I’m fully prepared for what I’m doing.”

ㅤ

“. . .Is that so?”

ㅤ

“Yes.”

ㅤ

“Then let’s continue our game.”

ㅤ

“. . . . . .”

ㅤ

Suetlg, feeling embarrassed, said no more. An awkward silence followed. Johan spoke to lighten the mood.

ㅤ

“This mansion is a really nice place.”

ㅤ

Skilled servants, beautifully decorated courtyards and rooms, and the meals served at every meal were just a bonus. Seeing the treatment Suetlg received made Johan envy the life of a wizard.

ㅤ

“It was once a noble’s residence.”

ㅤ

“Oh, whose was it?”

ㅤ

“Who remembers such details? Besides, I dislike this mansion. I can’t hear the sound of the river. . . The only thing I like here is this pet.”

ㅤ

Suetlg tried to pet Karamaf, but the wolf shrank away, displeased.

ㅤ

“But isn’t the name a bit unlucky?”

ㅤ

“Well, a bit of a sinister name keeps the enemies at bay, doesn’t it?”

ㅤ

“That’s true.”

ㅤ

While they were chatting, a messenger arrived at the mansion with urgent news. Panting, he drank a glass of water and delivered his message.

ㅤ

“The expedition has failed. Johan-nim, the branch manager is looking for you.”

ㅤ

“The prophecy has come true.”

ㅤ

Suetlg commented nonchalantly. Unknown to Suetlg, Johan was looking at him with an impressed yet irreverent gaze.