How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 350: ?????? (2)

Johan’s voice contained a potent force. The giant, upon hearing his words, nodded slightly, as if his resolve had been stirred.

“Thinking about it now, it’s strange. I’m not used to losing.”

“That’s right. It’s clear that the wizards cheated. The Sultan’s wizards are well-known, you see.”

“Cheaters!”

The giant was startled by Johan’s words. Then he became furious.

“Unforgivable! Cheating in a wager!”

“Yes. They’re truly despicable fellows. Were the ones we met before also present?”

“Yes.”

“Go to the wizards with your companions. Make them confess the truth!”

At Johan’s words, Mahemaniu nodded as if awakened from a long slumber.

“Never cease until the wizards confess the truth. Wizards are naturally cunning and wicked, who knows what tricks they might employ. Ignore all their words except their confession of the truth.”

“I understand. Johan of House Yeats. Won’t you come with us?”

The giant invited him, convinced by Johan’s reliable words. It felt like he would be able to see through the wizards’ tricks as well. However, Johan shook his head.

“I have a place I need to go.”

“Then it can’t be helped.”

“Wait. What do you plan to do once you learn that the wizards cheated? Are you thinking of returning to the Black Mountains?”

Mahemaniu pondered for a moment and nodded. Johan extended his finger and pointed to a star.

“Do you see that star up there? Just follow that star and you’ll reach the Black Mountains.”

“Thank you!”

“It’s nothing. Take this.”

Johan gave him detailed directions and then parted ways. In the darkness, the sound of the giants rising one by one could be heard. It was Mahemaniu calling out to his companions.

“. . .If I were to pick the most wicked and powerful among the wizards, I would choose Your Highness the duke.”

“I appreciate the praise. Let’s move!”

Johan and his subordinates moved again. They had to reach the front of the tent while the giants were creating a commotion.

??????

Among the wizards under the Sultan, there were various factions.

First were the royal wizards who had served in the palace for generations, originating from eunuchs. They excelled at concocting various drugs. Although some followed the army, there weren’t many. After all, their abilities didn’t align well with combat.

Next were the wizards brought by the great nobles. Whether they were also from a lower aristocratic background or not, these wizards received treatment no less than the nobles themselves, and they excelled at prophecy and divination. These were the types of magic that nobles were most fond of. Of course, these wizards didn’t stand out in combat. It was difficult to see immediate results from such magic.

Finally, there were the wizards of the tribes scattered across the vast lands of the empire. Their loyalty was lacking, but they were well-versed in diverse and rare mysteries. They were the most useful when it came to combat.

Naturally, it could only have been a tribal wizard who managed to coax the giants from the Black Mountains and bring them along.

“Truly remarkable! How did you bring the giants with you?”

The other wizards sent gazes of admiration and awe. As fellow beings devoted to mysteries, they couldn’t help but be amazed. Bringing the giants was a truly great feat.

Commoners often underestimated the intelligence of giants. However, giants were by no means stupid. They were simply fixated on the things that interested them, and they were never easy opponents to persuade.

And yet, someone managed to persuade them to come.

“Normally, I wouldn’t share this, but since we’ve met like this, I shall tell you,”

said the tribal wizard who had convinced the giants to come. None of the other wizards present were offended by his attitude. A capable wizard deserved respect. If he were to share his secrets, they had all the more reason to be humble.

“Giants will never do anything they don’t want to. And they’re quite stubborn.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

Wizards who had met giants before nodded. No matter how hard you tried to persuade them, giants wouldn’t follow you if they didn’t like you, even if you offered them a hundred cows, a hundred horses, and a hundred sheep.

The wizard took out an incense burner and placed it down. It was a censer that emitted an extraordinary aura.

“This incense burner is a treasure I received from my master. If you put the right herbs inside and burn them, the resulting fragrance will temporarily erase memories. No matter how strong the giants are, they can’t resist this.”

The wizard tapped the incense burner and spoke with delight. It was easy to lie to the giants when their memories were temporarily gone. You could just say that they lost a bet and that they had agreed to assist the army under the command of the wizards.

“W-Was that how you brought them here? By lying to them??”

While some wizards were impressed, many more were frightened or shocked. Tribal wizards were sensitive about tradition and discipline. Deceiving giants was taboo among many tribes.

“If you look at it that way, I suppose so.”

“If they find out later, how will you deal with the consequences?”

“If they don’t find out, isn’t that fine?”

“Even if you seal wine in a jar, it will eventually disappear over time. What makes you think. . . Don’t you think the giants will retaliate against you and your descendants if they find out?”

Despite what the other wizards said, the wizard holding the incense burner didn’t seem to take it seriously.

“You worry too much. Not only will they not find out, but even if they do, how will they find me if I run away? The place I came from is so far away that you can’t even see it from the Black Mountains.”

“Hmm. . .”

Since the wizard had a point, the others stopped talking and kept their mouths shut. Still, their expressions were stiff, as if they were still slightly anxious.

“Wizards, come out!!”

“??!!”

A thunderous roar came from outside. It would have been better if it was actually thunder. That was the giants’ furious yelling. The wizards who had been talking until just now gasped.

“Why are they doing that?”

“W-Well. . . Perhaps they didn’t like the meal? Maybe the slaves gave them scrawny livestock. . .”

One of the wizards lifted the tent flap and peeked outside.

The soldiers and attendants were shocked and tried to block the giants, but it was no use. When the giants got angry and stomped their feet, the soldiers immediately made way for them.

“Wizards, come out!!”

“Why are they doing this?”

“Wizards, you tricked us! If you don’t tell us the truth, you’ll die here!”

????!

One of the furious giants kicked the tent with his foot. The firmly secured tent flew away and tumbled over and over. The wizards who had been lying comfortably were startled and got up. One quick-witted wizard crawled on all fours and hid in the darkness.

“You! You tricked us! Tell us the truth!”

“N-No! What are you talking about. . .? This is ridiculous.”

The other wizards sighed. They had feared this, but the giants had really found out. And it was in the worst possible situation!

“Now that things have come to this, quickly apologize and promise them compensation.”

“That’s nonsense. . . Keep quiet! If you keep blabbering, they’ll get suspicious! There’s no evidence whatsoever!”

“Do you think this is a city courthouse? What are you talking about, evidence? What does evidence mean to giants!”

The wizards were arguing among themselves, anxiously chattering away, and the giants seemed to have made up their minds.

“Three seconds! We’re not waiting any longer! If you don’t confess, we’ll kill you here!”

“. . . . . .”

Gulp?

While the wizards were panicking and trying to figure out what to do, the soldiers behind them made the worst possible choice.

“Attack! Rescue the wizards!”

“W-Wait! Wait!”

Without a chance to stop them, the gathered archers began to shoot arrows. There was no answer when the angry giants started causing a scene. The captains shouted, ordering their men to shoot at the giants’ weak points.

“We’ve been tricked! Kill them!”

The giants swung their clubs, letting out war cries. The wizard closest to them was instantly crushed to death.

“A. . . Am I dreaming?”

“Snap out of it! We have to drive the giants out!”

Fires were rising up all around them, and panicked knights came running. They couldn’t believe the reality of giants running wild and their mouths hung open.

“Did the wizards betray us?! Where did those wizards go!”

“They’re hiding over there!”

“. . .Summon the remaining wizards!”

??????

The giants’ rampage was much more effective than expected. Johan and his men were able to easily reach the camp where the elf king was staying.

Of course, there were guards in front. . .

“Swish!”

“Ack!”

Nobody expected a surprise attack, especially not outside. The sentries fell without even being able to scream. Johan shook the blood off his sword and gestured.

“There are more inside.”

“I’ll wait here.”

The men were surprised when Johan walked inside as if it was nothing. He was just going to go in like that, when there were still enemies remaining?

“H-Hey, w. . .”

After a short while, Johan came out. He was covered in even more blood than before.

“I took care of them. Let’s go. You wake up the other elf knights and bring them with you. I’ll take His Majesty.”

“Yes!”

As agreed upon beforehand, the group split up. Johan headed towards the elf king’s tent. He knew where it was, and since the king’s tent was so splendid, it was easy to find.

“!”

Johan lifted the tent flap and went inside. The elf king was getting up from his bed, perhaps because of the commotion outside.

“Who. . . Ugh!”

BAM!

Johan punched the elf king right in the jaw. And then he panicked.

‘????.’

He had thrown the punch because his opponent had suddenly gotten up. He had originally planned to say a few words first, and if that didn’t work, he would knock him out after securing him.

Perhaps because Johan had been tense, his fist had moved first.

‘???’? ?? ??????.’

Johan lifted the elf king over his shoulder. The unconscious elf king went limp and stayed still.

“Duke! These people say they can’t just leave!”

“Tell them the elf king ordered them to leave.”

“Yes, sir!”

Johan had knocked out the elf king and was relaying fake orders, but the centaurs who saw their master carrying the elf king on his shoulder didn’t say anything and just ran.

The elf knights followed the orders without knowing anything.

“If His Majesty ordered it. . .!”

“That’s right! Now, let’s go!”

“Where is His Majesty?”

“He must be walking ahead. Come on, let’s move!”

“I don’t see him?”

“It’s dark!!! Are you going to keep wasting time with such pointless nonsense?! We risked our lives coming to the Sultan’s camp, you know?!”

“I-I’m sorry. We’ll properly repay this favor.”

“Of course you will!”

The centaurs set fire to the camp as a final act. As a race known throughout history for causing the most fires, they skillfully threw firestarters all over the camp. They also threw jars filled with a thick, black liquid that dwarves used in sieges.

“We’re done! Let’s go!”

“Why can’t I see His Majesty. . .?”

??????

“There are soldiers over there!”

“Oh no. We caused too much of a commotion. Let’s go around them!”

Johan and his men decided not to cross the river right away and take a detour instead. Unbeknownst to Johan, these soldiers were the ones who had come out because of the giants. The commotion had gotten so loud that even other companies had been mobilized.

“Are there any pursuers?”

“No! It seems like there aren’t any!”

Their path was blocked, but the men weren’t flustered. The enemy was still in chaos, and there was no pursuit. Not being able to cross the river right away was only a minor problem. This was a great success.

“Ugh. . .”

“Your Majesty! Wake up!”

“Who. . . Who attacked me?”

“It must have been the Sultan’s men. I saw them.”

“???”

The elf king touched his jaw and looked puzzled. There was no reason for the Sultan’s men to attack him.

“Why would the Sultan. . .?”

“He envied Your Majesty’s fame and power, and he was afraid you would be released. He’s holding out for now without giving his ransom, but he’ll have to let you go eventually. He must be afraid that that day will be the day of his downfall.”

“It’s not to that extent. . .”

The elf king felt a bit embarrassed at the praise he was hearing for the first time in a long while. He was modest, but he was happy.

“Wait a minute. I made a vow. . .”

“Since the other side broke it first, it doesn’t matter.”

And then Johan immediately changed the subject.

“It was really hard getting here. My men also suffered a lot.”

“Thank you so much, duke.”

“Do you know how wide and deep the river in front of me is? The water was cold too, in this kind of weather.”

“Thank you again, duke.”

“Plus, there were the giants blocking my path.”

“. . . . . .”

Johan’s men behind him all had ‘???’? ???? ??? ?????’ expressions on their faces. No matter what, elf kings are people too, and doing this to one. . .

However, the elf king just kept apologizing. Johan knew.

‘??? ???? ??’?? ??????? ??? ????, ?? ???’? ???? ?? ??? ???? ????????.’

Johan’s voice contained a potent force. The giant, upon hearing his words, nodded slightly, as if his resolve had been stirred.

“Thinking about it now, it’s strange. I’m not used to losing.”

“That’s right. It’s clear that the wizards cheated. The Sultan’s wizards are well-known, you see.”

“Cheaters!”

The giant was startled by Johan’s words. Then he became furious.

“Unforgivable! Cheating in a wager!”

“Yes. They’re truly despicable fellows. Were the ones we met before also present?”

“Yes.”

“Go to the wizards with your companions. Make them confess the truth!”

“I shall!”

At Johan’s words, Mahemaniu nodded as if awakened from a long slumber.

“Never cease until the wizards confess the truth. Wizards are naturally cunning and wicked, who knows what tricks they might employ. Ignore all their words except their confession of the truth.”

“I understand. Johan of House Yeats. Won’t you come with us?”

The giant invited him, convinced by Johan’s reliable words. It felt like he would be able to see through the wizards’ tricks as well. However, Johan shook his head.

“I have a place I need to go.”

“Then it can’t be helped.”

“Wait. What do you plan to do once you learn that the wizards cheated? Are you thinking of returning to the Black Mountains?”

Mahemaniu pondered for a moment and nodded. Johan extended his finger and pointed to a star.

“Do you see that star up there? Just follow that star and you’ll reach the Black Mountains.”

“Thank you!”

“It’s nothing. Take this.”

Johan gave him detailed directions and then parted ways. In the darkness, the sound of the giants rising one by one could be heard. It was Mahemaniu calling out to his companions.

“. . .If I were to pick the most wicked and powerful among the wizards, I would choose Your Highness the duke.”

“I appreciate the praise. Let’s move!”

Johan and his subordinates moved again. They had to reach the front of the tent while the giants were creating a commotion.

??????

Among the wizards under the Sultan, there were various factions.

First were the royal wizards who had served in the palace for generations, originating from eunuchs. They excelled at concocting various drugs. Although some followed the army, there weren’t many. After all, their abilities didn’t align well with combat.

Next were the wizards brought by the great nobles. Whether they were also from a lower aristocratic background or not, these wizards received treatment no less than the nobles themselves, and they excelled at prophecy and divination. These were the types of magic that nobles were most fond of. Of course, these wizards didn’t stand out in combat. It was difficult to see immediate results from such magic.

Finally, there were the wizards of the tribes scattered across the vast lands of the empire. Their loyalty was lacking, but they were well-versed in diverse and rare mysteries. They were the most useful when it came to combat.

Naturally, it could only have been a tribal wizard who managed to coax the giants from the Black Mountains and bring them along.

“Truly remarkable! How did you bring the giants with you?”

The other wizards sent gazes of admiration and awe. As fellow beings devoted to mysteries, they couldn’t help but be amazed. Bringing the giants was a truly great feat.

Commoners often underestimated the intelligence of giants. However, giants were by no means stupid. They were simply fixated on the things that interested them, and they were never easy opponents to persuade.

And yet, someone managed to persuade them to come.

“Normally, I wouldn’t share this, but since we’ve met like this, I shall tell you,”

said the tribal wizard who had convinced the giants to come. None of the other wizards present were offended by his attitude. A capable wizard deserved respect. If he were to share his secrets, they had all the more reason to be humble.

“Giants will never do anything they don’t want to. And they’re quite stubborn.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

Wizards who had met giants before nodded. No matter how hard you tried to persuade them, giants wouldn’t follow you if they didn’t like you, even if you offered them a hundred cows, a hundred horses, and a hundred sheep.

The wizard took out an incense burner and placed it down. It was a censer that emitted an extraordinary aura.

“This incense burner is a treasure I received from my master. If you put the right herbs inside and burn them, the resulting fragrance will temporarily erase memories. No matter how strong the giants are, they can’t resist this.”

The wizard tapped the incense burner and spoke with delight. It was easy to lie to the giants when their memories were temporarily gone. You could just say that they lost a bet and that they had agreed to assist the army under the command of the wizards.

“W-Was that how you brought them here? By lying to them??”

While some wizards were impressed, many more were frightened or shocked. Tribal wizards were sensitive about tradition and discipline. Deceiving giants was taboo among many tribes.

“If you look at it that way, I suppose so.”

“If they find out later, how will you deal with the consequences?”

“If they don’t find out, isn’t that fine?”

“Even if you seal wine in a jar, it will eventually disappear over time. What makes you think. . . Don’t you think the giants will retaliate against you and your descendants if they find out?”

Despite what the other wizards said, the wizard holding the incense burner didn’t seem to take it seriously.

“You worry too much. Not only will they not find out, but even if they do, how will they find me if I run away? The place I came from is so far away that you can’t even see it from the Black Mountains.”

“Hmm. . .”

Since the wizard had a point, the others stopped talking and kept their mouths shut. Still, their expressions were stiff, as if they were still slightly anxious.

“Wizards, come out!!”

“??!!”

A thunderous roar came from outside. It would have been better if it was actually thunder. That was the giants’ furious yelling. The wizards who had been talking until just now gasped.

“Why are they doing that?”

“W-Well. . . Perhaps they didn’t like the meal? Maybe the slaves gave them scrawny livestock. . .”

One of the wizards lifted the tent flap and peeked outside.

The soldiers and attendants were shocked and tried to block the giants, but it was no use. When the giants got angry and stomped their feet, the soldiers immediately made way for them.

“Wizards, come out!!”

“Why are they doing this?”

“Wizards, you tricked us! If you don’t tell us the truth, you’ll die here!”

????!

One of the furious giants kicked the tent with his foot. The firmly secured tent flew away and tumbled over and over. The wizards who had been lying comfortably were startled and got up. One quick-witted wizard crawled on all fours and hid in the darkness.

“You! You tricked us! Tell us the truth!”

“N-No! What are you talking about. . .? This is ridiculous.”

The other wizards sighed. They had feared this, but the giants had really found out. And it was in the worst possible situation!

“Now that things have come to this, quickly apologize and promise them compensation.”

“That’s nonsense. . . Keep quiet! If you keep blabbering, they’ll get suspicious! There’s no evidence whatsoever!”

“Do you think this is a city courthouse? What are you talking about, evidence? What does evidence mean to giants!”

The wizards were arguing among themselves, anxiously chattering away, and the giants seemed to have made up their minds.

“Three seconds! We’re not waiting any longer! If you don’t confess, we’ll kill you here!”

“. . . . . .”

Gulp?

While the wizards were panicking and trying to figure out what to do, the soldiers behind them made the worst possible choice.

“Attack! Rescue the wizards!”

“W-Wait! Wait!”

Without a chance to stop them, the gathered archers began to shoot arrows. There was no answer when the angry giants started causing a scene. The captains shouted, ordering their men to shoot at the giants’ weak points.

“We’ve been tricked! Kill them!”

The giants swung their clubs, letting out war cries. The wizard closest to them was instantly crushed to death.

“A. . . Am I dreaming?”

“Snap out of it! We have to drive the giants out!”

Fires were rising up all around them, and panicked knights came running. They couldn’t believe the reality of giants running wild and their mouths hung open.

“Did the wizards betray us?! Where did those wizards go!”

“They’re hiding over there!”

“. . .Summon the remaining wizards!”

??????

The giants’ rampage was much more effective than expected. Johan and his men were able to easily reach the camp where the elf king was staying.

Of course, there were guards in front. . .

“Swish!”

“Ack!”

Nobody expected a surprise attack, especially not outside. The sentries fell without even being able to scream. Johan shook the blood off his sword and gestured.

“There are more inside.”

“I’ll wait here.”

The men were surprised when Johan walked inside as if it was nothing. He was just going to go in like that, when there were still enemies remaining?

“H-Hey, w. . .”

After a short while, Johan came out. He was covered in even more blood than before.

“I took care of them. Let’s go. You wake up the other elf knights and bring them with you. I’ll take His Majesty.”

“Yes!”

As agreed upon beforehand, the group split up. Johan headed towards the elf king’s tent. He knew where it was, and since the king’s tent was so splendid, it was easy to find.

“!”

Johan lifted the tent flap and went inside. The elf king was getting up from his bed, perhaps because of the commotion outside.

“Who. . . Ugh!”

BAM!

Johan punched the elf king right in the jaw. And then he panicked.

‘????.’

He had thrown the punch because his opponent had suddenly gotten up. He had originally planned to say a few words first, and if that didn’t work, he would knock him out after securing him.

Perhaps because Johan had been tense, his fist had moved first.

‘???’? ?? ??????.’

Johan lifted the elf king over his shoulder. The unconscious elf king went limp and stayed still.

“Duke! These people say they can’t just leave!”

“Tell them the elf king ordered them to leave.”

“Yes, sir!”

Johan had knocked out the elf king and was relaying fake orders, but the centaurs who saw their master carrying the elf king on his shoulder didn’t say anything and just ran.

The elf knights followed the orders without knowing anything.

“If His Majesty ordered it. . .!”

“That’s right! Now, let’s go!”

“Where is His Majesty?”

“He must be walking ahead. Come on, let’s move!”

“I don’t see him?”

“It’s dark!!! Are you going to keep wasting time with such pointless nonsense?! We risked our lives coming to the Sultan’s camp, you know?!”

“I-I’m sorry. We’ll properly repay this favor.”

“Of course you will!”

The centaurs set fire to the camp as a final act. As a race known throughout history for causing the most fires, they skillfully threw firestarters all over the camp. They also threw jars filled with a thick, black liquid that dwarves used in sieges.

“We’re done! Let’s go!”

“Why can’t I see His Majesty. . .?”

??????

“There are soldiers over there!”

“Oh no. We caused too much of a commotion. Let’s go around them!”

Johan and his men decided not to cross the river right away and take a detour instead. Unbeknownst to Johan, these soldiers were the ones who had come out because of the giants. The commotion had gotten so loud that even other companies had been mobilized.

“Are there any pursuers?”

“No! It seems like there aren’t any!”

Their path was blocked, but the men weren’t flustered. The enemy was still in chaos, and there was no pursuit. Not being able to cross the river right away was only a minor problem. This was a great success.

“Ugh. . .”

“Your Majesty! Wake up!”

“Who. . . Who attacked me?”

“It must have been the Sultan’s men. I saw them.”

“???”

The elf king touched his jaw and looked puzzled. There was no reason for the Sultan’s men to attack him.

“Why would the Sultan. . .?”

“He envied Your Majesty’s fame and power, and he was afraid you would be released. He’s holding out for now without giving his ransom, but he’ll have to let you go eventually. He must be afraid that that day will be the day of his downfall.”

“It’s not to that extent. . .”

The elf king felt a bit embarrassed at the praise he was hearing for the first time in a long while. He was modest, but he was happy.

“Wait a minute. I made a vow. . .”

“Since the other side broke it first, it doesn’t matter.”

And then Johan immediately changed the subject.

“It was really hard getting here. My men also suffered a lot.”

“Thank you so much, duke.”

“Do you know how wide and deep the river in front of me is? The water was cold too, in this kind of weather.”

“Thank you again, duke.”

“Plus, there were the giants blocking my path.”

“. . . . . .”

Johan’s men behind him all had ‘???’? ???? ??? ?????’ expressions on their faces. No matter what, elf kings are people too, and doing this to one. . .

However, the elf king just kept apologizing. Johan knew.

‘??? ???? ??’?? ??????? ??? ????, ?? ???’? ???? ?? ??? ???? ????????.’