How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 352: ?????? (4)

“Your Highness! I am truly delighted to see you! I should have come to see you myself. . .!”

Mohado’s lips naturally uttered flattery. He didn’t even have to think; the flattery flowed out like water. It was as if his body moved to survive without his brain thinking.

“Hey. This guy called His Highness the Duke monstrous.”

“. . . . . .”

Mohado truly detested the babbling centaur warrior. He could insult the lord even when he wasn’t around, but now he was rudely reminding him again.

Regardless, the centaurs continued to babble.

“In the Black Mountains, did they call the duke Monstrous Duke?”

“Oh right. That nickname is really well done. I’ve heard nicknames like ‘Good Duke’ or ‘Brave Duke’ but ‘Monstrous Duke’ is really. . .”

“That’s enough.”

He still didn’t have a grasp on the exact situation, but the fact that the ones lying in ambush in the town were actually the Black Mountains’ rogues was not bad news.

They had formed an alliance, and more than anything, they were longtime enemies of the Sultan, so there was no chance of cooperation.

“We had to use some force because they suddenly attacked. I hope you understand?”

“Yes! Of course. Attacking without orders, those fools are stupid, are they not? I will discipline them harshly.”

“Good. When you’re done cleaning up, come see me. I want to hear the details.”

??????

“Splash water on them and wake them up!”

“They’re not waking up?”

“Beat them awake! If there are still guys not getting up, burn them with torches! Why am I wasting my time like this?!”

Mohado yelled at his subordinates and kicked them. He had to hurry up and wake these stupid subordinates, make them stand in formation, and then explain to the Duke what had happened.

Fortunately, he didn’t seem angry but it was not good to keep such a powerful person waiting.

“I. . .I flew. Flew. . .”

“What’s this guy mumbling about?”

“Duke grabbed him and he flew just like that. That’s why he’s like this.”

When the guy who usually seemed decent started babbling nonsense instead of getting himself together, Mohado slapped the back of his head.

“Get the rest of the men up and have them stand by!”

“Yes sir!”

Mohado’s slave let out a relieved expression. From the atmosphere, it looked like the Duke would meet Mohado alone.

“No, you come with me too.”

“. . .”

The slave followed with a pitch black, dead look on his face.

Fortunately, the young Duke had not become angry in the meantime, and he quietly listened attentively instead of picking a fight while listening to the story. If anything, he had an interested look on his face.

“So you were just waiting for the opportunity this whole time?”

“Yes.”

“Good plan. What do you think about doing it together?”

“Huh??”

Mohado was surprised.

Of course having Duke and his knights help out would provide assistance beyond measure.

His subordinates who spent their days training by wandering the mountain ranges, shooting bows and setting traps were leagues apart from the knights of the west who had been properly trained since childhood. No wonder even the Sultan feared the knights of the west.

“But. . . would that really be alright with you?”

The knights were just as proud as they were skilled. Having to work together with bands of rogues would surely be unbearable for them. Let alone their Duke leading them.

“Why wouldn’t it be? Are you perhaps worried about compensation? Don’t worry. Take as much as you want.”

With just the men here, they wouldn’t have been able to take much anyway. Even if the rogues worked hard to grab stuff, they’d likely have to burn what was left.

But even so, those words were plenty surprising to Mohado. He found it hard to believe that a Duke would boss around rogues and properly pay them their dues.

“Thank you!”

Mohado prostrated himself on the floor to express his gratitude. And he cursed the other tribal chiefs of the Black Mountains.

If he made it back, he swore to never call Duke Johan a monster ever again.

??????

“Your majesty. Are you alright?”

Several elven knights worriedly addressed the king.

They respected the position of a duke and considered it an honor to serve under him. Therefore, they could endure being with a group of rogues or beggars. . .

However, the king’s mood could be different. In fact, the elven king’s expression had not been bright since he escaped.

“I feel pathetic.”

“No! Your majesty! Your majesty fought like a knight. No one who was there could say that your majesty was cowardly.”

“I couldn’t even get away on my own, and I couldn’t retaliate on the spot against the enemy who used despicable tactics! I. . . I’m ashamed!”

“Your majesty! Your majesty is currently enduring a difficult time in order to be tempered. Even if a cold frost sweeps through the harsh cold, the deep roots will not be damaged, so your majesty’s time will return as soon as the day dawns!”

‘???? ??? ???? ??????’

Walking along, Johan wondered when he saw the elven knights hugging the king and shouting. Euclyia said with contempt.

“Aren’t those knights too weak?”

“Well. . . I guess it’s necessary if it cheers you up. We need the elven knights’ help this time.”

After hearing the details from Mohado, Johan learned why the rogues of the Black Mountains had not attacked until now and had only swallowed their pride. The defense was more formidable than expected.

It was not usually difficult to move supplies by land along the vast land. Therefore, the supplies were transferred to a transport ship to the nearest coast.

The supplies were temporarily stored at a base located near the coast, and from there, they were moved by land to the sultan’s camp. Of course, they were not simply moved, as the sultan’s elite troops followed them.

“Why are you attaching knights to move supplies? No, it’s not my place to say, as we’re the one trying to steal it. . .”

The centaurs were also bewildered. It was hard to understand why knights were attached to escort a single transport unit.

Of course, there was damage if they were ambushed, but the supplies were not all there. It could be moved again. They were hiding in a cave in preparation for rain in the dry sky.

“I heard it was due to the sultan’s orders.”

Merchants and peddlers who visited the camp brought supplies, but there was a limit as the size of the army grew. Moreover, the items used by the sultan and the nobles under him had to be the best of the best.

If those were subjected to even a single act of roguery, many heads would roll. Therefore, the subordinates chose to guard them thoroughly, even if it meant suffering a little more.

. . .However, no one could have imagined that this extravagance would now stop Johan.

“Besides, it wasn’t going to work by attacking the transport team once or twice anyway. If the tail is long, you will be caught, so if you’re going to do it, you have to do it big and back off.”

“Then. . .?”

“Attack the base directly.”

Upon hearing the testimony, the base was now filled with supplies brought by transport ships. Since the fleet was gone, it was difficult to recover quickly if the base was blown up, as it was even more noticeable at sea.

“But they say it’s almost like a castle.”

“We don’t have proper siege equipment.”

“I understand Your Highness’s feelings, but I wonder if it’s a bit reckless for Your Highness to break in by force. . . Starting with the moat, the castle gates would have been properly reinforced. I’m worried that you might get hit by a blind arrow.”

“. . .I didn’t say that.”

Johan was bewildered when the centaurs tried to stop him. He hadn’t even thought of such a crazy idea.

“Oh. Is that so?”

“Haha. . . Then what are we going to do?”

Johan’s men skillfully changed the subject. They were indeed people who had served for a long time.

“I was thinking of using a strategy to infiltrate the inside. If I can get inside, I’ll be able to find a way somehow.”

“Indeed. What if we went in disguise? Since there are rogues, to the superior. . .”

“Is it impossible to disguise ourselves as escorts? Your Highness is well-versed in the heraldry and banners of the enemy’s family.”

Johan’s men were not only good at changing the subject. Having experienced various battles with Johan, they were also good at devising various strategies.

Mohado, who had been listening in admiration, suddenly came to his senses and said.

“Wait, wait a minute. It’s all good, but there’s one problem.”

“What is it?”

“The captain guarding the base has a satyr with him.”

Satyr.

It was a monster with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a goat.

The serfs in the countryside sometimes mistook centaurs and satyrs, but in such cases, the centaurs kindly explained the difference. If you step on it properly once, you will definitely feel the difference between two hooves and four hooves.

And although centaurs were often called monsters, they were a race that could communicate, even if they were unruly. In contrast, satyrs were included in monsters. They could not have a proper conversation and did not live in tribes like centaurs.

“I found out by spying, but I heard he’s incredibly good at spotting lies. It’s not that we haven’t infiltrated for nothing.”

The captain of the base had not been attacked because he had raised the satyr since it was a cub. Thanks to this, the satyr was playing an active role as the captain’s loyal dog.

“The satyr hasn’t gone extinct yet?”

“Ha. If it was in the grassland, it would have wiped out its seeds long ago. . .”

The centaurs muttered murderously. Seeing Achladda and Euclyia cursing in the eastern language, it seemed that they really disliked it.

“So infiltration is practically impossible. . .”

Johan was lost in thought. Hearing the story of the satyr gave him a headache. Achladda asked.

“Shall we snipe the satyr from afar?”

“Even if he dies, the vigilance will remain. . . Hmm. Is that the only answer?”

“If you give me a chance, I’ll cut his throat right away.”

It seemed that the opponent’s vigilance could be reduced somehow if their identity was properly disguised. Johan accepted the strategy presented by the centaurs and went into specific planning.

??????

The captain occasionally went out of the base and patrolled. Of course, since the escorts were close by, it was almost impossible to snipe from a distance, but the satyr was different. Like a monster, he ran freely at the front of the procession.

The centaurs waited in the woods, which was hard to imagine. They were excellent archers who had learned archery since the time of the old empire. It was nothing to put an arrow in a large monster.

“What was it after you shot? To avenge Yehekar-gong?”

“No. Yeheyman.”

“It’s hard to remember the names of the nobles here.”

Johan made something similar to the flag Yeheyman used and made it known to the surroundings. It seemed that if the centaurs left as soon as they shot and the others swung the flag once and then ran away, it would be plausible.

Yeheyman’s men or close nobles were executed because of the defeat, and it would not be strange if they harbored resentment. It would be a suitable disguise.

And above all, it seemed more plausible that the escaped knights joined forces with the rogues than that the enemy duke crossed the river and joined forces with the rogues here. Johan thought he would think the latter.

With the sound of the demonstration being pulled, the centaurs narrowed their eyes and glared ahead. The tension was great as only those who were confident in their archery skills were selected and aimed.

“Shoot!”

Johan watched far ahead with a force several times stronger than that of others. The arrows, which were shorter than normal arrows, flew with a thud and accurately hit the satyr’s vital point. . .

????!

The arrow hit the satyr’s torso and bounced off. The satyr, startled by the attack, howled and threw his body to the side. Other arrows were deflected by the chill.

“What?!”

Johan clearly saw the satyr’s waistband trinket shatter the moment the arrow hit.

‘??? ?? ?? ????????? ??????!’

“Did you miss that!?”

“I-I hit it. . .!”

“Fall back. Even if you didn’t catch it, proceed as planned.”

The rogues of the Black Mountains jumped out of the woods and shouted.

“Let’s avenge Yeheyman-gong!”

“Since you’re the sultan’s lackey. Face us!”

Arrows flew. It was a threatening arrow that did not aim to hit, completely different from before. The soldiers moved hurriedly to form a formation.

“Okay. Let’s retreat for now. They won’t chase us either.”

“They’re, they’re chasing us??”

The rogue said in bewilderment. The captain was leading the soldiers and running towards them quickly. Johan was momentarily dumbfounded.

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

How do you know how many people are hiding in the woods?

“Your Highness! I am truly delighted to see you! I should have come to see you myself. . .!”

Mohado’s lips naturally uttered flattery. He didn’t even have to think; the flattery flowed out like water. It was as if his body moved to survive without his brain thinking.

“Hey. This guy called His Highness the Duke monstrous.”

“. . . . . .”

Mohado truly detested the babbling centaur warrior. He could insult the lord even when he wasn’t around, but now he was rudely reminding him again.

Regardless, the centaurs continued to babble.

“In the Black Mountains, did they call the duke Monstrous Duke?”

“Oh right. That nickname is really well done. I’ve heard nicknames like ‘Good Duke’ or ‘Brave Duke’ but ‘Monstrous Duke’ is really. . .”

“That’s enough.”

Seeing Mohado on the verge of tears, Johan stopped the centaurs.

He still didn’t have a grasp on the exact situation, but the fact that the ones lying in ambush in the town were actually the Black Mountains’ rogues was not bad news.

They had formed an alliance, and more than anything, they were longtime enemies of the Sultan, so there was no chance of cooperation.

“We had to use some force because they suddenly attacked. I hope you understand?”

“Yes! Of course. Attacking without orders, those fools are stupid, are they not? I will discipline them harshly.”

“Good. When you’re done cleaning up, come see me. I want to hear the details.”

??????

“Splash water on them and wake them up!”

“They’re not waking up?”

“Beat them awake! If there are still guys not getting up, burn them with torches! Why am I wasting my time like this?!”

Mohado yelled at his subordinates and kicked them. He had to hurry up and wake these stupid subordinates, make them stand in formation, and then explain to the Duke what had happened.

Fortunately, he didn’t seem angry but it was not good to keep such a powerful person waiting.

“I. . .I flew. Flew. . .”

“What’s this guy mumbling about?”

“Duke grabbed him and he flew just like that. That’s why he’s like this.”

When the guy who usually seemed decent started babbling nonsense instead of getting himself together, Mohado slapped the back of his head.

“Get the rest of the men up and have them stand by!”

“Yes sir!”

Mohado’s slave let out a relieved expression. From the atmosphere, it looked like the Duke would meet Mohado alone.

“No, you come with me too.”

“. . .”

The slave followed with a pitch black, dead look on his face.

Fortunately, the young Duke had not become angry in the meantime, and he quietly listened attentively instead of picking a fight while listening to the story. If anything, he had an interested look on his face.

“So you were just waiting for the opportunity this whole time?”

“Yes.”

“Good plan. What do you think about doing it together?”

“Huh??”

Mohado was surprised.

Of course having Duke and his knights help out would provide assistance beyond measure.

His subordinates who spent their days training by wandering the mountain ranges, shooting bows and setting traps were leagues apart from the knights of the west who had been properly trained since childhood. No wonder even the Sultan feared the knights of the west.

“But. . . would that really be alright with you?”

The knights were just as proud as they were skilled. Having to work together with bands of rogues would surely be unbearable for them. Let alone their Duke leading them.

“Why wouldn’t it be? Are you perhaps worried about compensation? Don’t worry. Take as much as you want.”

With just the men here, they wouldn’t have been able to take much anyway. Even if the rogues worked hard to grab stuff, they’d likely have to burn what was left.

But even so, those words were plenty surprising to Mohado. He found it hard to believe that a Duke would boss around rogues and properly pay them their dues.

“Thank you!”

Mohado prostrated himself on the floor to express his gratitude. And he cursed the other tribal chiefs of the Black Mountains.

If he made it back, he swore to never call Duke Johan a monster ever again.

??????

“Your majesty. Are you alright?”

Several elven knights worriedly addressed the king.

They respected the position of a duke and considered it an honor to serve under him. Therefore, they could endure being with a group of rogues or beggars. . .

However, the king’s mood could be different. In fact, the elven king’s expression had not been bright since he escaped.

“I feel pathetic.”

“No! Your majesty! Your majesty fought like a knight. No one who was there could say that your majesty was cowardly.”

“I couldn’t even get away on my own, and I couldn’t retaliate on the spot against the enemy who used despicable tactics! I. . . I’m ashamed!”

“Your majesty! Your majesty is currently enduring a difficult time in order to be tempered. Even if a cold frost sweeps through the harsh cold, the deep roots will not be damaged, so your majesty’s time will return as soon as the day dawns!”

‘???? ??? ???? ??????’

Walking along, Johan wondered when he saw the elven knights hugging the king and shouting. Euclyia said with contempt.

“Aren’t those knights too weak?”

“Well. . . I guess it’s necessary if it cheers you up. We need the elven knights’ help this time.”

After hearing the details from Mohado, Johan learned why the rogues of the Black Mountains had not attacked until now and had only swallowed their pride. The defense was more formidable than expected.

It was not usually difficult to move supplies by land along the vast land. Therefore, the supplies were transferred to a transport ship to the nearest coast.

The supplies were temporarily stored at a base located near the coast, and from there, they were moved by land to the sultan’s camp. Of course, they were not simply moved, as the sultan’s elite troops followed them.

“Why are you attaching knights to move supplies? No, it’s not my place to say, as we’re the one trying to steal it. . .”

The centaurs were also bewildered. It was hard to understand why knights were attached to escort a single transport unit.

Of course, there was damage if they were ambushed, but the supplies were not all there. It could be moved again. They were hiding in a cave in preparation for rain in the dry sky.

“I heard it was due to the sultan’s orders.”

Merchants and peddlers who visited the camp brought supplies, but there was a limit as the size of the army grew. Moreover, the items used by the sultan and the nobles under him had to be the best of the best.

If those were subjected to even a single act of roguery, many heads would roll. Therefore, the subordinates chose to guard them thoroughly, even if it meant suffering a little more.

. . .However, no one could have imagined that this extravagance would now stop Johan.

“Besides, it wasn’t going to work by attacking the transport team once or twice anyway. If the tail is long, you will be caught, so if you’re going to do it, you have to do it big and back off.”

“Then. . .?”

“Attack the base directly.”

Upon hearing the testimony, the base was now filled with supplies brought by transport ships. Since the fleet was gone, it was difficult to recover quickly if the base was blown up, as it was even more noticeable at sea.

“But they say it’s almost like a castle.”

“We don’t have proper siege equipment.”

“I understand Your Highness’s feelings, but I wonder if it’s a bit reckless for Your Highness to break in by force. . . Starting with the moat, the castle gates would have been properly reinforced. I’m worried that you might get hit by a blind arrow.”

“. . .I didn’t say that.”

Johan was bewildered when the centaurs tried to stop him. He hadn’t even thought of such a crazy idea.

“Oh. Is that so?”

“Haha. . . Then what are we going to do?”

Johan’s men skillfully changed the subject. They were indeed people who had served for a long time.

“I was thinking of using a strategy to infiltrate the inside. If I can get inside, I’ll be able to find a way somehow.”

“Indeed. What if we went in disguise? Since there are rogues, to the superior. . .”

“Is it impossible to disguise ourselves as escorts? Your Highness is well-versed in the heraldry and banners of the enemy’s family.”

Johan’s men were not only good at changing the subject. Having experienced various battles with Johan, they were also good at devising various strategies.

Mohado, who had been listening in admiration, suddenly came to his senses and said.

“Wait, wait a minute. It’s all good, but there’s one problem.”

“What is it?”

“The captain guarding the base has a satyr with him.”

Satyr.

It was a monster with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a goat.

The serfs in the countryside sometimes mistook centaurs and satyrs, but in such cases, the centaurs kindly explained the difference. If you step on it properly once, you will definitely feel the difference between two hooves and four hooves.

And although centaurs were often called monsters, they were a race that could communicate, even if they were unruly. In contrast, satyrs were included in monsters. They could not have a proper conversation and did not live in tribes like centaurs.

“I found out by spying, but I heard he’s incredibly good at spotting lies. It’s not that we haven’t infiltrated for nothing.”

The captain of the base had not been attacked because he had raised the satyr since it was a cub. Thanks to this, the satyr was playing an active role as the captain’s loyal dog.

“The satyr hasn’t gone extinct yet?”

“Ha. If it was in the grassland, it would have wiped out its seeds long ago. . .”

The centaurs muttered murderously. Seeing Achladda and Euclyia cursing in the eastern language, it seemed that they really disliked it.

“So infiltration is practically impossible. . .”

Johan was lost in thought. Hearing the story of the satyr gave him a headache. Achladda asked.

“Shall we snipe the satyr from afar?”

“Even if he dies, the vigilance will remain. . . Hmm. Is that the only answer?”

“If you give me a chance, I’ll cut his throat right away.”

It seemed that the opponent’s vigilance could be reduced somehow if their identity was properly disguised. Johan accepted the strategy presented by the centaurs and went into specific planning.

??????

The captain occasionally went out of the base and patrolled. Of course, since the escorts were close by, it was almost impossible to snipe from a distance, but the satyr was different. Like a monster, he ran freely at the front of the procession.

The centaurs waited in the woods, which was hard to imagine. They were excellent archers who had learned archery since the time of the old empire. It was nothing to put an arrow in a large monster.

“What was it after you shot? To avenge Yehekar-gong?”

“No. Yeheyman.”

“It’s hard to remember the names of the nobles here.”

Johan made something similar to the flag Yeheyman used and made it known to the surroundings. It seemed that if the centaurs left as soon as they shot and the others swung the flag once and then ran away, it would be plausible.

Yeheyman’s men or close nobles were executed because of the defeat, and it would not be strange if they harbored resentment. It would be a suitable disguise.

And above all, it seemed more plausible that the escaped knights joined forces with the rogues than that the enemy duke crossed the river and joined forces with the rogues here. Johan thought he would think the latter.

With the sound of the demonstration being pulled, the centaurs narrowed their eyes and glared ahead. The tension was great as only those who were confident in their archery skills were selected and aimed.

“Shoot!”

Johan watched far ahead with a force several times stronger than that of others. The arrows, which were shorter than normal arrows, flew with a thud and accurately hit the satyr’s vital point. . .

????!

The arrow hit the satyr’s torso and bounced off. The satyr, startled by the attack, howled and threw his body to the side. Other arrows were deflected by the chill.

“What?!”

Johan clearly saw the satyr’s waistband trinket shatter the moment the arrow hit.

‘??? ?? ?? ????????? ??????!’

“Did you miss that!?”

“I-I hit it. . .!”

“Fall back. Even if you didn’t catch it, proceed as planned.”

The rogues of the Black Mountains jumped out of the woods and shouted.

“Let’s avenge Yeheyman-gong!”

“Since you’re the sultan’s lackey. Face us!”

Arrows flew. It was a threatening arrow that did not aim to hit, completely different from before. The soldiers moved hurriedly to form a formation.

“Okay. Let’s retreat for now. They won’t chase us either.”

“They’re, they’re chasing us??”

The rogue said in bewilderment. The captain was leading the soldiers and running towards them quickly. Johan was momentarily dumbfounded.

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

How do you know how many people are hiding in the woods?