Chapter 16.2: ????????????????????????, ????????????????????????????????, ????????????????????????????????????, ??
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Chapter 16.2: Knight, Merchant, Mercenary, Slave (1)
When the task was finished, the sun was rising. Sunlight began to shine into the forest. ‘I wanted to sleep, but of course, I couldn’t. I had to put as much distance as possible.
ᅠ
Where should I flee?
ᅠ
The Aitz family’s fiefdom is located in the southwestern part of the Empire. Fortunately, another country was close by. It seemed unlikely that I would be caught even if I stayed within the Empire.’
ᅠ
It didn’t seem like Johan would be pursued, and even if he was, what technology of this era could find him? Once Johan changed his name and settled down, it would be practically impossible.
ᅠ
‘Still, another country would be better.’
ᅠ
A little further to the west was the Erlans Kingdom, and descending the great Dwarf Mountains to the south, there were free cities outside the Emperor’s influence.
ᅠ
‘The west seems better, after all.’
ᅠ
I would rather fight armed soldiers than climb a freezing, snowy mountain barehanded. I didn’t want to die in an avalanche or by falling.
ᅠ
‘If I break through the Black Forest to the west, I’ll reach the ancient Empire’s highway. That would be safe.
ᅠ
By breaking through the Black Forest from the Aitz town, I could head straight west without having to go around. However, no one chose that path. Circumventing may take longer, but no fool would enter a dangerous forest to save a week or two.’
ᅠ
The ancient empire’s highway, maintained for over a thousand years, was a lifeline and a guidepost for travelers across the continent. 70-80% of the Empire’s land was forests and mountains, and roaming here was like offering one’s life to monsters.
ᅠ
Travelers, merchants, nobles, vagabonds, thieves, mercenaries, all traveled along this highway.
ᅠ
It would take Johan 2 to 3 days to break through the Black Forest and escape westward.
ᅠ
Even if mercenaries who knew Johan’s face came towards Erlans Kingdom, they would take the highway above the Black Forest and come around, taking at least a week to two weeks.
ᅠ
That was enough time to shake them off. If Johan kept moving on the highway, the gap would widen, and by then, it would be unlikely to meet again on this vast continent.
ᅠ
‘It’s a perfect plan I’ve made.’
ᅠ
━Kreung?
ᅠ
“Hmm. It seems you shouldn’t follow. Carrying you around might cause misunderstandings. To call you a dog. . . you’re too big for that.”
ᅠ
Many had hunting dogs, but a black wolf was clearly not a dog, even to the blind. Where would one find such a dog?
ᅠ
“I’m sorry.”
ᅠ
????????????????????????
ᅠ
“Huh? A knight!”
ᅠ
“What? Really?”
ᅠ
The mercenaries guarding the merchant froze in shock. A knight, of all things.
ᅠ
The idea that knights were honorable and adhered to chivalry was mere propaganda among them. To mercenaries, knights were ruthless warriors best avoided.
ᅠ
These were warriors of a different class, trained rigorously from a young age, possessing superior strength and quality equipment, unlike mercenaries who merely survived the battlefield by clutching any weapon they could.
ᅠ
If one mercenary could take on ten serfs, then one knight could handle ten mercenaries.
ᅠ
“Why worry? It’s not like we’ll clash with a knight.”
ᅠ
“Oh, this naive fool. . . If your head is empty, at least keep your mouth shut. You have no idea how brutal knights can be.”
ᅠ
The youngest and most inexperienced mercenary’s words earned him reprimands from the others.
ᅠ
Why would a knight be here for no reason?
ᅠ
Two possibilities came to mind.
ᅠ
If the opposing knight cared even slightly about honor, he might be collecting tolls. And if he didn’t care at all. . .
ᅠ
‘Robbery!’
ᅠ
There were knights who would kill every merchant and traveler passing through their territory, stealing their goods. It was outrageous yet a convenient business model.
ᅠ
Within their own lands, they were the masters with no one to challenge them, and their opponents were typically weaker than their own followers. . .
ᅠ
It was akin to reaping benefits without effort.
ᅠ
The mercenaries swallowed hard and looked around nervously. The dim forest seemed intimidating, as if hiding ambushers.
ᅠ
“Milord Eldans. We have no intention of fighting a knight.”
ᅠ
The captain of the small band of mercenaries, less than ten, cautiously spoke to their employer. He was a man trying to keep his promises, driven by ambitions of rising higher. Even if they fled, moving to another city was an option, but it would mean losing all the groundwork he had laid.
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Chapter 16.2: Knight, Merchant, Mercenary, Slave (1)
When the task was finished, the sun was rising. Sunlight began to shine into the forest. ‘I wanted to sleep, but of course, I couldn’t. I had to put as much distance as possible.
ᅠ
Where should I flee?
ᅠ
The Aitz family’s fiefdom is located in the southwestern part of the Empire. Fortunately, another country was close by. It seemed unlikely that I would be caught even if I stayed within the Empire.’
ᅠ
It didn’t seem like Johan would be pursued, and even if he was, what technology of this era could find him? Once Johan changed his name and settled down, it would be practically impossible.
ᅠ
‘Still, another country would be better.’
ᅠ
A little further to the west was the Erlans Kingdom, and descending the great Dwarf Mountains to the south, there were free cities outside the Emperor’s influence.
ᅠ
‘The west seems better, after all.’
ᅠ
I would rather fight armed soldiers than climb a freezing, snowy mountain barehanded. I didn’t want to die in an avalanche or by falling.
ᅠ
‘If I break through the Black Forest to the west, I’ll reach the ancient Empire’s highway. That would be safe.
ᅠ
By breaking through the Black Forest from the Aitz town, I could head straight west without having to go around. However, no one chose that path. Circumventing may take longer, but no fool would enter a dangerous forest to save a week or two.’
ᅠ
The ancient empire’s highway, maintained for over a thousand years, was a lifeline and a guidepost for travelers across the continent. 70-80% of the Empire’s land was forests and mountains, and roaming here was like offering one’s life to monsters.
ᅠ
Travelers, merchants, nobles, vagabonds, thieves, mercenaries, all traveled along this highway.
ᅠ
It would take Johan 2 to 3 days to break through the Black Forest and escape westward.
ᅠ
Even if mercenaries who knew Johan’s face came towards Erlans Kingdom, they would take the highway above the Black Forest and come around, taking at least a week to two weeks.
ᅠ
That was enough time to shake them off. If Johan kept moving on the highway, the gap would widen, and by then, it would be unlikely to meet again on this vast continent.
ᅠ
‘It’s a perfect plan I’ve made.’
ᅠ
━Kreung?
ᅠ
“Hmm. It seems you shouldn’t follow. Carrying you around might cause misunderstandings. To call you a dog. . . you’re too big for that.”
ᅠ
Many had hunting dogs, but a black wolf was clearly not a dog, even to the blind. Where would one find such a dog?
ᅠ
“I’m sorry.”
ᅠ
????????????????????????
ᅠ
“Huh? A knight!”
ᅠ
“What? Really?”
ᅠ
The mercenaries guarding the merchant froze in shock. A knight, of all things.
ᅠ
The idea that knights were honorable and adhered to chivalry was mere propaganda among them. To mercenaries, knights were ruthless warriors best avoided.
ᅠ
These were warriors of a different class, trained rigorously from a young age, possessing superior strength and quality equipment, unlike mercenaries who merely survived the battlefield by clutching any weapon they could.
ᅠ
If one mercenary could take on ten serfs, then one knight could handle ten mercenaries.
ᅠ
“Why worry? It’s not like we’ll clash with a knight.”
ᅠ
“Oh, this naive fool. . . If your head is empty, at least keep your mouth shut. You have no idea how brutal knights can be.”
ᅠ
The youngest and most inexperienced mercenary’s words earned him reprimands from the others.
ᅠ
Why would a knight be here for no reason?
ᅠ
Two possibilities came to mind.
ᅠ
If the opposing knight cared even slightly about honor, he might be collecting tolls. And if he didn’t care at all. . .
ᅠ
‘Robbery!’
ᅠ
There were knights who would kill every merchant and traveler passing through their territory, stealing their goods. It was outrageous yet a convenient business model.
ᅠ
Within their own lands, they were the masters with no one to challenge them, and their opponents were typically weaker than their own followers. . .
ᅠ
It was akin to reaping benefits without effort.
ᅠ
The mercenaries swallowed hard and looked around nervously. The dim forest seemed intimidating, as if hiding ambushers.
ᅠ
“Milord Eldans. We have no intention of fighting a knight.”
ᅠ
The captain of the small band of mercenaries, less than ten, cautiously spoke to their employer. He was a man trying to keep his promises, driven by ambitions of rising higher. Even if they fled, moving to another city was an option, but it would mean losing all the groundwork he had laid.
Chapter 16.2: Knight, Merchant, Mercenary, Slave 1When the task was finished, the sun was rising. Sunlight began to shine into the forest. I wanted to sleep, but of course, I couldn't. I had to put as much distance as possible.Where should I flee?The Aitz family's fiefdom is located in the southwestern part of the Empire. Fortunately, another country was close by. It seemed unlikely that I would be caught even if I stayed within the Empire.'It didn't seem like Johan would be pursued, and even if he was, what technology of this era could find him? Once Johan changed his name and settled down, it would be practically impossible.Still, another country would be better.'A little further to the west was the Erlans Kingdom, and descending the great Dwarf Mountains to the south, there were free cities outside the Emperor's influence.The west seems better, after all.'I would rather fight armed soldiers than climb a freezing, snowy mountain barehanded. I didn't want to die in an avalanche or by falling.If I break through the Black Forest to the west, I'll reach the ancient Empire's highway. That would be safe.By breaking through the Black Forest from the Aitz town, I could head straight west without having to go around. However, no one chose that path. Circumventing may take longer, but no fool would enter a dangerous forest to save a week or two.'The ancient empire's highway, maintained for over a thousand years, was a lifeline and a guidepost for travelers across the continent. 70-80% of the Empire's land was forests and mountains, and roaming here was like offering one's life to monsters.Travelers, merchants, nobles, vagabonds, thieves, mercenaries, all traveled along this highway.It would take Johan 2 to 3 days to break through the Black Forest and escape westward.Even if mercenaries who knew Johan's face came towards Erlans Kingdom, they would take the highway above the Black Forest and come around, taking at least a week to two weeks.That was enough time to shake them off. If Johan kept moving on the highway, the gap would widen, and by then, it would be unlikely to meet again on this vast continent.It's a perfect plan I've made.'Kreung?Hmm. It seems you shouldn't follow. Carrying you around might cause misunderstandings. To call you a dog. . . you're too big for that.Many had hunting dogs, but a black wolf was clearly not a dog, even to the blind. Where would one find such a dog?I'm sorry.????????????????????????Huh? A knight!What? Really?The mercenaries guarding the merchant froze in shock. A knight, of all things.The idea that knights were honorable and adhered to chivalry was mere propaganda among them. To mercenaries, knights were ruthless warriors best avoided.These were warriors of a different class, trained rigorously from a young age, possessing superior strength and quality equipment, unlike mercenaries who merely survived the battlefield by clutching any weapon they could.If one mercenary could take on ten serfs, then one knight could handle ten mercenaries.Why worry? It's not like we'll clash with a knight.Oh, this naive fool. . . If your head is empty, at least keep your mouth shut. You have no idea how brutal knights can be.The youngest and most inexperienced mercenary's words earned him reprimands from the others.Why would a knight be here for no reason?Two possibilities came to mind.If the opposing knight cared even slightly about honor, he might be collecting tolls. And if he didn't care at all. . .Robbery!'There were knights who would kill every merchant and traveler passing through their territory, stealing their goods. It was outrageous yet a convenient business model.Within their own lands, they were the masters with no one to challenge them, and their opponents were typically weaker than their own followers. . .It was akin to reaping benefits without effort.The mercenaries swallowed hard and looked around nervously. The dim forest seemed intimidating, as if hiding ambushers.Milord Eldans. We have no intention of fighting a knight.The captain of the small band of mercenaries, less than ten, cautiously spoke to their employer. He was a man trying to keep his promises, driven by ambitions of rising higher. Even if they fled, moving to another city was an option, but it would mean losing all the groundwork he had laid.
