Chapter 42: ????????????????????’???? ???????????????????????? (????)
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Chapter 42: Johan’s Choice (3)
When told to go to Count Jarpen, Iaon nodded his head as if it was a good choice.
“You have made a good choice. Speak to Count Bartok as politely as possible and prepare to leave immediately. Will you be hiring any mercenaries separately?”
“!”
Johan realized a practical problem upon hearing Iaon’s words. While the elf knights had servants and slaves in Count Bartok’s fiefdom, Johan only had a single slave and a wolf.
It was not only a matter of dignity but also of real danger. As they approached Count Jarpen’s territory, the number of mercenaries and rogues would increase.
To avoid unnecessary fights, it was better to present a formidable appearance.
“. . .Would it be possible for you to recommend some decent mercenaries at the guild?”
“Yes, that would be wise.”
Iaon nodded with a smile. In such matters, having connections was certainly convenient.
????????????????????????
Traveling with more than twenty mercenaries cost Johan four Empire silver coins a day. Though it was a bargain compared to a knight’s cost, it was still a significant expense.
It was fortunate he received a substantial amount of silver coins from this campaign. Otherwise, he would have had to join as a member of a merchant caravan.
Fortunately, the mercenaries introduced by the guild were generally trustworthy, unlike the riffraff picked up from the streets. There was no need for unnecessary rivalry or power struggles.
And. . .
“That Sir Knight is a troll slayer?”
“He doesn’t look like it, does he?”
“What did you expect him to look like?”
“I don’t know. Twice his size, maybe.”
Most importantly, no crazy mercenary dared to challenge Johan’s authority so soon after the campaign. Experienced mercenaries knew better than to risk their lives unnecessarily.
“Milord, wouldn’t it be better to buy more slaves?”
“Hmm. I am considering it.”
Geoffrey’s suggestion made sense. If he had the money, it would be better to travel with slaves or servants rather than mercenaries. They were more reliable.
The problem was. . .
‘They’re expensive.’
Johan, who unexpectedly came into a large sum of money due to his achievements, was reluctant to buy battle slaves and form a troop indiscriminately.
“By the way, Geoffrey, you seem to be in a good mood?”
“Isn’t it because of the nice weather?”
Geoffrey looked very pleased. The reason was simple.
With no Suetlg, no slaves of Suetlg, and no servants from the guild, Geoffrey was determined to score points and be as indispensable to Johan as a tongue in a mouth!
Even if other slaves joined, to secure his position as a trusted senior and to avoid hard labor, Geoffrey was resolved to give his best effort.
????????????????????????
The road to Count Jarpen’s territory was the reverse of the route they had taken to the city. Although it was the same path they had traveled before, the atmosphere felt markedly different on the return journey.
“Sir Knight. Something seems amiss.”
Mercenaries who had gone into a nearby town to procure provisions reported back to Johan with serious expressions.
When Johan had escaped, Count Jarpen’s territory was in the midst of war, but the conflict hadn’t reached as far as Rutzbeck. However, now it seemed that the effects of the battle had spread to the south.
Not only Rutzbeck but other towns as well were in a state of high alert, on edge.
“Is it that bad?”
“Yes. We need to be more cautious going forward.”
The opponent in the war with Count Jarpen was Countess Abner, a powerful Count from a royal court background. Though Count Jarpen was a legitimate Empire Count, he seemed to be outmatched in power.
The conflict between these two feudal lords in the southwest of the Empire had garnered the attention of everyone from other lords of the Erlans Kingdom to the merchant guilds of southern city-states, indicating its prolonged nature!
Before they could finish, Johan had already reached the mercenaries. The imposing knight on horseback, with his arms raised, instilled such terror that some mercenaries wet themselves.
And then the slaughter began.
Like a wolf massacring a flock of sheep, Johan rampaged through the mercenaries with a mace and longsword. Each flash of the sword brought sprays of blood, and every dull thud meant another head shattered.
In the blink of an eye, seven or eight men lay dead.
The mercenaries, panicked by the collapse of their formation, hastily retreated. For Johan, it was as if they were begging to be killed. To stop a knight on horseback, they had to stick close and attack the horse.
“Charge, support Sir Knight!”
The mercenaries, initially stunned by Johan’s fierce attack, hurriedly joined the battle. Arrows flew, and with shouts, clashes ensued.
The battle was easy, almost disorienting, thanks to Johan’s frenzied frontline assault. They only had to attack the retreating mercenaries from behind.
Swish!
“!”
Johan felt a chilling sensation and jerked his head back. A bolt had just whooshed past where his face had been moments ago. One of the mercenaries fleeing behind him must have loaded his crossbow.
━Grrr!
“Aaaargh!”
The mercenary was immediately punished. Karamaf leaped up and tore the mercenary apart. For Johan, long-range attacks like these were more threatening than the assaults from the knights. Thanks to Karamaf, Johan could focus on the battle with ease.
“Catch those fleeing! Don’t let a single one escape!”
Johan had no intention of letting any of the remaining enemies slip away. They would only become a future problem.
The mercenaries Johan had hired knew this too and quickly pursued. Those who deserted were one thing, but the hired ones had to be killed right there.
“Please, mercy! I just want to go home. . .”
“You have a wife? I’ll take good care of her!”
“Spare me! I just did what the captain told me to. . .”
“Heh. I was just following the captain’s orders too.”
Once the skirmish seemed over, Johan asked.
“Karamaf, did any escape?”
━Growl.
The wolf, a monster named Karamaf, had an amazing sense of smell, able to detect mercenaries who had fled from the area. Johan asked the few remaining mercenaries who were still alive.
“Are you hired by Countess Abner, or are you deserters? Speak the truth, and I swear by the gods I won’t touch you.”
“W-We deserted.”
“Why did you desert?”
“B-Because our pay was delayed. . .”
It was ironic that the winning side also had delayed payments, but it wasn’t surprising. The enemy would only give up and pay once completely defeated. As long as they resisted, there was nothing to extract from the attacking side.
“I see. So you had no real connection with the Countess.”
“I-I’m sorry for lying. I just wanted to leave, but the captain. . .”
“It’s fine. I lied too.”
“?”
Thud!
Johan swung his mace, cutting off the remaining mercenaries’ lifelines. They had no reason to be spared.
“Quickly gather up the money! We need to get out of this area.”
“Yes!!”
The mercenaries, despite the sudden battle, looked cheerful. It was thanks to the rewards. The loot taken from the enemies was a substantial income for the mercenaries.
Moreover, seeing Johan in action inspired trust. Beyond the danger, following a knight like him seemed a sure way to earn a substantial share.
A good employer is one who pays on time and doesn’t delay wages. An even better employer provides opportunities for mercenaries to earn their share.
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Chapter 42: Johan’s Choice (3)
When told to go to Count Jarpen, Iaon nodded his head as if it was a good choice.
“You have made a good choice. Speak to Count Bartok as politely as possible and prepare to leave immediately. Will you be hiring any mercenaries separately?”
“!”
Johan realized a practical problem upon hearing Iaon’s words. While the elf knights had servants and slaves in Count Bartok’s fiefdom, Johan only had a single slave and a wolf.
It was not only a matter of dignity but also of real danger. As they approached Count Jarpen’s territory, the number of mercenaries and rogues would increase.
To avoid unnecessary fights, it was better to present a formidable appearance.
“. . .Would it be possible for you to recommend some decent mercenaries at the guild?”
“Yes, that would be wise.”
Iaon nodded with a smile. In such matters, having connections was certainly convenient.
????????????????????????
Traveling with more than twenty mercenaries cost Johan four Empire silver coins a day. Though it was a bargain compared to a knight’s cost, it was still a significant expense.
It was fortunate he received a substantial amount of silver coins from this campaign. Otherwise, he would have had to join as a member of a merchant caravan.
Fortunately, the mercenaries introduced by the guild were generally trustworthy, unlike the riffraff picked up from the streets. There was no need for unnecessary rivalry or power struggles.
And. . .
“That Sir Knight is a troll slayer?”
“He doesn’t look like it, does he?”
“What did you expect him to look like?”
“I don’t know. Twice his size, maybe.”
Most importantly, no crazy mercenary dared to challenge Johan’s authority so soon after the campaign. Experienced mercenaries knew better than to risk their lives unnecessarily.
“Milord, wouldn’t it be better to buy more slaves?”
“Hmm. I am considering it.”
Geoffrey’s suggestion made sense. If he had the money, it would be better to travel with slaves or servants rather than mercenaries. They were more reliable.
The problem was. . .
‘They’re expensive.’
Johan, who unexpectedly came into a large sum of money due to his achievements, was reluctant to buy battle slaves and form a troop indiscriminately.
“By the way, Geoffrey, you seem to be in a good mood?”
“Isn’t it because of the nice weather?”
Geoffrey looked very pleased. The reason was simple.
With no Suetlg, no slaves of Suetlg, and no servants from the guild, Geoffrey was determined to score points and be as indispensable to Johan as a tongue in a mouth!
Even if other slaves joined, to secure his position as a trusted senior and to avoid hard labor, Geoffrey was resolved to give his best effort.
????????????????????????
The road to Count Jarpen’s territory was the reverse of the route they had taken to the city. Although it was the same path they had traveled before, the atmosphere felt markedly different on the return journey.
“Sir Knight. Something seems amiss.”
Mercenaries who had gone into a nearby town to procure provisions reported back to Johan with serious expressions.
When Johan had escaped, Count Jarpen’s territory was in the midst of war, but the conflict hadn’t reached as far as Rutzbeck. However, now it seemed that the effects of the battle had spread to the south.
Not only Rutzbeck but other towns as well were in a state of high alert, on edge.
“Is it that bad?”
“Yes. We need to be more cautious going forward.”
The opponent in the war with Count Jarpen was Countess Abner, a powerful Count from a royal court background. Though Count Jarpen was a legitimate Empire Count, he seemed to be outmatched in power.
The conflict between these two feudal lords in the southwest of the Empire had garnered the attention of everyone from other lords of the Erlans Kingdom to the merchant guilds of southern city-states, indicating its prolonged nature!
Before they could finish, Johan had already reached the mercenaries. The imposing knight on horseback, with his arms raised, instilled such terror that some mercenaries wet themselves.
And then the slaughter began.
Like a wolf massacring a flock of sheep, Johan rampaged through the mercenaries with a mace and longsword. Each flash of the sword brought sprays of blood, and every dull thud meant another head shattered.
In the blink of an eye, seven or eight men lay dead.
The mercenaries, panicked by the collapse of their formation, hastily retreated. For Johan, it was as if they were begging to be killed. To stop a knight on horseback, they had to stick close and attack the horse.
“Charge, support Sir Knight!”
The mercenaries, initially stunned by Johan’s fierce attack, hurriedly joined the battle. Arrows flew, and with shouts, clashes ensued.
The battle was easy, almost disorienting, thanks to Johan’s frenzied frontline assault. They only had to attack the retreating mercenaries from behind.
Swish!
“!”
Johan felt a chilling sensation and jerked his head back. A bolt had just whooshed past where his face had been moments ago. One of the mercenaries fleeing behind him must have loaded his crossbow.
━Grrr!
“Aaaargh!”
The mercenary was immediately punished. Karamaf leaped up and tore the mercenary apart. For Johan, long-range attacks like these were more threatening than the assaults from the knights. Thanks to Karamaf, Johan could focus on the battle with ease.
“Catch those fleeing! Don’t let a single one escape!”
Johan had no intention of letting any of the remaining enemies slip away. They would only become a future problem.
The mercenaries Johan had hired knew this too and quickly pursued. Those who deserted were one thing, but the hired ones had to be killed right there.
“Please, mercy! I just want to go home. . .”
“You have a wife? I’ll take good care of her!”
“Spare me! I just did what the captain told me to. . .”
“Heh. I was just following the captain’s orders too.”
Once the skirmish seemed over, Johan asked.
“Karamaf, did any escape?”
━Growl.
The wolf, a monster named Karamaf, had an amazing sense of smell, able to detect mercenaries who had fled from the area. Johan asked the few remaining mercenaries who were still alive.
“Are you hired by Countess Abner, or are you deserters? Speak the truth, and I swear by the gods I won’t touch you.”
“W-We deserted.”
“Why did you desert?”
“B-Because our pay was delayed. . .”
It was ironic that the winning side also had delayed payments, but it wasn’t surprising. The enemy would only give up and pay once completely defeated. As long as they resisted, there was nothing to extract from the attacking side.
“I see. So you had no real connection with the Countess.”
“I-I’m sorry for lying. I just wanted to leave, but the captain. . .”
“It’s fine. I lied too.”
“?”
Thud!
Johan swung his mace, cutting off the remaining mercenaries’ lifelines. They had no reason to be spared.
“Quickly gather up the money! We need to get out of this area.”
“Yes!!”
The mercenaries, despite the sudden battle, looked cheerful. It was thanks to the rewards. The loot taken from the enemies was a substantial income for the mercenaries.
Moreover, seeing Johan in action inspired trust. Beyond the danger, following a knight like him seemed a sure way to earn a substantial share.
A good employer is one who pays on time and doesn’t delay wages. An even better employer provides opportunities for mercenaries to earn their share.
Chapter 42: Johan's Choice 3When told to go to Count Jarpen, Iaon nodded his head as if it was a good choice.You have made a good choice. Speak to Count Bartok as politely as possible and prepare to leave immediately. Will you be hiring any mercenaries separately?!Johan realized a practical problem upon hearing Iaon's words. While the elf knights had servants and slaves in Count Bartok's fiefdom, Johan only had a single slave and a wolf.It was not only a matter of dignity but also of real danger. As they approached Count Jarpen's territory, the number of mercenaries and rogues would increase.To avoid unnecessary fights, it was better to present a formidable appearance.. . .Would it be possible for you to recommend some decent mercenaries at the guild?Yes, that would be wise.Iaon nodded with a smile. In such matters, having connections was certainly convenient.????????????????????????Traveling with more than twenty mercenaries cost Johan four Empire silver coins a day. Though it was a bargain compared to a knight's cost, it was still a significant expense.It was fortunate he received a substantial amount of silver coins from this campaign. Otherwise, he would have had to join as a member of a merchant caravan.Fortunately, the mercenaries introduced by the guild were generally trustworthy, unlike the riffraff picked up from the streets. There was no need for unnecessary rivalry or power struggles.And. . .That Sir Knight is a troll slayer?He doesn't look like it, does he?What did you expect him to look like?I don't know. Twice his size, maybe.Most importantly, no crazy mercenary dared to challenge Johan's authority so soon after the campaign. Experienced mercenaries knew better than to risk their lives unnecessarily.Milord, wouldn't it be better to buy more slaves?Hmm. I am considering it.Geoffrey's suggestion made sense. If he had the money, it would be better to travel with slaves or servants rather than mercenaries. They were more reliable.The problem was. . .They're expensive.'Johan, who unexpectedly came into a large sum of money due to his achievements, was reluctant to buy battle slaves and form a troop indiscriminately.By the way, Geoffrey, you seem to be in a good mood?Isn't it because of the nice weather?Geoffrey looked very pleased. The reason was simple.With no Suetlg, no slaves of Suetlg, and no servants from the guild, Geoffrey was determined to score points and be as indispensable to Johan as a tongue in a mouth!Even if other slaves joined, to secure his position as a trusted senior and to avoid hard labor, Geoffrey was resolved to give his best effort.????????????????????????The road to Count Jarpen's territory was the reverse of the route they had taken to the city. Although it was the same path they had traveled before, the atmosphere felt markedly different on the return journey.Sir Knight. Something seems amiss.Mercenaries who had gone into a nearby town to procure provisions reported back to Johan with serious expressions.When Johan had escaped, Count Jarpen's territory was in the midst of war, but the conflict hadn't reached as far as Rutzbeck. However, now it seemed that the effects of the battle had spread to the south.Not only Rutzbeck but other towns as well were in a state of high alert, on edge.Is it that bad?Yes. We need to be more cautious going forward.The opponent in the war with Count Jarpen was Countess Abner, a powerful Count from a royal court background. Though Count Jarpen was a legitimate Empire Count, he seemed to be outmatched in power.The conflict between these two feudal lords in the southwest of the Empire had garnered the attention of everyone from other lords of the Erlans Kingdom to the merchant guilds of southern city-states, indicating its prolonged nature!Before they could finish, Johan had already reached the mercenaries. The imposing knight on horseback, with his arms raised, instilled such terror that some mercenaries wet themselves.And then the slaughter began.Like a wolf massacring a flock of sheep, Johan rampaged through the mercenaries with a mace and longsword. Each flash of the sword brought sprays of blood, and every dull thud meant another head shattered.In the blink of an eye, seven or eight men lay dead.The mercenaries, panicked by the collapse of their formation, hastily retreated. For Johan, it was as if they were begging to be killed. To stop a knight on horseback, they had to stick close and attack the horse.Charge, support Sir Knight!The mercenaries, initially stunned by Johan's fierce attack, hurriedly joined the battle. Arrows flew, and with shouts, clashes ensued.The battle was easy, almost disorienting, thanks to Johan's frenzied frontline assault. They only had to attack the retreating mercenaries from behind.Swish!!Johan felt a chilling sensation and jerked his head back. A bolt had just whooshed past where his face had been moments ago. One of the mercenaries fleeing behind him must have loaded his crossbow.Grrr!Aaaargh!The mercenary was immediately punished. Karamaf leaped up and tore the mercenary apart. For Johan, long-range attacks like these were more threatening than the assaults from the knights. Thanks to Karamaf, Johan could focus on the battle with ease.Catch those fleeing! Don't let a single one escape!Johan had no intention of letting any of the remaining enemies slip away. They would only become a future problem.The mercenaries Johan had hired knew this too and quickly pursued. Those who deserted were one thing, but the hired ones had to be killed right there.Please, mercy! I just want to go home. . .You have a wife? I'll take good care of her!Spare me! I just did what the captain told me to. . .Heh. I was just following the captain's orders too.Once the skirmish seemed over, Johan asked.Karamaf, did any escape?Growl.The wolf, a monster named Karamaf, had an amazing sense of smell, able to detect mercenaries who had fled from the area. Johan asked the few remaining mercenaries who were still alive.Are you hired by Countess Abner, or are you deserters? Speak the truth, and I swear by the gods I won't touch you.W-We deserted.Why did you desert?B-Because our pay was delayed. . .It was ironic that the winning side also had delayed payments, but it wasn't surprising. The enemy would only give up and pay once completely defeated. As long as they resisted, there was nothing to extract from the attacking side.I see. So you had no real connection with the Countess.I-I'm sorry for lying. I just wanted to leave, but the captain. . .It's fine. I lied too.?Thud!Johan swung his mace, cutting off the remaining mercenaries' lifelines. They had no reason to be spared.Quickly gather up the money! We need to get out of this area.Yes!!The mercenaries, despite the sudden battle, looked cheerful. It was thanks to the rewards. The loot taken from the enemies was a substantial income for the mercenaries.Moreover, seeing Johan in action inspired trust. Beyond the danger, following a knight like him seemed a sure way to earn a substantial share.A good employer is one who pays on time and doesn't delay wages. An even better employer provides opportunities for mercenaries to earn their share.
