How to live as a wanderer

I was embarrassed, but I couldn't undo what had already happened. Earl Abner is not generous enough to allow his part in this.

Under Earl Abner, there were knights who wanted a chance, and Gerdolf was just one of them.

Inno wiggles his fingers nervously, but Earl Abner laughs inside.

‘My son is better than my father. ’

When everyone saw Inno and Gerdolf, they thought the same thing. My father takes care of my stupid son. But Earl Abner thought differently.

Inno is shy, greedy and small. It was a knight I couldn't leave to big things. Rather, Gerdolf looks better.

Even though he looked stupid on the outside, his courage and integrity were virtues that were hard to find.

Gerdolf seems to be chasing a knight named John. Earl Abner has agreed to lend his hand. John owes me something.

“The envoys are already coming for this victory. After the Emperor dies, he'll be lining up on our side. ”

Earl Abner said everyone had a smile on their face.

The Loser of the West and the Great Lord.

It was the location of the Abner family.

“Let us all offer this victory to God. May the glory of God be with the family forever. ”

“May the glory of God be with the house forever! ”

Earl Abner named and awarded some of the knights who made the ball and bit the people. All that was left was Ulrich.

“Well done. ”

“Of course it was the right thing to do. ”

“Don't be too modest. Even if it was a favorable situation, it was a great victory. ”

The Earl's expectation was to take the castle down after a boring siege, and both his participation and his defeat were unexpected.

“You'd better rest until the Jarpen ceremony comes. If you keep getting married, the Zarfen will be too reluctant. ”

“I'll do that. ”

“You can find your children slowly. We can adopt the right people from our family or we can make them from anywhere. ”

“I haven't thought about it for a while because I'm getting heavier. ”

“Of course. You're not in the habit of making boyfriends. Pay close attention to the Ceremonial Ceremony of the Jarpen family. You're free to have fun, but if you have kids out there, he won't be able to put a name on the family. ”

“Of course you know that, don't you? ”

“It's different from what you know. You'll know when you get married. ”

Earl Abner's ridicule makes Ulrike unpleasant. I can't believe you're telling me you've been married.

“Only the blood of the Abner family is linked to the name of the family. That's all I have to remember. I'll be busy in the future, so congratulations on your happy wedding. ”

“Thank you."

“And thank you for forgiving Stefan. ”

“I don't forgive you. ”

“I'll thank you for not killing me. I'm proud of you."

“... Yes. ”

Ulrich nods and retreats outside.

Conversation with the Earl has always led to conflicting, complex emotions. When I came out of my head, I suddenly remembered John.

Are they planning a tour of the town right now?

*

*

*

“You think I'm going to accept that offer? ”

“I'm sorry. You can say no, but I'm ready to accept. ”

Ulice thought deeply about what John said. Surprisingly, I wasn't angry. even though he was about to take his own.

“Why?”

“Yes?”

“Oh, no. I'm sorry. I was talking to myself. ”

To be honest, Ulrich had no choice but to admit it.

If John was going to spend the rest of his life as Lord of the countryside, it would have been better to get the inauguration from Duke Breduhe if he was going to continue fighting and running.

It was not a visible asset. But it will bring tremendous power to the next battle and to life.

If he refuses here, John will abandon his territory.

In the end, there was only one decision to make.

Do you let Ulrike go or do something about it believing in the distant future?

“... Okay. I'll give you all the rights to Heinchut and the surrounding villages. ”

“!??! ”

John was greatly surprised.

Is Ulrich crazy? ’

“It may not be the lord, but it's practically the same. Heinchut. I don't have a manager right now, but you can send a manager next door, so it won't make a difference. You got it?"

“...... ”

When John was embarrassed, Ulrike felt a sense of unexplained joy.

“Why?”

“Thank you."

“This town will pay for your loyalty. You are an honorable knight. Right?"

“...... ”

It was not particularly honorable, but John was not unaware enough to say it now.

John nods.

*

*

*

“That's enough.”

“Really?! Looks like the Ulrich ball has a big bowl as well. I never thought you'd be so kind to a young knight. ”

That's what the people of Erl Zarfen say, but he shakes his head.

I was still young, so my eyes were wide open to the world. I don't think so.

“That's great. Can we leave with the duc like this? ”

“Hmm…”

John nods. If I could get the inauguration, I wouldn't have to wait long. We just need to leave right away with a few of the men of Erl Jarpen.

“Wait. You must pass south of the Empire, no?" Should we hire more soldiers? ”

The Southern Empire was brutally divided between the Emperor and the rebellious Lord's Union.

John had no choice but to be cautious.

“You don't have to worry about that. We don't fight like that in winter, and if we have an army, we can avoid it. You can stop by the city that has nothing to do with the Emperor. And... honestly, there's no way they're gonna come after one of you. ”

John is slightly embarrassed by what Suttleg said.

He was absolutely right. John was a knight who was not worth caring about, according to the nobles of the Emperor.

I didn't come after you because you were passing south. We just had to go quietly.

“More numbers will attract more attention. Dozens of skilled and loyal men are enough. ”

I've already spoken to the mercenary commanders for some time now. When John expressed his intention to become a new employer, the mercenaries were happy to run. They also had to find a new owner next year.

If the opponent is not an incompetent employer, but a knight like John, he is welcome. Taking down an enemy camp with only a dozen knights was already a legend among them.

“I'll pick some well-armed horsemen for you. Will Mr. Suttleg be joining us? ”

“I was going to. ”

“Oh.”

“I... owe you... that much. ”

“I thought I was done with the fog. ”

“How easy it would be if you thought so. Promise is what scares me. If you're going south instead, please move along the Iphael River. We need to recover some secrets. ”

Even for a wizard like Suttleg, bringing fog was a trivial matter. I had to regain my strength near the river for a while.

“And I suggest you take Stefan with you. ”

“Yes?”

“You're from the Abner family. That name will be easy to use wherever you go. ”

“Ah…”

John nods. Obviously Stefan's lineage will serve as a convenient proof card wherever he goes.

*

*

*

Thought all the problems were resolved, but the unexpected problem caught up with John.

Marco and the four knights you captured last time.

“I understood that the family could not pay the ransom. Now that you've taken your weapons, I'll set you free. ”

If the knight was defeated, the equipment he was holding would become the winner, and he would have to pay customary ransom to be released.

However, Marco and the four knights said the family was poor and not worth paying the ransom.

I tried to let John go because there was nothing to punish and nothing to hold him for.

“I can't do that. ”

“Then what do we do? ”

“I'll make a ransom following you. Wait until then. ”

“...... ”

John wanted to sound like an idiot, but the others around him were not surprised.

It was a decision I could make, given my honor and face as a knight.

If the opponent just leaves because he doesn't pay, how will he face the knight?

I had to pay a reasonable ransom and leave to earn my reputation as a knight.

“Will you follow me to work? ”

“Yes.”

Not a bad story, though. Five knights would be good fighters. Problem is...

"Isn't the Marquis of Marquis's bastard something to be afraid of? ’

The cautious nature of John makes it a little awkward for the bastard to be in the party. I didn't know when or what to do.

“Did you say Sir Marco? You know honor.”

“Sir Johann. Sounds like a good offer. ”

Others, however, did not have any concerns. The Marquis's bastard seemed fine.

At this point, John felt a gap.

‘What if you say it's because of honor and you want to get your head cut at night? ’

However, John already knew.

When you say something like this, everyone will say something like, "Because that makes sense," or, "You worry too much."

“Then I will be loyal until I make a ransom. ”

“Until then, I will follow orders. ”

That's how the group is done.

There were dozens of mercenaries escorting it, a strange group of people from Earl Abner and the bastard from Earl Cruzzo.

And Gerdolph.

Sir, I'd like to follow you.

Hmm... hmm?

Gerdolf says he'll come barefoot and follow you before the group departs. John nods, though slightly surprised.

Gurdolf was trustworthy.

“But did you tell Lord Ino? ”

“I'm fine.”

“... you did it, right? ”

“I'm fine.”

“?? ”

*

*

*

When he was told he was the bastard of the Marquis, John anticipated Stefan's toughness.

But Marco was polite and cautious. I went out on patrol, got permission, and even when I was building a camp, I stepped in front of the other knights.

John was very surprised at that. John asked him.

“That knight, is he more courteous than you think? ”

“... I'm going to ask you backwards, but what personality did you have in mind? ”

“I thought you were arrogant and conceited...”

“You make strange noises sometimes. How would you have lived with yourself if you were a bastard? ”

I did.

The bastard basically had to survive. The arrogant and rampant bastard did not live long.

‘Well, I shouldn't have thought of that because of Stefan. ’

Stefan was chatting among the mercenaries and slaves without even knowing John was abusing him. Surprisingly, it was a good fit for such a position.

“Sir, thank you for returning your weapon. ”

“How can a knight fight without a weapon? ”

In Marco's greeting, John simply replied.

I received the knights' equipment, but John wasn't cruel enough to ask me to fight naked.

“He handles bows. Do you use bows often in the south? ”

“I tend to use it more often than the Imperial Knights... but not that often. ”

Marco speaks softly. The bow was a good weapon, but it was not so favored by knights.

Every knight should ride into the enemy camp, but you can't just draw a bow behind him.

“Actually, I used to use it because I learned it as a child, but I also use other weapons often. ”

Marco made excuses because he didn't want to be mistaken for someone who only knows how to use a bow.

However, John was a person who did not care much for such things.

“Can you teach me a bow? ”

“Are you sure?”

I learned it from Joseph, the hunter, but I didn't think it would hurt to learn from him again. Besides, they're two different ways.

Marco looks a little excited to see if a knight like John was happy with the request to teach him a bow.

Are you happy with this? ’

Suddenly, John feels sorry for Marco.

People who had spent similar childhoods could recognize each other. Marco must have noticed just as much as John did.

It was worse than Johann.

“You're in a good position. You've been practicing quite a bit. I knew you would handle the bow well because you are strong. I could use a stronger bow... Well, I don't have anything...”

‘If you tell me what you like, you'll be talking a lot. ’

John lightly protested. The arrow flies heavily into the tree. It seems like it's been a while, but it's not bad.

“There's nothing wrong with practicing on others. ”

“The mercenaries must have the bolt. ”

“A bolt is a bolt, and a bow is a bow. ”

< 66 Knights' Winter (3) > End