How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 317: 𝐂𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧 (5)

As they left Duke Bronquia’s tent, the nobles grumbled in dissatisfaction.

“I’d rather he was arrogant, you know?”

“This isn’t the time for that. . .”

Everyone understood that defeat was shocking. After all, they had been fooled by some pagans and almost ended up surrounded.

But for the Duke to shut himself up in his tent with his large military force like this made things difficult for the other nobles. Should they not pull themselves together and do something?

“It’s good that Duke Yeats sent someone to us. If he hadn’t, things would have been difficult.”

“Honestly, didn’t you act on your own without discussing it with the Duke? It’s already a blessing that he saved us from the encirclement, and yet, you ask for further consideration? It’s embarrassing.”

“But what can we do?”

“Even so. . . Come to think of it, have you heard about that rumor? They say the Duke showed a miracle in the Forest of Death.”

“No, it’s not. I know a famous priest who saw it with his own two eyes.”

“Really. . . The Crown. . .?”

“That’s right.”

Unknowingly, the nobles made the sign of the cross with expressions full of awe. A rumor was spreading among the nobles.

It was a rumor that a crown suddenly appeared on the Duke’s head when the dead charged out of the forest.

Whether they were devout or not, nobles born as nobles had a hard time completely ignoring such rumors. Moreover, the content of the rumors was strong enough to make them reflect on their lost faith. To the point where some nobles who usually lived dissolute lives called for priests to confess.

A few sharp-eyed monks suggested that the crown was the crown for the guardian of the Holy Land left behind by the saints in the past.

The story was absurd, but it was quite appealing. For the monotheists gathered here, the story of Johan was not a true story, but rather an attractive story.

And the story was appealing enough to shake even the somewhat educated nobles.

“But is it possible for a crown that should be in the Holy Land to appear?”

“That’s why it’s a miracle, isn’t it?”

While the nobles were making a fuss about miracles, an actual miracle was happening elsewhere.

The pagan feudal lords near the Holy Land had come to visit in secret.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

“Why is something so bothersome appearing when all you have to do is appease the duke?”

For the first time in a long while, Johan made an irritated expression. The wizards in their seats looked at the young Duke with understanding eyes.

The Duke’s patience surprised even the wizards, but even he was human. He couldn’t help but get irritated in such a twisted situation.

A banquet was about to be held to appease Duke Bronquia and make him listen to them in the future.

But suddenly, the pagan feudal lords near the Holy Land came to see them. After the Holy Land was conquered, these people who had come under the Sultan’s army suddenly came to visit. It was impossible not to be concerned.

Accepting them was difficult, but rejecting them was also difficult.

Jyanina carefully opened her mouth.

“Can’t we just meet them quietly and separately?”

“There are two problems with that. Although they came in secret, there are quite a few people who saw them. If we meet and send them away separately, there could be unnecessary rumors. We need to meet them together in front of many people. And above all, if we don’t invite those who have come to the banquet, they might feel insulted.”

The pride and dignity of the feudal lords were much more delicate and complicated than Johan thought. Things could go wrong with just one small issue.

“Should we just leave it to Duke Bronquia?”

“That’s dangerous.”

Suetlg opened his mouth. And he didn’t explain any further. Johan nodded as well. To be honest, Johan knew it was dangerous.

‘𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯.’

“Let’s think about the purpose first. Why do you think they came?”

“Defection? Betrayal?”

“Why? Isn’t the situation in their favor?”

The small feudal lords near the Holy Land had no reason to dislike the current situation.

Didn’t the Sultan’s army, who were also of the same belief, conquer the Holy Land? It was a much better situation than being ruled by monotheist feudal lords. Moreover, their army was not small, and they had brought a huge force with them. There seemed to be no reason for them to revolt because they were at a disadvantage.

Did they collect too many taxes?

“W-Well, did they hear the rumors?”

Jyanina opened her mouth again. The rumors circulating near Tahkreng Castle recently were so strong that even Jyanina had heard them several times.

It seemed possible that the pagan feudal lords had been shaken by the rumors.

“Jyanina-gong. Your opinion is interesting, but I don’t think the pagan feudal lords would have been swayed by such rumors.”

‘𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘩 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘐𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘦𝘵𝘭𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘪𝘵, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘺!’

Jyanina cursed inwardly. The Duke’s attitude was serious, but in the end, didn’t he cut it off with one stroke?

“Alright. Let’s face them head-on without worrying about useless thoughts. Call Vaytar. As the son of Yeheyman, he might be able to get along with the pagan feudal lords. Also, call Valeon, the son of the old king Ineressa. He’s married to the Zurebek family, so he’ll be of help too. Are there any other recommendations?”

“. . .No. It seems like Your Highness has already mentioned everyone.”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Yeheyman was not only suffering from defeat but also from rumors. The rumors were so widespread that the Sultan’s eunuchs came to visit him in person to ask about them.

“Is it true that the crown is gone?”

“How many times do I have to say it!”

“Did the crown really disappear?”

“. . .Damn it! Are you guys falling for such rumors as well? The original crown was a fake in the first place!”

Yeheyman was going crazy.

It was immediately revealed that the crown that the family in charge of guarding the Holy Land had been keeping was a fake. Yeheyman’s army also had excellent craftsmen.

However, since the truth of this matter could not be discovered by others anyway, he didn’t pay much attention to it. However, strange rumors began to circulate.

That the crown chose that pagan Duke on its own.

Yeheyman regretted executing the feudal lord and his family in the first place. Even if he tried to ask where the real one was hidden, he couldn’t ask the dead, could he?

Now, the truth didn’t matter. Did the feudal lord’s attendant steal the crown, or was there no real one from the beginning. . .?

But the Sultan’s eunuchs suspected Yeheyman. They suspected that he was lying to save his own face because the crown had disappeared.

“I suggest you stop. What good will come from suspecting?”

“That’s right.”

Fortunately, the eunuchs were realistic. Since they were in the same boat as Yeheyman, they didn’t ask any further.

“If the crown really fell into the hands of the pagans, we can just take it back. That’s what the Sultan wants.”

“. . .I know.”

“The problem is that insignificant people are getting caught up in such rumors.”

Even without that, there was already a lot of commotion, and with these rumors spreading, the agitation became even worse.

He had personally seen some of the tribes and mercenaries who were now serving under the Sultan’s army murmuring.

“Wouldn’t it be better to attack them directly?”

“Attack them. . .?”

Yeheyman glared at the eunuch. However, the old eunuch didn’t back down and continued speaking.

“This old eunuch also knows the advantage of fighting behind a fortress wall. However, the current situation is not that simple. If we can’t put an end to the rumors, we have to show them with force. Fortunately, we outnumber the enemy several times over.”

According to the intelligence, the enemy forces numbered about ten thousand. On the other hand, if all the troops around the Holy Land were mobilized, thirty thousand could be gathered.

“We can’t just wait around without fighting and let the commotion grow. Keep that in mind.”

“. . .Even if we have the numbers, they are a rabble who don’t even listen to proper orders. Moreover, the enemy is. . .”

As they had gathered various tribes and mercenaries, their command system was extremely chaotic. Of course, the pagans from the west would be the same. . .

But it was undeniable that they were even more sloppy when it came to quality.

“Are you that afraid of the pagan Duke?”

“Are you trying to insult me?”

“No matter how great that Duke is, can he withstand a rain of arrows? A wave of steel?”

The eunuchs had never fought the Duke directly, so they could say such things. Even the most outstanding knights would fall and die if they were overwhelmed by numbers.

However, Yeheyman found it difficult to say that.

“. . .”

“Think carefully, Your Excellency. Suhekhar, that old man, is already as good as defeated. Because he made such a mistake. But if Your Excellency hesitates like this, the Sultan might give that old man another chance.”

“I know.”

The eunuchs exchanged glances after hearing the answer they wanted. Of course, they also knew that it was dangerous to go beyond the fortress wall.

Yeheyman was still concerned about his honor, but the eunuchs were not. They hired assassins to make sure things went smoothly.

If the Duke falls, those pagans will be shattered.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

“No way, a son of the Yeheyman-gong?”

“No way, a son of the Yeheyman-gong??”

Vaytar nodded, hiding his pale face. The pagan feudal lords were murmuring with bewildered expressions.

It was obvious since they had come in secret, but to Vaytar, it sounded like they were making fun of him.

‘𝘋𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵!’

The feudal lords who had come in secret were surprised to see that there were more heretics than they had thought. Those who were especially close to Duke Yeats’s camp were even more so.

If there is an army, there are bound to be merchants who follow the army and risk their lives to do business, but don’t they usually have similar beliefs?

However, in Duke Yeats’s camp, heretic merchants could be seen several times. Not only that, but also lower nobles from other families.

“Where is the Duke?”

Johan looked around in surprise as he arrived at Duke Bronquia’s camp. The Duke was nowhere to be seen.

“I, I’m sorry. The Duke is currently injured. . .”

“. . . . . .”

From behind, Ulrike could be heard muttering, ‘𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴.’ In fact, it was clear that Ulrike was speaking for the people around her to hear. Because Duke Bronquia’s knights were ashamed but couldn’t say anything in return.

‘𝘐𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘺?’

Come to think of it, it might have been better to finish things when the Duke was absent. The pagan feudal lords might be a little dissatisfied, but what can they do if he’s injured?

’𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵, 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵?’

Johan was puzzled by the appearance of the man who came out instead of the Duke. He was young enough to be similar to Johan, and he was wearing clothes that were incomparably expensive to Johan’s. His clothes made of oriental silk proved his illustrious status and wealth in the empire.

“The Duke’s second son, Leibkehit.”

“Did you read my mind?”

“Don’t say things like a wizard. That’s all I had to ask.”

Ulrike explained in a small voice from behind. Johan clicked his tongue slightly at the explanation.

Duke Bronquia’s son, and he could be even more troublesome if he was young. If he were to be rude to the pagan feudal lords with his overflowing fervor. . .

“It is an honor to meet you. Your Highness Duke Yeats!”

However, Leibkehit’s attitude was slightly different from what he had thought. Rather than being the Duke’s second son and proxy, he acted like a young apprentice knight who had met a knight he had heard much about in rumors.

‘𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭?’

At that attitude, even Johan and Ulrike were a little bewildered.

“I’m just acting as the Duke’s proxy, so you don’t have to be so respectful.”

“No. You’ve made great contributions this time. . . Thank you so much for leading the army to support us.”

“. . .???”

At the overly friendly attitude, Johan became suspicious after his bewilderment.

Is there some hidden intention?

“Ulrike-gong. I wish you would give me some advice. What is the Duke’s second son plotting?”

However, Leibkehit was not a noble with such rumors. He was sincere and a little soft-hearted, so he was mostly in charge of the rear under the Duke. . .

“. . .I think he just admires you.”

“Me?”

“It’s not strange to admire you.”

“Oh. . .”

Johan was surprised at the unexpected situation. How should he take the fact that the Duke’s proxy was his follower?

“If you don’t mind, Your Highness, I’d like to hear your story in person.”

“That’s not a difficult thing to do.”

At the two’s conversation, Ulrike tried to step away for a moment. There was no reason for her to be there. However, Leibkehit looked at Ulrike and said.

“Please join us, Gong.”

“. . .Why do I need to be. . .”

Johan grabbed Ulrike’s hand as she tried to slip away. Ulrike sensed what was coming and turned pale.

“Is this really something that even I have to sit through?”

“It would seem more believable if someone else said it. Please do me this favor.”,

As they left Duke Bronquia’s tent, the nobles grumbled in dissatisfaction.

“I’d rather he was arrogant, you know?”

“This isn’t the time for that. . .”

Everyone understood that defeat was shocking. After all, they had been fooled by some pagans and almost ended up surrounded.

But for the Duke to shut himself up in his tent with his large military force like this made things difficult for the other nobles. Should they not pull themselves together and do something?

“It’s good that Duke Yeats sent someone to us. If he hadn’t, things would have been difficult.”

“Honestly, didn’t you act on your own without discussing it with the Duke? It’s already a blessing that he saved us from the encirclement, and yet, you ask for further consideration? It’s embarrassing.”

“But what can we do?”

“Even so. . . Come to think of it, have you heard about that rumor? They say the Duke showed a miracle in the Forest of Death.”

“Wasn’t that just a rumor?”

“No, it’s not. I know a famous priest who saw it with his own two eyes.”

“Really. . . The Crown. . .?”

“That’s right.”

Unknowingly, the nobles made the sign of the cross with expressions full of awe. A rumor was spreading among the nobles.

It was a rumor that a crown suddenly appeared on the Duke’s head when the dead charged out of the forest.

Whether they were devout or not, nobles born as nobles had a hard time completely ignoring such rumors. Moreover, the content of the rumors was strong enough to make them reflect on their lost faith. To the point where some nobles who usually lived dissolute lives called for priests to confess.

A few sharp-eyed monks suggested that the crown was the crown for the guardian of the Holy Land left behind by the saints in the past.

The story was absurd, but it was quite appealing. For the monotheists gathered here, the story of Johan was not a true story, but rather an attractive story.

And the story was appealing enough to shake even the somewhat educated nobles.

“But is it possible for a crown that should be in the Holy Land to appear?”

“That’s why it’s a miracle, isn’t it?”

While the nobles were making a fuss about miracles, an actual miracle was happening elsewhere.

The pagan feudal lords near the Holy Land had come to visit in secret.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

“Why is something so bothersome appearing when all you have to do is appease the duke?”

For the first time in a long while, Johan made an irritated expression. The wizards in their seats looked at the young Duke with understanding eyes.

The Duke’s patience surprised even the wizards, but even he was human. He couldn’t help but get irritated in such a twisted situation.

A banquet was about to be held to appease Duke Bronquia and make him listen to them in the future.

But suddenly, the pagan feudal lords near the Holy Land came to see them. After the Holy Land was conquered, these people who had come under the Sultan’s army suddenly came to visit. It was impossible not to be concerned.

Accepting them was difficult, but rejecting them was also difficult.

Jyanina carefully opened her mouth.

“Can’t we just meet them quietly and separately?”

“There are two problems with that. Although they came in secret, there are quite a few people who saw them. If we meet and send them away separately, there could be unnecessary rumors. We need to meet them together in front of many people. And above all, if we don’t invite those who have come to the banquet, they might feel insulted.”

The pride and dignity of the feudal lords were much more delicate and complicated than Johan thought. Things could go wrong with just one small issue.

“Should we just leave it to Duke Bronquia?”

“That’s dangerous.”

Suetlg opened his mouth. And he didn’t explain any further. Johan nodded as well. To be honest, Johan knew it was dangerous.

‘𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯.’

“Let’s think about the purpose first. Why do you think they came?”

“Defection? Betrayal?”

“Why? Isn’t the situation in their favor?”

The small feudal lords near the Holy Land had no reason to dislike the current situation.

Didn’t the Sultan’s army, who were also of the same belief, conquer the Holy Land? It was a much better situation than being ruled by monotheist feudal lords. Moreover, their army was not small, and they had brought a huge force with them. There seemed to be no reason for them to revolt because they were at a disadvantage.

Did they collect too many taxes?

“W-Well, did they hear the rumors?”

Jyanina opened her mouth again. The rumors circulating near Tahkreng Castle recently were so strong that even Jyanina had heard them several times.

It seemed possible that the pagan feudal lords had been shaken by the rumors.

“Jyanina-gong. Your opinion is interesting, but I don’t think the pagan feudal lords would have been swayed by such rumors.”

‘𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘩 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘐𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘦𝘵𝘭𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘪𝘵, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘺!’

Jyanina cursed inwardly. The Duke’s attitude was serious, but in the end, didn’t he cut it off with one stroke?

“Alright. Let’s face them head-on without worrying about useless thoughts. Call Vaytar. As the son of Yeheyman, he might be able to get along with the pagan feudal lords. Also, call Valeon, the son of the old king Ineressa. He’s married to the Zurebek family, so he’ll be of help too. Are there any other recommendations?”

“. . .No. It seems like Your Highness has already mentioned everyone.”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Yeheyman was not only suffering from defeat but also from rumors. The rumors were so widespread that the Sultan’s eunuchs came to visit him in person to ask about them.

“Is it true that the crown is gone?”

“How many times do I have to say it!”

“Did the crown really disappear?”

“. . .Damn it! Are you guys falling for such rumors as well? The original crown was a fake in the first place!”

Yeheyman was going crazy.

It was immediately revealed that the crown that the family in charge of guarding the Holy Land had been keeping was a fake. Yeheyman’s army also had excellent craftsmen.

However, since the truth of this matter could not be discovered by others anyway, he didn’t pay much attention to it. However, strange rumors began to circulate.

That the crown chose that pagan Duke on its own.

Yeheyman regretted executing the feudal lord and his family in the first place. Even if he tried to ask where the real one was hidden, he couldn’t ask the dead, could he?

Now, the truth didn’t matter. Did the feudal lord’s attendant steal the crown, or was there no real one from the beginning. . .?

But the Sultan’s eunuchs suspected Yeheyman. They suspected that he was lying to save his own face because the crown had disappeared.

“I suggest you stop. What good will come from suspecting?”

“That’s right.”

Fortunately, the eunuchs were realistic. Since they were in the same boat as Yeheyman, they didn’t ask any further.

“If the crown really fell into the hands of the pagans, we can just take it back. That’s what the Sultan wants.”

“. . .I know.”

“The problem is that insignificant people are getting caught up in such rumors.”

Even without that, there was already a lot of commotion, and with these rumors spreading, the agitation became even worse.

He had personally seen some of the tribes and mercenaries who were now serving under the Sultan’s army murmuring.

“Wouldn’t it be better to attack them directly?”

“Attack them. . .?”

Yeheyman glared at the eunuch. However, the old eunuch didn’t back down and continued speaking.

“This old eunuch also knows the advantage of fighting behind a fortress wall. However, the current situation is not that simple. If we can’t put an end to the rumors, we have to show them with force. Fortunately, we outnumber the enemy several times over.”

According to the intelligence, the enemy forces numbered about ten thousand. On the other hand, if all the troops around the Holy Land were mobilized, thirty thousand could be gathered.

“We can’t just wait around without fighting and let the commotion grow. Keep that in mind.”

“. . .Even if we have the numbers, they are a rabble who don’t even listen to proper orders. Moreover, the enemy is. . .”

As they had gathered various tribes and mercenaries, their command system was extremely chaotic. Of course, the pagans from the west would be the same. . .

But it was undeniable that they were even more sloppy when it came to quality.

“Are you that afraid of the pagan Duke?”

“Are you trying to insult me?”

“No matter how great that Duke is, can he withstand a rain of arrows? A wave of steel?”

The eunuchs had never fought the Duke directly, so they could say such things. Even the most outstanding knights would fall and die if they were overwhelmed by numbers.

However, Yeheyman found it difficult to say that.

“. . .”

“Think carefully, Your Excellency. Suhekhar, that old man, is already as good as defeated. Because he made such a mistake. But if Your Excellency hesitates like this, the Sultan might give that old man another chance.”

“I know.”

The eunuchs exchanged glances after hearing the answer they wanted. Of course, they also knew that it was dangerous to go beyond the fortress wall.

Yeheyman was still concerned about his honor, but the eunuchs were not. They hired assassins to make sure things went smoothly.

If the Duke falls, those pagans will be shattered.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

“No way, a son of the Yeheyman-gong?”

“No way, a son of the Yeheyman-gong??”

Vaytar nodded, hiding his pale face. The pagan feudal lords were murmuring with bewildered expressions.

It was obvious since they had come in secret, but to Vaytar, it sounded like they were making fun of him.

‘𝘋𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵!’

The feudal lords who had come in secret were surprised to see that there were more heretics than they had thought. Those who were especially close to Duke Yeats’s camp were even more so.

If there is an army, there are bound to be merchants who follow the army and risk their lives to do business, but don’t they usually have similar beliefs?

However, in Duke Yeats’s camp, heretic merchants could be seen several times. Not only that, but also lower nobles from other families.

“Where is the Duke?”

Johan looked around in surprise as he arrived at Duke Bronquia’s camp. The Duke was nowhere to be seen.

“I, I’m sorry. The Duke is currently injured. . .”

“. . . . . .”

From behind, Ulrike could be heard muttering, ‘𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴.’ In fact, it was clear that Ulrike was speaking for the people around her to hear. Because Duke Bronquia’s knights were ashamed but couldn’t say anything in return.

‘𝘐𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘺?’

Come to think of it, it might have been better to finish things when the Duke was absent. The pagan feudal lords might be a little dissatisfied, but what can they do if he’s injured?

’𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵, 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵?’

Johan was puzzled by the appearance of the man who came out instead of the Duke. He was young enough to be similar to Johan, and he was wearing clothes that were incomparably expensive to Johan’s. His clothes made of oriental silk proved his illustrious status and wealth in the empire.

“The Duke’s second son, Leibkehit.”

“Did you read my mind?”

“Don’t say things like a wizard. That’s all I had to ask.”

Ulrike explained in a small voice from behind. Johan clicked his tongue slightly at the explanation.

Duke Bronquia’s son, and he could be even more troublesome if he was young. If he were to be rude to the pagan feudal lords with his overflowing fervor. . .

“It is an honor to meet you. Your Highness Duke Yeats!”

However, Leibkehit’s attitude was slightly different from what he had thought. Rather than being the Duke’s second son and proxy, he acted like a young apprentice knight who had met a knight he had heard much about in rumors.

‘𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭?’

At that attitude, even Johan and Ulrike were a little bewildered.

“I’m just acting as the Duke’s proxy, so you don’t have to be so respectful.”

“No. You’ve made great contributions this time. . . Thank you so much for leading the army to support us.”

“. . .???”

At the overly friendly attitude, Johan became suspicious after his bewilderment.

Is there some hidden intention?

“Ulrike-gong. I wish you would give me some advice. What is the Duke’s second son plotting?”

However, Leibkehit was not a noble with such rumors. He was sincere and a little soft-hearted, so he was mostly in charge of the rear under the Duke. . .

“. . .I think he just admires you.”

“Me?”

“It’s not strange to admire you.”

“Oh. . .”

Johan was surprised at the unexpected situation. How should he take the fact that the Duke’s proxy was his follower?

“If you don’t mind, Your Highness, I’d like to hear your story in person.”

“That’s not a difficult thing to do.”

At the two’s conversation, Ulrike tried to step away for a moment. There was no reason for her to be there. However, Leibkehit looked at Ulrike and said.

“Please join us, Gong.”

“. . .Why do I need to be. . .”

Johan grabbed Ulrike’s hand as she tried to slip away. Ulrike sensed what was coming and turned pale.

“Is this really something that even I have to sit through?”

“It would seem more believable if someone else said it. Please do me this favor.”