Chapter 19.1: ????????????????????????, ????????????????????????????????, ????????????????????????????????????, ???????????????????? (????)

Chapter 19.1: Knight, Merchant, Mercenary, Slave (4)

‘It’s not the Wolves of Arkten!’

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Johan realized this immediately upon seeing them. They were dressed too differently from those in the fiefdom. For one, none of them wielded longswords.

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A longsword is essentially a two-handed weapon. Its use makes defense difficult due to the challenge of handling a shield, and it’s complex to master. Unless trained professionally in a fencing school or a swordsmanship guild, there was no particular reason to use a longsword. If a long weapon was desired, a spear was better, and if a sword was preferred, a short sword with a shield was more convenient. Except for spears, mercenaries typically preferred to carry a weapon with a shield.

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There were a few mercenaries in the Wolves of Arkten who used longswords, indicating their high skill level. But the mercenaries before him were definitely not the Wolves of Arkten.

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Of course, that didn’t mean he could stop.

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Johan charged at the closest one. The darkness and the focus on the hilltop meant his approach went unnoticed until he was right upon them.

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“Uh, uh?!”

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The man tried to defend himself with his shield, putting force into it. The large round shield was effective in blocking the direction of an attack just by holding it.

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. . .Unless the opponent was Johan.

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Johan responded simply and effectively.

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Bang!

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When Johan kicked the shield, it splintered and flew backwards. Despite being sturdily made of thickly layered wood, it was powerless against his immense strength.

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“Huh?”

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Johan was slightly surprised; he hadn’t expected the shield to fly away like that. However, his body moved naturally. He aimed for the neck of his off-balance opponent and stabbed. Blood spurted with a ‘gurgle.’

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“W-What the heck is this guy?!”

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The fallen opponent was holding a messer, a type of thick single-edged sword. Rusty and with a barely sharp edge, it was still useful for throwing. Johan quickly threw it at another advancing enemy, who recoiled in shock, raising his shield.

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One step.

‘Damn. Fought hard for nothing.’

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It was he who felt the sting. Indeed, there was no reason for them to have pursued Johan in that situation.

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Neither was reconciliation possible in these circumstances. And Johan was not so kind as to let someone who was trying to kill him go.

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“Come at me!”

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Johan let out a short battle cry and charged. The light revealed Johan’s equipment. His stature and gear made the mercenaries flinch.

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The first to die was the one wielding a spear. The long weapon was troublesome. Johan charged foolishly, parried the spear with his shield, and swung his mace.

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Thump!

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‘Oh. . . a mace seems more convenient.’

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Had Kaegal seen it, he would have lamented, ‘I taught you swordsmanship, not to use a club, you ogre!’ But Johan and the mace were excessively well-matched. The shorter range and fewer variations made it easier to handle. Given Johan’s physical abilities, there was no need to resort to swordplay.

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“You monster!”

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A shortsword swung at his waist, but Johan preemptively collided to defend. The opponent’s arm broke, positioning his head for an easy strike.

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Once more.

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With a dull sound, the opponent fell. The enemies panicked as a madman broke their formation. Only four had died, but the momentum was terrifying. None of the mercenaries were prepared to die for their mission.

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“Attack!”

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Goran quickly shouted. Now was the time to strike, as the enemy was recoiling. Goran’s mercenaries charged with battle cries.

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Even though Johan was difficult to surround, he found it easier now. He inhaled briefly and charged. One arrow was easily blocked with his shield.

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Thud, thud, thud.