Chapter 171: ???????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? (5)

Chapter 171: Year Old Army (5)

Regardless of Johan’s suspicions, those words were purely well-intentioned. Both Jusvan and the emperor had no intention of putting Johan in the vanguard.

It wasn’t just because of the goodwill from the battle. Anyone with a brain wouldn’t make an outsider who could leave at any time do thankless tasks in this situation.

On top of that, Johan’s subordinates were the ones with the most intact fighting strength.

“I understand. I will order the soldiers to stand watch.”

“Your Majesty’s soldiers?”

“?”

The emperor was puzzled.

Did he think he would order Johan’s soldiers instead?

Since the emperor reacted like that, Johan didn’t say anything more. He was taken aback but if the other party was willing to do the dirty work, who was he to complain?

“Still, please allow my soldiers to also participate in the watch.”

“Will you do that? I’m grateful for your goodwill.”

“I’m thankful for Your Majesty’s kindness.”

Jusvan’s face brightened.

Leading and commanding an army, the problem was always people.

It would be less troublesome to always command alone but a mercenary captain could not do that.

Sometimes he had to meet employers, sometimes he had to cooperate with others hired by the same employer, sometimes he even had to negotiate with former enemies.

In cases like that, you really appreciated someone you saw eye-to-eye with. Johan was like that.

Despite his great contributions, he didn’t act arrogantly or greedily. His way of speaking was the same before and after the battle.

Even with the same capabilities, you could trust and rely on someone like this.

“I will also order my subordinates to stand watch.”

“. . .?”

Just a casual remark to be cautious turned into the emperor and Jusvan offering to participate, leaving Johan puzzled.

What’s up with these guys?

‘Did they think I was suspicious of them too?’

????????????????????????

Count Yeats himself has ordered it directly. Do not neglect vigilance.

━Count Yeats. . .

The sub-captains and captains had tensely stood guard in response to the order from above.

The enemies were not right before their eyes, and had retreated far away to the west to set up a new camp, but since Count Yeats had said so, there must be something there.

Despite him not being their commander, the soldiers tentatively trusted him for now. It is human nature that when one witnesses a miracle, they start believing even in a foreign stranger they just met. Moreover, the post-battle chaos and excitement was very conducive to spreading rumors.

“Uh. . .we’re just going like this?”

“Don’t they have something hidden?”

“Scouts went and checked the vicinity and found nothing though?”

However, the pagan army quietly withdrew after concluding negotiations, without any tricks.

Of course they were not leaving happily, so morale was low and they were cautious, but there were no hidden plots whatsoever.

The soldiers were confused but soon realized why.Follow the latest novels at novelhall.com

“Ah, I see. They couldn’t do anything because the count noticed.”

“That must have been it.”

Once an impression sets in, it does not disappear easily. There could have been complaints about giving useless orders, but not a word was uttered.

????????????????????????

“. . .I swear I will definitely return.”

Yeheyman turned around and looked back with anguish. The half-broken fortress gate came into view painfully.

“Master is not defeated.”

“If coming all the way here and gaining nothing and returning is not defeat, then what is it!”

Yeheyman had been excited about taking over the fortress and advancing eastward. He was exceptionally angry as all of that was foiled.

Vynashchtym still had their fangs alive and the republicans were quite decent too. Of course that much was expected. He didn’t expect the emperor himself would come, but it was rather a better opportunity.

Count Yeats’ flag fluttering could be seen from afar. Some of the nobles who were nearby let out agonizing noises. Just seeing the flag made them shake in fear.

Yeheyman was about to rebuke them but stopped himself. They were returning after failing the expedition. Their hearts must already be uneasy enough without berating them.

“Bashkhar-gong.”

Right now the viceroy of the port wanted Johan to stay a bit longer. Things like this happened, no one would let down their guard just because the enemies left.

Considering their future relations, he could afford to do this much. Reassuring them by staying a few more months was good business.

‘Ah. And there was the chamberlain too.’

Cooped up in the fortress he had forgotten, but thinking about it the chamberlain was the b*stard who insulted Johan by sending an envoy.

He left it while busy but now that the emperor was gone too, it was time to settle accounts.

“Your Excellency. Are you going hunting? May I join you?”

“Hunting?”

Hearing Jusvan’s words, Johan was slightly taken aback. Of course he knew nobles would enjoy everything on campaign, bringing personal chefs and attendants despite being on the battlefield, but he didn’t know Jusvan was that kind of person.

He seemed quite practical so Johan didn’t think he would do so needlessly. . .

‘I see.’

From Jusvan’s expression Johan realized there was something he wanted to say, so he nodded.

“Let’s do that.”

????????????????????????

As Iselia dashed out to chase her prey, Jusvan opened his mouth as if he had been waiting.

“Your Excellency. What do you think of Leoanos?”

“I have no thoughts in particular?”

He did owe him a debt, but it wasn’t some grudge. In the first place, Johan wasn’t the sort to be shaken by such insults.

Jusvan seemed satisfied with Johan’s answer. He looked around and lowered his voice.

“Then, Your Excellency, would you have any issue with killing Leoanos?”

“. . .?!”

Johan was surprised at Jusvan’s words. Johan, who was about to ask if he could move as he pleased, flinched. Come to think of it, he wouldn’t do such a thing on a whim.

“Did His Majesty request it?”

“. . .!”

This time it was Jusvan’s turn to be surprised. No matter what, it was surprising how he guessed it right away after just hearing it. Despite being practically the same age as Jusvan’s son, his actions were those of a seasoned noble.

“Y-Yes. How did you know?”

“I thought you weren’t the sort to act arbitrarily. Hmm. . . Is it possible to kill Leoanos?”

“Not only are there already mistakes he made, but His Majesty also built up great merit from this battle. The timing couldn’t be more perfect.”

The young Emperor needed military exploits. To suppress other political enemies and establish his position, he needed them even more.

‘So that’s why he brought the Imperial Guard to come himself.’

Having won that gamble, now was the time to take bold action. Most people would take the Emperor’s side.

“It’s not ‘can I kill him’ but ‘can he be killed’. He looks quite thorough from what I’ve seen.”

“Ah, my apologies, I misunderstood. Yes. In fact, His Majesty has invited Leoanos to the banquet.”

With the battle over, a grand banquet was planned near the city with the purpose of celebration and praise.

Of course, hearing this alone, the other side would still be suspicious. And so Jusvan would also attend, hoping Johan would as well.

Surely they wouldn’t intend bloodshed in front of many other people.

“Not even Leoanos could refuse.”

Leoanos certainly didn’t expect the Emperor to come with an army and win. In that situation, making excuses to miss a celebratory feast would be an enormous burden.

“So you want my permission?”

“Yes. Taking action without informing the Count would be extremely discourteous.”

“Thank you, Sir Jusvan. To think you’d consider my honor so.”

“Ah, it was His Majesty who asked me to relay the message.”

“. . .?”

Johan was slightly taken aback. Wouldn’t they usually just knock the target out and say ‘sorry about that, couldn’t be helped’ later?

Of course Johan would be quite annoyed, but such affairs were normally endured. Security was important, was it not? Even Johan would have done the same.

Annoyance could be soothed with gold later. . .

‘He’s unnecessarily kind, making me all the more suspicious.’

When he had nothing to lose, the goodwill of others wouldn’t warrant doubt, but now that he had much to lose, it made him inexplicably doubtful. Still, this proposal didn’t particularly matter. Johan nodded.

“Tell him I said to do as he pleases.”

“Yes! Thank you very much.”