Chapter 191: ???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????? (9)

Chapter 191: Nobles of the Capital (9)

‘What the. . ., why didn’t you guys stop these crazy b*stards?’

Johan looked at the centaurs with bewildered eyes. But the centaurs had their own excuses.

All the nobles who participated in the hunt led their own troops. Aside from Johan, the centaurs couldn’t order them around.

Of course, even if they could, they probably didn’t want to!

With a short shout, another clash occurred. The nobles and centaurs charged into formation.

At this point, there wasn’t much Johan could do. He could only hope none of those damn nobles got killed or taken hostage.

“Count! I will help you!”

“. . . . . .”

Contrary to Johan’s worries, the nobles were not that weak.

Just being on horseback and properly armored already scored them high points. The foot soldiers simply could not recklessly charge them.

Also, Johan had already wrecked havoc once before. The soldiers around were too busy avoiding Johan, pushing and trampling over each other. The nobles who arrived later did not receive much attacks.

The escorts who followed the nobles also knew they must protect the surroundings at all cost, so there was not as much to worry about as Johan had thought.

‘That’s fortunate.’

Johan turned his gaze forward again. Separate from his worries about the nobles, the support had arrived at an opportune time. The enemies who were trying to regain their bearings from the shock were now completely rattled.

“Block them! Buy time!”

“Don’t let them get through!”

The enemies shouted in a mix of Eastern and Vynashchtym languages, with strong accents. Johan was puzzled that the enemies were not trying to retreat.

If they were typical mercenaries, they should have retreated by now. The current situation was beyond their expectations.

Yet they persisted despite being relentlessly hammered from behind?ViiSiit novelbi/n(.)c/(o)m for latest novels

“!”

At some point, instead of the fleeing mercenaries, others came charging in, shield and spears held high. Johan realized there were others mixed among the mercenaries. Even in this situation, they encouraged their allies and held their ground instead of retreating. . .?

“Kill them! You must kill them!”

There was only one objective. Johan turned his gaze forward again. The raiders were now eyeing the bear tribe in an even more vicious manner than before. They must have realized time was running out.

The bloodlust was so intense it pierced through the chaos of the battlefield and reached Johan.

‘The grudge is no ordinary thing!’

Still, Johan could not leave things as they were. He had to save the envoys now that he was here. Johan shouted at the nobles beside him.

“Please take care of the soldiers here!”

“Understood, Count! You can trust me!”

The noble responded passionately to Johan’s heated shout. The heat of the battlefield must have set his fat veins ablaze as well. By responding to Johan’s yell, he was like a commander from the old tales of history.

Of course, Johan was referring to the soldiers led by the nobles, not the nobles themselves. They had to charge forward together for Johan to have free rein.

“Follow me! I swear on the blood of dragons, I will make sure none of those gathered here die!”

“Should we just leave that guy alone?”

“Don’t let him die.”

The centaurs grumbled complaints from behind. A short arrow glinted as it flew, striking down a mercenary up front. It slipped right through a gap in the well-fitted armor.

While the nobles were not up to par, their subordinates were certainly decent. Useless during the hunt, this formation battle was different. Even the centaurs were amazed by their skill at pushing back a well-armed opponent.

Johan may be a knight born with monstrous strength, capable of crumbling formations single-handedly, but normal people could not do the same. When facing those clad and armed in armor, battles tended to drag out.

However, the nobles’ subordinates parried blades and shifted their balance, before slipping their swords into gaps in the armor.

The former actor-turned-prosecutors, whom Johan had shown mercy, were especially eye-catching. Their sword wielding skill was truly splendid. The mercenaries who blocked their way spewed blood as they collapsed.

Thanks to them, Johan was able to approach much more smoothly. Over half of the bear tribe were already injured and bleeding. Johan’s heart grew urgent.

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“You cowardly, dishonorable sons of b*tches! May the curse of the gods be upon you and your offspring and their offspring!”

Thwack!

Johan blocked his opponent’s strike and smashed his gauntleted fist onto the armor. His opponent collapsed despite the thick armor.

“. . . . . .”

Seeing this, Hurik’s jaws dropped open.

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The envoys from the recently returned duchy held a banquet to express their gratitude despite the many injured. Hurik, with bandages wrapped all over his body, raised a cup of wine.

“Count. I have never seen a warrior like you in my life! Not even the spirits have seen one like that. To be able to fight like that! Damn the spirits!”

“Um, uh. . . Hurik-nim. Please allow me to relay the message on your behalf.”

The interpreter next to him spoke with a nervous expression on his face. Hurik had insisted on speaking for himself despite his thick Vynashchtym accent and lack of etiquette and customs.

The proud Vynashchtym people despised such a sight. The nobles sitting at the other tables were already frowning.

“You can understand well enough, no problem.”

“The count doesn’t mind. Now piss off!”

Hurik pushed the interpreter aside. He seemed even more irritated after Johan said it was fine.

“Did you bathe in the Spirits’ Fountain? Or did you slay a monster and gain its power?”

“No. I was just born this way.”

“Born this way?! You’ve been blessed! Damn blessed! My cousin happens to have a daughter, are you thinking of sowing your seed?”

“Not really.”

“Then you don’t have children? I don’t need to be first! I just want that powerful bloodline of yours, Count!”

The offended nobles interjected. This was why they disliked these barbarians.

“Such rude words are unacceptable, Hurik-gong. Even if you represent the duchy.”

“Can’t even say this much! While you oily city folk comfortably live, me and my men split heads open across the borderlands!”

The duchy people were proud of what they did for Vynashchtym. Who else would pick up arms and fight if not them?

Though they would normally be ignored for being dirty and vulgar, this time the nobles had something to say.

“And who saved that great warrior this time?”

“. . . . . .”

Hurik seemed to be struck speechless. The nobles excitedly pressed on. That violent, barbaric man was difficult to deal with normally. Now was a good opportunity.

“Who saved you? Hmm? Hurik-gong?”

“. . .You all saved me.”

“Speak up. Hurik-gong!”

“Thank you, damn it! Didn’t I say thanks already!”

Hurik grew irritated. He couldn’t deny receiving their aid but admitting he needed help from these slick fellows made his blood boil.

“It was only natural for us to help, don’t make too much of it.”

Johan stepped in to mediate. Even the nobles couldn’t refute Johan’s words. With the nobles quieted, Hurik shouted as if he had the right idea.

“Right! If the Count hadn’t stepped in, you b*stards wouldn’t have come either! When you think about it, you should all be thanking the Count!”

“Wha, what insolence. . . Count! Say something to put him in his place!”

“Count. No need to consider those men. Speak freely!”

“. . . . . .”

With nonsense coming at him from both sides, even Johan’s resilient eardrums were nearing their limit. He made an effort not to lose his patience.

The centaurs looked at Johan nervously.

‘He’s not going to draw his sword and start swinging, is he?’

It was like children from rival tribes childishly arguing over who was on their side.