Chapter 219: ???????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????? (1)

Chapter 219: Alliance of Nobles (1)

“Don’t talk nonsense! That can’t be possible! Are you saying that His Majesty lost??”

Due to the shocking news, the expressions of those present were filled with confusion.

The elven knights reacted most sensitively to the news.

It was unbelievable to them that their young king personally led the army and was defeated.

‘Let’s assume he won first. . .’

And Johan was the one who accepted the situation fastest. While it was shocking and unbelievable, denying reality wouldn’t change anything.

I wish it was just a rumor, but I had to accept it as the truth and think about it.

“Let’s hypothetically assume the emperor miraculously won. How would the situation change?”

“First of all, our Free City is in danger, Your Excellency!”

Even though Johan didn’t ask Adviko specifically, he was the first to step forward. Adviko was the most eager.

After switching from the emperor faction to the church faction, he had been wielding the iron fist to demonstrate his loyalty.

In order to survive, he had captured some people the emperor had sent and offered them to Johan, and executed some emperor faction members in the city. . .

Aside from the defeat in battle, Adviko had accumulated a lot of grudges. Even if the brutal emperor didn’t try to kill him, other nobles under him would seek revenge.

“You are exaggerating too much.”

“That’s right. There are mountains in between and the southern nobles won’t simply let it happen either.”

However, the church faction nobles did not agree with Adviko’s words. In the first place, whether Adviko perished or the city burned down, it was not a big issue for them.

Realizing they were nonchalant, Adviko panicked. He shouted desperately.

“No! Your Excellency! Even though there are mountains in between, they can bypass and advance from the west without much difficulty! Hasn’t this happened several times before?! And even if some southern feudal lords of the Empire remain, after such a major defeat they won’t have the courage to make a move for a while either! After this coming winter passes,

the emperor will send an army to this city! Please consider this seriously!”

“Alright, calm down first.”

What Adviko said was not wrong. They could simply march around the mountains instead of crossing over them. The cities around there were Empire cities for now, so they would not obstruct the emperor. Moreover, right after the emperor had claimed a great victory, they would be even more cautious.

With the spoils of war he had gained, even if the southern feudal lords resisted, hiring a new army to send to the city would be very possible.

‘This city is too valuable for the emperor to leave alone.’

Most of all, if this Free City was occupied, it would inevitably make the church and Johan feel uneasy. It could serve as a bridgehead for the emperor’s army to descend at any time.

‘The problem is persuading these discontented and greedy guys. . .’

When the enemy army had advanced to the heart of the church lands, it was easy to gather allies, but the current situation was different from that time.

It was also unclear whether the emperor would invade or not, but most of all, this was not an issue right in front of their own fiefdoms. It seemed unlikely that the participating feudal lords would listen.

‘First of all, since the Order hates the emperor, they will take my side. I wonder how far I can persuade them relying on the Order’s power. . .’

“Your Excellency. If you fight, I will join you.”

“?!”

Johan was surprised by the sudden words of the noble.

What?

“Ah. Are you after money?”

I would understand if he was after gold. Not only penniless knights were after gold. Among feudal lords, there were many who were poor and deep in debt.

Although he obtained quite a bit of gold from this victory, the extravagance of the nobles was enough to startle even Johan. It was understandable that they would step forward for more coins.

. . .However, Johan’s thoughts were off the mark.

“Your Excellency seems to be worried about respecting the face and rights of the nobles here. But at least for me, I owe my life twice over to Your Excellency. Even though You told me not to worry about it, I want to repay Your Excellency’s grace if possible. If Your Excellency wishes, I will lead my soldiers to serve in the military.”

“. . .?!”

Johan was surprised and looked at the baron. He was always disobeying orders, charging ahead on his own, climbing up Dwarf Mountains only to get surrounded, and doing all sorts of exasperating things. But speaking with such sincerity made him seem like a different person.

It is more effective when someone who doesn’t usually act like this shows their good side.

In the darkness where one couldn’t see an inch ahead, the spread chaos and fear caused a chain reaction, and the nobles started fleeing without seeing who went first, taking their banners.

When morning came, only corpses remained on the battlefield.

“So why did the two counts send a letter?”

“Yes, Your Excellency. My master wishes to propose an alliance.”

Johan was not very surprised. The envoys who came all the way would not just greet him and leave.

From the position of feudal lords who would have to face the emperor’s sword if left alone, bringing in more allies was essential. And there was no nobleman more suitable for that than Johan.

He’s young yet highly reputed, with a record of having crossed swords with the emperor.

Rather, they called him too late. The reason there had been no contact so far was probably. . .

‘Because of the Order.’

Johan had shown himself to be excessively faithful and loyal to the Order. Such an attitude would usually earn respect from other nobles, but the story was a bit different in situations like war.

The empire’s feudal lords disliked the tyrant-like emperor, but they didn’t like the Order’s power growing too strong either.

However, as the situation became urgent, even the nobles who had opposed called whoever they could if an alliance was possible.

“Here is a gift my master sent.”

As the box opened, gold shone brightly. It was a gift that had to be sent from the side proposing an alliance. Although the people present held their breath at the dazzling gold coins and gem-studded jewelry, Johan’s pupils were not looking at them.

‘He has truly become great!’

The envoy couldn’t help but admire internally. He had seen Johan at his fiefdom a few years ago. At that time, he was truly a young knight that the expression bluer than blue would suit.

However, Johan had now become a nobleman equipped with dignity and grace. Even while sitting, he overwhelmed the nearby nobles with his gaze alone.

Johan was so composed that the expensive gifts brought felt humiliating. Forgetting the valuables, Johan pondered deeply over the current situation.

Should they fight now? Or evade with time as a barrier together with others?

‘We’re likely to end up fighting at a disadvantage if left alone anyway.’

Johan seemed to understand why the emperor was trying to strike the Order first and the other nobles first like a crazy b*stard.

When resentment built up between them, the peace between the two sides became meaningless. Even if the other side said they wouldn’t attack, one side couldn’t believe it.

It was better to fight together while the empire’s feudal lords had not yet lost their fighting spirit than to kneel before the emperor’s troops first and fight after they came down south.

Those gathered held their breath and waited only for Johan’s reply.

“I accept the proposal. Let’s fight together! Let’s bring Cardirian down, who blasphemed God and smeared the honor of nobles!”

The elven knights responded first with cheers. Then, other nobles also pulled out their swords, raised them up high.

Thus, the expeditionary force marching north to the Empire was formed.

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“The Allied forces are gathered near the city of Lebuten now.”

There were set places suitable for the main forces. Originally an emperor’s city, Lebuten was now occupied by the anti-emperor faction.

Close to the west of the Empire and not too far from Count Abner’s fiefdom, Lebuten was a good place for the main forces to be stationed.

“The nearby situation is chaotic, I think we need to pay attention to the direction of advance as well.”

“Yes. We plan to go up to Lebuten through Parre. The feudal lord of Parre is a feudal lord affiliated with the Allied forces, so it will be easy to supply.”

The Allied forces also took the path that went around the mountain range. Although there are cities nearby, they are not so stupid or brave enough to charge in blindly, so there was no particular problem on the road.

The fight began when they entered the territory of the Empire.

“. . . . . .”

“. . . . . .”

And what greeted the Allied forces when they arrived in Parre was a castle that was about to fall.

Translation-(COMPLETED) - How to Live as a Wandering Knight