Chapter 236: ???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????????????? (1)

Chapter 236: Return of the Snake (1)

“Did Count Shirivik’s family crest have a snake in it?”

Ulrike shook her head at Johan’s question.

“What is it? Graffiti or a stain?”

The pattern was drawn so subtly that one would not notice it if they did not look closely. Anyone else would have thought it meaningless and moved on.

However, for some reason it bothered me.

“Shall we send five men each and determine the winner?”

“Yes.”

Defeat was declared even if all weapons were broken or one was unhorsed. Duels between knights were not as brutal as fights between mercenaries.

“Count Shirivik wants to meet face to face before the duel, but this. . .”

“Could it be a trap?”

“It seems like a trap.”

Despite their mutual distaste, Ulrike and the Elf King often agreed. Neither wanted to meet the Count.

The Elf King was an honorable knight, but no fool. He reasonably considered that his opponent might not be so honorable.

Why meet face to face when they could just send their knights to determine the winner? What reason could there be?

Seeing the two nobles’ negative reactions, the envoy panicked and said,

“No! My master is a man of honor. He would never set such a trap.”

“That makes it more suspicious.”

“There are no forests to hide an ambush nearby, and my master will come alone. If you want anything, please let me know. Weapons are allowed.”

“. . . . . .”

“. . . . .”

The eloquent envoy’s words left the two speechless, contrary to expectations. There was no possibility this was a trap. Relieved, the envoy thought,

‘This should be enough for them.’

However, the envoy still did not know the Elf King well. With a scoff, the Elf King turned his head.

“Still can’t believe it.”

“. . . . . .”

‘What’s with this guy. . .?’

When someone of status bluntly expresses distrust, an envoy can do nothing. The Elf King was no gracious knight who cared about preserving the honor of someone he did not respect.

“Can’t believe it either.”

Ulrike had no intention of needlessly acting for some faraway feudal lord of the Emperor faction just to save face.

“Fine. I’ll go out and see.”

“Thank you!”

The envoy was moved to tears. If he brought back this offer and none of the three came out, it would be his responsibility.

“Why show mercy to the likes of him, Count? I don’t understand.”

“I agree.”

“. . .Just go hear what they have to say.”

Ulrike was no fool who couldn’t grasp the situation. Even so, she chose to ignore them as it brought no benefit.

Even if the other party really came over after such maneuvering, it was better to ignore their intentions and focus on their own work rather than waste energy on it.

Johan would even bend down to pick up a coin fallen on the road. Even more so, wouldn’t the count yield at least one silver coin?

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“What about the others?”

“I came alone as the representative.”

Count Shirivik looked around with a relieved expression. Karamaf barked sharply at Count Shirivik.

‘What is it? Is something there?’

Johan was puzzled. From Karamaf’s reaction, it seemed certain that the count was up to something.

But there really didn’t seem to be any way. The open surroundings were completely empty and. . .

Other than someone coming out from under the ground, or Count Shirivik drawing his sword and rushing at Johan, nothing else seemed possible.

“There really isn’t anything?”

“I told you there isn’t.”

“. . . .Your Excellency. Please help me.”

“How can I?”

They had notorious reputations or had committed suspicious criminal acts, but Cardirian didn’t care and summoned them anyway. They offered all kinds of evil magic and mysteries.

This was just the assassin’s feeling, but it seemed they had brought up suspicions about Count Shirivik. It was still just suspicion but. . .

“Oh, so that’s why you’re asking for help.”

“Yes! Release me from my oath. I did my best.”

“If you disappear now, won’t there be turmoil?”

“Well that may be so but. . .”

“No. Endure a little longer.”

“No. . . what’s the point in going back just to get caught?”

“I’ll think about how to prevent that. I’ll try to come up with a scheme.”

“. . . . . .”

The assassin sent a very unpleasant look. Count Shirivik had quite a handsome face, so the assassin’s look was rather awkward.

“Anyway, tell me about the emperor. What’s the atmosphere been like lately?”

“It’s better than before thanks to the victory, but the atmosphere is still razor sharp.”

While Johan’s allied side had loose autonomy, the emperor faction was strictly hierarchical with the emperor at the center.

No matter how great a lord, they couldn’t give unnecessary orders to a vassal, but Cardirian ignored that and wielded iron rule. The atmosphere was that brutal.

It was typical fear rule by a tyrant.

“Isn’t he seriously ill?”

“It’s. . . a bit strange. Those wizard fellows must be up to some shady trick.”

Cardirian didn’t often reveal himself even in front of his vassals. He handled matters by sending his children or attendants.

But on the rare occasions when he happened to show himself while passing by, his ruthless glare made even the weaker vassals piss themselves.

The assassin was quite confident in his own courage, but even he was tense enough. . .

‘It’s not like he’s burning brighter before fading. Why is he like this?’

Johan was dumbfounded. One of the things he had been expecting the most was Cardirian’s poor health.

He was an old man who could collapse at any moment, so enduring was part of the strategy, but. . .

He must have eaten something weird. That lively vigor changed things.

“When the emperor’s around, everyone has a hard time saying a word.”

“I guess talks of negotiations came up.”

“How did you know? Yes. There has been such talk. Of passing the family headship to the emperor’s first son and giving up the succession to emperor. . .”

“It would be strange if those thoughts didn’t come up after such a prolonged war.”

They want negotiations as well. It’s not like the other side doesn’t feel the same way.

Their strategy was similar to theirs.

Wrap up the undead plague, replenish the troops, recruit soldiers, gather supplies, march south again and siege castles.

The emperor’s determination to take back the south at any cost and behead the rebellious feudal lords was apparent.

‘It must be tiring to be with such an unyielding crazy b*stard.’

It was beyond Johan’s common sense.

Did they bury some ancient Empire treasure down south or something?

The assassin spoke anxiously.

“Your excellency. Do you have a scheme? I implore you.”

Assassins weren’t nonchalant about death either. Everyone wanted to live.

The assassin’s long experience warned him. Staying by the emperor’s side for long could end horribly.

The previous count might have shown a shred of mercy so he killed him cleanly, but the emperor had all sorts of cruel tortures to experiment with.

“Of course I’ve come up with something.”

“Oh! Thank goodness. I was truly worried. What is it?”

“You and I dueling.”

“. . . . . .”

The assassin’s expression hardened as he glared at Johan.

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

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