How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Johan also felt a little sorry. Johan was the one who got the eunuchs drunk, received money and then handed them over to the envoy group.

He thought he would be flayed alive by the angry sultan, but he seemed to have survived unexpectedly.

“Get up. I’m glad to see you like this.”

“!”

The eunuch was delighted when the duke spoke to him in a gentler voice than he had expected. He was such a fearsome figure that he had no idea how to react.

Even if they were acquaintances, there was a limit to it. Anyone, even an acquaintance, would be nervous and scared if someone who had crawled on his stomach, slaughtered soldiers, and crushed the wizard’s skull approached them.

“Yes! I’ve seen Your Highness before!!!”

“?”

Johan was a little embarrassed when the other person was too happy. Why is he so happy as if he were a dog meeting his master after a long time?

The eunuch was thinking of subtly changing the subject if he glared at him or asked him a question, but there was no sign of that. Anyone who saw him would think he was an old friend.

The captain next to him was amazed at his excessively friendly behavior.

“As expected of Your Highness. Even the sultan’s eunuch reacts like that to Your Highness’s fame.”

“That’s a little different. . . Anyway, thank you.”

Johan ordered the less tired of the remaining men to pursue them and cleaned up the battlefield. Thanks to the help of the mermaids, the work was easy. The mermaids looked carefully and brought up the salvaged items.

The captains were amazed once again at the sight.

“I didn’t know mermaids would help. . .”

“It’s amazing.”

They had been on ships all their lives, but few of them had seen the tail of a mermaid, let alone seen one. In the first place, mermaids were a symbol of ominousness in the sea. It was nothing good to meet them.

However, now that they saw the mermaids appearing like this and helping the duke, they felt as if they were in a story from mythology.

There really were miracles.

The people of the republic, who were among the least religious in the expedition and were always criticized by the bishops of the order for their unique materialistic attitude, made the sign of the cross with a sincere heart this time.

“Lift it up slowly. You fools!”

━𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐲. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐛𝐨𝐱, 𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞.

“Now the box is broken on the side and everything is spilling out!”

━𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐨 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐭! 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠!

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Suetlg and Caenerna were leading the rear party, assisting Iselia. Their objective was simple: to go around the remaining territories and enlist more troops.

Although Johan had swept through quickly, capturing feudal lords and conscripting forcibly, there were still many territories left. Furthermore, there were still pagan feudal lords who were still watching the situation. It was their role to persuade or coerce them into joining.

It was not as difficult as they thought. When things were evenly matched, persuasion was difficult, but the Duke’s prestige was now almost absolute. Even when they sent messengers, they were treated with utmost courtesy.

However, the wizards were not at ease.

“The elf king might be a fool!”

“Shh. There are many ears around.”

“The elf king might be using his head as a helmet!”

“. . .That’s funny, but be quiet.”

Suetlg calmed Caenerna down. He understood her feelings. News had come that the elf king had been captured.

The wizards’ reaction was a little different from that of the knights.

The knights respected the elf king, who had fought to the end without showing his back even in an unfavorable situation. It was a bravery that only the best of knights could show.

However, to the wizards, it was absurd. With his full strength and no desperate situation, why would he insist on fighting alone instead of simply retreating and joining up?

“I heard that the Sultan’s army is that large. . .”

Caenerna trailed off anxiously. Her fingers tapped the horse’s back repeatedly, showing how anxious she was.

“It’ll be fine.”

Suetlg said calmly. Caenerna looked at him in surprise.

“Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like I’m the only one in this camp who’s worried. . . Is it just me?”

“I’m worried too. It’s just that I have faith.”

“In what?”

“In the providence of God.”

At the sound that did not fit Suetlg, Caenerna looked like she had seen a malevolent spirit. Suetlg tried to clear up the misunderstanding by elaborating further.

“The providence of God is not something grand. It is simply doing what you can do now and not being afraid of tomorrow that has not yet come. His Highness the Duke is impeccable in that regard. Isn’t he different from those feudal lords who do nothing but pray lazily?”

“That’s true, but. . .”

Caenerna glanced at Iselia. There was no confusion in her expression as she glanced at the blade once and then sheathed it again at her waist.

Does that elf of the Bluea family know that and that’s why she’s not unnecessarily anxious?

“No. It’s just that His Highness is naturally fearless.”

“. . . . . .”

“What can I do? It’s the truth.”

Suetlg said it in a roundabout way, but his meaning was clear. Caenerna looked at him in surprise.

“Suetlg-nim. The wizards are complaining. . .”

“Again?! Since those guys were really treated. . .”

Caenerna was furious. There were many wizards in the camp who had been brought from the Holy Land and nearby. It was a kind of preparation for dealing with the Sultan’s large army.

The problem was that these wizards, who had followed them obediently when told to, had started to complain.

If the Duke had been in the camp, they would have kept their mouths shut out of fear, but since the Duke was not there, they complained, ‘𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦,’ ‘𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘨𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘶𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦,’ ‘𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘱 𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴, 𝘴𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦.’

Seeing them, Suetlg and Caenerna unknowingly began to reflect.

Isn’t it because of these wizards that there are so many bad rumors about them?

“It’s not that difficult.”

“It’s because that jinx has bad luck!”

“If we treat them well now, they won’t complain later. Just be patient for a while. Give them what they want.”

As they sent the servants back, this time Gerdolf came running from the front. The knights, who had the nickname of the butcher, appeared, and the servants were scared and ran away.

“Have you confirmed it?”

Gerdolf nodded. Suetlg’s face hardened.

He had heard that a monster had appeared in front of them and blocked the road, and it seemed that it was true.

“It will take too long if we go around. . .”

“It’s good to treat the wizards well. We should have them catch it.”

Caenerna nodded at Suetlg’s words. It was a very good idea.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

“This eunuch is the Sultan’s advisor and is known as the philosopher of the court.”

“Oh. . .”

The captains, who didn’t know much about it, applauded as if it was great. The eunuch looked embarrassed, but he seemed happy. After all, no one would hate being complimented.

“To leave such a person behind and run away. Isn’t the Sultan’s brother really stupid?”

“You’re right!”

In fact, Balharni had left the eunuchs behind and retreated when he retreated.

The eunuchs, dressed in splendid clothes, became good prey for the warriors who rushed in to catch the expensive hostages, and thanks to that, Balharni was able to escape during that time.

And it was no good for the eunuchs to go with him. Wouldn’t they be the ones to badmouth the Sultan in order to live when they returned?

The eunuch knew that, so he cursed Balharni.

“That’s right! He’s a real idiot.”

“Even this philosopher says so, so it must be true.”

The captains, who would have responded with ‘𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰? 𝘋𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘵?’ even if Johan had said, ‘𝘐𝘯 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵, 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘨𝘰𝘥𝘴,’ were impressed.

The captains applauded again. They were somewhat well-informed. But they had never heard of the eunuch’s name. . .

Judging from what he said, there must be something to it!

“Thank you, Your Highness. For treating me so well. . .”

The eunuch burst into tears. After they returned to the Sultan’s camp, their lives were spared, but they could not enjoy the power they had enjoyed before. It was natural after such a defeat.

They had to do things that only the youngest eunuchs could do and could not participate in important conversations. In the midst of all this, he was moved by the warm treatment he received.

“Come to think of it, I’m curious about something.”

“Yes. What are you curious about?”

“I heard that King Angoldolph is being held captive in the camp. Is he doing well? I’m worried about him since we’re close.”

“That’s. . .”

The eunuch hesitated. Information about the prisoners held in the camp should not be easily given out. Moreover, the elf king was such a high-ranking hostage that the Sultan was personally in charge of him.

“Can’t you tell me? That’s fine.”

Johan said coldly on purpose. The eunuch could not help but notice the change in the Duke’s voice. The eunuch hurriedly answered in a flustered manner.

“No! I was just worried because I didn’t know enough.”

“Whatever it is, tell me slowly.”

‘𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯, 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮.’

Johan thought to himself. When there were many people, they would brainstorm and think hard, but the eunuch, who was relatively young, couldn’t even think of doing that.

From the other person’s point of view, it was a lot of fun. If he pushed, he would be pushed, and if he pulled, he would be pulled. . .

He was just thankful that the old eunuchs hadn’t been caught.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

“To rescue His Majesty Angoldolph. I’m impressed!”

The knights in their seats were impressed by the plan that came out so soon after they had won at sea. However, the feudal lords from the empire reacted somewhat nervously.

“Does Your Highness have to go yourself?”

“The enemy’s morale must have been dampened since their surprise attack through the sea was thwarted. It might be better to wait this time.”

“The elf king is strong, so he’ll be fine even if he’s a prisoner for a long time.”

“. . . . . .”

The elf knights from the kingdom who had joined the expedition looked at the feudal lord who had just spoken as if he was ridiculous. However, the feudal lord ignored them as if he didn’t see them.

To be honest, the elf king was not a welcome presence within the empire. He was a strong ally when it came to civil war, but now on the expedition, they wondered if they really needed to save him.

‘𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘺.’

Of course, the elf knights from the kingdom, as well as those who had fled to this side after losing, were quite a force. If the elf king commanded them directly, they could exert several times the strength. Johan knew from experience how fierce the fearless elf knights were.

Moreover, if they succeeded, they could give the enemy a greater shock than the last naval battle. It would be several times more shocking to rescue a hostage from right under the Sultan’s nose.

The captured eunuch was much more useful than he had thought. He squeezed out all the information he had, both useful and useless. Based on that, Johan drew a rough map.

If he could just find the right opportunity, he could go right in and shake things up.

“Your Highness. I have something to ask you. . .”

“Speak.”

Ulrike asked politely, and Johan nodded. Ulrike asked carefully.

“What if the king himself doesn’t want to be rescued?”

“What are you talking about. . .”

Johan was about to say that it didn’t make sense, but he stopped. There was no way Ulrike would have said such a thing just because she didn’t like the elf king.

‘𝘕𝘰. 𝘐𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦?’

Come to think of it, there was a high possibility that he had sworn not to escape on his own while being treated properly when he was captured. It was not uncommon for such oaths to be made.

However, most nobles broke their oaths in such situations. Nobles did not have the same strict faith as monks, and they could repent later or come up with a suitable excuse. That kind of flexibility was essential for a noble.

However, the elf king was likely to be old-fashioned in that regard. Johan thought about Ulrike’s words for a moment, but he said firmly.

“I can persuade him.”

“. . .Really?”

“Of course.”

Ulrike was surprised.

To be able to persuade the elf king. Of course, she knew that Johan was close to the elf king. However, that was separate from persuasion. The elf king was such a person that he would be stubborn even if his own mother sent him a letter.

“I believe you because Your Highness says so. If you have any orders, I will support you as much as possible.”

At Ulrike’s response, the feudal lords in their seats sensed that the meeting was coming to an end. If a great feudal lord of that level agreed with the Duke’s opinion, those below had to follow suit. It was better to come out first if they didn’t want to be scolded and blamed and have their soldiers taken away.

“I will support you too, Your Highness.”

“Me too. . .”

“Thank you all.”

Johan nodded and thought.

‘𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨. . . 𝘐 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘬 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦.’

Johan also felt a little sorry. Johan was the one who got the eunuchs drunk, received money and then handed them over to the envoy group.

He thought he would be flayed alive by the angry sultan, but he seemed to have survived unexpectedly.

“Get up. I’m glad to see you like this.”

“!”

The eunuch was delighted when the duke spoke to him in a gentler voice than he had expected. He was such a fearsome figure that he had no idea how to react.

Even if they were acquaintances, there was a limit to it. Anyone, even an acquaintance, would be nervous and scared if someone who had crawled on his stomach, slaughtered soldiers, and crushed the wizard’s skull approached them.

“Yes! I’ve seen Your Highness before!!!”

“?”

Johan was a little embarrassed when the other person was too happy. Why is he so happy as if he were a dog meeting his master after a long time?

‘𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘺?’

The eunuch was thinking of subtly changing the subject if he glared at him or asked him a question, but there was no sign of that. Anyone who saw him would think he was an old friend.

The captain next to him was amazed at his excessively friendly behavior.

“As expected of Your Highness. Even the sultan’s eunuch reacts like that to Your Highness’s fame.”

“That’s a little different. . . Anyway, thank you.”

Johan ordered the less tired of the remaining men to pursue them and cleaned up the battlefield. Thanks to the help of the mermaids, the work was easy. The mermaids looked carefully and brought up the salvaged items.

The captains were amazed once again at the sight.

“I didn’t know mermaids would help. . .”

“It’s amazing.”

They had been on ships all their lives, but few of them had seen the tail of a mermaid, let alone seen one. In the first place, mermaids were a symbol of ominousness in the sea. It was nothing good to meet them.

However, now that they saw the mermaids appearing like this and helping the duke, they felt as if they were in a story from mythology.

There really were miracles.

The people of the republic, who were among the least religious in the expedition and were always criticized by the bishops of the order for their unique materialistic attitude, made the sign of the cross with a sincere heart this time.

“Lift it up slowly. You fools!”

━𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐲. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐛𝐨𝐱, 𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞.

“Now the box is broken on the side and everything is spilling out!”

━𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐨 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐭! 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠!

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Suetlg and Caenerna were leading the rear party, assisting Iselia. Their objective was simple: to go around the remaining territories and enlist more troops.

Although Johan had swept through quickly, capturing feudal lords and conscripting forcibly, there were still many territories left. Furthermore, there were still pagan feudal lords who were still watching the situation. It was their role to persuade or coerce them into joining.

It was not as difficult as they thought. When things were evenly matched, persuasion was difficult, but the Duke’s prestige was now almost absolute. Even when they sent messengers, they were treated with utmost courtesy.

However, the wizards were not at ease.

“The elf king might be a fool!”

“Shh. There are many ears around.”

“The elf king might be using his head as a helmet!”

“. . .That’s funny, but be quiet.”

Suetlg calmed Caenerna down. He understood her feelings. News had come that the elf king had been captured.

The wizards’ reaction was a little different from that of the knights.

The knights respected the elf king, who had fought to the end without showing his back even in an unfavorable situation. It was a bravery that only the best of knights could show.

However, to the wizards, it was absurd. With his full strength and no desperate situation, why would he insist on fighting alone instead of simply retreating and joining up?

“I heard that the Sultan’s army is that large. . .”

Caenerna trailed off anxiously. Her fingers tapped the horse’s back repeatedly, showing how anxious she was.

“It’ll be fine.”

Suetlg said calmly. Caenerna looked at him in surprise.

“Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like I’m the only one in this camp who’s worried. . . Is it just me?”

“I’m worried too. It’s just that I have faith.”

“In what?”

“In the providence of God.”

At the sound that did not fit Suetlg, Caenerna looked like she had seen a malevolent spirit. Suetlg tried to clear up the misunderstanding by elaborating further.

“The providence of God is not something grand. It is simply doing what you can do now and not being afraid of tomorrow that has not yet come. His Highness the Duke is impeccable in that regard. Isn’t he different from those feudal lords who do nothing but pray lazily?”

“That’s true, but. . .”

Caenerna glanced at Iselia. There was no confusion in her expression as she glanced at the blade once and then sheathed it again at her waist.

Does that elf of the Bluea family know that and that’s why she’s not unnecessarily anxious?

“No. It’s just that His Highness is naturally fearless.”

“. . . . . .”

“What can I do? It’s the truth.”

Suetlg said it in a roundabout way, but his meaning was clear. Caenerna looked at him in surprise.

“Suetlg-nim. The wizards are complaining. . .”

“Again?! Since those guys were really treated. . .”

Caenerna was furious. There were many wizards in the camp who had been brought from the Holy Land and nearby. It was a kind of preparation for dealing with the Sultan’s large army.

The problem was that these wizards, who had followed them obediently when told to, had started to complain.

If the Duke had been in the camp, they would have kept their mouths shut out of fear, but since the Duke was not there, they complained, ‘𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦,’ ‘𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘨𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘶𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦,’ ‘𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘱 𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴, 𝘴𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦.’

Seeing them, Suetlg and Caenerna unknowingly began to reflect.

Isn’t it because of these wizards that there are so many bad rumors about them?

“It’s not that difficult.”

“It’s because that jinx has bad luck!”

“If we treat them well now, they won’t complain later. Just be patient for a while. Give them what they want.”

As they sent the servants back, this time Gerdolf came running from the front. The knights, who had the nickname of the butcher, appeared, and the servants were scared and ran away.

“Have you confirmed it?”

Gerdolf nodded. Suetlg’s face hardened.

He had heard that a monster had appeared in front of them and blocked the road, and it seemed that it was true.

“It will take too long if we go around. . .”

“It’s good to treat the wizards well. We should have them catch it.”

Caenerna nodded at Suetlg’s words. It was a very good idea.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

“This eunuch is the Sultan’s advisor and is known as the philosopher of the court.”

“Oh. . .”

The captains, who didn’t know much about it, applauded as if it was great. The eunuch looked embarrassed, but he seemed happy. After all, no one would hate being complimented.

“To leave such a person behind and run away. Isn’t the Sultan’s brother really stupid?”

“You’re right!”

In fact, Balharni had left the eunuchs behind and retreated when he retreated.

The eunuchs, dressed in splendid clothes, became good prey for the warriors who rushed in to catch the expensive hostages, and thanks to that, Balharni was able to escape during that time.

And it was no good for the eunuchs to go with him. Wouldn’t they be the ones to badmouth the Sultan in order to live when they returned?

The eunuch knew that, so he cursed Balharni.

“That’s right! He’s a real idiot.”

“Even this philosopher says so, so it must be true.”

The captains, who would have responded with ‘𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰? 𝘋𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘵?’ even if Johan had said, ‘𝘐𝘯 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵, 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘨𝘰𝘥𝘴,’ were impressed.

The captains applauded again. They were somewhat well-informed. But they had never heard of the eunuch’s name. . .

Judging from what he said, there must be something to it!

“Thank you, Your Highness. For treating me so well. . .”

The eunuch burst into tears. After they returned to the Sultan’s camp, their lives were spared, but they could not enjoy the power they had enjoyed before. It was natural after such a defeat.

They had to do things that only the youngest eunuchs could do and could not participate in important conversations. In the midst of all this, he was moved by the warm treatment he received.

“Come to think of it, I’m curious about something.”

“Yes. What are you curious about?”

“I heard that King Angoldolph is being held captive in the camp. Is he doing well? I’m worried about him since we’re close.”

“That’s. . .”

The eunuch hesitated. Information about the prisoners held in the camp should not be easily given out. Moreover, the elf king was such a high-ranking hostage that the Sultan was personally in charge of him.

“Can’t you tell me? That’s fine.”

Johan said coldly on purpose. The eunuch could not help but notice the change in the Duke’s voice. The eunuch hurriedly answered in a flustered manner.

“No! I was just worried because I didn’t know enough.”

“Whatever it is, tell me slowly.”

‘𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯, 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮.’

Johan thought to himself. When there were many people, they would brainstorm and think hard, but the eunuch, who was relatively young, couldn’t even think of doing that.

From the other person’s point of view, it was a lot of fun. If he pushed, he would be pushed, and if he pulled, he would be pulled. . .

He was just thankful that the old eunuchs hadn’t been caught.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

“To rescue His Majesty Angoldolph. I’m impressed!”

The knights in their seats were impressed by the plan that came out so soon after they had won at sea. However, the feudal lords from the empire reacted somewhat nervously.

“Does Your Highness have to go yourself?”

“The enemy’s morale must have been dampened since their surprise attack through the sea was thwarted. It might be better to wait this time.”

“The elf king is strong, so he’ll be fine even if he’s a prisoner for a long time.”

“. . . . . .”

The elf knights from the kingdom who had joined the expedition looked at the feudal lord who had just spoken as if he was ridiculous. However, the feudal lord ignored them as if he didn’t see them.

To be honest, the elf king was not a welcome presence within the empire. He was a strong ally when it came to civil war, but now on the expedition, they wondered if they really needed to save him.

‘𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘺.’

Of course, the elf knights from the kingdom, as well as those who had fled to this side after losing, were quite a force. If the elf king commanded them directly, they could exert several times the strength. Johan knew from experience how fierce the fearless elf knights were.

Moreover, if they succeeded, they could give the enemy a greater shock than the last naval battle. It would be several times more shocking to rescue a hostage from right under the Sultan’s nose.

The captured eunuch was much more useful than he had thought. He squeezed out all the information he had, both useful and useless. Based on that, Johan drew a rough map.

If he could just find the right opportunity, he could go right in and shake things up.

“Your Highness. I have something to ask you. . .”

“Speak.”

Ulrike asked politely, and Johan nodded. Ulrike asked carefully.

“What if the king himself doesn’t want to be rescued?”

“What are you talking about. . .”

Johan was about to say that it didn’t make sense, but he stopped. There was no way Ulrike would have said such a thing just because she didn’t like the elf king.

‘𝘕𝘰. 𝘐𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦?’

Come to think of it, there was a high possibility that he had sworn not to escape on his own while being treated properly when he was captured. It was not uncommon for such oaths to be made.

However, most nobles broke their oaths in such situations. Nobles did not have the same strict faith as monks, and they could repent later or come up with a suitable excuse. That kind of flexibility was essential for a noble.

However, the elf king was likely to be old-fashioned in that regard. Johan thought about Ulrike’s words for a moment, but he said firmly.

“I can persuade him.”

“. . .Really?”

“Of course.”

Ulrike was surprised.

To be able to persuade the elf king. Of course, she knew that Johan was close to the elf king. However, that was separate from persuasion. The elf king was such a person that he would be stubborn even if his own mother sent him a letter.

“I believe you because Your Highness says so. If you have any orders, I will support you as much as possible.”

At Ulrike’s response, the feudal lords in their seats sensed that the meeting was coming to an end. If a great feudal lord of that level agreed with the Duke’s opinion, those below had to follow suit. It was better to come out first if they didn’t want to be scolded and blamed and have their soldiers taken away.

“I will support you too, Your Highness.”

“Me too. . .”

“Thank you all.”

Johan nodded and thought.

‘𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨. . . 𝘐 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘬 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦.’