How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 26.1: 𝐊𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭, 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲, 𝐒𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐞 (𝟏𝟏)

Having skills in technology or cooking, or any talent for that matter, was always beneficial. Even a good physique could land someone a role as a guard or soldier. Sir Gessen also recruited several soldiers this way. Although life-threatening, for a slave, it presented an opportunity to earn freedom through meritorious service.

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“But does such a person exist in this town?”

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He wondered if there were skilled slaves in this town. A slave with exceptional skills would be expensive and unlikely to be sold in such a town. . .

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“What’s he doing?”

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“He’s a merchant by origin, very knowledgeable due to his travels across the continent. Sir Knight, he can answer any question you ask.”

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“!”

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Johan was surprised by the seemingly favorable conditions. To him, a slave with such extensive knowledge was useful. But why would they want to give him away?

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“Why are they offering him?”

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If the slave was truly useful, it wouldn’t make sense to give him up. Johan cautiously asked a question.

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“Is he of no use to the town?”

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“Of course, he is useful! But to atone for our debts to Sir Knight, we must offer something of value.”

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It was a lie. In truth, a knowledgeable slave wasn’t very useful in the town.

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The knowledge needed in the town involved identifying herbs, predicting rain and snow, not facts like ‘𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘢’. Such knowledge only served to fill the young men of the town with unrealistic dreams.

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“He’s not unruly or rebellious, is he?”

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“Not at all! He’s nothing like that.”

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‘𝘐𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯,’ 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵.

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Yet, the offer was tempting. Whether useful or not, Johan liked the idea of having someone accompany him.

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‘𝘏𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥.’

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Despite Johan’s noble origin, evidenced by his armor, accent, and demeanor, he couldn’t hide one thing: his financial struggles.

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Even if you are a wandering knight without a fiefdom, there are relatively wealthy wandering knights who lead dozens of people, and there are poor wandering knights who wander alone without even proper armor.

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People naturally respected the former more.

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To gain respect, one must look the part. Merchants and commoners were enough for now, but not for higher status.

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“Fine. I’ll see and decide.”

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As Johan prepared to leave, the worried mercenaries tried to stop him.

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“Sir Knight. Be careful. It could be a trap.”

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“You can’t expect honor from these town folks.”

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The experienced mercenaries were concerned about a trap.

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The people of such towns could resort to anything if provoked. Regardless of honor, they might kill and bury mercenaries to protect their wealth. And if Johan went out alone. . .

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However, Johan remained calm.

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“If it comes to that, I’ll find a way out, so no need to worry.”

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Despite how absurd it sounded, Johan’s confidence momentarily convinced the mercenaries.

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They believed that he could indeed fend off a dozen town folks and escape.

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🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

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“The limbs are intact.”

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Johan highly rated the fact that his limbs were intact. The man was wearing old, tattered cloth clothes, and around his neck, a brass necklace symbolizing a slave. The solid necklace, inscribed with his name, crime, and master, was so tightly soldered without any gaps that it couldn’t be removed without tools.

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“Has Atanka-nim arrived?!”

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“Yes. Geoffrey. Fortunately, this honorable Sir Knight has said he will take you with him.”

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“Yes?”

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Slave Geoffrey was startled by the village chief’s words. He had to follow a knight he had never seen before.

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Is this a good thing, or a bad thing?

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After all, it wasn’t something he could decide.

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‘𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯.’

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The life of a slave is to follow their master.

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A village slave would probably spend his life plowing fields and cleaning up horse dung until death, but a noble’s slave could live lavishly, enviable by commoners, if lucky.

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And a knight was a status at the lower end of nobility. Moreover, the knight in front of him seemed quite presentable. He wasn’t a wandering knight without any equipment.

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The problem is. . .

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‘𝘞𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘐 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘥𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘢 𝘬𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴?’

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Geoffrey feared being trapped in a goblin’s den or dying a horrible death while following the knight. Knights were often considered madmen, seeking places to die.

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“Geoffrey. What are you doing? Greet him.”

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“Ah. Yes! Thank you very much! I’m honored that you think highly of me! I’m not sure if I’m worthy of Sir Knight’s attention, but I will do my best. I’m not good with weapons and my limbs are weak, but I’ll do whatever I’m told. . .”

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Geoffrey hurriedly greeted upon the village chief’s call, subtly mentioning his weaknesses. If the knight was not satisfied and didn’t take him, it would be better for him, avoiding a tough life.

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Atanka frowned.

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“In a situation where it’s an understatement to say he’s robust.”

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“Turn your neck.”

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Geoffrey turned his head, revealing the writing on the necklace.

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“Huh. Can Sir Knight read?”

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While there were knights with high learning, they were as rare as dumb orcs. Most knights preferred to hire someone to read for them. It was considered beneath the dignity of someone of high status to read themselves.

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The knights who could read were usually those from churches or monastic orders.

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‘𝘋𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳. . .’

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“Gold smuggling?”

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“Y-Yes. I’m sorry. I’m reflecting on it now. . .”

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“How did you survive?”