Chapter 338: ððšð²ðð¥ ðð®ð§ð®ðð¡ð¬ (2)
âðð¶ðµ ð¯ð°ðž, ð ð©ð¢ð·ðŠ ðµð° ð¢ð¥ð®ðªðµ ðµð©ð¢ðµ ðµð©ðªðŽ ð®ð¢ð¥ð¯ðŠðŽðŽ ðªðŽ ð¢ð€ðµð¶ð¢ðððº ð©ðŠðð±ð§ð¶ð.â
Thanks to this, the eunuchs were able to forge the sultanâs letters almost perfectly. They had everything from the paper, handwriting, and even the experience as the sultan himself may not be as skilled in writing letters as the eunuchs were.
âHonestly speaking, itâs worth a try.â
âItâs absurd, but if it works. . .â
However, even the hardened centurions did not deny the plan as preposterous, although they thought the eunuchs were ridiculous.
As experienced mercenaries, they had forged a lordâs permission or a pass a few times. It seemed like a trivial piece of paper on the outside, but the value of this single sheet was worth more than a pouch of gold coins.
It was useful when fleeing after a battle, entering a town to conscript serfs, and sometimes, even to fool knights. With more brains, it could be utilized in more diverse ways.
After all, humans are weak to authority.
âI heard that Manansir refused to help when the pagan feudal lords asked for help, and he also refused when the eunuchs asked for help. I think he must be feeling guilty inside.â
The reason why Manansir was called Viceroy Manansir, General Manansir, or Your Majesty Manansir was that he had an absolute rise to power.He started as a low-ranking noble and became a captain of a mercenary group, leading mercenaries. Then he was lucky enough to gain a fiefdom, and then he grew his power little by little by fighting, scheming, and betraying others.
In any place, if you exceed a certain level, you canât just rule with power alone.
You could rule a small town with just a few mercenaries as the village chief, but if it was a barony or higher, political power was essential. You canât conquer every vassal and neighboring feudal lords surrounding you with just power.
In such times, authority was the most important. Political power comes from authority.
Just like Johan borrowed authority by joining hands with the order, Manansir also tried to gain authority by claiming various titles. Of course, there was a limit to this. No matter how many soldiers he led and titles he claimed, the other nobles wouldnât accept him.
In the end, what Manansir chose was to join hands with the sultan. Even though he was in a faraway land, the sultanâs name had great weight in these parts.
Manansir frantically sent bribes and made all kinds of attempts to gain the sultanâs favor even before the marriage alliance was formed. This alliance right now was the result of his relentless efforts.
âSince the lords under Manansir know that, they wonât resist the sultanâs authority easily.â
Johanâs plan with the eunuchsâ help was simple.
Head towards where Manansir was hiding, with only elite cavalry.
If there were any lords who heard of them and tried to block them on the way, summon them using the sultanâs name.
If they came out without thinking, capture them and hold them as prisoners.
In any fiefdom, if the lord was captured as a prisoner, the people below him would be confused and find it difficult to react.
To prepare for this, Johan had brought along pagan knights who were captured as prisoners. The pagan knights, not knowing the full story, were happy just to receive their weapons and horses back.
âDo they even know who those people are?â
âOf course not.â
âWonât you be shocked when they find out later?â
âI didnât lie.â
The dukeâs curt reply made his subordinates nod with joy. One of the best things about being a mercenary was when they got to feel like their employer was a great villain.
ðžðžðžðžðžðž
Baron Shalard was shocked at the sight of the cavalry that suddenly appeared in his fiefdom.
Even from a distance, it was easy to tell that there were hundreds of them. Even if he gathered all the serfs in his fiefdom who could be used as soldiers, there wouldnât even be a hundred of them. Cavalry of that size had the terrifying power to burn his entire fiefdom to the ground with just a flick of their fingers.
He heard that there was chaos to the north as the pagan expedition and the sultanâs army clashed, but he never expected the aftermath to reach this far.
âðð¶ð³ðŠððº. . . ðµð©ðŠðº ð¥ðªð¥ð¯âðµ ð€ð°ð®ðŠ ð¢ðð ðµð©ðŠ ðžð¢ðº ð©ðŠð³ðŠ?â
There were rumors that pagan pursuit forces appeared in the coastal city a little above, but the people nearby were relieved when they heard that they quickly disappeared and went back.
However, seeing cavalry appear like this made his heart pound.
âMaster! They are not enemies! Thatâs the sultanâs flag!â
â!!â
The baronâs face brightened at the servantâs report. As they got closer, he could see the uniforms of some of the cavalry. The outfits were clearly different from the expedition that came from the west.
âðð©ð¢ð¯ð¬ ðšð°ð°ð¥ð¯ðŠðŽðŽ!â
The baron heaved a sigh of relief. Of course, even if they were the sultanâs army, it wasnât a situation where he could be completely at ease. He had to start by treating them in his small fiefdom, and he might have to answer some uncomfortable questions in the process. âðð©ðº ð¥ðªð¥ð¯âðµ ðºð°ð¶ ðŽðŠð¯ð¥ ðŽð¶ð±ð±ð°ð³ðµ?â and things like that. . .
But even if that was uncomfortable, wasnât it much better than a group of looters or rogues?
âGo to the vault and bring some gold coins. Iâll go greet them myself.â
âYes? But shouldnât you confirm their identities first?â
âYou fool! Youâre going to say that now? Do you want to bother them with such a useless thing after they came all this way? Itâs because of people like you that they say we are tactless and dull.â
âI-I apologize, master.â
The slave, who was scolded harshly for saying something unnecessary, hung his head, dejected.
Originally, it was the rule that when outsiders came, the lower-ranking people would go out first to confirm their identities, then let a few of them in separately, and then let the rest in once their identities were confirmed.
However, rules are meant to have exceptions.
If you asked the knights who came from far away, who had a high status and seemed ill-tempered, such things one by one, it could cause unnecessary trouble.
âWelcome, brave knights! This baron has been waiting for your lordships!â
When the baron himself came out of the gate on horseback and ran towards them, Johan and his subordinates looked at each other.
âðð©ð¢ðµâðŽ ðžð³ð°ð¯ðš ðžðªðµð© ð©ðªð®?? ðð©ðº ðªðŽð¯âðµ ð©ðŠ ð€ð©ðŠð€ð¬ðªð¯ðš ð°ð¶ð³ ðªð¥ðŠð¯ðµðªðµðªðŠðŽ?â
âððŽ ðªðµ ð¢ ðµð³ð¢ð±??â
âðð°. ððŠ ð«ð¶ðŽðµ. . . ðŽðŠðŠð®ðŽ ððªð¬ðŠ ð¢ ð€ð¢ð³ðŠððŠðŽðŽ ð±ðŠð³ðŽð°ð¯.â
âAre you Baron Shalard?â
Instead of replying to the baronâs hospitality, Johan asked a question. It was a rude response, but the baron couldnât question him because he was intimidated by Johanâs imposing manner and his subordinates who were overflowing with authority.
âYes. . .â
âI see. Take the baron.â
The knights grabbed both of the baronâs arms with their strong hands. The baronâs slaves were shocked and froze in place.
âW-What are you doing? What are you doing?? You fools, what are you doing? Are you just going to watch??â
The knights were too big and too well-armed for the slaves to rush in to save him. The slaves just stood still. Johan spoke to the servant who had followed him.
âTell the people inside the fiefdom that weâll be taking the baron as a prisoner, so they should refrain from acting rashly and behave themselves.â
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âYes!â
The servant ran away, happy that he wasnât caught with the baron. The baron, still not fully understanding the situation, shouted desperately.
âSir! Please listen to me. The reason I couldnât respond to the request for support is because I had Manansirâs orders! How can someone like me, who leads a small family, disobey such an order?â
âI understand, baron. Youâll be treated as a prisoner, so keep your mouth shut!â
The baron was dragged away, still not realizing who he was dealing with.
Instead, there was a commotion from a different place. The pagan knights belatedly realized what this march was and began to grumble.
Vaytar, who had somewhat gotten close to the duke, stepped forward. Vaytar asked with a very reluctant expression.
âYour Highness. That. . . I have one question.â
âWhat is it, sir?â
âIn the fiefdoms weâre going to from now on, are you going to. . . capture them like this?â
âI clearly told you Iâm going to capture Manansir, didnât I?â
Johan had clearly told the pagan knights the truth. That he was going to capture Manansir.
The pagan knights were curious about how he planned to attack the castles and fortresses along the way, but they were happy to get their weapons and horses back, so they didnât ask further.
However, looking at it now, his method was a bit. . . extreme compared to what they had thought.
âAre you saying that you wonât follow my orders now? Didnât you clearly swear on your honor that you would follow my orders?â
Of course, the pagan knights had sworn and followed him. As prisoners, that much was natural. Vaytar was surprised and waved his hands.
âNo! Itâs not like that. Itâs just that, you see, since the other party was foolish and came out just now, itâs different. . . People who are suspicious wonât come out easily. I was curious about that.â
The pagan knights still only understood half of the situation.
They had only thought that âððŠ ðžðŠð³ðŠ ðšð°ðªð¯ðš ðµð° ð±ð¢ðŽðŽ ðµð©ð³ð°ð¶ðšð© ðµð©ðŠ ðŽð¶ð³ð³ð°ð¶ð¯ð¥ðªð¯ðš ð¢ð³ðŠð¢ðŽ ð¥ðªðŽðšð¶ðªðŽðŠð¥ ð¢ðŽ ðµð©ðŠ ðŽð¶ððµð¢ð¯âðŽ ð¢ð³ð®ðºâ.
No one would have thought that there would be a trick beyond that.
âDonât worry, thereâs a way for everything.â
âI-Is that so.â
Vaytar was a hot-tempered and quick-witted person, but he was like a mouse in front of a cat in front of the duke. In the end, Vaytar returned without asking any further.
The knights asked curiously.
âWhat happened?â
âWhatâs His Highness thinking?â
âIsnât it a petty trick? Who came up with it?â
To the flood of questions, Vaytar only picked the questions he could answer and replied. Fortunately, he knew about the last question because he had heard the others talking.
âThey said the eunuchs advised it. . .â
â. . .Those poisonous mushrooms are still alive and doing more dirty work?!â
However, the pagan knights didnât know. That the eunuchsâ dirty scheme was just beginning (although strictly speaking, it wasnât the eunuchsâ fault).
ðžðžðžðžðžðž
âð-ððšð° ðð¢ð ð²ðšð® ð€ð§ðšð° ððš ððšðŠð ð¡ðð«ð?! ð ð°ðšð®ð¥ð ð¡ðð¯ð ð ðšð§ð ðšð®ð ðŠð²ð¬ðð¥ð ð¢ð ð²ðšð® ð¡ðð ð£ð®ð¬ð ð¬ðð§ð ð ðŠðð¬ð¬ðð§ð ðð«. . . ðð¡ð² ðð«ð ð²ðšð® ððšð¢ð§ð ðð¡ð¢ð¬?! ðð¡ðð! ðð¡ð² ðð«ð ð²ðšð® ððšð¢ð§ð ðð¡ð¢ð¬?! ðð¡ðð ðð¢ð ð ððš ð°ð«ðšð§ð ? ððš, ðšð ððšð®ð«ð¬ð, ð ðð¢ðð§âð ð¬ðð§ð ðð§ð² ð¬ð®ð©ð©ðšð«ð!
âð ð°ð¢ð¥ð¥ ððšð§ðð¢ð«ðŠ ð£ð®ð¬ð ð¢ð§ ððð¬ð. . . ð-ðð¡ð¢ð¬ ð¬ððð¥ ð¢ð¬. . .! ð ðð©ðšð¥ðšð ð¢ð³ð! ð ð°ð¢ð¥ð¥ ððð¥ð¥ ðŠðð¬ððð« ð«ð¢ð ð¡ð ðð°ðð². ððð¬ððð«!
âððð², ð²ðšð® ð¬ðð®ð©ð¢ð ð¬ð¥ðð¯ð! ðð«ð ð²ðšð®ð« ðð²ðð¬ ð£ð®ð¬ð ððšð« ððððšð«ððð¢ðšð§?! ð ð¬ð©ðð§ð ðð¢ð ð¡ðððð§ ð ðšð¥ð ððšð¢ð§ð¬ ððš ðð®ð² ð²ðšð®, ð²ðšð® ð¢ðð¢ðšð! ððšð® ð¬ðð¢ð ð²ðšð® ð°ðð«ð ð ðšðšð ðð ð¥ð¢ððð«ððð®ð«ð ðð§ð ðð«ð¢ðð¡ðŠððð¢ð, ð¬ðš ð ð©ðð¢ð ð ð¡ð¢ð ð¡ ð©ð«ð¢ðð ððšð« ð²ðšð®!
âðð¡, ð§ðš, ðð¡ððâð¬. . .
Johanâs subordinates advanced like a storm. The pagan knights, who didnât know what was going on, made expressions like they had seen a ghost.
Even if they were reckless people, how could they open the gate and come out even after confirming their identities? Did the duke use magic or something?
As soon as the next day dawned after they had rested, Johan quickly ran. The castle where Manansir was hiding was right before his eyes.
To capture him right away before any strange rumors spread!
âUhm, please wait a moment.â
â. . .?â
However, the castellanâs reaction was different from what he had thought. Even though he saw the paper with the sultanâs seal, the castellan didnât open the gate right away and hesitated.
Johan became a little impatient. His subordinates seemed to read Johanâs mind and immediately took action.
They held their swords to the eunuchsâ necks.
âIf they donât open that gate right now, Iâll bathe these swords in your blood.â
âC-Calm down! Calm down! They havenât noticed at all!â
The eunuchs tried desperately to calm the mercenaries down.
The castle where Manansir was currently hiding was an unnamed mountain castle slightly away from the coastal port city.
Although it was a little small, it was a good place to hold out because it could take advantage of the ruggedness of the mountain. It was a good choice for Manansir, who planned to hide until the sultanâs army arrived.
The problem with such a place was that it was not well-informed about rumors. When the eunuchs saw it, it was impossible for rumors to have reached there first.
âThen why arenât they opening it? Huh? Is it because you guys made a mistake??â
âM-Maybe Viceroy Manansir is scared, thatâs why??â
âWhat are you talking about?â
âThink about it carefully! You came with so many troops just because he took a few ships. And the sultanâs army that landed first was smashed to pieces. Even the bravest person would be scared, wouldnât they? Why would the viceroy be hiding here!â
âA few ships? This punk. . .â
âAlright, so why arenât they opening the gate when we came to help?â
âW-Well, didnât Viceroy ignore us when we asked for support? He must be troubled because he knows heâs guilty!â
He blurted it out as best as he could, but after he said it, it sounded quite plausible. The eunuch was slightly intoxicated by his own words. Of course, the mercenaries werenât satisfied with that.
âI see. So how can you open it?â
âYes?â
âIf you can talk so well, you should come up with a way too. Think of something in five seconds! Or else this sword will go in a little deeper. Five! Two!â
âððŽð¯âðµ ðªðµ ð§ð°ð¶ð³ ð¢ð§ðµðŠð³ ð§ðªð·ðŠ?â
âI-I thought of it! I thought of it!â
The mercenaries were impressed. It was as if the answers came out when you squeezed a mouse, like the leather pouch with an infinite supply of gold coins from the story.
,âðð¶ðµ ð¯ð°ðž, ð ð©ð¢ð·ðŠ ðµð° ð¢ð¥ð®ðªðµ ðµð©ð¢ðµ ðµð©ðªðŽ ð®ð¢ð¥ð¯ðŠðŽðŽ ðªðŽ ð¢ð€ðµð¶ð¢ðððº ð©ðŠðð±ð§ð¶ð.â
Thanks to this, the eunuchs were able to forge the sultanâs letters almost perfectly. They had everything from the paper, handwriting, and even the experience as the sultan himself may not be as skilled in writing letters as the eunuchs were.
âHonestly speaking, itâs worth a try.â
âItâs absurd, but if it works. . .â
However, even the hardened centurions did not deny the plan as preposterous, although they thought the eunuchs were ridiculous.
As experienced mercenaries, they had forged a lordâs permission or a pass a few times. It seemed like a trivial piece of paper on the outside, but the value of this single sheet was worth more than a pouch of gold coins.
It was useful when fleeing after a battle, entering a town to conscript serfs, and sometimes, even to fool knights. With more brains, it could be utilized in more diverse ways.
After all, humans are weak to authority.
âI heard that Manansir refused to help when the pagan feudal lords asked for help, and he also refused when the eunuchs asked for help. I think he must be feeling guilty inside.â
The reason why Manansir was called Viceroy Manansir, General Manansir, or Your Majesty Manansir was that he had an absolute rise to power.
He started as a low-ranking noble and became a captain of a mercenary group, leading mercenaries. Then he was lucky enough to gain a fiefdom, and then he grew his power little by little by fighting, scheming, and betraying others.
In any place, if you exceed a certain level, you canât just rule with power alone.
You could rule a small town with just a few mercenaries as the village chief, but if it was a barony or higher, political power was essential. You canât conquer every vassal and neighboring feudal lords surrounding you with just power.
In such times, authority was the most important. Political power comes from authority.
Just like Johan borrowed authority by joining hands with the order, Manansir also tried to gain authority by claiming various titles. Of course, there was a limit to this. No matter how many soldiers he led and titles he claimed, the other nobles wouldnât accept him.
In the end, what Manansir chose was to join hands with the sultan. Even though he was in a faraway land, the sultanâs name had great weight in these parts.
Manansir frantically sent bribes and made all kinds of attempts to gain the sultanâs favor even before the marriage alliance was formed. This alliance right now was the result of his relentless efforts.
âSince the lords under Manansir know that, they wonât resist the sultanâs authority easily.â
Johanâs plan with the eunuchsâ help was simple.
Head towards where Manansir was hiding, with only elite cavalry.
If there were any lords who heard of them and tried to block them on the way, summon them using the sultanâs name.
If they came out without thinking, capture them and hold them as prisoners.
In any fiefdom, if the lord was captured as a prisoner, the people below him would be confused and find it difficult to react.
To prepare for this, Johan had brought along pagan knights who were captured as prisoners. The pagan knights, not knowing the full story, were happy just to receive their weapons and horses back.
âDo they even know who those people are?â
âOf course not.â
âWonât you be shocked when they find out later?â
âI didnât lie.â
The dukeâs curt reply made his subordinates nod with joy. One of the best things about being a mercenary was when they got to feel like their employer was a great villain.
ðžðžðžðžðžðž
Baron Shalard was shocked at the sight of the cavalry that suddenly appeared in his fiefdom.
Even from a distance, it was easy to tell that there were hundreds of them. Even if he gathered all the serfs in his fiefdom who could be used as soldiers, there wouldnât even be a hundred of them. Cavalry of that size had the terrifying power to burn his entire fiefdom to the ground with just a flick of their fingers.
He heard that there was chaos to the north as the pagan expedition and the sultanâs army clashed, but he never expected the aftermath to reach this far.
âðð¶ð³ðŠððº. . . ðµð©ðŠðº ð¥ðªð¥ð¯âðµ ð€ð°ð®ðŠ ð¢ðð ðµð©ðŠ ðžð¢ðº ð©ðŠð³ðŠ?â
There were rumors that pagan pursuit forces appeared in the coastal city a little above, but the people nearby were relieved when they heard that they quickly disappeared and went back.
However, seeing cavalry appear like this made his heart pound.
âMaster! They are not enemies! Thatâs the sultanâs flag!â
â!!â
The baronâs face brightened at the servantâs report. As they got closer, he could see the uniforms of some of the cavalry. The outfits were clearly different from the expedition that came from the west.
âðð©ð¢ð¯ð¬ ðšð°ð°ð¥ð¯ðŠðŽðŽ!â
The baron heaved a sigh of relief. Of course, even if they were the sultanâs army, it wasnât a situation where he could be completely at ease. He had to start by treating them in his small fiefdom, and he might have to answer some uncomfortable questions in the process. âðð©ðº ð¥ðªð¥ð¯âðµ ðºð°ð¶ ðŽðŠð¯ð¥ ðŽð¶ð±ð±ð°ð³ðµ?â and things like that. . .
But even if that was uncomfortable, wasnât it much better than a group of looters or rogues?
âGo to the vault and bring some gold coins. Iâll go greet them myself.â
âYes? But shouldnât you confirm their identities first?â
âYou fool! Youâre going to say that now? Do you want to bother them with such a useless thing after they came all this way? Itâs because of people like you that they say we are tactless and dull.â
âI-I apologize, master.â
The slave, who was scolded harshly for saying something unnecessary, hung his head, dejected.
Originally, it was the rule that when outsiders came, the lower-ranking people would go out first to confirm their identities, then let a few of them in separately, and then let the rest in once their identities were confirmed.
However, rules are meant to have exceptions.
If you asked the knights who came from far away, who had a high status and seemed ill-tempered, such things one by one, it could cause unnecessary trouble.
âWelcome, brave knights! This baron has been waiting for your lordships!â
When the baron himself came out of the gate on horseback and ran towards them, Johan and his subordinates looked at each other.
âðð©ð¢ðµâðŽ ðžð³ð°ð¯ðš ðžðªðµð© ð©ðªð®?? ðð©ðº ðªðŽð¯âðµ ð©ðŠ ð€ð©ðŠð€ð¬ðªð¯ðš ð°ð¶ð³ ðªð¥ðŠð¯ðµðªðµðªðŠðŽ?â
âððŽ ðªðµ ð¢ ðµð³ð¢ð±??â
âðð°. ððŠ ð«ð¶ðŽðµ. . . ðŽðŠðŠð®ðŽ ððªð¬ðŠ ð¢ ð€ð¢ð³ðŠððŠðŽðŽ ð±ðŠð³ðŽð°ð¯.â
âAre you Baron Shalard?â
Instead of replying to the baronâs hospitality, Johan asked a question. It was a rude response, but the baron couldnât question him because he was intimidated by Johanâs imposing manner and his subordinates who were overflowing with authority.
âYes. . .â
âI see. Take the baron.â
The knights grabbed both of the baronâs arms with their strong hands. The baronâs slaves were shocked and froze in place.
âW-What are you doing? What are you doing?? You fools, what are you doing? Are you just going to watch??â
The knights were too big and too well-armed for the slaves to rush in to save him. The slaves just stood still. Johan spoke to the servant who had followed him.
âTell the people inside the fiefdom that weâll be taking the baron as a prisoner, so they should refrain from acting rashly and behave themselves.â
âYes!â
The servant ran away, happy that he wasnât caught with the baron. The baron, still not fully understanding the situation, shouted desperately.
âSir! Please listen to me. The reason I couldnât respond to the request for support is because I had Manansirâs orders! How can someone like me, who leads a small family, disobey such an order?â
âI understand, baron. Youâll be treated as a prisoner, so keep your mouth shut!â
The baron was dragged away, still not realizing who he was dealing with.
Instead, there was a commotion from a different place. The pagan knights belatedly realized what this march was and began to grumble.
Vaytar, who had somewhat gotten close to the duke, stepped forward. Vaytar asked with a very reluctant expression.
âYour Highness. That. . . I have one question.â
âWhat is it, sir?â
âIn the fiefdoms weâre going to from now on, are you going to. . . capture them like this?â
âI clearly told you Iâm going to capture Manansir, didnât I?â
Johan had clearly told the pagan knights the truth. That he was going to capture Manansir.
The pagan knights were curious about how he planned to attack the castles and fortresses along the way, but they were happy to get their weapons and horses back, so they didnât ask further.
However, looking at it now, his method was a bit. . . extreme compared to what they had thought.
âAre you saying that you wonât follow my orders now? Didnât you clearly swear on your honor that you would follow my orders?â
Of course, the pagan knights had sworn and followed him. As prisoners, that much was natural. Vaytar was surprised and waved his hands.
âNo! Itâs not like that. Itâs just that, you see, since the other party was foolish and came out just now, itâs different. . . People who are suspicious wonât come out easily. I was curious about that.â
The pagan knights still only understood half of the situation.
They had only thought that âððŠ ðžðŠð³ðŠ ðšð°ðªð¯ðš ðµð° ð±ð¢ðŽðŽ ðµð©ð³ð°ð¶ðšð© ðµð©ðŠ ðŽð¶ð³ð³ð°ð¶ð¯ð¥ðªð¯ðš ð¢ð³ðŠð¢ðŽ ð¥ðªðŽðšð¶ðªðŽðŠð¥ ð¢ðŽ ðµð©ðŠ ðŽð¶ððµð¢ð¯âðŽ ð¢ð³ð®ðºâ.
No one would have thought that there would be a trick beyond that.
âDonât worry, thereâs a way for everything.â
âI-Is that so.â
Vaytar was a hot-tempered and quick-witted person, but he was like a mouse in front of a cat in front of the duke. In the end, Vaytar returned without asking any further.
The knights asked curiously.
âWhat happened?â
âWhatâs His Highness thinking?â
âIsnât it a petty trick? Who came up with it?â
To the flood of questions, Vaytar only picked the questions he could answer and replied. Fortunately, he knew about the last question because he had heard the others talking.
âThey said the eunuchs advised it. . .â
â. . .Those poisonous mushrooms are still alive and doing more dirty work?!â
However, the pagan knights didnât know. That the eunuchsâ dirty scheme was just beginning (although strictly speaking, it wasnât the eunuchsâ fault).
ðžðžðžðžðžðž
âð-ððšð° ðð¢ð ð²ðšð® ð€ð§ðšð° ððš ððšðŠð ð¡ðð«ð?! ð ð°ðšð®ð¥ð ð¡ðð¯ð ð ðšð§ð ðšð®ð ðŠð²ð¬ðð¥ð ð¢ð ð²ðšð® ð¡ðð ð£ð®ð¬ð ð¬ðð§ð ð ðŠðð¬ð¬ðð§ð ðð«. . . ðð¡ð² ðð«ð ð²ðšð® ððšð¢ð§ð ðð¡ð¢ð¬?! ðð¡ðð! ðð¡ð² ðð«ð ð²ðšð® ððšð¢ð§ð ðð¡ð¢ð¬?! ðð¡ðð ðð¢ð ð ððš ð°ð«ðšð§ð ? ððš, ðšð ððšð®ð«ð¬ð, ð ðð¢ðð§âð ð¬ðð§ð ðð§ð² ð¬ð®ð©ð©ðšð«ð!
âð ð°ð¢ð¥ð¥ ððšð§ðð¢ð«ðŠ ð£ð®ð¬ð ð¢ð§ ððð¬ð. . . ð-ðð¡ð¢ð¬ ð¬ððð¥ ð¢ð¬. . .! ð ðð©ðšð¥ðšð ð¢ð³ð! ð ð°ð¢ð¥ð¥ ððð¥ð¥ ðŠðð¬ððð« ð«ð¢ð ð¡ð ðð°ðð². ððð¬ððð«!
âððð², ð²ðšð® ð¬ðð®ð©ð¢ð ð¬ð¥ðð¯ð! ðð«ð ð²ðšð®ð« ðð²ðð¬ ð£ð®ð¬ð ððšð« ððððšð«ððð¢ðšð§?! ð ð¬ð©ðð§ð ðð¢ð ð¡ðððð§ ð ðšð¥ð ððšð¢ð§ð¬ ððš ðð®ð² ð²ðšð®, ð²ðšð® ð¢ðð¢ðšð! ððšð® ð¬ðð¢ð ð²ðšð® ð°ðð«ð ð ðšðšð ðð ð¥ð¢ððð«ððð®ð«ð ðð§ð ðð«ð¢ðð¡ðŠððð¢ð, ð¬ðš ð ð©ðð¢ð ð ð¡ð¢ð ð¡ ð©ð«ð¢ðð ððšð« ð²ðšð®!
âðð¡, ð§ðš, ðð¡ððâð¬. . .
Johanâs subordinates advanced like a storm. The pagan knights, who didnât know what was going on, made expressions like they had seen a ghost.
Even if they were reckless people, how could they open the gate and come out even after confirming their identities? Did the duke use magic or something?
As soon as the next day dawned after they had rested, Johan quickly ran. The castle where Manansir was hiding was right before his eyes.
To capture him right away before any strange rumors spread!
âUhm, please wait a moment.â
â. . .?â
However, the castellanâs reaction was different from what he had thought. Even though he saw the paper with the sultanâs seal, the castellan didnât open the gate right away and hesitated.
Johan became a little impatient. His subordinates seemed to read Johanâs mind and immediately took action.
They held their swords to the eunuchsâ necks.
âIf they donât open that gate right now, Iâll bathe these swords in your blood.â
âC-Calm down! Calm down! They havenât noticed at all!â
The eunuchs tried desperately to calm the mercenaries down.
The castle where Manansir was currently hiding was an unnamed mountain castle slightly away from the coastal port city.
Although it was a little small, it was a good place to hold out because it could take advantage of the ruggedness of the mountain. It was a good choice for Manansir, who planned to hide until the sultanâs army arrived.
The problem with such a place was that it was not well-informed about rumors. When the eunuchs saw it, it was impossible for rumors to have reached there first.
âThen why arenât they opening it? Huh? Is it because you guys made a mistake??â
âM-Maybe Viceroy Manansir is scared, thatâs why??â
âWhat are you talking about?â
âThink about it carefully! You came with so many troops just because he took a few ships. And the sultanâs army that landed first was smashed to pieces. Even the bravest person would be scared, wouldnât they? Why would the viceroy be hiding here!â
âA few ships? This punk. . .â
âAlright, so why arenât they opening the gate when we came to help?â
âW-Well, didnât Viceroy ignore us when we asked for support? He must be troubled because he knows heâs guilty!â
He blurted it out as best as he could, but after he said it, it sounded quite plausible. The eunuch was slightly intoxicated by his own words. Of course, the mercenaries werenât satisfied with that.
âI see. So how can you open it?â
âYes?â
âIf you can talk so well, you should come up with a way too. Think of something in five seconds! Or else this sword will go in a little deeper. Five! Two!â
âððŽð¯âðµ ðªðµ ð§ð°ð¶ð³ ð¢ð§ðµðŠð³ ð§ðªð·ðŠ?â
âI-I thought of it! I thought of it!â
The mercenaries were impressed. It was as if the answers came out when you squeezed a mouse, like the leather pouch with an infinite supply of gold coins from the story.