Chapter 52: ???????????? ???? ?????? ?????????? ???????????? (??)


    Although Stephen was themander of the punitive force, anyone with eyes could immediately tell that the realmander was Johan. Not only them, but even the captains of the mercenaries knew it.


    Stephen did not possess the reputation or ability to lead such a punitive force.


    When Inno poked him, Gerdolf recited the words he had memorized following his father’smand.


    “I will go and kill. I pledge my loyalty.”


    “No. Darkness is about to fall. It doesn’t seem necessary to take unnecessary risks for Johan.”


    “It seems unnecessary to take risks for Johan as darkness is about to fall.”


    Stephen repeated exactly what was said. Gerdolf, with a fierce look, was puzzled.


    “Parroting words?”


    “. . .No, this person. . .”


    “Enough, Stephen. Let’s notplicate things unnecessarily. Amander doesn’t need to issue orders for every little thing.”


    “Is. . . is that so?”


    Watching Johan y with Stephen, Inno spoke up.


    “Sir, may I have a word with you in private?”


    “What is it?”


    “I hope you weren’t displeased with my behavior at ourst meeting.”


    “I’m not particrly displeased. A knight may act ording to honor.”


    “As expected, you understand. I knew you would. It’s not about anything else, but here. . .”


    Inno tried to hand over a jingling pouch to Johan, who looked puzzled.


    “What does this mean?”


    “Could you bestow the honor of the first assault to my son?”


    “I’ve said it before. There’s no need to rush in under dark circumstances.”


    “Such things don’t bother Gerdolf.”


    “I’ll take care of it. If there’s a problem, other soldiers will have to be involved too, so wait.”


    As Inno’s face fell, Johan added.


    “In any situation, I’ll yield the honor of the first assault to Sir Gerdolf. Don’t worry.”


    “. . .Thank you! Sir. Here. . .”


    “No. Keep that pouch. I trust Sir Gerdolf’s abilities.”


    But Johan inwardly regretted it.


    Could the sound in that pouch be silver coins? Surely not gold?


    ‘?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???????? ???????????? ????????’?? ?????????? ???? ????????.’


    If you’re going to give, do it before departure, as giving in a camp like this will surely be noticed by others. ‘???????? ???? ?? ???????????? ????, ?? ????????????’?? ???????????? ????.’


    ‘?????? ?????????????????????? ????’?? ???????????????? ?? ?????????? ?????????? ?? ????????????. . . ???? ?????? ???????????????? ???????? ?????????????????????’


    Neither Inno nor Gerdolf spoke the Empire’snguage with the distinctive ent of nobility. Humans express their status through ents and behavior. Unlike Johan and other nobles, they were likely from self-made or newer families.


    That exined their anxious behavior.


    ‘????’?? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ???? ???????? ???????? ?????? ?? ??????.’


    While some knights, like those from the city, obsess over the first assault, Johan was indifferent. Boasting about beheading a troll was more impressive than iming the first assault in a fight.


    “Sir Knight! It seems a fight has broken out in the town!”


    “?”


    At the sudden report, Johan’s face hardened.


    ????????????


    “Are there people who came to this town first to fight?”


    “Serfs who fled to the mountains might have gathered money to hire mercenaries.”


    “No. The serfs wouldn’t have done that. Considering their numerous failures, unless the serfs are fools. . .”


    “Could it be rogue bands that have drifted into the town? Especially since many mercenaries were let loose after the war.”


    “It’s the priests.”


    “???”


    Suetlg interrupted the noisy chatter.


    “Yes?”


    “I hear hymns from over there. If they’re singing hymns while fighting, they must be from a religious order.”


    “Ah. . .!”


    It wasn’t just mercenaries roaming around like wild dogs. Monks and priests from the religious orders were also traveling everywhere.


    The difference is, while mercenaries covet gold, the religious order seeks to spread the will of God, right?


    If there are monsters, they go to hunt them; if the people are suffering from drought or floods, they go to help; if there’s looting due to war, they go to protect. . .


    “If they’re from a religious order, it makes sense for them to step foot in such a remote vige.”


    “Put the agile horse-riding soldiers in front. We need to go and support them.”


    Upon Johan’s words, the mercenary captains responded.


    “Yes.”


    “Sir Gerdolf, let’s see your skills.”


    “Thank you. I won’t disappoint you.”


    Gerdolf spoke hesitantly. Inno was surprised by this. Usually, Gerdolf wouldn’t understand unless the Count himself repeated the orders. But he understood Johan’s words at once.


    ‘????????’?? ?????????? ?????’


    “I will get ready too!”


    “. . . . . .”


    The atmosphere froze for a moment at Stephen’s shout. Johan spoke calmly.


    “If themander isn’t at the main base, the mercenaries might waver. Stay and firmly guard the base.”


    “R-Right.”


    “Suetlg-nim. Please take care of him. (???? ???????? ???????? ???? ??????????’?? ???? ???????????????? ??????????????????????).”


    “I’ll do my best. ( ???? ???????????? ???? ??????????’?? ???? ???????????????? ??????????????????????).”


    ????????????


    Gerdolf, at the forefront, let out a ferocious roar. It was more akin to the bellow of a monster than that of a human. The sound was so intense it seemed to dispel the darkness around.


    Handling a greatsword on horseback required not only immense strength but also extensive training. Whilecking in social skills, Gerdolf proved why he was known as the butcher.


    Ugh!


    The sudden cavalry charge scattered the goblins rampaging in the town. The goblins, smaller than humans, were horrified by the surprise attack of the mounted warriors.


    “■■■! ■!”


    “■■! ■■■!”


    Realizing they were being supported from behind, the goblins howled. However, it was rare for an army to respond to such a surprise attack amidst intense battle.


    “Kill them! Don’t spare any goblins!”


    The mercenaries fiercely shot their crossbows. The goblin armor, mostly made of beast hides, was no match for the bolts of the heavy cavalry crossbows.


    “Sir Gerdolf, fight facing forward!”


    After skewering three goblins with hisnce, Johan shouted sharply. Gerdolf, not looking aside, rampaged like a berserker.


    The goblins’ weapons were crude spears, shoddy bows and arrows, and slingshots. Continuous hits could still cause injury, as armor doesn’t cover the entire body.


    But Gerdolf swung his weapon relentlessly, intent on killing his foes before getting hurt himself.


    As dozens of heavily armed soldiers rampaged, the goblins’ poor formation quickly copsed. Johan struck Gerdolf with his riding crop.


    “?!”


    “Coordinate. Gerdolf.”


    “U-Understood.”


    Gerdolf nodded as ifing to his senses. He rode up beside Johan, his face covered in blood.


    ‘???????? ???????? ?????????????????? ???? ?????? ?????????’


    As the savvy mercenaries threw torches, dispelling the darkness, the situation became visible. It seemed the goblins had quickly emerged from underground upon hearing noises.


    But this level of defense could be easily countered even after an ambush.


    ‘???????????? ?????? ?????????????? ???????? ????????????????. . .’


    “Sir Knight! The goblins are quite well-armored!”


    “!”


    The goblins inside were surprisingly d in metal armor. Although of questionable quality, the mere fact that they had forged and attached metal tes was impressive. It indicated at least a captain-like figure among them.


    Inside, figures resembling monks held their formation, fending off the goblins in the barely visible darkness.


    “Regardless of the armor, crush them!”


    “Yes!!”


    Johan, hesitating not,manded his mercenaries. Even his presence at the forefront inspired his troops. As goblins skewered onnces flew, the mercenaries roared.


    “Assist the priests!”


    ━??????????!


    Karamaf growled beside him. A deep rumble erupted from the darkness. Huge boars, weighing several hundred kilograms, charged ferociously, baring their tusks.


    “C-Crazy. . .!”


    “What are these goblins raising?!”


    The mercenaries were shocked at the sight of not just metal weaponry but also such savage boars. Johan felt the need to intervene personally.


    “Karamaf. Drive them back! Gerdolf. Follow me. Let’s hunt them down!”


    “Thank you!”


    Johan swiftly turned his horse and rode off to the side. Karamaf moved in a simr manner. The recklessly charging wild boar always had its nk as a weakness.


    “Fire! Cover Sir Knight!”


    The mercenaries ignored the goblins and aimed to catch the wild boars first. A fully grown wild boar, especially one of monster size, was as dangerous as a beast. Getting caught or stabbed by its tusks could lead to instant death.


    Although bolts flew and struck fast, it was not enough to stop the boars. It only enraged them more.


    Thud!


    One boar fell. Johan’s thrown spear had pierced its thick body, striking the heart.


    “A-Amazing!”


    “Strike, Gerdolf!”


    Gerdolf leapt off his horse, sword in hand, and aimed at the boar like a spear. The boar, charging with full speed, ran straight into the greatsword.


    “Grrr!”


    Jumping aside to minimize the impact was a crude method. Gerdolf’s hand was torn, bleeding profusely.


    Another boar turned towards Gerdolf. Johan rode to the side on his horse.


    Having already thrown his spear, Johan followed with a mace, striking the boar’s side furiously. The thumping noise echoed loudly. The boar staggered and fell to the side with a piteous squeal.


    The watching mercenaries were impressed by the two knights’ crude, no, spirited way of fighting. They had never seen knights fight like that.


    “Is this the strength of a human??”


    For the mercenaries, allies, it was a sight of awe, but not for the goblins.


    The warrior who suddenly appeared and slew the beasts seemed like a monster emerging from the dark.


    “■■! ■■!”


    “■■■!”


    The goblins howled and started to flee in all directions. Theplete darkness helped conceal their small figures.


    “What are those things babbling about?”


    “Seems like they’re calling us demons.”


    “What? You understand goblinnguage?”


    “No. Just seems like it.”


    “Stop talking nonsense! Prepare to chase!”


    ━????????! ??????’?? ?????????? ????????!


    The mercenaries halted at Johan’smand, looking at him curiously.


    “Are we not pursuing them?”


    “Fighting monsters in unknown ces at night only leads to injury. There’s no need to create unnecessary casualties.”


    The mercenaries, though not clearly visible in the dark, seemed moved. It was rare for knights to care for their soldiers.


    To most knights, soldiers were merely expendable.


    Expendable for their honor and achievements!


    Scouting at night, volunteering for the first charge, all were possible because soldiers were seen as expendable. Some knights even deliberately sent mercenaries to their deaths to save on wages.


    In this regard, Johan was a knight who naturallymanded loyalty, not for wages or spoils, but for his charisma.


    “Are you Sir Knight, Marcel’s troll yer?!”


    “. . .How you recognized me, I don’t know, but yes!”


    Johan answered the question that came from among the monks. In a situation of mutual wariness, it was better to reassure quickly if the other party recognized him.