Chapter 133.2: ?????????? ???? ?????????? (2)
I think the title of duke is premature.
But Your Excellency. . .
God does not favor the arrogant. Its not a title I should covet.
Johan spoke decisively. The envoy of the order looked genuinely disappointed.
The order was simr to the republic. They hadnt expected Johan to go so far.
Yet, the order still trusted Johan. Despite attempts at doubt, reports from the field were stered with praise for Johan, leaving them no choice.
Moreover, the Emperors forces that had been threatening the south from the order vanished overnight. This was indeed a significant achievement.
Therefore, the order approached things differently than the republic. They intended to empower Johan further, making him a proper shield.
The result was the new grant of the duke title, ruling the south. It was meant to give him a status befitting the lord of the area, a true honor.
, .
With the title of duke, he could fight more, using his name as a pretext. Whether it was the Emperors fiefdom trapped in the south, the inds of pagans infested with pirates, or even the eastern penins. . .
It was a tempting proposition, but Johan restrained himself. Having already taken the title of count from the marquis was enough for now. He had no reason to cling to the honor of being a duke.
.
Already, there was a sense that Johan was being watched from all sides. There was no need to exacerbate that by gaining another honor.
!
The envoy of the order thought this to himself and withdrew. Any other young knight would have been intoxicated with honor, but Johan instead gave glory to God.
It was a beautiful gesture, but also a pity. Compared to other nobles without merit, Johan deserved the title.
Refusing a good offer can be quite tiring.
But havent the nobles gone back now?
Yes. Thats some constion.
Acdda chewed on wild grass andughed. His hands and neck were glittering with various ornaments. Not just Acdda, but Euclyia and other centaurs were the same.
. . .
The eastern tribes preferred to carry their wealth in gold or treasures. Having plundered pirates, they adorned themselves with such spoils.
To Johan, it was aesthetically displeasing, but it seemed to be quite fashionable among the eastern tribes. The way they boasted to each other was astounding.
Right, count. Euclyia was grumbling about why youre raising such ridiculous people.
!!!
Angered by the tattling, Euclyia attempted to kick Acdda with her front hoof. Johan waved his hand as if to calm her.
Are you talking about the ve soldiers?
The heap of captured pirates left Johan pondering their fate. The neatest way to deal with them was to sell them or distribute them among his vassals, but as he had more leeway, greed arose.
Well-trained soldiers were expensive. Even the cheapest mercenaries ate up daily silver coins, and conscripting serfs wasnt even worth considering.
What if Johan had a personal guard loyal only to hismands?
This required a few conditions. They had to be young, with no other ties or ces to rely on. . .
Upon reflection, it seemed like a good idea.
So, Johan selected rtively young pirates and encouraged them to convert. None were so foolish as to refuse a chance at life. He ended up choosing hundreds.
Of course, they are weakpared to a great warrior like Euclyia.
Euclyia beamed with joy at Johans praise, while Acdda clicked his tongue.
But if they continue training like this, wont they reach at least half of Euclyias level?
I. . . I was short-sighted. Ill repay you by taking charge of their training.
Ah, its reassuring that Euclyia will train them.
When Euclyia left, Acdda snorted.
Isnt that stupid?
Help out together. No more hunting. Its an order.
. . . . . .
Acdda looked taken aback. He hadnt expected Euclyias foolishness to affect him too.
My dear, I have some advice regarding training the ves.
Iselia approached Johan with this proposal, and he looked puzzled.
Do you dislike teaching the ves? Im just trying it out as a hobby, so dont feel too repulsed.
No. Ive seen it, and I think we need to raise the training level. If you allow, Ill step in and teach them myself.
. . .No, its fine.
. . . . . .
Johan had carefully nned the curriculum himself. Starting with training fit for elven knights would leave half unable to get up.
But Iselia looked unusually downcast, so Johan had to reassure her.
s.
Count Yeats, it is a great honor to meet you like this.
The envoys greeted him with much more formality than theirst meeting.
Johan nodded.
The republic yed a big role in this matter. I appreciate it.
Our contribution is nothingpared to the achievements you have made, Your Excellency.
I see.
?
When Johan agreed and said nothing more, the envoys were perplexed. Werent they supposed to beuded for their efforts?
But Johan remained silent. The sudden quiet made the envoys feel uneasy.
. . . . . .
The silence continued. It was so awkward that it was hard to tell who had started it. Just when Johan thought it was time, he spoke up.
I heard the viscount sent an envoy to incite an attack against me.
. . .?
??!
The envoys were shocked. It was conceivable that the visit of the viscounts envoy had been exposed. Even discreet visits could be known.
But they hadnte with that intention. They had no idea where such a rumor had originated.
No, Your Excellency!
What do you mean no? That the envoy didnte, or that they did but didnt make such a proposal?
. . .The viscounts envoy dide. But they never made such a proposal, and we did not ept any offers from the viscount!
Why didnt you report it immediately?
It was a ludicrous offer, and we thought it was a trick to sow discord between us and Your Excellency, so it wasnt worth reporting. . .
Enough of this nonsense. Ive already been informed by the priests of the order. The knights of the confraternity interrogated the viscounts envoy.
. . .??!
Realizing the situation, the envoys eyes sparked with anger. They had thought they were in control, but the order had outmaneuvered them.
As much as they didnt get along, it was clear that the order was trying to drive a wedge between the republic and Johan.