How to Live as a Wandering Knight Chapter 74:

The atmosphere was so nacing it felt like soone could be killed at any mont. Johan imdiately drew his sword.

Thinking of saving [her]?

Is there a better way?

No. . . its a good idea.

Suetlg nodded. It was a good idea to save [her]. It was customary for a wizard to return a favor.

Only, it was Johan who had tried to kill Caenerna three tis just recently!

Gerdolf, follow !

Without waiting for a response, Johan spurred his horse. Gerdolf, without asking, drew his weapon and followed Johan.

Traditionally, a wizard was a profession that received respect and courtesy from others. However, when things went awry, the wizard was often the first to be bound and sacrificed.

Just like now!

Dealing with magic inevitably invited fear. Nothing was more frightening than what one could not understand.

Such rotten luck.

Caenerna thought this, sighing. There was a saying, , but who would have thought it would apply to themselves?

Looking at the current situation, it seed advising the Emperor was out of the question; taking care of oneself was priority.

An uncertain misfortune, with no clear starting point.

Losing the knights brought along was tolerable. She could leave the city with a few servants and slaves.

The preparations were a bit naive given the dire circumstances, but Caenerna had a plan. The idea was to discreetly join a nearby trading caravan. With Caenernas abilities, winning the rchants favor was more than possible.

The problem was encountering crazed rcenaries spouting things like - and , .

There were fanatics in the world, so devoted that not even a needle could penetrate their belief. The rcenaries Caenerna t were of this sort.

Caenerna knew that rcenaries were superstitious, but not to this extent.

Their ears were so closed that not even Caenernas powerful words could penetrate.

I said I am not a witch.

Dont lie, witch! The rchants said they saw you using magic!

That was pure magic, not evil sorcery. I am an advisor to the Emperor, a court wizard. . .

Cover your ears! This witch is trying to bewitch us!

Block it! The captain said to cover our ears!

. . . . . .

There are tis in life when one is trapped in a dilemma. Caenerna intuitively knew this was one of those monts.

A wizard, even in desperate situations, did not resort to aningless struggle.

Give a chance, and I will prove I am a wizard.

Ha! As if wed believe that!

Youre going to execute anyway, right? Throw into the fire. Then, Ill show you magic.

So of the rcenaries seed intrigued by these confident words.

No! The captain said to throw the witch into water.

Indeed. . . anticipating witchcraft, he said that.

But how can a witch play tricks if thrown into fire?

Dont know. Maybe escape.

Then isnt it the sa with water?

Go tell that to the captain.

Throw the witch into water! Throw the witch into water!

Caenerna looked up at the sky, sighing.

If she survived this, she vowed to burn that captain!

?

-

From the other side of the bridge, two knights rushed forward at full speed. The rcenaries scread and threw themselves out of the way.

Normally, those who should have blocked the way, but if they were loyal enough to throw themselves in front of charging knights, they wouldnt be working as rcenaries.

What. . . what are you doing, you fuc

Idiot! They are nobles!

. . .Honorable ones!

Even though the rcenaries almost got hit by the horses, they couldnt curse and just glanced around. Johan looked at the rcenaries and spoke.

Whats the difference between a wizard and a witch?

. . . . . .

. . . . . .

Do we really need to ask that question now?

Even while bound, Caenerna spoke out of disbelief.

There really wasnt much difference between a wizard and a witch. A wizard that needed to be hung for being evil was simply called a witch.

With such limited knowledge, the rcenaries couldnt respond.

Isnt she a witch since she uses magic and crossed the bridge? The leader said shes a witch.

How do you prove soone is a witch?

If you throw them under the bridge and they float, doesnt that make them a witch?

And if they sink?

Then shes not a witch. . .?

Huh. Chillingly logical.

Realizing that Johan was toying with the rcenaries, Caenerna opened her mouth.

. . .Wouldnt you help since youre here?

You prayed for a future filled with pain and glory for myself, but it seems your future is also full of pain and glory.

Caenernas face reddened slightly at Johans mockery. Normally, such petty taunts wouldnt shake her, but the situation was different now.

A situation truly embarrassing for a wizard!

Sorry, but that person is not a witch. A wizard. . . albeit a bit sloppy, which is odd, but still a wizard. A noble guaranteed by the Emperor himself.

Despite Johans words, the rcenaries were not easily swayed. Once they believed sothing, they stuck to it. In the rcenaries eyes, Johan looked like a knight bewitched by a witch.

When the rcenaries blocked the way and refused to move, Johan chuckled.

Are you refusing to listen?

Right now, Sir Knight, youre under a witchs spell.

Hmm. So it is.

?

The rcenaries were taken aback when Johan agreed so easily. What did he an?

They soon found out. Gerdolf charged and punched the jaw of a rcenary standing in front, knocking him down instantly.

He was quite burly, but upon taking a direct hit from Gerdolfs fist, he collapsed.

What. . .?

Johan strode forward and grabbed the collar of a nearby rcenary, then threw him.

He threw him effortlessly, not exerting much strength, yet the rcenary flew over the bridge and splashed into the river.

A terrifying display of strength.

The rcenaries couldnt even muster the courage to draw their weapons, stunned.

Will you move aside?

But the witch. . .

Right. Dont move aside.

Aaaagh!

Another rcenary flew off the bridge.

Those watching from behind were astonished by the bizarre scene.

rcenaries flew over the bridge like birds and started splashing into the river.

Ugh! Urgh!

Though they werent tied up and could swim, the river was cold. The rcenaries trembled and desperately swam towards the shore.

If you want to draw your weapons, go ahead.

Johan said so, but the rcenaries dared not. They knew. Johan and Gerdolf were deliberately not drawing their weapons.

If this fight turned bloody, they would be the ones at a loss.

The rcenaries looked into Johans eyes.

His steady gaze held the power of a strong spirit. Facing his gaze, the rcenaries involuntarily succumbed to a sense of defeat, losing their will to fight.

Slowly but surely

Eventually, the rcenaries surrounding Caenerna stepped aside. Johan had subdued the rcenaries on the bridge without swinging his sword even once.

Johan stood in front of the fallen Caenerna. Caenerna, saying nothing, looked up at Johan. A strong will to not lose her dignity as a wizard was evident.

Theres no need to mock a weak opponent. Johan reached out his hand to Caenerna. . .

!!

When Gerdolf tried to lash out at Caenerna, Johan, alard, grabbed his arm.

Why do you do this?

This wizard is not an enemy.

Ah. I am sorry.

Caenerna breathed a sigh of relief. She felt unlucky to be involved with this knight, Johan.

Im sorry about this. Get up.

. . .I am grateful for your kindness.

Gerdolf. Take this wizard and protect her well. Dont lay a hand on her.

Yes. I will rember that. I will not hit.

Even if she looks suspicious, dont throw her into the river.

Yes. I will not throw her.

And. . . yes. Dont whip her.

Yes. I will not whip her.

Caenerna took Johans hand. She spoke in a tired and earnest voice, devoid of any leisure.

. . .I would be grateful if you just let walk on my own feet.

rcenaries may be reluctant to confront nobles, but that doesnt an they just say yes, yes and do nothing when faced with a noble.

A good example was when a noble arrogantly tried to enter the rcenaries encampnt without permission.

They kept silent when blocking the bridge, as it could be excused for a band of rogues, but uninvited visits to the encampnt were a different matter.

In terms of principle and custom, the rcenaries held the upper hand.

Even nobles risked being killed by sword if they tried to enter forcibly. After all, not all of the nearly hundred rcenaries were fools.

Thats why Mahreet thought he was still dreaming when he heard that a knight was outside his tent.

. . .Who did you say is here? What do you an by that?

Sir Knight is waiting outside.

And what did you guys do?

. . . . . .

Motherf*cking idiots!

Mahreet abruptly stood up.

Could it be that despite there being at least dozens of rcenaries awake, no one stopped the knight from coming here?

It was so unbelievable that it felt unreal. Its not like the rcenaries collectively turned foolish, nor did the knight use magic. . .

Suddenly, rembering the prophecy, fear surged through him. To think that this would happen even though he acted according to the prophecy. Could this situation be what the prophecy warned about?

Bring my sword and armor!

Slaves hurriedly brought the armor and sword. Mahreet, with a stern face, pushed open the tents door and stepped out.

Indeed, there was a knight waiting.

Standing proudly on his horse, gazing this way.

. . .???

The surrounding rcenaries were just staring blankly, as if this knight was the leader of their rcenary band.

Mahreet felt a chill as those who should naturally try to stop him, stood aside, making way as if acknowledging the knight.

The dominance he had built over the years leading the rcenaries.

It seed as if the knight had snatched away that dominance just by riding and walking over here.

Are you the leader of the rcenaries?

. . .Yes, I am.

.

It was natural for Johan to think so. Mahreet was excessively adorned for a rcenary leader.

Even for a knight, isnt it too much to enter the rcenary land so arrogantly?

To Mahreets protest, Johan nodded.

Yes. You are right.

. . .?

Ill give you a chance for revenge. Will you fight?

!

Mahreet realized he had underestimated the opposing knight.

. . .?!

A typical knight would never offer a chance for revenge against rcenaries.

They would oppress and insult, but why would they do such a thing against rcenaries?

That was exactly what Mahreet had counted on.

If Johan insulted the leader in front of the rcenaries, even those who stepped aside as if srized would be enraged!

The rcenary leader is the face and pride of the group. Insulting the leader was akin to insulting all the rcenaries.

The rcenaries were selfish and self-centered sons of b*tches, but even sons of bitches have their own pride.

However, Johan was giving him an opportunity as a warrior, rather than insult or persecution.

Oh. . .!

Captain! Accept it! When else will you get to face a knight like this!

As expected, cheers erupted among the rcenaries. They were admiring Johans generosity and magnanimity.

The opponent was a knight who ca alone to the heart of the enemy and generously offered an opportunity.

Mahreet sensed it. If he avoided this offer, he would be a coward.

Mahreet subtly evaded the proposal and asked.

I must first hear why you, a knight, are here. What brings you here?

I ca because I heard that so wicked people were blocking the bridge.

. . .Alone?

Why, did you expect to bring my soldiers?

Mahreet flinched at Johans words. There was confidence in Johans voice. It was clear that he led an elite force.

Johan looked around at the rcenaries and said,

I could have brought my soldiers, but that would not have been respectful to the warriors here. Right?

Laughter full of agreent erupted. Johan was capturing the rcenaries with every word and gesture, masterfully and to his own surprise.

Its hard to say, but I have a request from a noble person. . . We are not rogues. You might have heard of our rcenary group. . .

Im not sure. Prove it.

Johan didnt give his opponent a chance to escape or play any tricks. He planned to seize the dazed Mahreet and finish the job.

Prove it. If youre not a coward.

. . . . . .

The cheers grew louder. Mahreet, as if srized, reached for his weapon.