It was an era when all kinds of superstitions and rumors were rampant. People wanted an entity they could believe in and rely on. The young count who appeared like a cot amidst the circulating curses was a perfect fit.
The rumors started from Johan receiving the approval and blessing of the order, and grew to the point where people said he was a descendant of St. Julianius.
Considering the honorable knight St. Julianius lived and died a celibate, it was truly a ridiculous rumor.
.
Though it would have been more amusing if the rcenaries actually studied theology. . .
Rumors were spreading and growing, but Johan saw no need to stop them. As silly as they were, they were also helpful.
To begin with, it was risky for an outsider to seize command from the leader of a rcenary company.
It wasnt about status or rank. rcenaries would not stand by idly while an outsider took over.
Yet thanks to these rumors, there had been no problems at all. Even the sub-captains had started believing them and were oddly deferential.
. . .Count, are you by any chance obtaining holy water?
The funniest mont was when a priest accompanying the rcenaries ca up to Johan and asked seriously.
Johan had no choice but to bite his lip and reply.
No, I just prepared so clean water. If there are miracles, they must be gifts from God.
Oh! Indeed. . .! Could that truly be holy water?
Well. . . I suppose you could call it that.
I knew it!
As the priest walked away looking pleased, as if he had gotten the answer he wanted, Johan couldnt help but click his tongue.
.
Count, forgive .
Didnt I tell you several tis that if you were not sick or cursed, there would be no reason for you to hold my hand?
Oh, uh, no, thats not it.
The sub-captain turned red with embarrassnt.
The rcenaries, who were of the rank of sub-captain or captain, used their positions to approach Johan.
Wouldnt it be more effective to hold hands directly instead of just drinking water?
I have sothing to say about the curse.
Oh. Go ahead.
Johan readily agreed. Now that the soldiers were gradually recovering, he was thinking of looking into the curse anyway.
A sub-captain would have been quite involved in the big and small affairs of the rcenary corps. He might have told him if the captain was hiding sothing.
While we have all recovered, there is a reason why those led by the captain have not recovered.
What is that?
It is because they have accumulated sins so great throughout their lives that they cannot be cured even with Your Excellency the Counts prayers.
. . . . . .
Johan was at a loss for words. However, the sub-captain spoke in a very serious tone.
In order to prevent the curse from spreading any further, the captain must be killed, burned, and then buried.
!
The authority of the captain was absolute within the rcenary corps. No one challenged the authority of the captain, and the captain absolutely maintained his authority.
It was absurd in itself that sub-captains were gathered like this and talked about killing him.
However, fear of curses and superstitions sotis made the absurd possible. Judging by the sub-captains expression, it seed he had already finished talking with the other guys.
.
A rebellion within the rcenary corps was the ultimate disgrace for a captain.
If Your Excellency the Count does not want to get your hands dirty, we will step up. . .
Calm down. We still dont know what the curse is. Theres no rush to kill him.
Johan cald down the sub-captain. It would be troubleso for Johan if the sub-captains raged here.
It would be annoying for Johan too if a rumor spread that he accidentally killed the rcenary captain and took over the rcenary corps. It was more convenient to keep the captain alive and use him.
. . .Yes. Im sorry.
.
Johan interrogated the sub-captain and made him tell everything that had happened. Johans expression beca stranger and stranger as he listened to the story.
. . . .
Looting temples, destroying idols, killing resisters and robbing their property. . .
To be honest, it was understandable that the rcenaries were sensitive to curses. Everything they did was just asking to be cursed.
. ?
If the curse was due to the things they had done, the envoys could not have been cursed. Johan decided to check the envoys first.
.
Im. . . Im sorry, Count.
Thats enough. Lie down.
The dark curse writhed on the skin of the envoys. It was only natural for the rcenaries to fear them.
The magic square amulet vibrated madly. Even though he had not gone near the envoys.
Johan turned his head. Behind the tent where the envoys were staying, there was a golden statue he saw for the first ti. It looked like an icon, but its appearance was clearly different. It was a lewd and vulgar shape.
? ?
Where did this thing co from?
We got it from the rcenaries. To offer to the Count. . .
Johan sneered. He couldnt tell if the envoys really intended to offer it or if they were trying to sneak it away. The latter seed more likely.
It wouldnt hurt for the rcenaries to offer bribes to the envoys either.
As he approached the statue, the amulet vibrated more violently. Even with Johans eyes, he could feel the curse pooling inside.
It was ready to spill out at any opportunity and contaminate people.
??
Even though he reached out carefully, the curse did not co out. It seed he had to do sothing to be afflicted by the curse.
Deosam.
Johan went to find Deosam lying down. The pagan idol was held in his hand.
Where did this thing co from?
!
Deosam was startled with surprise. He did not expect Johan to bring that thing.
A subordinate brought it from plunder. . .
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