How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 139.2: 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲 (8)

No matter how much I ask around and investigate, the Count of Jekyllids troops wont exceed a few hundred at best. And thats if Im being really generous.

A few hundred poorly armed infantry and knights scraped together rather than well-equipped heavy infantry.

In contrast, Johan alone had well over a thousand heavy infantry. And that was just his personal mercenary forces.

That is correct.

Then what the hell was the count believing when he did this nonsense? Thats the one thing I cant understand.

. . .

Stumped by the sharp question, Ahir was lost for words.

Indeed, Ahir could not understand it either.

Just what was he believing to act like this? Even if all his vassals led their armies to help, it would still be difficult. . .

As the story was ending, Ahir praised Johans mastery of Eastern language. It had improved considerably. It was thanks to Ahirs children who taught him directly.

With that level of fluency in the Empire, you would certainly be recognized as a noble.

Accent was also important among the nobles in the Asman Empire of the East. Nobles had their own distinct accents.

Ahir was very surprised that Johan had picked it up so quickly. Although he was an outstanding knight, learning a language was a different matter altogether.

- .

. . . .

Johan confessed to Suetlg about what had happened at the pagan temple. Suetlg nodded in agreement.

.

?

.

?

? ? , , . . . , , . . .

.

, . .

.

. . , .

?

, , .

Even Elder Suetlg could not pinpoint exactly what blessing the goddess had given Johan. Johan could only feel it intuitively.

When he focused his eyes, his vision would strengthen. When he focused on a wound, it would heal quickly. When he focused on a language, he could learn it swiftly. . .

An unidentifiable vitality circulating through his veins, assisting Johan. To define it, it was the blessing of vitality.

, .

Ive learned some Eastern profanity. It would be nice if I could use it on the count.

What rude fool taught His Excellency things like that?

Ahir was flabbergasted. Theres no way his children would teach the Count such profanity without going insane.

ss.

Greetings, Count Yeats! Ive heard about you from the head of the Balpa family. Its truly an honor to be able to repay your kindness like this!

The dwarf artisan expert summoned by the clergy, Volandrunt, arrived at the fief with his apprentices.

You heard that from the Balpa Head? How embarrassing.

No, the grace shown to the Balpa family will be repaid collectively by us dwarves.

Volandrunt had the typical face of an artisan, gruff and diligent. Johan took an immediate liking to this dwarf.

Take a look at this sword.

Oh my. . . For such an outstanding sword to break. That cyclops strength must have been absurd.

Hmm.

Johan nodded. After all, the cyclops had also grabbed <>, so it could have been partly responsible for the sword breaking as well.

A silver sword broken by a monster. It must have been an incredible beast! Hey! Come take a look, everyone. Proof that the Count here struck down a wicked monster.

The apprentices came over and exclaimed in admiration. If the cyclops had monstrous strength, enough to break a fine silver sword like this, it was news to them.

. . .Ahem. Can it be fixed?

It wont be as good as before, but I can melt it down and remake it.

Please do.

Volandrunt spoke with humility, but also confidence. Johan showed him the newly acquired < >. Volandrunt was amazed, then slightly flustered.

Whats the matter? Is there some issue with the weapon?

Oh, uh, its nothing, Count. Just a trivial thing.

Volandrunt. I respect your skills as an artisan. Just as I cultivate martial arts before God, you have cultivated your craft. Why would I not carefully heed the words of someone like you? Dont hide anything, speak your mind.

Volandrunt was so moved by Johans words that tears welled up in his aged eyes. Most nobles did not take this kind of attitude.

Usually nobles would say things like, , , , or , .

. . .The truth is, this weapon has no issues at all. Our ancestors techniques were far superior. They even made weapons out of meteoric iron. So a weapon like this wont be damaged. . . However. . .

However?

This weapon is, from my dwarven perspective, something that was made but found to be unusable after it was finished. . . So I suspect it was discarded instead of destroyed. . .

A weapon made to kill giants but when finished, it was found to be too blunt and heavy for dwarves to actually use. That was the < >.

. . .How could you tell?

Weapons made to be gifted usually have the name of the receiving family inscribed. . . The lack of any such inscription means it likely had. . . flaws. . . according to our customs. . .

Johan was at a loss for words. It was unexpectedly a rather shoddy weapon after all.

But Your Excellency can truly wield such a weapon?

Having set aside his cautious attitude, Volandrunt looked upon Johan with great curiosity, inevitable for a craftsman.