How to Live as a Wandering Knight

Chapter 144.2: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 (1)

At Johans words, the mercenaries became excited and stepped forward. They grabbed the vassals by the arms and dragged them away. As the atmosphere turned strange, the vassals panicked and shouted.

Your Excellency! We have surrendered! It is against the rules to treat those who have surrendered like this!

We do not accept surrenders after an attack has begun. Execute them. How many have died so far?

At Johans question, the mercenary captains answered awkwardly.

Not only the count but also his wives. . . it seems several vassals have died as well.

The rumors will spread terribly.

Johan clicked his tongue. Now that it had come to this, he didnt even know to what extent bloodshed to expect.

He had gone through the trouble of hosting a banquet to placate the nobles of this kingdom. . .

, .

Clean up the castle. Stop the looting and find the b*stards property. Catch his scribes, attendants and servants, and make them spill what theyve hidden. . .

What should we do with the captured nobles?

Lock them up for now. Ill decide after reviewing the situation.

Originally, he was going to leave the count alone and ruthlessly exploit the meddling vassal families by threatening to leak secrets and refusing ransoms. . .

But now that this had happened, his thoughts became complicated.

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However, the situation unfolded a bit differently from Johans expectations. There was less backlash than he had anticipated.

The families who had come to the banquet sent envoys to congratulate him on his victory and declare that they would become his new vassals.

Your rights will remain as they are.

Your Excellency! Shouldnt you stop them from adhering to their improper religion?!

I have no choice. The republic envoys strongly demanded it. If we force conversions, many merchants will flee across the sea and chaos will ensue. From the republics perspective, trade will become too difficult.

Of course, it wasnt actually a demand from the republics. In fact, if large numbers of merchants fled, the biggest loss would be to Johan rather than to them.

However, it wasnt a completely false statement either. The priests of the religious order couldnt help but resent the republics.

We will make generous donations to the new temple being built for you all, so please dont resent the republic people too much.

. . .Yes. We understand.

After appeasing the order, Johan casually asked those who had come:

What are the reactions of the other families?

They are delighted with Your Excellencys victory.

Speak appropriately and tell me the truth.

At Johans words, the envoy became embarrassed and opened his mouth.

While there are some expressing discontent, such fellows can be ignored. They know nothing and are small in number.

They say its no big deal that the count died?

Yes. In any case, it wasnt Your Highness who caused the incident. Moreover, did you not execute those unruly fellows in his place? No one brings up that matter.

!!

Johan was surprised.

He was seeing an unexpected effect thanks to appeasing the nobles at the banquet. The nobles ready to switch sides staunchly defended the counts death.

Since the captured men also had to read the situation now, they agreed with those words. As a result, rumors did not spread as badly as Johan had anticipated.

, ?

The new count seems to be a much more sensible man than the rumors say.

The captured nobles nodded their heads. On the battlefield Johan had seemed like a mad demon, but after calmly cooling their heads and piecing together the rumors, he appeared in a slightly different light.

From welcoming the families who came to properly holding the counts funeral. . .

It didnt seem like he was just oppressing them by force and looting before leaving, but rather that he truly intended to govern.

When they realized they werent dealing with a demon who didnt understand dialogue, they became more at ease. Its always the most frightening when you dont know who youre dealing with.

Then is the reason hes treating us so well and not executing us precisely to gain our cooperation?

That must be it. Since our families have quite some influence in this kingdom. . . If we cooperate, others will follow suit.

Then instead of chattering away, lets go request it. If we say well pledge loyalty so let us go, Im sure even the count will be overjoyed.

How much should we pay for ransom? Half?

What are you saying. . . Are you trying not to pay any?

No, paying nothing at all is a bit. . .

Even if we pay a little, we have to speak strongly when negotiating. The count seems like the far-sighted type, so hell know whats most important.

The nobles called a servant and requested an audience. They eagerly prattled on in front of Johan. After listening to it all, Johan nodded and replied.

Cut the bullshit and prepare the ransom within the deadline. Anyone who fails to do so will have their neck severed.

. . .!!!

.

Even after alternating between carrots and sticks, it took a solid six months to stabilize the kingdom.

In fact, this speed was enormously fast. It would have been completely impossible without Johan.

During this time, Johan tenaciously suppressed rebellions, appeased families, and solicited new supporters.

? . ? . . .

!

The wealthy orcs of the kingdom were surprised yet delighted by the new counts friendly overtures. They had never imagined that the invader from across the sea would show them favor.

Envoys have come from Gilsina, Your Excellency.

Gilsina, the port city closest to the peninsula across the kingdom. It was a city that had purchased autonomy from the former count.

Johan clicked his tongue.

They probably came to grumble over their loss, right?

I suppose so.

The city had nothing to be regretful over. Not only were they financially affluent, but they also had a decent number of mercenaries. They were also connected to the Emperor across the sea.

As such, Johan could not casually issue orders to them either. In fact, despite having just ascended the throne here, Johan had not made any particular demands of Gilsina. He hadnt even demanded the customary congratulatory gift.

. . .

No matter how tenacious Johan was, it seemed he would explode.

. . . .

However, as soon as the envoys finished their greetings, they began weeping and pleading.

Please help us, Your Excellency!

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