Chapter 14.1: ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ (๐๐)
Chapter 14.1: ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ (๐๐)
ใ ค
Anyway, I was just grateful now.
ใ ค
โAnd you?โ
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โWho would care about someone like me?โ
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Joseph smiled faintly.
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The story of trying to escape was when the Aitz family was intact and intended to offer to Karamaf, but who would care about a hunter like Joseph now that the Aitz family was destroyed?
ใ ค
โThank you, Joseph. If someone asks, just respond appropriately. I donโt mind.โ
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โ. . .Yes. I will do that.โ
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Joseph answered, enduring something tickling his throat. He had lived his life despising nobles, but the young knight before him had a compelling presence. He made Joseph feel it wouldnโt be regrettable even to sacrifice his life for him.
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I was both regretful and amazed at myself.
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โI hope we can meet again someday.โ
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โI. . . feel the same.โ
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After bidding farewell, Johan turned his horse and ran into the forest, quickly hidden by the darkness. Left alone, Joseph looked around to assess the situation.
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โ๐๐ด ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ช๐ต๐ป ๐ง๐ข๐ฎ๐ช๐ญ๐บ ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ? ๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ธ๐ช๐ญ๐ญ ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ค๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ด ๐ง๐ช๐ฆ๐ง๐ฅ๐ฐ๐ฎ? ๐๐ง ๐ข ๐ฉ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ญ๐ช๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐จ๐ฆ๐ต๐ด ๐ช๐ฏ๐ท๐ฐ๐ญ๐ท๐ฆ๐ฅ. . .โ
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Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves thundered. Startled, Joseph looked up. Karamaf, having regrouped with the main force, was looking down at him from his horse.
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โHave you seen Johan Aitz?โ
ใ ค
โ. . .Yes.โ
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It wasnโt a question, but a confirmation.
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The mercenaries on horseback exuded a beast-like aura, and Karamaf, expressionless, constricted hearts with just his gaze.
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Joseph instinctively realized. If he lied, he would die here.
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โWhere did he go?โ
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โSouth. . . down that road.โ
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Thinking about it, anyone fleeing would have headed downwards, especially a noble, towards the road connecting to the ancient Empire highway, located below the Black Forest and past the millstream.
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The mercenaries didnโt seem to suspect Josephโs lie, suggesting to Karamaf.
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โYour Karamaf-nim, we can catch him if we chase now.โ
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โHow far could he have run by now.โ
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โ. . . . . .โ
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Instead of responding, Karamaf stared intently at Joseph, as if trying to see through his eyes into his heart. Joseph pretended to tremble, avoiding Karamafโs gaze.
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โ๐๐ฐ ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ ๐ธ๐ช๐ต๐ฉ ๐ช๐ต. ๐๐ฏ๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ต ๐ฅ๐ข๐ด๐ต๐ข๐ณ๐ฅ.โ
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Joseph had no regrets. Even if he died here, it was his choice. It was better to die for Johan than to help someone like Karamaf.
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โLetโs go! Weโll chase him.โ
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Karamaf turned and led the mercenaries downhill. Joseph took a deep breath, feeling sweaty.
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โThis fiefdom too, only until today.โ
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It didnโt seem like his lie would be exposed, but if they couldnโt find him, he could be blamed. He had to escape as quickly as possible.
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Fortunately, he was a skilled hunter, very familiar with the geography of the forests and mountains, and knew how to escape through them. It was easy for him to slip past the indifferent mercenaries and flee.
ใ ค
โHey, Joseph! Are you also looking for the nobles?โ
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Serfs holding torches appeared. Joseph smiled slyly and nodded.
ใ ค
โLetโs search together! Itโs reassuring with you around. If anyone swings a sword, letโs shoot them.โ
ใ ค
โOh my. Is it really okay to shoot?โ
ใ ค
โDidnโt you see Karamaf-nim kill someone earlier? And he paid us in silver right away.โ
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Joseph blended in among the serfs. Being among them meant he wouldnโt be suspected even if he went a bit far. Next, he planned to sneak away with an excuse and escape.
ใ ค
๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ
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โ. . .Keep pursuing them.โ
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โYes. Are you returning, Karamaf-nim?โ
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โNo. Iโll search elsewhere.โ
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โ??โ
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The mercenaries were puzzled but didnโt question further. They just had to follow Karamafโs orders.
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โFind him at all costs. Iโll put a gold reward on it.โ
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โ. . .!!!โ
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The mercenaries, excited by the unexpected fortune, gripped their weapons tighter, their breath heavy with desire.
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โWe will certainly capture him!โ
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After sending the mercenaries, Karamaf didnโt return to the town. He changed direction and headed towards the forest, the same Black Forest from where mercenaries returned after encountering wolves.
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Karamaf kept his suspicions to himself. But something unnerved him. Choosing the dangerous forest over a safe path seemed foolish, yet. . .
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Karamaf was drawn to the forest as if enchanted. He was a cool-headed knight but didnโt ignore the signals his intuition sent.