Chapter 45: The Fake Vagabond Poet

  (This chapter is 4,000 words, and also congratulations to myself for getting an A contract! Thanks for everyone's support all along!)

  The next morning, the three of O'Dara checked out and headed north.

  Just three people spent one night and had two meals, and they spent three silver coins, which was more than half of Jony's monthly salary as a follower. Watching the three white-glowing coins being transferred from his purse to the tavern owner's hand, and even after "giving you change", Jony felt that this era was really crazy.

  Thank goodness, the world's housing is not tense, and people don't have to worry about where to live. If they settle down in one place with peace of mind, relying on black bread and dried meat to get by, it's also a passable life.

  However, Joni and they are already on their way, so some things have to be considered in a different mode, such as expenses.

  "Adding Joni's and Astrid's, we now have a total of nine gold coins and six silver coins." Odala said as she walked, "This money is not enough to get us to our destination, but at least it can hold out for a while."

  Astrid and Johnny nodded.

  "But money is never enough, so we need to hurry up and get to the Principality of Sanier now. That's where the largest mercenary guild in Velsa has an office, there are many quests there... Oh, I miss those days, as long as you have the strength, you can earn a lot of money." Odala fell into reminiscence, then he suddenly realized and said to Jony, "I was wrong, I shouldn't have given you two gold coins to re-register. I'll take the quest and you guys will just help me out. Ah, what a loss, what a loss..."

  Jony felt that there were three vertical lines hanging on his face. He couldn't help but ask, "Master, are all the people of Othello like you... uh, clever?"

  "Those guys could never be as clever as me."

  Alright, you say clever is clever then.

  Estelle was still immersed in the story she had heard half of yesterday. Although Odala said that they could finish the story when they reached the North, it couldn't stop her from missing and longing for the story. Especially since the storyteller was so handsome, of course Jony wasn't bad either, but that Eral really was so handsome!

  So handsome, so handsome...... Flower craze is regardless of time and space and age, they are always objectively existing, infatuated with all the beautiful things.

  Jony saw Astrid's face glowing red, her eyes dazed, and knew she was thinking of that despicable minstrel from yesterday. What the heck, wasn't he just a street performer? Not like he was some superstar from his own time, worth being so infatuated with?

  In fact, the troubadours of this world may not have the status of superstars, but they absolutely have the appeal of superstars.

  Jony decided to do something. Although that damned guy was not on his own team, seeing the girl he loved think of another man in front of him - the most frightening thing was that the man was even more handsome than himself.

  "Astrid, I'll continue telling you the story!" Johnny leaned in close to the girl who was lost in thought.

  "Ahh?" Astrid was startled, then blushed slightly, as if embarrassed by her previous thoughts. "Tell a story, okay! Do you know what happened to Odin and Annie later on?"

  "This... I don't know."

  "Huh? Aren't you a follower of Odin? How can you not even know his story?" Astrid asked in puzzlement.

  Joni gave Odara's back a stern look and thought to himself: I don't even know Odin's teachings yet. But all he could do was chuckle dryly a few times.

  Astrid didn't ask any further, nor did she know the legend of the forest goddess Mikkal. These two not-so-qualified followers ran into each other, but it didn't cause any trouble. So, continuing from where they were interrupted yesterday, Johnny continued with the story of Trist.

  But he soon discovered that the world of dark elves seemed unable to arouse Eistre's interest, and would even bring some trouble.

  "What's with those dark elves being so evil?! Can't they just live a good life?! And that Rose Goddess, is it fun to have her own people fighting each other?" This was Ester's doubt. Although Crier was the bright spot in the entire dark underground world of the story, Ester suddenly fell into such an evil background and felt like she had lost her way, so she had no interest in this story at all.

  "What did that bard look like again?" Odara asked. Though he still believed dark elves didn't exist, the story was too realistic to be just a simple lie.

  Jony should be lucky that there isn't a god named Rose in this world, or else the number of people who would have doubts about him wouldn't just be these two in front of him.

  Soon, Joanie found herself caught in the crossfire between Astrid and Odessa, utterly flustered.

  Some stories are not suitable to be told, such as the evil content of Dark Elves. When facing the two men's questions, Joanie felt extremely regretful because he suddenly remembered that Choi Sam-hee had to go through a Dark Elf priest ritual in the process from confusion to thorough self-hatred, and the content was... How could he say this?

  Forget it then.

  I barely managed to put on an old man's image, using the excuse "I was still young back then" to somehow get Odara off my back. I also apologized to Astrid, saying that I shouldn't have told such a wicked story. The three-person party fell silent for a moment.

  Joni and his companions walked along the highway, with merchant caravans passing by from time to time, occasionally accompanied by flag bearers carrying banners with emblems, and messengers wearing fine armor galloping swiftly. Foreign envoys were the face of their lords, so it was understandable that they would be dressed so finely.

  Looking at the dust raised by the galloping horse, Johnny thought of a topic: "Master, can you ride a horse?"

  Audla turned back and looked at him: "Have you forgotten what kind of god Odin is?"

  The god of infantry is... that's all. Huh? The cavalry nation of Tanias is the territory of the sun god, so who is the god of cavalry...... Let's talk about this later.

  "I thought of a story I heard before," Joni said to Astrid. "Do you want to hear it?"

  The story takes place in the distant land of Musata, on the other side of the desert, and a country called Rome at war. The content of the story is roughly about Saladin and the Knights Templar vying for Jerusalem... Anyway, bragging doesn't require taxes, and praise doesn't need to be paid, Saladin and the knights' noble spirit was sublimated in Joanie's mouth, it's simply a group of saints.

  Astrid was slightly interested this time, people who love adventure rarely dislike wars, especially those that sound magnificent. Those segments about knightly spirit and fighting for faith were also very attractive.

  Audrey also developed an interest. Half of this interest was due to the large-scale knight battles, including group charges, horse shooting, and duels; the other half was for Johnny himself - where did this little guy come from with so many stories?

  "I heard someone say" is not always a valid excuse, but the doubters can't refute it. The pseudo-bard Joni relied on various rumors and data from his previous life to successfully shift Aethereia's attention to himself. Odala listened to those cases of cavalry warfare, thinking silently in her heart that if she were leading Osadin's warriors, how would she fight this battle. Whenever she had an idea, she spoke out to debate with Joni. Joni was also happy to express his own views on those tactical issues.

  It seems like the days have gone back to a long time ago when I was hanging out on forums.

  Audra was amazed at the endless stream of clever ideas and war theories that sounded reasonable coming from this illiterate little boy. These theories weren't earth-shattering, but there was something particularly unsettling about hearing them come out of the mouth of a child who had only been on two battlefields and couldn't read or write.

  Jonny was completely unaware, he thought he had spoken too comfortably today, it was simply the perfect scene for an online debate: an opponent who couldn't be completely refuted, a beautiful girl watching. The more he spoke, the more spirited he became, even eating while talking. Unbeknownst to him, the sun had set in the west, they had already arrived at the gate of Habsburg.

  Johnny kept talking nonstop.

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  The Habsburg Castle was built during the First Empire of Vilsa, and after the War of the Gods and the rise of the Second Empire of Vilsa, it still exists on the map, which is a small miracle. However, this former military fortress has lost its grandeur after so many years. The original walls, which were heavily fortified and reasonably designed, have become a solid wall like all southern cities after several expansions and renovations, and their height has also been reduced. Although the main body of the castle is very bright, anyone with some historical knowledge can feel that it has no ancient charm - the original one has been demolished. This former glorious fortress is now just an ordinary small town, belonging to a minor earl. Only its name maintains its former glory.

  But I heard that the Earl is brewing to rename Habsburg with his own clan name, if this thing succeeds - this thing will mostly succeed - it's really a tragedy.

  By the way, Habsburg used to be a stronghold of the First Empire in the south of Vilsa, so...

  "Once we pass this city, we will leave the southern part of the empire." Odala interrupted Jony's chatter, "Two more days and we can reach the Principality of Saniel."

  Joni was talking about the death of Roman Emperor Baldwin IV, and Saladin's preparation to take down Jerusalem. Astrid listened very seriously. When they heard that they would be leaving the south, both of them were stunned for a moment.

  "Master, does that mean we'll never have to see those annoying Sun God temples again?" Johnny asked.

  Audrey rolled her eyes: "What's on your mind, the entire Velsa Second Empire has temples of the Sun God everywhere, it's just that the southern forces are the strongest."

  After saying that, he let out a sigh and continued: "But it also makes some sense. At least from now on, those nauseating hypocrites won't be able to build their temples in the most conspicuous places like they used to."

  According to Odara and Jony's speculation at the tavern, the Solarian Church was undoubtedly the culprit behind the fall of Taber City. Even Ainiel Wolf might be hiding in a temple wearing heavy armor as a holy warrior under an assumed name. The Solarian Church had unknowingly made three enemies for itself.

  "One of these days, I'll annihilate..." Johnny clenched his fist and said in a fierce tone, but was covered by Astrid's hand.

  Feeling the fragrance of the girl's mouth and nose covered by her hands and the softness of her palms, Joanie looked at her with some confusion.

  "Hush, be careful, the gods can hear." Astrid said softly.

  Jony smiled, feeling like the world had suddenly brightened up again. Astry still cares about me after all!

  When the three men entered the tavern, the sky had almost completely darkened, and several torches were lit on the street, barely illuminating the road. The tavern was lit with dim candles and torches, and shadows fluttered ceaselessly as the flames danced.

  Three people sat down, ordered food and drinks, and booked a room. Halfway through the meal, a familiar voice suddenly rang out: "Gentlemen, what a coincidence!"

  He looked up and indeed it was Ailar Heinrich, that handsome Ossetin bard.

  Astrid's eyes lit up, Joni's eyes gleamed with malice, and Odara stroked the stubble on her chin, as if in thought.

  As usual, he moved the chair to sit at a table, as usual, they chatted with a smile about family affairs, as usual, it was a song, as usual, it was Odin and Annie's story.

  Astrid listened with relish to the story while also observing the handsome guy with great interest.

  He's really handsome!

  It was getting late at night when Odin and Annie met again after parting ways. Odara went upstairs to rest, bidding farewell to Ailar just like last time.

  From Astrid's reluctant gaze, Johnny clearly felt that his efforts for the whole day were in vain. Was it because the story was not as good as others or because he didn't look as good as others? Johnny couldn't understand. Even with jealousy, Johnny still maintained a high level of rationality, after all, being handsome, singing well, telling stories vividly and being able to charm little girls wasn't a capital offense, right? How was sulfuric acid made again?

  As a university dropout and an otaku, Johnny thought for a long time but only came up with its chemical formula, didn't know anything else, so he could only sulkily go to sleep.

  In his dream, he held Aisley's hand and ran, laughed, hugged, and embraced on the grassland... Then Elar rode a white horse to their front, stretched out his hand, and revealed an enchanting smile. Aisley also had a captivating smile, grabbed Elar's hand and got on the white horse, then the two of them galloped away into the distance.

  Johnny woke up with a start. What a terrible nightmare.

  The sky was still dark. Johnny lay in bed, his mind racing with thoughts.

  How is salt acid made? Or save up money to buy a strong acid arrow scroll? There are acid bottles in Winterless, I don't know if there are any here...

  It's daytime now.

  Settling the bill, she left. Estelle made no progress, muttering to herself about Odin and Annie's love story, speculating about what happened next, while her mind wandered, thinking of Eral's exquisite appearance.

  Odin and Annie? Johnny, in his heart, felt a bit unfair. You like the poor couple so much, why are you infatuated with Ailar? I am your Annie, you are my Odin!

  I must think of a way, there must be a way, I'm a traverser, can't even compare to a wandering poet? Joanie felt an unprecedented sense of crisis, why do others have beauties throwing themselves at them, while my girl is thinking of throwing herself at someone else? Alright, Astrid isn't mine yet.

  If he could know that once a poet had eloped with the queen of the land after a court performance, I wonder what he would think. Of course, it was an extreme example, but excellent minstrels often went up and down on the beds of various grand duchesses or marchionesses, which was a common reality.

  Minstrelsy is a terrible profession, especially for those with families.

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