Chapter 100

Chapter 100 - Opening for Business (2)

The heart of the Moving Castle. The room containing the core can only be entered by the Castellan.

-I ask of you.

-This is not a rule I decided, but one set by the castle. It is for your safety, Lord Marbas.

-I am aware of that. I simply wish to try. If it does not work, I promise to step back without lingering attachment.

There was a time when Marbas couldn't suppress his curiosity, and his persistent pleas led Eugene to permit him to accompany him.

The result was getting denied entry right in the long corridor leading to the core room.

The corridor, where a faint mystery gently flowed, suddenly transformed like a storm the moment Marbas stepped in.

-Keugh!

As Marbas hastily stepped back after taking a strike that shook his mind, the corridor immediately became calm again.

Just as one coughs violently if a little water enters their lungs, the castle spat out the foreign substance known as Marbas.

-Are you alright?

-I don't think I am injured anywhere. Phew...

Marbas let out a sigh mixed with relief and lamentation. Unlike himself, Eugene stood in the corridor with a serene face.

-The realm of mystery is truly cruel. Being this heartless to those who have not been chosen by destiny.

Marbas accepted it calmly. For a magician, the most important virtue was understanding one's bounds.

What couldn't be done, couldn't be done.

However, there was exactly one person. An existence besides Eugene that the castle allowed to enter its heart.

"Why are you the sole exception? We don't even share blood."

"..."

Following him into the core room, Homi wore a troubled expression. Since not even the Castellan knew the reason, there was no way she could know.

"Because we are family who have lived together since childhood?"

Twitch!

Homi's long and plump tail popped up.

Given the nature of the place, she tried to maintain military discipline with a proper face. However, she couldn't control her tail, which moved on its own accord out of joy.

"Or is it because it trusts you enough to let you shave me every time? You are the only person who puts a blade to my neck. If so, perhaps this castle is also willing to offer its heart."

Twitch, twitch!

This time, her tail popped up a little higher.

Eugene's hair and beard remained Homi's responsibility. Although she knew no greed, she absolutely refused to yield this to anyone else.

"Anyway, thanks to you, I was able to finish the work smoothly. Thank you."

Paintings, neatly sealed under glass, hung everywhere. These were the works of the painters hired during this trip to Gord.

Portraits are a popular commodity that nobles seek to establish authority. Targeting the nobles attending the tournament, several skilled painters had gathered.

Promising them a decent reward, Eugene's subordinates had them paint landscapes of major strongholds in southern Gord.

The task of moving those completed paintings and placing them throughout the core room had just finished. It would have been a tiring job if Eugene had to do it alone.

"To think places I've never been to feel this familiar. These must be the memories imprinted on the castle."

When viewed from outside, his impression was merely, 'It looks vividly well-drawn.'

However, viewing the paintings from where the castle's core was located changed the feeling.

It felt like a deja vu, as if re-viewing regions he had traveled in the past.

This living structure, his second body, was projecting faint memories to Eugene using the paintings as mediums.

'Chieftain Allesa's painting collection won't be in vain.'

It seemed there would be no need for him to step on every corner of this vast continent with his own feet.

Eugene's satisfied smile was gradually swallowed by the core, which started emitting intense mystery and light.

"Ugh."

Raising her tail, Homi stepped back. It was an energy too mighty and an awe-inspiring magic for her to endure.

"Come here."

As Eugene turned his back to the core and opened his arms, Homi ran over and nestled snugly against him.

She wrapped her strong and dextrous arms around Eugene's back, and her long tail coiled around his waist.

'I've come too far while holding my little sister's hand.'

Running through the mountain valleys together, digging up herbs, and picking fruits. Their current appearance was vastly disconnected from those days.

What kind of appearance would they have in another 10 years? Although he couldn't imagine it right now, he was certain of one thing.

"Please continue to stay by my side from now on."

Nod nod.

Homi responded. Rather than just nodding, it was closer to rubbing her face against Eugene's chest, imprinting her scent on him.

Squeeze.

Her powerful tail constricted around Eugene's waist like a python.

It was not a damp constricting filled with killing intent, but a fluffy and affectionate embrace. A delightful sensation that only Homi could offer.

Flash!

The moment an intense flash swallowed the two of them, the people of Bonyard witnessed a massive lightning bolt shooting up from the northern forest.

A fleeting moment later.

At the entrance to the Shield Mountain Range in southern Gord, a giant castle descended.

* * *

A large number of people gathered in the hall behind the tightly closed central gate.

Gulp.

With tense faces, the Dark Elves stared straight at the gate. These were the new tribe members who had recently joined the castle.

"There was barely any feeling other than a slight vibration."

"You mean once that door opens, there will be a completely different world outside?"

Whispers full of anticipation echoed from all directions.

Meanwhile, there weren't only people interested in the experience of traversing the continent aboard this mysterious castle.

"I-is it over?"

A Dark Elf woman covering her face with both hands asked in a trembling voice. Her long brown ears quivered with tension.

"I keep telling you it's fine. I heard they've already moved around several times."

"But still..."

Fear of the unknown and unknown power is a purely instinctive aspect.

Tales like a child following a fairy into the dark shadows of the forest and disappearing forever are commonplace.

Although they volunteered for the mission out of a sense of duty and affection for the tribe, there were quite a few who feared the castle's magic.

Standing firmly in front of the Dark Elves with sturdy shields and hammers were the Dwarf guards in formation.

"The place we are right now is no longer the easygoing forest from a moment ago. It is the extremely dangerous border of the Shield Mountain Range."

Centurion Rampage yelled to his subordinates.

"Do not ever let your guard down. The Castellan placed his trust in us to be the first gateway and the face of this great castle. We must absolutely never repay it with disappointment."

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The Dwarf guards responded by striking their shields with their hammers.

At that moment, a voice echoing throughout the entire castle rang out.

[This is the Castellan, Eugene Meier.]

As time passed and as he used his authority to teleport the castle, Eugene had learned certain things.

That was the fact that this structure had not fully awakened yet. Something like being half-asleep, as if it had just awoken after slumbering for an eternity?

There were still several secrets that hadn't fallen into the Castellan's grasp. What he recently discovered was the authority of the voice.

Riding the air circulating through the ventilation shafts, Eugene's voice spread to every corner of the castle.

[I will open the central gate shortly.]

It was not a mere vibration of the air. It was a wave of thought infused with the power of magic.

Because of this, even though it was a low voice, everyone could hear it clearly. As if directly permeating the brain rather than the eardrums.

[The scenery of the mountain range ahead is beautiful. I hope you fully enjoy the refreshing air blowing from there.]

Pop.

The magical lights illuminating the spacious hall completely turned off all at once, and darkness descended.

"Kyaa."

Some people let out short screams in surprise, but quickly calmed down.

Rumble.

Because the brilliant gate opened, allowing the sunlight from outside to seep in.

[I welcome you once again for becoming members of my castle.]

From beyond the opening gate, even brighter light poured in along with a refreshing breeze.

Eventually, the majestic form of the massive mountain range filled everyone's vision.

"The forest... is really gone."

"S-stay still!"

The amazed adults and the children laughing cheerfully, ready to run outside at any moment.

Although their ways of life differed, their nature was still that of Forest Elves. Having wandered only the plains until now, their hearts naturally pounded at seeing a mountain range radiating strong natural power.

Opening the gate with everyone gathered like this was Eugene's way of showing consideration. To alleviate the anticipation and anxiety of the newcomers.

The effect seemed certain.

"We don't need to put up tents... And we don't have to dig drainage ditches or fetch water, right?"

"Is that all? We don't have to stand night shifts or guard duty either."

The tribespeople, who were trying to move according to their nomadic habits, realized they didn't need to do anything anymore.

They just needed to appreciate and enjoy the new environment. Expressions reflecting intoxication from that convenience appeared everywhere.

"I heard there really is an ocean at the southern tip. We might be able to go there someday, right?"

"I want to go beyond the north. I heard the snow never melts all year round there. They say you can slide down the mountains on wooden boards like riding a boat."

"How should we ask the Castellan?"

"Are you crazy? You might get whipped until your skin peels off for doing that."

Expectations blossomed for foreign lands they ardently wished to visit but had given up on ever having ties with in their lifetimes.

"Jericho should have seen this sight."

The faction that didn't acknowledge the Moving Castle as the cradle of prophecy and wandered in search of a city or land to settle down in was also mentioned.

"I want to show this to Laniña. Then those guys would give up their useless stubbornness too."

"It's terrible having to munch on nutrient-lacking pastures while being constantly mindful of humans every time. The stable here is paradise."

The faction that refused to settle down due to their innate wanderlust and was satisfied with their current mercenary life was also discussed.

Now, to the Dark Elves, the conflicting interpretations of the prophecy felt foolish.

It seemed that if they invited any opposition faction in the tribe to stay in the castle for just a week, they would all voluntarily give up their stubbornness.

* * *

Eugene's army wasn't the only one hired for the New Year Subjugation.

Because eliminating the monsters threatening the territory in advance wasn't everything. It was a comprehensive event combining a sort of military exercise with a bonding event for nobles and knights.

-I will certainly offer honorable results in this hunt!

-I will be looking forward to it. Sir Liza.

For knights who had caught the eyes of nobles at the tournament and were appointed, it was an opportunity to prove their worth.

Moreover, aside from the reward provided by Count Andar, the by-products obtained from hunting monsters were also quite lucrative.

"Are there really Direwolves in a place like this?"

"I saw a pregnant female heading down from the peak a while ago. She must definitely be nearby."

At the knights' questions, the hunter hired as a guide answered.

"I heard Direwolves live in the Demonic Forest."

"You are correct. However, when it is the breeding season and they give birth, they venture outside the Shield Mountain Range to set up their dens."

"To avoid predators?"

"To be exact, it is to guard against males of their own kind. Males in heat will bite to death any pups they see. For then the females will respond to mating."

"Huh. Beasts really are just beasts."

Behind the knights followed mercenary cavalry armed with light crossbows and servants holding nets.

"The sky looks gloomy, it seems it might start pouring soon."

The mercenaries nervously looked up at the sky filled with dark clouds, but the knights showed no intention of returning before yielding results.

Several tens of minutes later.

"Found it! It's that cave over there!"

"Kill the mother and capture the pups alive!"

At the guide hunter's shout, the knights enthusiastically issued commands.

As the mother wobbled, bloodied by the bolts fired by the mercenary cavalry, a knight pierced her neck with a spear, ending her life.

Yip!

Yelp!

The hired hunters and servants skillfully unfurled nets, capturing the pups.

The pelt of a Direwolf carcass fetches a fair price, but capturing pups alive meant selling them for an astronomical sum.

The coliseum, wealthy high-ranking nobles, magicians researching beast magic, and nobles of an empire in the east.

There is no shortage of those who want them. Especially if they are lumps of flesh born just a few days ago like these, the price is literally whatever one asks for.

A single raindrop fell onto the face of a knight smiling in satisfaction. The ominous sky finally started pouring rain.

"We will have to end it here for today."

The pups baring their teeth fiercely were swathed in thick cloth and placed in cages.

Similar situations were occurring all around.

Whoosh.

The drizzle instantaneously intensified, pouring down heavily.

"Damn it."

"We have to ride for at least half a day to reach the village."

The mercenaries clicked their tongues. There were no human settlements near the dangerous Shield Mountain Range. Only a few small cabins used by hunters existed. Even that took over an hour to reach from here.

"Hurry up and find a campsite! If even one of these pups dies from a cold, I'll hold you accountable!"

At the nagging knights' urging, the mercenaries cursed inwardly and looked around for shelter to avoid the rain.

"Fuck?"

While doing so, one mercenary rubbed his eyes and checked his front again. The mercenaries who looked in the same direction also looked dumbfounded.

"What is that?"

"Am I seeing illusions?"

A massive castle was looking down on them haughtily amidst the heavy rain.

Groups of knights moving in the distance were also looking up at the castle with bewildered faces.

"Sir Knight. How about taking shelter from the rain over there?"

"Are you crazy? That is clearly a ghost castle!"

"There was absolutely nothing when we came, yet to suddenly appear in this storm. If we go in there, we will never come out again."

The mercenaries were appalled by the hunter's fearless suggestion.

Crack!

Just then, thunder and lightning struck, and a pure white flash bleached the castle, redoubling that terror.

However, the hunter had a reason to speak thus.

"But there's a person over there?"

"..."

The hunter pointed to a certain balcony of the castle.

When everyone's gaze followed his finger up, there was a man with an imposing physique.

Unlike their drenched wretched state, the sight of him observing his surroundings in comfort alone exuded an indescribable atmosphere.

* * *

"What perfect timing."

From the castle balcony, Eugene looked down at the rainy scenery with a satisfied face.

He could feel the countless raindrops fiercely pelting down being directly absorbed into the castle's interior.

Unlike subordinates who merely reveled in the majesty and convenience the castle provided, Eugene had much to attend to as its operator.

"Does this solve the water problem?"

Rex asked carefully.

"Yes. This is a very peculiar sensation. Like drinking water through the skin, I suppose? The castle's refreshing feeling seems to overlap and transmit to me too. It's very cool."

Swaying side to side with his eyes closed, Eugene looked different from his usual easygoing self.

Rex could realize that he was a formidable existence yielding a massive mystery that a mere warrior like him could not dare to fathom.

Amidst the heavy rain, the Moving Castle finally quenched its truly long-standing thirst.

"It seems we'll have guests."

"They certainly are diligent ones."

Rumble!

Every time lightning illuminated the world, Eugene and Rex looked down at the group steadily approaching the castle.

Since the weather would clear up, Rex had been leisurely preparing his subordinates to head out.

However, seeing groups of humans already returning from a hunt needlessly inflamed his competitive spirit.

"Just relax. Stepping out a few days early won't change anything anyway. We'll just end up looking like drowned rats like them."

"I didn't say a single word, though?"

"How about you wipe that competitive spirit off your face before speaking?"

Having his inner thoughts seen through, Rex cleared his throat.