Chapter 106

Chapter 106 - Deduction and Monopoly

Eugene led an army that was excessively powerful for a single knight, both in numbers and quality.

However, the cost to maintain them was surprisingly low because he ran various businesses targeting them.

In an era where the concept of a standing army supported by the state did not exist, there were numerous things soldiers had to cover with their own money.

Not to mention weapons and armor, even accommodation and meal expenses were entirely out of their own pockets.

Because Eugene exclusively provided all these services through the castle, he was able to significantly mitigate his military expenditures.

"My lord. Here is the list of those who wish to have two-man rooms."

Rampage, a centurion of the Hammer Brothers, submitted the list.

When they first entered the castle, everyone applied for cheap multi-person rooms, but now an increasing number of people wanted a two-man room even if it meant paying more money.

"There are far more than I expected."

"Because the working environment here is so unique. Since there is a lot of autonomous standby time, many guys want to spend it comfortably."

The main job of mercenaries is not combat, but marching. Whether it is searching or fighting, they have to reach their destination first to do anything.

It can take anywhere from a few days to several months of walking. The guard duty that occurs every day during that process is an added bonus.

"It is convenient not having to march, isn't it? Imagine walking all the way here from Northfork."

"Oh my. Just imagining it is terrible."

The Moving Castle omits all of that. The accommodation has become a space for leisure and hobbies, not just a place to sleep.

"Besides, up until now you have been our lord alone, but how many more people will be added in the future?"

As a warrior and an engineer, Rampage takes pride in his subordinates' capabilities. However, if asked whether they are irreplaceable, that is not the case.

On the other hand, their contract with Eugene is one of a kind.

-Captain. It is my first time seeing the Gord tournament, and I absolutely love it. Is it not a true martial arts tournament for men? It is much hotter than those scrawny knights running wild on horses.

-I heard the fish from the sea tastes different, and it was true.

Dwarves have a narrow radius of activity. It is because they consume more calories than humans and cannot ride horses either.

However, the Moving Castle allowed them to enjoy the adventures another Dwarf would experience over years in just one month.

On top of that, effortless victories, abundant spoils, and a comfortable workplace. All these things cannot be obtained elsewhere.

It is as obvious as a bell that competent people will continue to join in the future, just like bees drawn to honey.

-Will it be an exercise room or a window with a nice view? That is the question.

-This is a private room, so why is it so spacious?

-Only guys with a wife and children can enter there. It is a family room, not a private room.

With the intention of securing good accommodations first, the number of people wanting to transfer to rooms with fewer people rapidly increased.

For Eugene, there is no reason to refuse since it all translates to money. He is virtually acting as an inn operator as well as an employer.

"Centurion. You are aware, right? The accommodation contracts are renewed every year, and the Blackhand clan has priority then."

"Yes. I have already explained it all to my subordinates."

"I hope you do not feel offended. I am not discriminating against you, but rather repaying the debt I owe them."

"Any guy with a conscience will not be able to say anything."

Under Eugene's command, the Blackhand Mercenary Group is special.

A contractual relationship bound by destiny between the entire clan and Eugene. They do not even incur employment costs while stationed in the Moving Castle.

Naturally, Eugene is also obligated to repay their loyalty in various ways. Preferential treatment in selecting accommodations is merely one of them.

Rampage politely received the application form bearing the lord's approval signature and offered a military salute.

"I will take my leave now."

"Keep up the good work."

When he returned to his subordinates and announced the success of the contract, a decurion carefully asked.

"Captain. Taking this opportunity, we should also officially enter under the knight's command like those knife-ears..."

"The lord."

"Ah, yes. The lord."

At Rampage's low voice, the subordinate corrected himself.

The title "Sir Knight" they used when they first met is quickly changing to "Lord".

Although he still lacked even a baron title, his nonsensical martial prowess, the legendary Moving Castle, and the Blackhand family who were practically half-vassals made his standing too immense to merely call him a knight.

"How about entering as his vassals taking this opportunity?"

"Even if we are not founding contributors, those who have been loyal from the beginning naturally receive more attention."

"Look at those knife-ears. How quick-witted are they? They have already dispatched all the stablemen, merchants, and servants. At this rate, they might completely..."

Listening to his subordinates, Rampage fell into thought. He has also been pondering about it lately.

'The Blackhand clan has priority.'

He did not show it, but the moment Rampage heard those words, he felt a surging emotion.

That emotion was not dissatisfaction. It was something that existed between urgency and jealousy.

* * *

The deduction targets include not only accommodation fees but meal expenses as well.

"Are you here, my lord?"

Quartermaster Hoffman greeted Eugene in front of the frozen storage.

Even though it was a warm spring outside, given the nature of the location, Hoffman and the servants wore thick fur coats.

"The mercenaries' meal support application rate is 100% for this quarter as well."

Just by spending a little time together, one could tell how much Eugene cared about his subordinates' meals.

Grain, meat, and fruit are served every time, and with the additional joining of the Blackhand tribe, dairy products were also added to the menu.

Thanks to that, every single mercenary without exception applied for barracks meals.

"The application rate of the newly joined tribesmen is 21%. However, this is also expected to continue rising."

"Make sure not to create an atmosphere that forces it out of them. Do not pressure them either."

"Of course. Even if they do not apply for meals, profits will come in anyway, so we have nothing to regret."

Lords generate profit by monopolizing the rights to watermills or mills within their territory.

Similarly, Eugene is exclusively operating the refrigerated and frozen storage. The temporarily set up store inside the castle is also a direct management store under Eugene.

Since they cannot help but use these convenient facilities, the money spent by the residents went right into Eugene's pockets. This income is truly quite lucrative.

"From now on, your wars will not need to rely on sutlers from start to finish, my lord."

Watching the foodstuffs filling the frozen storage, Hoffman made a proud face.

The reason sutlers are essential in wars of this era is due to the lack of distribution networks and preservation technologies.

Transporting the food to feed the soldiers and horses is a massive task in itself, and except for a few preserved foods, the majority rot quickly.

Ultimately, they have no choice but to adopt a method of procuring fresh food from the surroundings as needed.

However, figuring out what stores are where in a newly arrived location is also a headache. It is also easy to get scammed by jackal-like local merchants with a single misstep.

Thus, they have no choice but to rely on professional merchant groups.

In such a situation, cold storage spaces that extend the preservation period by tens of times and vast loading spaces are virtually a miracle.

"Every time I enter the storage, I feel as if I am embraced in the arms of a god."

"I think that is an exaggeration."

"Not at all. Any merchant would feel the same way as me. A problem that had plagued them for their entire lives has been resolved at once. The tribal merchants also frequently come here and smile in satisfaction."

"I am glad they can work with satisfaction."

"I get excited every time I meet external merchants. Just imagining what kind of expression they will make the moment they see this storage is fun."

Hoffman, a former mercenary who had laid down his sword and armor, smiled brightly while holding a paper full of numbers.

* * *

The meal expenses Eugene receives are not just from humans.

When mercenaries who own horses stop by a village or city, they have to pay money to use the stables and feed their horses.

Brrrt-!

Chomp chomp.

The warhorses munching on the crops growing from the central feed trough are all overflowing with energy. Their coats are glossy, and they even look more muscular.

It was high-quality feed that defied comparison with the stables of cheap inns that feed them things like hay.

There are also chickens, pigs, and cows isolated in spacious pens divided into sections.

"I-It is the lord!"

"Thank you for protecting us!"

Young Dark Elves collecting eggs bowed at their waists upon seeing Eugene.

That adorable sight has the power to neutralize the rigidity of a military base. Joyfully laughing children are the most important puzzle piece of a perfect residence.

"As ordered, we have brought in more livestock. Thanks to Count Andar's backing, we were able to buy them exceedingly cheaply."

The middle-aged Dark Elf who was the stable master reported.

He was once a great warrior but reportedly changed jobs to taking care of warhorses after suffering severe injuries.

"I would like to see the fellows caught during this subjugation."

"You are speaking of the Wargoats. They are right here."

At the place the stable master guided him to, there were twelve monster young resembling mountain goats crouching.

"Once their horns start growing, we will move them to another place."

"Is that when their wild nature awakens?"

"Yes. Perhaps this place was built anticipating the keeping of monsters, there is a large beast rearing facility, so raising them will not be a problem."

Wolves are not the only ones with monster subspecies. Diverse subspecies have branched off into monsters from common ancestors, such as Direbears, Unicorns, and Bicorns.

The Wargoats currently in front of Eugene belong to that category as well. In the process of scouting the surrounding mountain range after subjugating the Gnolls, they were lucky enough to discover a few nests.

"Rex kept insisting we must absolutely catch them. What exact commercial value do they hold?"

"Their size is larger than a horse, and befitting a mountain goat, they traverse mountains exceedingly well. Their speed is slow, but their endurance and durability are outstanding, making them much better than warhorses in mountain warfare."

Animals known as horses are surprisingly fragile and have bodies made of glass. They get injured easily even on flat plains, so if they carry heavily armed knights while fighting up and down mountains, their joints can easily give out.

"If it is here, we can sufficiently raise them. You will surely receive a handsome return on your investment. I promise you staking my name."

"They are far better than Direwolves."

"Of course. Comparing them to such superficial luxury items is an insult to Wargoats."

"If they are so good, why are they not used in the military?"

"Except for mountain warfare, they fall behind warhorses in every aspect. They eat more than twice as much as horses. They are on the docile side for monsters, but one needs to be at least a nomadic tribe to be able to control them."

Listening to the explanation, it made sense. There were many elements that were difficult to coexist with each other.

"So you are saying they are exclusively for mountain warfare, but raising them requires the skills of a nomadic tribe and the wealth of a sedentary tribe?"

"That is why bringing in horses of good pedigree is much cheaper, easier, and more stable."

The stable master's eyes burned with a challenging spirit. He seemed excited at the opportunity to write a new history for cavalry with his own hands.

"I will provide whatever is needed, so just say the word."

"Everything is already fully equipped here, so it is fine. And..."

The manager looked around.

"This space is somewhat special. Should I say it feels like an aura that calms, no, suppresses beasts is flowing here?"

He stroked a Wargoat cub. With its eyes half-open, the little fellow obediently accepted his touch.

"No matter how young, a monster is still a monster. The moment they open their eyes, they are bound to show at least some signs of resistance, but there are no such signs."

"Then isn't that a good thing?"

"That is true. However, I am just curious if this is also a magical power."

"Well. I am also in the middle of getting to know this castle. It is not like I had a predecessor who handed things over to me."

When Eugene offered a yellow crop plucked from the feed trough, the Wargoat cubs immediately reacted by sniffing their noses.

Whether livestock or monsters, they went crazy for it, indicating it tasted incredibly good.

Eugene brought it to his nose and sniffed it.

"Is there something mixed in here?"

"...That could also be possible."

Just as the frozen storage was the part merchants admired the most about the Moving Castle, the object of the stable master's surprise was the feed trough.

The crops growing like bamboo shoots from the trough running across the center of the stables were like a gift from a god. With abundant nutrients and such a great taste, even stubborn horses could be easily lured.

It was already miraculous enough on its own, so it would not be strange even if there was one more mysterious function added to it.

* * *

In the lord's office, Eugene examined the reports recording the income, expenditures, various supplies, and financial situations.

If the number of residents increased further, it seemed possible to transition to a surplus while maintaining an abnormally stationed army.

Tap tap.

"Ah, thank you. This part is incorrect."

Homi, sitting next to him, re-examined the numbers on the part she pointed to.

Having lived as a herbalist and hunter in Kingdom's End, Homi traded with the village and was good with numbers.

Squeeze, squeeze.

He massaged her thick and soft tail or used it as a cushion when resting his chin.

A pleasant fragrance wafted up, bringing him peace of mind and body.

"Honestly, at first I felt like an unscrupulous boss."

"???"

Homi opened her eyes wide as if asking what he meant.

"There are a lot of deductions I take from the troops. Deducting accommodation fees, deducting meal expenses."

Shake, shake.

Homi fiercely shook her head. It was not simply to defend Eugene, but because the subordinates were actually satisfied.

They were mercenaries who had suffered through much poorer yet more expensive deductions while even having their wages stolen. Life under Eugene was practically heaven.

Because both the quality and price of the services provided by the castle were at an unrivaled level compared to any garrison in this era.

"I need to increase the number of stores, and I want to completely restore the exercise room and the indoor garden for walks."

There were more than a couple of convenience facilities in a state of suspended function within the castle.

However, to have any of them properly function, more residents needed to be secured.

* * *

Now it is time to depart for the next location.

However, there is no need to pack bags or send out scouts. He merely needed to confirm whether all the residents had entered the castle.

Looking at the landscape painting sent by Chieftain Alessa, Eugene materialized the image in his mind.

The Moving Castle, fully loaded with spoils, trade goods, special products, and food from southern Gord, transformed into a streak of lightning and ascended.

Amidst the fiercely roaring flash of the core, Eugene recalled the words Rex had spoken.

-The opposition faction does not look favorably upon moving into the Moving Castle, but they fear the prophesied destruction. Naturally, the lands they are searching for are places far from the continent.

Flash!

Rumble!

The place where the Moving Castle newly revealed its form was the southern part of the continent.

A bizarre country composed of central deserts, the jungles surrounding them, and farmlands on the eastern and southern coasts.

It is Samur, boasting the most heterogeneous culture on the continent.