Chapter 107

Chapter 107 - Distress (1)

With the number of residents increasing and the army taking its place, various procedures were being established in the formerly disorderly Moving Castle.

Among them, the tasks the guards must perform immediately after teleportation were included.

Due to the nature of teleporting to areas without people nearby, there is a high possibility of dropping into a monster's territory.

First, those with good eyesight look out for dangerous elements from the balcony.

Bwooo!

Once safety is confirmed, they sound the horn and open the central gate.

The ones taking the first step are the Dwarf warriors of the Hammer Brothers. It is a mission given to them because they possess the sturdiest defense among the stationed troops.

The Dwarves took pride in being the ones to take the first step whenever the castle reached a new world.

"When the opportunity arises, I should give them a badge depicting a related symbol. Something like a drawing of boots stepping on the ground."

"That is an excellent idea."

At Eugene's whisper, Valda nodded.

Although it may seem trivial, these things accumulate to become the soldiers' pride and loyalty.

While it was far from what a young knight would typically come up with, Valda was not surprised. She fully understood that Eugene had a sharp mind for these kinds of things.

"You may come out, my lord."

The Dwarf warriors, having completed the secondary check, reported. Now, except for those with a few special privileges, the title for Eugene had been unified to Lord.

"Even though it is the same desert, there is such a difference."

"What lay beyond Northfork would be more accurately described as a wasteland or barren land rather than a desert."

"I can feel the energy of life hidden here and there. Even though it is barren, it does not feel unpleasant."

Homi, standing next to him, nodded and cutely sniffed the air.

For her, who understands the world through smell as much as sight, this journey is even more special.

It was practically like having dishes she could taste with her nose laid out every time the castle gate opened, going beyond just the scenery changing.

"The border between two different regions and rocky mountains. We seem to have arrived roughly right."

The place the castle landed was a location corresponding to the border between the desert and the grasslands. It was just as Chieftain Alessa had informed them.

On the sand of the desert, a beast resembling a meerkat, holding a lizard in its mouth, was peeking at the unfamiliar guests.

Rumble!

The castle gate leading to the stables opened, and Rex came out along with three mounted archers.

They handed the reins of Might and Sandy to Eugene and Homi.

"I will go take a brief look around."

The descent of the castle causes a lightning strike. Whether hunters or caravans, if there are people nearby, they are bound to come out of curiosity.

Reconnoitering outside right after teleportation to gather information from such individuals had also become a routine.

"Do you personally need to go?"

"It is a place I have never been to in my life. The subordinates would be safe only if the commander quickly gets used to it, right? I can gain certainty by seeing and hearing it myself rather than through others' eyes."

Satisfied with Eugene's answer, the tribal warriors smiled.

A leader who leads by example in command and reconnaissance is someone they can trust as fellow warriors. They were sick and tired of taking orders from lazy, fat nobles.

Eugene and the recon squad covered their heads with Samur-style bandanas prepared in advance. It was to fend off the sand and hide their identities.

If armed individuals did this elsewhere, they might be suspected of being a band of bandits, but it was not a problem here.

"Did you say the place the opposition faction set out to find was an abandoned ruin?"

At Eugene's question, Rex nodded.

"It is said there is a large abandoned temple dedicated to a forgotten god. They call it a temple, but it is closer to a large village equipped with everything."

"This vicinity does not seem like a particularly good area to settle down in."

"If it is a useful place, it is bound to already have an owner."

In Samur, the majority of the population lived in the arable areas of the east and south. Villages located in the deserts or jungles were bases situated along trade routes.

Other undeveloped areas were either too barren, lacked water, or were infested with monsters. Like Roman or Gord, it was impossible to set up a cabin in a suitable place and cultivate a field.

"Besides, even if opinions diverge on the promised land, thoughts coincide regarding the prophesied destruction. The fact that it is about spears and swords wielded by humans."

"If you build a nest in a place like this, any decent talent is bound to avoid it."

The last place occupied by the two dynasties that had unified the continent in the past was Samur.

Even then, they couldn't conquer it completely and ended it at receiving tributary logic and displays of fealty. It was an alright choice to evacuate a clan prioritizing survival above all else.

"But I did not like it. What kind of future is there in hiding away in a remote area, and inside an abandoned temple at that?"

At Rex's words, the other tribal warriors nodded in agreement.

"Even if we crouched down like that, our clan would ultimately decline and fade away anyway."

"Our clan must endlessly roam and also enjoy the world."

The longer everyone stayed in the castle, their pride and attachment grew proportionately.

It was partly because the castle itself was magnificent, but also because it endlessly stimulated their innate nature as nomads and their desire for adventure.

"By the way, how did you find that abandoned ruin? This is not your main stage of activity either."

"The centurion belonging to the opposition faction once hired an adventurer from Samur. She obtained the information from him."

"They came all the way down here just trusting that single piece of info?"

The Blackhand Mercenary Group was closed off and trusted no one outside their clan. This was not a trait exclusive to them but common to all Dark Elves.

Naturally, they avoided frontiers where there was no way to request rescue from their clan if they were isolated.

"There was no other way. Since they have no foundations here, they have to use whatever information they can get. They were also feeling a sense of crisis that they couldn't delay any longer."

"A sense of crisis?"

"Because of you, Sir Knight. Even until last year, there was a large number of tribesmen who shared their views on the prophecy. Yet that reversed in less than half a year."

The majesty of the Moving Castle witnessed firsthand, Eugene's overwhelming martial prowess, the support of the chieftain and elders, and the agreement of Marbas, the clan's advisor.

A great number of tribesmen began crossing over to the faction choosing to settle in the Moving Castle.

The pressure that they had to produce some results before it was too late led the opposition faction to push forward with their expedition recklessly.

At that time, a faint sound of horses whining was heard.

"It is cavalry."

One tribal warrior dismounted and pressed his ear to the ground. Keeping his eyes gently closed, he suddenly opened them and pointed in one direction.

"The number is around ten. It is that way."

"Good work. Shall we go acquire some information?"

* * *

"It was not a caravan."

A short while later, Eugene's group encountered mercenaries wearing clothing unique to Samur. Their numbers were nearly twice that of Eugene's group.

Seeing Eugene's group, the opposing side also turned their horses and approached.

"Who are you people?"

The one who appeared to be the captain at the front asked arrogantly.

Everyone wore southern-style armor designed considering lightness and ventilation, and their weapons were spears and curved swords.

"I am Knight Eugene Mayer. And you are?"

"You are not from around here."

"..."

As the opponent acted rudely without answering, the tribal warriors twitched their eyebrows.

They were not even facing each other from two sides, but using their superior numbers to half-surround Eugene's group. This was a blatant threat.

Eugene could guess they were fellow knights from their confident demeanor, atmosphere, and the signet rings worn on their fingers.

"As you can see. We came from Roman."

Samur is the country with the most unique regional colors on the continent. Eugene's group, their warhorses, accents, and skin colors were all heterogeneous.

"How did you end up here? This is far from the routes caravans travel, and there are no villages from the direction you came."

"Well, about that."

Even if he said they came riding the Moving Castle, it was obvious he would be treated as a madman or a braggart. But if he gave another reason, his lie would be spotted immediately.

"What is your purpose in coming here?"

"You are going too far. At least tell me your name, will you not?"

The captain answered by aiming his weapon.

"Drop your weapons right now. Throw them over there."

At this point, even the good-natured Eugene slowly felt heat rising to his head.

To move lightly for reconnaissance, he had left his flail behind. Eugene's group were all in full light armor holding bows, while the opponents were heavy cavalry securely equipped with armor.

With their numbers even doubled, they were confident in an absolute advantage at this close range.

"If you do not follow instructions, we will attack."

"Can't be helped."

Clang.

As Eugene drew Last Autumn, the blade gleamed silver under the sunlight.

"An Aether alloy sword?"

Surprise spread across the opposing knight's face.

"Keep the ones to interrogate alive."

"I have been waiting for those words!"

With those words, Eugene grabbed the tip of the spear shaft the captain was aiming.

"What?!"

Pulled by a nonsensical arm strength, his body was dragged forward and his spear was snatched.

Slash.

As a silver flash erupted, the captain's head fell off, and Eugene threw the snatched spear to pierce another man through.

Rex and his subordinates also pulled out throwing daggers from their sleeves and launched a surprise attack.

The enemy cavalrymen, who had been somewhat off-guard thinking they couldn't use their bows at this close range, simultaneously grabbed their necks and screamed.

In the meantime, as Eugene charged in, a bloody wind raged.

"Damn it!"

"R-Run away!"

Losing their captain as soon as the battle started, their numbers dropped to less than half. Realizing the knight running wild like a monster and the others were also elite soldiers, the mercenaries lost their will to fight.

However, heavy cavalry could not possibly shake off light cavalry, and ones armed with bows at that.

"Aaagh!"

Arrows lodged into all their backs as they fell from their horses.

"Do not kill the horses! Desert warhorses are precious."

The tribal warriors, displaying the eyes of predators that had been hard to see for a while, went around excitedly.

Two who were captured alive were forced to their knees in front of Eugene, disarmed.

"Now. Shall we talk again from the beginning? Let's not keep it brief this time."

"W-whatever you command!"

The surviving mercenaries frantically nodded their heads.

"Just who are you?"

"We are the Condor Mercenary Group."

When Eugene looked at Rex, he nodded as if it were a name he knew.

"It is a notorious group in Samur."

"Are they a strong bunch?"

"Aside from strength, they are famous for vicious looting and laying their hands on anything that makes money. The bastard lying dead over there is probably a bandit knight or a knight wanted in another country as well."

As a result of interrogating the captured mercenaries, they could understand why they were so wary of Eugene's group.

"These sons of bitches!"

The tribal warriors beat up the mercenaries and spat on them.

"The situation is worse than I thought."

"Yes. Though the possibility of betrayal was not completely nonexistent."

Eugene and Rex also wore stiff expressions.

The ruins introduced by the adventurer were real, but the intentions behind them were fake. From the beginning, he had drawn them in to trap them and struck them from behind.

Currently, the opposition faction's century was trapped in the ruins, surrounded by another mercenary group and holding out under siege.

-They must be suffering from a lack of supplies in a rugged terrain. Because it is difficult to even drive horses there.

Having heard Chieftain Alessa's words, Eugene had only assumed providing some supplies. He was flustered as it suddenly changed to a rescue and combat mission.

"Why did they pull such a trick? Did they have a grudge?"

Mercenary groups formed and disappeared constantly. Because most were like beasts living only for today, and given the nature of the job, building blood grudges is easy.

Naturally, it is a structure that cannot be maintained for long. Whether the captain gets kicked out, smashed on the battlefield, or the second-in-command or third-in-command break off with their respective factions at an opportune moment to split up.

A mercenary group as powerful and maintained for a long time as the Blackhand clan is bound to have enemies harboring grudges all around.

The reason they easily accepted the prophecy of destruction, from the chieftain down to the lowest tribesman, was also because they were tangled in so much blood and resentment.

'What was meant to come has arrived.'

'It is later than I thought?'

They were to the point of accepting it when they heard the prophecy.

However, right now they couldn't help but tilt their heads in confusion.

"There is no way... We have barely operated in Samur."

There was a reason the century had traveled alone all the way here, far from the clan. It was because they judged there would be no enemies tied to them by blood here.

"You bastards! What kind of grudge do you hold to target us?"

Furious at the crisis of their kin, the tribal warriors grabbed the collars of the Condor mercenaries.

"I-It is not a grudge!"

"Then just why?"

"Th-that is..."

As the mercenary sweating profusely rolled his eyes, the tribal warriors immediately pressed a dagger against his cheek.

"If you do not speak right now, I will skin you alive."

'These guys are hunters through and through.'

The habit of trying to skin first when threatening. This seemed to be a common trait among all hunters, transcending race and culture.

"Because they are all women!"

As the blade dug into his cheek and blood flowed, the mercenary loudly shrieked.

"The captain said we could make a huge sum of money if we sell them to the slave traders in Samur."

"These sons of bitches."

There was certainly a reason for him to hesitate answering.

"I wondered why you were so hostile from the beginning, but it was because of you guys."

Eugene pointed at the Dark Elf unique skin exposed through their bandanas.

While it might be one thing for an Elf, a Dark Elf's skin color immediately gave them away even if their ears and a significant portion of their faces were covered.

The furious warriors threw punches and kicks at the mercenaries. If it weren't for Eugene wanting a follow-up interrogation, they would have probably swung their swords and killed them right there.

"Sir Knight. The century that came down here consists primarily of female warriors. It is a unit specially organized for operations in areas where supply is difficult."

"Since their calorie consumption is lower than men's, they would be able to operate with less food?"

"Yes. But they do not lack at all in combat strength. They are not warriors to receive such a vile treatment."

Even amidst being beaten relentlessly, the mercenaries begged with their hands clasped together.

"P-Please have mercy!"

"Please spare our lives!"

What is just as famous as the Blackhand clan's martial prowess and notoriety is the bond between its members. The captured mercenaries intuitively sensed that they would never die peacefully at this rate.

"Let us stop here. Saving our family members is the urgent priority right now."

When Eugene raised his hand, the tribal warriors dragged the mercenaries over, panting in anger.

"What is the combat situation like?"

"The ruins were sturdier than expected, so we were buying time while keeping them surrounded."

"But since they have no food or water, we thought they would soon surrender..."

Shivering, the mercenaries spilled everything they knew.

"Can you guide us to the ruins? If so, I promise to let you go free."

At Eugene's words, the tribal warriors agitated briefly. It seemed they absolutely did not want to leave them alive.

However, they did not dare step forward since Eugene had promised.

If other noble lords who had hired them in the past saw this, it was a sight that would have made them spit out a barrage of curses in anger. Because it was an attitude they absolutely never showed in front of them.

"Please leave it to us!"

"We will guide you through a shortcut right away! We know the terrain around here somewhat!"

Having barely found a way to live, the mercenaries frantically nodded their heads.

"Issue a sortie order to the cavalry on standby."

At Eugene's command, a tribal warrior immediately rode his horse and dashed back the way they came.

Running at full speed, he took out a horn and blew it once he was at a sufficient distance.

"It is worrisome. If they are isolated without food or water in a foreign land, they will not be able to hold out for long."

"They will be fine. They are the proud female warriors of our clan. Aside from pure physical strength falling short of mine or the other men's..."

Rex grinned.

"When it comes to viciousness, even we cannot dare match up. If they have nothing to eat, they will endure even if it means tearing off their own flesh."

Pride and faith bloomed on Rex's face, which had been full of anger until just a moment ago. That was the same for the other tribal warriors as well.

"..."

"..."

Perhaps having already faced them, the two Condor mercenaries on their knees also wore expressions of agreement.

'Just how vicious are they?'

Seeing that, even for Eugene, curiosity rose higher than a sense of crisis.