Chapter 118

Chapter 118 - Desert's Method (3)

"We do not have many numbers, but our ransom is high."

"I am well aware of that from observing during our journey here, my Lord."

The warriors the recruitment officer saw in the castle were all elite troops without exception. From their equipment to the momentum they exuded. Furthermore, their commander himself was a famous knight and a noble lord.

"I do not mean to disregard you, but wouldn't that be a large sum... for the authority of a single recruitment officer to decide?"

Eugene was about to call him a mere recruitment officer, but corrected himself with a softer expression.

"That would be true under normal circumstances, but we are allowed to take action first and report later in urgent times. A considerably large authority is granted."

"That is surprising. Truly fitting for a city that lives piled with gold."

Such things were likely possible only because their finances supported it.

"It is not as if there are set written regulations. There are similar precedents, so I simply follow within those boundaries. What matters is not the amount, but trust and skill. I will not be reprimanded for creating a large expenditure as long as those are confirmed."

Homi, who was listening, nodded with satisfaction. Her expression showed that he had indeed come to the right place.

"So what is it you want from us? You surely do not mean for us to station ourselves in the city of Tripol and work as a defense force."

Using mercenaries a few tiers lower is sufficient to defend a city.

Unlike field battles, formation training is unnecessary, and there are fewer variables on the battlefield. As long as the commander and middle management are competent, even recruits can exert substantial defensive power.

"The Sain-folk select useful spots in uncharted regions to form colonies. The adventurers we currently hired have been dispatched everywhere and are conducting searches."

"You would execute a subjugation operation against them once they are found, then."

"Yes. It will not be something our city does alone; various mercenary groups will form a joint front. Participating in that is your main duty."

In a way, it had similarities to the bandit sweeping he did in Bonyard.

The difference was that both the environment and the opponents had become more than a couple of tiers harder. The enemy they had to fight this time was an army of beasts that neither surrendered nor accepted surrenders.

"You mentioned it is the main duty. Then what are the auxiliary duties?"

"You would normally be stationed in the city, but you could take on separate missions upon receiving requests. Guard duties during your stationing will naturally be exempted."

The recruitment officer knew in detail about mercenary hiring and operational planning, which overlapped with his rank's scope of work. He seemed quite competent considering that.

"Surely the amount is not something you can decide either, is it?"

"Naturally, I do not possess such authority. I am well aware of the amounts conventionally offered by the city and the down payments of mercenary groups hired in the past, however. It would be good for you to hear that and make your decision."

The recruitment officer had spontaneously come after hearing rumors of the Moving Castle while touring villages. His thoughts were already organized, and he was able to provide the necessary answers right on time.

'The compensation passes the mark.'

What Eugene, who owned the Moving Castle, coveted more than gold were privileges regarding city trade.

He was living somewhat like a mercenary captain right now, but his capital would increase and his teleportation range would significantly expand in the future. He might even be able to cross between continents.

It was certain that trade rights would play a much more important role than the temporary compensation received from doing mercenary work at that time.

When he explained that point, the recruitment officer marveled even more at the castle's authority but found himself in a difficult position.

"I apologize, but trade privileges are not within a scope I can decide..."

"I figured as much. I intended to visit the city once anyway. I won't be making a wasted trip since I could gather sufficient prior information thanks to you."

The recruitment officer felt relieved inwardly since the other party seemed satisfied regardless.

"Have you eaten?"

"Not yet."

"That works out well. Allow me to treat you."

"...!"

That day, the recruitment officer experienced a meal served by Dark Elf maids for the first time in his life. Considering their race's lofty pride and arrogance, it was a luxury that even average nobles would find hard to experience.

"I am not sure if it will suit your palate. I prepared this because Samur enjoys stimulating spicy food and I heard fried dishes are popular in the markets these days."

"I guarantee you! Of all the fried dishes I have ever eaten, there is nothing more perfect than this!"

A delicious meal is the easiest way to relax a person's tension. Even the recruitment officer's tense attitude melted away softly after a few forks' worths.

The food Eugene prepared was a delicacy made by coating sliced beef in breadcrumbs, frying it, and topping it with cheese, tomato sauce, and spices.

The moment he cut it with a knife, put a piece in with a fork, and placed it in his mouth.

Crunch.

The crispy batter touched his teeth and broke off cheerfully. Soon after, the tender meat touched his tongue, delivering a chewy texture.

The tartness of the tomato sauce breathed in tension, while the cheese softly embraced all the flavors.

The sensory elements of crispiness, popping, and stickiness. The flavor elements of savoriness, umami, sweetness, and tartness.

It was a dish completed by layering dozens of different distinct layers.

* * *

After the meal ended and the recruitment officer left for the guest room while repeatedly expressing his gratitude, Eugene conversed with his two advisors.

"I had felt this before, but the way free city officials handle their work seems exceptional."

Both Panis of Bonyard and the recruitment officer who visited this time were like that. Skill was one thing, but a certain promptness existed.

"It is a thoroughly merit-based society, so those who lack cannot survive. Furthermore, someone must definitively take responsibility even for small accidents in a free city. From the lowest officials to the highest ranks, that is."

Marbas responded favorably, seemingly sharing the same thought. Summoners are generally like that, but he is especially the type to value the virtue of responsibility.

"It has the drawback of frequent confusion due to the person in charge changing constantly, however. It is also common to use despicable means rather than ability in competition. It looks to me like a system suited only for the scale of a city."

Conversely, the highly conservative Valda viewed the free city's system negatively.

"Traditional nobles also use despicable means, do they not?"

"If both sides are similar, the one with less confusion is better. One simply needs to provide a noble education to a noble person."

One easily forgets due to her friendship and devotion towards Eugene, but Valda possesses a stubborn mindset just like other elves.

"A leader determined by the amount of sweat rather than the thickness of blood. Isn't that a method preferred by monsters like Orcs and Gnolls?"

Faint contempt was uncharacteristically contained in her beautiful golden eyes.

"In a way, my position is also closer to one gained through sweat rather than blood, though."

"Blood is but a trivial factor in the face of destiny's calling, so it is fine."

She was, of course, an elf who exercised complete flexibility when it came to her knight.

"How can you change your attitude as easily as flipping your palm like that?"

"I do not know what you are talking about."

Valda brushed her radiant blonde hair behind her shoulders.

"Even in legends, there are those who obtain the qualifications of a monarch by pulling a holy sword from a rock. Tracing noble blood back to its origin, the starting point is ultimately destiny. Blood infused with destiny becomes noble."

"Wow."

Eugene was at a loss for words seeing Valda running her mouth with an innocent face.

* * *

An armed caravan comprised entirely of cavalry forces, supplemented by tribe merchants and wagons, departed. Regardless of securing a contract, they needed to visit the city to sell their spoils and trade goods.

"It seems quite a bit of damage has already occurred, so what kind of bastards are infesting the area?"

Eugene asked the recruitment officer for details on the situation as they followed the road.

Sain-folk was a term encompassing Beastkin closely resembling monsters who formed large-scale societies. Orcs and Goblins were excluded, but Gnolls were included.

One might question why they went to the lengths of breaking it down so minutely when simply lumping them all as monsters would suffice.

They were beings that exhibited aspects of warlords in certain ways, showing distinct differences from other monsters—such as sharp smell and senses, their own level of technological prowess, and tactical abilities.

Trying to fight them as if dealing with regular monsters would result in the subjugation force being crushed instead. Hence, this separate classification had no choice but to take root.

"The most frequently heard reports are regarding the Rakshasas."

"Those are bastards I'm hearing about for the first time. Could you explain a bit?"

Overgrown jungles, deserts, green plains, and even beaches. Samur, where all sorts of natural environments coexist, is a treasure trove of ecosystems inhabited by all kinds of races.

... Make sure to give some silver coins to local adventurers and ask around if you ever need to go to Samur. It varies so much from region to region, you see.

Even Godfrey, who taught practically everything, had given up on educating him about Samur.

"They are fox humans."

"Oh!"

"Outsiders all show the same reaction when I start off with those words."

The recruitment officer smiled bitterly seeing Eugene's eyes sparkle the moment he heard it.

"They are foxes, after all."

Foxes as beasts are very popular with noble ladies because of their beautiful fur, and many nobles keep them as pets due to their luxurious appearance.

"The Rakshasa tribe are bastards who harbor malice and compete with monsters in the harsh desert. They don't have a single ounce of cuteness. They are physically far from humans too, except for the fact that they walk on two legs."

Beastkin are not that different from humans aside from a few characteristic features, much like Homi. The Sain-folk, however, are said to have appearances much closer to beasts.

"In what way are they different, for example?"

The recruitment officer placed his open palm beneath his chest.

"The Rakshasa tribe has four of these."

"Oh..."

The recruitment officer chuckled softly at Eugene's appalled reaction.

"I told you, didn't I? They are bastards closer to beasts than humans. They grow quickly, are fierce, and reproduce prolifically on top of that. There are frequent instances where they suddenly swell their forces right when you think you've swept them away."

"Any other differences?"

"The Sain-folk possess fur almost without exception."

"They must boast some level of defense even without special armor."

"Yes. That is why they despise the hairless, smooth-skinned Beastkin as weaklings. Or they just like them because they are good to eat."

Eugene continued to hear more about indigenous species after that.

Lizardmen who live exclusively in the Samur desert, or conversely, Smallfolk who reside only in the jungle. They were all annoying enemies who actively utilized their racial characteristics and environments.

These indigenous monsters likely played a part in why the ancient kingdom of Lue'amoir particularly struggled to subjugate Samur.

"We are now two days away. You can rest easy from here on."

Other caravan groups gradually began to appear on the road that previously only Eugene's group traveled.

They carried goods ranging from common items like wool fabrics and animal skins to meat from beasts like large rodents and lizards, which would be considered barbaric in Roman. Exotic fruits like dates and even bananas(!) were visible as well.

Rather than deploying additional scouts, Eugene allowed his subordinates to break formation and trade with the merchants.

This consideration was possible due to his faith that they could immediately fall into formation whenever a crisis occurred.

Bargaining taking place everywhere, and his subordinates looking delighted while tasting exotic foods. The corners of Eugene's mouth also curled up.

The warm and peaceful journey drastically changed due to caravans running towards them from the opposite direction of the road, however.

"Somebody save us!"

The merchants who abandoned even their wagons and fled were covered in sweat. The escorts who slumped down were severely injured all over as well.

"What is going on?"

As Eugene stepped forward to ask, an elderly merchant replied with a face that looked as if his soul had left him.

"Rakshasas! The Rakshasa bastards ambushed the road!"

"W-we barely managed to escape, but I dread to think what happened to those left behind."

Did his words act as a curse?

"This is ridiculous! We are merely two days away from the city."

"What use is weighing possibilities for something that has already happened?"

Eugene stepped forth on his horse, pushing the disbelieving recruitment officer aside.

"Everyone prepare for battle! This is a type of enemy we have never faced before! Do not let your guard down under any circumstances and maintain your distance!"

His subordinates cursed as they took a bite of the bananas or skewers they were holding and then threw them away.

They had intended to try exotic foods for the first time in a while, but these bastards who couldn't read the room ruined everything.

* * *

A portion of the land south of Gord was originally territory inhabited by Gnolls. Humans had driven them beyond the Shield Mountains and pioneered the land in that case.

On the other hand, the entire territory of Samur was under the control of the Sain-folk.

Humans migrating from the north and from across the sea settled there and gradually developed it to reach its current state.

The Sain-folk, deprived of their living grounds, were driven into jungles and deserts where civilization was hard to reach, but they did not go extinct.

They fought a desperate battle for survival there, periodically returning to their homeland and attacking humans whenever they prospered sufficiently.

"Damn it! What happened to our request for reinforcements?"

They had already sent light cavalry to beg for rescue three times while being fiercely attacked by hundreds of Rakshasas.

"It's a failure! Those damned bastards send pursuers even occasionally halting the battle whenever they see a messenger depart."

Warriors resisting using overturned wagons as barricades spat out curses.

This was possible because they were not monsters, but cunning Sain-folk with intelligence.

"They are coming again! About fifty of them are approaching from the north!"

"..."

They had heard news that Samur was restless lately, but this was beyond their imagination. The warriors' faces turned ashen pale at the organized ambush that already resembled a battle against an army.