Chapter 142

Chapter 142 - Heart of the Forest

The personnel hiding in the lord's manor were twice as isolated as during Cassandra's rescue.

However, the fact that they were in a quasi-wartime state due to the pirates' massive invasion acted as a favorable factor. Because the lord had gathered food and supplies in the mansion.

The Blackhand Mercenaries packed those and took refuge in the lord's manor basement. Thanks to that, there was no need to starve or drink urine like Cassandra's time.

Instead, because they had been trapped underground for a long time, the stench was much worse.

"At this rate, it seems I'll catch a disease... For now, everyone wash up."

"But Sir Knight, no, Lord."

The captain of the survivors received Cassandra and Rex's cold glares and corrected his title.

"We don't know when that crazy spirit will invade again... It's not a relaxed time to take a bath."

Despite being an extremely trained warrior, his eyes trembling faintly showed they had seemingly suffered quite bitterly at the hands of Ninloth and the infected monsters.

"I have already disposed of the forest spirit, so rest assured."

"I-is that true?"

"That is what you fought, right?"

At the place Eugene pointed, the heads of Ninloth and the spirit summoner were hanging.

"Incredible! We suffered to death because silver arrows did not work..."

"Because the monsters are neither undead nor magical existences, that's why."

The main body, the forest spirit, would definitely receive damage if hit by a silver arrow. However, the monsters she controlled were existences based on nature itself.

When they attacked putting them at the forefront, there was no answer even as a well-equipped army. The Blackhand Mercenaries equipped with spiritual attack means like witch's charms or spells with silver arrows taking the lead could not help but be flustered as well.

"Are there no village survivors?"

"By the time we arrived, they were already finished... I confirmed the lord's corpse when charging into the manor as well."

"I saw that too... He committed suicide leaving a will saying he would not become a monster."

It was an era where taking one's own life was considered a great sin. For a noble whose faith was stronger than commoners to do so, the terror the forest spirit delivered was monumental.

"To wash all this personnel, it seems the well alone cannot handle it."

Watching them divide into male and female groups and head to makeshift bathhouses, Rex spoke.

They were hurriedly drawing water from the manor's well and the village's communal well, but it looked as though it could not handle the demand alone.

"There's no rule saying you must strictly wash with water."

"Pardon?"

"It seemed the lord here liked wine quite a lot... They were stacked full in the warehouse."

Eugene smiled brightly watching Homi returning with wine barrels resting on her shoulders one by one.

"Let's give our family members a proper skin beauty treatment today."

* * *

Splash!

"Ah, refreshing!"

"I thought I would die feeling so sticky."

While the dwarven warriors set up temporary barricades in the village and patrolled, the Dark Elf survivors simultaneously entered their baths.

"As I live on, I get to experience something like this."

A Dark Elf woman, coated red after being thoroughly drenched in wine all over her body, laughed merrily.

"Now, we crack open one more barrel!"

As Cassandra's subordinate swung an axe and broke the seal, the sour scent of wine rose up.

Though not premium articles, it was wine obtainable in large quantities because it had a decent taste and was cheap. While it felt lacking to serve at a banquet, when quantity rather than quality was needed like right now, it was perfect.

"Mmm feels good."

Wine trickling down beautiful bodies here and there. The scent vibrating all over the bathhouse made them feel drunk just from breathing.

"But this is a bit of a waste... With these, we could drink until our stomachs burst for months."

"Why? This is nice too... It feels like becoming a noble lady... When else would we show off such luxury if not now?"

Extending her long legs, the female warrior smiled radiantly at the red drops falling down the tips of her toes.

Thump!

The sound of opening new barrels was heard everywhere.

"If it's wine, we already have plenty of good ones in our castle... Drink to your heart's content once we return."

"Warm yourselves thoroughly in the warm public bath too."

Cassandra's female warriors spoke smilingly.

"Does the castle really move around and stuff like that?"

"I heard it traversed sliding across the Samur Desert and crushed the slavers."

Having operated in the Appen Peninsula for a long time after leaving Roman, the survivors were rather dark on information.

"It looks like a ship, but it's not like it can sail... The whole thing is a lump of stone."

"Rather than moving, it's more like disappearing and reappearing, maybe? If you're inside the castle, the world changes in the blink of an eye... Try seeing it yourself... Because it's a place utterly impossible to explain with words. Ah! I want to return already."

Amidst a mercenary life wandering the continent, they were people who didn't place value on the act of 'returning'. Because it was merely a change of lodging, after all.

However, after settling down in the Moving Castle, everything changed. A place to return to, a place to decorate with one's own spoils; who knew having such things would grant such immense fulfillment.

"If Bugbears or Trolls see us right now, they would rush at us like they were in heat. Right?"

The girls marinated in wine giggled and exchanged jokes.

Livestock farmers castrate boars or bulls when young to obtain tender meat.

Similarly, even when eating people, monsters vastly preferred females over males. Because males are hairy, their meat is tough, and they smell gamey.

If it were women drenched soaked in alcohol like right now, all monsters would rush in with their eyes completely overturned.

'It seems everyone has recovered their spirits.'

Pouring wine for the young girl in front of her, Cassandra fell into thought.

Hearing the report, there were 3 casualties, but if they had contained it to this extent in such an incident, heavenly luck had followed them.

'If that person wasn't there...'

The compatriots currently bathing in wine would have been dead. She and her rangers would have likely been aboard the slave ship as well.

Hearing of that tragedy, Chieftain Allesa would have wailed.

"Princess?"

While lost in thought, the tilting of the barrel stopped, cutting off the wine. The youthful face in the middle of washing her face looked up cutely.

"Ah, sorry."

Splash.

The young girl receiving the wine with closed eyes. She wasn't an adult yet, but she possessed a trained body sufficiently worthy of a passing grade as a warrior.

Though not engaged in direct combat, young boys and girls accompanying the army as auxiliary troops were plentiful in the tribe. Even if it seemed like a culture bound to disappear soon since the Lord was highly negative towards boy soldiers.

"Call me by my name... Since I left the royal court."

"Yes. Cassandra."

The prophecy hadn't even arrived in earnest yet, but the family had faced crises several times. Perhaps each and every one of these incidents were fragments composing their ruin.

Cassandra desperately felt the need for a powerful strength. The protection of an existence like a bedrock capable of weathering any wind and waves in the world.

'Is this why humans build castles?'

As a descendant of nomads and a proud wandering warrior, Cassandra used to mock settled folks. But now, she could no longer do so.

Those who finished their wine baths rinsed off with the gathered well water. The stickiness disappeared cleanly, and the vibrating aroma exuded from their hair and skin everywhere.

"Snnnff! Ah, the smell is really nice."

"Don't cling to me. You bitch. Gives me goosebumps."

"Why!"

While they were tying and braiding each other's hair, a messenger sent by Eugene arrived.

"The Lord has commanded those rescued to take a sunbath and a nap."

"We aren't in that bad of a condition though?"

"He said being isolated underground for a long time could inflict spiritual illness."

"It's not like we're kids. We aren't that weak."

At Cassandra's words, the surviving women who were washing also nodded their heads. For warriors who had undergone harsh training, this much was a trial they could shake off with a bath and a warm meal.

"The Lord asked me to convey that he also thinks so... However, he said if you do not see sunlight for a long time, side effects occur on the body independent of mental strength."

Eugene judged that the lack of serotonin would be significant as an aftereffect of being trapped in darkness for a long time.

"He asked that you trust him and follow the instruction, as he harbors absolutely no intention to insult you."

"If he comes out like that, there is nothing we can say."

Cassandra sighed.

The Lord possessed an astounding degree of knowledge regarding physical training, first aid, and survivalism.

Even compared to the knowledge the Blackhand Family inherited and improved from their ancestors, it was by no means inferior. If he judged sunbathing was necessary, it must truly be necessary.

"Currently, places to lie down are being prepared in the manor. Once everyone finishes washing, you may rest taking a sunbath there... The return to the castle is said to be tomorrow after morning meals."

Nodding, Cassandra felt a somewhat disturbing sensation.

The Lord's heart taking care of this and that was undeniably something to be grateful for. However, the more she got accustomed to it, the more she also felt like she was gradually sinking into a swamp.

Should she call it a feeling of having something overlaid on top of the nomad identity they had protected for a long time until now?

However, she didn't feel the desire to resist it. Surely, the family was growing massively compared to before, both in quality and standard of living.

Above all, she didn't dislike the sensation of a mighty existence protecting them.

It might be a feeble thought unsuitable for a warrior group that proudly faced the rough world.

There were some who harbored discontent because of that as well. Those who took the lead in shouting opposition when Eugene tried to fix overly harsh elements among the family's traditions.

- Weakness is permeating the family!

- But haven't we become stronger than before? If the us of the past fought the us of now, I think the us of now would just win.

- ...

However, the voices of such traditionalists completely failed to exert any power.

Because Eugene didn't merely provide a place to settle down, but also gifted better supplies, equipment, nutrition, tactics, and training techniques.

* * *

At the location where the leadership gathered, a map of the peninsula was unfurled.

"Did you know the Count of Sicily was excommunicated unanimously at the Apostle State council?"

The captain of the survivors pointed a finger at the large island south of the peninsula.

It's an island in name, but it's a massive piece of land putting decent minor kingdoms to shame. A key transportation hub connecting Samur, the continent, the peninsula, and foreign lands across the ocean.

As the name entails, the Count of Sicily is the representative noble ruling the largest and richest territory.

"I heard he lent a hand to a massive invasion by pirates this time... Apparently receiving bribes and passing information was the baseline, and he even took charge of trading weapons and fenced goods."

Even as the same trade hub, unlike the Appen Peninsula where the headquarters of religious orders are located, it is a place isolated as an island. Because of that, Sicilyn nobles are ones who will join hands with anyone and walk the tightrope as long as it's profitable.

"Is there solid evidence?"

At Eugene's question, Rex smiled and shook his head.

"Would evidence be important? Even without it, the Apostle State had continuously been sharpening its blade against Sicily stealthily associating with pirates... Since monsters even ran rampant on top of that, it's like they caught a pretext."

"It is just as the Vice-Chieftain said... The Apostle State declared a holy war stating the Count of Sicily colluded not only with pirates but also with heathens."

Suddenly turned into a heathen worshipper, the Count of Sicily protested saying it made no sense, but it didn't work at all.

And seizing this opportunity, countless factions aiming for success and wealth were swarming like jackals to intervene in their own ways.

"The factions confirmed to participate are roughly this many."

Having stayed in this region for a long time, the captain of the survivors was thoroughly clued in on the surrounding circumstances.

Depending on the size of the military force, dark fingers placed copper, silver, and gold coins instead of flags.

"The Apostle State will certainly desire your participation as top priority, Lord."

"Isn't that an overly generous evaluation? Those leading an army my size should be common."

"Absolutely not. The moment you enter their territory, they will immediately send an envoy... I can even bet my title on it."

The captain declared thumping his chest with his fist. He seemed quite certain.

Understandably so, given he was a knight currently making a name for himself, and the army he led was the continent's finest elites.

Above all, there was even a track record of having repeatedly defeated heathen mages and champions of evil gods.

From the Apostle State's perspective, there could be no better choice to designate as the vanguard and icon of the holy war.

"What will you do?"

Everyone's gazes gathered on Eugene.

From a certain point, it was a sensation that came naturally to Eugene. This sensation where the destination and fate of countless family members were decided by his single choice.

Heavy, but a life as a sovereign that instilled just as much pride as its weight.

And Eugene intuitively sensed that the current situation was a perfect time to reel in a proper huge catch in various ways.

His finger placed the signet ring of the Meyer Family on one spot of the map.

"Since we do not need to procure ships, we will be more comfortable than the others."

The ring placed atop the wealthiest port city of Sicily Island. At that sight, everyone present erupted in grand cheers.

* * *

The subordinates were screaming happily adding what came from looting the entire manor on top of the spoils obtained thus far.

Meanwhile, Eugene stared at the lump placed on the table as if fascinated.

"What is this?"

Its shape looked similar to a heart, mixing green and brown, and its texture was also closer to a plant.

"Heart of the forest... A crystallized entity harbored by the forest spirit you struck down."

"Is it like the magic stone that was inside the Wendigo's body?"

"No, it is much more precious than that... Come closer here..."

Eugene brought his face close to the heart following the guidance of Valda's touch. Valda lightly tapped the heart while reciting a simple chant.

Thump thump!

The heart of the forest pulsated and emanated the scent of mystery. It touched upon Eugene's face refreshingly.

"It can be called the crystallisation of mystery accumulated while existing as a forest spirit... The difference from a magic stone is that it is like a living herb and can be consumed... Then, you can absorb that mystery into your body."

"Oh! It is a sort of internal core (Neidan)."

"Internal core?"

As if hearing it for the first time, Valda tilted her head.

"It refers to something like restorative medicine."

"Restorative medicine has its limits too, this is something you cannot buy even giving a thousand pieces of gold."

"What efficacy does one see upon eating this? Like achieving eternal youth and immortality?"

"Nonsense... It is merely a legend spread by braggarts of eternal youth and immortality... Weren't there no grand nobles or kings who actually enjoyed eternal life after eating it?"

"That is true too."

Those who crave immortality more than anyone are those in power. That there have been no historically immortal kings would be the most definite proof.

"What the heart of the forest bestows is the power of the wild... Do you remember Ninloth's bodily movements?"

"Simple and instinctive movements, but refined to the extreme."

Because she was surrounded by Eugene and his army, Ninloth was on the defensive from start to finish.

However, she exuded the momentum of a beast ready to pounce at any time to slit the enemy's throat and rip open their stomach.

That was the reason Eugene avoided a head-on clash and dealt with her by planting surprise attacks one by one into the openings created by his subordinates' attacks.

"That wasn't learned or trained through effort... It merely internalized their wildness naturally while observing beasts over a long period of time."

Valda picked up the heart of the forest and placed it on Eugene's hand. Doing so, thoughts of all sorts of predators transmitted from the pulsating heart were felt.

A bear's front paw snatching a salmon jumping up against the current.

The beak peck of a ptarmigan furious at a rival appearing to steal its females.

A praying mantis snatching a grasshopper with hands like two scythes.

A mongoose dodging the fangs of a venomous snake with momentary reflexes.

A secretarybird ruthlessly stepping on and killing a snake's head.

Countless struggles that continued a life of survival of the fittest in nature were condensed into a single lump.

A beast awakens its combat techniques on its own through a few failures without anyone teaching or correcting it. Because the techniques forged over tens of thousands of years are inherited through their DNA.

"Are you saying if one absorbs this, they can inherit that legacy?"

"It is an impossible feat for the vast majority of people... Just as beasts cannot understand human language, the wisdom of the wild cannot be accepted by a person."

"Then it's useless... Well, probably not."

Eugene and Valda's gazes gathered on Homi, who was standing by attendance nearby.

"???"

To the snow leopard girl pointing at herself with a 'Me?' face, Valda smiled warmly.

The golden gaze looking at Homi was full of affection.

"Homi... Your long-held wish lies here... Did you not always desire to be able to fight side-by-side beside the Lord? However, because you did not receive knight training, there were limits to that."

Homi nodded with a serious face.

While learning horseback archery unblocked her breathless frustration somewhat, close combat was still too much.

How envious was she watching Hind fight alongside the Lord in the tournament in Gord?

It was the same during the battle with Ninloth too. When other knights fought alongside the Lord, since her arrows were sealed, she had to anxiously stamp her feet from behind.

"But now that too will become a thing of the past... The heart of the forest shall cause you to be reborn as a true warrior... The choice is yours."

Did the heart of the forest also notice Homi's existence? Radiating mystery passionate beyond compare from when Eugene touched it, it seduced Homi.

Now that the forest spirit disappeared, the precious memories of nature contained inside would also evaporate given time.

It desired to reside within the powerful and pure child of nature appearing before its eyes to continue its lineage.

Gulp.

Homi also swallowed her saliva before the grand mystery of nature pulsating before her eyes.

Because she realized instinctively what the heart of the forest could bestow upon her.

It was her wish.

The power of struggle to confidently fight back regardless of what strong enemy she encountered.

At the same time, it was the right permitting her to be together by the side of the Lord she revered until each other's final moments.