Chapter 146

Chapter 146 - A Monster Among Hungry Wolves (3)

"Sir Knight, you have driven out the pirates and the forest spirit, saving many lives. You have already made a great contribution to spreading God's will upon this land. Do you have any plans going forward?"

At the priests' question, Eugene thumped his chest with his fist.

"Of what use is a knight resting his body comfortably? Even if the pests are eliminated, if the rotting puddle is not filled, the pests will swarm once again."

"Those are perfectly reasonable words."

At the desired answer, the priests nodded satisfactorily.

"Though my strength is meager, I wish to participate in the expedition to Sicily."

"We will gladly accept your sword, Sir."

Right now, Sicily is a promised land of opportunity. It's not for nothing that mercenary captains are rushing in with bloodshot eyes.

When the triad of skill, preparation, and luck mesh together, the stage is set for a lowly person to rise as a noble.

Among all those who brought their armies to New Canaan, Eugene possessed those three things at the highest level.

"The reason we arranged this meeting today is to promise a few things to you. Your chivalry is beyond doubt. However, something to reassure your subordinates would be necessary."

Hearing the reward proposed by the Apostle State, Eugene hid his joy and nodded his head.

Since they called only him to a secret room excluding everyone else, he knew they intended to give a large compensation, but it was beyond imagination.

"But Brothers. Will there not be a backlash from the other leaders who joined the holy war? Their expectations must be high as well."

Priest Benedict asked. He was a naive person who always stayed with the masses, dedicating himself to service, and thus was uninformed of how the world turned.

"There is no need to worry about that. Sir Eugene here is the one leading the most powerful army among those who resolved to participate."

"They aren't people to shut their mouths just because of that, are they?"

The gathered commanders each exercise command individually.

They are not ones to follow obediently just because an army is slightly stronger. Because they are the ones who came all the way here possessing strength, ambition, and ferocity altogether.

However, none of the priests worried.

"Oh! They will shut їх mouths alright. Because Sir Eugene isn't someone who merely drives an army around."

"What does that...?"

Patting the bewildered Benedict, everyone looked at Eugene. The face of an aged ascetic vanished, and eyes sparkled like a boy full of curiosity.

"Currently, a fleet is being prepared to cross the Strait of Messina."

It is the narrow strait between the Appen Peninsula, where the Apostle State is based, and the island of Sicily.

"However, you have no intention of using ships, do you?"

"Of course. I will cross the sea on my own. In fact, it seems I won't have any need to board a ship going forward."

"Hahahaha!"

Naturally, the Apostle State grasped that Eugene was the Lord of the Moving Castle.

The most outstanding knight.

The strongest army.

The last and greatest legacy of the ancient kingdom.

The backing of the Apostle State.

The man before their eyes is a noble possessing all four qualifications. It doesn't matter if noise arises regarding the compensation issue.

A mercenary captain or a noble capable of stubbornly raising their head before this mighty authority? They didn't exist on the participation roster for this holy war.

"The landing will proceed smoothly. Nobles who have already joined hands with us also exist in Sicily."

Naturally, the Count of Sicily doesn't rule the massive island entirely alone. Vassals exist under him, and there are several families coexisting outright as hostile relations.

Some among them were bribed and declared neutrality, and some planned to outright stand on the side of the expeditionary force and fight.

Of course, since the Count of Sicily also has latent capability, a battle will definitely be waged.

"The magical castle from legends descends upon Sicily, and an army for a holy war will disembark in droves. The enemies' morale will come crashing down."

"The gods show their will to the world in diverse forms. However, I think there has never been a time it was as clear as this time."

The high priests felt destiny in this holy war.

* * *

"Naturally, they must have internally decided to some extent who to bestow rewards upon. I didn't know you would be top priority though."

Marbas said to the returning Eugene.

"It was unexpected for me as well. Given nobles they typically maintained close terms with, and mercenary corps that listened well and handled dirty work for them would all be intertwined in this."

"Well, you are a truly attractive option. Even excluding my personal bias."

Eugene had won overwhelmingly in duels, tournaments, and various subjugation battles. His capabilities as a knight or a commander were sufficiently verified.

However, knights like this usually belonged to a family with a large background or were closely intertwined with influential nobles. Through vassal contracts or marriage alliances.

But Eugene practically had no such intertwined interests.

"To think they would even know that the vassal contract with the Morad Family doesn't have a conscription obligation."

"It's not exactly surprising. The religious order the Morad Family believes in is also a member here."

"Ah! Since they are such a devout family, the information could have been transmitted."

"Right. They probably investigated whether you and Duke Roxanne had an arranged marriage or not the most diligently."

Having fewer relationships with noble families meant he could cultivate close cooperative relationships with the religious orders just as much.

Of course, while one might know the depths of many waters, one cannot know the depths of a human heart. After becoming a lord, relations with the religious orders could become estranged.

"Diligently going around beating up monsters all this time seems to have hit the spot perfectly for the Apostle State's tastes."

"Dedicating yourself to the war against evil rather than the war against humans is being rewarded in this manner."

Yet anyway, if they must trust and invest in someone, betting on a knight who had punished countless monsters and wicked men is better.

"What more needs to be said regarding your qualifications?"

Valda, who had been listening, grabbed Eugene's wrist with a flushed face.

"I am curious what the religious orders promised."

"Try guessing."

"They will definitely drag down the Count of Sicily. Only then can they distribute rewards to those who participated."

As Eugene nodded, Valda's ears pricked up. Their twitching back and forth seemed to show she was extremely excited.

"Are they perhaps trying to have you succeed the position of Count?"

"That's not it. It's true they view me favorably, but that is far too excessive a reward."

"As expected, is that so."

Eugene massaged the shoulders of the dejected Valda.

"What I was promised is a Viscounty."

"Mmm."

Valda did not beam with joy. Because the position of a Viscount has a peculiar standing.

The title system used across the continent inevitably receives influences from the ancient kingdom. If they claim to be a completely distinct dynasty, they would be treated as a bloodline lacking roots.

Thus, the five-rank noble title system used by the ancient kingdom spread far and wide and was used concurrently across the continent.

Among them, the most heterogeneous is the Viscounty. Its meaning changed depending on where and who bestowed it.

It often refers to a warlord possessing power between a Baron and a Count, but it also means a proxy during the Count's absence. The latter is a showy apricot with not a single territory.

"If we win this holy war, the territory of the Count of Sicily will become a Bishopric territory."

"That is a good thing."

Marbas, who was friendly towards the masses, rejoiced.

The Apostle State's Bishopric territories are assigned to a high priest elected through priests' votes for a fixed term.

As only those whose competence, diligence, and character have been verified go there, much more benevolent rule than under noble lords took place.

"..."

"Isn't it a title that has already left this friend's grasp? Stop glaring at me, it's scary."

Marbas felt awkward at the Elven lady's cold glare. She seemed quite regretful that Eugene missed out on the Count title.

"I will receive several port cities and a Viscounty as the official regent of the Sicilyn territory."

Since the priest serving as the Bishop-Count serves a fixed term, a means to prevent chaos during the replacement period was needed. Namely, the assistance of a powerful noble who is close to the religious orders and is stably hereditary.

"Which ones if they are port cities?"

With her golden eyes sparkling, Valda unfolded a map on the table.

"Is it perhaps the Port of Messina?"

Her delicate finger pointed at the port city in the northeastern part of Sicily.

It is a military and trade hub, as well as the premier base capable of reaching anywhere in the Mediterranean. It was also the starting point for pilgrimage routes to both New Canaan on the peninsula and the holy land in the East.

"Valda. I don't engage in losing trades."

Eugene's left hand was placed on Palermo, the port city in the northwestern part of Sicily. It is a trade hub connecting to Roman to the north and Samur to the west.

His right hand was placed on Catania, the port city in the southeastern volcanic region. Thanks to the fertile soil and special minerals coming from the volcano, its value as a production site is also tremendous.

"I took Messina and threw in Palermo and Catania on top."

"Oh my!"

Valda's beautiful face was filled with sheer delight. She shook her shoulders back and forth, not knowing what to do.

'She seems happier than when I gifted her the Moving Castle's magical workshop.'

Her wildly flapping ears and golden hair scattering everywhere were radiant. Eugene saw her rejoicing this much for the first time.

"With those three cities, it is the same as taking the heart of Sicily!"

In fact, calling it the heart was insufficient. Because they handed over all three of the most highly valued cities in Sicily.

"It seems they liked me much more than expected."

"Isn't it natural? Look at the mercenary corps or nobles who arrived claiming to participate in the holy war right now. There is no one who has always stood at the forefront in the fight against evil like you."

Actually, after the secret meeting concluded, the priests inquired in detail about the forest spirit, the gnoll chieftain, and the Lamia Queen Eugene had faced.

The current situation where a spiritual high tide is sweeping across the world. The Apostle State is the ones showing the greatest vigilance at the omens of evil god champions appearing one by one.

"It seems they fully intend to forge you as their sword."

"Yes. The cities they will give me are not merely rewards of the holy war."

Eugene recalled the words the priests said before parting.

- We have no intention of interfering with your rights to exercise as a noble, Sir. However, please know that winter is approaching our world. Monsters are hiding within that blizzard. Someone must light a fire to drive away the cold and lift a sword to confront the monsters.

"It also holds the meaning of using them as logistics bases to supply manpower and materials in the battles I will fight hereafter."

Of course, Eugene has no intention of blindly taking on the role of a warrior of justice. He will merely judge based on practical benefits at any given time.

Regardless, for Eugene who possessed the Moving Castle, it was a perfect condition. Because it is much more efficient to command a small number of core cities rather than broad territory as an area.

"But doesn't all this assume the expedition is successful? Even if Sicily is an island of full-bellied pigs."

Marbas asked while stroking his beard. Not only was it an island with tradition and history, but they also had to carry out a landing operation, even if it was a narrow strait.

"The odds of winning seem sufficient. The Apostle State had been sharpening their blades for Sicily for a long time. This incident merely acted as a trigger."

The ones taking charge of the main body in the invasion are the Temple Knights, symbolizing the martial force of the religious orders.

If the Hospitaller Knights of Roman focus on public service, the Temple Knights are the opposite. A mighty knight order taking the destruction of the enemies of faith as their sole profession.

It was the driving force behind the Apostle State's confidence to control the numerous mercenary corps and nobles they dragged in.

Eugene also reinforced his combat power. It's a high-stakes gamble that absolutely must not fail. If he succeeds, hereafter he will be able to maintain his size with fixed income alone and have leftovers.

'May glory and fortune be with you, Lord. Our warriors who departed by ship will arrive soon.'

This was the content of the letter sent by Chieftain Allesa.

She and the elders unanimously organized reinforcements. Once they arrive, a troop the size of a thousand-man regiment composed of Dark Elves will be completed.

It was time to slowly consolidate the tribesmen spread across the continent into one place. Even the opposing faction that held out until the end finally admitted they were wrong and joined.

- They scolded me asking why I called them only now. Lord. Hundreds of steel hammers are coming here. Any castle in Sicily will be flattened flat before them.

The headquarters of the Hammer Brotherhood, who had consistently received reports of Eugene's momentum through Rampage, also participated. The elites they sent were marching traversing the Appen Peninsula to join.

Just looking at the military forces, Eugene's army, not the Temple Knights, practically had to be seen as the main force.

* * *

Being a large-scale war, it didn't commence immediately. Throughout the summer, warriors and merchants gathered endlessly, and massive fleets arrived from across the sea.

The Apostle State provided entertainment to boost the morale of those waiting, one of which was execution ceremonies.

"String them up!"

Loudly ringing bells and the roars of the masses. Before them stand the pirates stringed up with ropes around their necks. They are the prisoners Eugene captured and presented.

Thwack!

As a Temple Knight kicked a pirate's ass with his foot, necks were hung one after another.

"Waaaaaa!"

"Booooooooo!"

Cheers and boos poured over the bodies dancing wildly in the empty air. Though the tones differed, the contained emotions were identical. Amusement and mockery.

"The gods in heaven shall forgive your sins. Break from your stained past now and rise as their swords."

Mercenaries lined up kneeling and folding both hands before a massive cross. Holy water was poured over their dirty heads.

Priests dispatched from each religious order are bestowing blessings upon the mercenaries joining the holy war.

Though mercenaries are bloodless and tearless before money, they couldn't help but also harbor fear equally regarding the sins they committed. The Apostle State were experts in kneading that and leading them to the battlefield.

"God wills it."

At the priest's final words finishing the blessing, the mercenaries stood up.

An indescribable sense of fulfillment was slipping into the eyes of mercenaries that had only been filled with greed.

"God wills it!"

The mercenaries raised their fists shouting roars.

Of course, the atmosphere wasn't solely harmonious. The mercenary captains and nobles gathered here are each potential competitors.

Sparking glares against each other over limited spoils is the same everywhere, but this time it was particularly severe.

Going beyond a jackpot, an opportunity to reign as a noble lord. This isn't something possible simply by having ability. It was only possible if the timing bestowed by heaven aligned right.

Naturally, trouble arose among those waiting. Once the landing operation begins, charges of military indiscipline will apply from then on, so if they wanted to engage in a war of nerves, now was the only time.

Unable to blindly suppress this, the Apostle State hosted martial arts tournaments or arranged venues for sparring to simultaneously boost morale.

"Who cares what name you made in a backwater like the Bonyard? Something like that doesn't work here in the holy peninsula."

"Where did your master go? Tell him I, Kalintz, have come to see his skills!"

Naturally, Eugene received the most checks and challenges.

It was to the point of reviving memories from the past when he was invited as a grand warrior and stayed at the manor in the Bonyard.

"These bastards..."

Eugene coped reasonably smoothly and flexibly, but eventually, his irritation couldn't help but explode.

"It's a duel! If you too are a knight, confront me proudly!"

Because he was interrupted even when he made time amidst being busy with combat preparations to take Valda, Homi, and Cassandra out to buy gifts.

A splendidly dressed noble knight blocked Eugene's path.

A substantial number of second or third sons who couldn't inherit their families also participated in this expedition. They received some troop support from their families or completely set out independently to found something akin to a mercenary corps.

"If you need a weapon, I will lend you one. Do not even think of running away."

Seeing Eugene unarmed, the knight quickly shouted. Because he knew very well how Eugene had slipped away making various excuses until now.

'This won't do anymore.'

Eugene, who had been trying to let it slide nicely, sighed.

"Fine. I accept that challenge."

"Finally!"

"However, no need to lend me a weapon. Since I hate using someone else's that I'm not accustomed to."

"Then how do you intend to fight? The trick of returning to your lodgings and just locking the door won't work!"

'This guy researched me thoroughly.'

Clicking his tongue, Eugene gently grasped both of Homi's shoulders.

"My weapon is already right here, you see."

"What?"

The knight looked at Homi in front of him as if asking what he was talking about.

A beautiful girl with a youthful face compared to her tall height is looking at him with an expressionless face.

'Wh-what is this...?'

The knight, who had been focused solely on Eugene until just now, suddenly felt chills wrapping around his whole body.

Cr-crack.

Crack.

Watching Homi loosen her fists, he felt an imposing pressure akin to being surrounded by hundreds of beasts in the dead center of a mountain at night.