Chapter 155

Chapter 155 - A Millennium Plan (4)

Rex and Cassandra possess brilliant brains. They quickly realized what the nomadic empire Eugene mentioned alluded to.

Had someone else said this, they would have likely sneered. Because they are a warrior clan famous for having repelled any threat faced until now.

However, if the person speaking is Eugene, it couldn't be brushed off lightly. Because whether as a monarch or a mage, he is a man with deeper inner intentions than anyone they knew.

"Could it be a prophecy?"

Cassandra asked.

One who wields a mystery transcending human cognition called the Moving Castle. In that case, he might be able to see special things.

"I lack the talent for prophecy. This is merely a prediction. However, a prediction infinitely close to destiny. One that an ethnicity possessing a nomadic identity will inevitably face someday."

"Since you are not the kind of person to tell such stories as a joke, you must have something you are certain of."

As the minor chief of the clan, Rex accepted it seriously. Recalling one by one the relationships the family had formed from the past until now, he pondered what could threaten them.

"Rex. It's a matter of a very distant future. It's unrelated to the history or grudges you are thinking of right now."

Eugene laughed and waved his hand.

"Fortunately, there is exceedingly much time to prepare. Right now is a world ruled by swords, magic, and warhorses, and it will take tremendously long for this to end. Besides, the development of technology here is bound to be slow."

The Blackhand Tribe's way of life will continue to be valid for a long time going forward as well.

Merely that they must not continue resting on their laurels with this method for 1,000 or 2,000 years. It was sufficient if he could just firmly implant that.

Since the remaining time is overflowingly sufficient, setting up the direction well should be enough.

* * *

After seizing Catania City, Eugene observed the island's situation. Inviting merchants traveling back and forth to various places and listening to their stories, news of the Apostle State arrived.

"They captured Connell Castle?"

"Yes. A portion of the bribed vassals persuaded the Countess to surrender. Ah, perhaps it's former Countess now?"

"Indeed, the remaining troops and food are but a handful, yet her husband is captured and her son-in-law died in battle, so it must be bleak."

"That is so. With only herself and her daughter, what could she possibly choose? Completely terrified, she would likely try to at least preserve her life. The Apostle State are experts at coaxing such individuals."

The island's main force suffered a major defeat and the former Count's family, which was the central figure, vanished.

However, Lords who escaped, or Lords in charge of rear support or reconnaissance remained survived. Families who refused summons making excuses, or neutral factions were also going strong.

Thanks to that, Sicily island encountered a situation similar to the holy land of the East in the past. Under the name of a holy war, it became an arena of competition for wild dogs coveting wealth and territory who invaded.

"It's chaotic everywhere, yet the cities the Lord protects are this peaceful; it is truly the gods' blessing."

Equipped with sufficient financial power and supplies, Eugene led a loyal army and occupied the cities. All subordinates unanimously focused on minimizing conflicts.

However, the circumstances were different for the mercenary captains and nobles who participated in the expedition out of greed to become a Lord.

"I heard the newly appointed Lords are already raising toll taxes. If they try to squeeze like this, the backlash will be severe. Because even though they won, it's still a situation practically no different from enemy territory."

"Don't you know it can't be helped? Because the Sicilyn nobles from the front, creditors from behind, and subordinates from below will come striking up."

Mercenary captains and nobles gathered up troops and supplies to their very souls and crossed the sea.

Naturally, even after winning, they have no choice but to be nervous every day as if walking on thin ice. Repaying debts, and soothing unmanageable subordinates while trying to expand their size.

Naturally, they have no choice but to bump into major resistance from all sides. Among them were also individuals requesting salvation from Eugene.

"Please help me!"

"Why should I?"

Eugene, who was taking a walk in the Catania Lord's Manor garden with Homi, looked at the envoy with a quizzical face.

"Are you not a friend who swore for each other's success prior to sortying, and a comrade-in-arms who traversed the battlefield together? By that friendship, I beseech..."

"Huh?"

Eugene hurriedly traced his memories.

The noble requesting help only exchanged greetings exactly once at the banquet prior to sortying. When someone proposed a toast and everyone tilted their glasses together, he seemed to have been nearby or something.

"Is emptying a single glass a slightly removed distance apart something to the extent of being called sworn friends? We haven't even shared a handshake once."

In the case of the battle, that noble was organized in the rear reserve force and then went to support the right wing. He likely didn't even encounter Eugene's army.

"Led by the gods, we participated together in a righteous holy war. Isn't that alone already being friends, and also comrades-in-arms?"

"Exaggeration should have its limits. I thought I caught amnesia or something."

Eugene is someone who has distinguished and managed the nobles he needed to pay attention to. Thinking perhaps there was someone he missed, but he felt drained.

"I beseech of you, Sir Eugene! Without your help... Heuk!"

The envoy attempting to appeal to compassion took a sharp breath inward. The Snow Leopard beastman lady was glaring at him coldly.

"Not Sir but Your Excellency."

What was more surprising was the point that her voice was far too beautiful. To an extent one couldn't imagine it originated from vocal cords comprised of meat and mucous membranes.

Would the timbre passing through the spout of a water pitcher a goddess carried on her shoulder be like this?

However, that terribly distorted the moment Homi tried to add a single following word.

"Now... Your Excellency... I said..."

Perhaps the single word permitted to her wasn't enough, trying to forcefully speak more applied the brakes. Human language vanished and a beast's growl intruded.

Homi resentfully gripped her neck which wouldn't follow her will. At the tips of those elegant fingers, sharp nails protruded long in vexation.

"Stop."

Eugene affectionately embraced Homi from behind.

"I am joyous you mind it for me, but it's a precious single word permitted once a day. Is it okay to needlessly waste it like this?"

"..."

Homi, trying to say something, hurriedly clamped her mouth shut as a beast's breath leaked out onto Eugene's face.

Instead, she rubbed her cheek against her Lord's cheek with a sad face. Her long and voluminous tail, standing on tiptoes, climbed up Eugene's chest and wrapped around his neck.

"Go back now. Before you make me any more displeased than this."

Awed by Eugene's beast-like gaze, the envoy deeply bowed his head and retreated as if fleeing.

* * *

When not much of autumn was left, Eugene led his army and departed Catania City.

Messina City surrendered first of all, and it's a core stronghold where the peninsula's religious orders endlessly travel back and forth to the island. It maintained stability without Eugene making any particular touches.

Since seizing control of the most chaotic Catania was also completed, all that's left was Palermo. Although they politely expressed their intention to surrender, Eugene needed to visit once.

As he was heading from an eastern city to a northwestern city, the journey was practically no different from crossing the island.

"My Master has relayed his greetings of welcome. He said he has wanted to host you by all means since before, so would you please visit?"

The nobles of territories passed through intermittently vied with each other to invite Eugene. Because he circulated a letter like the following to all the island's nobles.

'I have no greed aside from the three cities bestowed by the gods. Since the judgment of the former Count who habitually committed evil acts has also concluded, my mission is fulfilled. I merely wish to peacefully govern the places given.'

The renowned reputation Eugene had built until now. Waging the Hall of Valor war on the side of the weak, and subjugating countless evil people and monsters bestowed strong reliability to this letter.

While there were many nobles who still viewed him suspiciously, it reached a level possible to say 'let's invite him once and share a conversation at least'.

"I gladly accept."

And Eugene handed over precious gifts to every family he visited.

"Is this the famous composite bow of the Blackhand Tribe!"

To nobles possessing a liking for hunting, a Dark Elf-made magical archery bow.

"I, if I really consume this..."

A middle-aged noble who briefly checked his surroundings whispered with a hand placed around his mouth.

"Will it stand?"

"It's medicine personally prepared by the Sage of the Emerald Forest. It's popular even among the castle's residents. I will guarantee the effects."

"Ooh! To think it's something made by Valda!"

The middle-aged noble firmly grabbed Eugene's hands with a deeply moved face. Speaking of the Sage of the Emerald Forest, she was a noble mage even kings of nations yearned to meet and see once.

"I heard you are taking a new wife soon. How about this as a wedding gift?"

"I, is this monster leather?"

A bag for noble ladies tremendously luxurious even at a glance. The young Lord's eyes grew wide.

"It's a bag made from Lamia snake leather. A Dark Elf weaver undertook the tanning and tailoring, and a Dwarf artisan engraved the buckles, decorations, and patterns."

"My goodness! It's not an item that can be bought even paying money!"

The materials are one thing, but it's a masterpiece created collaboratively by those possessing the greatest skills in their respective fields.

"How did those two work in one place?"

"They constantly bicker, but well, somehow or another."

It was a collaborative craft item that could only emerge because they were under Eugene's command.

"When on earth did you investigate all such things?"

Marbas who was accompanying was also dumbfounded by that gift offensive.

Grasping all the families on the travel route and preparing gifts the family heads would find likeable. This is something impossible to do unless one is a fairly delicate Lord.

"While stabilizing Catania City, I met merchants every single day. The ones who came from the south, the ones who came from the west, and the ones acting as sutlers in the civil war regions without exception."

Merchants strutting everywhere around the island are also the greatest intelligence merchants. And information in this era is weapons and money. Even trifling things aren't taught heedlessly. However, if the one asking was Eugene, the circumstances differed.

Isn't he the strongest faction on Sicily island currently, and the ruler of major port cities? Everyone enthusiastically spat out information trying to catch his eye even one more time.

Though it wasn't that only peaceful journeys necessarily continued.

"There is a mercenary corps blocking the bridge up ahead. Their numbers are around 200."

A specialty of lands plunged into chaos after a major battle ends. Mercenaries collecting toll taxes. Depending on the situation, they could turn into robber bands at any given moment.

Naturally, if they are of sound mind, there wouldn't be things like demanding a toll tax from Eugene's army.

In actuality, upon his army arriving in front of the bridge, the mercenary corps was already fleeing far away. It seems they are afraid of even catching his eye at all.

"A small-scale battle is occurring up ahead."

Sometimes they also passed by skirmish scenes between factions crossing over from the Appen Peninsula and island indigenous factions.

"Cease fire!"

"Everyone step back!"

The moment both factions saw Eugene's flag, they stopped fighting and read the room.

Usually, in such situations, the army appearing later taking a detour on their own is the unwritten rule. However, if the difference in power is this severe, they don't have to keep such rules.

An army of roughly 300 combining both sides would get trampled like rotten straw bales if Eugene's army struck.

"..."

"..."

The bosses of both sides felt intimidated viewing an army where even the low-ranking soldiers draped on better equipment than themselves.

Traversing the island, Eugene intended to engrave everywhere how incredible his military force was. So that idiots attempting to pull tricks on his cities wouldn't appear.

Daring to arrogantly penetrate through the middle of someone else's battlefield right now was also a part of that.

"Do you have no thoughts of mediating?"

"Not at all. Since meddling in others' fights will only give me a headache."

But exactly up to there. He had no intention of expanding matters deviating from the originally set objective.

Having taken over Palermo like that, Eugene came to fully place the cities given as his share into his hands.

* * *

Requests such as 'Here and there are easy pickings, shall we strike together?' flew in endlessly from the nobles who participated in the expedition.

"It reminds me of the days staying in the Bonyard in the past. At that time too, they sent letters from everywhere trying to catch monsters at cheap prices."

"Still, aren't they much more polite than back then?"

Valda is knitting on a sofa slightly removed. It's a scarf to wrap around Eugene's neck for the approaching winter.

Sway-sway.

The scrunchie attached to the tip of Homi's swaying tail was also Valda's handiwork.

"Yes. Back then the contents were something like if I fight for them they would make me a vassal or whatever, but this time it's the opposite. Saying they will dedicate their loyalty so please help them."

"Heh."

Beside Eugene classifying letters together, Homi laughed as if feeling the passage of time.

Whenever her sharply sprouted index fingernail lightly passed by, the wax of the seal was cleanly cleaved in two. Eugene, who likes cleanliness, found it to his liking as he could take out the stationery without crumbs.

Since accepting the Heart of the Forest, Homi has grown increasingly proficient at partially strengthening or mutating her body.

Thanks to that, lately when she shaves Eugene, she doesn't even use a razor. The prepared materials are solely her nails, foam, and affection.

"A thoroughly likeable letter arrived as well."

Eugene handed the letter written in elaborate handwriting on parchment to Valda. She stopped knitting and recited it in an elegant voice.

"Honorable Monarch. We thank you for your strength and mercy. Following the footsteps of the Blackhand Tribe, we too shall march under Meyer's flag. May prosperity be with the children of the moon and forest. May blessings be with the great knight guiding them."

Valda's voice which mixed with laughter towards the end. Looking at her upon finishing reading and setting down the letter, her hidden golden eyes were sparkling with interest and joy.

"Recently, Chief Allessa said she often gets requests from other Dark Elf tribes. Asking if she could become a stepping stone connecting with me."

"And she gladly accepted it?"

"If it's Chief Allessa's recommendation, it would likely be trustworthy. Coincidentally, I needed individuals to take charge of the cities on my behalf when I vacate my seat later."

The Dark Elf tribe Eugene newly decided to accept is not a warrior group. They were individuals living as a merchant group within human society.

"Since these tribes possessed outstanding commercial talent but lacked strength as warriors, their mental anguish was severe. Having prices slashed was a daily occurrence, and getting no-shows was also common."

"No-shows?"

"...Uh, it means their money was scammed."

Eugene received the letter back from Valda and smiled brightly.

"Such things will no longer happen from now on. Since we'll draw out the future together while receiving just treatment."

Eugene is one who got sick and tired of the completely disastrous city operation system. However, attempting to comprehensively reform it, he couldn't even grasp where to begin touching it.

- We apologize. Since everyone is meatheads who only swing swords or hammer iron...

Even if Eugene possesses quite high discernment in his own way, his roots are military personnel, and his subordinates were also solely warriors or technicians. The merchants belonging to the Blackhand Tribe were too few in number.

In the midst of that, this letter was practically a lifeline of salvation. Of course, the other party tribe likely also considers Eugene as their salvation in the same manner.

* * *

Winter had visited before they knew it.

"We have finally completed the repairs, my Lord! It is an honor to be able to offer this wonderful masterpiece!"

Walker, the senior blacksmith of the Hammer Brotherhood, came finding him bringing the Hell Axe Eugene entrusted.

"For me as well, it's an honor. It's to the point I wonder if this is truly the demon's weapon that spewed out that evil aura."

"There truly were many twists and turns, sir."

The Dwarf blacksmiths faced difficulties removing the bones of hell that spewed out the evil aura and attached a handle made of Dwarf-made rare metal.

Removing the unidentified substances stuck all over the axe blade like sea squirts required numerous trials and errors.

"We truly struggled because it wouldn't melt even putting it in the blast furnace, and it wouldn't come off even pounding it with a diamond chisel."

"To think the tribal Witches would know the solution."

Towards beings handling mysteries and prophecies, even the prideful Dwarf blacksmiths respectfully called them Witches without fail.

- This is a living creature of hell. I've seen it in an ancient tome.

- ...Are you joking? There's a creature that survives even when boiled in a blast furnace?

- Because it is currently in a state of hibernation. When it enters this state, it wraps itself in a sturdy shell with magic. To endure any harsh situation.

- Then what do we do?

- We just need to make it undo hibernation on its own and wake up. At a size like this, we'd need to prepare about 10 sheep.

Unlike other races, Dwarves form societies in mountains, mines, underground, and essentially places like that.

As vulnerable as they become to external information and exchange, they possessed a culture of respecting Witches who read constellations, advise futures, and have outstanding medical skills.

"After sinking the axe blade into a water tank filled with sheep's blood, we scraped them off with silver daggers subjected to shamanic processing."

"There was also a friend whose finger almost flew off."

The Dwarves shuddered thinking about the work at that time.

- I told you not to touch it! You stupid shorty!

- Eureuk!

The sizable sea squirt(?) that fell off the axe blade was like the head of a venomous snake.

Having woken up after ingesting plenty of blood, it bit into empty air with its maw sprouted with bloodcurdling teeth. Freaked out by that terrible appearance, there was a commotion as Dwarves struck it with hammers.

The Hell Axe completed like that was somewhat unnatural. Not in the sense of a defective product, but because it exuded an atmosphere defying the laws of nature. Not that it's strange given its origin.

"Rather than an axe, this feels like a guillotine for dragons."

Befitting a weapon swung by a 5m demon ghoul, the ignorant size of the axe blade was at the point of evoking hollow laughter rather than admiration.

He didn't know who the enemies to be sliced by this would be, but the resulting product would be more terrible than the flail. For the first time since becoming a knight, Eugene felt sympathy toward his enemies.