Chapter 156

Chapter 156 - A Millennium Plan (5)

As Eugene's hand rested on the axe handle, the Dwarves held their breath and stared.

- We are making it because it's the Lord's order, but it feels exceedingly uncomfortable.

- Fundamentally, this isn't a weapon made for humans to use.

The Dwarves had only heard of Eugene's physical strength through words and hadn't seen it directly. Therefore, throughout the work process, they couldn't shake off the suspicion that it was merely intended to be hung as a trophy.

Possessing great skill and pride as blacksmiths, they hated making mere decorations. They desired to make a great weapon that would continuously build history on the battlefield.

'They look cute unbefitting their appearances.'

Everyone clenching their thick hands roundly and gathering them in front of their chests reminded him of teddy bears.

When Eugene exerted force, the massive axe blade lifted effortlessly, and the artisans' exclamations of awe were heard.

"What did I tell you, you guys? Our Lord is the one who originally engaged in a contest of strength with the monster swinging that and snapped it."

Perhaps having been bothered quite a bit by his subordinates, Walker beamed a bright smile and squared his shoulders.

'It's heavy.'

Eugene felt a sense of weight for the first time. That did not mean physical weight.

A destructive instinct fluctuating the moment he gripped the axe. Anger and combativeness suppressed for a long time inside the axe blade crawled up his grasp.

'Swing it at the living.'

'Cleave flesh and scatter blood.'

It whispered to Eugene's soul that it would become even lighter if he did so.

Clench.

'Step back!'

Eugene gripped tightly while shouting forcefully in his heart. The energy attempting to encroach upon him fled back into the axe in a flurry. Like a waterfall dropping into a puddle pooled with pitch-black dye.

"Is there some kind of problem?"

Seeing Eugene's serious expression, Walker asked.

"No, it's nothing."

When he swung the axe horizontally and vertically once each, a sound of the air being ripped to shreds rang out. At that sinister destructive power, the Dwarves unknowingly took a step backward.

"Like master, like warhorse as expected."

"If he charges swinging that riding a horse..."

The aged Dwarves of warrior origins bore faces wanting to return to active duty. Even if they died, they felt they would be resentful if they couldn't see that axe playing an active role on the battlefield.

"Can you still not figure out the identity of this metal?"

"We apologize. Even though we have handled all sorts of things, we simply cannot catch a clue either. The Witches and Marbas also shook their heads saying they didn't know."

"Look at this."

Eugene aimed the axe diagonally upward.

The axe blade is large enough for Valda to sufficiently lie down on it as a substitute for a bed. Since she's someone who runs hot easily, she would likely like it because it's cool.

"Isn't it fascinating? The axe blade doesn't bend at all."

"Yes. No matter how sturdy a metal is, if it's this large and long, it's normal for it to bend due to its own weight."

"And it's a solid forged blade, not a hollow structure, too."

"We were also curious about that, so we inspected it while placing counterweights on the axe blade..."

The blacksmiths chatted away excitedly. Because it was their first time seeing a monarch talking about the engineering properties of metal.

Having only dealt with individuals who slash prices or find faults with delivery dates and quality, they simply found it fascinating.

"If there's an opportunity, I'd definitely like to take it to the Dwarf Underground Kingdom once."

"Even there, there likely won't be guys who know? Because it's not Mithril, nor Orichalcum, nor Adamantium, nor Meteoric Iron."

"That's enough idle chatter."

Walker, who stopped the subordinates' chattering, approached Eugene.

"Would you determine a name for this metal?"

"Lord... Kueuk!"

An aged Dwarf had his foot stomped on and his mouth covered by a colleague. He was suppressed trying to step forward out of greed wanting to name the newly discovered metal.

"Usually, the person who first discovered it possesses the right to name it. Do you perhaps have anything you thought of?"

"Hmm."

Eugene deliberated briefly before opening his mouth.

"Let's go with Unobtanium."

"What does it mean?"

At the unfamiliar and mechanical compound word, the Dwarves made puzzled faces.

"It means it is a substance not existing in our world."

"It's simple and clear while also giving off somewhat of an academic feel."

Walker, an academic-faction blacksmith who graduated from the Metal University, nodded his head as if he liked it.

"Eup, eup!"

Only the Dwarf whose mouth was covered by his colleagues squeezed out tears as if dying of regret.

"By the way, you already possess several good weapons, my Lord. How many opportunities will actually come to this guy."

"Well, you never know."

"Yes?"

"Last Autumn, the flail, and the special composite bow. They are humans' weapons made by human hands."

Eugene shook the axe this way and that, gauging its center of gravity.

"They are tools made to fight against things humans can reasonably face. But we might encounter enemies deviating from that, right?"

Just as poison must be suppressed with poison, monsters must be suppressed with monsters. As the number of family members to take responsibility for increased, more insurance was also better.

* * *

"I don't know if this is the right thing to do."

A young Dark Elf merchant muttered.

For Dark Elves possessing the identity of nomadic warriors to live purely as merchants is not an easy thing.

Receiving contempt and mockery from kin calling them weaklings was a daily occurrence, and in civilized society, they had to suffer tyranny as an ethnic minority without military force.

Even looking at the approaching Catania Port, rather than admiration for its beauty, the territoriality and contempt waiting for them came to mind first.

"We can't live like rats forever, can we?"

"If Roman's war intensifies in earnest next year, individuals like us will be thoroughly thoroughly picked clean first."

For a group lacking military force to live a wandering life is arduous and miserable.

They managed to scrape by keeping their lives going in the somewhat peaceful and stable Roman, but now even that had reached its limit.

Their Chief made a decision, and now it was time to risk everything on that gamble.

"It's truly a pleasure to meet you! I heard a lot of stories from Chief Allessa."

Therefore, when the city's master personally welcomed them hospitably at the port, they were dumbfounded.

"If anyone tries to persecute you guys unjustly, no, even justifiably, just say the word. I will let those bastards thoroughly taste what true favoritism is."

Eugene liked the dark elf merchants riding the ship right from their first impressions.

Thoroughly merchant-like attire without wearing a single sword. Their appearances wearing monocles or holding small abacuses, with pencils and paper tied to their waists, were so reliable.

Because the enemies Eugene had to fight right now were not monsters or mercenaries, but numbers.

"H, how should we assist you?"

Eugene pointed at the city while putting his arm around the shoulders of one of the Dark Elf merchants.

"I will hand over the hilt of the sword, so I want you guys to perform a bout of sword dancing. I vigorously pruned the weeds, or so I thought, but it turns out the roots were too deep. There are also many commercial laws that need tweaking."

"Oh!"

The tension cleanly vanished from the Dark Elf merchants' faces, and a streak of joy was engraved.

Thus began a comprehensive city reorganization that couldn't be resolved with military force alone.

"The incoming and outgoing logistics and accounting details don't match. There absolutely must be a hidden double ledger."

Eugene's new family members caught the rotten stench just by briefly glancing over the cargo volume records and income/expenditure ledgers.

"Wh, what kind of framing is this! Dare a mere wandering merchant group try to slander who..."

"Shut it."

"..."

The big shot of the city attempting to protest indignantly quieted down at Eugene's single word.

Normally, they were merchant riffraff he would have called the guards with a single gesture and chased out. However, the monarch standing beside with crossed arms and the warriors glaring from behind were too terrifying.

"The goods unloaded in Warehouse No. 3 of Building B are suspicious. According to records, they are products that shouldn't be stored long-term, but there hasn't been a dispatch record for a whole month already."

"You heard him, right? Go and tear it all open."

At Eugene's command, a group of subordinates offered military salutes and ran out.

Crack!

As mercenaries holding tools began indiscriminately prying open the warehouse's boxes, sounds of wailing were heard.

"Milords! What in the world are you doing?"

"Move aside. Before I smash your head open too."

"Aigoooo!"

Skinny warehouse keepers tried to stop them, but the mercenaries shoved them away roughly.

"What kind of outrage is this? Do you know who the person watching over this place is?"

A fierce-looking man next to the warehouse keeper spoke threateningly. It was a thug no matter how you looked at it.

"Who is it?"

"Hah! Were you bumpkins who don't even know Padrick's name?"

Just in time, about 10 city guards came running.

"Guard Squad Leader! Look at these bastards running amok! Can powerless merchants like us live in such sorrow?"

Perhaps the thug's exaggerated tone didn't even enter his ears, the Guard Squad Leader's face was stiffly hardened.

The sight of the guards, who usually swaggered around knowing no fear of heaven, reading the room. The thug realized something went wrong, but it was already too late.

Bang!

"It's tobacco? It said salt in the ledger."

"Idiot, this isn't just tobacco, it's rolled marijuana!"

The mercenaries whistled and shouted cheers. They caught a proper case.

"Hey, Guard Squad Leader."

"Y, yes. Please speak."

"Who is Padrick? That bastard said he's the person watching over this place from behind."

"..."

When a mercenary pointed at the thug holding a crowbar, the Guard Squad Leader's face distorted like an evil spirit.

'That idiot bastard!'

The warehouse keeper and the thug realized the situation was properly fucked and their faces turned pale white.

Like that, the entire Catania City was overturned once again.

The bastards beaten down in the criminal organization cleanup were vicious ones operating openly above the surface. This time, it was time to clear out the loaches that hid beneath the surface and moved secretly.

Individuals who disguised themselves as trading companies on the boundary of legal and illegal were thoroughly shaken out, dragged over, and thrown down.

"They truly work hard."

Rex clicked his tongue in amazement at that diligent purification work.

"Having lived their entire lives as underdogs reading the room, they likely want to swing it around indiscriminately now that they hold the hilt of the sword. Though it's not like they are idiots who get drunk on power and cross the line."

Eugene could never tolerate a city rolling along with connections, bribes, and a mindset of 'whatever's good is good'.

With the help of his new family members, the low-quality city management system was overhauled.

Various inefficient administrative systems were reorganized, and tax laws favorably set up to allow specific factions to take excessive profits were all normalized.

While several death row inmates and many exiles and prisoners were generated in the process, no one dared to voice dissatisfaction. Everyone was busy keeping their heads down and reading the room.

* * *

While it's a city facing cataclysms every single day, the Lord's Manor at least is peaceful. The servants and maids working here quickly got accustomed to the new conquerors.

"Lady. Today we dissolved Lemoa scented oil. It will be to your liking."

Especially the maids attending to Valda adapted quickly.

The days of enduring tyranny while attending to the prostitutes Nolt and his gang brought like superiors were terrible. So serving such a dignified real noble lady like this couldn't help but be satisfying.

"Lemoa should be a precious item obtainable only from the Eastern Empire?"

"The trading company that departed there returned. Originally, it's an item you can only get your hands on if you have good luck at the auction house. However, having spoken to the Merchant Guild in advance, we set aside what the Lady will use."

"That is something to be sorry about to the others who were waiting."

"Oh my. It wouldn't do for the Lady to receive identical treatment as other things."

Maids smiling radiantly undressed Valda. Her dazzling naked body sparkled receiving moisture amidst the bathhouse's steam.

The maids carefully rolled up Valda's gold-thread-like hair. Taking out refreshing flower petals and herbs, they sprinkled them in the steaming bathtub.

"Your skin is so lovely."

"I'm jealous. Not a single blemish and so smooth."

Palms belonging to 3 pairs of differing skin colors carefully washed and massaged the Elf lady's body.

Finishing her bath, Valda threw on a nightgown and stepped out onto the balcony. Feeling the cool sea breeze, she hugged both her arms.

"Incredible."

A panoramic view of the historic city in the front, the expansive real sea in the distance, and the majestic volcano in the back.

It's a truly wonderful sight. She didn't get tired of it no matter how much she looked. That likely also had to do with being scenery enjoyed as an owner, not a guest passing by briefly.

- All of this scenery also belongs to Valda. If there's a building obstructing your appreciation of the view, please tell me.

- What happens if I tell you?

- Wouldn't that building disappear shortly after?

- I will absolutely not tell you!

It was a terrifying joke, but honestly, she felt joy at that tyrant-like goodwill.

'I thought I could never again meet someone who gives me as great a love as Grace.'

However, Eugene cherished her no less than Grace.

- Be wary of arrogance and pleasure. My lovely lady. You must harmonize and nurture your noble blood and compassion.

Unlike Grace who always taught temperance, Eugene demanded she endure nothing. Rather, he offered various indulgences to her.

Once, he even treated her to something called fruit shaved ice saying, 'I finally succeeded!'. And in a sauna, at that.

- Food made of ice in a sauna.

- Isn't the true charm enjoying coldness in a hot place like this? Does it perhaps not suit your taste?

- It's not that. It's truly delicious. It just feels too luxurious...

- What is the reason for running around diligently accumulating wealth, growing an army, and acquiring territories? It is to enjoy things unattainable living an ordinary life. Now, say 'Ah~'.

- I, I can eat it myself!

- Then I will say 'Ah~'.

- ...

The Eugene that Valda saw is a brave knight and a practical and diligent Lord. However, unexpectedly, there was also a hedonistic aspect.

She didn't dislike him always offering it to her and trying to share it together. Although if Grace saw, she might scold her saying she was being tainted by bad influences.

* * *

When winter arrived, the world halted amidst that cold. Neither the wars occurring everywhere, nor the diligently working farmers emerged from their nests.

Because the world is disordered, when the seasons change, iron, sweat, and blood will once again pour out everywhere. However, for now, it's a time of peaceful rest and maintenance.

Taking advantage of this brief tranquility, there is a topic everyone in the Moving Castle recalled in their heads.

"A monarch must have a family. He needs to quickly seek a spouse."

"I agree. I feel it every banquet, but sitting alone at the seat of honor makes the balance bad. There's a sense of stability when two people are present intimately. Shouldn't someone guard the seat of honor when the Lord leaves his seat to share toasts around?"

"I traveled all over Roman, but I've never seen anything larger and more majestic than the Moving Castle. A place like this absolutely needs a lady of the house to run properly. Because there are flaws that only catch the Lady's eye and are only wiped away by the Lady's touch."

As everything began to be equipped, the vassals became greedier. They needed an existence to substitute his authority and symbol when Eugene wasn't around.

They wanted an existence to step forward in diplomacy or types of troubles difficult for Eugene to intervene in directly.

Chief Allessa and the elders inwardly pushed for Cassandra, but they didn't heedlessly bring up the topic.

"Are you talking about Cassandra? She is certainly someone who would do a kick-ass job acting as the lady of the house. The discipline of the lower ones will be strictly established too."

"But with Valda present, how could..."

It's because there was someone even the members of the Blackhand Tribe kept as a tentative candidate in their hearts.

The power of Valda, who had been together continuously since the days Eugene was a mere knight, was incredible within the castle.

Wisdom acknowledged as the Sage of the Emerald Forest, abilities of a mage, beauty that bewitches even kings, and connections in noble society.

Eugene also always showed exceptional respect and intimacy toward his first advisor.

There's no way the parties involved wouldn't know of such subtle instigations from the vassals. And the one who thought more about it was Valda rather than Eugene.

'It's only been 1 year.'

Valda had confidence in herself, but her knight grew far too rapidly.

The young knight who had visited the Emerald Forest. The young knight who still faintly bore traces of a boy had become one of the most spotlighted next-generation monarchs.

* * *

"Sorry. I cannot accept your feelings yet."

"...Yes?"

For that reason, on a night when a beautiful moon rose. When Eugene proposed, Valda declined.

'How cute.'

The always composed knight made a foolish face for the first time. As if he had struck his own head with the flail he swung.

She couldn't appreciate that face for long. It would be troublesome if there were any misunderstandings.

"It's absolutely not that I dislike your courtship. Because there has never been a happier day in my life than today."

Valda held Eugene's hand and led it to her chest.

The faint trembling sensation of his hand, which was brave in front of any monster. That gifted Valda an even greater pleasure. As if her brain would melt.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Valda's heartbeat, beating like a battlefield drum, gifted Eugene relief and joy as well. And an equal amount of bewilderment.

"Then why did you refuse..."

"I need time."

"Did something happen?"

Eugene's face stiffened. He worried perhaps Valda had fallen into some predicament without him knowing.

"If it's anything within my power, I will help with whatever it is. Just tell me."

A moment later, the story that came out of Valda's mouth was something Eugene couldn't even imagine.

"I can't go empty-handed when getting married, can I? Since you bestow so many things upon me like this, I too must bring an appropriate dowry."

"You don't need to mind such things."

The tension completely dispelled, Eugene laughed hollowly.

"I must mind it. Marriage is a ceremony where a man and a woman solidify their resolve before heading to the battlefield called the world. One cannot head to the battlefield without weapons and armor."

"Love alone is enough for me. Just bring yourself. I will absolutely make you happy."

At the sweet whisper, the Elf maiden's ears, reddened with joy, melted mushily. However, Valda still stubbornly shook her head.

"That won't do. For a promising monarch like you, even marriage is a powerful opportunity and means."

The teachings of Grace, who strictly educated her since childhood. That whipped and corrected Valda's swaying heart.

"It's troublesome to waste that. I must rightfully receive something fitting for your marriage. That way, discipline will be established among the vassals as well. We must not create a bad precedent just for my sole satisfaction."

"I understand what you're saying very well, but."

Eugene was puzzled. Did Valda have something to match the current him?

"Something I must rightfully inherit. There is something I haven't sought for a long time. I think it is time to go get it."

Valda looked towards the North. Her golden eyes shone with strong will even in the darkness of the night. Like those of a bird of prey aiming for its prey.

Eugene felt his fingertips tingle.

'Why does Valda possess a sword from the Ruiamor era?'

'Why was she receiving the protection of a unique Dryad named Grace?'

'Why does she possess the qualifications to wield such mighty magic of the forest?'

Questions he was always curious about until now but shouldn't ask.

The unspoken rule that existed between the man and woman. Because he felt it was the moment that was being broken.