Chapter 157

Chapter 157 - A Warm Winter

Only there is no need to rush. Right now is just a time to rejoice in each other's feelings.

"When Valda said sorry, I thought my heart would drop."

Eugene had never been afraid even once while facing various wars and formidable enemies over the past 1 year.

However, thinking he was being rejected by Valda, he felt his mind grow faint.

"To think the invincible knight of the world also has times he gets terrified? It was a truly foolish face."

"What do you mean foolish."

"And it was extremely cute too."

"This is why older women are..."

"Isn't it fortunate? Since I will always be able to embrace and comfort you from a higher height. A monarch inherently needs an older sister."

To an Elf woman who lives several times longer than humans, the word 'older' doesn't seem to mean anything. Valda giggled and placed her hand on Eugene's left chest.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

"For saying you thought your heart would drop, it's not beating that strongly, is it?"

"Because a little time has passed. Resuming one's breathing and composure is the method my Master trained paying the most attention to."

"It's unfair. Because my heart is beating as if it will explode from your proposal even now."

Eugene's hand was still resting on Valda's chest as well. The thumping heart of the Elf lady felt almost greedy.

As if trying to steal Eugene's body temperature touching her chest to the fullest. As if trying to transmit his body temperature to her cheeks, ears, lower abdomen, fingertips, and toes entirely.

"How would this be?"

When Eugene took a step closer, Valda reflexively took a step back.

That was not because she rejected him. It was a movement stemming from the purity dwelling in Valda's noble blood, and the chastity Grace had strictly taught.

When Eugene took a step closer again, Valda took a half step back. When he took a step closer again, this time she approached from her side.

"Ah."

When Eugene gripped Valda's chin, her trembling eyes gently closed and she stood on her tiptoes. The lady who always faced the world with an orderly mind and body surrendered herself defenselessly.

Radiant golden eyelashes, identical to her hair. They were beautiful like shooting stars falling in the night sky.

Chu.

As the two's lips met, it felt as if the world's time had stopped. Even the cold winter sea breeze of Catania avoided the two just for now.

Moonlight poured down like a blessing over their heads. Eugene, attempting to pull his face away amidst the ecstatic sensation and fragrance, felt a hand grabbing the back of his head.

"Not yet."

Valda spoke without separating her lips.

Chu.

The one who initiated the kiss was Eugene, but the one leading afterward was Valda. It's a wildness unimaginable from her usual neat appearance.

Eugene was soon able to know what the 'not yet' she spoke of meant.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Because Valda's lips only separated when the knight's heart beat explosively amidst love and pleasure.

Hot lips wet with each other's saliva. The winter wind, which had been reading the room, only intruded then to cool them down.

"Fufufut."

Valda, caressing Eugene's chest, smiled. Purely rejoicing that his heart came to beat as fiercely as hers.

It was like a single drop of pink dye dropping onto a pure white blank paper.

And like the footprints first imprinted on a snowfield where no one had set foot.

"It differs from what I heard in stories."

"What do you mean?"

"I heard things from noble ladies when I was active in Roman's social circles in the past."

Valda, traveling around Roman as the Mage of the Emerald Forest, attended various banquets. Because having a wide network of connections with nobles was better to find a way to save Grace.

"The first kiss they described didn't leave a very good impression."

"Couldn't that be because a significant number of them had arranged marriages?"

"Right. Plus, men who maintain their cleanliness as neatly as you are rare too."

"Wouldn't that all be thanks to the people of Ruiamor?"

Crops for producing hygiene products widely disseminated across the continent during the first unified dynasty. As Eugene who distinctively pays attention to cleanliness, he was merely grateful.

"Right. It's thanks to them."

Valda's finger traced Eugene's lips.

"I don't think I've ever been as grateful for my bloodline as today. To think it would bestow such a sweet yet elegant pleasure."

"...!"

Eugene, who opened his eyes wide in surprise, couldn't say anything. Because as if once wasn't enough, the Elf lady's lips swallowed his lips.

The second kiss was more passionate. Valda's tongue, digging in as if a honeybee spreading flower petals, intertwined.

How far had progress been made between Eugene and Valda? That was a story the residents and warriors of the Moving Castle brought up whenever they were bored.

- They're obviously kissing.

- Where they touch amidst that is the key.

- No, are you guys joking? They're both youths with boiling blood, and there's no family or elders to block them, right? It wouldn't be strange even if they slept together a long time ago.

The public enjoys stories about their rulers. And even slandering the king out of sight is the logic of the world. The point that only romance stories circulate without slander likely stems from being a monarch respected that much.

Of course, among them, there were also those who considered even such things disloyal.

- No, are you guys crazy? What kind of irreverent nonsense are you spouting? If you get caught, it won't end with just a whipping.

- As long as we don't get caught, it's fine.

- We're not sharing lewd stories. We're discussing the future of this castle and the vassals. Wouldn't everyone's hearts feel reassured only if the Lord forms a family?

- You're all spouting bullshit.

- Hey, don't be like that too much! You say a word too. Honestly, you're curious, right? Right?

- ...Well, I think they probably kissed at least.

- Hehe. Right?

It was a topic that would get them into trouble with a single misstep, but they simply couldn't cut off their interest. And the subordinates' predictions were entirely wrong. Because today was the first time the two had physical contact.

Chu.

The intertwined tongues untangled, lips parted, and Valda deeply bowed her crimson-red face.

"It's a kiss of oath."

"Did this substitute an engagement?"

"Yeah. Even Grace likely wouldn't be angry at that."

Eugene respected the chastity perfected through Valda's bloodline and education. Therefore, he hadn't laid a hand on her until now.

"I swear that no blade, no insult in this world will reach Valda. However, one thing. My side won't be dangerous, but it will be tiring. The path I must walk is long."

"On that journey, I will always be together by your side. Because what you cannot see, what you cannot pay attention to, shall be my share."

The two embraced each other. Valda's arms wrapped around the knight's sturdy and broad back, and Eugene's arms wrapped around the deeply indented waist of the Elf lady.

"My beloved knight. Lead me. I shall support that dream sometimes beside you, sometimes behind you. May you find rest in my embrace whenever you are tired."

Eugene felt Valda's whispering lips tracing his earlobes and neck.

Was it because the curiosity accumulated from social gatherings with noble ladies burst open? Or is she fundamentally closer to being carnivorous? Either way, he didn't dislike it.

After some time had passed.

"It is winter right now. It's too early to announce and hold a joyous occasion."

Valda spoke shyly.

An emotion different from the shyness she had occasionally shown until now. Fully revealing that half-mixed with joy and bashfulness, they discussed the future.

"The dowry Valda spoke of would likely require time as well. It is the same for me too."

As they had endlessly traveled the world over the past 1 year, they needed time to rest their tired wings.

* * *

The army of the Moving Castle rested enjoying various foods and leisure in the abundant Catania.

'I'm telling you, crabs and shrimp several times larger than what you guys ate are caught in the real sea.'

'Smack. That would be delicacies guys like us wouldn't taste our entire lives, huh.'

'Don't jump to conclusions. The day will come when I'll let you guys taste that too someday.'

Eugene kept the promise he made to the mercenaries in Northfolk.

Having accompanied Eugene for 1 year and followed him even across the sea, they enjoyed Sicily's special products, oranges and seafood, to their hearts' content.

"The Samur fried food was good too, but I like steamed food better."

Crack.

When a mercenary twisted the tail with skillful hand movements, shrimp meat as thick as 4 fingers combined followed out.

Beside him, there is a mercenary eating the body of a steaming lobster and a mercenary eating soup containing abalone.

"Don't you get sick of eating the exact same thing every day?"

"Of course not."

At Eugene's question asked while resting his chin on his hand, the mercenaries all nodded.

"When the weather warms up next year, won't we set out toward the world again?"

"We must taste it to our hearts' content right now."

"You should try some too, my Lord. The crabs caught today are uniquely meaty, sir."

Eugene chuckled receiving the shrimp meat the subordinate handed over.

"Being like this reminds me of when we first met at the pub in the Bonyard."

"Back then, the thought of making a fortune under a strong knight sir was everything. We couldn't even imagine we would face a day like this, sir."

Truly many things changed during 1 year. However, just the moment right now chatting while sharing food at a pub in Catania, it felt like returning to that time.

The mercenaries drank beer hoping they could enjoy happiness like this even 1 year later.

"It's lukewarm."

"Since this isn't the Bonyard."

The only thing different from 1 year ago was the temperature of the beer.

Not long after, Eugene was officially acknowledged for a Viscount title from the Apostle State.

* * *

After acquiring the title, he became even busier. Because he was busy reforming various administrative duties and hosting Sicilyn nobles coming to congratulate him.

"It seems the contents written in the letter were true. You truly seem to have no greed outside the three cities."

The nobles of Sicily were half in doubt about the conqueror's letter, but that rapidly disappeared once interactions commenced.

Eugene hosted everyone who came visiting with all his heart. There were no exceptions whether it was a family he fought as an enemy, or a family that crossed over as a comrade of the holy war.

"When I heard the rumors, I thought you were a knight burning with ambition to swallow the entire island. Seeing it like this, I can feel your sincerity."

"What does a trifling rumor matter. I encountered the Viscount directly on the battlefield. Whether the letter is sincere or not, I will absolutely not think of confronting him again."

The nobles, whether due to their own respective positive reasons or negative reasons, had no intention of being hostile with the new Viscount.

"Doesn't he have the Sage of the Emerald Forest by his side, no one else? She isn't one to bestow wisdom upon someone crazy for violence."

The existence of the Elf lady brightening the seat at banquets exerted an especially great effect. Valda, who always stood a few steps back, took off her hood and stepped to the front.

"Thank you for joining the banquet. The mermaid drawn on your surcoat should belong to the Mott family, yes?"

"That is correct, Lady. Sir Dunlin, who fought to liberate Mott suffering from barbarians, is our founder."

"When Sir Dunlin suffered a severe injury and took refuge by the coast, a beautiful mermaid lady approached wading through the seawater. The story of the Mott family that began like that is famous among the continent's noble ladies."

Truthfully, it isn't an extremely well-known story, but such things don't matter. Because such things pass not as lies but as manners worthy of praise among nobles.

In actuality, the Lord of the Mott family rejoiced with the corners of his mouth ripping to the ends.

"The Mott family has always reliably guarded the southern coast of Catania."

"You will likely do so going forward as well. The sword of Mott is together under the honorable flag of Meyer."

Mighty strength and excellent hospitality. What the Lord wobbling on the two aspects of reality and emotion needed to firm his heart was a light push.

And Valda displayed a heaven-sent capability in stealthily pushing the backs of nobles attending the banquet with wavering hearts.

"Among the numerous merchant groups entering Catania, the flag seen the most was the Paleas family's, yes."

A noble of a merchant family stood up and bowed politely to Valda.

"It is an honor that you recognize us, Lady. Although our Paleas is not famous for swords, we pride ourselves that our loyalty to Sicily is second to none among knights."

"That there were no starvation deaths in Sicily during the great famine 15 years ago. The power of Paleas was profound in the island being safe from the epidemic outbreak 40 years ago."

Every time the entire continent suffered, Sicily safely overcame the crises. Because the Paleas Merchant Group stored and supplied food and herbs highly effective against epidemics to the island in advance.

"40 years ago, our Family Head wore out his feet supplying herbs to the island to the point of dying from overwork."

"That is also the duty of true nobles. Viscount Meyer also praised that the most threatening thing on this island wasn't the Count's army, but the Paleas Merchant Group supporting them from behind."

"Now we will support the back of the Meyer family."

Valda with a brilliant brain also doubles the roles of Eugene's advisor and herald.

Having already fully familiarized herself with the various families of Sicily and the peninsula, she could bestow appropriate praises no matter who came visiting.

The Sicilyn nobles who had visited harboring arrogance, wariness, anger, and dissatisfaction felt powerlessness in front of Valda's radiance.

"My father always told me to have pride in my family. But today it truly..."

"Shush. Just up to there, please. Honorable Knight."

His bloodline which he had considered more precious than anything else. It felt insignificant in front of the dazzlingly beautiful Elf lady.

"Let us only share joyful thoughts today."

"Thank you."

He only felt that he was more worthless than a single wine glass Valda was handing him right now.

"Here is my son. Since my wife has a weak constitution, he is a guy obtained with difficulty."

"It, it is a pleasure to meet you! I am joyful to see the highly renowned S, Sage of the Forest!"

"May the blessings of the forest be with the father and son."

The boy, who had a boring face throughout after being dragged to a political banquet, gained great concentration in an instant.

"I am Chez of the Gilliam family. In this expedition, I rose to the position of Baron by the help of the gods."

"I have heard the renowned reputation of having punished numerous evil people on the peninsula. They say in this expedition as well, you slashed the Immortal Knight Commander and reversed the war situation?"

"For Valda to recognize me like this, I am merely shy and joyous."

Occasionally, there were also individuals attempting to take a step further out of pride toward a family stronger than others, or the joy of success achieved in the Sicilyn expedition.

Fortunately, since the majority of them had wonderful fathers or wise friends, they received appropriate advice prior to acting.

- Son. I always told you how outstanding our family is, how deep its history is. However, only for this time, I must tell you to momentarily let go of pride toward the family. The lady walking on top of a wheat field is not an existence your hand can reach. Truly, there also exists beauty in the world that only unreachably stays a mirage viewed from afar.

- Hey friend. Reaching from a mere knight to Baron due to miraculous exploits is definitely an incredible achievement. However, please realize your dream is too high this time. She is an existence who struck the pain of a broken heart to numerous great nobles, not to mention even a king of a nation.

What kind of relationship would they form with the Meyer family?

The number of young nobles who gained unexpected agonies alongside resolving tasks thought to be difficult multiplied.

"Was dealing with nobles this easy?"

To Eugene who didn't know that, he was merely joyous. Since forming relationships with the native nobles, which he thought would be the most difficult among the aftermath arrangements, was resolved far too easily.

"This is why a house needs a lady of the house. Try imagining you dealt with them alone."

"My goodness."

At Marbas's words, Eugene massaged the bridge of his nose as if just imagining it was terrible.

"By the way, wouldn't it be better to slowly announce the relationship? It must be unpleasant for you too to have nobles who don't know the circumstances making passes."

"Not at all. Rather, there is the fun of watching the faces of the terrified guys."

"At any rate, what a bad taste."

"Furthermore, the Sicilyn nobles must be the main characters and the ones treated right now. It'd be troublesome if an occasion of ours gets too large."

After several large banquets ended, it became fully known that Eugene truly had no interest in conquering the island.

'It's sufficient if Sicily's cities function as immediate relay strongholds.'

What Eugene truly wanted was expansive land to promise an eternal future to the clan following him. Unlike public suspicions, he had absolutely no intention of becoming a master ruling the island.

* * *

By the time winter ended, the Meyer family was able to be completely acknowledged as a member of Sicily.

Rooting out the final pirate factions hiding here and there on the island and hanging them by the neck, and disallowing any criminal organizations from setting foot compared them far too comprehensively with the former Count's family.

Even the fierce new Lords crossing over from the peninsula didn't dare run amok in places protected by the Meyer family's patronage, and the paths their trade passed through.

As winter ended like that and spring sprouts sprang up, the cogs of the world halted by the cold rolled again.

While the halted civil war resumed in Roman, Sicily faced the opposite situation.

Just as the native nobles and new conquerors were about to fight it out again, a third party intruded.

"The Hydra has awakened!"

Trembling from the shouts and the scent of flesh and blood from corpses ringing the island, the monster that had slumbered for a long time opened its eyes.

"Your Excellency! The vassals are in danger!"

"Trade routes on the highways have been cut off because of that guy. At this rate, we're bound to starve to death."

"I beseech of you as a brother of faith. Please confront this disaster together!"

Individuals who were hitting each other all came running in unison and begged Eugene.

"You should have fought moderately. Why wake up a guy sleeping soundly?"

"Please... have mercy..."

Frowning, Eugene couldn't even get any angrier in front of individuals prostrating flat on the floor.

"Hydras are wandering monsters without a fixed territory. If neglected, the damage will endlessly increase."

Rex spoke while looking at a map marking damage locations. Of all things, its movement path was heading toward Catania.

"I definitely do have to catch it. Have you ever faced one?"

"I've only seen records. Because it's a difficult guy to see in inland regions. It won't be easy even for you, Sir Knight. Since it's a guy equipped with regenerative power surpassing even trolls."

"To what extent is it?"

Valda, who was listening, took over the story.

"To the extent it heals in an instant even if its neck is torn by a morning star or its belly is pierced by ballistas. There is a record where Sicilyn knights failed attempting to subjugate it in the past. It's said they merely barely chased it away after several brave knights died in battle, and failed the hunt."

"Does it perhaps sprout anew if the neck is cut off?"

At Eugene's question, Rex waved his hand.

"Haha. As if. It's merely an exaggerated rumor because its regenerative power is so good."

Eugene stroked his chin and nodded his head.

"Is that so..."