Chapter 166

Chapter 166 - The Daughter of Autumn, Valda (1)

Intellectuals of Roman divide the history from the past to the present into a total of 3 eras.

The 1st Era is the period when the Luiamor Elves, the first continental unified dynasty, ruled the world harmoniously.

The 2nd Era is the ruling period of the Ancient Kingdom, which showed an oppressive progression unlike its predecessor.

Today, where numerous kingdoms battle for supremacy, is classified as the 3rd Era.

The Ancient Kingdom still exerts influence over the entire continent today with its immortal masonry and the homogeneity of being human dynasties.

The buildings and roads they left behind are still in active service, and the ceremonies and culture they used symbolize the authority of nobles.

The continental common language, which the Ancient Kingdom forcibly integrated and distributed, transcended borders and cultures to become the primary language.

On the other hand, Luiamor did not leave much behind except for hygiene products.

They did not force their language or culture, and buildings were built with mortal materials that harmonized with nature. It could not be helped that precious ruins faded away before the waves of time.

Most Elves of the 3rd Era live closed off in the Great Forest north of the inland sea. Shooting arrows at everyone who approaches.

However, one place.

There is a human territory where the traces of Luiamor remain alive up to the present day.

"Do you know of this place?"

A fine finger stopped on a large island across the sea west of the continent.

"It's an island again."

"To say it's an island again. Britannia is a place embracing value and history incomparable to Sicily. You must not compare them equally."

Valda's ears stood completely straight like the number 11. Although she always maintains her composure, it seems her feelings are hurt just this once.

"I am sorry. I had no feelings of insulting it."

"I am sorry too. Sicily is also your precious territory, yet I spoke badly of it."

Apologetic, Valda affectionately stroked Eugene's cheek.

Britannia.

It is a large island country across the sea west of Goldford.

"There is no barrier as excellent as the sea, and those who value tradition as much as Britannia nobles are rare. Amidst the countless ravages of war on the continent, the heritage of Luiamor mostly ceased to exist, but this place alone is an exception."

"I heard from Panis that it is right on the verge of plunging into a large-scale civil war, though."

Perhaps sorry for declining the scouting offer, Panis organized and sent the surrounding political situations.

- Recently, Britannia merchants are buying weapons and recruiting mercenaries in western Goldford. It seems a big one is about to come.

Bone Yard is also reaping massive profits acting as an intermediary supplying military supplies from Roman and Samur to western Goldford.

A situation of even joining hands with the once-enemy Count Andar to borrow waterways. It was too great an amount of money to put recently formed grudges at the forefront.

"The occurrence of the civil war is because the Agrippa family, which has ruled Britannia as regents, met its destruction."

"By regents, you mean?"

Eugene knew quite a bit about the political situations of the continent, but he did not know about across the sea.

"Do you."

Valda looked at Eugene shyly.

"Know how many cases there have been officially of humans and Elves forming a union?"

The white finger that had been boldly pointing at the map subsides. It fled below her belly button and wiggled in a cluster.

"I do not know. Though I do know one more will be added to the frequency soon."

"...There were only three times."

"It's far far less than I thought."

"It is an exceptional occurrence that you are friendly with me or the Blackhand Tribe. The psychological barrier between humans and the Fairy Race is as high as the Appen Mountains."

"Still, it seems too few. As long as the history is, matters of affection sprouting shouldn't have been rare."

"As mentioned earlier, I only counted the official unions. Those who received blessings from both families, formed a family on owned land, and lived on."

"Oh, if that's the case, I understand. Because it is a much stricter condition than I thought."

Valda's finger, shaking off the shyness, pointed at the island once again.

"During the Luiamor era, the first union of a human and Elf took place in Britannia. The Half-Fairy family born like that ruled the island as proxies of the royal family."

"Is that the Agrippa family?"

"No. That Half-Fairy family was also exterminated a long time ago. According to the will left by the last Half-Fairy, the loyal Agrippa family took on the regency. What has been ruled like that all the way is the Britannia of today."

"So you're saying now that even that Agrippa has disappeared, a warring states period has opened?"

"Sadly."

Sorrow is full on Valda's face.

"The territories of the regent family mostly crossed over to greedy high nobles. However, there is one place. A place remaining resisting until the end."

The white finger moved to the place written as Cornwall. It is the southwestern-most tip of Britannia Island.

"It is the land of loyal ones. They have a tradition of not even producing high nobles, saying they cannot acknowledge a master other than the Elf royal family."

"Truly admirable."

The golden eyes warmheartedly look down at the Cornwall region. Excluding Eugene and Homi, it is an emotion of favoritism shown for the first time by Valda, who maintained a neutral attitude.

"However, it seems they had no confidence to hold out facing the civil war. They sent letters of salvation here and there including Goldford."

Valda took out a letter from her embrace and showed it to Eugene. Wondering where she obtained it, it's a formal letter stamped with the seal of the Cornwall Noble Alliance.

"Then are we going to occupy this place?"

"No. As I said before, we are going to reclaim rights."

Valda placed her hand on her own chest. Taking a deep breath for a moment, she continued speaking seriously.

"My true name is Valda El Filiamor. The last survivor of the royal family who received the first kiss from the world."

The Elf princess of radiant beauty looks at her knight.

"The blood flowing in this body is thicker than any existing Fairy's. I have the right to assert my right of succession to all territories claiming to be descendants of the 1st Era dynasty."

"...Wow."

Eugene realized the bridal furnishing was a far more terrifying thing than he thought.

Valda's bridal furnishing was closer to a blank check rather than specific wealth. Something that could possess massive value, or could be nothing more than a nominal scrap of paper.

Like that, the next destination was decided to be Britannia, across the sea west of the continent.

* * *

Facing a crucial expedition, the participation of the Great Summoner Marbas in the campaign is essential. Eugene called him to his castle.

"This is truly refreshing. Absolute paradise."

Marbas, wearing only shorts, is lying face down on a massage bed. A muscular masseur wearing a bandana on his head massages various parts of the vigorous old man's body, loosening the knotted muscles.

"I prepared this thinking you suffered too much in Palermo."

"To think I'd receive filial piety I never even expected in my destiny."

Right after, Marbas made an awkward expression.

"Was that perhaps presumptuous?"

"No. You are the one who will officiate at my wedding, so you can say that much to your heart's content."

"Hohoho."

Eugene saying this wasn't solely because of his friendship with Marbas.

A summoner is an existence presiding over the contact points between life and death, the present world and the otherworld. They are personnel treated exceptionally well as presiders of coming-of-age ceremonies, weddings, funerals, and ancestral rites, including coronations.

The reason the Blackhand Tribe accepted the human Marbas is also the same reason. Skills are skills, but a summoner is of great help in amicable exchanges with the human world.

"Please tell me anytime if it hurts."

The masseur spoke in a clumsy tone. From skin color, thick double eyelids, and slightly curly black hair, it's an appearance distinctly different from those of the continent or the peninsula.

"He seems to be from the Eastern Empire, where did you procure this person?"

"He is a slave who followed along to attend to the Immortals dispatched by the Caliph. He was staying in Catania City, and when I took over the city, he naturally became my property."

"For someone like that, his expression looks good?"

"The slaves from the Eastern Empire are quite peculiar, it seems. Their service spirit and diligence are magnificent, but should I say their sense of belonging is non-existent?"

"Ah, I know what that feeling is."

When Eugene took over Catania City, the city people captured the Immortals' slaves and offered them to the new Lord.

The slaves had faces unable to believe that all their terrifying former masters had died.

As far as they knew, Immortals are monsters among monsters who cleave any enemy as the swords of the Caliph.

However, when shown the flag of the Immortals Knights Order and their weapons and armors, they immediately assented. And then they began to serve their new master with all sincerity.

"Easterners do have such an aspect. The warrior class is fierce like wolves, but the rest are like a herd of docile sheep. Let alone slaves, words are not needed."

There is a reason why the continent's nobles desire slaves from the East even if they have to pay an expensive price.

"He didn't seem to have any thoughts of running away, and was obedient while also working hard, so I treated him like my own servants."

Putting clear bedding in their sleeping quarters, mixing proteins like meat or fish in their food, not unnecessarily whipping them, giving them a day off once a week, bestowing awards to those who work well, giving small marzipans as snacks to those whose birthdays it is, and sending them to watch when there are events in the city.

"Doing so, they instantly forgot their previous masters."

"...If one doesn't forget, they wouldn't be human. Your standard for obligations as a master is too high."

"Well, let's say that's that. For your age, your body is truly good."

Marbas is an old gentleman with an academic impression. Regarding canes too, he's the type who would look good with a neat ebony fashion cane, not a crooked wooden cane ordinary old men use.

However, it's incredible when he takes off his clothes. It was already a trained body originally, but after his burns were treated, it tightened even more solid. It's a figure that could beat a passable mercenary to death with bare fists.

"For summoners, physical training is just as important as mental discipline. Because smacking lips looking at a weak body is the same for thugs of the present world or existences of the otherworld."

"I think it's another secret to how Marbas could become close with the Blackhand Tribe."

When the massage finished, Marbas praised him with a satisfied face.

The masseur bowed deeply at the waist with a face of feeling unworthy. He backs away maintaining that posture exactly as is.

"Did you like the gifts?"

Eugene picked out the best ones among the spoils of war that came out after the Hydra hunt and gifted them to Marbas.

Summoners needed a lot of catalysts to use in summoning techniques, and using monster by-products is more efficient than artificial materials.

"It was so excessive it even made me feel sorry. Just selling a few of the things you gave me would have made me touch big money."

Marbas, upon receiving the Hydra's ovaries, was so moved he even shed tears. The ovaries of a monster harboring powerful mystery, and those of a Hydra at that. It's a dream material most summoners won't even get to see in their entire lives.

"Because thanks to you, I could avert my attention from Palermo and act. You stabilized the city all by yourself, so I must do at least this much for you."

"It was an impossible task for me alone. The Rothschild family you sent was of great help."

Chief Alessa is still active in Roman to utilize connections. She was securing Dark Elf tribes that would newly join under the flag of the Meyer family.

The Rothschild family is the first success case of that, a bloodline thoroughly composed of merchants.

"As much as they joined late, I saw they were eager to be recognized."

"They danced a bloody sword dance exactly as you permitted. Still, being realistic friends, they didn't get unnecessarily drunk on power."

"Because they are those who have lived their entire lives walking on eggshells. Chief Alessa isn't one to recommend just anyone either."

Currently, the Dark Elves of the Rothschild family are appointed as the main administrators of Messina, Palermo, and Catania and are working.

Going from a position of being bossed around their entire lives to becoming the bosses conversely, and being granted several privileges in dealings and trade, it seems they have a hard time escaping from that euphoric feeling.

"Are you going to continue entrusting the territories of Sicily to them hereafter as well?"

"I originally intended to set Security Officer Panis as a proxy, but I got refreshingly dumped."

Still feeling regretful, Eugene smacked his lips.

"The new friends will do well too, so do not worry."

"I'm worried the majority of the city people are humans, yet they might feel unpleasant with Dark Elves reigning over their heads."

"It doesn't matter. Do you think they are likely to even start a rebellion?"

Marbas waved his hand and snorted.

"A rebellion, rather than the immediate possibility of success, whether it can be maintained is important. It's the city of a monarch who might appear anytime leading thousands of elite troops and a castle full of supplies. Unless one is a lunatic, one cannot harbor vain thoughts. Speak the motto of your family."

"No one can predict us."

"Now there would be almost no one in Sicily who doesn't know that motto."

As distance grows, hearts also grow distant. Even if a monarch rules a territory excellently, if they leave for a distant place, that influence is lost faster than thought.

There was a reason why any competent king suffered a headache from news of rebellions and their suppression throughout their entire life.

However, that is a story inapplicable to the Meyer family. Because they can execute stop-and-frisk checks leading an army. There is also no fatigue, dissatisfaction, casualties, or costs incurred from long-distance marches.

"Even if not necessarily inspections, I'll have to drop by the island periodically. While also giving my subordinates a taste of a resort at the same time."

"Yes. To also collect the gathered taxes and tributes."

"Hearing it like that, I sort of feel like an evil lord."

"What evil. A generous lord like you would be rare too."

Two days after that.

Flash!

From the center of Sicily, a massive lightning bolt soared into the sky.

The information and mass contained within the lightning had become far more dense and compact than when it first fell on the island last year.

From the sky where dark whirlpool clouds were created, fierce winds were vomited out in all directions.

Crackle crackle!

From the clouds, residual energy continuously discharged, drawing the attention of people on the ground nearby.

"Gods. Please protect Viscount."

"May glory be with the Meyer family."

"Please do not leave us for too long."

The Sicilyn residents who knew what that meant prayed.

Praying that their new lord, who brought peace from monsters and bandits and bestowed good governance, would return again.

* * *

The lords of the Cornwall region have strong pride. They considered themselves the nobles among nobles.

Because the place the Luiamor Dynasty first landed when pioneering Britannia Island was exactly Cornwall.

They are upright individuals who have steadfastly pledged loyalty solely to the Elf dynasty while fighting numerous invaders including the Vikings and the Ancient Kingdom.

However, too long a time had passed since Luiamor disappeared.

"Ancestors. What on earth are we supposed to do? It is too treacherous and barbaric a world to live off pride alone."

There is a baron ruling a small territory in the Cornwall marches here. He felt like he would go crazy at the consecutive signs of war being reported.

The regent family that somehow maintained the peace of Britannia collapsed. Greedy high nobles have declared themselves kings and are preparing for wars of conquest.

Since they couldn't just hand over their territories to such bastards with their eyes open, the Cornwall nobles were also in a situation preparing for war.

However, there was a problem.

"Rejected again?!"

"I am sorry. The mercenary bastards refuse to comply."

"Tell them we will pay them more!"

"Those money ghosts ask where we belong first before compensation. When we say Cornwall, they immediately wave their hands in refusal."

"Th, th, these lowly bastards dare!"

Although mercenaries are said to sell off even their souls in front of money, as long as they are humans they have a desire for survival.

If they were going to intervene in Britannia where a large-scale civil war is certain, they wanted to stand on the strong side. Compensation is compensation, but they would be able to make big money through plundering.

Cornwall, which had no high noble to become a central figure and was weak in power, wasn't a very appealing employer.

"An army has appeared on the eastern outskirts!"

"Damn it! Have the Salisbury bastards arrived already?"

Salisbury is a strategic point of the southern Britannia nobles aiming for the Cornwall border.

"No. They are holding up white flags."

"Ooh!"

Color returned to the baron's face. White flags do not only mean surrender. Strictly speaking, it meant they had no intention of battling.

Right now, having requested help from all directions, if an army holding up white flags appeared before the war materialized in earnest, there is a high probability it is a relief force.

The baron lifted the wooden mug filled with beer from the nearby table and emptied half of it.

"Keuha...! Where did they say they came from?"

"It is the Meyer Viscount family of Sicily."

"???"

The baron's face became dumbfounded. It's partially because it's a family he had never heard of, but the departure point is the problem.

"They sent an army all the way here from Sicily?"

Because Britannia and Sicily were ridiculously far. It will be a grand journey surpassing continental pilgrims heading to the holy land in the East in the past.

Even the baron only barely knew the name of Sicily. Because it wasn't even marked at all on the map he possessed.

"Well, if they came to help first, it's fine. I must quickly prepare to host them. How many are their numbers? 100? 200?"

Hosting a noble visiting as a guest is the duty and pride of all nobles. Even more so if they are those who came for salvation, they must be served extremely cordially.

'Since they came from that far, it won't be a large number. But what food do Sicilyn nobles like? Since there is an island too, would it be similar to ours?'

The baron agonized in his mind over how to host them.

"It is over 2000 at a minimum."

"...What?"

The wooden mug held in the baron's hand fell, making a loud noise.

"And they are not a relief force either..."

"Didn't you say they were holding up white flags?"

"Viscount Meyer sent a letter. He says they will participate in the Britannia civil war saying they too have the right of succession."

"???"

"And he formally demanded from you too, Baron. To follow the obligation to assemble as a descendant of a vassal who swore a pledge of loyalty to Luiamor. H, how should we respond?"

"??????"

The voice of the messenger reading the letter gradually shrunk.

Because he got scared that the baron might swing a sword saying 'What nonsense is this? You dare to insult me in these times?!'.

Like that, Eugene's army took its first steps in Britannia.

An allied force succeeding the legitimacy of the 1st and 2nd Eras declared their participation in the arena where forks were aimed at each other over a split large pie.