Chapter 178

Chapter 178 - Conqueror (1)

The western region, where Earl Edward is the great lord, has many mountainous areas and mines. Economically it is not bad, but it is a region where the food self-sufficiency rate falls behind.

Normally, they resolve it by purchasing food from the outside, but they are experiencing difficulties as land trade routes are cut off due to the civil war.

Therefore, the granary protruding from the west toward the center was a place they had to protect at all costs.

The name of this fertile land is King's Field. It is where tribute goods meant to go up on the Far-Fairy family's dining table were offered in the distant past.

Naturally, there is no way the Kruger family would leave this alone. As if asking to be eaten, they raised an army targeting King's Field protruding toward the central region.

"Let's give up. It's impossible to fight and win against those bastards on flat terrain."

"If we abandon this place, we will wither and die anyway! It's better to fight when we have the energy!"

The nobles' opinions were tightly opposed, but eventually, the direction was set towards fighting.

They don't expect victory against Kruger's bastards who are like man-eating bears. The goal was to show the potential of the west and somehow drag them to the negotiation table.

The problem is that in such situations, one must always be wary of betrayal.

"The Baron must know well that stepping up against His Highness is a suicidal act."

Recently, an envoy of Kruger, who had proclaimed himself king, had a secret talk with a certain noble.

"What are you telling me to do? Excellency Edward and the majority of vassals want to fight."

"The King naturally understands such parts. Responsibility will be severely concentrated and inquired upon a small number of nobles."

"O-Of course! We have no intention of fighting against the Earl, no, His Highness. Isn't he the one leading Britannia's strongest legion?"

As if waiting, the noble nodded.

"Then are you agreeing?"

"However, no matter what, betrayal is..."

"We do not go as far as to demand betrayal from an honorable person. We are just asking you not to act actively. Weren't you the one who opposed this fight in the first place?"

"Uum."

The secret envoy picked out and spoke only words that alleviated the moderates' guilt. And the result.

"With this much, it's sufficiently worth holding out!"

Earl Edward, who constructed a sturdy defensive formation in King's Field, shouted confidently.

"Why on earth aren't you moving?!"

And he was appalled at the left-wing lords who evaded while making all sorts of excuses after the engagement started.

* * *

Eugene, who heard the circumstances, was baffled.

"Even considering they were bribed, I don't understand how the commander, Earl Edward, was captured. Did he not even have time to retreat?"

"That is, the right-wing commander of Kruger's army attempted a gamble."

The messenger isn't an ordinary foot soldier as he reports directly to the ruler of the south. He was in a state of having gathered and familiarized himself with various information. He could answer Eugene's question immediately.

"He turned allied forces to pincer Earl Edward's main army. Because the bribed western left wing was more passive than imagined, it's said they completely ignored them."

"I don't know which commander it is, but he sure has quite the guts. If it goes wrong, he could ruin his entire allied force."

In a 3 vs 3 sword fight, it's the same as giving up one's flank and pincering the center saying the opposite opponent was bribed.

If the opponent changes their mind and suddenly stabs with their sword, they would die a ridiculous unnatural death.

No matter how laughable the opponent looks, it's not something that can be done with ordinary courage and judgment.

'Are they fearless or do they have outstanding intuition as a warrior?'

What's certain is that the Kruger family and their subordinate vassals are not idiots who only put strength first.

Their armed forces are strong, yet they didn't hesitate with behind-the-scenes manipulations and bribery, and threw decisive gambles when necessary.

"Are you going to intervene?"

When the messenger withdrew, Rex asked. Perhaps feeling a guilty conscience while stealing and eating half the ketchup french fries, he put down his fork.

"You have a face wishing I would?"

"I heard a lot about Earl Kruger at the banquet. He is the kind of human who absolutely knows no satisfaction. Peaceful coexistence is impossible."

"The peace a bastard like that talks about is merely preparation time to stockpile armaments."

"Then will you summon the vassals?"

Rex had a face laden with anticipation. Because the memory of the time they ambushed the Barcia camp came to mind.

The Blackhand tribe has not often fought pitched battles bunched up in one lump. Because they avoided going all-in due to their expensive ransom and distrust toward humans.

Then, following Eugene, the entire clan is becoming the main characters of a large-scale battle that determines history. That was a heart-overwhelming glory as a natural-born warrior clan.

He knows he cannot become the protagonist of history books. However, the fact that his name will be written together next to Eugene's name at every major event in the future. That alone was enough.

"Motivation is good, but stepping forward right now is difficult."

He just barely ascended to being the great lord of the south. Even now, he was receiving vows of loyalty from nobles coming up from various places.

"The west will not collapse right away. Because there are many mountains so defense is easy."

The west is a famous production area for yewwood. Although their army shank due to the defeat, they still possess a powerful archer unit.

If they move into the mountains and continue resisting, it's impossible for even the Kruger family to suppress them in a short time. Moreover, it's a situation where hostile great lords are to the north and east.

"It's summer right now. In order for harvest season to arrive anyway, we have to wait until autumn."

"You probably aim for King's Field in autumn, right?"

Reading his lord's mind, Rex grinned.

The south and west governed by Eugene are connected by highways. One of those roads leads to King's Field currently occupied by the Kruger family.

"Yeah. When the grains ripen, we strike that land to obtain food and allies."

Eugene knows the proverb 'When the Nazis came for them'.

Jumping in right away is also a foolish act, but observing because of that was an even stupider thing.

* * *

"I intend to utilize the Emerald Garden as a place for treatment and recuperation. Would that be okay?"

"It is a place owned by Valda. There is no need to necessarily ask for my permission."

Valda held Eugene's hand and smiled.

"The Emerald Garden is a place where the aura of life is densely condensed. Just by staying there, the mind will gain peace, and the body's resilience will also increase."

"Those with sick family members will fret over it. Regardless of whether they look favorably upon me or look at me displeased, they will come out affably."

Even an idiot could tell how great of a political benefit this would provide.

"To have a wife who is this beautiful and provides such dependable support. I am a blessed bastard."

Smooch.

Eugene kissed the back of Valda's held hand.

"Handling documents together in peacetime, and side by side on the battlefield as a magician in wartime. A true companion in life indeed."

"It's just the thread following where the needle goes."

"You say words that are nice to hear."

Eugene's lips passed Valda's hand back and came up her arm marking it.

"W-Wait a moment. This kind of thing in broad daylight is."

Although Valda was flustered, she did not stop the physical contact. Denying a spouse's physical demands. That is something unimaginable for an Elf.

"When autumn comes, I will summon the army."

"I am aware. You must be thinking of aiming for King's Field?"

"That is correct."

Valda also grasped Eugene's intentions just from the information heard above.

"Before marching out, Valda needs to step forward. Please announce in front of the summoned vassals that the Emerald Garden will be used as a hospital."

"Wouldn't it be better for you, the great lord, to do it?"

"The Elf Princess speaking of it would make a better picture than me."

A strong man and a beautiful woman. The work that can produce maximum synergy for each is different.

"Those injured on Meyer's battlefield will be transported to the Emerald Garden regardless of their status. Please say it like that in front of everyone."

"It is a good idea. The soldiers will praise your mercy. Morale will also rise greatly."

Discussing small and big matters with Valda is something he had continuously done in the past as well.

However, talking as a wife rather than a friend is a completely different feeling. Even though merely one social status was added.

"It's a bizarre feeling."

"Hm?"

"Up until now, whenever I hatched a big plan, a corner of my chest was always heavy."

"Because you are a monarch with many people you bear."

As if feeling sorry, Valda stroked Eugene's cheek.

"However, in a span of just one night, that burden went down drastically. Is this what the power of family is?"

"You may lean on me as much as you want and pour out whatever you want to me."

Valda warmly took Eugene's two hands and brought them to her chest. Golden eyes gazed at him imbued with warm affection.

"Even if it's worries you cannot speak of to others, it's fine. That is what a married couple is."

"Is erotic stuff fine too?"

"..."

The good atmosphere was crushed in a single blow. Valda clenched her lips slightly, very slightly.

"...It is."

"Oh!"

But she nodded her head. If this reduces her husband's burden and stress, she will merely accept it willingly as a wife.

"What I hope for is."

Eugene whispered into Valda's ear. The Elf's ear, which had not recovered its tautness having been plundered so much on the first night, flinched.

"Eugene."

"Please speak."

Having heard the entire request, Valda tightly shut her eyes.

"This, absolutely do not speak of it to another person."

"Of course. How could I talk about this kind of thing to someone other than my wife?"

"Not to Homi either."

"Wouldn't Homi be fine?"

"Her respect toward you might decrease."

Perhaps that was a terrifying imagination for Valda as well, her golden eyes trembled.

"That won't happen. What a generous kid Homi is."

When telling her something whether privately or business-related, a stiffness that one might expect at least once. Whether due to dislike, embarrassment, or difficulty, a 0.1-second stiffness that could occur out of hesitation.

Homi had never even once shown such a thing.

- I am counting on you.

- Fufut.

She merely accepts it while wagging her head and tail together.

"Now now, it is mealtime. Let's go quickly."

Eugene helped Valda stand up. She is wearing a broadly wide skirt. She used good cloth, but due to its structure, sophisticatedness and the like could not be found.

Normally it was uncharacteristic of her who paid great attention to fashion, but there was a justifiable reason for it.

Totter totter.

Valda, who always walked in a straight posture, moves with a hunched back in a tottering figure-eight walk. Sometimes she even grimaced as if pain surged up.

"I am sorry."

Feeling responsibility as the culprit, Eugene supported Valda.

"It is not entirely because of you. Because it's an appearance typically shown by a bride who underwent her first night."

Valda paused her words for a moment.

"Of course, that first night was excessive, but."

"You must have been embarrassed in front of the tribe members because of me. Everyone must have stared meaningfully."

There are witch apprentices and female doctors receiving Valda's teachings, and numerous female Dark Elves entangled in other business matters. The moment they see Valda's walking gait for even 1 second, they will realize the cause.

"Well, at first I was embarrassed too, but it wasn't the case at all."

The face of the Elf bride was somewhat flush with pride.

"I guess everyone tactfully pretended not to know?"

"No, the opposite."

Valda received gazes full of envy wherever she went.

- You said the bed collapsed in just one night?

- I heard it was to the point where everywhere in the room felt damp.

- Cassandra's warriors who stood guard were saying. That they wanted to get married.

The fairy race's affectionate acts revere the value of intensity more than anything else.

The marks the Meyer couple left in the bridal room, the happy moans ringing out all night long, and even the intense scent permeated in Valda's body before washing. All of that was already passing as a legend.

* * *

While Valda went to see the supplies and laborers to be stockpiled at the Emerald Garden. Eugene waited for the invited guest in the reception room.

"Do I smell like something?"

Going round and round near Eugene, Homi adorably wiggled her nose. She, who possesses an incredible sense of smell, can distinguish subtle changes in scent wafting from a person's body.

- Marbas. Homi says a trace of a cold is wafting from you. Please take a rest in the heating room for a few days.

- I'm saying it's hot there!

- Isn't it better than ailing with a cold? Do not ignore Homi's sincerity.

Simple diseases they could grasp early and take action in advance.

Naturally, the target Homi pays the most attention to sniffing is Eugene. True to his innate strong constitution, Eugene has never suffered from minor illnesses once in his life.

However, Homi also doesn't only smell scents for practical uses.

"It tickles."

When there were no people around, she would bury her face in Eugene's neck or chest. His body odor is Homi's most favorite preference.

"You say there is a strong scent of an Elf?"

Nod nod.

Having hugged violently and rolled around so much, despite washing meticulously, it seems his wife's scent permeated his body.

"Fufufut."

Homi's tail wagged pleasingly.

She didn't hate her lord smelling of Valda. Because the Elf Princess was also someone Homi loved.

As she could smell the scents of two precious people at once, she seemed even more satisfied. As if tasting a supreme cocktail, Homi darted her tongue in and out.

"I'm inquiring everywhere, but ultimately I couldn't find it here either."

Eugene stroked Homi's neck. He is looking into ways to recover her voice in every way possible, but continues to fail.

The magician invited this time is also a dud.

"Excellency. This is fundamentally different from aphasia. Because it's a side effect originating from the powerful mystery of a beast."

"Is it a no-go for you as well?"

"I am sorry."

At the disappointed figure of Eugene, the magician ducked his head. He is a person highly renowned for driving out possessions of evil spirits or elementals. Just in case he pinned his hopes on him, but it was just as expected.

"For alchemists, witches, esteemed priests, summoners, and soul experts to all not know a method."

Pat pat.

Eugene who grabbed his face in his hands, and rather Homi comforting him. The magician who was looking at the two carefully asked.

"Have you perhaps also talked with Druids?"

"Naturally I've met them. But they couldn't even grasp a clue either."

"The ones I speak of are not ordinary Druids. Even if they accepted the souls of beasts, they are those living under the light of civilization. Their mystery is bound to be weak."

"In that case?"

"Among primitive tribes, there are those who have inherited secrets and knowledge from time immemorial. I dare presume if there exists an entity that can recover the retainer's voice, it would only be them."

"Where on earth do I find such people?"

"...I am sorry."

At the figure of Eugene lamenting, the magician watched his mood carefully.

It's a world teeming with atrocious monsters and beastmen. For the sake of survival alone, the people of the continent huddled under the light of civilization.

"A primitive tribe living in an isolated world. To find such people it has to be at the level of a new world nobody has gone to..."

Eugene, speaking inadvertently, stiffened. For a moment, there was a certain image floating clearly in his mind.

A stereotypical appearance of decorating their heads with feathers, serving various beasts as gods, and living treating nature as a friend.

'First, I'll have to do something about that Kruger bastard somehow.'

He couldn't empty the south leaving a beast drooling right in front of him.

Intense desire dwelled in Eugene's eyes, where a sense of duty as a great lord had occupied the main part. It was also a hope he had long desired.

Smooch.

"Do not overdo it. My..."

Homi, who kissed Eugene's cheek, said.

The latter words could not be finished in the end. Because that was the restriction placed on Homi.

Knight and retainer. Older brother and younger sister. Oldest comrade. Childhood friend. A person one can hand a razor to and entrust one's neck. Battlefield partners who can entrust their backs to each other.

To express such feelings of Homi wholly even a little, it was impossible with a few words. She must be able to speak one sentence or more wholly.

"Telling me not to overdo it after this. That indeed is an unreasonable request."

Eugene rubbed his forehead against Homi's. They exchanged each other's body odor and breath. It's Homi's favorite physical contact.

"I will definitely find your voice. What point is there in saving that power when I climbed up to a great lord?"

Eugene is one who is uninterested in vanity or luxury. However, for Homi, he could pour it out as much as he wanted. Because now he had that much strength and power.

* * *

"Is His Excellency Meyer not issuing a mobilization order?"

"My wife is crying every night saying she's worried about her parent's home in the west. How on earth should I soothe her."

"Whether late or early, it's an unavoidable war. If that's the case, it would be good to step up for a preemptive strike to gain the beauty of a surprise attack."

The nobles of the south were also paying attention to the events happening up above.

"Since when was everyone this brave?"

"Gentlemen who hesitated at Viscount Winchester's mobilization order suddenly talking about."

To those who knew the southern nobles' disgraceful behaviors at the beginning of the civil war, it was merely baffling.

In Britannia, the south strongly had an image of being relatively weak.

The west possessing Britannia's largest longbowmen, fitting the paradise of yewwood.

The east, having the most population thanks to the abundance of black soil plains, and having fought countless times with invading foreign tribes.

The central region, boasting a robust warrior culture by homogenizing with foreign tribes themselves.

The northern region guarded by the roughest mountainous terrain, cold, and Highlanders.

Each had conditions where they had no choice but to become strong, but the south corresponded to none of them.

All they had was money. Farmland second to the east and the position as the best commercial area.

"Ahem! Stop making a wet blanket sound in front of a crisis."

"Originally vassals take after the monarch. Whether they become wild dogs or wolves depends on the leader."

Needless to say for the Cornwall nobles who were loyalists from the start. The vassals who faced Eugene's army, or followed Eugene and attacked the Barcia army also gained strong conviction.

That if he leads them, even Earl Kruger is not a fearsome enemy.

Even just when they heard Viscount Winchester's mobilization order, they felt uneasy thinking 'What was to come has come'.

But now, it was to the extent of fretting, 'Why isn't His Excellency issuing an order?'.

Hearing the vassals' reactions, Eugene focused on the stabilization of the territory. Even when it's time to fight, the logistics in the rear must be sturdy to maintain combat power.

"Haven is a place equipped with only the advantages of an inland city and a port city. There would be no lack even if it functions as the capital of a country in the future."

A Dark Elf in merchant attire offered a newly organized tax plan.

They are members of the Rothschild family. A merchant clan that joined under Eugene's command through Chief Allessa's introduction.

After finishing the stabilization of Sicily, they followed Eugene to Britannia leaving a small number of managers behind.

"In some aspects it's similar to Norfork. Although comparing them in scale or growth potential is an embarrassing level."

Glancing over the tax plan, Eugene nodded.

"You've suffered a lot. Because the existing method was too much of a mess. It was just right for middle managers to take a bite here and there."

"We have already sorted out the places where corruption is suspected. Should we dance a sword dance here for a bout as well?"

The Rothschild family is a pure merchant group without combat prowess, unlike other Dark Elf tribes. Therefore, the anger accumulated while suffering power trips in human society was no joke.

If only Eugene's permission falls, they seemed ready to cut out the rotten flesh of the city right away. That was their work and at the same time a refreshing drink.

"Dancing a sword dance is fine, but it's troublesome if it's like Sicily. Since this is a much bigger world and a war is ahead of us."

"Of course! We will absolutely not cause trouble to Your Excellency."

"Good. I will leave it to you this time too."

"Thank you."

The Dark Elf merchant who was promised large profits and rights gave the courtesy of a vassal.

"Do you people know of the Hanseatic League?"

"If you don't know them, you aren't a merchant. Because they are the ones with the widest reach on the continent."

"They are sociable and competent, but they cannot be wholly trusted."

"Because you, Excellency, are also just one customer to them..."

"So I wish your family would replace their position. It will be impossible right now, though."

"!!!"

The merchant stiffening in surprise was only for a moment.

"The world will become wider going forward. We will have to lay down new infrastructure accordingly, but I hate letting others put their feet in there."

"It's nothing but an honor. We will serve you with all our heart and strength."

The merchant bowed deeply on behalf of the entire Rothschild family.

- If you want a better future, invest now. Because a shining vanguard seat will await you all.

At the same time, he sincerely thanked Chief Allessa who had visited and persuaded them in the past from the bottom of his heart.

After solidifying their internal stability like that for a few months. Around the time the wheat fields were getting dyed golden, servants simultaneously ran out from Haven.

"Unite under the name of Meyer."

The mobilization order Eugene, who started as a free knight and became a great lord, made for the first time spread across the entire south.