Chapter 193

Chapter 193 - Too Early

Rex pursued from a distance following Eugene's command. He focused on raising the stress of the fleeing Central army to the extreme.

The sight of hundreds of cavalry kicking up dust and chasing from behind. The soldiers had to constantly look back in the midst of being tired just from walking.

Wheeeeing-.

When night fell, whistling arrows making loud noises fell onto the camp. Those who pushed away fear and hunger and barely fell asleep were forcibly awakened.

"Please let us get some sleep! You sons of bitches!"

The routed soldiers grabbed their hearts pounding at 2 times the speed from the sudden awakening and yelled viciously. Furthermore, the whistling arrows were merely the beginning.

"It's fire!"

To the point of going crazy as they even shot fire arrows soaked heavily in oil. Since it wasn't just one or two but over 100 arrows falling on the tents, if they made a single misstep they could burn to death while sleeping.

But not pitching tents made the night wind ahead of winter painful.

"Don't let them sleep a wink."

Rex's pursuit unit took turns sleeping and attempted false charges in the dead of night. Since they were all cavalry, taking turns rushing with just about 100 units was perfectly effective.

Dudududu!

The mercenaries sleeping on the ground realized for the first time just how unpleasant a sensation it is to wake up from the vibration of the earth.

Furthermore, as they ran around in a crane wing formation with tree branches tied to their horses with ropes, that clamor increased twofold.

"Hey you motherless and fatherless bastards! If you're men, fight fair and square!"

"I don't want to!"

When knights who couldn't hold back their pent-up anger charged, they turned into hedgehogs and collapsed, so no one dared to step forward.

"Aren't you even ashamed to see your ancestors? Even in death, you guys will never reach Valhalla!"

"What kind of place is that? Goddess Vanas is with us!"

If it were a Britannian knight, they would likely be shaken by such a provocation, but to the Blackhand tribe, it just sounded like praise.

It was truly a pursuit battle drying people to death.

"Little Chief. Now less than half of the enemies' numbers remain. Shall we slowly set out to attack?"

"No. Although many deserters are occurring, the rear is still solid. The barricades are sturdy and many archers are deployed too."

Just as Eugene warned, King Kruger was hiding his fangs. He seemed to intend to somehow land a blow to stop the pursuit and then quickly run away.

"Baron Boute! Hurry and open the gates! Your King has arrived!"

The tattered routed soldiers barely arrived at Norrington Castle, but the castle gates did not open.

"I have never had a tyrant as my King. Hurry and withdraw."

Upon finding out that Baron Boute defected, sighs were heard from all directions. The emotions of resignation and despair were much bigger than anger.

"Such a traitor! We will kill you!"

"Archer unit!"

Several arrows were aimed towards the central nobles going crazy.

"Your Highness! We will carve a path to the North even if we have to overdo it. If we don't leave right now, those demon-like bastards will catch up."

"Heoheoheo."

The sensation of things achieved with difficulty collapsing like a sandcastle in an instant. King Kruger no longer even made a resentful expression. He merely moved as his retainers led while shedding hollow laughter.

The routed soldiers, who ran looking only at Norrington Castle, had their minds collapse the moment they confirmed Baron Boute's surrender.

Just one night! More deserters occurred than had occurred in the past days of retreat. It was even to the point that knights ran away.

Miserably shriveling up and running away like that, their journey ended getting caught in an ambush.

"Kruger, this cursed bastard! I will avenge my father!"

The person commanding the ambush forces was an eastern noble whose father was executed by King Kruger.

* * *

Eugene looked down at King Kruger's corpse wordlessly for a while. As the end of a powerful monarch, it was a vain end.

"I was thinking of making him squarely face his crimes one by one in a tribunal."

"If you hand down punishment, I will accept it sweetly."

The eastern noble spoke calmly.

One might wonder why he requests punishment when he eliminated the enemy boss during a war, but it is a somewhat complicated problem.

For nobles capable of paying ransom, their bodies become expensive like gold of the same weight depending on which family they are from. That is why they customarily weighed contributions.

The ones who greatly defeated King Kruger in the field and made him a fugitive was Eugene, and the ones who tormented him to the end as pursuers were also Eugene's subordinates.

This situation of suddenly cutting in and killing him, adding a bit of exaggeration, could also be considered akin to thievery.

It being unimportant that he was a person to be executed anyway. Since it is a world where they even wage duels over impractical problems like which noble's flag is hung first or hung the highest after a castle falls.

"Excellency. That person is a maternal relative of Count Harvester."

Eugene nodded at Baron Foster's advice.

"Too many innocent nobles have already died. I will not ask for responsibility so rise."

"...I will not forget the grace."

Upon arriving at Norrington Castle, Baron Boute was out in front of the wide open castle gates. His wife, retainers, and knights were also lined up behind him.

"I congratulate you on your victory. Please accept this lowly person's surrender."

As the Baron knelt, everyone accordingly knelt.

"Baron. Thanks to your decisive action we could reduce unnecessary waste."

Eugene dismounted from his horse and raised him up personally.

"The Boute family's rights will be guaranteed going forward as well, and a seat for you will be prepared at every major event. Will you sit next to me at the banquet today?"

"It is an honor!"

The Baron pledged loyalty with tears welling in his eyes. The scribes and knights also let out sighs of relief.

Usually, those who surrender should be made an example in a good sense. Eugene intended to treat him several times more generously than the Baron thought.

"If by any chance the eastern nobles try to persecute you, reveal that your family is under my protection."

"In front of His Excellency the Count's prestigious name, what fearless person would dare thrust a sword?"

Baron Boute was originally from a central noble family. 2 years ago, when the previous lord who ruled Norrington Castle died suddenly without an heir, he, who was a relative, inherited the title.

Taking an eastern noblewoman as his wife and working hard, being subtly ostracized was still his daily life.

Let alone after the civil war began, while keeping loyalty to his original lord King Kruger, his surroundings turned into enemies in all directions.

'Since I even surrendered, with what kind of gaze will the surrounding nobles look at me later?'

Just thinking about that made Baron Boute's breath short. At such a time, Eugene's guarantee was more precious than a thousand pieces of gold.

A banquet was held in the camp outside the castle to commemorate the new tie.

"It is rightly I who should host."

"I know your circumstances are not good from supporting the Central army's supplies. Besides, since you pledged loyalty as my vassal, the responsibility to host is with me."

Because it was after sending down all the good things to King Kruger, what Norrington Castle could serve was bread and a bit of vegetables, that is all. Rather, Eugene's camp could eat much more abundantly.

Thanks to that, the Baroness and the butler, whose complexions had been dark due to the hosting problem, regained their color.

Actually, separate from things like this, the reason Eugene's vassals vehemently stopped him from entering the castle was also big.

- It is utterly untrustworthy. Please hold the banquet outside.

- The blood of loyalists inside that castle hasn't even dried yet. It is dangerous for Your Excellency to step foot inside.

It is the distress of a person who committed betrayal in a world that reveres loyalty and honor.

- Didn't they say he is a person who cherishes the custom of hospitality that much, wouldn't it be fine if I just eat anything at all?

- Excellency! Please heed our loyal advice!

Even if the Baron was scheming a sinister plot, he couldn't harm Eugene. Because heavily armed knights and tribal warriors were scheduled to escort him.

However, since there were sufficient excuses to hold a banquet outside the castle and the abundance of food was also markedly different, he listened to his vassals' words.

"Cheers!"

The banquet atmosphere was wonderful.

"A nomad tribe's tent you say... Being able to build it quickly yet it looks sturdy."

"But if you stay here it seems all the noise would leak out. Wouldn't it be embarrassing between neighbors?"

"This is the grain liquor of the fairy tribe! Indeed I can see the reason it's called drinkable bread. I feel like my energy is soaring."

At the unfamiliar yet interesting treatment, the people of Baron Boute's family also had satisfied complexions.

Valda paid attention and prepared it so that they wouldn't feel an inferiority complex like, 'They suspect treating us because we are a betrayer family.'

"There has been one thing I was curious about from before. You kept your loyalty to King Kruger even in a state surrounded by the Eastern army right after the civil war. Why did you surrender to me?"

Eugene, sitting in the seat of honor, poured liquor into the Baron's cup.

"I am not trying to mock you, nor trying to test you. It's just because I am purely curious. For what reason a change of heart occurred."

"To me, who has no special abilities, loyalty was a value more important than anything."

Fingering the liquor cup, the Baron gulped it down at once.

"But many things changed when I became a father."

"It was such a reason."

It is a simple yet intensely strong reason above all for a person to change their mind.

"It is not a matter that ends with our family. The future of the defense forces and the people of the castle was also staked on it. Realizing that my own child is precious, other people's children looked different too."

It seems Baron Boute even opened his eyes to the preciousness of other people's children. As a noble of this era, it was an amazing change.

"When your wife's expected delivery date nears, it is fine to send her to the Shade Garden."

"H-How could I accept such precious consideration..."

Childbirth in this era is the most dangerous task next to going out to battle. That is no exception even for a noble.

The Shade Garden is a place that makes both body and mind replete. There is also a superstition that children born there become healthy receiving nature's blessing.

For Eugene, it was a stronghold with high political utility in many ways.

Like that, the Britannian Civil War that was stained with numerous blood reached a settlement.

Those who dared claim to be king disappeared and the families also returned to their original titles. However, everyone squarely faced one fact.

That a supreme ruler whom no one in Britannia could dare oppose was born, even though he still called himself a Count.

* * *

"Among the vassals, talks came out trying to push you for Duke."

After the banquet ended, Valda said lying facing him.

"I did hear a few drunk guys chattering. The surroundings didn't even stop them."

"Naturally. If one opposes there they become a disloyal person."

The one who responded most actively was Baron Boute.

"What are your thoughts?"

Valda asked in a subtle tone.

"I have no particular interest."

"It is a Dukedom no less. Isn't that honor desirable? Since it is inheriting the status of the regent family that originally ruled this island nation, the justification is also valid."

Eugene shook his head shortly on the pillow.

"It's not like rights I didn't have arise just because I become a Duke. Only heaps of holes for money to go out to maintain dignity will occur. The vigilance against me would also rise greatly."

Although people from all directions revere Eugene as the one who defeated the tyrant, it does not only contain positive emotions. If you peel off a layer, there is also plenty of fear about the appearance of a new supreme ruler.

"Whether wealth or vigilance, you should be able to handle it all sufficiently."

The center of Britannia completely shifted to the South. It was originally an abundant region with active trade too, but it cleanly avoided the destruction of war.

Refugees who lost their homes are crossing over to the South in large numbers, military power is also at a level with no adversaries, and political symbolism like Valda or the Shade Garden is also big.

"That's why we have to wait more. Because taking what you can get your hands on anytime right now buys the fear of others. Waiting until it enters our embrace on its own like that has nothing bad."

Valda entirely couldn't understand where Eugene's composure came from. She just followed the will of the husband she respected as his wife.

"You are a knight among knights, but sometimes you look farther from a knight than anyone."

"Sometimes?"

Eugene smiled, pulled out Valda's pillow, and put in his own arm.

"...Actually often."

She didn't decline and put her cheek on Eugene's arm.

"You really like arm pillows."

"Because it is cozy, you see. Are you not hurting?"

"Not at all. Arm pillows given to an Elf are special."

Elves have long ears. Because of that, weight distribution worked well for both the side receiving the arm pillow and the side giving it.

Since there are racial differences, new things are always discovered even in trivial actions.

New sensation.

New admiration.

New joy.

"It's heavy."

Valda trembled finely at Eugene's weight pressing her whole body. On the luxurious field bed, strength entered their two intertwined fingers.

"Should I step aside?"

"No."

Two porcelain-like legs wrapped around Eugene's legs.

"It's a little stifling, but this is good in its own way."

Valda felt Eugene's weight with her whole body with her eyes gently closed.

She was Valda who, after having their first night, came to know the joy existing on the back side of agony.

The beginning was sharp piercing pain followed by ecstasy. However, as their newlywed life continued, the sensations she knew also widened.

She realized that the combinations of sensations the flesh can create are infinite.

That simply pain and pleasure. Strange tastes that cannot be defined by just two things were hidden everywhere in the female body.

- You went out to the forest alone again! Even though I said it's dangerous at night!

She recalled memories of the times she explored the Emerald Forest while being scolded by Grace in her childhood.

* * *

"King Kruger really died? Is that certain?"

"It's not just one or two people who saw it. They say he got hit by arrows to the point his face couldn't even be recognized."

Rumors quickly spread across the entirety of Britannia. And the eastern noble who killed King Kruger received much criticism.

"No! Then wouldn't he have gone painlessly? For that damn bastard, it's a death too luxurious."

Because it wasn't the killing that was the problem, but the manner of killing was regrettable. Since they couldn't kill someone who was already dead again, the next agenda was how to dispose of his corpse.

"Excellency! Please reconsider it once more!"

"It is a judgment made after thinking 10 times, so do not bring it up anymore."

Restraining the nobles who wanted to insult even the corpse, Eugene handed over his father's corpse to Krey.

After pulling out the arrows and suturing the wounds, it was even embalmed and placed in a clean coffin. Krey was bewildered by Eugene's unexpected favor.

"Would it really be okay?"

"Naturally it's not okay. Didn't your father buy quite a lot of grudges? There are many nobles harboring dissatisfaction."

"..."

Krey didn't want to cause a nuisance to Eugene even if just for the two hearts: respect as a knight, and a sense of shame as a noble.

However, even if he was a tyrant, it is his flesh and blood. As a child, he couldn't endure his father's corpse being mutilated and mocked.

"But who would defy me saying I will return it? One just has to ignore a little bit of grumbling. The only thing I wish from Sir is just to not forget."

"I will never forget. Both you stopping my father, and you showing mercy to me."

Krey promised that he would drive out his eldest brother and become the head of the family himself immediately upon returning.

That was the minimum condition for a peace agreement. Because the eldest brother was in a situation where he bought many grudges from the things he committed while collaborating with King Kruger.

Because unlike his younger brother he didn't have any military talent at all, he would be simply ousted in front of Krey supported by Eugene.

"As of this time, I lift the convocation order. I praise everyone for carrying out their oaths honorably. I am sincerely proud of you."

The vassals stamped their feet simultaneously and offered military salutes.

"It is we who were able to leave our names in history under Your Excellency."

"Hahaha! I am already looking forward to my wife's face. She has probably never seen such abundant loot before."

The vassals, who successfully completed the first convocation, returned to their respective hometowns. Together with wealth piled full in their respective carts.

"You have followed directions well in the meantime. Since the war ended, go wherever you want to go."

"Thank you for your mercy."

The mercenaries who surrendered at Kingsfield were released giving their equipment back and adding a given travel expense.

"I think it feels a bit early though?"

Rex discovered many remnants of the Central army in the process of pursuing King Kruger. Occupied villages or fortresses, and those who heard news of the defeat and hid in the mountains numbered quite a few.

"Because it is at a level the eastern nobles can resolve on their own, it won't be a problem. Rather, us staying here would be more anxiety-inducing."

"Indeed, it would be the shape of a tiger that chased away a wolf lying down and scratching its belly."

Among nobles' help, there is nothing for free. They were already in a situation owing a tremendous debt of the heart to Eugene's army.

If they tried to sweep out even the remnants here, beyond being thankful, the eastern nobles would harbor fear and suspicion.

Saying Eugene came not to save them, but to become a second King Kruger.

"On top of that, wouldn't it be awkward in its own way if we make eye contact with the nobles here?"

King Kruger swept across the West and East and gathered tremendous loot.

The Southern army, who smashed the Central army and seized the loot, can claim legitimate ownership.

In principle, the eastern nobles couldn't ask for it back, but it was also true that they would be self-conscious of the original owners.

After the vassals earnestly expressed their courtesy to Eugene in their respective ways, they left not even looking back.

* * *

"I hate it. Beards, that is."

Having seen off the vassals to leave safely, Eugene, left alone, stroked his rough chin.

Eugene always shaved, liking cleanliness, but during the war, he had to endure.

Because his subordinate soldiers were carrying out missions not even being able to wash properly, he couldn't enjoy a refreshing pleasure all by himself.

Though other nobles enjoyed their noble rights whether the people below them rolled in dirt or not, that is not Eugene's method.

"Heung heung~."

From the ears of Eugene lying on a luxurious massage chair, Homi's humming arrives. Trimming the lord's hair and shaving his beard is the hobby she likes most.

It was enjoyable to watch Eugene's glory winning victory after victory on the battlefield, but it was definitely a shame that shaving was interrupted during that time.

Squish squish.

The highest quality fragrance heavily placed in delicate hands was applied all over the thick tail. It was a much higher class item than what they used in the Bonyard mansion 2 years ago.

As Eugene and Homi attained success, fragrances, creams, tools, everything was upgraded.

Floof.

Soft tail fur settled down on Eugene's face. Behind that sensation, Homi's body heat hiding shyly is felt.

Every time Eugene breathed, the scent of rose oil that crossed over from the far South burrowed into his lungs.

"It's fragrant. And soft."

It was a service Homi bestowed when washing Eugene's hair or trimming his beard. At the same time, it was also her desire.

Beastmen have an instinct to rub their scent onto precious people. In Homi's case, she became aware of her position and acted much more refinedly.

"I missed this peaceful time."

"Your appearance with a beard was also cool."

The voice of Homi holding the razor contained sincerity and regret.

"Then shall I grow it?"

"♪~!"

Homi expressed her intent to refuse with a whistle. As Eugene slightly moved the tail aside with his index finger, her resolute expression could be seen.

An appearance seeming to say, 'A face with a grown beard is also cool, but I cannot give up this precious time either.'

Homi began shaving feeling Eugene's breath touching her tail.

Rex is the only retainer who can call Eugene 'Sir Knight'. Everyone envied that privilege, and Rex also considered it pride. But even he became small in front of Homi.

Scrape scrape.

The right to be the only one able to put a knife to Eugene's neck. That is Homi's privilege that even Rex couldn't dare covet.

"Fufufut."

Homi stroked Eugene's cheek that became smooth after the work finished. Eugene also gently closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation of Homi's fingers.

Truly good things do not change. This routine will be eternal even if the two people rise to a higher place.

When the cold of winter covered Britannia in earnest, Eugene's army returned to the Moving Castle.