Chapter 195

Chapter 195 - Beyond the Ocean (2)

"Whenever you go out to fight, you bring back a massive trophy."

Marbas, who visited from Haven, looked at the new taxidermy exhibited in the Moving Castle's lobby.

The bipedal demonic creature Tyrant summoned by the Orc Priest. Standing it side by side with the Gnoll chieftain, it matched truly well.

Marbas stroked his beard as if he liked the lingering scent of another world felt from the Tyrant's leather.

"You worked hard. Since not much time has passed since taking Haven, there must have been many places needing your hands."

The master emptying his seat in a situation where stabilization is incomplete is a dangerous thing. In the worst case, a rebellion could even occur.

"Thanks to Lord Marbas we could eat and drink fully even in a foreign land. We could also save face in front of the assembled vassals."

"For battles, if things don't go as one wishes one can retreat, but hunger is something you can absolutely never avoid."

Marbas was in charge of not only the management of the fief but also rear supply.

Generally speaking, when it comes to contributors of war, the commanders who boasted bravery at the front lines or defeated enemy generals are bound to receive attention. However, in reality, the person overseeing the supply lines in the rear was the most important.

Both King Kruger and Count Edward placed their eldest sons at their home base. That wasn't to protect their successors, but because rear supply was that crucial of a task.

"I truly admired that you asked the merchants about each vassal's favorite items and prepared them separately."

"The Blackhand tribe friends have strong pride, but they lacked sense in this aspect. So I had to prepare it instead so they wouldn't be hated by the nobles during their mercenary corps days."

Nobles are those who act luxuriously enjoying gastronomy and performances even during war. Only by taking good care of these things did the dignity of the great lord who convened the vassals stand.

The loyalty of nobles is like a sort of health food, so it cannot be satisfied with a single menu. Besides sweeping away enemies on the battlefield, one must also show hedonistic examples.

"I prepared gifts containing gratitude."

As Eugene gestured, the maids brought magic loots. The Orc Priest's research journal, the pagan scripture that connected him to the evil god, and the ritual staff passed down through generations.

"I hope you like them."

"Naturally I like them!"

Marbas fingered the pagan scripture with trembling hands. Precious secrets are always bound to be hidden in dangerous knowledge.

"Meat with the poison cut out is truly a delicacy."

"If by any chance you suffer disaster, I will definitely save you."

"That is truly reassuring."

Marbas also rejoiced at the words conveying sincerity. To think he treats him as a single friend despite reigning as the supreme ruler swaying Britannia.

"This scripture will become wonderful nourishment for Goddess Vanas."

"I transcribed them all neatly and moved them to Lord Marbas's quarters. In the case of the research journal, I bound it into a book to be easy to view."

"...If you get a new squire or godchild, please definitely teach them these attentive parts as well. There really ought to be more lords like you."

Unlike artifacts like weapons or accessories, for book types, the contents were important. Originals were not necessarily good.

Due to the nature of paper and ink, there are many cases where they were written in poor environments, or they rot and tear from the passage of time.

Eugene, who became wealthy, produced luxurious manuscripts using suede covers and coated paper refined by alchemists.

"Ohh... The faith pursued in a barbaric life is truly unique."

There's a joy to be tasted in the setting of receiving it. Eugene waited for Marbas to skim through his share of loot.

"I heard you are thinking of setting out on an expedition beyond the sea."

Marbas, who put down the scripture with a satisfied face, put his nose to the Priest's staff.

Huuk.

The thick scent of another world enraptured him more than top-tier tobacco leaves.

"It is an exploration, not an expedition. We are going for peaceful purposes. I intend to collect information about beyond the ocean in the Land of Snow."

In order to find paintings of a real new continent, Eugene himself going directly was certain.

"Since we can advance into an unknown world, Lord Marbas will also have to accompany the army. Many things including the weather will be unfamiliar, would you be okay?"

"Are you thinking I wouldn't go after mentioning an unknown world in front of a summoner?"

Marbas's eyes sparkled like a boy, unfitting his age.

"The merchants and scribes of the Rothschild family took in many human disciples. Unless some bastards with swollen livers invade, there will probably be nothing to worry about."

Abolishing the recommendation method and selecting personnel centered on ability. Resetting trade goods and tariff goods, and reorganizing the tax system.

This task is not something a single outstanding intellectual can handle. The help of the merchant family Rothschild was massive.

Marbas's main roles were authority and a shield. It was blocking the slander and checks of those who take a loss as reforms progress, as Eugene's close aide and a summoner.

Since it has reached orbit now, there is no problem even if he empties his seat.

"The Land of Snow. I've only heard of it in words, it is my first time going."

Marbas was intrigued looking at the landscape painting the adventurer brought.

"It is truly comfortable and nice since we have the Moving Castle. Because if we prepared a transport fleet through normal methods, there would have really been many hard things."

"First off, we would have had to leave all the warhorses behind."

Horses are reapers of the battlefield, but in some aspects they are delicate animals like babies. If they did a long-distance voyage while being hit by the biting winds of the North Sea, they would die in droves on the ship.

"Please prepare sufficient fur clothes as well. The Blackhand tribe friends are weak to cold."

Unlike the human nomad tribes living on the cold steppes of the northeastern continent, the Dark Elves live rubbing shoulders in Roman. Because they are accustomed to warm climates, operations in cold waves were a vulnerability.

"Therefore, I intend to use the Hammer Brotherhood as the main force for this operation."

Dwarven warriors possess the sturdiest durability among intelligent species. They casually endure heat and cold as well, and in a heavily armed state they do not die in one hit even when hit by a Troll's club.

The Land of Snow, where even warhorses cannot be properly utilized, is a stage for Dwarves.

"Did you prepare gifts to give the local nobles? Goods in kind would probably be better than gold coins."

"We piled up mainly southern trade goods that cannot be obtained in the tundra region. We also fully loaded liquor safely."

"It's a good choice. Since fruits are precious there, if you bring Roman's wine they will go crazy."

If Valda has dealt with nobles focusing on selling magic, Marbas dealt with nobles with his social status as a summoner.

With the addition of age and experience to that, there is no advisor this good in encounters with unfamiliar factions. He checked Eugene's visit plan in detail.

"The Land of Snow would probably hardly know the legends of ancient kingdoms or the Moving Castle. If a giant castle and an army of thousands suddenly descends on their land, there will be an uproar."

"Would there be a method enough to loosen their vigilance? Separate from gifts."

"Couldn't you just do what you do best? I mean hunting monsters."

Marbas pointed to the taxidermies exhibited in the lobby.

Since it is not a world where monotheism has spread, having strong faith didn't exactly help explicitly in diplomatic relations.

On the other hand, the honor of having defeated various monsters passed as currency transcending culture and language.

This is the reason novice knights without personal connections or wealth to serve as background rush at dangerous monsters holding a single sword.

If luck follows them, they can even become a vassal of a famous noble in one battle. They could even become the son-in-law married into the family of a small manor of about dozens of households, and their life would be resolved.

"There are also many places where an entire severing of a head after killing a monster is passed instead of an ID card. Because an outsider can proudly enter the local lord's banquet too."

"It is an interesting custom. Is it perhaps because they are regions where it is hard to hire mercenary corps or command powerful knights?"

"It practically amounts to a culture that increases warriors who step forward out of chivalry. In such regions, it is considered as important as the custom of hospitality. I seem to have heard that it passes in the Land of Snow as well."

Even if things didn't go as planned it was fine. Because whether battle, exploration, or trade, if things didn't go as wished even after injecting combat power, they could escape right away.

The fact that they could constantly enjoy the advantage of Lanchester's law in both military and commerce. That was the driving force for Eugene enjoying such rapid growth.

* * *

"Please let me off just once! I didn't know the weapon possession order was lifted!"

"You're saying you didn't know even when large notices were hung at the city entrance and plaza?"

"I'm saying I didn't know because I was only sprawled in the inn from an injury."

A mercenary was dragged away by the city guards feeling wronged. It's because he was caught carrying a weapon around in Haven.

In normal times, the only ones who can go around armed in the city are the guards and knights who are quasi-nobles.

However, during a war, the possession of weapons by mercenaries was permitted for rapid reinforcement of combat power. Because if it's illegal in my city but legal in a hostile city, the mercenaries would all flock there.

Even after a war ends, mercenaries getting arrested going around bewildered holding weapons is a common sight.

"It's also unfair that I get cut without even touching a single piece of loot!"

"I know your circumstances are pitiful, but the Lord instructed us to pay special attention to public order. He instructed us to judge fairly, so we will take it into consideration."

Eugene was managing things so they wouldn't cause the rapidly increased troubles from during the civil war.

Because with a single misstep they are existences that could suddenly turn into bandit bands and torment highways or villages. The highly reputed mercenary corps needed to be met directly.

"It is an honor to meet you! Even the berserkers getting scared beforehand and running away from Your Excellency's axe blade is a sight I will never forget in my life!"

The mercenary captains, who were stamping their feet as their jobs disappeared, jockeyed to come out to meet him. Be it acting like kings inside their mercenary corps or in unseen places, they are salesmen always chased by performance.

"Are you perhaps preparing a new military operation? I heard you are buying food and military supplies in large quantities."

Competent salesmen do not sit and wait. Looking at where logistics moved from and to, they went out to find jobs one step ahead.

"Excellency! Our mercenary corps possesses a whopping 20 former hunters. In times like this, aren't there many plunderers who harbored bad intentions and hid in forests and mountains? If you release us as hunting dogs, we will drag out every single bastard without exception and stand them on the gallows."

"Our Mariathon Mercenary Corps is famous for our stamina of maintaining combat power even after marching 50km a day. If it's highway patrol, we are confident!"

Opportunities to meet directly with a great lord of Eugene's level are not common. Even the opponent is the most wealthy and trustworthy opponent in current Britannia.

- Wow, I didn't know we'd eat meat better during a war than in normal times.

- The Lord even took care of allowances for guard duties. It was my first time seeing an appearance of them stepping forward asking to stand night duty with each other while doing mercenary work. Though I almost peed myself a little when a bastard who was caught dozing got hit with 50 strokes of the rod and carried away.

Thanks to the trust gained by reliably giving out during the civil war, Eugene was a popular employer.

Eugene also picked a few useful ones during his visit on the dimension of public order management and signed contracts on the spot.

"The mercenary captains had their eyes very bloodshot. It seems they are panicked as the civil war they thought would last a few years suddenly ended."

Hind, who followed as an escort, clicked his tongue.

"I heard once you become a mercenary captain leading a few hundred people, there's more blades hit by allies than blades hit by enemies."

"Is it to that extent? They are nominally captains though."

"Nobles stiffing wages is a natural disaster, but if fellow mercenary bastards delay wages you can just stab them right away."

Hind expressed respect to his lord who had never delayed wages not even once.

"There are also many vacancies in the Moving Castle, why didn't you hire more?"

The mercenaries Eugene hired were for the purpose of managing public order in the Haven area.

For the exploration heading to the Land of Snow or the unknown continent across the sea, it's only the direct troops he originally brought along.

"With Your Excellency's wealth and fame, it would be sufficient even if you went around leading a much larger army. Fitly, that matches well too."

Since the invasion of Sicily, Eugene's army was strengthened tremendously in terms of equipment and supplies.

On the other hand, there was no great progress numerically. Dark Elf youths who became adults and enlisted as soldiers were everything.

"I have no thoughts of receiving mercenary corps as new family members. Because allies who cannot keep pace are as dangerous as enemies. Our army changed too heterogeneously, you see."

Weight training, unit organization, command system, use of passwords, martial arts, field camp construction, guard duty methods, etc.

Things remodeled according to Eugene's standards over 2 years are not just one or two.

All soldiers except Dwarves had to fundamentally know how to ride and manage horses. For local food procurement, they must familiarize themselves not only with archery but also simple tracking skills.

Outside mercenaries absolutely cannot function conforming to this system.

"On top of that, our army feels like a large family gathering in some aspect, doesn't it?"

"Because we see faces every day and our movement paths overlap on holidays or during leisure as well."

"If we receive a new mercenary corps, do you think they would rub shoulders well with the existing residents in castle life?"

"...No."

Fights would bound to happen every day.

Separate from skill or tactical capabilities, compatibility in daily life also must be considered. Receiving additional troops became extremely tricky.

"So to get one, you have to throw away one."

Hind, who yearned for a larger-scale army, sighed in regret.

"Don't be too disappointed. Just this month alone, the recruits who enlisted number as many as 31."

"I didn't know the Fairy tribe was that prolific."

The significantly elevated standard of living and plummeted infant mortality rate returned as the birth rate. They spat out a spirited spirit even surpassing the Haredim in Eugene's memories.

Furthermore, unlike the Haredim who are no different from rice worms, all of them function as soldiers or technicians.

"Now there are overflowing vacancies, but they will be filled quickly. There's no need to hurry."

Furthermore, there were still others scheduled to fill the castle.

- If there's an opportunity, please we request a transmission to the mountains of southern Roman.

- We want to bring our families from our kingdom.

It was the request of the Hammer Brotherhood under Rampage who swore oaths of loyalty as vassals.

The crying of babies and laughter of children are scheduled to quickly fill the Moving Castle going forward as well.

* * *

After finishing all preparations, Eugene passed the hallway behind the audience chamber.

"Let's go. To the Land of Snow."

The Core, having accepted its master's thought, let out a violent yell.

The mass and information contained in the Moving Castle were coated with lightning and burrowed into the shallowest other world.

A place touching the present world but not the present world. They slid down through a world where only planes existed.

Pachachachat!

To outsiders, it looked like a giant thunderbolt soaring into the sky.

Since the departure date wasn't kept secret, numerous onlookers watched that sight from afar.

"My god! That giant castle in an instant..."

Because the astonishment of people will soon become Eugene's authority.

"You must not approach yet! Because the aftermath wind will rush in soon!"

Since the mercenary corps Eugene hired took charge of control, there was no unfortunate accident of experiencing an accident by approaching too much.

Rumble.

Urururung.

The dark clouds and thunder formed in the sky where the castle disappeared were not natural. Those watching it felt marvel and fear.

'Nobles only look the same as us on the outside, they are different creatures.'

That was the belief of commoners and serfs. Nobles are agents who received the blessing of gods!

That's why there were also many adults who considered that rebelling against nobles brings heavenly punishment.

Nobles also thoroughly used this superstition to explicitly solidify their rulership.

However, no splendid protocol nor fabricated story could be more special than a magic castle ascending to heaven riding lightning.

Pajik!

When the Moving Castle appeared on the ground again, it was different from the descents until now. There's no flat lying grass field, nor rolling pebbles or piles of dirt.

Puhwaaak!

A pure white blizzard was pushed away like a tsunami. Birds swept up in the snowstorm plummeted, and water vapor melted by the heat of the lightning also rose up.

Guuuuuung-.

When the castle gates opened, the warriors trembled their bodies at the chilly air they felt for the first time in their lives.

"T-This is the end of the world?"

A snowy field being pure white wherever you look, the Dark Elves tightened their winter coats.

"Getting cold from just this level of cold, will this do?"

"We will serve His Excellency this time, so everyone rest comfortably in the castle."

The Hammer Brotherhood Dwarves took the lead and stepped foot into the new snowy field.

In the all-out war with King Kruger, the Hammer Brotherhood sufficiently proved their reputation. They held out without being pushed back an inch against the charges of berserkers who entered trance states.

However, Commander of a Thousand, Rampage, still had many complaints.

- Damn it.

- Captain. His Excellency also bestowed rewards calling us the number 1 contributors. Why are you sighing on an auspicious day?

When Dwarves were excitedly drinking beer in the banquet hall inside the Moving Castle, only Rampage had a frown.

- It's the arrows of the pointy-ears bastards who killed the most enemies this time too, isn't it!

- What can be done about that? Because while we fought at the front, they shot arrows overhead.

Thanks to the small stature of the Dwarven warriors, the Dark Elf archer unit in the rear could project firepower without the danger of friendly fire.

The Central army, struggling against the iron wall shields and fierce hammering, had to get hit by arrows as a checkmate.

- His Excellency also praised counting it the same as sticking arrows in with our own hands.

- A warrior's value is ultimately proven by defeating enemies. Why don't you know being satisfied with a meat shield is merely second-rate?

Dwarves who cannot overcome the limits of infantry no matter how strong and healthy they are. Under Eugene who prefers maneuver warfare, there was a limit to their active roles.

As it is, they were scheduled to bring their families in large numbers to the Moving Castle, so they were already feeling self-conscious.

"I will look forward to your active roles in the Land of Snow as well."

"Excellency! We are still hungry!"

At such a time, the operation in the snow-covered tundra region made Rampage tremble in delight.

'Ah, I have to hold back my laughter at this.'

As the Dwarves let out white breath from all directions, hundreds of steams rose from the bottom outside the field of vision. Like piping hot steamed buns walking around.

"Kyahahaha!"

The Dark Elf children got extremely excited and ran to the snowfield.

Pong!

Hug!

As small bodies pounced onto the snowfield as if diving, soft blizzards bounced up.

There was only one adult who accompanied their actions, none other than Homi. Although she was someone who kept her calm across various transmissions as a squire, it seems she couldn't hold back just this once.

"Pahaa!"

A snow leopard lady jumping up spewing out snow and white breath. Her beautiful face is full of happiness.

"It's cold!"

"Lady Homi!"

When the children who shook off the snow rushed at her from all directions, she gave a full embrace.

Eugene, watching that sight with a pleased smile, asked the adventurer who accompanied them.

"You said you can track the Yeti?"

"Leave it to me, Excellency!"

The dog beastman adventurer from the Land of Snow wagged his tail fiercely. His nose, moistly wet despite the cold weather, twitched repeatedly.

The medium-sized monster Yeti, inhabiting only the polar regions, is a nightmare for woodcutters and hunters.

Not a few people were eaten by them every year, and sometimes they intruded into human territory and inflicted great damage on livestock.

It is one of the various obstructing elements keeping the people of the Land of Snow from expanding their scope of activity.

"A Yeti bastard will absolutely not be able to avoid my nose and eyes! I will put my life on the line and find it!"

This is the hometown of the dog beastman adventurer. Separate from the hefty reward, it was a mission where the safety of his family and friends hung. He burned his gaze with the determination to succeed without fail.

'Was it that a Yeti's neck is some kind of civil service exam or something for the knights here?'

If carrying a Yeti's neck, they wouldn't suffer being turned away at the door no matter where they visit. It was a certificate to help Eugene, who brought a mighty military force, receive gratitude instead of terror.