Chapter 200

Chapter 200 - Conquistador (1)

In the transfers up until now, there were always residents gathered closely together in the lobby.

The moment the main gate opened and a new world appeared, the cheers of children could be heard. The cute sight of them riding on their mother's embrace or father's neck with their eyes sparkling.

It is an indispensable routine. It was Eugene's consideration to present big and small memories to his dear citizens.

"We are in a world not recorded in history."

However, this time is different. The lobby is fully packed only with soldiers.

"Do not think of yourselves as hunters or invaders. That is a right given only when we hold a clear advantage over the opponent. Having just arrived here, we are merely strangers."

Ruuuumble-.

The main gate started opening slowly.

"So everyone stay sharp."

Beyond the pouring sunlight, an estuary where the sea and river streams meet could be seen.

The pouring murky gray river water formed a perfect boundary on the left, and the blue sea on the right. It is truly a spectacular sight.

The golden fishing ground formed in the different waterways is full of fish. The sight of a seabird that was flying in the sky diving rapidly to the water surface exactly aiming for it came into view just in time.

"Mom! Mom! Can't we go out? I want to see it up close!"

"Don't whine. We didn't come here to play."

The non-combatants gathered closely together on the opened upper terrace and looked around outside.

The mothers kept a sharp eye on the outside with their bows and arrows placed at a close distance. Because, by any chance, creatures capable of flight might come attacking.

"It brings back old memories after a long time."

"Right, Mother. Lately I've felt my nerves dulling, but it's good to tighten them up once in a while like this."

When they were wandering around in Roman, there was virtually no difference between daily life and guard duty. Because attacks from bandit groups, monsters, or fearless lords could occur.

Protected by strong walls now, it is incomparably cozy compared to then. However, on the other hand, it was also regrettable that a warrior's senses were dulling.

In their gazes, Eugene, taking a monumental first step, could be seen.

"Not a bad place for a base."

The place the Moving Castle settled on is a hill plain. Being higher than other places, it was advantageous for observing the surroundings.

Although there was quite a distance to the sea, it was opened wide without elements obstructing their vision in between.

In the front, a dense jungle that was burdensome spread out endlessly.

In various places, a distinctive fog was wrapped around, which occasionally shook unnaturally. As if being swayed by the breath of the jungle.

"■■■!"

"■■■ ■■..."

"■■? ■■?!"

Words Eugene heard for the first time entered his ears. They were all Dark Elves and Dwarves.

"Fuck, are you kidding me?"

Looking at their expressions being identical to the human mercenaries, it probably seems like curse words unique to their races.

It seems to be vocabulary they don't usually use, but it is sufficiently understandable for them to pop out.

Because trees of an enormous size were towering all over the jungle with the momentum to pierce the sky. It's a size that would even make a sequoia tree look ridiculous.

All sorts of vines intertwined boundlessly like ropes tied to a galleon's mast, and they connected to other trees below.

A troop of monkeys moving riding the vines looked at the invaders with eyes mixed with fear.

"Kuwaaaak-!"

Then, terrified by a giant monstrous bird that appeared in the sky, they scattered and fled. One of them lost its footing, let out a long scream, and plummeted.

The monstrous bird reminiscent of an Argentavis nose-dived to the place where the monkey plummeted. As if not wanting to miss the meat obtained for free.

"Lady Valda?"

"It's the first time I've seen these trees too. This place is full of unfamiliar things even down to the weeds. Just as you said, the density of life is at a ridiculous level."

Valda raised her two hands with a face admitting defeat.

It is a natural thing. Because the jungle is an insane place where close to 40% of living organisms are densely packed, despite being not even 10% of the land area.

Everyone losing their minds was only for a short while. Fitting for experienced elite soldiers, they immediately focused on the things to do.

"Hammer Brotherhood Combat Engineers, advance!"

"We must push down the trees in the front by today! Move!"

The Dwarven warriors put down their favored hammers and held two-handed axes. It is to form a hostile boundary zone (Kill Zone) in front of the Moving Castle.

Since the vegetation started from about a short 10m directly in front right now, it was not appropriate for a boundary.

A monster with tremendous jumping power might cross over to the Moving Castle using the tops of trees as leverage.

Rampage, with his axe slung over his shoulder, ran to Eugene.

"To what extent should we make the range of the Kill Zone?"

"Push it back up to 50m outside the outpost."

"If Blade Squirrels inhabit this area, we should push it at least 100m, no?"

It is a monster similar to a flying squirrel but possessing razor-like claws. Being nocturnal, it flew silently from above the trees and ambushed its prey.

"You have to compromise. If we even assume guys like that, the workload will become endless."

Eugene pointed at the giant trees.

"In the first place, because of those damn large trees, we can't completely push them down."

"That is also true."

Amidst the escort of Dark Elf archers, the sound of axe strikes rang out loudly.

The large saw that 4 Dwarves scratched as if playing tug-of-war was already knocking down a tree.

A snake that had been sleeping on a branch woke up startled as it fell and raised its head.

Thwack!

Before a nearby Dwarf could even swing his axe, an arrow flew in and pierced its head.

"Hmph!"

The Dwarf turned his back with an expression that said 'I'm not going to say thanks!' towards the Dark Elf shrugging her shoulders.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The log fences and prefabricated sentry posts loaded in the Moving Castle's warehouse were also being installed.

"If you don't wanna die, don't walk through this side!"

The Caracal Special Ops female warriors laid bear traps in front of the log palisade, and wrapped barbed wire over the palisade.

"Lord. How did you devise such wicked tools?"

"It's not my idea. I learned it too."

Cassandra flicked the menacing saw blade with her dagger. The blades, the size of a thumbnail, would lightly tear up any decent flesh.

"With this, unless it's a monster wielding a club like a Bugbear or Troll, it will be hard to dare touch it."

The majority among the numerous monsters of this world are existences that possess no intellect and are mostly individuals smaller than a calf in size.

Instead, they possessed poison or sharp teeth, were good at climbing walls, and many were nocturnal, so they weren't opponents to be careless against.

To block such guys, a fence wrapped with barbed wire is the best choice.

"As soon as the watchtowers are completed, put them up one by one."

The Dwarves attached bowstrings to the stationary ballistas and inspected the pulley-type loading devices.

Amidst everyone moving busily, Homi continuously twitched her nose in front of a plant about 2m tall.

The fruit, looking like a raspberry, was the size of an apple. A sweet scent wafted out, but she didn't seem to have the conviction whether it was okay to eat.

Fwit-ho-?

Homi blew a whistle mixed with aegyo looking at Valda while gathering her two hands.

Valda, who approached, hugged the fruit with her two hands, closed her eyes for a moment, and then opened them.

"I don't know what kind of plant it is, but the fruit is okay to eat. Since there is no poison."

"Is that also the magic of the forest?"

"It is a small trick embarrassing to call magic. I just asked the plant."

"We decided to call things like that magic."

Eugene detached the fruit, handed it to Homi, and also bit into one himself.

Chwa-ap.

A sound bringing a refreshing feeling just hearing it. The clean sweetness spread fully in his mouth. Unlike a raspberry, overflowing fruit juice dripped heavily to the floor.

Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!

Next to them, Might, who approached without them knowing, was inhaling the fruits.

"Might. The plant requested that eating the fruit is fine but please do not chew the seeds. And it said it would be good if you relieved yourself in a place where sunlight enters well."

"Kreung-!"

Might, shaking his head as if finding it bothersome, turned away from the plant.

The Dark Elf housewives on meal duty brought packaged hamburgers and barley tea. They were in charge of assisting the army, such as laundry, weapon maintenance, and meal provision, in 4 shifts.

Smooch!

A young girl who followed her mom carrying a basket on her head stood on her tiptoes. She kissed the cheek of a tribal warrior appearing to be her father.

"When this job is over, let's definitely ask the next destination to be our kingdom."

"It's already been a year since I saw my wife's face."

The Dwarven warriors looked at that sight enviously.

The Hammer Brotherhood is also a warrior group where the entire clan engages in the mercenary business.

Only, unlike the Blackhand Tribe, Dwarves are a settled people by nature. Wandering for several years leaving their families in their hometown was a painful destiny.

However, under Eugene's command, there is no need to do so. The problem that tormented senior warriors over dozens of generations was resolved.

'We must unconditionally establish merits in this mission to have the justification to implore His Excellency.'

The Dwarves clenched their fists and hardened their resolve.

Deciding the destination of the castle is Eugene's unique authority. To pester to go to their hometown, they needed to produce results before that.

"The beginning is smooth."

"If it was after finishing a long-distance voyage riding a ship, it would be a luxury they couldn't even dream of. Wouldn't everyone be tattered and spread out on the first day?"

Octo, having nodded diligently at Valda's words, pointed in a certain direction.

"When the expedition group I belonged to landed in the past, we advanced in that direction. Because there is a friendly native village a two days' distance away."

"You mean the Cat-folk. By any chance, wouldn't they be hostile to us?"

"They are primitive tribes. Since they are entities lacking even iron techniques, they won't be able to pierce the armor Your Excellency's army wears."

Octo looked at the trade goods neatly piled up in a corner of the outpost.

"Furthermore, they are dying for the products of civilization. Since they welcomed us for the insignificant items we had at the time, Your Excellency's gifts would need no words."

Gifts are always the best means of greeting in an encounter with unfamiliar people.

Full-body mirrors, clothes made with high-quality fabrics, alloy daggers decorated with jewels, and various types of alcohol are popular goods drawing out goodwill against any civilization.

"But did you actually see mermaids? Because there are so many guys among the subordinates harboring fantasies about mermaids. They said they wanted to see them even from afar."

"I did see them, but not here, much further north. I mean the route me and my comrades originally intended to pass."

The expedition group Octo belonged to turned the ship around without lingering attachment the moment they discovered a group of mermaids in the archipelago beyond the sea.

Because an unhearing sailor died of scurvy, they had no means to pass through the mermaids' territory.

Only to people on land are they young ladies of dreams and fantasies, but to sailors, there is no enemy like a mermaid. An ill-fated relationship worse than the shepherd boy and the wolf.

"While continuously sailing, one often discovers empty ships drifting in the middle of the sea. Such as a ship sunk by crashing into a reef even in a place where the ocean currents aren't rough."

"You mean it's the handiwork of mermaids? But if it's the former, isn't it a windfall? Since you can swallow up a ship for free."

Even on land, carriages of merchant groups annihilated by monster attacks are often discovered.

Adventurers or mercenaries often referred to such carriages among themselves as golden carriages. In cases where they hit the jackpot, they could even touch large sums of money enough to retire immediately.

"That is exactly baiting. If you fall for it there, everyone dies."

"Hm? Ah! It was something like that."

The quick-witted Eugene understood immediately.

"It's the same as an army crossing a river being the most vulnerable. The sailors salvaging another ship are also full of openings. If the mermaids attack at that time..."

Octo took the action of walking with his index and middle fingers on his arm and then made them all slip and fall off.

"I have goosebumps. They are much more cunning guys than I thought."

"Even now, ownerless empty ships will be floating around here and there in the sea. Death's bait, you could say."

Octo finished his story with a satisfying look at Eugene's intrigued reaction.

Liking to brag, sailors were no less than mercenaries. Let alone if the target was the lord he swore loyalty to.

"Anyway, a storm hit the route we revised like that. We drifted far below our original destination."

Thanks to that, he was able to become Eugene's retainer in the future, so it's confusing whether you could call this bad luck though.

A small number of selected warhorses for reconnaissance preparation came out to the outpost's yard.

The horses rolled their eyes full of curiosity at the completely changed air and scent of dirt. Then they swallowed their drool at unfamiliar weeds growing from the ground.

"Kreureung-!"

When Might stepped forward as they were about to take a bite, the warhorses immediately shut their mouths and bowed their heads.

It wasn't that Might was just being mean. It was a command not to eat because there is poison.

Two rulers exist in the Moving Castle. One is Eugene, the monarch of the people, and the other is Might, the monarch of the beasts.

Sniff sniff.

Might's nose fully took in the scent from the gigantic jungle.

The scents of countless lives were felt. Although they are all just delicious prey to Might, that is.

However, a special scent was also mixed among them. Exactly the scent of subjects.

Beasts to serve physically, not as lean meat. The scent of guys to newly join the stable and give their backs to the master's subordinates is felt.

"What is it?"

To Eugene stroking his cheek as if puzzled, Might sent a meaningful eye smile.

Due to his oral structure, it's impossible to smile like a human, but expressing joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure was sufficiently possible.

"Grrrr-."

The war hounds with steel spiked collars around their necks barked towards the jungle from atop the palisade walls.

Unlike Might who feared nothing, all sorts of danger signals were mixed and stimulated the dogs' sense of smell.

The troops Eugene mobilized for the new continent expedition numbered about 2,500.

However, the essence of experience and technology built up by civilization over thousands of years was backing them.

"You said the natives here all do not wear armor, right?"

"That is so, Excellency."

Octo looked at the trembling war hounds, seeming scared.

"Relax. They are on our side."

"I, I lived my whole life being chased by guard dogs, so."

Octo, sweating profusely, averted his eyes. Living as a smuggler, he had been bitten by dogs 7 times, and among them, he almost died twice.

Perhaps it's an occupational disease, just looking at dozens of large dogs with an average weight of 40kg makes his breath short.

"Enemies exposing bare skin don't necessarily have to be fought with swords or spears."

Usually, when you say rat catchers, cats come to mind, but in reality, professional hunting dogs caught them much better.

A fierce dog vigorously shaking its head while biting a sewer rat the size of a child's forearm. That appearance induces a sense of thrill rather than being cruel.

"These guys will be perfect to bite and kill the Smallfolk hiding in the thickets."

Due to the humid and hot climate, to wear dog armor, the dogs had their fur completely shaved off.

Octo clicked his tongue at that meticulous preparation bordering on obsession.

* * *

To speak honestly, there are those among his subordinates who think Eugene is going too far.

Having gone through various battlefields, because they knew well that, looking objectively, the combat power of their forces is at a ridiculous level.

Besides, the jungle in front of them looked decent enough on the outside, and until they finished dinner, not a single monster approached the palisade.

"Woof woof woof-!"

"Bark bark-!"

However, the minds that were trying to loosen up even a little were pulled taut thanks to the dogs barking crazily in the middle of the night.

"It's an attack!"

The Dwarven warrior guarding the watchtower shouted and aimed his crossbow.

The front yard of the outpost leveled through logging done throughout the morning and afternoon. Beyond that, white objects were running over hastily.

"...!"

Octo, who came up to the watchtower most first, glared with his eyes open wide. Because the silhouettes were something he had seen in the past.

"Wait! Do not shoot! They probably aren't enemies!"

The guards, who were debating whether to shoot or not, followed Octo's advice. In an unfamiliar world, it is wiser to follow the advice of someone with experience than their own intuition.

Eventually, what were revealed in front of the torches of the outpost were the Cat-folk of nimble figures.

Thanks to the white fur sprouting in various places on their bodies, they were easily conspicuous even in the darkness. On cat faces stimulating protective instincts, there was a 90% fear and a 10% hope.

[■■■! ■■!]

[■■!]

They came running while shouting to the guards in their native language.

'We are not enemies!'

'Do not attack!'

Although it is an unknown language, unless they are fools, they could understand the meaning just by their expressions and atmosphere.

The war hounds were also baring their teeth not at the terrified Cat-folk, but at the existences beyond them.

"Raksha! It's the Raksha bastards!"

Fox faces as cunning yet as fierce as can be. The Rakshas holding bone spears and stone axes came rushing in as if they were blind with rage.

"Shoot!"

The guards atop the palisades fired their crossbows, welcoming them.

This time, Octo didn't stop them and clenched his fists tightly.

This rough and fierce continent hasn't changed from the past or present. It seems there is no intention of letting even the first night pass peacefully.