Chapter 229

Chapter 229 - Tournament (1)

"Hiyap!"

Noise was heard from outside the window. It is Aaron and the knights training by swinging their swords until late. Marcus sighed in relief at their reliable appearance.

"They were an absolutely necessary military force for the upcoming trial by combat. Thanks to you bringing them on time, I can breathe."

Whether in monster subjugation in the mountain range or slaying the Shambler, those knights achieved the next best results after Eugene's army.

"To send out your most elite at a time like this. It must not have been an easy decision."

"Maria opposed it fiercely. But the Dwarf Royal House will be grateful by that much. Friends made with truly great difficulty. When there is an opportunity, you must grow that friendship even bigger."

A monarch's gamble is always judged by the results. And this gamble was a huge success.

"It brings to mind an anecdote from an old book I read in the past."

"Could you tell me in detail?"

In an era lacking entertainment, stories always catch people's interest. Especially if the speaker is Eugene.

"There was an eminent scholar who lived farming with one cow. One day, warlord leaders who commanded the surrounding areas came to visit him. Then, it's said the scholar killed the cow he used to plow the field right there and served its meat."

"His spirit is amazing, but it's a choice without an afterwards. What did he intend to do about farming from then on?"

"The guests probably received being deeply moved in proportion to that bleakness, right? Because it means treatment staking his life."

"...What I did is not quite to that extent."

Knowing it was a story praising him going around and around, Marcus gulped down wine. His pale face was steeped in shyness and joy.

"Anyway, I thank you once again regarding my knights. Also for visiting my territory."

A Great Lord of Eugene's level coming as a guest has a huge meaning. To those who don't know the circumstances, it might look as if House Mayer and House Pierce suddenly allied.

Eugene staying and receiving treatment in itself had the effect of restricting the actions of potential enemies.

"That effect will last quite a long time. My army is troublesome unseen as it is unseen."

"I received the report from Aaron. It truly was a magic castle beyond perception."

- Just as the castle gate closed and opened in eastern Roman, the scenery of our hometown unfolded. At first, I thought it was a mirage. However, the smell of grass riding the wind was far too identical.

A majority of the time consumed in military operations is taken up by marching. However, Eugene can skip marching and get straight to the main point.

Besides time, costs consumed during marching such as stamina, military provisions, diseases, injuries, homesickness, ambushes, etc. are all omitted.

Being like this, he could always jump in with tailored tactics for each battlefield. It is one of the secrets to achieving a great undertaking that a great hero wouldn't achieve even investing 30 years in just 3 years.

With Eugene being like this, whoever he joins hands with on the continent, the local nobles had to be tensed up. Because it means a legion could be deployed as the opposing side's ally at any time. In a direction they do not prepare for at all normally, at that.

"What you want from this land is military horses?"

"As expected, you're quick-witted."

"It's a matter of a Great Lord directly parading to a foreign land. No matter how low the cost, you wouldn't have come with the feeling of sightseeing."

Eugene was silent. Pointing out that money is actually earned by trading exotic goods didn't seem necessary to boast about.

"I promise to provide Barcia military horses. Although we'll have to consider the quantity."

"Is getting up to stallions naturally not possible?"

"Please let that slide. Moreover, the core of Barcia military horses is the blood calming effect, but this is an acquired ability endowed through training."

"It must be thoroughly confidential."

"It's a secret deeply kept even from family members."

It was somewhat expected. Trying to snatch the core of core techniques is also an act without conscience.

Kang!

Outside, the knights holding edgeless swords were engaging in practical sparring.

"Sir Aaron. The Gods certainly want our victory."

"This pent-up resentment towards the Piranian bastards! I will sublimate it in front of the King."

The morale of the knights under the Pierce family was at a level where it couldn't rise any higher from here.

After defeating evil monsters together with the strongest knight of this era, they returned to their hometown in the blink of an eye using the legacy of an ancient kingdom. They couldn't help but consider this mysterious experience as an omen of the Gods commanding victory.

Eugene looked at Marcus.

"Are you confident in winning the matches?"

"My knights all said they are confident."

"That's a given."

Whether a battlefield full of uncertainty or a duel where one of the two must surely lose. A creature called a knight charges armed with the fanaticism that they will win either way.

"Victory or defeat will probably be known after fighting. As the head of the family, I'm confident my side is far ahead in the time and effort prepared. It's an unavoidable fight anyways."

To other nobles, it might sound like a passionless answer, but it fit Eugene's taste well.

"Should I help if you're anxious?"

"!!!"

It was an unexpected proposal. Considering the status of Count of Britannia, it probably doesn't mean Eugene himself will directly step forward. It must be a story of supporting him with an outstanding person among the knights under him.

However, just that becomes an amazing help. Because they would be the elite among elites who underwent all sorts of subjugations and training following Eugene.

"If it's your help, I could even bet my entire fortune. But I am bewildered. Even if my first impression at that countryside village wasn't bad."

Excess goodwill paradoxically calls for vigilance. Even though Eugene didn't look like a person who would plot cheap tricks.

"It's just returning as much as I received. Do you remember Might, whom you gifted me 3 years ago?"

"Of course. Because he was the best military horse I ever raised."

Even before reincarnating as a World Charger, Might was an amazing famous horse. Outstanding physical abilities, clever intelligence, even the loyalty to protect his master even offering his own life.

"That guy became a precious connection that cannot be quantified with any money or territory, you see. Whether in the sense of seed money or in the sense of family."

"It was a just reward for helping my younger sister and maids. I don't consider it a debt."

"I don't particularly mean paying back a debt either. I just want to treat a good connection tied by fate as important. Just like how you treated the Dwarf Royal House."

For Eugene, he wanted to make connections in Barcia. And finding a better partner than the monarch before his eyes would be difficult.

"Let me consider it carefully."

This is a duel, not a war. The number of people who can step forward is limited.

The knights under Marcus are also in a situation anxious to seize honor and success. Since he has to give them their own opportunities too, it was also troublesome to accept Eugene's help readily.

"Ah! Come to think of it, is Lord Maria out of the house? She hasn't been seen all this while."

"You ask for her quite early."

Marcus crossed his arms with a displeased face for the first time.

"She may look like that but she is one of the most popular people in Barcia. She's not a lady you'd forget all this while and ask about with an exclamation of 'Ah!'."

He's an always serious man, but he turned strict when it came to his younger sister.

* * *

Like that, the morning of the next day. Eugene reunited with Maria.

Wearing a black dress and adorned with onyx and amethyst, she had a doll-like figure. She's the same age as Homi, but her height is small and her body is slender, stimulating protective instincts.

It was the reason Marcus was in charge of diplomacy requiring strength and firmness, while Maria was in charge of diplomacy requiring drawing out sympathy and consideration.

"Respected Count. Thank you for your precious visit. Here too, I have heard countless times of the honorable victories and beautiful tales Your Excellency has harvested."

Eugene made a dumbfounded face at Maria holding both sides of her skirt and bowing politely.

"Why are you so surprised? This is an obvious attitude. Are you not just a mere knight anymore?"

"That's true, but. I can't get used to it."

"..."

In Eugene, the impression of her sharply and haughtily snapping at him every time he visited the prison is strongly embedded.

Did the matters of the past come to Maria's mind too? Even though her face remained the same, her neck became red and flushed.

"Still, it's a relief. You look to have a much better complexion than before."

"It is thanks to Your Excellency. Because my insomnia was cured after that incident."

She was probably talking about drinking the rat's blood consecrated through the sacrament.

"Come to think of it, there was one more thing to be thankful for. After being rescued, Maria's capabilities fully bloomed. As expected, people must sleep sufficiently."

Eugene alternately looked at Marcus who was making a warm smile and Maria who had a face like an ice flower.

"It's a rare reunion, should I make it again if you want? Seeing it at the banquet, I noticed people here enjoy eating blood dishes. There are many good ingredients, so I'll be able to make it much more luxuriously."

"...Oh!"

A crack formed for the first time on Maria's sculpture-like face. The tip of her tongue that slightly came out without her realizing licked her lips, then slipped back in, startled.

To think a younger sister equipped with superhuman self-control was swayed by gluttony of all things. Marcus was reminded of how amazing the drink Eugene served was.

Eugene also thought of a good idea from Maria's reaction.

"If I just pass a cup of it to all the nobles at the place where the tournament is held, it would be truly amazing..."

The conversation stopped here. Because an uninvited guest visited the garden where the three people were.

"Euhuk! Block it! Block it!"

"No, how can we block something like that?"

What appeared along with the servants' shouts was a giant military horse. At its terrifying majesty, Marcus grabbed his sword hilt while covering the front of his younger sister.

Grrrrr-.

"Might. Did you come smelling the scent of an old family member?"

The Dhampir siblings were shocked.

"Did you just say Might?"

"Might. Just what in the world happened?"

Eugene summarized and explained to the two people the things Might had gone through.

Countless victories, the fatal wound he received instead to protect Eugene, the great reincarnation, the even greater glory built afterwards.

"He wasn't cursed, nor did he become a monster. He was chosen. Because he is doing very well quite satisfied, rest assured."

The Dhampir siblings carefully reached out their hands. Might usually didn't let anyone touch him except Eugene, Homi, and Valda. However, only for now, he is gentle.

As if gently closing his eyes and recalling memories of his youth. As if piecing together a puzzle with the memory of the cool touch that stroked his fur.

"I can't even imagine being separated from Might now. I want to convey my gratitude once again for gifting me a precious family member."

And Eugene hugged and stroked their shoulders from behind the Dhampir siblings.

"U-Uaaaak!"

Then over there, a Barcia knight flew through the sky screaming.

"Wahaha!"

"Look here. Didn't I say no? Because this guy is extremely shy."

A Vampire standing up with difficulty covered in dust, a Vertigo shaking off its body while puffing, and Dwarves laughing holding their bellies caught his eyes. It's a spectacle slowly becoming a specialty in Eugene's army.

* * *

During the banquet Marcus prepared, the accumulated oaths of loyalty, knight ordainments, and mediations of disputes among vassals were resolved. Now it's time to pack bags pursuing true glory.

While the knights entering the tournament prepared their bodies for the optimal condition, squires and servants checked weapons and armor and flags. Eugene was also no exception.

"Are you entering the tournament too?"

"Of course. Because there is no investment with better cost-effectiveness than this."

No matter how amazingly rumors spread, a rumor is ultimately just a rumor. The people of this era only believe if you directly show them something in front of their eyes.

Britannia, having severely gone through a civil war, is in a state like a pie good for plucking and eating. There was no law saying a second or third Louis family wouldn't appear.

"If I rise to a high rank in the tournament, those having useless thoughts will also decrease."

"If you enter, it's not a matter of rank, you'll just win the championship."

"The knights here didn't seem to think so, though?"

Right away, even among the knights under the Pierce family, there were many who showed competitiveness as much as respect towards Eugene.

If he hadn't come as the Lord's guest, there would have been an overflow of guys requesting a duel earlier.

"Moreover, Barcia leads to the Elves' Great Forest through the northeastern trade route. There will be a time to visit that place someday. If a person who performed actively in the King's Cup Tournament passes by, the local nobles would treat us a bit more generously too."

Inviting and treating a noble of high birth is the right and pride of a noble. Honor is an all-purpose admission ticket.

"Entering the Great Forest isn't recommended. Just how fierce the Elves there are. Calling them to shoot arrows first at those approaching."

It's the only place Barcia, which sends cavalry and causes storms wherever they face, is reluctant about. Maria also tried to stop him.

"There are many merchants who went saying they would obtain Elf trade goods trusting in their eloquence. All of them returned with a part of their ear concha missing."

"My visit will be different?"

The race craziest about tradition in the world are Elves. Will they really be able to aim arrows at their former master? That was a topic of conversation that came up when bored even in Moving Castle.

"Are your knights participating in the tournament too?"

"Of course. All this while they've gone through all sorts of hunts and wars aplenty, but they've never had a connection with tournaments. Everyone is starving for the cheers of the spectators."

Taking care of these parts is also the duty of a monarch. This tournament is also Homi's first debut match.

She will run the arena of Barcia together by Eugene's side. That was Homi's long-held wish.

Splendid active performance in the tournament, giving the Barcia nobles a delicacy they will reminisce over for their entire lives, showing off his wife possessing the most noble beauty.

This event had a lot of meaning for Eugene in many ways.

"Now then, what weapon should I take?"

Eugene, who entered the armory with his subordinate knights, agonized among his diverse collection.

Unlike tournaments in other countries, Barcia conducts matches with real swords. Due to the presence of judges, few people died, but the floor was always drenched in blood.

For Eugene equipped with heaven-sent monstrous strength, it was a troublesome problem.

"As expected, controlling strength is best done with a familiar weapon. How about taking Blackout?"

"Can you even call that advice?"

As Eugene glared, everyone burst out laughing.

If he made a misstep, a bisected upper body might soar like a pinwheel in the tournament arena. If that happened, a festival that should be joyous would become a mess.