Chapter 233

Chapter 233 - Mermaid's Fury (1)

The winner of the tournament was, needless to say, Eugene. In fact, even if he just went average without showing great active performance, the result would have been the same. Because it was an event held with extremely political intentions.

Forming a good relationship with the Great Noble who will become the supreme leader of Britannia. This was an essential task in the future the Barcia King pictured. He wanted to conclude a trade agreement with Eugene.

"No matter how affluent we are, water is cleanest when it flows. The sea between our two countries harbors infinite possibilities. Letting this rot away is too regretful a matter."

"It is certainly a good timing right now."

The Vikings who were acting violently between the two countries saw their power greatly weakened. Because they were crushed by Eugene after meddling in the civil war swayed by the Kruger family's instigation.

"If we jointly deploy armed merchant ships at this opportunity and seize control of the sea, we will be able to establish a stable trade route. There is no need to unnecessarily shed each other's blood."

"As my ill-fated relationship with Gord is so deep, even I have no way to handle it, but Britannia is different. If the Count says you will join hands with me, who would dare interfere?"

The King of Barcia was also in a situation where he needed achievements since it hadn't been long since his coronation. If he concluded a partnership with Britannia, a better achievement than this would be rare. Eugene also had no reason to reject an opportunity where sources of incoming money would increase.

"Will there not be pushback from the nobles?"

Being on bad terms with neighboring countries is the same for all regions, but Barcia was especially severe. Because they were an exceedingly belligerent and arrogant bunch.

"There is nothing to worry about that. They might complain on the outside, but everyone inwardly desired such an agreement."

Eugene, who became somewhat friendly with him, grasped the King's frank and straightforward disposition. He seemed to know what words the King wanted to hear. Words that a Barcia noble would absolutely never say as an answer.

"It is understandable that everyone is sick and tired of a life being ostracized from all sides for a long time."

"Exactly that! No matter how wealthy and affluent we are, what does it matter? It's a life where we are too arrogant to have a single friend and don't receive a single invitation from foreign countries!"

"Yet despite that, they feel loneliness and make Your Majesty tired. If a banquet is held in a foreign country, they pretend not to be interested but listen intently. They are truly an incredibly picky bunch, as much as a cat. No, a cat is at least cute."

The King laughed heartily at the words scratching exactly where it itched. Because there was not a single noble in Barcia who spoke like this.

"Look here! Bring the gift to be offered to the honorable winner."

"Yes! Your Majesty."

The King with a satisfied face gestured to his attendants.

"The Count's appearance in battle was truly no different from a God of War. For I have never heard or seen a knight handling two greatswords on horseback like that. You are exactly the one suitable as the owner of this treasure."

The championship prize was a lance. It reeked of being precious enough for the King to call it a treasure.

"Isn't the weapon best suiting a knight's dignity a lance, as expected? Even foot soldiers can use swords or spears, and mercenaries with horses hold them too, but as for the lance..."

The King's red eyes sparkled.

"It is the flower of the battlefield for knights."

"It is a fateful encounter. I possess various special weapons, but the only thing I didn't have was a lance."

"Hahaha! It truly seems like a destiny destined by God."

"The name of the weapon?"

"Predator."

"It is an appropriate name. Because across all weapon categories, the weapon most suiting the concept of a surprise attack is a lance."

"The Count is an opponent worth gifting."

The King had a face growing even more certain of his judgment to conclude a partnership with Eugene.

Just looking at his words of thanks for the gift, one could tell he isn't an ignorant knight who only uses a sword well. Such a sense was necessary for a leader the King wanted to form a relationship with.

The lance two sturdy attendants reverently supported was of an irrational size. It is as big as the one Eugene used against the Emperor's royal guard knights during the attack on Codon Castle in the past.

A lance is a weapon used like a consumable, but as if purposed for permanent use, the entirety of this was an alloy. A pair of wing-like decorations attached to the handle guard added luxuriousness.

"It's a lump of iron this long, yet it doesn't bend from its weight? Is it thanks to magic imbued within?"

Eugene felt the magic faintly wafting from the entire lance. Uniquely, instead of the mystique of sharpness typically endowed to magic weapons, he felt the aura of a beast.

"As expected of the master of Moving Castle. Identifying it at first glance."

"Are you sure it's okay to bestow such a precious treasure?"

"Because there will be no one capable of handling it anyway if not for the Count. Here! Quickly, try lifting it. It's a guy who has been neglected all this while without being used even once on the battlefield. It's a truly pitiful weapon."

Eugene lightly lifted the lance that two sturdy attendants were at their limits to support, as if holding a fan. Everyone watching went wide-eyed.

"I think I understand why the name Predator was attached."

It's an ignorant weapon, but its presence is strangely faint. Even when Eugene quickly swung it side-to-side, not a single sound occurred.

"According to records, it's said to be a weapon a Druid blacksmith smelted by melting an eagle owl's soul in the past. Even if you thrust it containing strong force, not a single noise is generated and its presence is also extremely faint. The enemy the Count aims at will likely learn of the lance's existence only after their heart is pierced."

"Just like an eagle owl's talons pouncing on a mouse at night, right."

"Correct! Correct!"

Listening to it, the wing decoration attached to the lance's handle also brought to mind an eagle owl's unique eyebrows.

"Thank you for the precious treasure. I will use it carefully."

"It was a weapon enshrined only in the warehouse because there was no one who could handle it anyway. Rather than letting it rot away for eternity like that, it's right for it to go to a suitable master."

Eugene tried flicking the lance with his finger. The clear metallic resonance informed him it was sturdy enough to withstand being used in Eugene's hands.

For Eugene who has fought with various dangerous monsters, diversity of weapons connects directly to survival.

A guy suited for slashing, a guy suited for battering, a guy suited for thrusting.

Equipping weapons good for responding to each compatibility is a big interest of Eugene's. It was truly a harvest happier than a box of silver coins.

* * *

The King's banquet does not end in a day. The first day is busy with awards and ceremonies for participants who achieved excellent results, but afterwards, a banquet with a relaxed atmosphere continued.

In the process, the King listened to petitions from nobles who came up from various parts of the country, or picked out those with light crimes and issued amnesties.

While everyone was leisurely eating, drinking, and enjoying themselves, Eugene had one worry.

"No matter how I think about it, I don't feel like I've paid my money's worth."

Marcus promised to sell the Barcia military horse, a strategic resource, to his new friend. However, Eugene was in a state where he hadn't provided anything particular. He also couldn't get involved in the trial by combat he was confident in due to the King's order.

Rex smiled bitterly at his Lord continuously scrutinizing the map of Bean Land to see if there was anything to help with.

"You are buying worries. Although your attitude of always trying to pay the proper price is cool."

An attitude of giving proper treatment even to things that could be ignored and passed by. That is one of the reasons his subordinates passionately follow him with loyalty.

Adding the King's skill at mediating disputes to their location in the northwest of the continent, Barcia was peaceful. The aftermath of the wars shaking various parts of the world didn't reach them at all.

"I wish the Piranian family would pretend to be crazy and attack saying they can't submit to the trial by combat."

"That wouldn't be possible just pretending to be crazy, they'd have to actually go crazy, probably."

Did his earnest wish reach the heavens? An opportunity came in a way he hadn't even thought of.

"Do you know anything about mermaids?"

It was Marcus's question coming to seek advice.

"What mermaid all of a sudden?"

"There is a small lake near the salt mine we obtained through the trial by combat this time. That place is also a place containing salt."

"You aren't going to say a mermaid lives there, are you?"

Mermaids live in the vast sea; they aren't monsters that act like mountain spirits in a small inland lake. However, it seems that common sense will be broken today.

"I am asking for your help like this because one lives there, no?"

The salt mine was a disputed area, thus constantly left neglected. Then, as it became the Pierce family's possession, miners and exploration teams prepared in advance were dispatched.

Salt is a precious source of income enough to be called white gold. Now that they obtained ownership, there was no reason to leave it idle for even a moment.

"After setting up a temporary base in front of the mine and resting, they said they heard a faint singing sound from somewhere."

"A typical precursor to a mermaid's appearance."

"It's exactly as you say. A few mercenaries who went to peek thinking village maidens came to bathe went missing just like that. Those who barely escaped said when they came to their senses, the water was filled up to right under their chins."

"How did the survivors endure the mermaid's seduction?"

A mermaid's song bewitches a person's mind. It is a power belonging to the realm of magic. No matter how seasoned a warrior, it was hard to hold out with mental strength alone.

"Because they had pouches filled with powder soap in their chests. As that melted in the water and spread everywhere, the mermaid's song turned into a scream. The spell of seduction shattered too."

"There was such a method. It would certainly be far more effective than an average magic item."

The scent and bubbles of soap are a blessing to land creatures, but it was the worst poison to sea creatures.

"Because of that mermaid, the development of the salt mine is also halted."

In such a situation, people as reliable as Eugene are rare. Since there are many magicians and witches under him, and the troops he leads are elite soldiers who have fought all sorts of monsters.

"Good. Let's depart as soon as the banquet ends."

"No. We probably need to go right now."

Marcus sighed at Eugene who thought it strange.

"The Piranian family seemed to have been quite resentful about having their salt mine taken."

"They wouldn't be stupid enough to disobey a trial hosted by the King, though."

Even while saying it, Eugene and Rex looked at each other for a moment.

"Of course! Only it seems they wanted to demand some sort of stake, at least."

"Did they consider the mermaid's appearance a good opportunity?"

"Yeah. I heard they sent knights as they pleased even before I heard the news."

Subjugating evil monsters was always an excellent justification. Moreover, it wasn't the mine that was the subject of dispute, but it was a military operation conducted at the lake next to it, so the excuses they could give increased even more.

If they succeeded in the subjugation, Marcus would also have to give out minimal compensation for the sake of saving face. It's somewhat far-fetched, but similar precedents overflowed.

However, seeing him come to Eugene to ask for advice, it seems they failed spectacularly.

"News got cut off completely about the magician sent along, not to mention the knights. The Piranian family is jumping up and down in anger right now, so I want to hurry and go."

"I don't think they'd be alive by the time we arrive, though."

Anyway, it was certain that they had to depart right now. Just in case, if they defeat the mermaid and rescue even a portion of the Piranian family's survivors, it's the best. If they have any conscience, they won't be able to pest around anymore.

However, Eugene's retainers who heard the explanation of the circumstances weren't of much help either.

"Knight. I am sorry we cannot be of help, but we are a nomadic race. Could there be a monster we have less connection with than a mermaid?"

Even the Blackhand Tribe, well-versed in diverse monsters, didn't know anything when it came to mermaids. It was the same for the witches.

"Should I bring Octo out from Britannia."

If it's a former smuggler who has encountered a mermaid, he would be of great help in this kind of aspect. However, it wasn't even a one-way trip, making the castle go back and forth required time to recharge energy.

"Let's depart for now. If we see the scene, some clue might come to mind, probably."

"Will it be alright? Mermaids are different from other monsters."

Monsters wielding magical power always bought fear. The subordinates who always bravely followed Eugene also showed worried looks when it came to the realm of superstitions.

"Aren't they creatures whose only weapon is their voice?"

"That's why it's more dangerous. Is it not an intangible power that can kill people? Something you can't slash with a sword is exactly..."

Rex stopped his words. Because Last Autumn hanging on Eugene's waistline and the giant axe hanging on Might's saddle entered his eyes.

Thinking about it, Eugene had slashed things that normally cannot be slashed multiple times.

Whether the Mandrake's scream the forest spirit used convulsively, or the minds of berserkers who had fallen into a trance state, he invalidated them with a single sword strike.

Moreover, there was Homi standing robustly by Eugene's side too.

"Whether the mermaid's voice is stronger or Homi's voice is stronger, it will be a good match."

"..."

Everyone had accepted Homi's shout into their hearts multiple times. The great mystery that protected them from the wicked howling of Ghouls and Shamblers, and made even ferocious beasts bow down like puppies.

Before they knew it, the anxiety towards the mermaid had washed away cleanly from the faces of the subordinates packing their baggage.

* * *

Naturally, there aren't only those who fear mermaids.

"Many Dwarves of the mountain range will be envious of this adventure."

Rampage swallowed his saliva while repeatedly clenching and unclenching his round fists.

"Are you looking forward to it that much?"

"Of course. Do you remember the 2 artificial lakes that were in Khazad-dor? We purposely flooded them and connected them to the lake outside."

"Of course."

The dark water surface rippling underground invoked a strange sense of awe. Eugene remembered that lake more than even the mineral garden.

"Rumors of seeing a mermaid there were not just one or two."

"...Isn't that an unfounded rumor?"

"Because eyewitnesses are always ceaseless. I think perhaps they made a mistake seeing the rippling of the water surface in the dark. The draft coming in from the hole connecting to the outside sometimes sounds like a song too, you see."

Growing up in Khazad-dor when he was young, Rampage had heard innumerable stories regarding mermaids. When he went fishing following his father, he would look at the water surface with a pounding heart.

Thanks to that, to a Dwarf, a mermaid belonged to a fateful encounter they wanted to see as much as a gold mine.

"As expected, you know something too. Since the past, I've been dissatisfied with classifying mermaids as monsters. Mountains and caves can be conquered by people, but deep underwater was always an unknown realm. To turn the only intelligent species capable of exploring that place into enemies for a lifetime, would that do? That is an incorrect matter as someone pursuing knowledge."

Marbas also joined in with eyes filled with aspiration.

"I hear good luck comes if you put a mermaid's scale inside your armor. I've heard stories that a knight pierced by a lance on the battlefield survived thanks to a mermaid's scale. I too want to try obtaining one without fail."

Hind also joined in with a flushed face.

With safety secured for now, Eugene scratched his cheek at everyone excitedly chatting. Indeed, to a creature called a man, it seems a mermaid is an existence that couldn't help but be special.

* * *

While heading to their destination, the lake, the party discussed the reason for the mermaid's appearance.

Just like diagnosing a disease requires knowing the cause. Monster disasters do not necessarily need to be subjugated with swords and arrows. Because sometimes they were simply resolved by finding the cause of their rampaging and taking measures.

"Because it is a period of spiritual high tide, right. By birth, mermaids are on extremely friendly terms with water spirits. When the spirit's power gets stronger, the mermaid also gets influenced in some form."

Marbas offered an extremely summoner-like opinion.

"Could it not just be because they're hungry?"

"Or the thudding noises from the mine were too loud."

The subordinate warriors offered a simple but hard-to-ignore logic.

"What do you think, Count?"

As Maria asked Eugene, who had been constantly silent, everyone's gazes gathered.

He was a monarch who always showed surprising insight, nowhere anyone knew where he built it up. He was also well-versed in magic, so he was a great reliance in this kind of situation.

However, the answer Eugene gave while rubbing his chin was something out of left field.

"Why is all the area around here barren?"

The Pierce family's territory, Bean Land, possesses good quality land even counted among the best on the continent.

But as they approached their destination, the salt lake, the land rapidly started becoming rough and arid. It's a part everyone didn't pay much attention to, but Eugene had been constantly paying attention to that part.

"It's been about 30 years. Originally, the vicinity here was a place lush with vegetation, but it suddenly turned into this state."

Marcus said.

He checked whether there was a monster contaminating the land due to the commoners' petitions. He also called famous priests to offer sacrifices to God.

He mobilized all other possible methods, but ultimately all failed.

"The residents who lived nearby also lost their homes and had to migrate."

Maria said with a sad face.

Listening attentively to the story, Eugene felt like he caught onto some clue.

"Marcus. I ask just in case, but that place called the salt lake. Hasn't its size decreased compared to the past?"

"How do you..."

With a face saying 'I knew it', Eugene got off his horse and picked up a bit of soil from the ground. And put it in his mouth.

"Excellency!"

"W-What are you doing right now?"

The reaction of the shocked subordinates. Eugene spat out the tasted soil and rinsed his mouth with the water Homi gave him.

"It's weak, but the soil tastes salty. The ground becoming barren is because the salt lake evaporated and salt flew over riding the wind."

"!!!"

Since ancient times, pouring salt is a loved method used by conquerors when enacting scorched earth operations. However, Marcus hadn't even thought a disaster could occur in this form.

"I think I know the reason why the quietly living mermaid couldn't endure it and started rampaging. I reckon the cause is that the water became so salty it couldn't endure it anymore."

Perhaps he could resolve this situation without using sword or magic.