Chapter 235

Chapter 235 - How to Share Warmth

In the middle of the night when everyone is asleep, there is a group moving without a single torch.

"There are no outside forces within a 3km radius."

"Good! Hurry."

As Eugene sent a signal, the special forces unit that picked up the mermaids from the lake moved stealthily. Because they had slept in advance during the day, everyone is full of vigor.

- It's best to handle this kind of thing as quickly as possible. It's no good to stand out in others' eyes, so let's move at night.

Riding the momentum, Eugene also pushed forward with the transport operation. Those mobilized are Dark Elves and Vampires possessing darkvision.

From the mermaids' perspective, coming out of the water is a matter of fully entrusting their lives. To give them trust, Eugene and Marbas, who were the negotiation parties, and even Homi, who received the mermaids' acknowledgment, participated.

"It is a relief we didn't need to prepare water tanks. Thanks to that, we were able to transport them immediately."

"Exactly what I mean. I am getting to know many new things regarding mermaids."

Marbas scooped water with a gourd and sprinkled it on a mermaid.

Everyone vaguely thought they had to prepare large water tanks fully filled with water because they are fish, but there was no need to do so.

'I thought they were like dolphins in the aspect of communicating through sound waves, but it was real.'

Mermaids were mammals breathing through lungs like whales. Therefore, a wooden tub barely enough for a lower-body bath is enough to transport them. They just have to make sure only their skin doesn't dry out.

"What about sleeping? You'll sleep in the sea, but doesn't the breathing issue get in the way?"

Eugene asked various things regarding their ecology to the mermaid during the transport.

[Even under the sea, there are places water does not fill. We gather there and invite sleep all together.]

The leader of the lake mermaids answered. No matter how much of a grace of salvation there is, there's a reason she docilely answered about their lives.

Mumble mumble.

The mermaid was eating Torrezno, that is, fried pork belly, that Eugene brought as a gift with a happy face.

- Prepare all dishes that can be made with fat!

It's the order Eugene gave prior to the operation. Favor is generated by multiplication. If he was going to help them anyway, it was good to also combine it with perfect treatment.

Crispiness is a sensation mermaids living in the water have no connection with over their entire lives. Furthermore, adding crispiness to land fat that mermaids go crazy for?

[...Can you give me more?]

"As much as you want."

The leader of the mermaids, who had a highly prideful expression, held out her empty bowl while reading the room. On the other side, there are mermaids eating the fat stew, the kind that makes an 'Ugh' sound come out just looking at it, as if drinking it.

Kkulkkeok.

Fried pork belly is piled up fully in the newly received bowl. Swallowing her saliva, the mermaid reinforced answers regarding the previous question in return.

[There are many natural caves under the sea. We can expand the inside of those and drain the water out.]

"Surprising. Has anyone heard of this kind of technique?"

Rampage shook his head.

"If it's carving stone I wouldn't know, but draining water out at the seabed is impossible. I can't even imagine what kind of principle it is."

However, there was a separate more interesting dwelling.

[The house we like the most is a shipwreck.]

Listening attentively, Eugene had something suddenly come to mind.

"Wait. In stories about mermaids, the reason there are uniquely many stories of attacking ships is because of that, then?"

[...The large human ships present us with truly many things.]

The mermaid probably realized her slip of the tongue and hesitated, but Eugene didn't care. Under the sea is outside the territory of humans. Even if all the countries in the whole world united and mobilized their national power, exterminating mermaids is impossible.

If so, he had to find a way to somehow coax them and make them allies. At the very least, they are opponents with whom negotiation is possible in this way, after all. There were also many regions making contracts with pirates or offering human sacrifices to the sea.

"No need to read the room, so keep speaking."

The mermaid who hesitated for a moment nodded her head.

[If we all push a sunken ship together to flip it over, and then drain the water filling the inside, it becomes an excellent mansion. Safe from sharks, warm, and spacious too. Above all, it is convenient to raise children. Because their body temperature regulation ability is weak and they need a lot of space.]

"Tools that can be made through wood or metallurgy would also be useful."

[That is right. Because there is a limit to things that can be substituted with coral, fish bones, or shells.]

Before dawn broke, the special forces unit arrived at the Arp River mouth.

The mermaids reacted in unison starting from the boundary surface. Everyone shed tears at the water incomparably wider than the lake they had lived trapped in until now.

Cheolpeok cheolpeok!

Cheolpudeok!

"Hey!"

"Calm down!"

Uncontrollable tails, like Homi when she's happy, flailed around and splashed water everywhere. Some fell out because of that, so the warriors had to lift them back up again.

"Thank you for following control until now. You must have been anxious completely entrusting your lives."

[Just as you said, even if we remain in the lake, only a slow death approaches. Since we have to rely on someone to return to the sea anyway, there would be no better option than you.]

The gazes of the mermaids looking at Eugene who fulfilled the promise were soft. It is no longer the kind looking at an enemy or a stranger.

When the subordinates placed the tubs containing the mermaids by the Arp riverside, they fell over one by one. The mermaids submerged towards the river with faces full of joy.

Cheombeong! Cheombeong!

As if enjoying the expansive river water, they bounded up like dolphins and advanced.

[Master of the Mayer family. You have fulfilled the promise excellently.]

The leader who had remained until the end held Eugene's two hands and bid farewell.

[Water goes round and round, connecting everything. I will joyfully await the day to repay today's grace. If you fall into the sea, we will go to rescue you first before anyone else.]

"That won't be easy. Since I likely won't have any instance of sailing on a ship."

The mermaid who tilted her head for a moment soon disappeared below the water surface. Advancing far away just like that, she looked back towards Eugene's party's direction for the last time.

Those who were bobbing with only their heads floating above the water surface soon hid their appearances completely. Only the young girl mermaids waved their hands at their friends of the land before parting.

* * *

Eugene has many points in common with the Pierce siblings. With the older brother Marcus, flexibility and valor can be cited. With the younger sister Maria, there was a more special common point.

"A meal had while gazing at the sunrise at the river isn't bad either."

Exactly the part about enjoying cooking.

A breakfast personally made by Maria was set out on the outdoor dining table for the two Great Nobles. For reference, the fried pork belly the mermaids liked is also Maria's work.

"You must have had many difficulties since it was a sudden field cooking, but it was excellent skill. Thanks to it, we were able to present a joy the mermaids hadn't enjoyed even once."

"Thank you for the praise. Count."

Maria lightly expressed courtesy while grabbing the hem of her skirt.

"Just like one needs to be an elite knight to become a victorious commander, for a perfect reception, I myself must become an excellent cook first."

"Those are right words. Because if someone who doesn't know cooking tries running a restaurant, it'll go bankrupt."

It was an un-noble-like analogy, but both Marcus and Maria found such an unpretentious side of Eugene endearing.

"You like Torrezno that much?"

"Yeah. Because it's similar to a dish I liked in my hometown. Though there we didn't fry it and ate it grilled."

Fried pork belly, really. How could anyone dislike this?

Among the dishes Maria set out is also grilled mullet freshly caught from the river. As Barcia cuisine usually goes, special sauce is generously sprinkled.

"In the past, I thought everyone of the Clan of the Night lived only drinking blood. But it was a misunderstanding. You are the people who enjoy gastronomy the most in the world."

"It is not necessarily only for hedonistic reasons."

Maria carefully placed her hand on the back of Eugene's hand.

"Cold."

"Yes. Our bodies are cold. And cooking is a joy of the sense of taste, but at the same time, it is also warmth."

Changing ingredients through heat, such as grilling, boiling, and steaming, is a basic element of cooking.

"Humans, beastmen, and fairy races possess warm bodies. Beloved lovers, dear friends. Through embraces with them, you can share warmth. Warmth contains many things that cannot be expressed in words."

"But Vampires or Dhampirs can't do that, then?"

Maria formed a profound smile. It is an appearance containing deep emotions ill-suited for her girl-like appearance. Maria grabbed Marcus's hand with her other hand.

"Even if the Clan of the Night presses our bodies together, we only feel chilliness. However, we too crave warmth from the people we cherish. Therefore, we had to find another method. A method to convey warmth and heart together."

There will be no need to say twice that it is cooking.

"The reason Barcia is fascinated by cooking is not simply for gastronomy alone."

"When I return to Britannia, I'll brag enthusiastically at every banquet. Just how romantic friends Barcia are."

"Please do."

Maria stretched her finger towards the grilled trout. The long and sharp nail unique to a Dhampir sparkled receiving the morning sunlight.

Seogeok.

It's a delicate nail compared to a knife, but by what secret method, the flesh splits open perfectly. In an instant, the bones completely disappeared and only steaming meat was left on the plate. Maria pushed it in front of Eugene.

The one acting more dignified than anyone in the world is the Noble of the Night. However, when serving food to someone they truly respect, there was a custom of trimming it personally with their own hands.

"Picking out the bones is at the level of art, though?"

"Because Brother likes fish but terribly hates picking out the bones. It's to the point he won't eat the fish itself at all if I don't do it like this."

"Oho?"

"...Why are you saying something like that?"

Marcus turned his head away from Eugene who was looking back while rubbing his chin.

The cheeks of Homi, who was standing in attendance behind Eugene as an escort, puffed up somewhat. It was an appearance expressing with her entire body, 'I can also really pick them out well.'

Around the time the harmonious meal was ending, Eugene stopped Maria, who was trying to pour wine.

"Let me at least serve the things to drink."

As Eugene gestured, a servant brought two glasses sloshing with red liquid. It is blood received separately when slaughtering a sheep for the warriors' meal.

"...No way?"

The quick-witted Maria looked at Eugene with a face steeped in surprise and anticipation.

"My dear friends. The friends who became the first connection and presented the greatest foundation of knight Eugene Mayer."

With two glasses held in his two hands, Eugene bowed his head and greeted.

"May this precious connection continue straight ahead in the future as well."

Thus, the sacrament began.

"...?!"

"...!"

The retainers of the Pierce family looked in this direction in unison. A sweet scent they had never smelled even once. There is filled a sheer aestheticism that disallows comparison with a mermaid's seduction.

"In nomine. Patris."

The language of God used only by priests consecrates the blood of a lamb.

The intense spiritual energy dwelling in the two glasses intoxicates the Nobles of the Night with just the scent alone. Even the holy water brewed by the High Priest of the most powerful religious order would be no different from plain water compared to this.

However, that does not contain respect towards God. It overflows solely with affection towards the dear siblings. That was something Marcus and Maria, who do not know magic, could also tell.

Within the sweet scent that seemed like even their souls would be pickled, they could earnestly feel Eugene's warmth.

"May this beverage instill warmth into the bodies of you two."

Marcus and Maria drank the Holy Blood while holding the glasses preciously as if enshrining the Holy Grail. Eugene, resting his chin on his hand while looking at the two, smiled. As a breakfast with friends, it couldn't be more perfect than this.

* * *

When Eugene and the Pierce siblings were spending an amicable time, the Piranian family was spending the worst of times.

- T-The knights charged into the river laughing crazily and all sank. Even though they undoubtedly blocked their ears tightly...

The contents reported by the scout who was at a slightly distanced place froze everyone. The one who regained their senses first is the leader, Countess Piranian. She pointed at the staff officer who planned this operation.

"Send this damned bastard to the gallows!"

"Excellency! Excellency! Please have mercy! Surely the craftsman who provided the beeswax made defective products! Pleaaase!"

The Countess was greedy and had a nasty temper. However, her sense for seeking opportunities was innate, so she had gathered great profits by stabbing a cheap blow at appropriate timings.

But at the trial by combat prepared diligently, the King banned the participation of outside knights, and she suffered great losses. Seeking to recover that, she also lost all the knights sent to the salt mine.

"Why is it that those mermaids to be torn from limb to limb don't touch the Pierce bastards?!"

There was no answer returning to the furious shout. Because no one even thought they would hold hands with mermaids and enter a cooperative relationship.

"Why is everyone like a mute who ate honey? Try giving any answer at least, I say!"

"W-We apologize."

"Because of our inadequacy..."

The retainers swallowed their complaints inwardly, like 'When you'll throw a bitch fit if it's not a perfect answer.'

"The year-end banquet is canceled! Put out a wanted call for mercenaries and stockpile arrows and horse feed!"

"Are you intending to wage a war?"

"You idiot! We're not trying to attack, but preparing for them to attack!"

"But Excellency. It will be difficult for the Pierce family to dispatch troops too."

Though they lost knights, the army remains intact. The side invading is several times more disadvantageous than the side defending. Unlike Bean Land which is plains wherever you look, the Piranian family's territory has mountainous areas and fortresses deployed everywhere.

"That'd be the case if it were just Marcus alone. But Count Mayer is together with them. I don't know what they did to get busy with each other, but they absolutely weren't in a loose relationship."

Many nobles saw Eugene and the Pierce siblings laughing and chatting at the tournament. It was to the point some even strongly suspected they were pushing for a marriage alliance with Maria.

"Draft one letter of appeal and two letters. The letter of appeal is to be sent to the King. Inform him that the knights died in battle while subjugating the mermaids that eat away the country. The first letter is for that Marcus bastard. Tell him thank you for recovering those who died honorably fighting monsters. That we will pay compensation, so we demand the return of the corpses, armor, and military horses. The second letter is for Count Mayer."

The scribe took notes, moving his pen diligently. The family head's intention was to somehow package this incident as a tragedy that occurred during the monster subjugation process.

Besides the letters, there were too many things to do, including bribes to offer the King and preparations for war just in case. Amidst the complete busyness, urgent news flew in.

"His Majesty the King has finished the banquet and started departing this way together with the nobles!"

"What?!"

The Countess jumped up.

"If he enjoyed all there is to enjoy he should return to the capital, why here?!"

Normally, she would have been busy entertaining the King, showing off her power, and thinking about the concessions she would receive. But right now, it's a situation of a guilty conscience making one jumpy. The Countess chewed on her nails nervously.

"That is, I heard they are coming to see Count Mayer's Moving Castle. It's said that not only the King but also the nobles are all full of anticipation."

The place Moving Castle descended was a buffer zone placed between the two Margrave families.

"Double the amount of bribes and open the warehouse! Bring the wine I brewed last year! I will personally present it to Count Mayer."

The one who gathers and rules over even the most insidious nobles in Barcia is Countess Piranian. The bewilderment was brief and the judgment was immediate. Right now was the time to show the maximum sincerity she could.

* * *

"He revealed his curiosity about the castle throughout the tournament, but to think he'd really come."

For Eugene who suddenly had to receive guests, it's just perplexing.

"Isn't it rather a well-turned-out matter? It isn't any other noble, but the King of a powerful country like Barcia. If you entertain him at your castle, that itself is a sort of official recognition."

Marcus considered it a good opportunity. Moving Castle is effectively ruled by Eugene, but the Roman Emperor was also diligently asserting ownership.

In such a situation, if authoritative individuals arrive at the castle and leave after being entertained by Eugene, that itself weakens the Roman Emperor's assertion.

The residents already moved in and living there would have a reaction of 'What dogshit is that?', but in noble society where one lives and dies by cause, it is a somewhat necessary work.

"I know that, but there is something bothering me."

"What is?"

"When your husband who went outside suddenly comes hanging a large amount of guests and tells you to set the table, well..."

"???"

Eugene was having worries that couldn't be understood with the sensibilities of a noble of this era.

"Be that as it may, are you really just going to bury it like this? I think it wouldn't be bad to show an example to the Piranian family at this opportunity."

At Eugene's words, both Marcus and Maria shook their heads.

"It seems it will be difficult. Anyway, those knights didn't directly inflict harm upon us."

"And they didn't touch the salt mine the King mediated. It's a family head who walks the line well in many ways."

It was definitely an impetus trying to attack Eugene's party. However, as a result, the knights were annihilated dealing only with the mermaids. Eugene's army didn't have a single injured person, and the part the King judged wasn't touched either.

With this, even if they could appropriately pressure them and extort some profit, the justification to see an end doesn't stand.

"In the end, you have to live as squabbling neighbors?"

"Would it be an ill-fated relationship continuing for generations for no reason? Countless trials will probably be repeated in the future as well."

If one becomes about a Great Noble, unless they thrust a sword at the King, they usually aren't exterminated. Even more so if they carry the important mission of a Margrave. Like it or not, the two families had to walk together as neighbors on bad terms in the future as well.

The immediate worry is prioritizing how to entertain the precious guests. However, it wasn't particularly difficult.

"Should I start by planning a tour course first?"

Moving Castle is a theme park that becomes an excellent entertainment just by taking them around once.