Chapter 236

Chapter 236 - A Lady's Time

The magic laboratory Eugene gifted to Valda is one of the most expensive places per unit area.

- There wouldn't be just one or two magicians who would offer their lives for a single night here!

Because, as per Valda's evaluation, it is filled with rare artifacts and equipment.

Among them, the treasure she cherishes the most is the magic water mirror. It is a rectangular groove dug into the floor filled with water, about 2m wide, 4m long, and about half a span deep.

Valda's pure white palm as she sits kneeling strokes the water surface.

"Castle of magic. Will you show me? Your other half and my other half. That person's appearance."

Uwuung-.

Then, ripples arose as if hundreds of water striders were rampaging.

When the water surface calmed down, what appeared was Eugene's appearance. As dignified as always on top of the reliable Might, he is instructing something.

This magic water mirror can only be handled by magicians, and it only ever shows the single most precious person to the user.

It is an artifact full of restrictions, but to Valda, it was a treasure she wouldn't trade for anything.

- Our brother will return safely, right? Since it's his first real battle and he has a very clumsy personality, I'm worried.

- I had a dream of him getting heavily injured. I wonder if it's an ominous omen by any chance. I'm on my way to pray at the sanctuary.

Families worrying about warriors who sortied is a sight that can be seen anywhere in the world. That is no exception for Valda either.

Doubtlessly, Eugene is the strongest knight she knows. He isn't just strong, but possesses an astoundingly careful and rational mind. He is different from knights whose brains are also muscles, charging into pits of fire chasing a single piece of glory.

However, a wife is one whose unnecessary worries regarding the safety of her husband acting outside also well up. That is an unavoidable law of the world.

Therefore, the magic water mirror that shows Eugene's face at any time is a thankful existence. Thanks to it, Valda can be at ease and excellently govern the household without him.

"His hair got messy. I should look into better inner padding."

Valda stroked Eugene's hair pressed down by the helmet.

"Madam. How about preparing to dress up soon?"

"If it were the Castle Lord, he surely would have won the tournament. You must give a prize to the brave warrior who returned victorious."

Valda's handmaids advised.

For the water mirror, one can gauge the distance by the time it takes for the target's appearance to show up after ripples occur. If it shows his appearance in the blink of an eye like just now, it means Eugene is at a close distance.

"Yeah. Please do."

Jjok.

Valda, lying face down, kissed Eugene's cheek on the water surface.

Uwuung-.

Then, the mirror blurred and returned to ordinary water. The method to undo the water mirror's magic is for the caster's bodily fluids to touch it.

- Hmm. It turns off even if I do this... Ugh!

- Too much. How could you do that?!

For reference, in the past during a test run, Eugene trying to turn off the water mirror using a fast and efficient method had his back harshly smacked once.

"It is a truly convenient tool."

Valda nodded her head at the envious handmaids.

"Thanks to this mirror, I feel at ease even when he's outside. I can also soothe my heart wanting to see him."

"It's not just that. You can always go out to meet the Castle Lord in your prettiest appearance, right?"

"...Actually, I liked that the most."

"Kuk."

The older handmaids held their breath and laughed with faces saying she was adorable.

Valda is busy fulfilling her role as the lady of the house, like overseeing the interior of the castle. She had to run through the forge full of heat, the warehouse full of cold air, various workshops, and the stable full of all sorts of creatures. Naturally, unlike other noble ladies, she prefers active attire.

However, she didn't want to welcome her husband in such an outfit.

She wished to embrace the head of the household, who had carried out the tasks of diplomacy and battle, with her prettiest appearance and an enchanting fragrance.

* * *

Meanwhile, the Eugene that Valda had seen through the water mirror was actually in an appearance just ahead of a battle.

Could it be said it's a relief the water mirror's scope is narrow? Because if she had known it was her husband's appearance right before a charge, it would have been hard for her to dress up with a peaceful mind.

"It is a pretty good land. Toll taxes will be earned well."

"It is the center of transportation in the vicinity. There is a reason there were territorial disputes for over 100 years. Now that the King mediated, the Piranian bastards won't be able to pest around anymore either."

The highway spreading out before Eugene and Marcus is territory reverted to the Pierce family through the trial by combat. Because it wasn't properly managed all this while, it held various problems.

A Great Noble is basically in a position of receiving something from their vassals. Receiving loyalty, receiving taxes, receiving the duty of conscription, and sometimes receiving hostages too.

However, sometimes there are times they must carry out duties as well. Resolving problems that cannot be handled at the vassal's level is an example of that.

"Are those Harpies?"

Eugene discovered a scene of several Harpies attacking the highway. They are flight-type monsters where elements of birds of prey melted in various places into the bodies of human females.

A mixed group of merchants, shepherds, and travelers were desperately resisting gathered around carriages and carts.

"They are much bigger than I thought. Quite different from what the tribal elders said."

"At that level, they could just snatch away clumsy mercenaries as is, wouldn't they?"

For the tribal warriors too, most of them are seeing Harpies for the first time. They were a type of monster that cannot be seen in Roman.

"The place where the most Harpies inhabit on the continent is this country, you see."

Marcus frowned looking at the main enemy that had tormented this land for a long time.

Befitting a country of plains, Barcia lacks places for monsters to hide their bodies. Since powerful cavalry units frequently carry out subjugations, guys like Orcs or Goblins had their seeds dried up a long time ago.

However, the ecosystem does not allow for a vacuum. Since competition for food is low and due to the country's characteristics lacking skilled archer units, flight-type monsters like Harpies twisted in.

Meeeee-!

"N-No!"

"Idiot! Get down! Preserve your own life first!"

A middle-aged man made a young man, who was screaming watching a sheep getting taken away, get down.

Barcia is an acknowledged pastoral region even on the continent. It was the second reason there are many Harpies. With slow and plump livestock scattered everywhere, it is no different from heaven for Harpies.

"Prepare for attack."

"We waited for those words!"

At Eugene's order, the tribal horse archers lifted their bows filled with joy.

Hunting! And hunting prey of a kind they had never caught until now is a pastime they like as much as pillaging.

The cavalry unit Marcus accompanied currently was focused on close-quarters combat, so dealing with Harpies wasn't going as wished.

"I am indebted again. Even though you already did a lot for us."

"Don't mind it. Experience engaging in combat with monsters we haven't faced before is always welcome. Because we don't know where or how we'll meet them again."

"I will definitely repay it with silver coins later."

Eugene grinned at his friend who doesn't just fob off goodwill with friendship alone. He was a man who knew how to maintain relationships long and healthily.

"There arose a use for it right away."

Eugene received Predator from Homi. This giant lance is the best choice to strike back at Harpies attacking from the air.

Dudududu!

"L-Look over there!"

"It's salvation!"

The survivors who were being battered frantically by the Harpies' wave attacks cheered.

"Prohibit individual firing and shoot intensively at one guy at a time. First, that guy on the far right!"

At Eugene's order, arrows soared in unison.

Peolleok!

The Harpies who noticed the cavalry's approach turned their bodies and showed their backs to Eugene's army. And they shrank their bodies closely like a fetus.

In a general combat situation, it would be a suicidal act saying 'Please kill me!', but for Harpies, it is a tactical posture embedded in their DNA stage.

Tuduk!

Tududuk!

The thick feathers overlapped like scale armor on their backs effectively blocked the arrows. When the Harpies shook their bodies, all the arrows that had pierced shallowly through some feathers also fell off.

"Hihyahyahyayat-!"

The Harpies who undid their posture mocked the horse archers. A normal army might be flustered, but Eugene is calm.

"Cease volley fire. Take turns firing arrows one squad at a time."

Harpies do not have feathers on their chest and abdomen. To block the horse archers' attacks, they had to maintain a defensive posture showing their backs.

Most archer units couldn't hit unless it was volley fire so it wouldn't be a problem, but the tribal warriors are an exception. They can maneuver on horseback and fire individually with astounding accuracy.

"Kyaak-!"

A Harpy screamed. Because an arrow grazed its thigh and blood splattered.

While the majority of squad members shot arrows from the front, some of the tribal warriors rapidly ran their horses. It is to secure firing angles for weak points the Harpy cannot hide.

Soon, as the horse archers arrived at the highway, it became hard for the Harpies to completely block the arrows flying from all directions.

"Why are these guys so tough?"

Eugene found it strange at the appearance of the Harpies slowly allowing effective hits yet stubbornly holding out.

"It's probably because it's breeding season. It seems they're carrying eggs, but if they can't consume nutrients right now, the eggs will also get smaller. It's the same for other creatures too, but I heard the deviation is severe for Harpies."

"If it's for that reason, no wonder they charge in risking their lives."

To leave behind strong descendants is the instinct of all beasts. Harpies have incredibly strong maternal love to the point of having a habit of trying to secure as much nutrients as possible even if they overdo it.

The Harpies who had consistently been defensive all dove down in unison the moment the horse archers showed an opening.

"Shoot! Shoot!"

The Harpies endured the fairly painfully lodging arrows while gritting their teeth. They couldn't miss a rare opportunity.

"Fall back! Sabion!"

"Damn it!"

Not everyone could dodge the sudden counterattack. The moment the large bird of prey's talons were about to tear apart an inexperienced tribal warrior.

Peo-eo-eong!

A lance that appeared soundlessly from the flank pierced the Harpy.

Puhwak!

The lance that exited creating a tunnel in the flank sprayed blood foam in the form of a shockwave. It is a thrilling scene that makes viewers shout exclamations.

"C-Castle Lord!"

"Thanks later."

Without even looking at his deeply moved subordinate, Eugene thrust the lance towards the sky. The target is another Harpy bravely unfolding a diving attack.

Puuuuk!

The guy was pierced from the crotch to the head like a skewer and died instantly.

"Ugh!"

At that terrifying appearance, the passersby lying face down got goosebumps all over their bodies. Naturally, the ones most surprised were the Harpies.

Buuuung!

At the long iron pole being swung with a momentum to cleave the sky, they hurriedly scattered and dodged.

"Kuak-!"

A Harpy late in evasion was strongly struck on the back and spat out all the air in its lungs. Tumbling round and round just like that, it crashed into the ground making a dull sound.

"Kkiyyaak-!"

It didn't die and stood up trembling, but the arrows that poured from everywhere immediately cut off its breath.

In the midst of that, the Harpy whose flank was pierced first still had breath attached.

"Geureuk... Geureureuk..."

Because the beast-like lance was biting even into its two lungs, it couldn't even scream.

Pudeuk.

Pudeudeok.

Instead, only the sound of wings moving as if sporadically convulsing echoed out. It could be called the most bloodcurdling scarecrow in the world.

"Siiiiii-."

"Siiiik-."

The Harpies, who couldn't even be stopped by dozens of horse archers, were overwhelmed by a mere single knight and froze.

'He really is a monster.'

At that awe-inspiring scene, Maria stroked the wine placed on her horse's saddle. It is a fine wine she brewed seeking to treat Eugene when she reunited with him.

Joyfully yet sadly, going through the tournament and the journey, it had almost bottomed out. But to quench the thirst of the knight who will soon return claiming victory, it will be enough.

"Drop them all!"

Afterwards was slaughter time. The Harpies, unable to maintain their defensive posture against Eugene's lance and javelins, allowed their vitals to arrows aiming for gaps in their defense.

As a significant portion of the flock was shot down in an instant, the Harpies started crying and running away. However, with arrows stuck here and there, they couldn't fly properly and their stamina was exhausted quickly too.

"Chase them! Don't let a single one get away!"

"If you keep following them, they will eventually get tired and come down one by one!"

A pursuit lasting nearly half a day continued. The Harpies that had attacked met their deaths without a single one left behind.

* * *

The bedroom of the Castle Lord's wife.

Valda dressed up nicely to welcome Eugene.

Ornaments obtained from various parts of the world and perfumes that would grip a man's heart lined up waiting to be chosen. A fragrance combined from freshly squeezed herb sap is applied to the comb and permeates her radiant blonde hair. Spice powder harboring the power of enchantment also waited its turn.

However, the true protagonist that will adorn Valda today was separate.

"Even looking at it again, it's fascinating. It's so thin it's see-through yet sturdy."

"Thanks to this tightly clinging elasticity, your body line stands out."

The handmaids constantly admired the unfamiliar fabric wrapping the mistress's limbs.

It is thread extracted from silkworms fed black leaves that Valda developed. Because the production amount was still too small, it was a precious material that only an extremely few people could wear.

"It was difficult work, but it is rewarding. With this much, it seems to have come out just as he told me."

Valda blushed as she stroked her instep coated in a dark hue.

Because it was a fabric that gave a somewhat scandalous feeling for her, who is modest. But she has no choice. Her desire to fulfill her husband's wish was far greater than her embarrassment.

"It's just pretty, what are you embarrassed for?"

"Everyone is dying to have it, you see."

The tribal women within the castle were genuinely envious of Valda. They had never seen such a pretty fabric anywhere in the world.

Unlike the warrior class tightly harboring their identity as nomads, the other members were in a situation where the colors of a settled race were getting stronger.

Even if mobility drops, the interest in adornments that will make beauty stand out amplified day by day. Right now, the clothes the handmaids wore are also chitons in a style popular in southern Roman.

"I brought the outerwear."

Another handmaid came hanging a red coat over her arm. An outerwear made as a set from the beginning, unlike the daring inner dress, it neatly covers a significant portion of the body.

"Hurry, give it here. I'm embarrassed because it's too bare right now."

"But didn't you pick it out and wear it yourself?"

"That's because it's clothes my husband gifted me."

As if linked to her fading voice, Valda's toes also curled inwards. At the cute appearance fully visible through the sheer fabric, the handmaids laughed merrily.

* * *

"My friends! Thank you for the hospitality all this while. From now on, I will treat you. I sincerely welcome you to Moving Castle."

Eugene reached out his arm toward Moving Castle visible far away.

Marcus, Maria, and the guards of the Pierce family froze solidly like stones. The majestic structure that entered the grassland easily overpowered everyone seeing it for the first time.

"There was a reason everyone was unimpressed no matter what I showed of my territory. Remaining in a place like that usually, there's bound to be no inspiration."

Marcus, who regained his composure first, sighed. The last legacy of the Ancient Kingdom he had only heard about in words was indeed a single moving country by itself.

"Hurry and go in. Since there's more to see inside than outside. If you soak your body in the warm hot spring, your fatigue will melt away. There's a copious amount of things I want to show you, things I want to feed you."

Eugene grabbed the hands of the Pierce siblings one by one and led the way taking the front. Among all the guests until now, it was the visit he wanted to treat most joyfully.

"Save this reaction. Since His Majesty will also come shortly after, you have to show it to him."

"To me, the two of you are more precious guests than the King."

Eugene's voice where sincerity could be felt.

Kkook.

Both Marcus and Maria tightened their grip on the held hands with warm faces.