Chapter 244

Chapter 244 - Entering the War (4)

Eugene distributed the captured mercenaries as slaves for free to the merchant groups visiting the territory. There was only one condition.

"Spread the word everywhere about what these bastards did to end up in this state."

"We will do as you command. Your Excellency."

It's effectively a kind of warning. So that they would ponder at least once more when messing with Dark Elf refugees moving to join the Mayer family.

Of course, as long as a majority of Eugene's territories are in foreign countries, this cannot become a great deterrent device. Because it is an era where even the king of a country has no particular influence outside his own territory.

However, it can sufficiently induce forces neutral or favorable to Eugene to report eyewitness accounts and receive crumbs.

"We plan to hand them over to the gladiator arena. If the host shouts out this bastard's past history with a loud voice prior to the match, all the spectators will probably know Your Excellency's intentions."

"That's an excellent thought."

The merchants all took them saying they would diligently spread the rumor. For petty places, it was because there was no reason to refuse free slaves, and for large merchant firms that particularly lacked nothing, it was to create a point of contact with the Mayer family.

"Most tribes have escaped from the central region. Although there's no helping those who are already caught."

Chief Alesa said with a bitter face.

Since it was pillaging and requisition close to a surprise attack operation, there were tribes that suffered mishaps without being able to prepare, but they won't let themselves fall victim in the future.

"Whether it's negotiating for prisoners or tracking down those who are already sold to pay the price and bring them back, I will leave it to the Chief. I will provide the money."

"The costs will be formidable, though."

Alesa was amazed at Eugene's reaction of declaring it cheerfully.

"It effectively amounts to buying with money a debt of the heart that couldn't be repaid even passing on through generations. It rather seems like a profitable business."

"...I will start from the Samur side first."

"Please use whatever is necessary. If it's about the level of requesting cooperation, you may use the Mayer family's name as much as you want."

Alesa bowed her head containing deep gratitude.

'I don't like the humans' tyranny, but do we have to step up for another family?'

This is the main reaction of the young tribe members. However, the thoughts of Alesa and the elders are different. A position where they must also think of the future 100 years from now. As a minority race, they harbored alertness at the blood they could mix decreasing.

In this situation, a great lord equipped with mighty secular influence fully supporting them becomes tremendous strength.

- Looking far ahead, the future of nomadic people cannot be bright. Compare the centralization of power and population increase that settled people have achieved. How far behind you are falling in the competitive race.

The clan's elders also sympathized with Eugene's future design. Because, befitting the Fairy race with long lifespans, they properly experienced the transition of growth of villages and cities, nations and peoples.

They had to admit that the gap with the humans they looked down upon on was widening as generations repeated. To think the monarch who worries about that and tries to prepare together is their family. This exactly was a tie bestowed by heaven.

"Thank you as always. Safety and comfort. Snug warmth and pleasant cold air. Clean water and affluence. For providing all of that unchangingly."

Eugene, having finished war participation preparations, stroked Moving Castle's core.

It is common to attach a feminine noun to a ship and call it 'her'. However, the residents of Moving Castle went one step further and enjoyed using the phrase 'Mother'.

A living castle filled with flesh and blood. Because the sensation of living touching within it was similar to being embraced in a mother's bosom.

"Let's go to Everise. Let's go show off so everyone can see your brilliant figure."

Moving Castle's core shouted fiercely as if responding to Eugene's heart. Shortly after, a giant mass was transferred toward the large city in Reach where the Western Allied Forces were stationed.

* * *

Beonjjeok!

The Moving Castle family that descended on Reach faced the Ichor River. It is a river of the world's longest length penetrating vertically through Roman.

Swaaaa-.

The storm swirling from the transfer of super-giant mass raised rough waves and the river water flooded in all directions. Thanks to that, by the time the wind died down and the water surface recovered, a banquet table was set.

Palttak palttak!

Because fishes swept away by the rapid currents and scattered on the land were rolling around everywhere.

All sorts of wild animals came running to this unprecedented grand dinner. Big and small birds, wild cats, wild dogs, ducks, even rats that don't miss out on these kinds of places and the snakes aiming for them too.

"Since a mountain-like structure moved, the aftermath is also massive. Let us hope there's no damage to fishermen who got swept up in it."

While others watched with interest, Maria alone worried.

"It's fine. Moving Castle cannot land where there are people. Although it can't be helped up to those getting swept up while spectating the sight of it leaving."

"That brings relief then."

Maria, whose burden on her mind disappeared, scanned the river with eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Ichor is the number one contributor that helped Roman grasp hegemony. Providing abundant water resources and transport routes is a part, but the part where it flooded at fixed times was decisive. Because it provides massive nutrients to the surrounding farmland every year.

Since the flooding could be predicted, flood damage could also be minimized, so it's effectively a blessing with only advantages. The name Ichor River was attached saying its benefit is like the touch of a god stroking the land and leaving.

"The Noble Faction's Reach, the Imperial Faction's Goldford. It is the lifeline soaking the breadbaskets of both forces."

"It's a river we also always owed a debt to when we wandered paralleling mercenary work and nomadism. The weeds growing near the river are rich in nutritional value, you see. It was also good for exchanging information encountering other tribes."

Hind and Rex, who have a lot of interest in logistics, also added a word each.

"Let's hope the Emperor must fall. Since Roman will become an even more powerful country when the civil war ends."

Valda sighed.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Eugene. Have you forgotten the crop we brought from the jungle across the ocean?"

"Ah! You mean corn."

Corn spreading in Britannia had also just landed in Gord and Barcia. It hasn't reached Roman yet, but someone will start cultivating it within 2 years at the latest.

"It's a crop possessing monster-like supporting capacity compared to whatever else like potatoes, wheat, or barley. It consumes massive soil fertility, but Roman, which hugs the Ichor River, won't have a problem at all."

"Wouldn't starving people also greatly decrease by that much?"

"That is so, but."

Valda smiled. Driving hunger out of the world is Valda's wish. It's the goodness she kept since the time she was the girl walking over the wheat field, and the responsibility she embraced for the world as a descendant of the 1st Era royal family.

The Noble Faction assembly area they arrived at like that was a place constructed on slightly high ground to avoid periodic flooding damages.

The city's name is Everise, meaning it always rises even during the flooding season. The suffix '-rise' attaching like this is a common characteristic of cities in the Reach region.

"The scale is larger than the festival the Barcia King held."

Eugene tightly clenched his fist. The power of the Noble Faction was sturdier than he expected.

Seeing several heterogeneous flags fluttering, it seems foreign armies also arrived in considerable scale. Since the Emperor mobilized the armies of heterogeneous races first, it's effectively an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth though.

"We greet the honorable Count Mayer. We sincerely thank you for joining the war of justice."

As Eugene's army arrived at the assembly point, flamboyantly dressed scribes and a welcoming delegation came out and kneeled.

Everyone already knew that Eugene arrived in Reach. Because a bolt from the blue is bound to easily catch the eye anywhere.

"Several lords are highly anticipating the meeting with Your Excellency. The reception is already prepared, so we will arrange the meeting as soon as you relieve your travel fatigue."

The great lord-level welcoming protocol, which would normally take several days, was already in a prepared state.

* * *

The city's largest and most luxurious banquet hall was filled with the excited murmuring of the Allied Forces' nobles. Because amidst military forces exceeding expectations gathering from everywhere, Eugene's joining put a period on it.

Of course, there were also those who envied this. It's called a war of justice, but ultimately they are people who banded together aiming for their respective interests. If a strong competitor appears, their own share that returns when they win decreases by that much.

"Count Mayer may be an amazing knight, but granting him a standing director seat right away seems too excessive."

When a large-scale allied force of this sort was formed, a voice couldn't be given to all members. Because if there are many boatmen, the ship goes to the mountain.

For that reason, voices were differentially granted according to the scale of the forces they brought, and outstanding great nobles were given mighty authority calling it a standing director.

"Everyone, please don't misunderstand. Since I have no thoughts of denying his capabilities as a knight or the achievements he accumulated. But isn't it also a fact that he's a monarch who came alone without a single vassal?"

The master of Reach and the Great Lord of southwestern Roman, Duke Leray. He brought a military force close to 7,000 including his vassals.

Compared to him, Eugene's army is merely a third. Even compared to the other great nobles sitting in standing director seats, Eugene's military force was about half.

"Duke Leray. What's as important as numbers is the quality of the troops. The Southern Noble Allied Forces being defeated despite leading a military force several times larger wasn't solely because they lacked military provisions."

Count Morad, who was likewise sitting in a standing director seat, said. He is a pro-Mayer noble who strongly insisted standing director status should be granted to Eugene.

"The Rain River river-crossing operation failing is because of a stupid commander. Due to that, they ran out of military provisions and the main force was defeated too. What fault of the soldiers is there in this?"

"Since the numbers difference was so large, if they continuously maintained the offensive they would have successfully crossed the river eventually. It's true it was an unreasonable operation, but if the troop training level was even a little bit higher, the result would have changed."

"Count. There are naturally no 'if's in war history."

"Those words are correct."

Count Morad also didn't have thoughts of speaking lengthily about something already finished.

"What I wish to say is this. Count Mayer's army is a strong army that plowed through the most battles over the past 3 years. Who could deny this?"

Even Duke Leray had nothing to say regarding this alone. Instead, he took issue with the numbers he had constantly talked about.

"Still, it doesn't change that it's an army of just over 2,000 men. The great lords brought dozens of vassals and mercenary groups each, so this is a matter that's not equitable."

Count Morad, who was organizing his thoughts for a moment, abruptly asked.

"Dozens of fingers and one tightly clenched fist."

"Mmm?"

"Which of the two does Duke Leray see as more powerful?"

"That would be a fist. Isn't it an obvious story? Wait! Are you perhaps saying Count Mayer is that fist?"

Count Morad nodded his head instead of answering.

Mercenaries drawn by money after fighting for different employers in different countries. Vassals who gathered at a summons but from whom greater motivation was hard to hope for. Dozens of fingers was precisely appropriate to compare them to.

"We appoint ourselves descendants of the Ancient Kingdom, but our army is not so. But how about the Count's army?"

Count Morad firmly clenched his fist and showed it to the audience.

"An army loyal to one master from the bottom to the commander. An army that follows his will to the ends of the world. That is Count Mayer's army. Like the dozens of legions that were loyal to the Ancient Kingdom. No matter how many fingers there are, if they clash with a tightly clenched fist they will merely break."

"...It seems Count Morad evaluates him too highly because he's his vassal."

Laughter burst out all over the banquet hall at Duke Leray's words. It wasn't because they responded well to the Duke's words, but because the situation of the Morad family having Eugene as a vassal was funny.

"Damn it! Do whatever you want!"

In the end, Duke Leray declared surrender. Even the nobles who crossed over from Samur or Gord supported Eugene, so continuing to oppose was impossible.

* * *

Meanwhile, Eugene was meeting guests during the day ahead of the protocol.

"Our Mirka Merchant Firm is a partner that has also been together with the Dark Elves for a long time. Most of the straw finished threshing in Reach goes into our firm. Please leave the provision of hay during the journey to us."

Sutlers who came visiting saying they would supply goods were treated paying the most close attention.

"We have never abandoned an employer on the battlefield not even once. If Your Excellency hires us, we will fight offering our lives."

Mercenary captains trying to stably make money under a stronger monarch competitively attempted sales.

Several knights wandering in search of honor also came visiting, and among them there were very welcome people.

"We greet Your Excellency Mayer."

"Thank you for granting us an audience."

Eugene warmly welcomed the two young knights feeling awed and grateful by pouring them tea he brewed himself.

"Border knights coming to visit my family are always welcome. Isn't it the finest knight's house in Roman? Is Commander Largo healthy?"

"He is hale and hearty as ever!"

"Sir Hind. Have a seat as well. Are you not glad your juniors came visiting like this? As a senior you should warmly embrace them, no?"

"!!!"

Everything in the world is connected. Count Morad as well, and the House of Border Knights as well. The ties Eugene built while wandering all this time returned to him again in various forms.

At times they prepared seats of honor and welcomed him, and at times young swords embracing dreams and courage flew in wanting to be inserted into his scabbard.

It was an overwhelming thing even for the always calm and composed Eugene.