Chapter 264

Chapter 264 - Birth of a Federation

"To be honest, I didn't expect you to handle this so perfectly. The guards told me the camp director tried to take the nobles hostage. If it weren't for your swift response, it would have been a headache."

"It was a really simple task. This camp is built of stone and iron, but it's a world that closely resembles the wild. It doesn't require elaborate plans or deep schemes to manipulate. Claws, a roar, and a little intimidation are enough."

Homi smiled, flicking the claws that had severed several locks. In that attitude, Eugene realized she had completely matured.

A beast that would groom its fur without a speck of fear even if left alone in a dark forest. Exactly that kind of maturity.

"Then, if I entrust you with tasks like this in the future, will you do well?"

"I think I could even enjoy it, beyond just doing well."

Homi purred pleasantly at her Lord's touch parting her hair. Since his faction had grown, Eugene had refrained from such physical contact considering her status, but he decided not to care anymore.

How could he resist the velvet touch radiating warm body heat? Neither Homi herself nor his subordinates saw it in a bad light at all.

"Smoke. We need troops to control the prisoners. Tell them to send one of the Dwarf centuries here."

"Understood."

"Jackal. Block the entrance of the camp with the rest of your men. You have permission to smash the heads of anyone who resists."

"Shall we leave some guys to run errands?"

Jackal didn't ask under the pretext of an escort. Just this knight and his squire were equivalent to a small legion.

"It's fine. Just secure the entrance well."

Eugene intended to release the prisoners detained here without any conditions. WhAAether noble or mercenary, they were all people captured while standing against the Imperial faction's army.

"Isn't it a bit of a waste? Mercenaries aside, the nobles combined would fetch quite a substantial ransom."

Even if he couldn't extort as much as he could from capturing nobles of a hostile family, he had the right to claim a significant compensation as a rescue reward.

"Right now, a message is more valuable to me than money. This kind of feat is better off without modifiers."

"Without modifiers?"

Homi's widened pupils were vertically elongated. With the addition of beast ears, she definitely gave off the feeling of a carnivore.

"Compare them. Count Mayer released the mercenaries and returned the nobles to their families for a reasonable ransom."

After waiting a moment, he continued.

"Count Mayer liberated all the prisoners."

"Ah! I understand what you mean. The second one is much more impactful."

"An achievement is better when it's great yet simple. And one more thing."

Grrrrr!

As Eugene gestured, Might approached. The creature had circled Block C, savoring the adrenaline exuded by the prisoners and guards.

Since they fought indoors, packed closely togAAether and mostly using non-lethal weapons, it was much denser than a normal battlefield. Perhaps enjoying the taste, it flicked its tongue. The calming effect on both the prisoners and guards was a bonus.

As Eugene climbed onto Might and tapped the seat in front of him, Homi lightly jumped up and boarded.

Thump!

With two leaps, Might landed on the roof of Block C. The camp itself was on high ground, so the entire city of Hesed could be seen below.

"It's a wonderful city. Don't you think so?"

"Uhuhuhu."

Homi was so delighted that her Lord was gaining a new city that her laughter didn't stop. Her intensely dancing tail bumped against Eugene's abdomen and chest, which was enough to serve as an answer.

"I appreciate your joy, but swallowing a whole city is not an easy task. Might is power, but justification is also important."

"Total opposition to the tyrant Emperor, an insult to a great noble who attempted negotiations, securing a supply base to cooperate with the noble faction. Wouldn't this much be enough?"

"If the recognition of other nobles is added to that, it will be complete. When eating hard-to-digest food, the more preparation, the better."

If this had been a village, he wouldn't have bothered taking it while enduring the inconvenience of an enclave. However, for a city of this size, he had to take it, even if it meant pushing himself, while he could.

* * *

After the Dwarf century arrived, Eugene began liberating the prisoners starting from Block A.

"I'll break..."

"It's fine. We'll have to use this camp in the future, and repairing locks costs money too."

Eugene stopped Homi, who had raised her claws, and ordered the surrendered guards to unlock everything.

"Thank you so much for your grace! Thanks to you, we avoided humiliation!"

"It was what I had to do as a knight acting righteously and as a noble standing togAAether against the tyrant."

"In the name of House Florin, we will pass down the Count's honor for generations. If you ever happen to be nearby, please be sure to visit."

"I, too, shall joyfully await that day."

"Your Excellency. As a knight of House Elwood, I cannot simply leave after being saved. I will offer my sword under your command for one year."

"I will gratefully accept only your sentiment. Has House Elwood not already joined the righteous war as the sword of the noble faction? Return to your family and fight. That is enough."

All the released nobles gathered before Eugene and expressed their manners in their own ways. Because there were so many of them, a rare sight unfolded where the nobles lined up to give their greetings.

"We plan to mobilize all the adventurers in the city to send letters to your families. We will guide you to a place to stay until they send carriages and escorts."

"Count. We appreciate your consideration in respecting the honor of nobles. However, please do not overexert yourself."

"Lady Ayla is right. You are in the middle of a war and have just occupied the city, so it must be difficult to find a suitable place."

When the courteous nobles stepped forward and tried to be considerate of his situation, Eugene shook his head.

"There are quite a few city council members who acted as the tyrant's lackeys. Since we confiscated their mansions, there should be plenty of places for you to stay. Isn't this also a form of implementing justice?"

"Indeed!"

As if contrasting with their humiliating camp life, the laughter of the nobles could be heard from all sides.

On the other hand, the captured mercenaries had to stay in the camp for a while longer. If he recklessly released them all at once, they could easily turn into homeless people, thieves, or robbers.

"What? You're telling only us to stay? Why are you letting those noble lords go?"

"Because they are nobles?"

"Damn it!"

The mercenaries, facing the prospect of being behind bars again, vented their frustration in front of the nonchalantly speaking Dwarves.

However, most of the mercenaries imprisoned here were well aware of the Hammer Brothers' reputation. No matter the difference in numbers, no idiot would recklessly challenge heavily armed Dwarves barehanded.

"His Excellency the Count has no intention of keeping you locked up continuously either. Since the city has fallen and there is chaos everywhere, you are only being isolated while things are being sorted out. To be frank, if we release you all at once, you're going to go out and cause a mess, aren't you?"

"What do you take people for..."

Perhaps hitting close to home, the mercenaries' voices shrank.

They were prisoners who didn't know the detailed circumstances of the city's fall. The city's defense they had seen while being dragged here was truly impregnable. Everyone considered it madness to rebel against an army that had captured such a place in an instant without significant damage.

"You will be given the same food the prison guards ate, and the labor will be reduced to less than half of what it was. You only need to pay for what you eat and drink. Once the situation is settled, you will be released with some travel money."

"Can you promise that on the honor of His Excellency the Count?"

The expressions of the Dwarves instantly contorted.

"Has this bastard gone crazy? What did you just say? Whose honor are you betting?"

"N-Nothing. Hehehe."

The mercenaries, who had tried to sneakily climb up, immediately prostrated themselves flat. Anyway, it was true that they were extremely lucky just with what was guaranteed now. Freedom without conditions, better food and treatment, and even travel money.

The Dwarf centurion, who had temporarily become the camp director, had one more mission given by Eugene.

-I'll put the surrendered guards under your command, so sort out the mercenaries. Those talented enough to be recruited into the city guard, those who won't resort to thievery even if released, and the bastards who will definitely cause trouble if released. Classify them into these three categories.

-Leave it to me. In a camp like this, of all places, it only takes exactly a week to get a read on them.

-You seem confident?

-You get a feeling just from looking at their posture or expressions. For example, the guys with bruises on their faces constantly looking around nervously will be fine to release immediately. As long as we find them a suitable job, they won't become vagrants. The gangs walking around clean-shaven over there are good to be used as city guards right away. Although their methods are cruel, they have the faces of those who will follow discipline well.

-I'll leave it entirely to you. Sorry for making you play the bad guy. I'll make sure everyone receives plenty of allowances.

-Being hated by bastards like these isn't even a difficult task.

The centurion found it fascinating. This young conquering lord, who was bold enough to charge at any terrifying monster without hesitation, would sometimes say incredibly softhearted things.

Showing such concern for his subordinates' mental fatigue was a very unique case for lords of this era. But that feeling of being cared for wasn't unpleasant at all.

* * *

The council members, who had prepared bribes to get into the good graces of the new ruler, were anxious. Eugene had been busy gathering and examining the ledgers related to the city and refused to grant them an audience.

Various construction blueprints, external maps, letters exchanged with different factions, land registers, various transaction statements, and bond registries.

The city's prominent figures had been busy hiding their gold and silver treasures, thinking the invading army would engage in massive looting. Thanks to that, Eugene could easily sweep up the neglected documents.

"Couldn't this also be the Count's intention? A warning not to think about getting away with a half-hearted amount for a bribe."

"You think that's the reason he's rummaging through the ledgers right now?"

"He intends to figure out who has how much wealth, what businesses they run, and what rights they possess before summoning us."

"He's not some merchant but a knight renowned across the continent..."

"Even if he is, his close aides might be different, wouldn't they? Let's not try to get away with a mediocre amount. We'll only end up incurring the Count's wrath. From what rumors say, he likes to make examples out of people."

Eugene was in the process of gathering information to firmly grasp control of the city and nip any potential risks in the bud.

However, those unaware of this intention were having wild misunderstandings. When he granted them an audience after finishing his work, the city's wealthy merchants, guild masters, and nobles of prominent families rushed in, elbowing each other.

"We pledge our loyalty, Your Excellency the Count. Please accept our sincerity."

"Hmm."

"...Y-Your Excellency?"

"Ah. It's just that for congratulatory gifts, this is far too excessive."

"You punished the ones who disrupted the city's traditions by siding with the tyrant and insulted Your Excellency the Count. Moreover, you forbade any looting or destruction. To praise such honor, even this amount of gifts is rather insufficient."

The leadership of Hesed had glib tongues. Not only were they essentially people who sold pleasure, but they also had more dealings with nobles than other cities.

"Your loyalty and gifts. I shall gladly accept them all. Your status within the city will continue in the future."

"Thank you!"

At Eugene's willing acceptance, the council members bowed deeply.

When the banquet celebrating this new lord-vassal relationship was ripe, an elderly council member cautiously asked.

"Then, approximately how much should the taxes we offer be in the future? Do you happen to have an arrangement in mind? If Your Excellency informs us in advance, it will be easier for us to prepare as well."

This was no longer a free city. Since it had become a fief of House Mayer, they would have to offer gold to Eugene every year.

It was incredibly frustrating, but refusing it was an insane act. That was synonymous with rebellion, and this Count, who was behaving surprisingly gently for once, might suddenly go on a sword dance.

"There is no need to offer any."

"Pardon?"

"Hesed is not a simple commercial city. It's a resort that sells dreams and rest to those exhausted by the world."

One city noble who was drunk on wine immediately chimed in.

"Of course! You would be surprised to know how many high-ranking people from the capital visit this place. Really, pretending to be clean on the outside while..."

"Stop it! You're too drunk."

The astonished individuals escorted the noble out. Fortunately, their new master was listening with a smile, showing no signs of displeasure.

"It's exactly as that friend said. I highly value the unique worth of Hesed. I want to grow it further and make it the best city in this field. I don't want you to erode your competitiveness by struggling to pay me tribute. Sometimes, you might be able to offer me information more valuable than money."

Eugene would reign as the master of Hesed, but he didn't intend to squeeze gold out of them. If he did, a rebellion would inevitably break out someday.

A village could have its master change back and forth without issues in control, but a city was different. A massive population and various organizations. The grudges and interests entangled like a spiderweb among them. These gave birth to power figures full of independence.

It wasn't a situation where he could receive pledges of loyalty from neighboring nobles backed by the power of the Apostolic State like in Sicilia. For stable rule, Eugene had to make some concessions as well.

"I understand that you might not like the banner of Mayer fluttering at the highest point."

"How could there be such insolent people?"

After praising those who said pleasing words, Eugene continued.

"But I guarantee this. There will certainly be things that you and the city will gain through this new relationship."

Of course, there would definitely be those who desired to exist as a free city more than this. However, Eugene had no intention of accepting even that with a smile.

* * *

He gave the Dark Elf tribes a choice.

"You are now free. If you want to stay in the city, that is fine, and if you want to leave for Gord or Samur, I wish you luck."

"W-We were on our way to meet the Great Chief after hearing Chief Alessa's stories."

The Chief of the Glass Arrow Tribe, with a total of 180 members, spoke. The Great Chief referred to Eugene.

"I've heard stories from Chief Alessa. She said you were the best in the world when it comes to crafting arrows?"

"Yes! We are sick and tired of a life of wandering in fear every day. Many warriors have died from the pursuit of the Romans, and we can't hold out any longer. We would rather look to the future under the protection of a strong great tribe. Please, just ensure that our name and skills are not cut off."

"If you are willing to join us, you are more than welcome. WhAAether as warriors or artisans. I need a more diverse range of Elven blood."

Northfork, the territory in the north, had functioned as a meeting ground where Chief Alessa recruited and integrated various tribes.

However, it was heavily biased toward the north of Roman and, strictly speaking, a region closer to the frontier. Eugene was slowly thinking of moving the recruitment location closer to the center of Roman.

Hesed was the perfect place to serve as such a relay base.