Chapter 291

Chapter 291 - God of the Lake

The Allied fOrces that boarded the Moving Castle were 20% of the total fOrce. Although the number was small, as they were mainly composed of knights and elites, they lacked nothing in combat power.

The remaining 80% will advance while preparing river crossing boats and supplies. The Fog Plain is the perfect place to welcome the trailing army entering the central region.

In a battle between massive armies, securing the supply route means half the battle is won. With the ancient castle and the strongest nomadic cavalry solidly backing them up, everyone's morale was sky-high.

"I've been waiting for this day! Is everyone ready to make some money?"

"Of course!"

As the fog nearly vanished and it was time to open the main gates, the mercenary captains grew excited.

"Don't even think about getting a wink of sleep today. Because the first day is the most important."

"Captain. Is this our first time doing business? All the subordinates slept soundly since yesterday afternoon."

"Roaming around for 24 hours won't be a problem either. Laying a blanket on a warm, flat floor resulted in a very deep sleep."

The reason the mercenaries are enthusiastic is simple. Because considerable loot is expected.

Goblins also have a habit of collecting precious metals from their raid targets, just like the Rakshasa. Cunning ones even lure travelers into traps using silver coins and jewels.

Thanks to a monster-friendly environment, the Fog Plain was a place with very few subjugations. How much gold and silver had accumulated through a long period of pillaging was a constant topic of conversation.

The knights were equally eager.

'It's a gathering of the prominent nobles of the West and South. This is an opportunity.'

Loot is loot, but for knights, catching the eye of influential nobles is important.

The bloody battle at the Rein River was so massive in scale that it was rather difficult to stand out. Unfortunately, the opponents were the strongest Shadow Legion and elites on both wings, so they were lucky if they just didn't get beaten up.

In contrast, the monsters of the Fog Plain are troublemakers that lords encounter daily. They are also perfect opponents for a knight to show off their martial prowess.

"Wolfie. You can do well, right? If you find a HobGoblin, I'll give you a huge piece of meat as a reward."

Woof woof-!

Some knights who frequently subjugate monsters even made customized preparations. If they slice up a HobGoblin alone while others gather Goblin ears, they would surely draw attention.

And the ones most motivated among them were the Lantzheim Warrior Band.

"It's our first real combat. Everyone stay sharp."

"Captain. I heard it's mostly Goblins, is there even a need to be tense?"

"I'm telling you to stay sharp to find better prey than Goblins."

"Ah!"

Even in the rough-and-tumble mercenary industry, taking care of new recruits is a principle. In Eugene's court, the scope of that consideration was broader than anywhere else. Furthermore, even if you are experienced, if you newly joined, you are treated as a rookie at first.

-If we're unlucky, we might face the Shadow Legion?

-It's a life that would have died once anyway. Even if the opponent is the legion, fight with all your might.

-You're stating the obvious.

While everyone was tense, thinking they would be deployed to the frontlines at the Rein River.

-Frontline combat in the first month of joining? Just pull the supply wagons well.

-...Yes. Your Excellency.

-During the 4 weeks of standby, just learn with your eyes.

In reality, they worked as a transport unit and just diligently carried food. The Lantzheim Warrior Band was even more moved by this tolerance. For a veteran mercenary's competence, recognizing a good employer is just as important as fighting well.

Rumors are widespread among mercenaries about how lucrative a job this is. Anyone who has fought alongside Eugene even once or stayed in the Moving Castle could not deny it.

Boom boom boom boom!

Dudududu!

Soon after, the drumbeats of the deploying infantry and the hoofbeats of the cavalry echoed far and wide across the cleared Fog Plain.

* * *

"Is it really okay if you don't go out?"

"Yes."

"The Allied knights seemed very disappointed."

Eugene, lying face down on the bed, relished the weight of his wife felt from his back.

"It's problematic if I run wild in the front in every battle. I also need to give the Lantzheim friends an opportunity to build merits. The tribal recruits also need real combat experience."

New recruits are replenished in Eugene's army every month. Having gone through countless training sessions, they would fight better than most veteran mercenaries, but there is one thing lacking.

That is the experience of slaughter. Between a person who has driven a weapon into a living being's chest and one who hasn't. There was a tremendous difference between the two. Because in the middle of a battle, a brief hesitation can decide life and death.

A Goblin subjugation is the perfect opponent to give a taste of real combat to novice warriors who have never seen blood.

"And right now, I feel so good that I don't want to get out of bed. They'll handle the subjugation on their own, I suppose."

"Even if you flatter me like that, nothing comes out of it."

Contrary to her words, the corners of Valda's mouth went up.

Squish. Squish.

Valda's pure white feet were shiny with oil. She stroked and kneaded Eugene's solid back, shoulders, neck, cheeks, buttocks, and thighs.

This massage technique learned from Maria can apply pressure 2 to 3 times stronger than hands if needed. Since feet are larger than hands, the sensation of wrapping and pressing specific areas is also excellent. Using the entire leg muscle, it doesn't get tired as easily as a hand grip either.

Furthermore, Valda had a knack for conveying affection not just with her hands or lips, but also with her foot movements. It was a fresh and enjoyable physical affection.

"Even with oil applied, you balance very well. Maria often swayed on my back even without applying anything."

"Do not underestimate an elf's sense of balance. Let alone this is my home ground, isn't it?"

Valda traced a circle on Eugene's back with her big toe.

"It tickles."

Valda, who laughed softly, resumed the massage again.

"Since this is my first time, there might be some shortcomings. But my skills will gradually improve, so please make time for this often in the future."

"I am very satisfied even now. It feels better than what Maria does."

"There's no need to necessarily compare."

Valda respects Maria, an outstanding doctor. However, she didn't dislike at all that her husband spoke to her like this.

"I mean it. Maria is light and her feet are small, so honestly, I didn't get much stimulation. Compared to that, Lady Valda has larger feet and weighs more, so the pressure is properly..."

Eugene's compliment was cut off in the middle. His face was buried in the bed by the pressure stepping on and rubbing the back of his head.

* * *

Mercenaries are rough beasts who live only for today. In the camp of most great nobles, they would cause a rampage if things went wrong, but they couldn't do that in the Moving Castle.

-This is the court of His Excellency Count Mayer and a frontline military base. Martial law will be applied with a principle of zero tolerance, so be careful with your conduct.

There was returning the weapons, but Eugene's elites also kept a glaring watch.

-Please spare me! I got drunk and inadvertently...

-Just hiding a weapon is a heavy crime. Swinging it in the food court and creating casualties leaves no room for extenuation. According to wartime martial law, I sentence you to death.

Clunk!

-Heuaaaaaah!

As a warning, one person was fired by a catapult on the roof, and three people were banished after having all their belongings confiscated. After that, there were no mercenaries who disobeyed the rules.

Therefore, this Goblin subjugation also served as a means for some violent individuals to relieve their desires, aside from making money.

"Where did you hide the valuable stuff?"

"⬛⬛⬛! ⬛⬛!"

At the interrogation of a mercenary with a club resting on his shoulder, a Goblin hanging upside down chattered away. Naturally, they couldn't understand each other.

"Speak so I can understand you!"

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

The Goblin, beaten with full swings, screamed miserably.

The place they were at was a plain area close to the outside even within the Fog Plain. It was mostly inhabited by weak Goblin factions, so there wasn't much to salvage.

Those intending to make a real killing went deeper inside. The vicinity of the lake and the mountain, which were the epicenters supplying fog to this area.

Although there are individual differences depending on the region, Goblins prefer damp tunnels for breeding and rearing. To catch a large colony, they had to dig up the ground. It usually tends to be a quite tiring task, but this time the work was easy thanks to Eugene's cooperation.

-You don't need to bring shovels. Everyone travel light.

-Captain. Aren't we going to catch Goblins?

-His Excellency the Count said he would support us with professional sappers.

-H-How much did it cost?

-It's free, you idiot! His Excellency attached them to us combining it with sapper training.

-Ooh!

-In return, you can't let them get a single scratch? Defend them risking your lives.

-Ah! That's a given!

When the mercenaries actually saw the identity of the sappers Eugene sent, their jaws dropped.

"Please take good care of us."

The Dwarf was an expected part, but they couldn't help being overwhelmed by the majesty of the giant pangolin.

"Captain. This guy is dressed warmer than us?"

The beast, seemingly wrapped in boulders, looked ready to deflect even 100 arrows.

Grrrrr-.

"Found it. It seems there's a tunnel this way."

Vertigo, who had been roaming around with its nose to the ground, snorted. Befitting a creature that lived by digging up tubers underground, it was impossible for any tunnel to escape its senses.

As the mercenaries gathered and took combat stances, the Dwarf dismounted.

"Let's drag out all the guys hiding inside."

As if responding to its partner's words, the pangolin spread its arms. Each jet-black claw was twice the size of a human finger.

Tukwakwakwakwa!

The ground was dug up with tremendous momentum, and a Goblin tunnel appeared in an instant. It was biological heavy machinery transcending eras, but the mercenaries had no time to admire it.

"⬛⬛⬛!"

Hearing the commotion outside, two armed Goblins waiting in ambush sprang out. Even one of them was a hobGoblin.

"Damn it! Protect that friend!"

Surprised by the swift surprise attack, the mercenary captain also called Vertigo a friend. But the Goblins' spears and swords were already stabbing Vertigo.

Ting!

Crack.

The spear bounced off, and the rusted sword broke. It was impossible to pierce Vertigo's carapace with Goblin arm strength and long-captured spears and swords.

"⬛⬛⬛?"

The Goblins who realized what they attacked belatedly because they sprang out to ambush. Vertigo's slaps flew one by one at those dumbfounded faces.

"Kerreuk-!"

The Goblin whose neck was half-severed died instantly. The hobGoblin was lucky enough to be hit in the shoulder and tumbled in front of the mercenaries.

"Good. Let's finish it like... Wait!"

"Don't shoot! Don't shoot!"

The mercenaries tried to finish it off, but Vertigo jumped and pounced on the hobGoblin. The bastard tried desperately to push Vertigo away, but the difference in strength and weight class was too great.

Vertigo raised both hands sprouting fearsome claws over the hobGoblin.

"⬛?"

The dull hobGoblin also seemed to realize what future awaited him. Despair settled on the face that had been full of nothing but cruelty.

With a ferocious roar, Vertigo's both hands began to dig into the hobGoblin's upper body.

"Ooh."

"Is that guy being properly conTrolled?"

Even the mercenaries were intimidated by that bloody butchering. A hobGoblin is difficult even for an experienced mercenary to face one-on-one, and it also has a knack for leading other Goblins.

It's a guy everyone dislikes because you run into them quite often while living a mercenary life. But right now, they felt sorry for that hobGoblin.

"What are you all scared of? It's actually reassuring to have a friend like this on our side."

"Everyone raise your weapons. The boss is dead, so the job got easier."

The mercenaries finished preparing for battle and charged into the Goblin tunnel.

This kind of situation is happening everywhere in the Fog Plain. Many Vertigos aren't needed either. Supporting just one per team was enough to find and breach Goblin tunnels.

"What are these guys?"

Meanwhile, a mercenary band investigating near the lake discovered something strange. Five Goblins were tied tightly to firmly planted wooden pillars.

"Is it the work of another mercenary band?"

"No way. They would just kill them or something, why would they go through the trouble of doing this?"

"Wait. These are wild grapes, aren't they? There are wild raspberries too."

The Goblins were wearing necklaces and tiaras woven from fruits found in the mountains.

"They seem fresh."

"Eish! It's not like they're beggars, who would try to eat this?"

Bubble.

Large water bubbles rose from the lake in front of the mercenaries chatting over the fruits. However, no one noticed it.

* * *

As the smooth subjugation continued, the time entered dusk.

"Punches, kicks, swords and spears, axes. All these can be countered even if you lack experience. With combat sense, reflexes, or armor."

Eugene wearing a white martial arts uniform. In front of him, boys and girls similarly dressed in martial arts uniforms were sitting neatly. They are the Dark Elf prospects undergoing the Agoge process.

"But grappling is different. This has nothing to do with combat sense or reflexes. If you get caught without knowing how to counter it, you just have to die."

WhAAether they liked Eugene's explanation, the youths' eyes sparkled.

"I will show you a demonstration. Experienced assistant instructor, step forward."

Eugene and Homi tangled on the matted floor and reproduced techniques one by one.

Eugene often participated in the training process and took charge of instruction. There is a difference in loyalty between a soldier who had contact with the monarch in any form and one who didn't.

"Your Excellency! His Excellency the Count!"

At that moment, a messenger came running breathlessly.

"What is it?"

Eugene, who had been pinned under Homi, unraveled the tail wrapped around his neck and stood up.

"The subjugation fOrce is in danger! They say a large monster appeared while hunting Goblins!"

"...What?"

Goblins are small monsters. Bugbears, ogres, or cyclops, the lords of the mountains, are manageable. These are categorized as medium-sized. This is the limit where great knights can face them alone.

From large monsters onwards, victory cannot be guaranteed even if an army is mobilized. Among them, some reign as god-like entities in folk beliefs.

However, there is no record of a large monster ever being discovered in the Fog Plain. Because there is no large prey, and it's hard to catch anything due to the fog, making feeding activities impossible.

Eugene hurriedly put on his armor and deployed. Finding the destination was easy. Since all he had to do was follow the shouts of the engaged Allied knights, the screams of mercenaries, and the fleeing people.

Soon after, the silhouette Eugene's group discovered far away was a giant crab roaring in front of the lake.

"A Devourer!"

An old tribal warrior who followed as an advisor shouted. His energy had waned, so his combat power had dropped, but his knowledge of monsters from 120 years of hunting was immense.

"Uwaaaak!"

At that moment, a mercenary was caught in a giant claw. A mouth large enough for a person to easily enter opened.

Charrrr.

Inside, teeth reminiscent of a lamprey squirmed with anticipation.

"S-Save me!"

"Shoot!"

The mercenary crossbowmen fired bolts all at once, but they all bounced off the rock-hard carapace.

As the captured mercenary's upper body entered the crab's mouth hole, numerous teeth welcomed it, making a terrible sound. One second was enough to gnaw and swallow a grown man.

Riiip.

Thud.

The clothes and gambeson the teeth carved out like peeling fruit skin fell to the ground drenched in blood. It was a guy that perfectly fit the name of a gluttonous predator.

While Eugene was running over, the battle continued fiercely. It was a terrifying monster, but there were many knights and elite mercenaries present.

"Eiyap!"

The knights threw javelins from atop galloping warhorses. It was a special move combining the horse's acceleration, the knight's strength, and the javelin's weight. A knight's javelin, producing destructive power nearly three times that of a crossbow, could not be slighted even by a Devourer.

Swoooosh-!

It dodged half of them nimbly by dropping down and deflected the rest with its giant claws that could split rocks.

"What?"

"Be careful, Sirs! It seems it's not a guy that fights purely on instinct!"

The knights were also flustered by the intelligent movement uncharacteristic of a beast-type monster.

"Aim for the hind legs! They're thinner than the front legs!"

The knights scattered and aimed for the Devourer's legs from all directions. However, its agility did not lose to a warhorse either. The sound of multiple legs striking the ground as it moved gave the mercenaries goosebumps.

"You bastard!"

A knight aimed his lance using the couched lance technique and charged. The Devourer responded by extending its claw long to sweep the lower body. Unfortunately, the reach of the latter was longer.

Smaaaash!

The warhorse's four legs all broke, and it spun twice in the air. The giant crab didn't even glance at the foaming and convulsing warhorse. Instead, it snatched the knight launched by the recoil with its claw.

"Sir Renly!"

"L-Let go! You insignificant beast!"

The captured knight took out a dagger and desperately struck the claw, but it was like hitting a rock with a toothpick.

Crunch.

As fOrce entered the claw, the armor crumpled in an instant, and the neck of the dead knight snapped. Blood flowed steadily from his mouth.

Shweeeee-!

Excited by the flesh trained to the limit, the Devourer pushed the knight's corpse into its mouth.

Tududuk.

Clatter.

This time it took 3 seconds. Because there was a lot of iron armor, it was annoying to peel it off. When the steel boots fell to the ground, the crab roared with joy. It seemed the taste was much better than the sacrifices offered by Goblins or mercenaries.

"How dare a mere beast!"

"Do not underestimate the courage of knights!"

The mercenaries were terrified by the gruesome sight, but the knights rather burned with fighting spirit. A fierce battle ensued with screams and shouts exchanging.

Kagak!

"You beast! How does that taste?!"

A knight who severed a hind leg in a surprise attack suffered wrathful retribution. A claw falling from the sky smashed the knight and warhorse togAAether.

"Sir Kevin! No!"

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

Both claws alternately pounded for about 3 seconds like kneading dough with a bat, and then it stepped back. In that spot lay a lump of meat mashed to a pulp, making it difficult to distinguish between horse and knight.

* * *

By the time Eugene arrived.

The Devourer had several hind legs collapsed and its carapace was full of scratches, but it hadn't taken a fatal wound. On the other hand, a majority of the knights had lost their warhorses and had broken weapons, and rarely anyone was unscathed from the claw sweeps or body slams.

"Y-You bastard! Don't come near!"

A knight who had lost his horse and injured his leg shouted arduously. One hand gripped the ground, and the other pointed a broken sword.

"Ugh."

As a pitch-black eye larger than a watermelon approached, he could see his own reflection in it. The emotion of fear he had forgotten while living as a knight wrapped his entire body.

At that moment, the Devourer's body flinched as if electrocuted. It instinctively sensed danger, but it was already too late.

Swoooooosh!

A javelin flying at tremendous speed pierced the Devourer's hard carapace.

Kuoooooo-!

Feeling pain for the first time in its life, the giant crab stepped back and howled. The claws frantically scratching and clutching the empty air clearly revealed the guy's agony.

The only effective hits the knights had landed so far were only on the hind legs. A javelin jammed nearly 80% into the carapace that only got scratched no matter what bullshit they did.

"Count!"

"His Excellency Mayer has arrived!"

The morale of the Allied fOrces skyrocketed. Eugene's appearance holding an axe that could fell an old tree in one strike. That instilled the courage to face the monster even in the most cowardly mercenary.

"Knights, fall back! Mercenaries, continue suppressing fire and pull the wounded to the rear!"

Eugene's shout struck the battlefield. Normally, the knights would stubbornly try to stay, but now they followed without complaint.

Keeeeeet-!

The Devourer roared at Eugene charging imposing. The wound felt on its back constantly sent danger signals, but that pain rather made the guy consumed by anger.

Buuuuung!

The giant claw swept at Eugene.

Hwooooong!

Eugene also struck back with the axe blade of hell.

Kkadeudeudeuk!

The shattered pieces of the claw shot up spectacularly. The Devourer, howling in pain, stepped back. Plump flesh dangled from the tornly severed cross-section of the claw.

Naturally, the one charging forward is faster than the one stepping back. The Devourer reflexively extended its other claw toward the pursuing Eugene.

And the black flash gleamed once again.

Kiyaaaaat-!

The Devourer, with both claws smashed, felt the fear of death. It was a sensation it felt for the first time while reigning as a god in the lake of the Fog Plain for hundreds of years.

The Devourer stood sideways toward the lake. It's a unique posture for moving at full speed.

Dudududu!

The figure of the monster walking imposing like a bear disappeared, and it fled miserably with a crab walk.

Swoosh!

Eugene finally gifted one more javelin to that guy.

Thwack!

Another decoration was added to the carapace along with a painful scream.

"Iyaaaah!"

"Long live the Winning Knight!"

All the Allied fOrces cheered and mocked the Devourer.

Bbogolbbogolbbogol.

Air bubbles blown by the guy slightly rose to the surface and popped. Because the water was very clear, the appearance of the guy hiding under the lake could be seen unmistakably.

Normally, the sight of an unknown giant creature lurking underwater would give goosebumps, but not now. Because it was obvious to anyone that it was cowering and walking on eggshells.

"Bring it on, you cowardly bastard!"

Some gutsy mercenaries even threw stones. However, despite that humiliation, the Devourer wouldn't come out.

"Your Excellency is truly a god of war sent from the heavens!"

The knights, filled with emotion, offered a military salute to Eugene.

"I never imagined there would be such a monster in the Fog Plain."

"Having been taught such a lesson, it will stay holed up for decades. It won't be able to pull out the javelin Your Excellency planted either, so it will never regain its original strength for the rest of its life."

The knights seemed to think of backing off at this point, but not Eugene.

"I will finish that guy before going."

"Pardon?"

"A monster that knows fear is more troublesome than an arrogant monster. You have to kill it when it's most injured and intimidated."

"But Your Excellency. How do you intend to deal with a guy hiding underwater..."

It's not that the knights didn't want to finish it. But there was no way to deal with a guy cowering under the lake. It's the reason why stories of such monsters are rare, even though there are many legends of knights fighting dragons.

"Homi. The Predator into this hand."

The knights involuntarily nodded as they saw Eugene's new weapon.

The monster-like lance they saw in the duel at the Rein River. A giant spear as if born to hunt dragons. Eugene, holding the Predator, slowly circled the lakeside.

Clop clop.

Bbogolbbogol.

The crab eyes under the lake moved following Eugene. An attitude that said, no matter how great you are, what can you do to me hiding underwater?

Gulp.

The Allied warriors held their breath and watched the staring contest between the two monsters.

Clop clop.

Bbogolbbogol.

Clop clop.

Bbogolbbogol.

It was an instant that Eugene and Might disappeared. The moment the hooves of Might, who was walking leisurely as if taking a sTroll, stepped on a rock sticking out in the middle.

Kkwaaaaang!!!

The wandering duo launched. They kicked off so hard that the bull-sized rock split into several pieces and scattered in all directions.

Peeeeong!!!

As if directly hit by a volcanic bomb, the surface of the lake exploded, and a water pillar shot up.

"..."

"..."

At that absurd sight, both mercenaries and knights fell silent. Due to the rough waves and white foam, the sight under the lake couldn't be seen at all.

1 second.

2 seconds.

3 seconds.

And 5 seconds.

As Eugene's figure didn't come up even after time passed, the mercenaries' murmuring grew louder.

"Y-Your Excellency?"

"No way..."

The moment the knights' voices trembled with an ominous premonition.

Chwaaaaak!

Causing a massive splash, the Devourer shot up.

Kkieeeek-!

A tearing scream echoed, and blue blood poured profusely into the lake.

Eugene's figure was not visible. However, the lance that popped out of the water was piercing the guy's torso from side to side.

The Devourer crawling out of the lake arduously. Subsequently, Eugene also revealed himself with the lance tucked under his arm.

"Come here."

As Eugene pulled his arm like handling a fishing rod, the crab trying to flee tumbled.

Gurgle gurgle.

Turned upside down, its multiple legs trembled frantically, and crab foam flowed from its mouth. This was no longer the god of the lake, but merely a single bug.