Chapter 298

Chapter 298 - Goodbye Roman

After the treaty signing was completed, the Central nobles trudged back to their camp. Seeing their drooping backs, Eugene also had a heavy expression.

"I am worried that we pushed too harsh of demands."

"So that was the reason why you, the greatest contributor to the victory, didn't have a smile. You did well managing your facial expressions."

Valda took a sip of black tea. Holding a saucer in her left hand and a teacup in her right, her posture was the epitome of elegance.

"Surprisingly, they didn't seem to hold any particular grudge against me."

"You are the Lord of the Moving Castle. It's natural for Roman nobles to shrink before the inheritor of an ancient legacy. Furthermore, you performed a miracle and saved their King from an evil god. Even if you visit the Central region in the future, you won't be treated poorly."

Although Eugene fought as part of the Allied fOrces, he was ultimately a foreign noble. Receiving a portion of the southern territories was enough. He had acquired plenty of spoils of war through the victory and made a massive profit acting as a proxy for the sutler merchants.

His stepping out of the treaty as a notary was partly because he wanted to gradually distance himself from the Allied fOrces.

"This is closer to a ceasefire agreement with a time limit rather than a treaty to end the war. It's like tightly covering up the embers of war without putting them out."

Eugene also looked at Duke Leray, who was surrounded by nobles.

"Besides, for it to be Duke Leray's negotiation proposal, it's too belligerent. It's a bit different from how he has acted so far."

"In my opinion, it seems he had King Damian's mediation in mind. For fOrcing such heavy conditions, neither anger nor greed was visible on his face."

"No wonder you were staring intently at Duke Leray's face throughout the meeting..."

"Because I thought it would be a meeting without variables otherwise. Both the contents and the reactions of both sides would be obvious."

This was an aspect even Eugene hadn't paid attention to. His mind was solely focused on the harsh treaty document and people's reactions.

"I suppose it would be hard to propose a moderate level from the beginning if they are going to adjust it later anyway."

"If they did, the Southern nobles would have fiercely rebelled. If things went wrong, the agreement itself could have been nullified."

Unlike the Southern nobles who could just kick their seats and leave, the Central faction, inferior in every aspect, was in a situation where they couldn't refuse the negotiation.

"Can they really mitigate the treaty and seal the conflict through the King's mediation? That's easier said than done..."

"Because right now, ending the war is the priority. No one knows what other variables might arise later. At the very least, the King could probably smooth over the clause regarding eldest sons as hostages if he asks."

Outside, preparations for the soldiers' meal were in full swing.

"This is a sacred kitchen! Leave your grudges from the civil war outside. All forms of criticism and attacks are forbidden. If you violate this, I will kick your asses in the name of Count Mayer!"

The booming voice of a Dwarf holding a ladle rang out. Quite a few Allied soldiers had guilty expressions.

-Why are those beggar bastards crawling in here?

Because they had already showered them with a round of insults. However, despite the contempt, the Central soldiers lined up without exception.

-Turnip stew for breakfast, rutabaga bread for lunch, boiled cabbage for dinner. Damn it! Even western serfs eat better than me!

Due to poor supply conditions, they had constantly eaten fodder meant for livestock. Everyone had an excited face at the chance to receive a proper meal.

Soup loaded with potatoes and some bits of bacon. Large wheat bread baked in the Campagne style. Five raisins.

Gulp.

From neat recruits to middle-aged soldiers with mustaches, everyone swallowed their saliva.

"Young friend. You're in your prime, so you should eat more."

"T-Thank you."

The Dwarf cook specially gave a particularly large piece of bread and a handful of raisins to a teenage conscript with acne.

Was it because they had lived under Eugene? His subordinates also treated the fOrcefully conscripted soldiers more sympathetically.

* * *

It was decided that Gaius's corpse would be sent to the Apostle State on the peninsula. The military chaplains made the sign of the cross in front of Eugene.

"Thank you for your bold decision, Your Excellency."

A corpse of someone who was a king of a nation, even if he had been demonized. There would be people within the Allied fOrces who wouldn't look favorably upon it being taken away for research. Because if it was sent to the Apostle State, he would be dissected down to a single fingernail and subjected to all sorts of experiments.

"There are overflowing evil entities targeting the world, yet what we know about them is so lacking. We will do our best so that this serves as a foundation to stand against greater evils in the future."

"May luck follow you on your journey back."

"Please drop by the Apostle State anytime. It will be full of people who wish to converse with the Count."

Half of the Holy Warriors and priests set off on their return journey. The other half remained at the Onkalo Monastery to wait for the Emperor's reinfOrcements. The monastery sealing a dungeon had to be thoroughly managed for world security, beyond just national security.

The subjugation fOrces that had gathered also scattered one by one. Since the civil war was over, there were several nobles who terminated their mercenary contracts to prevent further expenses.

"It was a time that could be considered short or long. It was an honor to be with you, Count."

"The feeling is mutual."

Duke Leray shook hands with Eugene.

"I hate to imagine how long and messy this civil war would have dragged on if the Count wasn't here."

"I was also comfortable having a commander I could communicate well with. There are too many fools buried only in valiant charges or profound tactics. There aren't many nobles who understand the power of suppressing with numbers and logistics like you, Duke."

"Hearing the Count say that makes my efforts worthwhile."

Duke Leray laughed heartily, genuinely pleased.

"But are you really okay with that land? With the Count's merits, no one would dare stop you even if you took a much more lucrative territory."

There were nobles executed by Gaius, and several families had perished due to the long, fierce fighting. Nobles were rushing greedily, aiming for the empty territories without masters.

And what Eugene wanted wasn't villages with large populations or fertile land yielding high incomes.

"Good land naturally comes with complicated conflicts of interest. I can't manage it constantly anyway, so I want to decline places with frequent troubles."

Eugene chose the villages located between the city of Hesed and the Dwarf Mountains. The city of pleasure, Hesed, was a holy land for mercenaries. And the herbs and equipment from the Dwarf Mountains were luxury items that wealthy mercenaries scrambled to find.

"My goal is to establish a trade infrastructure from the Dwarf Mountains to Hesed. These villages are satisfactory enough."

Eugene had no interest in squeezing peasants. Ever since swallowing Hesed, he had constantly been focusing on the trade route with the Dwarf Mountains.

However, hearing the story, Duke Leray had a worried face.

"Count. How about reconsidering the territory you will own?"

"Is there any problem?"

"The Dwarves of the mountains are famous for being strict. I also wanted to open trades several times, but the talks made absolutely no progress. I want to stop you from giving up quality land just trusting in trade with them."

"I appreciate your concern, but I have a friendship with the Dwarf King. I sent someone eloquent as an envoy, so there should be good news."

Actually, saying he had a friendship was quite a humble expression.

-I prefer one trustworthy friend over ten suspicious friends. Driving the gifts meant for ten people to that one person. The Pierce family and the Meyer family. They are the two places I want to win the favor of the most right now.

This was what the Dwarf King himself had said to Eugene.

"Even though the mountains provide many things, isolationism has its limits. The Dwarf King must also need at least one external city to trade with stably."

Furthermore, Hesed was the place visited by the most mercenaries. It would serve as an excellent supplier of warriors for the Dwarf royal family looking to develop the uncharted territories of the mountains.

Hearing the story of the Shambler subjugation, Duke Leray completely threw in the towel. This young monarch, contrary to his great fame, was sincere about business.

"Distribution of dwarven goods, you say. If things go well, you'll be raking in money."

Amidst his envy, Leray asked in a subtle tone.

"If the opportunity arises, could you arrange trade with them for me as well?"

"Buy it from me."

Eugene stepped back with a straight face. Comrades are comrades, and distribution is distribution.

After finishing his farewells with the major nobles like that, Eugene withdrew from the Central region. He toured the Southern territories that had become his possession and drew a map.

"Leray's words were right."

"Water is abundant, but there's a lot of gravel and a lack of soil, so it's not suitable for wheat cultivation. There's some red soil on the hills, so they are barely surviving with dry-field farming."

The residents they encountered during the patrol hurriedly bowed their waists in a fluster. It was originally a barren village, but they looked even more distressed because of the bandits who routinely plundered taking advantage of the war.

"Wipe those bastards out. Capture the leader alive."

Eugene's army set out on a purification operation.

"Damn it! How far are they going to chase us?!"

Hiding in the mountains was useless because the locals were accompanying them as guides.

"Milord. That looks like a dead end, but if you clear the bushes, a side path appears."

"Excellent. Take these silver coins."

"Oh my! Thank you!"

Mobilizing the Lantzheim warrior band skilled in mountain warfare and military dogs, they uprooted them down to the last one.

Eugene hung the leader's leash on Might's saddle and took a lap around the village. While being dragged by a long rope, the furious residents showered him with stones.

"Is that person the new Lord?"

"He's b-big. The Lord is big, and the horse is big too."

For farmers who had only looked at dirt their entire lives, there would be no imprint effect more certain than this.

"In the name of the Goddess, I sentence you to death."

The finale of the event was right after sunset. It was completed by Eugene beheading the leader while all the residents watched.

Normally, the peasants would have clamored holding bread to dip in the condemned's blood, but this time was different.

Whooosh!

He hadn't waited for sunset for nothing. Eugene's sword radiated brilliantly, illuminating the dark village square. The residents gazed spellbound at its magnificent form.

Eugene had taken off his hydra leather armor and put on his ceremonial silver-plated armor. To the ignorant peasants, he looked like a knight descended from heaven.

It was an upgraded presentation in every aspect compared to a king receiving a holy sword from the Lady of the Lake.

"Looking at you, Sir Knight, it seems the descriptions of the founding kings in fairy tales aren't just nonsense."

Even Rex, who usually sneered at the nobles' protocols as empty formalities, was subdued. To think a deliberately prepared presentation would be this intense.

"With this much, they should obediently follow my rule while I maintain the trade route, right? It seems it will take at least 5 years."

"5 years?"

Rex let out a hollow laugh.

"Even after 100 years pass, the legend of you, Sir Knight, will continue to be talked about. With various embellishments added to it."

TOrches were lit everywhere, and his subordinates distributed alcohol and relief goods to the residents.

"Recruit those wishing to retire and send them here."

Messengers holding the drawn maps set off for the Moving Castle and the city of Hesed.

The culture of the Dark Elves, desiring to serve as warriors until death, was unique. Among the Dwarves, there were several who wished to retire after every expedition ended.

Eugene always pondered about settlements for those among them who missed the Dwarf Mountains or wanted to settle on the land.

-Is there a need to take care of us this much?

-Just giving us a small severance pay is already treatment beyond our station.

His subordinates had a reluctant reaction, but honestly, they couldn't help but be touched. WhAAether active duty or retirees.

* * *

Eugene's army returned along the Rein River after organizing the villages.

"We're finally home!"

Seeing the Moving Castle from afar, everyone let out a shout of joy.

Those wanting to soak their bodies in cold or hot baths.

Those missing hot and salty noodles.

Those wanting to see their wolf-like wives and fox-like children.

To Eugene's subordinates, true civilization was laid out inside the castle.

However, it wasn't their families who welcomed the glorious victors first.

"The Count has arrived!"

"Your Excellency Meyer! Please listen to my story! As the half-brother of the fallen Duke Erwin..."

With the war over, there were more than 20 people positioned, trying somehow to claim the masterless territories.

-The noble blood flowing in my body proves who I am. I have a legitimate request for His Excellency the Count, so please let me in. I will wait inside...

-Get lost.

Since the Moving Castle guards didn't permit entry, they pitched tents right in front of the castle and held out.

"Move aside! You lowly things! I am the one to speak to His Excellency first!"

"Don't spout nonsense. A bastard who reeks of mutt just by hearing your accent dares to impersonate a noble? You must really want to be hung on the gallows!"

While they were fighting amongst themselves, a castle gate guard presented a document prepared in advance to Eugene. It was a memo summarizing the names and backgrounds of those claiming territory ownership.

"Excellent judgment. I'll save time thanks to you."

Eugene praised the guard and skimmed the document. The grounds for the inheritance rights they put forward were diverse.

More than half claimed to be illegitimate children of a lord, and relatives whose blood content might barely be 5% also flocked. There were several asking to be appointed as lord despite not sharing a single drop of blood.

-My subordinates fought fiercely against Gaius's mercenary band near Gloom Village.

A mercenary captain asking to be accepted as a vassal putting forward his contribution in the war.

-I, too, wish to build a family with a single sword, following the Count's example. If Your Excellency gives me a chance, I will pledge my loyalty until the end of the world...

There were also several free knights who came forward emphasizing their similarity with Eugene. These knights had the least justification in both common law and power, but for some reason, they were the most triumphant.

'There isn't a single bastard with proper inheritance rights.'

Actually, even if a successor with justification came, Eugene wouldn't have handed over the territory. Because he had the power and authority to crush something of that level.

"Your Excellency! Please look this way!"

Eugene entered the Moving Castle, ignoring the inheritance right claimants.

"You can't do this..."

"Here."

"Hiiiik!"

Those who stubbornly clung stepped back, terrified by the stuffed Hellhound the escorts shoved at them. Even the courageous mercenary captains and knights couldn't say another word at the sight of a 4m tall large demon being carried in behind Eugene.

"Wow. You must have gone and beat up demons this time?"

The guards watched as if accustomed to it. Eugene's army bringing back rare monsters skinned after an expedition was a frequently encountered event.

"The ones we defeated this time aren't such trivial guys."

"Run to the tavern after your shift ends. We have plenty of stories to unpack."

The subjugation fOrce was also accustomed to bragging to the guards.

"Your Excellency. If you have no further business, could we slowly chase these guys away?"

The guard captain asked as if pleading for that order. No matter how annoyingly they acted, it was troublesome to lay hands directly on guests claiming to be nobles.

"Don't waste your sweat and just endure it for one more day. I'm leaving tomorrow morning. If they are still lingering in front of the castle then, kindly explain to them what they will experience."

"Understood."

Eugene patted the shoulder of the guard captain, who smirked, and stepped into the lobby. The voices outside the castle calling him desperately gradually faded away.

Valda and Homi were debating over how to mount the demons' taxidermies. Since a whole unit could slowly be formed with just taxidermies, they could give various themes.

"Welcome back. Lord of the Castle. I'm glad to see you return in good health."

"You guarded the castle excellently while I was gone."

Cassandra, who had remained as the defense commander, offered a military salute.

"Oh my!"

Her purple eyes sparkled as she looked at the demons' taxidermies. Cassandra naturally squeezed into Valda and Homi's debate. Eugene realized he had returned to daily life.

The next morning.

"It would be best to step far away quickly. A storm like you've never seen before will rage in this area."

The castle gate guards warned the few trying to hold out until the end.

The majority of the inheritance right claimants were peeking from a distance, ranging from short 100m to long hundreds of meters. Several had completely given up and left.

"The Count hasn't listened to my legitimate claim even once. I will absolutely not leave."

Those who believed something would fall into their laps if they held out with sincerity alone stubbornly persisted until the end.

"If you bring disaster upon yourselves, it can't be helped. Good luck."

After the castle gate closed with a heavy sound, countless static electricity began to burst from the atmosphere.

Bzzzt!

The hair of those holding out floated up, soaring towards the sky, and goosebumps broke out all over their bodies.

A fierce danger signal sent by their instincts!

"I-I will be going!"

"Me too!"

Eventually unable to endure, they began to run away one by one.

Flash!

The giant magical castle wrapped itself in a storm and soared into the sky.

A military group that suddenly appeared, changed Roman's history, and vanished suddenly. Its presence didn't fade in the slightest even after Eugene left Roman, but spread even further.