Chapter 311

Chapter 311 - Capital Haven

Humans are creatures of adaptation. In Britainia, the number of people who feared great lightning strikes had drastically decreased. Instead, those who rushed toward them like moths drawn to flame had increased.

"Wasn't the place you said you'd be visiting beyond the western ocean?"

"If we could just get a single sack of cocoa, this year's business would be done! We absolutely must catch the Count's eye!"

Merchants yearning for exotic foreign goods.

"The frontier reclamation has been delayed, so he'll probably hire more mercenaries."

"It's only late summer now. He might set out on another expedition."

Mercenaries who wanted to sell their sword arms, and knights who wanted to offer their blades.

"The Romans say there's a place called a food court. Apparently the Count eats there sometimes--what on earth do they sell?"

"It's apparently not even expensive. Since it's open to the public, I might pay a visit myself."

Travelers and bards who found meaning in the novelty of the sights themselves.

"Wait! Did the castle really lower the gates? It's still the restricted period--you could get in trouble if you go in by mistake."

"I confirmed the red flag changed to green. It's fine to go."

Eugene and Varda had set an approximate return date.

--At the earliest late summer, at the latest before autumn ends. We'll be transporting a great deal of stone materials. Please ensure strict control, as we need to place them as close to the construction site as possible.

They erected wooden towers around the planned parking area and planted a large green flag. When Eugene's return drew near, they would replace it with a red flag and declare the area off-limits.

Red meant stop. Green meant go. A very simple distinction.

When a few who violated this were made examples of with heavy fines or exile, no one dared approach.

But among the southerners, there was virtually no discontent. Those working nearby even voluntarily kept watch, cooperating with the Haven guard.

Everyone knew this was for their long-cherished wish--the Second Bridge.

"Welcome back!"

Varda greeted her husband with a radiant face.

"I've truly missed you."

Varda performed an elegant courtesy befitting royalty, lifting the hem of her skirt, but Eugene rushed straight to her and embraced her.

He cupped her thighs, lifting her for one spin, two spins, round and round.

"People are watching!"

"Then our affection shall spread all the more widely."

Eugene ignored it and revelled in his wife's warmth and scent. His subordinates followed at a distance of over thirty paces, reading the room.

"Were there any difficulties in my absence?"

"You'd stabilized the domain so thoroughly that it was fine. The northern regions seem to be in all sorts of turmoil, but the south is at peace."

Varda, who normally worked alongside her husband and was deeply involved in the family's finances. When it came to matters requiring military force she couldn't compare to Eugene, but when it came to handling numbers or receiving guests, she surpassed him in many ways.

"Do I have anything to handle?"

"Nothing urgent, but there's one trial awaiting your judgment. A dispute between two southern noble families. If left unattended, it could lead to at worst a duel, at worst a territorial war."

"The relevant documents?"

"I've prepared a summary in your office. If you're tired, just read the underlined portions. If you're summoning the parties involved, I'd recommend early next month."

"Your work is perfect, as always."

Eugene looked pleased yet bitter.

"Is something the matter?"

"Since it could lead to a territorial war, no matter what judgment I hand down, one side will bear a grudge. They're my subordinates, so I'll have to invite them to every banquet and embrace them."

As a knight fighting on the battlefield, everything was simple. Crush the enemies before you, and your allies would cheer. Cleanly divided between black and white, grudges and losses could be pushed entirely onto the enemy.

But governance was like fighting a war where everyone was your ally. Even after victory, a sticky silence and suspicion followed.

"Hmm."

Varda fell into thought for a moment. She looked remarkably composed when pondering. Beyond her straight forehead, one could sense wise intellect being assembled.

--Listen to me!

--Don't bother listening to this liar's words, they'll only dirty your ears! What I said is correct--

--...

--...

Even when she served as regent during Eugene's absence, that demeanor served her well. Even those who arrived in a rage would calm down and listen to the Countess's words.

"You will be king someday."

"King? Where does that come from--"

Varda took Eugene's hand and led him to the final autumn promenade.

"When you sit upon the throne, there will come times when you must execute your own vassals. You'll see a blood relative staring at you with wet eyes from the executioner's gallery, and you'll wonder. Is that fear in those eyes? Or hatred? Should I let it go? Or should I deal with them too?"

Varda always looked upon people gently, but occasionally employed shock tactics.

"Compared to that moment, a trial like this is nothing."

"I often think this, but my wife has a surprisingly tough side."

"La la la."

Golden eyes and eyebrows like an autumn wheat field. That heart-stirring sight filled Eugene's vision entirely. Even the gold bars he'd obtained in Steamville felt worthless by comparison.

More precious than any treasure gained by defeating monsters at the other end of the world was his family.

"As you know, I have an excellent memory. So forget about the judgment. I'll keep the uncomfortable memories for you. And whenever necessary, I'll let you know."

"Isn't that the classic shape of being manipulated by a sycophant?"

"As long as you maintain the heart you had when pushing policies for the serfs, that's enough. Then even if someone raises a knife of grudge against you, the whole world will protect you."

It seemed they had returned to a time of gentleness once more.

Varda had received nearly twenty years of royal education from Grace. As the last descendant of an Elven royal line.

But as her adventures with Eugene grew longer, she had begun revising what she'd learned on her own. Into what was needed not for sitting upon the throne, but for standing beside it.

Varda wrapped her arms around her husband's back. It was less a caress and more a groping, kneading hug. It seemed the time apart had been painful for her too.

"About what you said earlier. Did someone petition for the title of king? Perhaps one of your vassals trying to curry favor?"

"Do you know that among the serfs here, some call you the White King?"

"What? What's that about? It's not like some bishopric."

There were quite a few titles where a position and a fiefdom were combined, like border count or bishopric count, but there was no title combining two fiefdoms.

It was very common for a single ruler to hold multiple titles simultaneously, but in such cases, the highest title was used as the representative.

Varda giggled.

"The language of serfs doesn't follow rules. They combine what few words they know to express what they feel."

Her slender index fingers came to rest parallel against Eugene's chest.

"Serfs who travel to and from the city to deliver goods are relatively broad-minded. They can distinguish between a lordship and a countship. But most serfs simply call me 'My Lady.' Yet even they know what a king is."

The two index fingers drew closer together, then crossed into an X.

"Count and king. The two titles must have become mixed together among the serfs."

"I haven't declared myself king or heard any petitions."

Varda pointed toward the second bridge site.

"The Old Bridge, the only one in the south, was built by the half-elf family's Alfred III. A great bridge built by royal command. The various legends surrounding it have been passed down to children through grandmothers and mothers."

The construction site had completed four months of preparation. Countless tents and huts, food and materials, workers and merchants, and service providers had all gathered. It truly resembled a great city.

"Among the serfs who saw that, some started calling you the White King. Because only a king provides bridges to the common people."

"Those serfs aren't all under my direct domain, are they? Don't other nobles discipline them?"

"They've remained silent. I don't know the reasons. Perhaps loyalty or fear toward you. The nobles in the northern regions bordering the south are the same. It's different from when the former head of the Kruger family declared himself king."

Just then, thunderous applause and cheers rose from the bridge site.

"I believed in you! He's really coming!"

"You bastard, were you doubting the Count?"

"That's not what I meant!"

Hundreds of cattle and horses were approaching from the Wandering Castle. Behind them, precisely cut stone blocks gleamed as they were transported.

Bridge engineers from across the land swallowed hard and rolled up their sleeves.

--I'll erect a monument inscribed with the names of participating engineers in alphabetical order. Those who demonstrate exceptional ability will receive bonuses and letters of recommendation in the name of the Meyer family.

It was thanks to their patron Eugene's generous spirit.

When they heard that stone would be transported by a magical castle, more than a few had been skeptical. But once they confirmed it was real, they exchanged meaningful glances.

--This construction alone won't be the end.

--Stone supply, the most expensive and troublesome part, was solved this easily. Then a third and fourth project would be possible too.

If they were to be invited all the way to Britainia, they were engineers of some renown.

But in Gord, it was difficult to find work of sufficient scale to satisfy them. It was a region where water transport and trade were more active than bridges.

The Thames River, running through southern Britainia, looked to them like honey flowing with gold coins. An opportunity to leave their names here forever--what engineer would refuse?

*

Eugene and Varda stood atop the central hill of Haven City. Covered in various plants, the air thick with the essence of the forest, it was a place Varda greatly loved.

The waterfall cascading from here cut through the city and joined the Thames River. In this land where limestone water was common, clear water could be used without limit.

"Quite a crowd has gathered."

Where they stood was the lord's villa at the hill's end. From the highest point in the city, everything could be seen at a glance.

"With this waterfall and the water supply system, we can accommodate far more people. Unlike other cities, filth won't pour into the streets. This is a blessed city that has never known plague."

Haven's floating population had doubled with people arriving from all across Britainia. Eugene always released goods here upon his return.

"Other cities must be jealous. Saying we're too biased."

"It's a price we must pay. Since we began our great enterprise in Haven, we must raise its prosperity to reach the heavens. Even if the whole world turns against us, this place alone must remain on our side until the very end."

Every inn was full, and shopkeepers were overwhelmed by emptying shelves and cascading coins. But every one of them wore a broad smile despite their exhaustion.

The most heated of all was, as always, the place handling imported goods.

"Look at this comb! It's crafted by artisans of Khazad-dor! A true masterpiece that can tame even the stubborn beards of Dwarves like a woman's hair! The teeth are three times more numerous than a regular comb, and it's so sturdy it won't break unless you strike it with a hammer!"

Goods brought from Khazad-dor always enjoyed the highest popularity.

"With just one of these, you can spare paper ten times, a hundred times over. Look! Just by rubbing it like this..."

"Ohhh!"

"If you put these flat things in your shoes, you won't get blisters no matter how long you walk day and night. The price is a bit steep, but surely there's someone you want to look good for? Give it to them as a gift. When you meet again, the way they look at you will be entirely different."

Strange and wondrous objects from the New Continent drew even greater crowds.

Cocoa beans were nearing sellout, and rubber, usable in countless applications, was immensely popular. Crocodile and jaguar skins were being swept up by tailors serving the nobility.

The city guard struggled to control the increased numbers, but they had no complaints either. During the Lightning Surge period, additional pay was distributed.

Given this situation, more and more trading companies were relocating their headquarters to Haven entirely. Not only from Britainia, but from Gord and Barcia as well.

"They keep offering bribes until my head aches."

Varda sighed, pressing her forehead.

"I've declared that fair competition is Haven's virtue--no special treatment! Something like that would've worked!"

"I certainly said so. But they still thrust them at me insistently. They just want their company name to flash across, I suppose."

Rather than rushing here in a panic during the Lightning Surge, it was far more advantageous to establish themselves here from the start.

And if they were going to establish themselves, they naturally needed to build friendly relationships with the prominent figures and integrate as members of the community.

"It's still in its early stages, but competition and concentration will only intensify with time. Not just trading companies, but mercenaries, free knights, various cultural artists as well."

"Let's not forget the noble offspring who come to the palace either."

It was common practice for lesser nobles to send their children to a great lord's palace. It was a token of loyalty to one's lord, and also a venue for meeting and interacting with the heirs of other families.

Haven was the palace where nobles most wished to send their children. The proportion of such children receiving baptism from the Banas clergy was increasing as well.

In a world where multiple faiths coexisted, children were permitted to worship multiple gods. Upon reaching adulthood, choosing a single god was the universal custom here.

The day when the religion Eugene championed became the mainstream faith of the nobles here was not far off.

"The days of your remaining as Count won't last forever. Prepare your heart in advance."

This Elven princess seemed to desperately want to see her husband wearing a crown. Perhaps she wished to revive the vanished royal line through Eugene.

Eugene embraced Varda from behind as she gazed out over the city.

"Hmm?"

Varda, feeling her husband's warmth with a smile, caught her breath. A large hand was moving impudently.

"Are you mad? We're outside!"

"Outside where no one can peek. It's the highest point in the city, after all."

Eugene held his struggling wife firmly. He could feel her body temperature rising sharply from embarrassment and shame. Her long ears were already flushed red.

"Don't we need to visit the bridge construction site as well?"

"Varda. What's important right now isn't the bridge construction. It's time for us to resume what was interrupted for four months."

"If you wait until tonight, I'll serve you as much as you want. Indulging in pleasure from daytime--"

"If we do it now, we'll see our child half a day sooner?"

"..."

Varda had no logical rebuttal against her husband's shameless whispering.

She wavered.

Moreover, his technique of teasing her ears with lips and tongue was improving daily. Eugene knew precisely how to read Varda's breathing and trembling to discern which sensations she preferred.

"Mmm."

And so, on the lord's balcony built atop the hill, Varda's clothes slipped away.

Was gazing down at the city while gripping the railing and feeling the breeze still too stimulating? The noble lady looked as though she might die of embarrassment, so Eugene decided to leave the rest for later.

Of course, once the fire was lit, he had no intention of waiting until nightfall. He lifted his wife in his arms like a princess and headed for the waterfall's source--a cave within the hill.

The couple's bare feet stood side by side on the wet stone floor. Varda's palms braced against the cave walls, and sweet echoes resounded ceaselessly.

The moss growing abundantly around the water's edge made an excellent cushion. Sometimes it softened the impact beneath her knees, sometimes it supported her back.

Trickle trickle trickle.

Gurgle gurgle.

By the time Varda's stomach growled amid the flowing water, Eugene finally released his wife.

Just as Varda couldn't resist her husband's excuse of wanting to see their child, Eugene was equally powerless before his wife's stomach growling.

Splash.

Having poured his desire freely into his wife's body. Submerging in the water to cool the sweat and heat felt like walking through heaven.

However, when Eugene leapt into the source pool, Varda had fled to the cave wall. Either her legs were trembling or she was crawling away.

"Heave-ho!"

"What... what are you doing?"

Eugene looked at his wife with an incredulous expression. Varda was doing a handstand against the cave wall.

Her slender figure and long legs turned even this simple pose into a painting. Her golden hair cascaded like a waterfall, adorning the cave floor.

"It's Carmen's advice. She said this is remarkably effective."

Carmen was Varda's handmaiden, a veteran who had borne no fewer than eight children.

"That sort of thing is meaningless. I'll find a method soon, so just relax."

"Mmm..."

"I understand. Do as you wish."

Even Eugene fell silent before the determined look in his stubborn wife's eyes.

--I should make a chance to visit the Great Northern Forest soon.

Eugene felt the time had come to finally act on what he'd long postponed. If there were records remaining about half-elf conception, that would be the only place.

Of course, the Elven Great Forest was an exclusive place that responded with arrows even if you approached waving a white flag and bearing gifts.

But even traitors who had broken their oaths knew one thing they could not abandon. They would never dare aim an arrow at their true master.

Perhaps...