Chapter 47

Chapter 47 - Monsters and Pirates (4)

When the subjugation force returned carrying as many as four Bugbear heads, the village was in an uproar.

"Th-That it was because of those monsters!"

"Is it all solved now? Is it okay to enter the forest now?"

While the residents chattered full of hope, Eugene set up stakes in the plaza and stuck the heads on them himself.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

As he gently struck down with a hammer so as not to break the skulls, the heads of the fleshy monsters were securely fixed.

Eugene well knew the power such symbolic events hold. In resolving accumulated anxiety and dissatisfaction, it would produce an effect stronger than a hundred words.

"Looking at it like that, it looks more like a pig's head than a monster."

"It might be delicious if roasted."

"What crazy talk is that, idiot!"

"I just said some nonsense because I'm hungry, man."

Idle jokes were already going back and forth among the residents.

"Residents of Richwood. The monsters of the forest that tormented you have been executed. However, you must not enter the forest yet. Because it will take time for order to return there. Please trust us and have patience."

At the figure of the knight proclaiming with his black cloak fluttering, the residents dared not harbor other thoughts.

Even afterward, Eugene operated patrol squads and scouted the forest. The result was only occasionally encountering a small number of beasts. The monsters that had popped out onto the roads or the outskirts of the forest vanished without a trace.

* * *

Eugene, having solved the monster problem, gazed at the river leading to the inland sea.

'Is the remaining problem the pirates?'

Due to the nature of a Motte and Bailey, the manor was on high ground, so monitoring the river was easy.

Eugene forged a path connecting straight from the manor to the river and then formed a 5-minute standby squad so they could mobilize at any time.

"Sir Eugene. The blacksmiths say they have completed the item you ordered."

Heading to the smithy at the clerk's report, Muto welcomed him.

"Please look, Sir Knight! It will firmly bite any ballista spear you bring."

The cast-iron atlatl did not look like something made for a person to use no matter who looked at it. However, when it went into Eugene's hand, it could not have suited him better.

"What happened to the large spears to insert into this?"

"Here they are."

Another blacksmith brought items 2.5 times thicker than an ordinary spear. Inserting one into the atlatl and lifting it, it was fixed well without shaking.

"Thanks to the cooperation of the carpentry shop, manufacturing was easy. Because we only needed to chop what was processed for spare palisades into two pieces and trim them. We currently have 6 shafts, and 4 more shafts will be ready by tomorrow."

"The atlatl is also excellent, but the manufacturing of the spears is fast."

"Because it is a village where timber is left over."

Everyone in the smithy laughed. Now if the pirates visit the village, they will have a novel experience they have never seen before.

"By rights, a special weapon needs a name suited to it. Your very own exclusive weapon, Sir Knight, that is in a different league from other atlatls! Please, bestow a name upon it."

"I haven't particularly thought of a name..."

He was at a loss due to the sudden proposal, but at Muto's earnest eyes, Eugene's heart also weakened.

"Giant's Revenge. Let's go with this."

"It's a splendid name!"

Muto nodded in satisfaction.

"Your strength in throwing the spear, Sir, is like a giant, and the will contained within represents the people's desire for revenge against the pirates, so it is truly a perfect name."

The clerk also clapped as if marveling.

'It's just the name of a spear in a game I played in the past.'

Eugene, feeling awkward for naught, shut his mouth.

"By chance, if the pirate fellows come, may we follow you? We truly wish to see our work in action."

"Of course. However, it will be dangerous, so stay back behind me."

"Naturally!"

The blacksmiths' eyes sparkled uncharacteristically for their age like young boys.

"All that's left is to pray for the pirates to come. I wish they'd come down quickly."

Unlike the monster subjugation, this was a task Eugene could not proceed with proactively.

As for the mercenaries' wages, the House of Morad paid them all, so there was nothing to be burdened about. But it was also true that it was a boring village to spend time in doing nothing.

"Do not worry. Those fellows will absolutely come sooner or later."

"The attack of those vicious fellows is an annual event."

The blacksmiths spoke with faces mixed half-and-half with grudge and joy.

"The villages upstream have already all been pillaged. Those fellows also know that the Lord is not here and the forest is disordered. They will absolutely come seeking to make a big score."

"If you fellows say so."

As the clerk also chimed in, Eugene nodded. Because there is no one more accurate regarding local circumstances than the local natives.

In reality, it did not take long for the uninvited guests, no, the guests they were now waiting for, to arrive.

* * *

A longship, a boat with a single mast and sail, powerfully cut through the river of Roman.

Round shields hung in a row on both sides of the ship, and the 20 oars poking out between them moved in unison.

The men rowing were all veteran sailors and warriors. Even as their muscular arms flexed continuously, there was no sign of exhaustion. Only a merriment circulated due to the thirst for the spoils they would obtain ahead.

The only one worried was the navigator.

"Boss. There was a rumor that the lord had returned, will it be alright?"

"It's an empty rumor. It was not that long ago he was summoned to the main house due to the war. By any chance, could he have returned already? We must seize a proper cut when Roman is chaotic."

This was the common thought not only of the boss but of the majority of his subordinates. The pirates whose territory was the river towards Gord or Barcia were very envious of them.

"Even if he returned, so what? How could fellows who only have a talent for horseback riding catch up to us on the river?"

Being able to invade whenever they want and decide whether to fight or withdraw after seeing the opponent's response. The unilateral initiative in battle is the reason pirates going back and forth between the inland sea and the river are a nightmare.

"True. It's not like such an opportunity comes often, and it's too wasteful to miss."

"Right, man. Because we also have to return to the island in the inland sea before winter comes."

Winter was harsh for everyone, but especially for those living on the sea, it was like hell. The story of those who went out to pillage in the winter because they ran out of food, only for the men rowing the oars to all get frostbite and become cripples, is famous. That tribe could not survive the winter and all starved to death.

"Everyone, cheer up. If we just finish this job well, we return home and rest deeply until next spring!"

"Woah!"

At the boss's words, the pirates responded with shouts.

The problem was that by the time they entered the boundary of the village of Richwood, dozens of troops were coming down.

"It seems they noticed? Looks like they were preparing in advance. They even cleared a path in a straight line."

"Damn it! There are as many as three knights mixed in!"

The pirate boss sighed.

The fear of knights is something all pillagers share. Dressed in light armor for the sake of sailing and pillaging, the likes of them would be sliced away like rotten branches. Moreover, additional troops would come to support soon, so landing like this is no different from a suicidal act.

"Everyone, cheer up! Is this the only village here? There are plenty of other places to rob! We just pass by and go to the next village!"

"Understood!"

However, it was infuriating to just leave, so the pirates intended to at least throw some curses refreshingly.

"Sons of bitches! We are also doing this to eat and live, is it okay to hinder us like this? Do you guys not know what sympathy is?"

"We're only going to rip off enough to moderately fill our bellies, so get lost!"

The pirates shifted the blame, cursing and mocking the knights.

"Eat this."

Psssssh.

As one pirate sprang up and pissed towards the knights, the rest giggled and joined in.

"..."

However, something was strange.

If it was normal, by now the knights' faces should be turning red and blue. It was fitting for them to drive their horses to the shallow riverbank, swing swords that wouldn't reach, and scream bizarrely.

Yet today, there was not a single trace of anger. With an expression different from that, as if anticipating something, they were looking at the pirates.

"Did those fellows eat something wrong?"

"Indeed. I somehow feel like they're welcoming us?"

They had been pillaging for a short as a few years and as long as over 20 years, but it was a reaction they were seeing for the first time.

At that time, the large knight who was at the front got off his horse. When a pretty Beastkin woman loaded a huge spear onto it, he took a throwing stance.

At the sight of him trying to throw an item that looked like it should be loaded into a ballista and fired, the pirates pointed their fingers as if looking at a crazy person.

But the moment the knight really shot it out, all the sound of laughter disappeared. Because a massive sound of tearing air swallowed all sound.

Swoooosh!!!

Crasaaash!

A hole 1 meter in diameter was drilled into the front of the longship, and wood fragments scattered in all directions.

"Aaaah!"

Splash!

With that impact, two pirates rowing oars floated up and fell into the river. From the intense impact, the pirates all tangled up and tumbled.

Dribble, dribble.

Among them mixed in were those who hadn't even finished pissing yet. But everyone was so surprised that they didn't even have the leeway to get angry at their comrades.

* * *

'As expected, it only holds up if I make it completely out of iron.'

For the first time in his life, Eugene threw a javelin containing his maximum strength. Because until now, the spears were too light and he couldn't properly put his strength into them for fear the shaft would break.

"Next."

Homi immediately inserted the second large spear into the atlatl. Because it was so large and heavy, other people could not properly act as assistant shooters. Because one had to grab the shaft and the atlatl with one hand each and insert it. It was a task only Homi was capable of.

Hwiiiish-!

A whistle signifying the completion of loading was heard in his ear.

Bddrrr.

Strength hung on his sturdy arm, and veins popped out. All blood vessels explosively supplied nutrients to the muscles.

Swoooooosh!!!

The second javelin flew toward the ship the pirate boss was riding. Aiming at the bottom of the ship to sink it, the spear flew close to the water's surface. Thanks to that, despite the tremendous speed, everyone could clearly see the trajectory. It was because the water's surface split grandly due to wind pressure.

Crasaaash!

The lower middle part of the ship was smashed, and river water began to pour in with tremendous momentum. This was not at a level of bailing it out or anything.

"Row quickly! We flee immediately!"

The vice-boss riding on the ship that was not attacked shouted hastily, but that was his last will.

Hwiiiish-!

Swoooooosh!!!

The terrible sound of tearing air flying as a set with a whistle!

The spear that came in tearing the shield attached to the side of the ship like a piece of paper evaporated the upper body of the vice-boss.

Splaaash!

"Hiiik!"

The pirates, covered in the grandly exploding blood, dropped their oars and were terrified.

"Magic! It's magic!"

"Those fellows brought a magician!"

The pirates screamed. Befitting sailors who believe in superstition more than mercenaries, they seemed to think Eugene was a magician.

"Where on earth does that look like a magician? Have you ever seen a magician with such a massive build?"

"The village bastards brought a muscular magician!"

"It's magic that shoots spears with a whistle!"

A pirate who chattered out whatever came to his mouth out of panic accidentally stated the correct answer like catching a rat while stepping backward.

Eugene is a person who can understand and use mysteries. Furthermore, a sufficiently powerful physical force is no different from magic.

"What are you doing?! Grab the oars quickly! Do you plan to all die while staying still?"

At the shout of a veteran pirate, everyone grabbed the oars with trembling hands.

"No!"

"Don't abandon us and go!"

The pirates riding on the sinking boss's ship screamed.

"Ignore them! We don't have time to give them a ride!"

Even as the veteran pirate encouraged them, that monster who was whether a knight or a magician was continuing his ridiculous javelin throwing.

Craaaack!

70% of the fleeing longship's mast disappeared, and it tilted rapidly, breaking into two pieces.

Rumble, rumble, rumble!

"Evade!"

"Aaaaah!"

As it fell backward, it crushed the sailors rowing the oars at the back. The sound of breaking bones and howls filled with pain filled the river.

As the center of gravity shifted backward from the shock of the mast and sail falling, the front part of the ship lifted slightly.

Hwiiiish-!

Swoooooosh!!!

A giant spear bombarded the keel exposed like that.

Crrraaaack!

Smaaaash!

As the ship's spine was smashed, the ship began to tear in a chain reaction from there. The ship the boss was riding on was already sunken.

"Phew!"

As a few more spears flew, the ships were completely shattered. Eugene swung his stiff right arm in circles to loosen it.

"..."

"..."

Looking back, the knights and blacksmiths, who had become mute, could be seen.

On the other hand, Eugene's direct subordinate mercenaries, perhaps having gradually gotten used to it, were waiting for orders with a sharpened posture.

"Capture all those fellows. It's fine to kill those who resist."

"Yes!"

The mercenaries ran to the riverbank holding loaded crossbows. There, the fishermen who had been hiding popped out and were preparing fishing boats.

"Puhh! Puhh!"

In the eyes of the fishermen glaring at the pirates who had fallen into the water, deep hatred lingered.

- For what matter did you call us, Sir Knight.

- Do you not wish to exact revenge with your own hands?

- ...!

It is Eugene who values the protection of civilians under his responsibility. However, if it is a safely secured situation, there is no reason to hesitate about a joint civil-military operation.