Chapter 6

Chapter 6 - One Who Understands Three Worlds (6)

In his previous life, Eugene was not a soldier who served honorably under the sun.

He was the kind of soldier who hid in the shadows, staining his hands with blood and filth.

He couldn't wear a proud military uniform, nor could he pin on the medals he was awarded, but he took pride in it himself.

Because in peaceful times, it's people like him who bring national interest, and someone had to do the job.

Still, there was one part that left him with mixed feelings.

-You will die and fall into Hell!

-You damned Bangzi who will be punished by Heaven! You will never get my mouth to open!

-Giving the disease and then the medicine? Go to Hell.

Due to the nature of his missions, he often had to be present for the target's treatment (which Eugene broke) and their final moments (which Eugene executed).

During that process, he received all sorts of curses and hexes, but the phrase "go to Hell" was something he heard particularly frequently.

But didn't they say words become seeds?

When Eugene met his death during a mission, the road to Hell opened before his soul.

* * *

"!!!"

Opening his eyes, the sun was already heading toward mid-sky. It was a memory of the past that he dreamt of just when he was about to forget it.

Was it because he expended too much energy from hunting the monster wild boar to the sword fight with Godfrey? Or if not that.

-Take it off immediately, you bastard! The wine incident back then was the real deal too!

Was it because he used the witch's power inherited from his mother for the first time in a while?

During the Ritual of Wine, he truly didn't intend it. After all, the one who was the most surprised was Eugene himself.

However, as he grew, he came to understand the power dissolved in his blood.

It wasn't the kind of thing that could be explained with words. It was a power one simply came to know naturally.

The witch's power couldn't be wielded by a man, but Eugene alone was an exception. Perhaps it was because of the special experience his soul had gone through.

The place witches call the other side of the world. Because he was the only existence who returned to the present world after directly seeing and experiencing that place upon facing death.

After simply washing his face with the water he prepared in advance, he stepped out of his monastery room.

"..."

"Ahem!"

The priests he encountered avoided Eugene with uncomfortable faces.

Their relationship wasn't good to begin with, and he was someone who would be leaving soon. Godfrey, who acted as a shield, had also disappeared disgracefully.

'Whether I can pack my mother's belongings from the Sealed Chamber or not, I'll have to leave the village.'

In a village governed by a monastery, being hated this much could mean being driven out of the forest as well.

Just like the mill, the forest was a place that symbolized the unique power of the lord of the territory.

A stylishly dressed noble catching prey while being attended by soldiers?

It could instill awe in the territory residents, such as 'Ah! So that person is our lord. How truly frightening.'

Since Kingdom's End was ruled by a monastery, there was no extravagant noble-style hunting.

A tradition of generously opening the forest to everyone, from hunters to herbalists, had been passed down.

But now, there was no knowing how even that mercy might change. At least as far as Eugene and Homi were concerned.

'Wherever the two of us go, we won't starve to death at least.'

With their bond, strength, and knowledge, they would be able to overcome the storms of the world sufficiently. Since they were no longer the powerless young boy and girl of the past.

Eugene visited the village smithy. It was a place run by a man who once made arms and armor for knights in a manor. Though right now, it was no different from a shop specializing in farming tools.

"Do it yourself starting next time. Mister can't do it for you forever, you know."

"Yes! Yes! Thank you!"

A boy holding a screaming baby goat bowed repeatedly.

The middle-aged bald man was holding castration shears. Spotting Eugene, he gestured to the boy to hurry up and leave.

"Meeeeeeh-!"

The baby goat, which had become neither male nor female, distanced itself while letting out a sorrowful scream.

Perhaps he cauterized the wound with red-hot tongs, as no blood was flowing. It was an ignorant method for a young goat, but the blacksmith knew this increased its chances of survival.

"Welcome, Lord Eugene!"

The blacksmith greeted him politely.

"I have finished what you ordered the other day. Have a look."

He brought a polearm and handed it over.

A unique weapon with a very short chain and a blunt head attached to the end of a long pole. A flail.

Considering his strength, he had ordered it large and long, and fortified its durability by extensively using metal as well.

"Oof! Seeing it held by a knight, it truly looks bloody, no, valiant."

Eugene was someone who always prepared for 'what if' situations. He needed a multi-purpose weapon for when he left the village and traveled the world.

"Good work. It came out much better than I thought. A master craftsman, as expected."

"Hahaha! I can confidently tell you that this guy will withstand it sufficiently no matter how roughly you handle it. Just look at the thickness of this chain. Even if Gord warriors swing their axes at it, it will only get a few scratches."

Swords, while expensive, were easier to break than expected. It was also difficult to handle all situations with just a sword.

He needed a cheap yet highly durable polearm, and the flail was an excellent choice. It suited Eugene's strength well and was easy to maintain.

"Do you need anything else?"

"Lots. First, could you take a look at this?"

Eugene untied the bundle he brought. The armor his master used to wear revealed itself and reflected the light.

"I'll be leaving on a long journey soon, so I want to make sure I'm fully prepared. Even if it looks fine to my eyes, I want it checked by a professional's eyes."

It was an excellent armor composed of an intricate breastplate, with chainmail covering down to the elbows and thighs. Even considerable knights couldn't wear something this good.

"It's a fantastic sheen no matter when I look at it."

Since it occasionally needed a craftsman's touch even if managed well, Godfrey frequently left his armor at the smithy.

"Even the ones I made during my prime at the lord's manor weren't this good."

"Thank you for the compliment."

He might just be trying to flatter him. Still, finding himself wanting to break into a smile at the compliment towards the armor, it seemed he had fully become a knight as well.

The knights here mostly used chainmail as a base and added various supplements, but the coverage area and auxiliary armor plating varied wildly depending on each person's pocket situation.

Armor like coats of plates or brigandines, where iron plates were fixed inside a vest with rivets and such, were also widely favored.

"It is perfectly fine. Is there nothing else you need?"

The blacksmith, having inspected it meticulously, nodded.

"I'm thinking of leaving the village soon, so I need tools and consumables for maintenance. I'm almost out of oil, and I need a new whetstone."

"I've done a full day's business today."

The blacksmith grinned and brought the items Eugene ordered one by one.

"I didn't think you would stay in a backwater like this forever, but it is a shame."

As he placed each item down, the blacksmith's expression also clouded.

Beyond personal goodwill, he felt regret that the village's powerful warrior and herbalist were disappearing. Because if Eugene disappeared, Homi would leave as a buy-one-get-one-free deal.

"I cannot promise a date, but a day will come when we see each other again. Stay healthy until then."

"I will pray that Lord Eugene's fame reaches even this countryside. Only in my heart, of course."

"Yeah, make absolutely sure the monastery priests don't catch you."

As Eugene paid the price and held out his right hand, the blacksmith smiled and grasped it strongly.

The next place he visited was the cabin in the forest.

Homi could be easily found from afar. Because she was taking a nap on the oak tree next to the cabin.

With a makeshift sleeping bag made of a linen sack stuffed with straw, the hardness of the tree also disappeared.

Homi liked to climb to the top of the oak tree to watch over the mountain or observe the village.

Wriggle.

The sleeping body tossed and turned a few times before jumping up. She must have sensed Eugene approaching.

Homi climbed down grabbing the trunk with all fours, her upper body facing downwards.

Rather than human, it was closer to an animal's tree climbing, but there was no feeling of barbaricness. It was full of only a feast of beautiful curves.

"Master has left."

At Eugene's first words, Homi covered her mouth in surprise.

"He asked you to forgive him for not being able to say goodbye. The situation when he left was a bit like that."

The final teaching bestowed upon his disciple with all his might, his disappointment in the monastery, his pursuit of the stagnant voice of God.

When he explained the circumstances, Homi wore an angry face. It wasn't sadness aimed at Godfrey, but anger aimed at the monastery.

"I will leave the village in two days. What will you do?"

-I will follow you! Even over mountain ranges or across the sea!

Homi replied with vigorous sign language.

"Alright, thank you."

As he stroked her head, her thick, long white tail, unique to snow leopards, wagged excitedly.

The two had lunch together at the cabin. Since they couldn't take everything with them on the verge of leaving, a luxurious meal was prepared.

Precious ingredients that could only be found by combining a witch's knowledge and a Beastkin's nose.

Spices refined from herbs, tree sap, mushrooms, and water plants transformed even ordinary meat into a delicacy.

The stew was full of freshwater clam meat that had been purged of mud.

"If we leave the village, we'll suffer for a while. But if we join forces, we'll quickly be able to build a decent home."

-Of course. Just trust my nose. I'll make sure you get to eat meat every single day.

Perhaps thinking of stockpiling stamina, Homi ate much more than usual.

After finishing the meal, Homi grabbed the hem of Eugene's clothes as he was about to leave.

-Do you absolutely have to spend your remaining days in the uncomfortable monastery?

She asked in sign language.

"There's something I need to pack. I must get back my mother's belongings that those bastards took."

At those words, Homi let go of his hand. Then she raised her clenched fists and struck a fighting pose. It was a gesture Eugene had taught her.

"Leave it to me."

This time as well, Homi waved her hand until Eugene could not be seen.

* * *

Eugene visited the underground dungeon and delivered food to the Dhampir women.

"Do you intend to go hungry today as well?"

While the mother and daughter ate while repeatedly expressing their gratitude, the girl crossed her arms and closed her eyes.

"How should we ever repay this grace."

Having finished eating, the mother and daughter knelt side-by-side and bowed with their hands clasped.

"What are your names?"

"I am Lara, and this here is my daughter, Rani."

Bow.

At the mother's introduction, the daughter Rani bowed her head deeply.

The quality of the food was much better than what a typical commoner would eat, but the quantity was a little lacking.

"I'll bring more tomorrow. It's edible, right?"

"It was delicious! Thank you for the grace!"

The mother and daughter's faces, holding expectations beyond gratitude and moving toward awe.

'What I bring tomorrow will have sleeping pills in it, though.'

Eugene hid his inner thoughts and mimicked his master, putting on a benevolent face.

"My Lady, please, just have one bite."

The little lady Rani pleaded earnestly holding the food she left behind, but the girl remained steadfast.

"I won't eat."

"You are very hungry. You have grown too thin."

Even as Rani spoke tearfully, the girl maintained her ice-cold face.

She already had a slender figure, and with her hollow eyes added on, she truly looked to be in a precarious state.

"I'll say it again, I won't eat."

Faced with her stubborn obstinacy, Rani backed down.

Grumble!

At that moment, a resounding ship's horn echoed from the girl.

"Rani. It seems you are hungry because you are at the age where you grow a lot. Eat a bit more heartily."

"Pardon? Uh, ah! Yes!"

At Eugene's words, Rani, who initially had a questioning face, suddenly realized and nodded vigorously.

Gruuumble!

An even more intense sound of thunder rang out.

"...You don't need to show such consideration."

The girl said, turning her flushed face away.

Thus, another day passed.

Eugene, bringing food down for the third time, hardened his resolve.

'I absolutely must enter the Sealed Chamber this time.'

To acquire his mother's belongings, he had to put the Dhampir girl to sleep today. For that, he had prepared very special food.

Even that haughty girl would absolutely not be able to refuse this!