Chapter 62

Chapter 62 - Prophecy (1)

Eugene, Valda, and Homi entered the lord's office.

Fitting a trade village, it was full of exotic things from potted plants, furniture, and sculptures, to large paintings.

When he touched a luxurious chair, not a single speck of dust got on his hand. It seems they clean it every day.

Flap flap!

At the sound of Homi's tail wagging wildly, Eugene looked back and she smiled with her eyes.

"Heheum!"

A triumphant appearance as if saying, 'What did I say? Didn't I tell you you'd become a lord soon!'

"Yeah, you were right."

After ruffling Homi's hair, Eugene lifted her by both armpits and sat her on the lord's chair.

Clatter!

Then she jumped up in a flurry as if she dared not sit first.

The three, who were looking around the office with many things to see, went out to the balcony connecting to the back.

"I can see more river than land."

"It's a scale that disallows comparison with Richwood."

Late afternoon. Valda, who took off her hood, sticks to the railing and looks at the river.

With the water surface where the sun melted in as the background, her golden hair flutters. Her fine fingers untied the gold thread wound around her elegantly pointed ears.

Valda's pure white face also captured the sunset light well. Her hair, eyes, and skin. Everything sparkles in gold.

"..."

Eugene could not say anything at that dizzying sight. Because it was the first time he realized a person could be more beautiful than nature.

"Everything that enters your eyes from this balcony is your property. Nature decides the flow of that wide river, but those who pass through there must follow your rules."

"Hearing you say that, I feel like I have grasped tremendous power. Even though I am just the lord of a single village at best."

Is this the feeling that every lord is no different from a king within his own territory?

Swoosh!

2 large merchant ships are passing by. One is powerfully cutting through the water currents while sailing, and the other is anchored at the village port.

The 3 forks stretching from the land into the river have exquisite distance and the water depth is also deep. Thanks to that, it was possible for multiple merchant ships to anchor simultaneously.

'Even if I become bigger later, I should keep this place as a direct-controlled territory.'

In the 3 aspects of income, transportation, and supply, it was a base far surpassing a village.

"My Lord. I have heated the bathwater. We have prepared the guest bathroom for the other two."

"We will be going now. Savour the price of your efforts slowly."

Valda, smiling and touching Eugene's shoulder, took Homi and left.

Eugene soaked his body and washed in the large bathtub of the lord's exclusive bathroom.

Returning to the office dragging his slippers with a refreshed feeling, his armor is hung on a wooden hanger. It is a location that gets good ventilation while rain doesn't get in, and also receives sunlight.

"Polished service exclusively for me alone."

A luxury he could not enjoy even when staying at the Morad Count family or Richwood mansion. He realized anew that he had become a lord.

* * *

The next morning. Eugene took the butler and toured the village once.

As long as preparing against external enemies is possible, northern Roman is a neighborhood that's good to live in compared to the South, West, or Center.

"I crossed from the southwest of the continent, but I don't think I've seen a village better than here."

The North, close to the inland sea, has parts similar to a Mediterranean climate, so the annual temperature range is small. Even though it's winter, it's at a chilly level rather than cold.

"It is a village where no one has ever starved to death even during famines, Sir."

The butler had a hunched back due to a mix of timid personality and politeness.

"Straighten your shoulders."

"Heup!"

Eugene grabbed the butler's shoulders and corrected his posture to be straight. At the lord's touch, his body stiffened as if hit by lightning.

"Maintain this posture from now on."

"Yes! Y-Yes!"

"Your waist must be straight and healthy for you to assist me for a long time. Looking at past administrative records, I could know well your preciousness in the territory."

The butler was a talent lacking nothing to entrust proxy duties to while Eugene was away. Both in ability and loyalty.

"Oh my!"

The butler felt tears welling up in his eyes. For Eugene, it was an insignificant touch and compliment, but for him, it was not.

Waiting for his master for 1 year, he had feared whether a violent lord who sucks the blood and sweat of the people might come.

However, when opening the lid, his reputation as a knight was amazing, and he was benevolent to his subordinates.

"Absolutely do not throw it! If what's inside breaks, it's over!"

From the 2 anchored merchant ships, sailors with good bodies are busily unloading cargo. The 3 forks seen up close were entirely covered in stone from the bottom to the walls submerged in water.

"Was this artificially constructed?"

"That is so. The previous-previous lord did the stone wall construction at the port. There are almost no accidents occurring since then, so everyone gives it favorable reviews."

Guards encountered passing by took military salutes and venerated their new liege lord.

Fitting a village abundant in marine products and active in logistics, the guards' nutrition and armament state were also good.

"Homage to the new Lord."

"Oh God. Please protect our Lord."

The good governance of the previous lords, and Eugene's knightly appearance and achievements created synergy. The guards looked at Eugene with deep respect as fellow martial artists.

Small boats were floating on the river engaging in fishing, and boys and women fishing by the river were also seen in various places.

"Due to the previous lord's will, fishing is permitted for all residents. If it is unpleasant to see..."

The butler read Eugene's face.

Although it varies by region, in Roman, fishing can only be done by fishermen who received the lord's permission while paying taxes.

"No. Keep it continuously open like now. Just restrict outsiders from doing it."

"Thank you for your generosity!"

Fish is the only means for the lower class to consume high-quality protein. In territories without a river, even fresh fish is classified as a luxury item, so it's practically a privilege of a riverside village.

Among lords, there were many who restricted fishing activities trying to establish their authority, but in Eugene's view, it is a stupid act.

If they feed children to adults well and they grow쑥쑥, doesn't it all become his labor force and taxes?

Returning to the lord's mansion, Valda welcomed him.

"You really wandered around busily from the first day."

"I tried to supplement lacking parts, but there wasn't much to touch."

The village being well-equipped is one thing, but the fact that it is commerce-oriented was also big. Since the knowledge Eugene learned at his hometown monastery was the type to increase yields of farming and gathering.

Here, simplifying unnecessary procedures and cutting out corruption is about all he can do. Even just that could be seen as big, though.

"The butler is also competent and loyal."

"He inherited know-how and loyalty spanning 5 generations, so it's natural."

"Even otherwise, it seemed like there would be many times I'd empty my seat, so it's a relief."

Merchant ships carrying mercenaries pass by frequently, and free knights coming to the village for waterway passage can also be seen often.

'For now, I just need to build good relationships with neighboring lords and monasteries.'

Because he had assumed all kinds of worst-case scenarios while coming north, there was somewhat of a deflating feeling too. However, such deflation would be a good thing for the territory.

* * *

The mercenaries under his command also took a comfortable rest in the village.

"Do not forget we are only hired. Absolutely do not cause trouble in the village, got it? Do not have ridiculous imaginations like the lord being our backer or something."

"Worrying is also your destiny. It's not like we are greenhorns, what."

"They are all guys the Knight picked after conversing 1-on-1, even if briefly."

At the mercenary captain's repeated earnest requests, blunt replies came out from here and there.

- The chain of command must be unified.

Following Eugene's conviction, all the new mercenaries were incorporated under the mercenary captain who accompanied him from Bonyard.

Among them, there were also those with slightly higher skills or experience than the mercenary captain, so it wasn't like there were no complaints.

However, the point that he is an original member who has served Eugene since the days he was a mere knight. Because of that powerful position, there is no one who dares to climb over him.

'Even if he is easygoing and generous, he has no mercy for disciplinary violations.'

The mercenaries bragged about their heroic tales to bored village youths, bought food for village maidens, or watched fishing and fascinating things at the unloading dock.

"You can't hit that?"

"Be quiet! I will definitely make that bastard my dinner for tonight!"

Eugene also opened the lord's exclusive hunting grounds to the mercenaries under his command on a few certain days of the week.

"The Knight likes rib meat, so set that part aside."

Thanks to that, on those days, Eugene ate what the mercenaries hunted for dinner.

Merchant groups frequently passing through Northfork also sent gifts saying please look favorably upon them.

"Praying for the new lord's health, the Zakkril Merchant Group has sent perfumed oil."

"The Harris Merchant Group presented a pair of camels as tribute. Because their health was damaged from crossing a long way, I ordered them sent to the stables immediately for treatment."

The territory finance officer reported pointing them out one by one.

Then one day, a very welcome guest visited.

* * *

A Dark Elf man with closely cropped hair entered the lord's reception room.

"Rex?"

"It has been a while, Sir Knight. No, should I call you My Lord now?"

"Knight is sufficient like before. Regardless of what position I reach in the future."

"I am happy to hear you speak like that."

Rex smiled and gave a military salute to Eugene.

"Now that the contract is also over, a military salute is excessive treatment. Come, sit."

A maid set down drinks and refreshments.

"I thought you would become successful quickly, but this is a speed beyond imagination, isn't it?"

"I was lucky. I benefited quite a bit from the Wendigo trophy you made. The Count of Morad's eyes changed when he saw it."

"Haha! Seeing it decorated in the corridor as I came in, I was the one who felt proud."

Visitors of a certain level also came to the lord's mansion directly to greet him. Every time, everyone stopped in surprise once at the corridor entrance.

- Heueok!

Village influentials terrified by the fierce face and horns.

- To think he caught a Demonic Beast of this level alone!

Free knights expressing marvel at Eugene's martial might.

- It's the first time I've seen an ornament like this.

Merchant group branch managers admiring the merchandise that couldn't be found anywhere.

It is Eugene who had been treated as a guest until now, and came to treat guests as a master.

'Is this why knights go crazy over dangerous monsters?'

Bringing the initiative from the beginning with just one trophy hung in the corridor, and also getting conversation topics for free, was immensely useful.

"It is a congratulatory gift for becoming a lord."

What Rex offered was ceremonial attire delicately embroidered with gold thread. It had a different shape from what nobles here commonly wear.

"Is it Dark Elf traditional clothing?"

"That is correct. To be exact, it is the attire of our Blackhand Tribe."

Somehow, while valuing dignity, it did not interfere with agile movements, and a few vital areas were solidly finished.

"To assume combat even in ceremonial attire, it is truly amazing."

"I shall take it as a compliment."

"Thank you for the precious gift. It would be perfect to wear this and look at the river while resting."

"As expected, I thought you would accept it pleasantly if it was you, Sir Knight."

Dark Elf traditional clothing has aspects similar to the attire of nomads from the Northeast. By the aesthetic eye of the majority of nobles, it was considered like barbarian clothing.

If it were other nobles, a sign of discomfort would have been revealed in their expression or attitude, even if slightly. However, Eugene touched the clothes only with interest and gratitude.

In front of the reaction that came out because he sincerely liked it, Rex also smiled.

"Think of it as your house and stay comfortably as you wish."

"Thank you for your words, but I must leave immediately."

"Is there another request?"

"It is a more important matter than that. A festival where all Dark Elf tribes gather will be held."

"Ah, I heard about that from Captain Helga. But what is the festival's name?"

"We don't really have one and just call it a festival. Because it's the only time we, whose foundation is independent survival, all gather. Other names aren't needed."

Wandering the continent without a single land to settle in are the Dark Elves. It must be one of the safety devices for peace as a species.

"I heard you aren't particularly tight-knit even between tribes, are there no accidents?"

Their rough nature applies even towards their kin. Showing affection is limited only to fellow tribe members.

"That is why such gatherings are needed even more. Because even tribes on bad terms acknowledge the importance of this festival. Enemy families who would draw swords first if they met share drinking glasses with each other during this period."

By this point, Eugene also was slowly feeling something.

"Rex. You didn't merely come to congratulate my appointment as lord, did you?"

Eugene looked down at the tribe's traditional clothing in his hand. It seems it wasn't presented just to wear when resting at home.

Grinning, Rex took out an invitation from his bosom and held it out to Eugene. The tribal chief's seal was stamped on it.

"We wish to invite you as a special guest of our tribe, Sir Knight. We hope you will wear the same clothes as us, drink the same alcohol, and live like family during the festival period."

As for Eugene, there was no reason to refuse. In this rough world, the more personal connections, the better. As a military force to rely on in emergencies, the Blackhand Tribe is the best connection.

"Do not look at me with such a pleading face. Since I have no intention of refusing. It doesn't really suit your face either."

"Your words are harsh, Sir Knight!"

Unlike his words, Rex rejoiced with a bright face.

Because he couldn't throw away the worry of being refused by Eugene, even if it was a low probability. He is one who has lived without fearing anything in the world, but this one thing made him anxious the whole way here.