Chapter 66

Chapter 66 - Baptism (1)

When the water filling the jar was almost gone, the embers burning Marbas's soul were also cleanly extinguished.

"How is it?"

Whether Marbas didn't even have the leisure to answer, he blankly scanned his wet body.

That gaze contained disbelief in a good sense, and for Eugene, that became a sufficient answer.

"It's a relief that it was effective."

"What you bestowed is not something to be defined with a word like effective. Indeed, there is a reason magicians cherish destiny and personal connections."

To think the salvation he couldn't grasp even after desiring it his whole life would come to him so arbitrarily like this. Marbas made a smile where joy and bitterness mixed.

At that time, a sign of stamping feet in fluster was felt from outside.

"Sir Knight! Excuse me for daring to enter without permission! Just what is the matter?!"

The tribe maid who was waiting flung open the entrance at the smoke and sulfur smell leaking from the quarters.

"Withdraw."

"I-I apologize."

The maid prostrating herself flat at Eugene's words. At that sight, Marbas made a peculiar face.

Because it was an attitude that was absolutely never shown even to himself, an outstanding magician who had devoted himself to the tribe for a long time.

'Indeed, is it only a fellow warrior who can truly win the hearts of a warrior group?'

Perhaps she might have been tipped off about the prophecy. Even considering that, as Marbas who knows the pride of their race, it was merely surprising.

"Leave the door open. It's not a fire, so set your mind at ease."

"Yes. I apologize for disturbing you."

As Marbas chanted a bizarre spell and made a hand gesture, a small gust of wind was created. It gathered the smell and smoke spread here and there and blew it outdoors in a single breath.

Interestingly, things that could be blown away by the wind, including paper, didn't shake at all.

"Is this also summoning magic?"

"That is so. Every magician specializes in one field bestowed by destiny. However, Summoners do not have such restrictions. Because we can borrow the power of various existences of another world as needed."

"That sounds like a nonsensical advantage."

It meant that no magician could follow them in versatility and situational response.

"It is the reason magicians welcome Summoners. Whatever the field, we can converse quite a bit. Even more so if they handle a lineage that is hard to encounter."

"Like how Lord Marbas welcomed me?"

"Right. Those who have a hard time meeting their own kind are always bound to be hungry for conversation or exchanging experiences."

Marbas scooped up the essence remaining in the jar with a gourd and placed it in front of his eyes.

His eyes sparkle with curiosity like a boy. He sniffed it, smelling it, and also carefully held it in his mouth.

"Are there no disadvantages? Like falling behind a magician specialized in one field."

"Not only does the effect of the magic drop, but there are also many things we cannot use at all. The price we have to pay is also greater."

Come to think of it, it was an extremely natural part.

"The worst is the danger. Because a Summoner practically sets foot in another world every time they use magic. It is not a life to be recommended. Because sudden and violent deaths are the most frequent among magicians."

There was a reason the saying circulated that a Summoner's capability could be proven by the number of wrinkles.

Marbas now gathered the useless bandages and cleared them away. Whether the bandages caught in his hands were immensely sickening, his touch was rough.

"I will definitely repay this grace, staking my name on it."

"It's not like I did it expecting a price particularly."

"You use great magic, but your identity is still a knight. At times like this, squeezing out even one more thing is the basics."

The grace a magician speaks of is not merely an expression of goodwill. It could be said to be a kind of blank check.

If Valda had been next to him right now, she would have covered Eugene's mouth and proceeded with negotiations instead.

Of course, Marbas is not a shameless person. He also had great interest in the young genius before his eyes who handles the power of the same field.

"I wish to follow you, would you permit it? I don't have much money gathered because I was treating this body. In the first place, it doesn't seem like a debt that can be repaid with money either."

"If it's an outstanding Summoner accompanying the army, there's no reason to refuse. But wouldn't you have a contract with them?"

Eugene pointed outside with his thumb.

"My contract conditions include the right to leave whenever I want, so it is fine."

"Did you foresee a situation like now?"

"No. I merely didn't want to miss it when a mystery to explore arose. Magicians with ability all put the same condition in their contracts."

Thinking about it, Valda also has such a right. Accurately, it was something Eugene's side offered first and sword to, though.

"As for me, I am happy, but I am a little worried. I wonder if I won't incur resentment for snapping up a precious talent after being invited as a guest."

"You do not have to pay mind to that. They are the ones searching for a place to settle down to escape the prophesied disaster. They would empower you, who will become the key to that, but they won't do anything to the contrary."

Marbas's judgment was accurate.

Tribal Chief Alessa, having heard the story, readily nodded her head.

"Isn't it a pity that an excellent military power is leaving?"

"Because working together with a magician is like that. Being together is being lucky, and they are existences who can break away at any time."

At Alessa's words, Eugene thought of Valda again.

Her, who offers much advice and sincerity by his side without any particular price. The beautiful Elf Magician being together with him has now become too natural.

- Are you conscious? You were suffering exceedingly.

The memory of her running barefoot and pulling him out when he had a nightmare at the Knight's House is still vivid even now.

Recalling that, even Eugene's steely heart had its beating disrupted.

However, Valda leaving for better exploration is also her freedom. Just like Eugene chose Northfork instead of 3 comfortable villages and left the Morad family.

'I should treat her well while she's here.'

That Valda would naturally be by his side like until now. That was too complacent a thought.

* * *

A while later, Eugene took Valda and Homi and strolled the outside of the festival.

He asked for Rex's understanding and changed his clothes into everyday wear.

"I intended to express my maximum sincerity in my own way, but it seems it became a nuisance."

Even though it was resolved well, it is a fact that there was a commotion. Rex also made a bitter smile and assented.

Fitting a festival of the North where supplies flocked from all sorts of places, spectacles and food were overflowing.

"They say it's fruit that crossed over from across the sea. They say it's hard to see if not now."

Eugene bought dried fruit similar to mango. Valda and Homi neatly put it in their mouths side by side.

"It is delicious, but it is too sweet for me."

Valda with a troubled expression stuck out her pink tongue cutely.

"...!"

Homi seemed to like it exceedingly. With a happy face, she ate even Valda's share on her behalf.

"Then how about meat?"

Small chicken skewers and lamb skewers were held in both young ladies' hands. That appearance was like children who came to play with their parents.

Homi was cute and suited it well, but Valda had a flushed appearance. Her cheeks under the hood were dyed slightly red.

Munch munch.

However, appropriately for her who is always sincere about meat, she nibbled and ate it all.

"Fufu. I wonder why you are taking care of giving me this and that so much especially today?"

"Because it's a festival. Is there anything you want to eat?"

"Food is fine, there is something I want to have."

"Please say whatever it is."

"I wish to look at ornaments. Because the things in your office are all placed by the previous lords. Shouldn't we engrave our tastes into it?"

"...That is a good idea."

Putting Eugene's anxiety to shame, the first item Valda wanted to have at this festival was for him.

While they went around looking at ornaments, various spectacles passed by.

A drinking tournament, archery, dagger throwing, bare-handed fighting competition, a strength-testing competition similar to wrestling, and a Dark Elf circus troupe performing stunts with flexibility surpassing humans.

Thwack!

Homi's tail, who was distractedly looking around, hit a passing pedestrian.

"Hey over there!"

"Ah, I apologize."

Eugene apologized on her behalf.

The snow leopard young lady's tail, having lost control due to joy, fiercely undulates without rest. Thanks to that, Eugene had to firmly hold it and follow.

'It's not like I'm taking a puppy for a walk... But this is unexpectedly?'

The fluffiness entering full in his grasp and the powerfully pulsating strength of the tail!

It was a sensation combining the touch of stroking a kitten and the thrill of the hands when reeling in a big catch. It had an addictiveness hard to let go.

The three, who were looking around the festival grounds like that, reached a special place.

"Here is..."

Valda became an admiring face.

Weapons and armor, shoes, cloaks, lamps, mirrors, ceramics, and other various furniture and statues were arranged in a wide clearing.

"Are all these magic items?"

The important thing is that large and small mysteries are exuding from all the items.

To prevent theft, the items are fixed, and tribe warriors are deployed at key points guarding them.

Eugene grabbed a passing worker and asked.

"What is this place? It doesn't particularly seem like things put out for sale."

The worker, who had an annoyed face, floated an amiable smile at Eugene's size and the copper coins held in his hand.

"You see the flags over there, right?"

The worker pointed to the family flags placed in front of the magic items. Adding them all up, dozens of flags are fluttering.

"This is the sector where each family boasts of their latent power during the festival."

"Latent power, you say?"

"They display precious items and show them off. Many tribes who operate merchant groups or make plundering their livelihood participate."

"They all seem to be magic items."

The worker nodded his head.

"In the old days, they brought expensive items. Then after a certain family piled up gold bars haphazardly, the rules changed. That leaving price aside, the family that puts out the most fascinating item wins."

What the worker knew was up to here. Eugene told him he worked hard, gave him the copper coins, and sent him off.

"Kyahahaha!"

A Dark Elf girl excitedly bounced her body on top of a large horse statue.

"Oh!"

Surprisingly, the horse statue slightly shook its body on its own.

"That is a Golem."

"A Golem! It's the first time I'm seeing one in person."

"I feel it while spending time together, but it seems there are many things you are seeing for the first time?"

"Because I've only lived in the countryside until now."

Both Eugene and Homi looked up at the Golem with sparkling eyes.

"When you say Golem, I thought there were only clunky rock lumps in human shape."

"There are many who think so due to oral fairy tales. However, bipedal walking is very difficult for a Golem."

"True. It would stagger even if the center of gravity doesn't match a little bit."

"Things actually produced are mostly beast shapes with 4 or more legs. Even considering that, that statue seems like an amazing work, though."

The Golem in the shape of a horse boasted an imposing posture. It had a much larger size than a real horse, and perhaps the concept was a warhorse, it was flawlessly wrapped in iron horse armor.

Since it's a rare experience opportunity, the waiting line is longer than anywhere else.

"Just where on earth did they get something like this?"

"I-I need to go to the bathroom for a bit."

"Hey, hold it in a bit. Look at this line. If we miss this opportunity, when will we get to ride it?"

Even the warrior standing guard is full of strength in his shoulders. Because it seemed certain his family would win.

"Wahaha!"

The young man who newly got on shook his body loudly and kicked the horse's torso with his legs.

Climbing onto a large moving stone statue and looking down at the world, he felt like he had become a great general. It is a different satisfaction from what horseback riding gives.

"Hm?"

"What is the matter?"

"I don't know if it's just my mood, but it feels like the Golem's eyes are getting darker."

Large rubies are embedded in the Golem's eyes. Aside from receiving sunlight, it felt like something was blazing from the inside.

"Isn't it an illusion?"

When the young man who was excitedly struggling got down and the next guest got on, the gaze in its eyes became even more intense.

"It is not an illusion."

"...!"

Valda also sensed the spirit's aura rapidly strengthening inside the Golem.

And the incident broke out.

The moment a man who looked like he had an upset stomach got on and farted, the Golem bounced its back with fierce momentum.

"Uaaaagh!"

The man who was sent flying with a scream luckily fell on top of a tent and avoided injury.

The lump of rock in the shape of a giant horse lightly jumped and landed on the ground.

Kuung!

At that heavy shockwave, the spectators as well as the warriors standing guard froze. No matter how brave they were, it wasn't an opponent they could dare grip their spears and swords and attack.

Karrrrreuk-!

As the Golem roared, a bizarre screeching sound as if rubbing stones resonated loudly.

Eugene and Valda, who were prepared in advance, quickly took shelter in a safe place. They could feel the spirit's anger contained in the Golem's howling.

"It seems it exploded from them sitting on it and running amok, this person and that person."

The Golem approached the booth where it had been displayed and turned around.

Bang!

As it threw a backward kick just like that, the booth disappeared without a trace.

Crunch! Crunch!

As if venting its anger, it stomps on it, and as if that's not enough, it scans its surroundings with burning ruby eyes. A situation where not only the surrounding people but even the warriors all ran away while it was destroying the booth.

The Golem, looking around, discovered the large market and crowd visible beyond the entrance.

"W-What is that?!"

As people hurriedly dodged the rock lump monster charging with tremendous momentum, a messy scene unfolded.

Although it was an existence without life force felt from it, everyone instinctively could feel the Golem's anger and murderous intent.