Chapter 93

Chapter 93 - Door to Summer

Eugene needed money. This was the reason he couldn't leave the Moving Castle sitting idle in one place and why he had to keep wandering outside.

Even if the money he had saved was large and Northfork was wealthy, maintaining his current military strength with just one village would reach its limit.

'Money is something that quickly reveals its bottom if you don't keep earning it.'

There were overflowing places throughout the entire castle that needed repairing, cleaning, and refilling with supplies. All of this cost money.

-I pledge my loyalty. You will absolutely never regret the contract extension.

Because he had also renewed the contract with the Hammer Brotherhood centurion unit led by Rampage, he thirsted for gold coins even more.

"It will open soon."

The Dwarf warrior picking the lock of the closed door said.

When it comes to lockpicking, the stereotype would be a slender-bodied human or a Beastkin thief.

However, the true experts in this field were the Dwarves. Because locks were also a branch of engineering technology, and precise dexterity was required.

Other races had to give up their sight if they put their ear to the lock, but Dwarves were different. Since they worked while precisely sensing sound and vibrations through their tactile hair, no race dared to catch up to them.

Click!

When the sound of unlocking rang out, Homi behind him aimed a silver arrow, and the mercenaries aimed their long spears with worn-off silver plating.

However, inside the room resembling an abandoned house, there was absolutely nothing useful, let alone monsters.

"This place is a dud too."

"Damn it."

Seeing the Dwarf scratching his head and speaking, Eugene sighed.

"With a castle of this scale and legend, I expected at least one warehouse full of treasure, but..."

"Exactly my thought."

Perhaps completing the castle amidst a rebellion was hard enough, but it seemed the last royal family of the Ancient Kingdom didn't have the luxury of filling it with gold, silver, and treasures.

Moreover, except for a few places like the audience room or the magical laboratory bestowed upon Valda, it took a direct hit from time.

"It must have been an expensive item when it was first made."

The Dwarf warrior picked up a piece of rotted and broken furniture rolling around.

"Unless it was a magical item or a type of gem, it couldn't possibly withstand that long time."

Strictly speaking, there were actually quite a few things that could fetch a large sum of money if sold, like the items in Valda's laboratory.

However, those were rare artifacts whose production ceased with the fall of the Ancient Kingdom.

-You must absolutely never sell them.

-Even if you need money right now, endure it.

-You must endure it, Sir.

-...Did my greed for money look that obvious?

Seeing Valda, Marbas, and Hind strongly arguing with one mind, Eugene put on a sour face.

-Didn't you search the entire castle like picking lice looking for treasures?

At Marbas's pointing out, Eugene had nothing to say.

-Anyway, I have no intention of selling them either, so please rest assured.

In this era, how many treasures others didn't have determined the authority of a noble. Thinking long-term, selling them for quick cash is a foolish act.

"I heard the castle produces pearls."

One mercenary asked.

During the search process, several water purification devices were discovered in the aquatic farm. Along with the large amount of pearls piled up inside them.

"I heard pearls are quite expensive gems."

"I saw them myself, but they are the kind that don't make money."

The mercenary next to him waved his hand.

"The color is muddy and the shape is no good either. They're just pebbles. Not all pearls are gems."

"Was it like that?"

Since the primary purpose is purifying water everywhere, and pearls are merely by-products, it is not strange.

"In the end, is salt the most expensive thing we salvaged?"

Salt overcame the weathering of time, wasn't touched by monsters, and was an item with a decent price. There was an enormous amount of salt piled up in the Moving Castle.

"The Ancient Kingdom also paid salaries with salt. I wonder if they piled it up this much as a substitute for currency."

The Dwarf warrior said while closing the door.

"You know quite a bit?"

"Dwarves are all ancient architecture maniacs. Naturally, we learn many things as a side effect."

For the Dwarf warrior, exploring this castle itself seemed like the greatest reward.

He never stopped grinning, as if touching and closely observing each stone and joint forming the inner walls was incredibly fun.

"This zone is also finished."

"Good work. Let's withdraw."

It was a shame there were no treasures to sell off, but this castle itself overflowed with the potential to draw in massive gold coins.

Its appearance resembled a giant ark, which, put differently, meant it could function as a trade ship.

And the only super-large trade ship capable of refrigeration and freezing in this era at that. The ways to make money with this were limitless.

* * *

Ahead of the teleportation, a meeting took place in the audience room inside the castle.

"Wasn't the Blackhand Tribe going to stay here?"

"They cannot sort out everything they have going on outside all at once either."

High-ranking figures including Allesa and the elders returned after receiving hospitality. Only a small number of people, including tribal merchants to assist in commerce, remained in the castle.

"Moreover, until just a year ago, those who believed the Moving Castle was the cradle of prophecy were barely a handful in the tribe."

At Eugene's words, Valda also nodded.

"Exceeding half in just a year is indeed a great achievement."

"I heard there are still many members who distrust this castle even now. Those wanting to find an unknown city or land somewhere in the world."

"They would also need time to be persuaded."

"It is quite understandable."

The ancient people who were the first owners were annihilated. The castle itself is a living mass of mystery. And what it carried inside were monsters from hell.

From the perspective of tribespeople who strongly believed in superstition, it wasn't strange to be scared of boarding while entrusting their fate.

Even the exact same ocean is considered a relaxing resort purifying the mind by some, while imprinted as a night sea containing unknown fear by others.

"Besides, the castle is such a mess right now that accommodating everyone is awkward."

"So where do you plan to go?"

"First, we must dispose of the salt."

Eugene pointed to a spot on the continent map spread on the table.

"Bonyard?"

"Ah!"

"It has been a while."

It was Valda, Homi, and the human mercenary captain in order. Their voices were full of gladness.

It was close to their hometown, and the city itself had many things to see and was good to live in.

"Being far from the sea and lacking salt mines nearby, we will be able to sell it exactly at a high price."

"As you have deep ties with it, trades will also be safe."

"Yes. Since it is a place where various trade goods come and go, there will be many goods to purchase in return."

Dwarf centurion Rampage raised his hand.

"May I offer a word?"

"What is it?"

His short and thick finger pointed to the Roman eastern mountainous region. It is the Dwarf Kingdom that independently formed a sphere of influence within Roman.

"If you intend to sell salt anyway, this place will give you the best price."

A place in a harsher location to obtain salt than Bonyard. Moreover, the Dwarves here engage in the mining industry and sweat a lot, so their salt intake is also high.

"I have connections here. If I stand as a guarantor, they wouldn't dare lowball the price."

"Thank you for the advice, but we cannot teleport the castle there right now."

"Could it not go anywhere?"

Rampage knew the Moving Castle went from northern Roman to the demons' realm in the southwestern continent in one go, and then returned to the wasteland anew.

Considering that ridiculous route, the mountain range in the east wouldn't be a problem.

"I need to be able to clearly visualize the image of the destination in my mind. Vaguely knowing the direction it's in is impossible."

"Such a condition exists."

Rampage was disappointed. He wanted to be helpful to the employer who readily gave an extension contract, but the opportunity vanished.

"To properly utilize this castle, we would have to take the Knight and do a world tour at least once."

"No. That is too bothersome."

Eugene shook his head at Rex, who spoke laughingly.

"The subject moving is the castle, not me. My image only sets the direction. If so, we can establish a hypothesis that we don't necessarily have to experience it."

"...Are you saying it is possible even through things like paintings?"

"You catch on quickly. Chieftain Allesa plans to bring capable painters and have them paint landscapes of various regions across the continent. Including buying paintings already on the market."

They planned to have it painted identically in a realistic style, not ordinary landscape paintings.

"Would it really be possible with paintings?"

"Yes, Lady Valda. It will definitely work."

When he visualized the image to move the castle, several other regions with similar landscapes slipped into Eugene's mind as illusions.

What if he accepted one of them instead of batting them away?

'The castle would have dropped in that specific location instead of the demons' realm forest or the wasteland.'

Eugene knew instinctively.

Although he hadn't attempted it, Eugene, who was bound to the castle as his second body, could be certain. Because he knows his own body best.

Theoretically, randomly teleporting by snatching an approaching image into Eugene's mind while vaguely visualizing a landscape would also be possible.

He could figure those things out gradually, and the destination this time is Bonyard.

"We will depart soon. Cease all outside activities and bring the subordinates inside."

"Understood."

When he declared the end of the meeting, everyone paid their respects.

Except for Valda and Homi, everyone else had tense faces.

Some from the joy of returning to a place they missed, some from expectations for a new experience, and some from fear of magic.

A short while later, reports came in from the captains who finished their headcounts that everyone was on standby inside the castle.

Eugene passed through the exclusive

lord's passage and entered the core. Resonating happily at the master's visit, the castle's heart welcomed him.

"Towards Bonyard."

Eugene materialized the image in his memory.

A device ring resembling an armillary sphere rotated, and the small sphere inside caused a rift. Intense mystery and energy spewed out from within.

'It reminds me of a nuclear power generator every time I see it.'

It reminded him of radioactive material decaying and spewing out massive energy and radiation.

Eugene's image projected entirely into the room, and several different forests shimmered like illusions.

After batting away the ones that weren't Bonyard a few times, a familiar landscape was captured.

It was the place he saw in the past while leading Rex and his subordinates to subjugate a bandit group settled in the forest.

Eugene grasped it.

Flash!

At that moment, a pure white flash filled the room, and the Moving Castle turned into a giant lightning bolt and ascended.

* * *

A forest path a day's distance northwest of Bonyard.

Suddenly, a strong wind began to swirl fiercely over the grass where there hadn't been a single breeze.

Rabbits hurriedly ran into the burrows they dug, and squirrels hid in holes inside trees. Dozens of sparrows flew up simultaneously and fled.

Although the Moving Castle startled the surrounding animals every time it appeared, it wasn't always just a nuisance.

Thanks to this descent, all the dandelions in the area were able to fly their seeds far and wide.

Crackle!

As a giant white lightning bolt struck down, the Moving Castle revealed its appearance.

Countless dandelion seeds wrapped around the castle as if expressing gratitude, then spread far away.

Kuwuuung.

When the castle gates opened, a green world welcoming summer unfolded.

Due to its location, the continent's southwest welcomed summer a beat faster than other regions.

Mercenaries let out exclamations from all directions. After seeing only dry brown land for the past two weeks, seeing nature full of life made them feel their minds were purified.

"It's really the south?"

"It was definitely a wasteland just a moment ago."

Humans, Dwarves, and Dark Elves alike chatted excitedly in excitement.

Everyone knew it was a castle that could appear anywhere in the world. However, hearing about it and experiencing it directly are different stories.

Everyone looked at Eugene standing in the back. Eyes desiring permission to go outside and awe for the Castellan wielding this powerful authority.

"You may go out."

When Eugene granted permission, those who were in the hall immediately stepped outside the castle.

"As expected, people should live in places like this."

"Huuph! Haaah!"

Surrounded by refreshing nature, everyone looked delighted. Regardless of who, they lay down on the grass and breathed the air deeply into their lungs.

"My ties with you, Knight, started here, so I feel deeply moved."

"Yes. There is a margin of error, but we came to a much better location this time."

Right below is Bonyard, a little way to the west is Gord, and following the highway to the north is Roman.

Compared to the wasteland across the river, which was inconvenient in many ways, it's an excellent location.

"Let's depart immediately."

Eugene led the mercenaries who had followed from Bonyard and the merchants attached by the Blackhand Tribe, heading toward the city.

"I'm overwhelmed with emotion."

"I agree. We look completely different from when we departed, right?"

The mercenaries alternately looked at the city starting to appear in the distance and themselves.

Following Eugene and racking up victories time after time, they were able to take the spoils as top priority.

Their equipment, which was only at the 'decent for rural mercenaries' level when they left, was upgraded to the level of decent knights, and they looked truly majestic riding warhorses.

"Everyone has saved up a lot of money?"

"Thanks to being with you, Knight. The earnings were good, and we could pile it up steadily without worrying about losing it."

At the mercenary captain's words, his subordinates all nodded their heads.

Usually, when you say mercenary, the image of living only for today and squandering earned money is strong. However, that wasn't simply because they were profligate.

Due to the nature of their life wandering around risking their lives, they couldn't carry much wealth around. It made their bodies heavier, and they were easy targets during battles.

But it was different now that they were assigned quarters in the Moving Castle. With a base to safely store the money they earned and seeing a vision of the future under Eugene, everyone began refraining from wasteful spending.

"It is a good attitude. I plan to install a bank and even an exchange office to immediately cash out spoils inside the castle in the future. It's still in the planning stage, though."

"That is a really great idea."

Mercenaries were always crazy about spoils, but carrying them around was also a headache.

"Shouldn't warriors be able to focus entirely on battle?"

Eugene didn't consider his castle as simply a convenient moving base.

He saw it as a key to avoiding the waste or corruption that inevitably occurred due to the limitations of the era.

A small paradise where even the lowest-ranking soldiers could live picturing the future.

To Eugene, that goal felt more attractive than becoming a conqueror commanding numerous territories.