Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: The Dungeon Proposal
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“Ar-Are you serious?”
“I’m serious.”
Eugene nodded at Partek, who had snapped out of his daze.
“If I may ask, you’re talking about the dungeon discovered in Tiwin territory, right?”
“That’s right.”
“You must know what it means to open a new dungeon. Are you really… confident?”
Partek knew it was rude to question a knight like this, but he had to ask.
Besides, after observing him for the past few days, he was certain this knight wouldn’t get angry over something like this.
“I’m fine with it, but you’re the problem. I’m the one making the offer.”
“Yes. However…”
Partek took a moment to catch his breath and gather his thoughts before continuing.
“The Tiwin family lacks manpower and proper preparation. Even if you join us…”
“Then why did Galpredic come here earlier?”
“……!”
“Isn’t he a fairly renowned knight in this region? Ambitious, too. I doubt he came without a plan.”
Partek nearly smacked his own forehead.
Just as Eugene said, Galpredic must have come to the castle expecting compensation befitting his reputation.
And if Galpredic became the core of the opening subjugation force, he could easily gather twenty or thirty mercenaries, if only for the sake of his name.
No, his presence likely meant it was already underway.
“Anyway, so are you in or out?”
“……Give me some time to think.”
“Fine. But don’t take too long. Decide by tomorrow morning and let me know.”
“Understood.”
As Eugene stood up, the mercenaries rose with him in a clamor. The moment he left the room, they swarmed Partek.
“Yo-You’re really gonna do it?”
“Boss! This is too much. No matter how good the pay, a dungeon opening is insane.”
“We don’t even know the way, and no one knows what’ll come out. Even if the first subjugation succeeds, half of us won’t make it back alive.”
“…….”
His comrades and subordinates spat their objections, but Partek remained silent, lost in thought. After a brief moment, he lifted his head.
“I don’t know about you all, but I think this is my last chance.”
“……!”
Looking around at the surprised mercenaries, Partek continued.
“Next year, I’ll be thirty-four. No major injuries, and for a mercenary, that’s pretty long-lived, but you all know that’s nothing to brag about. If I’d been in a big mercenary company instead of here, I’d be a vice-captain by now. Of course, I might’ve died long ago.”
The mercenaries, who knew Partek’s skills and judgment well, thought the former far more likely than the latter, but they nodded silently.
“We—no, I’ve been playing it too safe. And at my age, I can’t just join a big mercenary band wandering battlefields as a rookie again. If I keep this up for another three or four years and retire, I could open a small pub in Maren, but I don’t want to live like that.”
“Th-Then…”
“I’ve prioritized our stability until now, but this time, I’m betting on myself. So I won’t force you. Choose for yourselves. Stick with me and take a shot with Sir Eugene, or head back to Maren.”
“…….”
The mercenaries clamped their mouths shut and eyed each other. It was the most crucial decision they’d ever faced, so they pondered in silence for a while.
The first to break the quiet was Glad, who had been with Partek the longest.
“I’m with you, boss—no, brother. Let’s do this.”
“Good. What about the rest of you?”
“I-I’m out. Sorry, boss.”
“Me too…”
“Brothers, sorry.”
Three of them hung their heads.
“You idiots, what’s there to be sorry about? Lives are on the line—it’s only natural. If anything, I’m sorry I couldn’t keep you till the end. Take Bilmore back to Maren. And divide the remaining payment from this job among yourselves. Think of it as severance.”
“Boss…”
The three mercenaries’ eyes reddened.
After consoling them, Partek’s gaze turned to the last one remaining.
“Raban, you go with them for a while. You won’t make big money, but no starving either. Tough it out for a year or two, then join a bigger mercenary band…”
“I’m staying too!”
“What?”
Partek was startled by Raban, a promising but still green recruit he’d accepted for his quick reflexes.
“It’s only been a month, but I trust your instincts, boss. I joined you because of them, right? And I’m following them again this time.”
“It’s true, but if luck’s bad, you could really die.”
“Whatever. I wanna make it big too. I joined under Captain Partek, so I’m seeing it through. What’s life anyway?”
“No, that’s…”
Partek, about to say more, just chuckled.
At that age, would he even listen? He’d run away from home after stealing money at exactly that age himself.
“Fine. A guy like you will live longer sticking by me for now anyway.”
“Hey, why do you always…”
As Raban bristled, the mercenaries heading to Maren ruffled his hair.
“He’s right, kid. We don’t wanna deal with a wild colt like you either. Who knows where you’d bolt off to?”
“Might as well raise a goblin instead of listening to that punk.”
“Kekeke.”
The heavy mood lifted briefly, and the mercenaries chuckled again.
* * *
“Lord Kamara Tiwin wants to see me?”
Eugene tilted his head at the servant who had come to his room.
“Yes, sir knight. He says he has something urgent to discuss and requests your presence.”
“Now?”
“Yes.”
Eugene thought for a moment, then nodded.
“Very well.”
“I’ll guide you there.”
Eugene followed the servant holding an oil lamp.
“Kamara—that’s the big brother from earlier, right? Why’s our master being summoned?”
Mirian whispered from Eugene’s shoulder, but Eugene was just as clueless.
Soon, they arrived at a room on the second floor of the main building. Eugene opened the door and entered.
“Oh, sir! Come in.”
Kamara, who had been lounging by the wide-open window with a wine glass, approached with a bright smile.
“I heard you wanted to see me.”
“Haha! I wanted to apologize for not recognizing you as a knight earlier. And there’s various things to discuss, so I called you over.”
With that, Kamara clapped, and two attending maids quickly left the room.
“Have a drink.”
“Thank you.”
Kamara filled a gray metal goblet to the brim with blood-red wine and grinned slyly.
“Sorry about earlier. No horse, no surcoat—I had no clue you were a knight.”
“I understand.”
Eugene nodded, resolving once more to buy a horse first if he came into money.
“By the way, I heard from Pellid that you’ve got quite the backstory…”
He’d already spoken with Pellid separately, it seemed.
Well, blood brothers or not, it was natural to share a meal upon first meeting.
“Just as Pellid said. Our family fell when I was young. I ended up in Broadwin Village after a severe illness from poisoning—though I’m fully recovered now. I apologize for not informing Lord Tiwin.”
“Haha! At your age, with enemies potentially everywhere, it’s only natural. And my father isn’t one to punish for such trifles. He’d sooner reward you for bringing Pellid back safely.”
“Does that mean I can meet Lord Tiwin?”
“I’d like that, but Bertel’s being stubborn. Even I can’t sway that guy. Anyway, that helmet—you planning to keep it on? No wine?”
Eugene removed his helmet.
Kamara’s eyes widened.
“Whoa! Impressive! No wonder you kept it on. Not even a twinge of jealousy. Haha! Cheers.”
After clinking glasses and downing his wine, Kamara spoke.
“Anyway, sir. You want to meet my father to verify your status, right?”
Eugene nodded at Kamara, whose perceptiveness befitted an heir.
“That’s right.”
“As I thought. By now, whoever ruined your family is probably forgotten, and any wealth long gone. Ah, planning to get officially recognized and set out as a proper knight-errant?”
“I’ve got to make a living.”
“Hmm! Truly admirable.”
“……?”
Eugene furrowed his brow, not understanding the sudden praise.
“Isn’t it? Pellid said you cut down five bandits near Brams. With just an arming sword, no less.”
“That’s true.”
“That means you’re highly skilled. Yet you’re diligently seeking status verification to prove your worth as a knight-errant. Not just anyone could do that.”
“I’m just following what I learned as a child.”
“That’s what makes it impressive. Anyway, that’s why I’m saying this, sir.”
Kamara’s voice grew subtle.
Eugene sensed he was about to reveal the real reason for the summons.
“You probably know a dungeon was found in our territory. Do you know our family’s situation?”
“I don’t know the details, but I’ve heard some things.”
“That makes this easier. Sir, how about joining the dungeon opening?”
“…….”
It was exactly what he’d hoped for, but Eugene feigned surprise.
Kamara eagerly spilled forth.
“We’re short on cash right now, but as you know, once we open the dungeon properly, that’s no issue. Mana stones pouring out by the hundreds monthly. Just succeed in the opening and subjugation, and the rest is easy. So lead our forces and join us.”
“Hmm.”
It was good that he’d get into the dungeon.
But Eugene couldn’t judge if the terms were good or bad, and he wondered why Kamara was approaching him first. He fell into thought.
Mistaking it for calculation, Kamara pressed on quickly.
“Agree, and I’ll verify your status. Our family seal means no issues around here. Wealth, fame, status—all yours. What do you say?”
He still wasn’t entirely sure, but it seemed like excellent terms.
Still, Eugene wasn’t fool enough to blindly accept a noble’s favor mere hours after meeting.
“Not bad, but one question. Why me? You’ve no reason to trust me.”
“…….”
Kamara’s expression stiffened slightly.
‘Damn. He looked sharp, but he really is.’
Apparently, unlike Galpredic, his brains weren’t all muscle.
He’d hyped him up and offered terms any unknighted free knight would snap up without looking back.
Kamara had no choice but to reveal a bit of truth.
“Sir, do you know Sir Galpredic?”
“I saw him in the castle earlier. Seemed close with your younger brother.”
“Hmph! Figures. Bertel brought him. They got friendly at Lord Evergrow’s tournament last year. Anyway, that’s not the point. If things continue, Galpredic will lead the opening subjugation.”
“Success or not, isn’t it the same?”
“That’s not all! That’s why I’m doing this! If Galpredic swore loyalty and stayed in our territory, why would I? To me, that guy will…”
Kamara ranted excitedly, even spitting a little.
The story was long-winded, but the gist was simple.
He didn’t want to see Galpredic succeed in the opening subjugation and let his brother Bertel strut around.
But he couldn’t delay the dungeon opening any longer, and as the territory’s only knight, he couldn’t chase Bertel out.
So cooperate to let him take the lead on the opening. As future lord, he needed at least some face.
Nearby nobles weren’t close and only schemed to swallow the territory, so help was unlikely.
That was the gist.
To Kamara, Eugene was an unexpected card that had rolled in—one of the only usable ones at present.
“I understand for now. Can I give my answer by tomorrow?”
“Of course. I’ll await good news.”
Kamara grinned and proposed a toast.
Eugene lightly clinked glasses, chuckling inwardly.
He’d achieve his goal of entering the dungeon, and if things went well, even get a little revenge on Bertel, who’d played a part in his death before regression.
“Ah, our Master Eugene! You’re regaining that Night Clan cunning more each night? So cool! You’ll rise fast, right? Kekeke!”
Even Mirian’s excited fluttering didn’t grate today.
(To be continued in the next chapter)