Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Revelations and Loyalties
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"Hmm."
"......?"
"Hmmmmm."
"What's with you since earlier? Got something on your mind?"
Crema Galpredic tilted his head at Eugene, who had been standing there with arms crossed, lost in thought for the past ten minutes or so.
Romari quickly jumped in.
"Isn't it because you've caused so much trouble, my lord? Even in Brantia, if you go around groping women's butts, you might lose an arm?"
"My precious hands don't grope just any woman's butt. Doesn't that make it obvious I have zero interest in yours?"
"No!"
Romari, who had picked a fight for no reason and hadn't even broken even, bristled.
"Quiet. Should I ship you straight back to the territory?"
"I'm sorry."
Eugene easily silenced Romari and smacked his lips.
"To go to Brantia, we have to enter the cabin, right? We could make excuses like staying holed up in the cabin the whole time, but if we never come out, won't Lancelo or the others get suspicious?"
"Oh, yeah. Anyone else maybe not, but if Lancelo finds out, that could be a problem."
Lancelo was a righteous knight, even if a bit unique. No matter how much he liked Eugene, it was impossible to predict how he'd react upon learning he was a vampire.
"Huh? But Sir Lancelo, aren't you from Brantia? Then there shouldn't be any issue at all."
"What?"
"Huh?"
As Eugene and Galpredic whipped their heads around simultaneously, Romari, sensing her moment to show off her mage's knowledge again, straightened her shoulders slightly and spoke.
"Ahem! Unlike the continent, Brantia has blended the church with local folk beliefs. They're very tolerant of mages and even respect other races. There was even an orc lord once."
"What? Is that true?"
"Yes. Long ago, among the legendary Knight King's subordinates in Brantia, there was an orc knight. And..."
Romari continued, her face full of expectation, as if saying, *Bet you can't stay calm now.*
"Another one of the knights under the Knight King was most likely from the Dark Clan."
"......!"
"Whoa!"
With the two vampire knights' eyes bulging wide, Romari added more, utterly satisfied.
"It's so ancient that it's not entirely certain, but my master told me, so it's highly credible. Why? Because what my master passed on to me means it came from the head of our Pilgrim Shadow sect."
"Oh! And so?"
Ignoring Galpredic's urging, Romari beamed at Eugene.
"Since Sir Lancelo is Brantian-born and carries elven blood, even if you reveal you're an Origin Vampire, Sir Eugene, it won't be a problem at all."
"Yeah?"
"Yes, yes. Brantian folk hate the Continental Church regardless of race to begin with—they might even like it."
"Well, the church always led the charge whenever they invaded Brantia, so that makes sense. Wow, Lady Romari, you're pretty sharp."
"At least sharper than you, my lord."
"Being smarter than me isn't much of a brag. Take back what you said earlier."
"Excuse me?"
"Quiet."
Eugene silenced the two as they started bickering again.
"Anyway, Lancelo would be fine even if he knew I'm a vampire?"
"Yes."
"Galpredic. Go fetch Lancelo. No, bring Luke and the Partek crew too."
"Got it, Master. Oh, if by any chance someone freaks out knowing you're a vampire, can I handle them?"
"Of course."
"Heh heh!"
Grinning with a truly vampiric cruelty, Galpredic headed out.
* * *
"So that's how it is. Understood."
"That's it?"
"Pardon? What reaction were you expecting? You know I'm from Brantia."
"......"
Eugene felt a bit deflated at Lancelo's response, which was more head-tilt than shock.
"Heh heh."
Romari, who had been watching silently, rubbed the tip of her nose with a smug *See? I told you so* look and chuckled.
Guessing the situation from that, Lancelo flashed his characteristic alluring smile and said,
"Brantian folk aren't hostile to vampires or the Continental Church—it's just how we are. Humans commit the most crimes anyway, and in a world where people kill people all the time, what's the issue?"
"Is that so......?"
Eugene had sensed it from their first meeting, but Lancelo really was an unusual knight.
"As long as one knows honor and pursues knighthood, elf, orc, or vampire—they're all knights."
"Hm."
"And Sir Eugene, you're the finest knight I've met so far. In skill and honor. Ah, but please don't turn me into a vampire. I'm proud of my blood."
"No plans to."
"Haha!"
Eugene turned from Lancelo, who burst into clear laughter, to Luke, who was trembling for some reason.
"What about you?"
"......!"
Luke flinched and slowly parted his quivering lips.
"I... I hate the church!"
"......?"
What's this? Not scared?
As if dispelling Eugene's doubt, Luke raised his voice, brimming with excitement.
"My homeland was invaded by the church's lapdogs. But Master, you're the one who'll fight the Continental Church someday! I want to fight by your side. If you wish, I'm prepared to offer my blood to you every day..."
"No need for blood. I only drink from mid-tier monsters or higher."
"Ahh. Understood, Master."
Luke, who had been ranting fervently, drooped and bowed his head for some reason.
"Well then......"
Eugene turned to the three ordinary mercenaries who had been with him the longest—neither elves nor Brantian-born.
"What about you three?"
Partek exchanged quick glances with Glad and Raban before answering in a low but firm voice.
"We're mercenaries. And Sir Eugene, you've treated us better than any employer we've ever had—beyond compare."
"Yeah? Not afraid of me?"
Eugene deliberately released a hint of his presence.
"......!"
The three men's shoulders shuddered instantly.
Partek didn't even wipe the beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he forced his lips open.
"I-it'd be a lie to say we're not scared. But... if you'd meant to harm us, you'd have done it long ago. We're just ignorant mercenaries, but not so dumb we can't see that. So from now on..."
At Partek's glance, the other two stood with him and soon dropped to one knee.
"We'll live for you, my lord. Take us in!"
"Take us in!"
Their voices shook, but facing Eugene's presence, they pledged loyalty. Eugene nodded.
"Good. From now on, you'll be treated like knight squires."
"......!"
The three men lifted their heads, eyes wide.
"What're you surprised about? When have I ever broken a promise?"
"N-no, sir!"
"Good. Luke."
"Yes, Master!"
"You're no longer my slave starting today—you're a squire. Any objections?"
"N-none! For Master!"
Kneeling beside Partek at once, tears streamed from Luke's eyes.
Galpredic watched the scene warmly, then grinned and stepped forward.
"Heh heh! New squire means I preside over the oath as witness again, right?"
"Ah, no, not this time."
"What?"
Galpredic's menacing face snapped toward Lancelo.
A normal person would've been crushed by his aura, but Lancelo met his gaze calmly and shrugged.
"But think about it—Sir Galpredic, you're Sir Eugene's vassal. It doesn't fit convention."
"Oh."
"So this time, I'll be the witness. He's from my homeland, after all. If anyone nitpicks later, having a fellow Brantin as witness shuts them up better."
"Urgh! Fair point. Can't win arguments with you—not that I know swordplay well anyway."
"If you hadn't held back your vampire strength, who knows?"
"......Fair."
Galpredic admitted it readily after a moment's thought.
Thus, Eugene gained new hands and feet to serve him.
* * *
Splash!
The Eliion sliced through the waves, sails taut.
Lancelo stood at the prow, where a graceful statue of the Spirit King crossed twin swords, and turned his head sharply.
"Tell the captain the Roderick Isles are in sight."
"Yes, sir knight!"
Thanks to his quarter-elf heritage, Lancelo's eyesight far surpassed a human's. The crewman dashed off to relay the order.
"Sir Lancelo. You really plan to pass through the isles? The pirates will spot our ship soon. Best to change course while you can..."
"Aren't pirate ships no match for the Eliion in speed or size?"
"That's true, but fighting pirates at sea is too risky. Not just one or two—probably five or six will swarm us. They'll catch up fast. They live in those isles like it's home—they know the waters better than us."
The captain had yielded much due to Lancelo's Brantian knight status, but with lives on the line, he pressed firmly now.
*No matter how knightly, at sea, sailors are kings, you fool.*
He'd shed his heavy armor since boarding, suggesting some sea battle knowledge, but sea and land fights were worlds apart.
Thus, the captain could stand tall before the knight—a sight unthinkable otherwise.
"So you're worried about a sea battle with pirates?"
"Yes."
"The more pirate ships, the worse?"
"You know it. Think about it—the other two knights have been seasick since departure, haven't shown their faces. What humiliations do you plan to suffer if captured?"
"Aha."
"Ahem! So, sir knight..."
Puffed up thinking the proud knight accepted his advice, the captain started to continue.
"Sounds perfect. That's what I wanted."
"......Pardon?"
To the stunned captain, Lancelo sent a smile laced with chilling menace.
"Tell my companions in the cabin to prepare. The island's close—they can exert themselves soon."
"Th-that..."
The captain clamped his mouth shut mid-word.
The knight he'd only thought handsome radiated an indescribable mystical aura from his entire body.
*I don't know anymore! Damn it!*
One more word, and his head might fly. Hand the ship to pirates whole, and they might spare his life.
With that, the captain headed to the cabins.
Knock knock!
"Sirs, Sir Lancelo says the island's near, so get ready to—"
Bang!
"Hk!"
The door flew open, startling the captain into stepping back. The woman's face who'd opened it was terrifying.
"Ugh. Got it. Th-the two of you are already... ugh! Coming out, so hereeeuuuugh!"
Romari, pale as a ghost with hand over mouth, finally spewed yellow bile.
Behind her emerged a hulking knight with fierce eyes, rolling his head and shoulders.
"Ow, stiff! Hey, slave—no, Squire No. 2! Stash this worthless mage somewhere."
"Yes!"
"Didn't make seasick meds this time?"
"Thaa... boo-hoo! Had to specially tend your coffins, you two. Wasn't cuz I didn't waaant toooough!"
"Ew, you're disgusting!"
The vomiting mage, her soothing squire, two vampire knights with striking red eyes, and an invisible water spirit passed through the door one after another, unseen by the captain's eyes.