Chapter 134
Chapter 134
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: Orc Ambitions and Brighton's Army
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“Hmm. Not that long ago, actually—only about a hundred years back, Brantia was divided into four kingdoms. The Baiman Orcs were the orc tribe ruling the north at the time.”
As expected of a druid well-versed in many fields, Pitamoras knew plenty about the Baiman Orcs as well.
“I see. I heard that Baron Liward carried the blood of Baiman Orc royalty. Did you know that too?”
“Of course. But even I didn’t know his lineage traced back to the Tolo royal house. Ah, the Tolo royal house…”
Like humans, the Baiman Orcs had multiple royal houses, one of which was the Tolo.
However, the Tolo were the most belligerent and brutal among them, stirring up all sorts of trouble, until the last Tolo king was defeated by a challenger and exiled.
And the founder of the Liward family was none other than that final exiled king of Tolo.
“Hm? That’s a bit odd, then. If the descendant of a king ignominiously chased out ended up dying by my hand, would the Baiman Orcs really hold it against me? Especially since it happened so long ago?”
“The king was exiled, but his clan remained among the Baiman Orcs. From what I know, the Tolo family still holds a seat on the Baiman council of elders. That means they have considerable influence.”
“It’s a bit hard to wrap my head around. Aren’t the Baiman Orcs one of the powers claiming kingship in Brantia? So the current guy calling himself king is from the Tolo family?”
“Baiman hasn’t chosen a king yet. It’s a contest between the royal heirs. And Lord Liward was one of the candidates.”
“Ah…”
Eugene finally piecing it together, nodded lightly.
In Baiman Orc society, which still lacked a definitive leader, the Tolo family—retaining their influence—had been pushing Baron Liward as a candidate for the new king.
But now he’d died by Eugene’s hand, so their plans had gone up in smoke.
“What strange folk.”
“Haha! If there weren’t so many bizarre players like that, unifying Brantia would’ve been easy, wouldn’t it? Excluding the Knight King, no one has truly unified Brantia—that’s proof enough.”
“Hm.”
Eugene nodded.
It was good living among diverse races, but unexpected drawbacks like this existed too.
Still, since when had the world ever been easy?
To seize Brantia, a clash with the Baiman Orcs was inevitable anyway.
“Lanslo.”
Eugene called to Lanslo, who had been sitting quietly listening to the conversation.
“Yes. Speak.”
“From what I’ve heard, it doesn’t seem like your family—or the Baiman Orcs as a whole—have a blood feud with you. Right?”
“That’s correct. Precisely, it’s the Tolo family. And this has nothing to do with the main Durak house. It’s our family’s affair.”
Strictly speaking, the Durak family was a pureblood elf lineage.
But Lanslo was a quarter-elf.
In other words, his house was a branch of the Durak family. Of course, being granted the Durak name despite not being pureblood meant his family was no ordinary one.
“So we just need to take out the Tolo family, not the whole Baiman Orcs?”
“That’s true, but orcs don’t cast out an entire house over one individual. If the Tolo family makes an issue of it, they’ll definitely seek retaliation.”
“I see.”
As Eugene sank into thought, Pitamoras, Lanslo, and Galpredic watched his expression.
After about ten seconds of contemplation, Eugene looked up and shrugged.
“Well, it hasn’t happened yet, so no point worrying now. If it comes to a fight, we fight. Otherwise, we find another way. We’ll deal with it when the time comes.”
“Krahaha! That’s the master for you. I’m all for it.”
“Hmm. A wise choice. I’m not fully certain of Baiman Orc internal affairs myself, so judging the situation firsthand is best. Besides, even if word of Lord Liward’s death reaches them and sparks some movement, it’ll take quite some time.”
“Pitamoras, how long do you think?”
“Even at the fastest, three or four months. If they decide on retaliation and send an army, at least half a year. As you know, hardly anyone travels that far north.”
At Pitamoras’s answer, Eugene turned to Lanslo.
Lanslo, gazing piercingly at Eugene with clear, transparent eyes, parted his lips.
“But… you’re not asking what happened between my family and the Tolo house? Aren’t you curious?”
“Hm? Why ask that? If you’re willing to go that far, there must be a damn good reason. Anyway, we’ll judge and act on the Baiman Orcs and Tolo matter when it arises. That cool with you?”
A faint smile spread across Lanslo’s lips at Eugene’s words.
“Yes. Of course.”
He’d chosen well with this man. Sir Lanslo of Durak thought so.
“Then, that leaves only the matter here. Pitamoras, any advice for me?”
Pitamoras smiled contentedly at Eugene seeking his opinion once more.
“The best approach is to elevate one of Lord Liward’s children as baron and have Count Cromarin act as guardian. The two houses are connected by marriage anyway. Neither Liward’s nobles nor the neighboring ones would object.”
“I see. But won’t they make an issue of me killing Baron Liward? Luke’s my squire.”
“You killed Lord Liward, not Count Cromarin. Moreover, in a war he himself started, the lord fell in battle—making a fuss over that would tarnish the honor of a former sword master.”
“Whoa! This old man’s something else.”
“No need for flattery.”
Galpredic’s admiration drew a smile from Pitamoras.
Eugene, satisfied with the druid’s wisdom, asked again.
“Got it. What about once the new baron comes of age? Still fine then?”
“No issue. By then, Sir Cromarin will be a seasoned count. And the Cromarin house’s standing will be far higher than now—that’s obvious without looking. If you’re still worried, Sir Cromarin could just take one of the baron’s daughters in marriage.”
“Hm. That’s a bit…”
He knew marriage was the safest way for nobles to secure safety and connections.
But Eugene felt it a shame to “use” Luke so soon.
“Ah, how about this?”
After briefly pondering Luke’s deployment as count, Eugene continued.
“Take one of Baron Liward’s children as Luke’s squire later.”
“Oh!”
“That’s good.”
“Hmm. Excellent. A very fine move.”
Galpredic and Lanslo approved, followed by Pitamoras.
The knight-squire bond was regarded as importantly as parent-child ties.
Even with Brantia’s cultural differences from continental kingdoms, that aspect was much the same.
If anything, the knight-squire bond ran even deeper.
“Marriages can end in divorce, but master-apprentice ties last until death. A brilliant plan. You’re a step above me in cunning, as expected.”
“Krahaha! The old man knows what’s what.”
“I agree. Sir Eugene’s mind works in devilishly effective ways on such matters.”
“…”
Though clearly praise, Eugene wasn’t thrilled and changed the subject.
“Then, we’ll handle the Liward territory per Pitamoras’s advice…”
Just then, the door burst open, and Partek and Ulfgang strode in quickly.
“Sorry, Sir Eugene! We have urgent news and had to interrupt.”
“News?”
As Eugene tilted his head, Ulfgang answered swiftly.
“An army. Our brothers on patrol spotted one advancing from the south.”
Eugene’s first order upon peacefully entering Liward Castle had been to pair up Beowulf warriors and send them on six-hour long-range patrols.
Beowulfs—swift and hardy enough to cover over a hundred kilometers a day, capable of facing mid-tier monsters—were ideal elite scouts.
“An army? Whose? Size?”
Eugene’s voice turned icy as he pressed, and Ulfgang answered somewhat awkwardly.
“Roughly three to four hundred. The largest banner was red, with a longbow and shield emblem…”
“Hmm. That’s Brighton’s crest.”
“Brighton?”
Eugene narrowed his eyes at the name of the city that had chased out traveling merchant Od.
Pitamoras then spoke up.
“Looks like my guess was right. Brighton wasn’t on bad terms with the late Lord Liward. They must be here for revenge… no. Not that.”
“...?”
Pitamoras frowned mid-sentence, lost in thought, then lifted his head.
“Doesn’t seem like they’re honoring their bond with Baron Liward.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“The baron, a sword master, accounted for over half of Liward territory’s strength. Now he’s dead. Liward’s lands are vast, and there’s a demon realm too. It wouldn’t be strange if Brighton City—or at least one of its nobles—coveted it.”
In the end, not some grand stand for honor or loyalty, but plain greed.
After a moment’s thought, Eugene told Partek.
“Bring the traveling merchant Od.”
“Yes, sir.”
Partek went out and returned with Od in minutes.
* * *
“You called for me, Lord Eugene?”
Daunted already by Eugene and Pitamoras, Od couldn’t hide his tension with the fearsome vampire knight and the elf knight of formidable aura added.
Eugene questioned him in Brantian.
“What have you told them in Brighton about me?”
“Er… just the bare essentials. That Lord Liward’s army fell to you, Sir Eugene. I didn’t see details myself, but as an honorable knight, you two dueled one-on-one, and you emerged victorious.”
“Anything else? My identity, abilities—all spilled?”
“Goodness! Do I look that brainless? I just said you’re an unparalleled knight from the continent, a vampire high noble of immense status! Nothing more.”
Merchants naturally boasted about their patron lords or nobles.
Od seemed to have stuck to what was appropriate.
“Um… milord? Did I slip up somehow?”
Sensing the heavy mood, Od asked cautiously, but Eugene shook his head.
“No, nothing like that. But one thing—answer truthfully.”
“Yes, sir.”
Od gulped involuntarily under the cold, sunken red gaze, staring back at Eugene.
“What’s your credibility in Brighton? Not money—your word. Do the people there believe what you say?”
“Er…”
After a split-second debate on embellishing, Od threw caution to the wind.
“Truth is, they call me Liar Od. But hey, I don’t just make stuff up! As you know, sir, merchants sometimes gotta exaggerate a bit to…”
“Perfect. That’s great.”
“Yes?”
Having steeled himself to confess his flaw(?), Od blinked at the praise.
Eugene grinned.
“Would the people of Brighton believe even half of what Liar Od says?”
“Er… probably not?”
“Good. You’re dismissed.”
“Ah… yes. Call anytime.”
Od bowed blankly and withdrew.
Eugene surveyed everyone, baring his fangs.
“Looks like some fools who don’t know their place are coming en masse.”
“Krrrhahaha! Thanks to the liar. Still, a shame. If they were strong, I could’ve cut loose for once.”
As Galpredic lamented, Pitamoras interjected.
“Hmm. I doubt that. This is a big opportunity for Sir Eugene.”
“Opportunity?”
Not just Galpredic, but Eugene and Lanslo eyed the druid curiously.
“Whoever they are, they’ve raised Brighton’s banner. Whatever the truth, that gives you cause to go after Brighton.”
“...!”
Eugene’s eyes widened slightly in realization, and the druid smiled faintly.
“Exactly. You now have justification to strike Brighton.”
(To be continued)