Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: Besieging Brighton
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Combat personnel numbered roughly five hundred.
Eugene's forces had finally reached a scale worthy of being called a true army.
In Brantia, or even in any kingdom across the continent including Keiler, a force like this could shake an entire region.
Moreover, the thirty Beowulf warriors were a powerful unit equivalent to the destructive force of a hundred heavy cavalry.
Eugene had now met the minimum requirements of a conqueror.
When this conqueror and his army arrived before Brighton, the city erupted in chaos.
The city's guards and mercenaries were all mobilized to man the walls, while the mayor and guild masters looked down at Eugene's army, unable to hide their fear and panic.
"What do you mean, they've already been defeated after just a few days out from the gates?"
"I heard the Fransil family was so formidable, but it turns out they're nothing special."
"Ah, you think this is the time to worry about Fransil? That vampire is targeting our city!"
"That's why I said not to hand over the city's banner. Why wouldn't you listen?"
"What do you mean 'you'? It was you who said we should cozy up to the Fransil family while we had the chance!"
"You? You little brat!"
Guild masters were just people with more money and power than ordinary citizens—simple and ignorant all the same.
They quarreled noisily until it escalated to grabbing each other by the collars.
"Everyone, shut up! There's an army threatening the city right in front of us—what are you all doing?"
The mayor finally bellowed in frustration, and only then did the guild masters cease their bickering.
"What's the use of arguing over what's already done? It's too late for that. We need to figure out how to deal with that army and this vampire named Yan Eugene."
"What do you mean 'how'? We just hold out. A force that size will be a headache just to feed every day. Hold for a fortnight, and they'll starve and retreat."
The mayor sighed at the words of a guild master with orc blood in his veins.
"Gallisi, can't you count? Look over there. Even at a glance, their numbers more than double ours."
"But sieges favor the defenders far more than attackers, don't they? And if we're short on manpower, we can always use slaves."
"As if those slaves won't stick a knife in your back. And do we have food to spare? We'll have riots if we block the gates for just ten days—how exactly do you plan to hold out?"
"Uh..."
The guild master, who had been blustering confidently, fell silent.
Brighton was a fairly large city, and the guild masters, nobles, and city's wealthy elite all owned their own estates.
The problem was that all of them were outside the city.
The elite could stockpile their wealth and food and hold out for a while, but it was obvious the citizens would face starvation within ten days.
That would likely spark riots, and if things went south, they might end up beaten to death by the citizens rather than Yan Eugene's army.
"We need to resolve this quickly, one way or another. Fight or not. If we fight, how? If not, how do we appease this Night Clan?"
"Mmm."
"Urgh..."
Murmurs of contemplation arose here and there.
"Why not hear their demands first? We won't get anywhere just debating among ourselves."
After a moment's thought at another guild master's suggestion, the mayor nodded.
"Agreed."
Having decided to test the enemy's response, the mayor and guild masters waited atop the walls, gazing down at Eugene's army.
But until sunset, no one emerged from the army encampment, deployed just a few hundred meters from the city.
* * *
"What a joke—that a city like that has so little food."
Eugene decided simply to deploy his forces for pressure and wait.
It turned out the desperate ones were not them, but Brighton—a city with over five thousand residents and a disastrous food situation.
Moreover, their own numbers and quality held a clear advantage.
"Lord Riward and Duke Loraine's sequential mobilizations led to this happy outcome."
Galpredic chuckled at Ranslo's remark.
"Keh! The two of them together hired over six hundred mercenaries and swept up nearly all the supplies. They must have thought it was a windfall when they bought them cheap. Bet they're regretting it now, pounding the ground."
The two knights exchanged grins.
Eugene, too, was pleased by the unexpected fortune.
But it was less luck and more the chain reaction from Baron Riward and Duke Loraine.
It was exceedingly rare for a single city to sell off hundreds of troops' worth of forces and supplies in under a month.
Worse, Baron Riward and Duke Loraine had scraped together food and supplies for their armies' consumption over a month and a fortnight.
"You can't start a war without silver, but with only silver, you can't sustain one."
"Oh! That's a famous saying, Master?"
"It perfectly captures the essence of strategy."
The two knights, who revered Eugene's martial prowess to the point of awe but had slight doubts about his military tactics, were impressed.
"Anyway, let's wait a few days like this."
"Sounds good. Oh, how about sending mercenaries to nearby villages to gather food?"
"Good idea. Send the Beowulf warriors. Mercenaries might cause trouble."
"One Beowulf warrior per mercenary unit."
"Yes."
"Heh, got it."
Eugene's orders, relayed by Ranslo and Galpredic, spread quickly. Soon, over a hundred mercenaries and four Beowulf warriors set out.
Even so, Eugene's army still numbered over four hundred. It was absurd to think Brighton's meager two hundred guards—barely any knights among them—would sally forth.
Yet.
That night, five or six shadowy figures swiftly and stealthily descended Brighton's walls.
Moving at speeds far beyond ordinary humans, they headed straight for Eugene's encampment.
* * *
"Master."
Eugene nodded coldly at Galpredic, who slipped silently into his tent like a shadow.
"Yes. Uninvited guests are coming."
He could use vampire abilities in daylight, but it was no match for nighttime.
Eugene had sensed the intruders from Brighton approaching stealthily minutes ago, Galpredic moments earlier.
Still armored for wartime, they quickly grabbed their weapons and moved toward the presences.
Their red eyes pierced the thick darkness, fixing on five approaching figures.
Sensing Eugene was waiting, the intruders raised their hands high and approached slowly. One carried a white flag.
"If it's not too much trouble, please don't attack. We seek parley."
"Parley?"
As Galpredic growled, the intruders cautiously advanced to the torchlight's edge and bowed in unison.
"To the noble ones of the clan who have come from afar, Knight Clay of the Revoles Clan greets you."
A female vampire knight in chain mail with a crescent moon emblem on her surcoat, and four other vampires, knelt on one knee respectfully.
"Kie? These kids are Night Clan?"
Mirian fussed noisily.
But despite this being the third group of vampires they'd met since arriving in Brantia, Eugene replied in a voice devoid of any warmth.
"Revoles Clan. Do you know who the lord of Mungard is?"
"Ah! We've never met Lord Marcus of Mungard ourselves, but we've heard occasional news through the one we served. If I may ask, what is your relation to Lord Marcus?"
Clay asked somewhat gladly when Eugene mentioned Marcus, a lord of the same Revoles Clan.
But her face, and those of her companions, paled further at Eugene's immediate response.
"The guy who jumped me and got smashed."
"......!"
"Now he's cooperating and obeying me nicely."
"I-is that so."
"What? Want to avenge your fellow clansman?"
"No, no. Even same clan or not, without a formal blood request, we don't interfere in other families' affairs. Y-you noble ones must have had your reasons."
As Clay hurriedly denied it, Galpredic snickered.
"These Mungard trash at least knew how to talk, Master?"
"Something like that."
Catching that the two spoke in the Keiler tongue, Clay ventured carefully.
"You two hail from Keiler Kingdom. Please, feel free to use your language."
"Hoo."
Vampires were infamous for their cunning. But cunning and clever were different, so Eugene eyed Clay anew. Her Keiler was remarkably fluent.
"Ah! The one we served knew tongues of many kingdoms. I learned Keiler from him."
"Hm. Fine. So, what do you want?"
No sooner had Eugene asked than Clay and the four vampires bowed swiftly and politely once more.
"Please help our master, Banneret Sir Randolph!"
"......What?"
* * *
The vampires' demeanor remained unchanged inside Eugene's command tent.
Even without Eugene fully unleashing his Origin's presence, they treated him and Galpredic with utmost courtesy.
"So, to sum up, this Randolph turned into a Death Knight?"
"Y-yes. We don't even know who cast the curse on Sir Randolph or how."
Clay and the Brighton vampires seemed shocked at Eugene casually calling a high-ranking Banneret "this guy."
No matter the family or clan differences, one respected rank and title as a matter of course. To treat one so dismissively meant only one thing.
'High Lord. Perhaps even beyond.'
Though vampires didn't sweat, Clay felt her back grow inexplicably damp as she lowered herself further.
"So, where's this Randolph now?"
"Since turning into a Death Knight that day, he's been haunting Brighton's underground crypts and sewers."
"Didn't search for him?"
At Galpredic's question, Clay's expression darkened.
"Of course we tried. But Brighton is an ancient city—its underbelly is a labyrinthine maze. In the end, we told the mayor and sent large search parties..."
Clay trailed off, biting her lip and bowing her head deeply.
"No one returned. Three knights like me went with the parties..."
"Hmm."
Eugene was mildly surprised.
They were no match for him, but vampire knights could hold their own against two or three Holy Knights.
Underground, without sunlight, their powers amplified further.
Yet three hadn't returned—that meant Death Knights were no pushovers.
As Eugene pondered, stroking his chin, Clay's face grew grimmer.
'Even a High Lord is hesitating. Ha...'
Disappointed, Clay was unaware of the terrified water spirit by Eugene's side chattering words that would disappoint her more.
"M-master. Just tell 'em to scram. Ghosts scary. Kiek!"
Shoving the feigned-cutely flailing spirit into a leather pouch, Eugene addressed the bowed vampires.
"If you're asking for something, you offer something in return."
"Pardon?"
Eugene grinned, baring his sharp fangs at the startled Clay.
"Help me deal with this Randolph, and aid me in conquering Brighton."
"......!"
Galpredic's laughter echoed in the vampires' ears as they reeled.
"Keh! You're lucky. That Marcus punk got dog-beaten before getting such a chance. Kehheh!"
"......"
Their eyes widened further at his mad, brutal laugh.
Hope of saving their master warred with anxiety over a possible grave mistake, overwhelming them both.
(To be continued)