Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: The Fall of Brighton
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……This is the plan. Think you can pull it off?
Having heard Eugene and Galpredic's full explanation, Lanslo nodded.
Simple enough. I'll relay it to the mercenary captains. Heading out right now?
Yeah. I'll send the signal before sunrise.
Understood.
Lanslo swept his gaze over Clay and the other vampires, who stood there with awkward expressions, and flashed them a smile.
You're in luck, fellas. Lord Marcus of Mungard got beaten to within an inch of his life by Sir Eugene.
Ah….
When Galpredic said the same thing and now Lanslo too, Clay and the vampires' faces grew even darker. At the same time, their curiosity about Eugene's true identity deepened.
But that's not the end of it.
Noticing their curiosity, Lanslo's smile deepened.
Every knight in Marcus's family was killed except one, and the other clans' families—from their lords right down to their knights—were wiped out entirely. They paid the price for trying to take on Sir Eugene.
……!
The vampires, already pale, turned ghastly white in an instant.
That's just how it went. Don't look so scared. As long as you don't oppose him, Sir Eugene won't rip your head clean off, yank out your spine while you're still alive, or smash your skull in. See you.
With a bright smile, Lanslo delivered his chilling threat before slowly exiting the command tent.
The vampires gulped involuntarily, not even daring to glance at Eugene.
They had no qualms about killing when necessary, but as vampires who pursued elegance and had refined sensibilities, they preferred clean methods.
Lanslo's parting words hit them like a shockwave of pure terror.
Alright, let's go.
Yes, sir!
Clay and the vampires bolted out of the tent at light speed.
* * *
Siege warfare, right?
Obviously. You see those city bastards fighting outside their walls? It's gotta be a siege.
The mercenary captains, huddled around a campfire, gazed at Brighton's walls while chatting.
So Sir Eugene won't fight? He's a vampire, can't climb the walls. No way the city folk invite him in unless they're insane.
Ugh. Does that mean we're on our own? At least we have those dog bastards to help….
Still, we'll take heavy losses. It's true we need him.
Having witnessed Eugene's overwhelming power, the mercenaries felt a pang of regret that he couldn't join the siege.
Vampires couldn't enter any building owned by a human without an invitation.
That was the key reason vampires, despite their superior strength, rarely left their territories or joined wars.
They risked venturing out for battle only to end up stranded, unable to enter anywhere.
This time, even Sir Eugene must be scratching his head.
Well, once Sir Lanslo leads us to victory, we can just invite him in.
What was that?
Eek!
The mercenary captains nearly jumped out of their skins at the sudden clear voice.
S-Sir Lanslo, sir.
Whoa, you startled us, sir.
Lanslo smiled at the flustered captains.
Sorry to interrupt your break, but it looks like everyone needs to gear up for battle.
Pardon? Tonight?
Sir Eugene's orders.
Their attitudes flipped in an instant at the curt reply.
W-Well, then we have to. I'll wake the men and get them ready.
I'll tell Odd to prep the siege rams and ladders.
Torches first….
No. There won't be a siege.
Huh?
Lanslo smiled at the baffled captains and turned toward Brighton.
Sir Eugene's got it covered. Ah, looks like it's starting.
……!?
As if on cue, the captains whipped their heads around, eyes widening in shock.
The torches lining Brighton's walls at regular intervals were going out one by one.
* * *
What do we do now? With them blocking like that, we're stuck.
Should we sneak some men through the back gate?
You idiot. Think Odd didn't tell them about that?
Hey, who're you calling an idiot? That's too much!
The guild masters bickered heatedly once more, but the mayor slammed the table, eyeing them pitifully.
Quiet! Shut it, all of you! The citizens are counting on us— is this the time to squabble?
Ahem.
Er-hem!
Ashamed, the guild masters who had been grabbing each other's collars quickly straightened their clothes and sat down.
The mayor sighed deeply, his face grim.
Speaking of Odd— it seems he's informed the enemy of our situation.
That liar….
We should've killed him instead of just chasing him off.
Come on! Do that, and no merchants will come near our city. Things were just picking up thanks to stable security from Mungard onward— you want to ruin it all?
That's not what I—
Enough already! Are we having a meeting or not?!
Fed up, the mayor bellowed.
As the shamed guild masters fell silent, he glared at them with eyes full of irritation and exhaustion.
Anyway, if the enemy knows our situation, we can't just hold out blindly. So here's my proposal: let's seek help from outside.
Outside? From where?
Well, the place I'm thinking of is….
As the mayor started to elaborate, the door burst open.
Big trouble!
What is it?
A guard, drenched in sweat and panting, shouted frantically.
The enemy! The enemy's scaling the walls!
Gasp!
What!?
How did you miss them? How many are there?
The mayor and guild masters shot to their feet, and the guard stammered.
Th-That's… just two. Two of them.
What? Just two?
Then kill them or capture them.
Phew, had me worried….
What a false alarm.
The guard continued with a face about to burst into tears as they quickly relaxed.
They're vampire knights! Both way too strong! Over thirty mercenaries dead already! Probably more by now!
Gasp!?
Finally, the mayor and guild masters paled and exchanged glances before rushing out en masse.
I have business— gotta go!
Me too, urgent matters at home!
Who commands the troops if the mayor leaves?
Sir Golmen and Sir Toneira are there! We pay them top coin to shine in times like this!
The mayor, his earlier dignity vanished and no better than the guild masters, heard the guard shout.
Sir Golmen is dead! Sir Toneira lost an arm!
Eek!?
Faces ashen, the mayor and guild masters froze.
Then they bolted at top speed.
Home! To home!
Palanquin! No, bring my horse!
Hurry!
Having met in the watchtower right above the gate, they hounded their slaves to get them home fast.
As Brantians familiar with other races, they planned to exploit the rule that vampires couldn't enter uninvited places.
Aaah….
Uwaaa….
Metallic clashes and screams from the walls made their hearts race as they hurried down the narrow stairs.
Master!
This way!
Spotting their waiting slaves with horses and palanquins, their faces brightened a bit.
Just get home, lock the door, and….
Boom!
Eek!?
What, what is it?
A heavy thud as something dropped from the wall made the mayor and guild masters shriek.
Someone in a pitch-black cloak slowly straightened their bent legs from the landing and turned.
……!
Those who saw the eerie red glow from within the helmet felt their hairs stand on end.
Where are you off to in such a hurry?
Kehhehe! Where ya rushin' off to?
Mirian cackled, mimicking Eugene.
Pr-Protect me! Guard me!
What are you waiting for!
Plunged into abject terror, the mayor and guild masters stumbled back, yelling.
Yaaah!
A few loyal, brave slaves drew short swords and daggers and charged.
But it took only moments to reveal their courage as futile bravado.
Shing! Shink!
Wolfslayer, slung over the shoulder pauldron, flashed coldly, severing and splitting the slaves' necks.
Untrained in swordsmanship and in casual clothes, the slaves never stood a chance against Eugene's strikes.
Uwaaaah!
Spare me!
With six turned to corpses in seconds, the other slaves guarding their masters dropped weapons and fled.
The mayor and guild masters then tried to flee in panic.
Graaaaaar!
Eugene roared, unleashing all the suppressed bloodlust at once.
Ugh!
Eeeeek!
Ordinary bloodlust required eye contact, but Origin's affected all lifeforms within range just by sound, drowning them in fear.
Hah… haaah….
Overwhelmed by primal terror they'd never known, the fallen crawled feebly.
Eugene ignored the slaves, grabbing the well-dressed ones by the scruff and hurling them beside the gate.
Ugh!
Gack!
Tossed like rags, they trembled in pain and bloodlust, unable to move.
Don't want to die? Stay put.
Eugene raised his head, voice dripping with killing intent.
Kuhahaha! Pathetic! Still, that was fun after so long! Hahaha!
Galpredic, having massacred the wall's defenders, burst into mad laughter. He grabbed two torches and swung them in a wide arc toward the outside.
Step, step.
Confirming Galpredic's signal, Eugene strode forward slowly.
Eek! Hick!
M-Mercy, sir.
Please, please….
As Eugene approached, the mayor and guild masters soiled themselves in fright. No trace of their pride or honor as city leaders remained.
Eugene passed them indifferently, stopping before the gate and taking a deep breath.
……?
Even in their terror, they eyed him puzzled— then:
KABOOM!
Haaack!
Kyaaak!
Eugene's full-power punch tore a massive hole in the two-handspan-thick gate.
Uwaaaaaah….
Through the breach, cheers from Lanslo's Eugene Corps echoed, despair washing over the mayor and guild masters' faces.
* * *
In just over thirty minutes after scaling the walls, Eugene had captured Brighton's key figures and gathered them together.
Meanwhile, mercenaries raided the homes of the mayor, guild masters, and other elites, taking their families hostage.
With families in Eugene's grasp, the mayor and guild masters surrendered unanimously in resignation.
They even signed documents entrusting Eugene with full disposition of themselves and their assets.
Kyaack! Master finally took the city! Hooray! Hooray hooray! You loser shits! Hand over all the gold, silver, jewels, houses, deeds, land docs! Kee! Keeeh!
Mirian thrashed about, spraying auras of greed everywhere like he'd conquered it himself.
Ignoring the spirit, Eugene scanned the mayor and guild masters.
From this moment, Brighton pledges loyalty to the Crawlmarine Earl family.
Pardon?
Kiee!?
Oh?
At the unexpected declaration, the spirit and everyone in the room stared at Eugene in surprise.
Eugene thought to himself.
'Everything that Luke guy has will soon be mine anyway—who owns it doesn't matter.'
Besides, regardless of the truth, having Brantians conquer Brantia on the surface would mean far fewer headaches going forward.
(To be continued next time)