Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: Oaths of Loyalty
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“Welcome back, my lord!”
Randolph, who had returned leading four Beowulf warriors and two companies numbering over a hundred men, reported to Eugene.
“There were about forty bandits, and we killed them all. Our side had two light injuries. And here this is.”
The loyalty oath respectfully presented by Randolph bore the fresh thumbprint of the village chief from the settlement he had just taken.
“You’ve done well. That makes seven now.”
“Yes. The population isn’t large, but this secures the entire route from Brighton to Liward Domain. Congratulations, my lord!”
“I see.”
Eugene smiled in satisfaction as he tucked away the loyalty oath.
On the way to Brighton, he had passed through without stopping because it was a path to war against their army, but now that Brighton was in hand on the return trip, there was no reason to leave the villages between the two domains untouched.
So, to stabilize security as well, Eugene had sent troops to all the villages and hamlets in the area to wipe out bandits and roamers, extracting loyalty oaths from the village chiefs and landowners.
From the landowners’ perspective, it must have felt like a bolt from the blue, but that was just how the world worked. Even without Eugene, they would have been conquered by someone else—it was as obvious as daylight.
“Any complaints?”
“At first, they just prostrated themselves flat, but they seemed curious about the situation from the questions they asked. So, as you commanded, my lord, I hinted that a king with true succession to Brantia would soon be born. And that village leaders might even be appointed as officials. They looked absolutely delighted.”
Admiration filled Randolph’s face as he reported.
At first, he had thought Eugene was occupying villages to extract wealth or plunder supplies.
Taking loyalty oaths was just a formality—nearly all lords and nobles maintained their armies that way.
But he had been mistaken.
Eugene had dangled a carrot before the chiefs and landowners: the chance to live as ‘vassals’ under the unified king of Brantia.
And it was an offer no one could refuse.
- ‘Perhaps’ you could become that vassal, but ‘perhaps’ someone even more loyal to the king might take the position instead.
The word ‘perhaps’—so concise, open to interpretation, and deviously clever.
Thanks to that single ‘perhaps,’ the chiefs and landowners willingly offered up wealth and supplies to Eugene’s army.
It was the perfect blend of fear and gratitude toward Eugene and Count Crawlmarin, mixed with expectation and greed.
“Well done. Distribute the spoils from the bandits to the troops.”
“Yes!”
Though they had lost to Eugene and had to fight unpaid for a year, it was nonsense to think the mercenaries’ greed had vanished or that they were truly loyal to him.
So Eugene distributed some of the battle spoils and the wealth and supplies offered by the conquered villages to the mercenaries.
It was less than what a formal contract would pay, but the mere act of sharing won them over completely to Eugene’s generosity and mercy.
Even former prisoners forced into battle were treated this well—what kind of treatment would they get as official subordinates? It fueled their anticipation.
In short, by occupying the villages and hamlets, Eugene had secured the support of both mercenaries and landowners.
“Then go rest.”
“Yes, my lord.”
After bowing politely, Randolph approached Clay and whispered.
“Isn’t he incredible? It’s no exaggeration to say he stands at the pinnacle of cunning.”
“Yup, Banneret.”
The words ‘it’s obvious since he’s the Origin’ nearly escaped her throat, but Clay swallowed them and nodded vigorously.
“The sage of Roptimo Mountains didn’t choose him for nothing. With Lord Eugene, he’ll surely unify Brantia.”
“And you’ll become mayor of Brighton, Banneret.”
“Haha! Then you’ll be a knight of Brighton. Captain of the guard? No, guildmaster of the mercenary guild and city recruiter suits you better.”
“What an honor!”
Clay’s face lit up, but she quickly glanced toward one spot and murmured lowly.
“By the way, Banneret Randolph. What will the Fransil family do?”
Randolph followed her gaze to Lorein and the Fransil family knights, giving a wry smile.
“Their succession issues are messy too. The eldest daughter and son are the frontrunners, but no matter who inherits, Lady Lorein is done for.”
“You don’t mean... they won’t seek her release?”
“They’ll pay the ransom for the family’s honor, but after this humiliation and loss, they won’t stay quiet. They won’t just watch Lord Eugene’s moves either.”
“Hmm.”
As Clay’s eyes filled with worry, Randolph grinned.
“I’ve told Lord Eugene everything about the Fransil family, so you don’t need to fret. Think he’d lose to some warlord?”
“Ah? N-No, that’s not...”
“Hm? Then what?”
“I was worried Lord Eugene might wipe out the Fransil family entirely.”
“......”
Randolph was speechless at Clay, who was concerned not for Eugene but for the Fransils.
But upon reflection, he had a premonition that Eugene just might do something that extreme.
* * *
After several more days of travel, Eugene arrived back at Liward Castle.
Thanks to Beowulf scouts, Luke had advance notice of his return and personally led troops to greet him.
“Master! I sincerely congratulate you on your safe return!”
Luke wasn’t just there to welcome him—he dismounted immediately upon seeing Eugene, knelt on one knee, and bowed deeply.
Some who had heard rumors were shocked to confirm that Count Crawlmarin truly treated Eugene with utmost deference.
‘It was real!?’
The Lorein and Fransil knights were especially stunned, jaws dropping.
But the surprises didn’t end there.
As was proper for a squire, Luke went further.
Not content with dismounting and greeting, he personally took Silion’s reins and led him.
“This... this is truly astonishing.”
Fransil domain knight Bonmer muttered blankly, then whispered darkly to Lorein.
“My lady. This isn’t mere cooperation or slight superiority. It’s a thorough superior-subordinate relationship. Liege and vassal.”
“Y-Yes, indeed. But why did Lord Eugene incorporate Brighton City into Crawlmarin lands?”
“That’s my question too. He’s done nothing noteworthy, and in authority and power, Lord Eugene is far above...”
Bonmer tilted his head at the two, who clearly staged a lord-squire dynamic for all to see.
The young Count Crawlmarin seemed talented enough, but incomparable to Eugene.
The parties involved—and even onlookers—didn’t seem to find it odd that Crawlmarin, not Eugene, was lord of Brighton City and surrounds.
They watched the pair with pleased eyes...
“Lady Lorein?”
“Y-Yes...? Ah! Yes?”
Lorein, staring dreamily ahead, startled and turned.
“W-Why?”
Her cheeks were flushed red.
Lorein deeply feared Eugene. She couldn’t meet his eyes, and if called, she trembled head to toe, sweating profusely.
So it was unlikely she had suddenly fallen for him now.
Then... ‘Could it be... Count Crawlmarin?’
Bonmer’s heart sank.
From a leather pouch, the spirit poked his head out, observing the two intently.
“Kie? Something fun’s brewing here? Ah! Right. If played well, maybe squeeze something out of squire number two? Kieehm.”
The spirit’s eyes sparkled as he alternated glances between Lorein and Luke.
True to his desires alone, the spirit ignored their feelings and hatched a scheme as insidious and wicked(?) as his greed.
* * *
“Hmm. I expected conquest, but this quickly? You truly surpass my expectations.”
“And on the way back, he sorted out all the villages and hamlets too. As expected of Master.”
Having grown close, Luke shrugged to Pitamoras like it was a boast.
Pitamoras gave a subtle smile.
“Then the count will be busy from now on.”
“Me?”
“Eugene must leave for war soon, no? Who’ll govern then? The squire count takes responsibility.”
“Ah... I see.”
Luke’s gaze cautiously turned to Eugene.
At his blood-boiling age, Luke clearly yearned to serve and fight at Eugene’s side.
“Hmm.”
Eugene pondered.
Slaves and caravan workers handled his needs, but it felt off.
Luke handled anything flawlessly without being told, but they watched his eyes too much.
Above all, having never handled plate mail before, their armor maintenance dissatisfied him.
‘But asking a count to do it feels wrong...’
As Eugene mulled, Luke spoke as if remembering.
“Ah! Master. About what you ordered before leaving for Brighton.”
“Hm? What was it?”
“The continental prisoners captured by Liward lord during the Prayer Book War.”
“Ah, right. Picked well?”
Liward Baron, true to his fame, had repelled many continental knights in the Prayer Book War, capturing them and their men.
Soldiers and mercenaries became slaves or were sold, but knights and nobles remained prisoners in the underground dungeon.
Eugene had instructed Luke to interview them one by one.
He could return them to families for ransom, but if useful, keep and use them.
“I don’t know continental noble lineages well, so I couldn’t judge precisely. But one thing’s sure: most were mid-to-low tier nobles.”
“Oh? That’s impressive enough.”
“No need to praise me. As Lord Pitamoras advised, I wined and dined them nicely, and they spilled everything. Even...”
Brightened by Eugene’s praise, Luke recounted events.
As Lanslo had said before, the knights and nobles who advanced deep into Brantia during the Prayer Book War were low-status with few connections.
Not driven by the Central Church’s proclaimed faith, but by ambition for advancement, they were brave yet naive challengers who crossed the sea.
But long captivity broke their courage and faith in the church.
To these prisoners left with malice and grit, a young count fluent in Kaylor tongue sparked suspicion-tinged hope.
Luke faithfully followed Eugene and Pitamoras’s orders, treating them lavishly—contrasting sharply with savage, cruel Baron Liward.
Some even wept from past grievances and gratitude toward Luke.
“I told them about you too?”
“Yes. How I returned to Brantia and inherited the Crawlmarin countship.”
“Reactions?”
Luke beamed.
“Some were wary at first about Master being a high Night Clan noble, but after my full story, they were deeply moved. They admired you as a true knight. Even Kaylor kingdom holy knights said so.”
“What? Kaylor holy knights too?”
“Yes, yes. Remember Baron Liward’s dead plate mail? One said it was a holy knight’s plate mixed with other parts. If returned, he’d swear loyalty.”
“Hmm. The count speaks true. I met him myself—no lies. He swore on knightly honor and his god’s name.”
Pitamoras vouched.
“Oh?”
Eugene was surprised.
A Kaylor holy knight here was shocking enough, but one respecting and swearing to a vampire?
“......!”
In that instant, Eugene’s mind whirred devilishly(?).
Moments later.
“Bring all the continental prisoners. Might snag talent and stick it to the Central Church.”
(To be continued)