Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Rising Fame and Rewards
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"A bit of a shame, isn't it?"
Grail smacked his lips, and Prechella gave him a sly smile in return.
"Still, the contract terms are solid, so it's not much of a loss. Plus, I heard that knight put on quite the show during the gate-clearing subjugation in Tiwin territory."
"Pfft, even so, he can't hold a candle to Sir Galpredic."
"They said he took down nearly half the monster byproducts they brought back today all by himself."
"What? Come on, that's got to be a joke..."
"Deputy Manager! Deputy Manager!"
Just then, the door burst open as a clerk rushed in, barely containing his excitement.
"What's going on?"
"The subjugation team that went to the eastern forest outskirts is back! And get this—Sir Eugene not only saved Sir Madrika, but he took down two orc warriors single-handedly!"
"Huh!"
* * *
The area in front of the mercenary guild building was chaos.
Goblin and orc warrior corpses were stacked neatly, while the bodies of fallen mercenaries lay in orderly rows off to one side.
"For the free city of Maren, protected by faith, we honor the souls of those who willingly took up sword and shield..."
Trevik, the guild master and recruiting officer, recited the solemn eulogy as Maren's residents all removed their hats and bowed their heads.
Mercenaries might sell their swords for coin, but the fact remained that they had answered Maren's call to arms and fought.
Soon after, the brief joint funeral wrapped up, and priests from the church emerged to carry off the two dozen bodies with help from the other mercenaries.
Those who died fighting monsters could be tainted by evil energies, so this was standard procedure—a mark of respect for the fallen warriors.
"But where's Sir Eugene?"
Trevik scanned the crowd, unable to spot the star of today's battle.
"He said he was tired and headed back to the inn first."
"I see! Well, after taking down two orc warriors and dozens of goblins solo, who could blame him? Speaking of, they say his javelin skills are unreal?"
"Don't even get me started. He's riding along, drops the reins, leans back like this—and bam, hurls the spear like lightning! It flew fifty meters, punched right through an orc's chest, and kept going another ten!"
In truth, it had been about thirty meters and lodged in the orc warrior's chest, but the mercenaries, caught up in the fight, had only seen the corpses Eugene felled and bought the tale wholesale.
And the reason Eugene's exploits had ballooned so dramatically? One man's testimony carried the most weight.
"I, Ron of Madrika, say that a true knight as valiant and honorable as Sir Eugene is the first I've seen since my former master, Sir Capfran."
The one speaking in that gravelly voice was none other than Sir Madrika himself.
"...Sir Eugene's spear strikes were like bolts of lightning! Whenever he swung that battle axe, I half-thought the legendary dwarf warrior Fiorg had possessed him. As one who walks the path of the sword as a knight, I respect Sir Eugene."
The crowd surrounding the notoriously arrogant and hot-tempered Madrika erupted in awed exclamations at his praise.
Not as influential as Madrika, but another who had witnessed Eugene earlier added fuel to the crowd's curiosity.
"Oh man, he straight-up ripped a troll's head clean off! Even in that dungeon, it was like a halo was pouring down on him. And that's not all—he took out a troll whelp and its mother, then fought a cave giant spider just hours later!"
"By himself? Back-to-back against mid-tier monsters?"
Raban let out a long sigh as the mercenary gulped and pressed him.
"Sigh! Well, I was there when he ran into the giant spider, of course. So I tried to help Sir Eugene out..."
Past exploits mixed with today's feats and a dash of exaggeration spread like wildfire, with no one held accountable.
Thanks to that, Eugene had become a celebrity in Maren from day one.
* * *
"So? How many casualties?"
"Seventeen. The Church of Saint Valiant is cremating them and interring the ashes in their ossuary. Anyway, about that knight I mentioned."
"Sir Yan Eugene, right? What's he got to do with it?"
The mayor of Maren showed keen interest in Trevik's report.
Word of Eugene had already reached the mayor's ears.
"The mercenaries might have spiced it up a bit, but without that knight today, we'd have let the roamers and orcs from the Bramdish Mountains slip away again."
"Hoo."
"See, there were only three orc warriors, but it's still our first victory in two years, right? We could make a big splash publicizing it. What do you think?"
"Hmm. Didn't you say that knight's heading back to Tiwin territory soon? If he's leaving anyway, is it worth the fuss?"
"It's not for Sir Eugene's sake. It's for our city. Those royalists have been sniffing around since last year, haven't they? This is a knight from out of town answering our call and wiping out the orcs from Bramdish Mountains."
"Hoo! A message to the neighboring lords who kowtow to the royalists, eh?"
"Exactly. We in Maren aren't just looking out for ourselves—we're keeping the surrounding areas safe and stable too. Meanwhile, what have that pompous king and his royalists done? Nothing but bleed us dry with their greed for gold and mana stones!"
"Good, very good."
"Right? Even just that much will have a solid impact. Why not include it in the quarterly municipal report and send copies to the surrounding lords and nobles?"
A major trade hub like Maren couldn't be bossed around by the king, but it didn't openly defy him like the cities on the Kalzbage Peninsula either.
So they sent perfunctory quarterly reports to the capital detailing 'such-and-such events,' always including any combat activities tied to the city.
It was a show of force—a warning to the capital and nobles about the city's ready fighting strength.
"Excellent. But will the guild masters go for it?"
The mayor merely represented the city; Maren's collective will came from its guild masters.
Without a majority approving this, it was all for naught.
"I'm for it, and the merchant guild will back it without question."
"Oh?"
"Yes. The Feilin Merchant Group is personally taking care of Sir Eugene right now. They struck some deal tied to a dungeon in Tiwin territory—looks like a big one."
Maren's current merchant guild master was the former head of the Feilin Merchant Group.
He wasn't the type to pull strings for his old firm, but this would benefit the guild and the city, so he'd approve.
"Oh ho, perfect. Let's do it then. Shower him with bonus pay and make a huge deal of it. Oh, right. It'd be nice if the city sent a separate gift. Any ideas?"
"Hmm."
Trevik pondered briefly, then snapped his fingers.
"That knight was only wearing chain mail earlier. How about a fine suit of plate mail with our city's crest engraved small?"
"Brilliant idea. The more he shines, the more our city's resolve gets advertised. No—let's go bigger while we're at it. We have our pride to uphold."
"Yes, sir."
Thus, the mayor of a prosperous trade city proved his generosity matched his wealth.
* * *
"Moving to new lodgings?"
"Yes, Sir Eugene. The deputy manager set it up specially! We've booked the top suite at the finest inn—deep ties to our merchant group, of course. All expenses covered by Feilin Merchant Group."
"Hmm. Well, I'm not one to complain. But what about the mercenaries I came with? We need to travel back to Tiwin together, so splitting up would be a hassle."
Grail faltered for a moment at Eugene's words but quickly recovered his smile.
"O-Of course! We'll get rooms for them at the same inn."
"And cover their costs too?"
"...Yes."
Grail's reply came a touch glumly.
"Alright then. Let's move now."
For reasons unknown, things kept breaking Eugene's way. He removed his helmet.
Grail's glum expression turned to blank stupor upon seeing Eugene's face.
*Now that's a face...*
"Anything else to say?"
"Ah! No, sir! I'll wait outside. Oh, our staff will handle your gear, so just grab the essentials."
Grail bowed hastily and scurried out.
"Sir Eugene. We might need to watch that ratty merchant too. The way he looked at you... like those kids slurping me naked in my pond back then..."
"Shut it and go tend to Silion in the stables."
"Yep."
* * *
Guided by Feilin Merchant Group staff, Eugene and Partek's crew moved to their new digs.
True to its grandiose name 'Celestial Constellation,' the top suite at the luxury inn was opulent.
Maple furnishings and bedding bore the meticulous touch of master craftsmen—dustless and pristine—with walls and floors gleaming spotlessly.
"Gotta live like this someday. When I get a castle, make it exactly like this. Flashy, classy, elegant! Mouths dropping the second you walk in! Gold trimmings everywhere! Yeah? Uh-huh?"
Eugene breezed past Mirian, who sounded more like a spirit of greed than water, unpacked quickly, and headed to Partek's room.
"Sir Eugene, welcome."
Partek greeted him with a beaming face in the spacious, comfortable standard room—a far cry from the cramped quarters at Rose Castle.
"Never dreamed I'd stay in a two-silver-per-night room. All thanks to you, Sir Eugene."
"It's all on the Feilin Merchant Group. Anyway, once we get the armor, we're off, right? Anything special to do before that?"
"Hmm. They gifted the horse and new lodgings, so we should at least meet the deputy manager once."
"You think?"
"Yes. Seems she wants to build a good rapport with you, Sir Eugene. Sure, it's partly for ties to House Tiwin this time, but thanking her in person wouldn't hurt. And another thing."
At Partek's glance, Raban and Glad slipped out discreetly.
"Looks like today's battle report's going to the mayor. Trevik let it slip earlier."
"The mayor?"
Eugene frowned slightly. He had no taste for meeting those in power, lord or not.
"Love it or hate it, you're the MVP of today's fight. And wiping out Bramdish orcs hasn't happened in ages. The city will want to honor you—solidify your credentials."
"I see. So we meet the mayor?"
"Doubt it. He'll send a proxy with payout, maybe a medal if we're lucky. Medals aren't useful; toss it in a drawer."
"Hmm. No real hassle then. That it?"
"Could be invitations from Maren's notables starting tomorrow."
"Hmm."
Seeing Eugene's discomfort, Partek jumped in.
"If you want to dodge them, claim injury. Say your left wrist from that dungeon crack flared up—they'll buy it. Add a couple cracked ribs. It was a brutal fight."
"Good call."
Eugene nodded approvingly. Partek had skill and sharp instincts.
"Uh, Sir Eugene. Visitors."
Raban peeked in cautiously.
"Visitors?"
"Yes. From the Betisak Armory."
"Betisak Armory..."
One of the shops he'd checked for armor and weapons earlier.
The Betisak Armory, run by dwarf brothers, was Maren's premier armor specialist.
Though he'd turned right around upon hearing eighty silvers for a standard plate mail.
"Greetings, sir knight. An honor to meet the Orc Slayer of Rangel Woods!"
Raban flung the door wide as a stout, sturdy dwarf strode in.
"Good to meet you. Here on business?"
"Indeed. We got a plate armor order in your name, Sir Knight. Wondered if you had any special requests."
"Hm? I didn't order from your shop."
"What? Impossible. You're Sir Yan Eugene, right? The knight who smashed those roamer goblins and orcs at noon today."
"That's me, but..."
As Eugene tilted his head, Partek cut in.
"Must be a mix-up. Sir Eugene ordered from Rain Armory next door, not Betisak."
"No way! The mayor placed the order himself just now. Plate armor, not mail. Here to take measurements and check specs."
"Th-the mayor? And plate armor!?"
Even unflappable Partek gaped.
Eugene sat quietly, clueless as to what was unfolding.
"Hmm. How about this? Rain's boy is just starting to hammer plates—he's our apprentice, so I'll cancel it for you. Though the deposit's non-refundable..."
The dwarf stroked his lush beard and shrugged.
"Figure the plate mail deposit covers the plate armor here. Your thoughts, Sir Eugene? Mayor's already paid in full; can't refuse."
"Take my measurements."
No one would turn down plate armor for a ten-silver deposit.
(To be continued in the next chapter)