Chapter 45
Chapter 45
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: The Ransom
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Eugene sent Crema Galpredic and Romari ahead to the villa before heading to the mercenary guild with the slaves in tow.
Thanks to an early morning appointment arranged through the Feilin Merchant Group, he was ushered straight into the guild master's office.
“I should have come to see you first, Sir Eugene, so thank you for visiting.”
“No need for such talk. Ah, this armor has served me well. It was a huge help during the subjugation this time too.”
Eugene patted his breastplate as he spoke to Trebik, the Maren Mercenary Guild Master.
“Not at all. If your exploits can bring even a little shine to Maren’s name, we’re the ones who should be grateful. The mayor will be thrilled.”
“We’ll see. He might not be so pleased this time.”
“Pardon?”
Trebik tilted his head, not yet having heard about the Morrison Labyrinth subjugation.
“Here’s the thing.”
Eugene gave a condensed rundown of the labyrinth subjugation. Naturally, he skipped any details about what happened between Galpredic and Rugates.
“…So that’s how I ended up capturing three territory knights from there. I put them up at the Celestial Citadel and treated them honorably, and they seemed satisfied enough.”
“I, I see. Well, now.”
Even Trebik, a veteran of countless battles, could only shake his head in disbelief at Eugene’s actions, which always exceeded expectations.
‘And Sir Galpredic has joined him. A mage too, no less….’
Crema Galpredic was a knight known as much for his ambition as for his exceptional skill.
For such a knight—and a rare mage besides—to be in Eugene’s employ was astonishing.
“So, Sir Eugene. Do you wish to hand over the Evergrow territory knights through me or the mayor?”
Eugene nodded at the cautious yet sharp, guild-master-like question.
“That’s right. I already mentioned ransom to the soldiers. But then I realized Count Evergrow might misunderstand me a bit.”
“Misunderstand how…?”
“My armor. The heir, Lord Jebin, asked about it, and I said it was a gift from the city of Maren.”
“Hmm.”
Trebik stroked his stubbled chin.
Knightly duels were commonplace, happening somewhere every day. But for three territory knights—not one—to get thoroughly beaten and captured by a single man was on another level entirely.
Especially when the victor wore armor emblazoned with Maren’s emblem and had thrashed knights from one of the few true noble houses in the region, akin to overlords without the title.
As Trebik pondered, Eugene tossed out the pitch he’d prepared.
“I set the ransom at three hundred each. If you take the knights and collect it for me, I’ll donate two hundred to the guild. Tell the mayor to use it for the city.”
“Oh?”
Trebik’s face lit up. It wasn’t just about the donation.
‘This means he wants to keep ties with our city, right?’
Eugene was no longer just a somewhat famous knight. He was now one of the region’s top figures.
And with the famed powerhouse Galpredic and a mage in tow, no less.
Maintaining a connection with him could only benefit Maren.
“Understood. I’ll convey your intentions to the mayor. Leave it to me.”
“Good. If anything comes up, contact me through the Feilin Merchant Group.”
“Got it.”
After a firm handshake, Eugene rose and turned to leave.
Clack.
Once the door shut, Trebik packed tobacco into his pipe and lit it.
“Whew! He’s no mere strong knight. Now he knows how to wield influence too.”
Unlike other knights obsessed with flaunting their prowess, racking up deeds while prioritizing pride and honor, this one was different.
That was the Yan Eugene that Trebik had seen today.
And he knew such knights appeared once in a blue moon—and that nine times out of ten, they became something more.
“In this already chaotic era, a new lord might just emerge.”
Not some petty noble with a minor title, but a true one rising through his own power to seize land and rank. The premonition hit Trebik strongly.
* * *
Four days later, a carriage carrying a small chest arrived at the Feilin Merchant Group’s villa on the outskirts of Maren, escorted by mercenaries.
After the driver and mercenaries handed it over to Eugene directly and departed, he opened the chest.
Inside was, astonishingly, gold coins.
“Eek! M-my liege! It’s blinding!”
The spirit of desire, who’d spent the past few days gorging and sleeping, collapsed as if dizzy.
The mercenaries and slaves were no different.
None had ever seen so much gold; their jaws hung slack, eyes glued to the pile.
“Imperial gold coins, huh. Looks like Lord Jebin was pretty pissed. Heh heh!”
Crema Galpredic chuckled as he inspected the coins.
“Is that so? Something wrong with imperial gold?”
“No, it’s just that imperial coins come with an exchange fee since they’re foreign currency. Even for the same amount, you’ll lose about five percent to taxes. Unless you don’t mind and spend them back in the Empire.”
“Petty, for a territory heir.”
“Ha ha ha! Be grateful he didn’t send assassins. He killed one knight and caught the rest like rats, and now he’s paying ransom on top? Talk about humiliating.”
“I didn’t kill him.”
“Hey, I’m practically family now. Anyway, slaves one, two, and three—move this.”
“Yes, Sir Galpredic.”
The slaves sprang into action at Galpredic’s order, now acting properly subservient by handling even menial tasks for their betters.
* * *
“I have no face to show you, Lord Jebin.”
“Sigh~ It’s fine. It was my careless words that spurred your loyal charge. But was he really that strong?”
“No one but my master has ever trounced me so utterly. His swordsmanship was one thing, but his strength was overwhelming.”
“I didn’t believe the story about him ripping off a troll’s head until I thought it might actually be true. He was terrifying.”
Lord Jebin’s expression darkened further at the knights’ unanimous admission of defeat.
These were all proven knights.
Fileton, who’d inherited his role across generations, was the weakest of the three—yet even he’d earned great merits subjugating bandits and roamer monsters time and again.
‘Just how strong is he to take down not one, but three…?’
“Understood. I’ll handle matters regarding Sir Eugene and Sir Galpredic myself.”
“If I may, Lord Jebin.”
“Hm?”
Marbl spoke cautiously.
“I wonder if there’s some misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding?”
“Yes. The Sir Eugene and Sir Galpredic we encountered were knights as honorable as they were valiant, men who truly understood honor.”
“Sir Marbl is right. Neither ever treated us shamefully, not once. They even let us roam freely in Maren.”
“…I see.”
“Yes. I’m sorry to say this as defeated men, but they truly know honor and chivalry…”
“Enough. Dismissed. Go rest.”
“Yes.”
The three knights bowed deeply and exited.
Thud!
Jebin glared at the door for a long moment, grinding his teeth, before slamming his desk.
“Damn them all! Not one to my liking! Have the knights of Evergrow no pride or self-respect?”
The servants shrank like turtles at his rage before slipping out discreetly.
“A misunderstanding? Ha! Ridiculous.”
Defending—no, praising—the man who’d beaten and captured them?
He’d nodded along in front of them for appearances, but inside, he was seething.
“I can’t just let it slide. I have to retaliate somehow.”
He didn’t care about Rugates, but the other knights’ defeat would spread.
Sure, fear of Evergrow’s name would keep it hushed, but the backroom mockery? Just thinking about it choked him.
“And I can’t pick a fight with Maren city.”
The guild master stepping in personally at the mayor’s order to receive the prisoners showed exactly how Maren viewed Eugene.
He could rally a few Maren notables friendly to Evergrow to raise hell, but it’d take time with no guarantee of success.
“What to do? Ah, wait! Yan Eugene mentioned heading to the Kalsbaegin Peninsula for another magical realm subjugation, right?”
Muttering to himself, Jebin shot to his feet.
His lips curved into a satisfied smile as he pored over an expensive kingdom map.
“This is perfect.”
* * *
“The next subjugation is at the Philia Ruins. We could go overland, but the Feilin Merchant Group’s arranging ship passage.”
Eugene addressed Crema Galpredic, the slave Mark, and the mercenaries.
“Philia Ruins…?”
Partek tilted his head, prompting Galpredic.
“It’s on the Kalsbaegin Peninsula. Owned by that… who was it?”
“Baron Beogalan. Apparently a big name around there.”
Everyone was local, so they drew blanks on Kalsbaegin nobles despite Eugene mentioning one from Prechella.
“Ever cleared ruins before?”
Galpredic’s question silenced Partek’s group. Even the most experienced Partek hadn’t.
“Probably. I mean…”
“I’ve been there.”
An unexpected figure shot up his hand.
“Slave one. You?”
Galpredic’s eyes widened as Mark nodded.
“Yes. The grand lord my father served owned a magical realm—an ancient mage city ruin. Called the Black Reverant…”
“No need for Branthlia magical realm details.”
“Yes, Master.”
Mark bowed sharply at Eugene’s words.
“So, slave one, what monsters have you hunted in ruins?”
“Skeletons, ghouls, harpies. And I lent a hand against mid-tier gargoyles.”
Galpredic whistled in admiration.
“Hoo! Undead too? Your hometown ruins must be famous.”
“Yes. One of Branthlia Kingdom’s three great magical realms. Renowned as a must-conquer for famed, valiant knights far and wide. Of course, none compare to you, Master.”
Mark’s devotion to Eugene seemed even greater than Galpredic’s, his retainer.
And why not? The slaves, Mark included, had witnessed Eugene capture Evergrow knights like stray dogs up close.
The other two just thought him a fearsome knight, but Mark—raised with knightly training—grew reverence beyond respect, seeing him as a warrior, not a mere slave owner.
“With slave one’s flattery skills and ruin experience, he’ll be useful.”
“I’ll give my all so as not to disappoint you, Master.”
Mark bowed to Eugene, ignoring Galpredic’s teasing.
“I expect great things. We leave in three days. Partek, stock up on everything we need.”
“Yes, Sir Eugene. Right away.”
“I’ll tag along.”
As Galpredic and the mercenaries filed out, Romari glanced around slyly, edging toward the door.
“Hey! The mole’s trying to burrow away again!”
At Mirian’s tattling, Eugene called out to Romari, who’d nearly slipped out silently.
“You’re coming on this subjugation too, mole. I mean, mage.”
Flinch!
Romari squeaked and whipped around.
“Me too? But Sir Eugene, I have experiments to run. Finishing the chimera sooner would be…”
“How long will that take? And who set up your lab? Who fetched the monster parts and materials? How much gold have I sunk into you alone?”
“I’ve never been on a ship before, so I’m really looking forward to it, Sir Eugene.”
Burying a torrent of inner complaints, Romari could only grin awkwardly.
(To be continued next time)