Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: The Baron's Scheme
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‘Heh heh. Whoever it is, they must have really gotten on someone’s bad side. Well, it’s all good for me.’
No one would care if a knight from out of town died in the demon realm.
Especially if they got a hundred gold coins as payment for it—no need to even think twice.
According to the letter, he’d gained a bit of fame in Maren, but the Karsbaegin Peninsula and Philia Ruins weren’t places as easy as Maren.
“I hope he doesn’t just piss himself at the sight of a wyvern. Hahaha.”
Baron Beogalan laughed heartily as he downed his wine.
At that moment, a knock came at the door, and it opened to reveal the guard captain rushing in with a report.
“My lord. The knight party hired by the Feilin Merchant Group has arrived.”
“Is that so? Treat them appropriately and tell them to rest.”
“Y-yes, sir. But... the number of troops is a bit more than expected.”
“Hm? How many?”
“Well, over forty.”
“...!”
Baron Beogalan’s eyes widened in surprise at the offhand question.
* * *
“I’m Yan Eugene. It’s an honor to meet you, Baron Beogalan.”
“I see. Nice to meet you too, Sir Eugene.”
Baron Beogalan eyed Eugene with a lukewarm gaze.
He was far younger than expected.
According to the letter from Jevin Evergrow, he was a knight who’d gained quite a reputation around Maren, but he looked like he’d only just shed his rookie status.
The black plate mail was probably worn just to look intimidating.
And what was with that delicate, almost beautiful face?
If you stripped off the armor, he’d look like a noble’s son who’d never done a hard day’s work in his life.
‘The knights over there must not be up to much.’
If a guy like that had gained fame, it was easy to guess Maren’s standards without even seeing them.
The big knight standing behind him looked far stronger, in fact.
‘No need to worry much about the knights. But...’
Baron Beogalan’s gaze shifted to the troops lined up behind Eugene.
‘Didn’t the letter say about ten slaves? What the hell happened?’
Eugene spoke calmly to the baron, who was tilting his head in confusion.
“By the way. I heard you’re not hiring any additional troops. Is that true?”
“That’s right.”
“So it’ll just be me and my men for the subjugation?”
“Pretty much.”
“In that case, you’ll need to raise the success reward.”
“What?”
Eugene shrugged at the incredulous baron.
“Isn’t that right? I heard from Branch Manager Mopern that you’ve already failed twice. Each time, you sent in two or three knights and over thirty mercenaries, didn’t you?”
“That’s true.”
“Then surely you’ll need more troops this time? I came prepared for that, of course.”
“...”
“Honestly, I figured you’d have hired at least fifty. Since it’s just me and my men, you’ll have to up the reward. I don’t think that’s an unreasonable demand.”
“Hmm.”
It wasn’t wrong, so Baron Beogalan had no choice but to smack his lips.
More importantly, he had a reason to send Eugene into the ruins in his territory no matter what.
That was the price for the two hundred imperial gold coins.
‘No helping it. Even if there are a few extra mercenaries, they won’t succeed anyway.’
In the end, Baron Beogalan laughed heartily and nodded.
“Hahaha! As expected of your reputation—a bold and straightforward knight. I’ll accept your proposal. You’ll get half the monster byproducts and mana stones. Steward.”
The steward hurriedly prepared the contract, and the baron stamped it.
“Here you go.”
“Thank you. As rumored, you’re generous and merciful.”
The words were empty, but flattery cost nothing, so Eugene bowed politely.
Baron Beogalan puffed up immediately.
“Haha! Isn’t that the bare minimum for a brave knight? Anyway, you can start the subjugation tomorrow, right?”
“Of course.”
“Excellent. I’ll assign a guide first thing in the morning. The annex is open, so go rest up.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Eugene bowed politely once more and headed to the annex with his troops.
A smile crept across Baron Beogalan’s face as he watched Eugene’s retreating figure.
‘Heh heh! Whether forty or fifty, it won’t change the outcome. Unless there’s a knight strong enough to take down a high-tier monster solo.’
But why would a knight that skilled take merchant guild requests to hunt in demon realms?
‘This way, I get another hundred gold coins.’
Baron Beogalan couldn’t hold back his leaking chuckles.
* * *
“Master, the baron’s expression was a bit off. For a lord who’s failed twice, he was too relaxed. And not preparing other troops bothers me too.”
As soon as they entered the annex, Galpredic narrowed his eyes, and Eugene nodded.
“I thought so too. That’s why I asked for a higher success reward.”
“Half the mana stones and byproducts—that’s a huge haul. Still, something feels off. Like he’s got ulterior motives.”
“Does it matter? No one else is here, so we can rampage as we please.”
“Like back when we first met and went into the Tiwin territory dungeon?”
“Exactly.”
Eugene had already told Galpredic, now his familiar, everything that happened in the Tiwin territory dungeon.
Galpredic had been amazed but fully understood why Eugene had no choice.
“Anyway, we have to catch that wyvern.”
“And lots of other monsters too.”
“Naturally. Heh heh heh.”
“Mage, you’d better shine this time for real.”
Eugene turned to Romari with a grin, and she flinched.
“O-of course. Monster control is my specialty, so you won’t be disappointed.”
“I’ll trust you. The type and amount of monster byproducts you get depends on your performance. Do your best.”
“...Yes.”
It was encouragement in words, but it felt half like a threat, and Romari’s face fell.
* * *
The next morning, early.
Eugene and his troops left Baron Beogalan’s castle.
The baron didn’t see them off personally but watched from the tower as the group departed.
Suddenly remembering something, he spoke to the guard captain.
“Call Sir Oleg.”
Minutes later, a short knight with a massively thick neck and bulging muscles stood before the baron.
“You called, my lord!”
Baron Beogalan’s expression turned satisfied at the gravelly voice.
Among the barony’s three knights, Oleg was the strongest and toughest. However, he was a bit—no, quite—dim, so commanding troops was out of the question.
That was why he rarely sent him on demon realm subjugations. He’d charge at every monster he saw without proper judgment.
But no one could match his raw power.
And being dim wasn’t always a bad thing.
Sir Oleg believed the baron’s words implicitly, and his loyalty matched that faith.
“Yes, Sir Oleg. You’re heading out to hire mercenaries?”
“Yes! Off to Pemai this afternoon. It’s crawling with mercenaries good at Roamer hunts.”
Baron Beogalan nodded at the straightforward speech.
“Good. A day trip there and back?”
“If I leave now, back by tomorrow evening.”
“Perfect. Then, Sir Oleg, don’t return straight to the castle. Take the mercenaries to the ruins entrance.”
“Got it!”
Oleg replied energetically without asking why.
“You saw that black-armored knight earlier? He dared insult me. So wait at the ruins entrance and...”
Bam!
“I won’t forgive him! I’ll punish him in your stead, my lord. Leave it to me!”
Oleg stomped the tower floor hard, his eyes already red with rage—a sign of extreme fury.
“Yes, yes. I trust only you, Sir Oleg. And hire lots of skilled mercenaries. Oh, any other soldiers going to Pemai?”
“Three of my men with me.”
“Great. Anyway, make that black-armored knight pay for insulting me. Leave the others to the mercenaries. Understood?”
“As you command!”
Baron Beogalan smiled in satisfaction as Oleg thumped his chest.
‘It’s insurance for if they somehow survive.’
A subjugation party abandoning the mission meant over half dead or too wounded to fight.
Thirty experienced Karsbaegin mercenaries plus Oleg could easily finish off an exhausted party.
‘Oleg’s taken down a troll cub solo before.’
No matter how famous in Maren, Baron Beogalan was certain they couldn’t match him.
* * *
“Impressive.”
After two hours of climbing, Eugene overlooked the basin from the mountaintop and marveled.
Surrounded by high peaks, the Philia Ruins were even larger and grander than imagined.
Vines and moss covered the ruined city everywhere, testifying to the long passage of time.
Yet the unfamiliar, ornate spires and buildings hinted at the city’s past prosperity.
“You can enter through the castle gate foundations down that path, sir knight.”
The guides pointed to a narrow slope.
“Got it. You can head back.”
“Yes, sir! We wish you glory!”
The guides and overseer bowed and hurried off.
“Master, head in right away?”
“Wait.”
Eugene shook his head at Galpredic’s question and scanned the ruins and peaks.
“Wyverns or harpies ever cross the mountains?”
“It happens rarely. Plenty of other monsters in the demon realm to prey on. And beasts avoid demon realm areas anyway, so except for those pushed out by competition, they rarely leave.”
“But they do go out if needed?”
“Yeah. They can fly and live in open spaces. Why?”
“I’ve been thinking.”
Eugene spoke his idea in a low voice.
Moments later, Galpredic’s eyes went wide.
“That could work. No, it’ll definitely work. Why hasn’t anyone tried it before?”
“Anyway, it’s doable? Then let’s do it.”
“Hahaha! Great!”
Galpredic burst into laughter and assembled the baffled troops staring at them.
He then issued orders to execute Eugene’s plan from moments ago.
“...!?”
They didn’t dare ask why here, but the troops all gave Eugene looks of utter bewilderment.
(To be continued in the next part)