Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: March to Nadir Mountain
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After resting one more day at Gardye's mansion, Eugene sent Romari and a few escorts back to Maren before departing Mopern with his troops.
Having eaten well and rested deeply for three days, plus generously distributing silver coins earned from selling some monster byproducts through the Mopern branch, the troops' morale was sky-high.
There was another change as well.
One key criterion for a proper army—and the hallmark of a true mercenary band—a camp sutler had now attached himself to the rear of the troops.
Though it was just three wagons and about ten people, that alone greatly satisfied the men.
There was booze, proper food, and even women, after all.
Of course, they couldn't get roaring drunk like in the old days out of concern for Eugene's watchful eye, but after marching all day, the thick ale from the sutler's wagons was more than enough to wash away their fatigue.
The sutler's workers, who doubled as waitstaff by day and sold their bodies for coin by night, played a major role in steadying the rough, savage men's minds and bodies.
Eugene, who had no interest in women, wasn't thrilled about it, but Galpredic's explanation won him over somewhat.
"They're not dragged here by force, and those women have professional pride in their work. Besides, if you just let those bastards loose, they'd force themselves on villagers or serfs. That could lead to trouble down the line."
"Hmm~ Can't go around chopping heads every time that happens. Guess we'll do it your way."
"Hah! Exactly."
Having a merchant in tow brought benefits in all sorts of ways.
And setting that aside, the sutler that Gardye had personally arranged suited Eugene quite well.
"We'll supply all goods at least ten percent cheaper than in cities or large villages."
"Not bad. But you want something in return, right?"
Having heard all about Eugene from the merchant guildmaster Gardye until it stuck in his ears, the sutler replied with impeccable politeness.
"Even if the size of your forces grows from here, as long as you're operating in the Kalsbargin Peninsula, please continue trading with me. I have colleagues in Mopern—we can handle it even if your troops balloon tenfold."
"Deal. We'll do that."
"I sincerely thank you for your generosity. I won't let you down."
Unable to hide his delight, the sutler even paid Eugene a hefty sum in silver as a gesture of respect befitting the army's leader.
'Making money and solving logistics at the same time? This is a sweet deal.'
Pleased with the two birds with one stone, Eugene led his troops onward with satisfaction.
* * *
True to its prosperous lands, the Kalsbargin Peninsula boasted well-developed roads built long ago.
But the chaos that began after Marquis Archibald was confined to his castle had crippled their function.
With threats from monsters and bandits, traffic dwindled, and no one maintained them.
Thus, when Eugene had traveled this way to clear the Philia Ruins for Baron Beogalan, every soul he met on the road was an armed robber or bandit posing as mercenaries.
But now, on his second pass along the same route, Eugene and his troops encountered traveling merchants and locals from the area several times.
"May the gods' blessings be with you forever, Lord Eugene!"
"......Thanks. Know that the monsters around here will be cleared out soon enough."
Feeling awkward at the well-wishes that were as good as a curse to a vampire, Eugene told the merchant,
"Passage is free for now, but you'll have to pay tolls soon."
"Of course. You've stabilized the region for us, my lord. I'll make sure to spread the word to all the merchants I know."
"Good. Safe travels, then."
"Yes! Lord Eugene!"
The merchants, who had safely passed thanks to Eugene and his troops fending off the roamers, bowed deeply in genuine gratitude.
They were small-time traders, so the coin they offered as thanks wasn't much, but it still added up nicely.
"This isn't bad either."
"Ehhe! A knight might chase honor first, but you can't ignore the money side. With our numbers growing, it's smart to pocket what we can here and there. Speaking of, that Delmondo guy put in real work. He seemed shady when the master first mentioned him."
The roads seeing use again was in no small part due to Delmondo's efforts.
Having left Mopern two days ahead, the man had desperately spread tales of Eugene and his deeds far and wide.
Emboldened, adventurous merchants had hired mercenaries and tested the routes.
He'd likely do the same in the villages joining Eugene's domain. That's why Eugene had given him the stamped documents and banner first.
"He's got a silver tongue and looks the part. Being an ex-Imperial official helps. If he gets any funny ideas, just lop off his head—no need to worry."
"Oh! Leave that to me."
Exchanging words that would make Delmondo shudder, the two vampire knights pressed on.
* * *
On the way to Nadir Mountain, Eugene stopped by each of the villages he had acquired.
They had already been notified by Delmondo, but the sight of the dragon-emblazoned banner leading its new lord filled the villagers with awe.
Eugene planted the banner at the top of the watchtower in villages that had one, or at the palisade gate in those that didn't.
The banner Gardye had made as a token of goodwill was leagues beyond some shoddy paint job on cheap cloth.
Woven from fine silk and reinforced top and bottom with metal rods, the massive flag exuded majesty.
"To think you'd grant us the chance to share in your honor, my lord! This is the greatest glory!"
Moved by Eugene's consideration and leniency, the villagers prostrated themselves once more.
A village flying a noble's crest—the embodiment of honor—was worlds apart from one that didn't.
Ragtag bandits would take one look at the imposing dragon emblem and flee without entering.
It took thirty percent of village income in taxes, but that was nothing compared to raiders or mercenaries pillaging everything.
"The administrator who came first will return soon from Mopern with people. There are retired mercenaries among them, so village guards should be sorted."
"Oh, thank you! You're too generous!"
"Merchants will start passing through often now. Report any issues to the administrator—he'll handle it properly."
"Yes, yes!"
Frankly, when they first heard a fearsome knight was their new lord, they worried he'd tax them into oblivion.
But Eugene's measures were not just reasonable—they were downright magnanimous, winning everyone over.
Of course, Eugene wasn't acting out of any deep knowledge.
Lacking the elite education most high nobles received, he drew from what he'd heard and seen from merchant groups on domain management.
Other nobles might deal with merchants while secretly scorning them as lowly, but Eugene couldn't care less.
As long as it was efficient, what did petty details matter?
Thus, he'd instructed Delmondo to manage the villages in the most efficient way possible.
And Delmondo, hailing from the staunchly centralized Roman Empire's bureaucracy, didn't disappoint.
"The more I learn, the more amazing the master seems."
"What do you mean?"
When Eugene asked, Galpredic shrugged.
"Well, think about it. At first, you didn't even know how to handle mercenaries properly. Now, none of us can so much as twitch without your say-so. Even seasoned nobles couldn't pull that off. City merchants—who can out-scheme high nobles—drop to their knees for you. That says it all."
"Is that so? I wouldn't know."
Eugene tilted his head, figuring his success was more luck than anything.
"In my eyes, master, you must've been some legendary vampire in a past life. You'll be shocked when the memories come back."
"Hmm."
Galpredic's words sparked a sudden recollection.
The people from the memory that flashed by when his tattoo faded the second time.
'Who could they be?'
No fear or negativity—just the opposite, so probably not enemies.
Maybe clansmen, or perhaps another Origin.
And though luck played a part, his ability to handle these matters smoothly now, unlike before, felt tied to them somehow.
'Guess I'll find out eventually.'
Eugene didn't dwell on it heavily.
He was more confident than in his past life, and he now knew that taking things step by step was the way to thrive in this world.
"In my opinion, our young master was born a demon king conqueror. You'll hear 'king' whispered about you within a year! King! Waaang!"
Of course, there were those utterly divorced from reality, bundles of pure ambition.
* * *
With over forty troops on the move, Eugene's group reached the outskirts of Nadir Mountain without facing any monster attacks as feared.
While the troops and sutler's wagons set up camp, Eugene gathered Galpredic and the squad leaders.
"We need to send out scouts."
"Leave it to me, my lord. I know the terrain here better than anyone."
When Rudrian volunteered eagerly, Eugene nodded.
"Good call. Pick some men and go. If you run into Balmong and the Hunting Dogs, don't fight—fall back here immediately."
"No worries."
Balmong and the Hunting Dogs were the name of the bandit gang currently holding Nadir Mountain.
They numbered around fifty, and their leader Balmong hailed from one of the Kalsbargin Peninsula's many down-on-their-luck knightly houses.
Originally a mercenary captain, he'd murdered his noble employer, stolen horse and armor, fled, gathered rogue mercenaries and bandits, and built his crew to what it was today.
"But is this Balmong guy actually tough?"
When Galpredic asked, Beron—who knew plenty of tales from his long mercenary days in the peninsula—answered promptly.
"Yes, my lord. I hear he beat Parpan, the previous self-proclaimed mountain lord, in ten exchanges and took his head."
"Not that Parpan was weak or anything?"
"Er, I'm not sure about that much..."
Beron trailed off, embarrassed.
Normally, he'd regale them with tales of Parpan's infamy—how three knights died with hearts pierced by his twin blades.
But after traveling with Eugene, he'd realized the man's gauge of strong and weak differed from a regular guy's like himself.
Better to keep quiet in cases like this.
"I'm kidding, man. Can't underestimate a guy holding a silver-mine mountain, though."
"I say we can."
"Huh?"
All eyes turned to Eugene at his calm tone.
"That mountain's been left alone by local lords for all sorts of reasons. If even one had gone mad, scraped up some mercenaries, and attacked, what then? Honestly, if Rudrian had more men, he might be mountain lord by now."
"Not wrong, but Rudrian? Isn't that guy too weak?"
"He seemed pretty confident in himself. Point is, it's just a bunch of similar lowlifes beating each other down until the last lucky one claims lordship. My take? Balmong, Parpan, Rudrian—they're all small fry below that level."
"Kahahahaha!"
Galpredic burst into laughter. Partek and Beron were twitching their lips, barely holding back grins.
"Heh. Master's got a point. How about we wait for our esteemed Lord Rudrian to return, then decide whether to charge in?"
"Sounds good."
But Eugene's plan went awry from the start.
Rudrian, with four subordinates, hadn't returned even as the sun nearly set.