Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: The Victor's Banquet
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Nobles place great importance on honor and face.
Of course, there are occasional straightforward and rational individuals like Essendra, but the higher the status of a noble, the greater their pride in their honorable and noble 'blue blood.'
And Jevin, the heir to the Evergrow Count family, was the most prideful noble Eugene had encountered so far.
The way he usually treated his knights well wasn't out of genuine respect.
It was simply to more effectively exploit those types who would do all the dirty work for their lord just to prove their own worth if you stroked their egos a little.
'He certainly seemed like the type who couldn't stand losing.'
"...In conclusion, it's highly likely that the royalists' letter to the royal capital or the Central Church went through the Evergrow Count family. Even our own city of Maren requires the mayor to step in personally to request a Holy Knight—do you think a powerless faction like the royalists could manage it? Impossible."
"Then assuming it was the Evergrow Count family, who was involved?"
When Eugene asked casually, Trevic replied with firm conviction.
"It has to be the heir, Lord Jevin. The Count Evergrow prioritizes stability, but Lord Jevin is a man of great ambition. The question is how deeply he was involved. If he merely passed along the message, it'd be hard to pin any blame on him, wouldn't it?"
"Hmm."
It was just as Trevic said.
Unlike Maren's insignificant royalists, Jevin was the legitimate heir to the most powerful lord in the region, with substantial influence. Unless there was ironclad proof, he could slip out of even serious charges with ease.
'I need to confirm that first.'
Having sorted his thoughts, Eugene addressed Trevic, whose eyes sparkled with eager anticipation.
"For now, hand over the list of known royalist figures in Maren city, along with whatever details you have."
"Of course. I'll prepare it right away. Free of charge, naturally."
Trevic began scribbling away with delight.
"Oh, and I'm thinking of hosting a banquet soon. I'd appreciate it if the guild master and the mayor could attend."
"Oh! You mean that! We shall certainly attend. I'll give the mayor advance notice as well."
"Much obliged. Then."
"Take care, Sir Eugene!"
Trevic saw Eugene off with a beaming smile as he tucked the list into his pocket and rose.
The moment Eugene was out of sight, Trevic burst into laughter.
"Muahaha! Finally, I can clean house on those loathsome royalists. Sir Eugene truly is Maren's lucky charm. Oh right! This isn't the time for that."
To share the good news and prepare for the 'cleanup,' Trevic quickly donned his coat and headed to city hall.
* * *
News of Eugene's return and his planned banquet spread quickly through Maren city.
Eugene had already been a knight of renowned fame in Maren.
Now, with rumors swirling of his major feats at the Winslon Count's knight tournament, plus slaying a manticore and a drake, the notables were eagerly awaiting their invitations.
Naturally, this included the royalists.
"I've been invited by Sir Eugene!"
"Oh! Same here."
"Haha! Looks like the man from the capital succeeded in winning him over."
The royalists couldn't hide their joy.
A knight like Eugene surely knew how the royalists were treated in Maren.
Yet he'd invited them. There could only be one reason.
"Gentlemen, shouldn't we be a bit cautious? We still haven't heard anything from the capital."
One man's remark made the royalists pause.
True enough. The knight tournament had ended long ago, and the continued silence was odd.
"There's been no word from Lord Jevin either. We don't even know if it succeeded or failed. Isn't it premature to celebrate?"
"Hmm. Not wrong. But think about it. Would someone in a high position at the capital bother reporting every detail to us? Would he?"
"Ah...."
"No news is good news. Besides, Sir Eugene inviting us means he views us favorably, right? From here on, it's up to our abilities."
"Indeed. No need to overthink it. Come on, let's decide what gift to give our Sir Eugene."
"Right! Haha!"
The royalists excitedly discussed gifts, blissfully unaware that the church had decided to suppress all information about the incident where two Holy Knights died and one fled in disgrace.
* * *
Around the same time.
News about Eugene also reached Jevin Evergrow, who had spies in Maren and was anxiously awaiting reports.
"You damned fool!"
Jevin, who rarely swore even when furious, bellowed obscenities.
The servants scattered like frightened chicks, and he slumped into his chair, panting.
"Hah! Hah!"
Unbelievable! This was utterly absurd!
Jevin felt like he was going mad.
In the letter the royalists asked him to forward to the capital, he'd added a postscript.
While recruitment was the priority, Yan Eugene seemed untrustworthy and distrustful of the church.
He'd detailed Eugene's achievements objectively, then suggested sending a Holy Knight, as an ordinary priest would struggle against him.
Rumors soon followed that Holy Knights had joined the Winslon Count's tournament, filling him with elation.
Holy Knights were the pinnacle of knighthood.
There were many skilled knights, but on average, none in the kingdom surpassed them.
Thus, Jevin had no doubt Eugene would be gravely injured or humiliated at the tournament.
Hunt upper monsters? Wipe out bandits and mercenaries, become a lord in the Karsbayn Peninsula?
That was nothing compared to jousting, sword fights, and mock battles—miniature wars—against Holy Knights.
Having witnessed a Holy Knight in action before, he was even more certain.
Yet, as if mocking him, Yan Eugene had returned to Maren unscathed.
"What the hell happened? Did the Holy Knights lose?"
He desperately wanted details, but his connections in the Central Church and capital were silent.
Even if he sent an urgent letter now, a reply would take at least ten days—if they bothered responding at all.
"Should I ask Cyrano?"
Jevin muttered, biting his lip, then shook his head.
"No. Too risky. He might suspect I orchestrated it."
Jevin agonized further.
"Yan Eugene doesn't know I'm involved yet. If he did, he'd have come straight to me instead of returning to Maren. So...."
Should he just play dumb?
No. His instincts screamed otherwise.
Yan Eugene wasn't a fool. Unlike the blunt, straightforward knights, he was sharp and quick-witted.
For such a man to face threats against him three times already without noticing anything?
"Impossible. And what if... he actually defeated the Holy Knights?"
A chill ran down Jevin's spine.
He could dismiss the Karsbayn feats before, but not anymore.
What if Eugene turned his blade on him?
If he rounded up Maren's royalists like rats, hired mercenaries, stormed the territory, and demanded the truth?
"It's over."
The family wouldn't fall, but he personally would be done for.
His father, Count Evergrow, valued family and territory stability above all—even to the point of seeming obstinate.
Rather than endure pressure from Maren, the new Archbishop Aubert, and other nobles while clashing with a monstrous knight, he'd surely replace the heir.
"Ugh."
Finally grasping his predicament fully, Jevin's face turned ashen.
After agonizing half the day until his hair nearly fell out, Jevin made his decision.
"Gold! Prepare gold! And wash up about ten slaves, dress them nicely, and have them ready!"
"Pardon? Where are you going? What about escorts?"
"Escorts... right! Summon Sir Marble, Sir McCuley, Sir Fileton. I'm going to Maren. Right now!"
Having called only the knights who'd been beaten like dogs by Eugene before, Jevin's steps quickened urgently.
* * *
The banquet was held at the mansion the Feilin Merchant Group had loaned to Eugene's group.
More like a large house than a mansion, but with Prechella throwing silver at hasty decorations, it looked quite grand.
That wasn't all.
For her top client Eugene, Prechella mobilized money and connections to provide chefs, dancers, performers, musicians—everything essential for a grand feast—along with all supplies.
In short, Eugene hosted the banquet without spending a single coin.
As dusk fell.
Led by the mayor, Maren's guild masters, major merchants, and assorted nobles arrived in palanquins and carriages.
The royalists came dressed to the nines, laden with gifts for Eugene.
Though many notables eyed them suspiciously, with Eugene's stern warning that causing a scene would mock his honor, they passed them by like oxen ignoring chickens.
"Sir Eugene! Congratulations! I hear you achieved tremendous results at the Winslon Count family’s knight tournament?"
"A manticore and drake! I'll dip into my own pockets to compose a poem of your feats, to be sung for generations."
"Sir Eugene! A humble gift from us. I hope it pleases you."
The royalists stuck to Eugene like attendants to a lord, showering him with flattery.
'What the hell are these guys?'
Eugene was baffled inwardly.
He couldn't believe these were the ones who'd summoned Holy Knights to the tournament to eliminate him.
They should at least look fearful, but they showed no such sign.
If it was acting, they belonged on a capital stage.
'Something's off.'
Deeply suspicious, Eugene put his plan to thrash the royalists on sight on hold.
The dazzling gold coins sparkling from their gift boxes played no small part.
"Kieek!? G-G-Gold coins!? Kieee...."
It was no wonder the spirit of greed fainted in a daze.
He'd earned a fortune from the Winslon tournament and demon extermination, but free gold—two hundred coins? No reason to refuse.
"Thank you. I'll put your gifts to good use. Here, have a drink each."
"Goodness! The liquor overflows like your valor! Haha!"
Now the royalists were fully convinced.
Eugene had clearly been swayed by the capital's envoy. Why else treat them so kindly?
'We're saved!'
'If this knight speaks for us now...'
'Our standing rises, and the city falls into chaos!'
Hahaha!
The royalists laughed uncontrollably in delight.
And watching them with cold, predatory gazes were the mayor, merchant guild master, and other notables who'd heard the truth from mercenary guild master Trevic.
But then—
"Lord Jevin Evergrow has arrived!"
Eugene's expression hardened slightly at the announcement.
The royalists' behavior was baffling enough, but why was Jevin Evergrow—uninvited—here?
'Did they conspire as a group?'
No time for that. And no fool would willingly jump into an ogre's maw.
'Whatever your scheme, you picked the wrong day.'
Eugene glared at the entrance, prepared to slaughter royalists and Jevin alike if needed.