Chapter 98
Chapter 98
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: The Royalists' Judgment
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The next morning.
A trial for the royalist faction was held in Maren City's central square.
By custom, one of the notables had to step forward as their defense attorney, but as expected, no one was willing to defend them.
Moreover, since most of Maren City's notables had been direct witnesses to yesterday's incident, the royalists' fate was already sealed.
"All assets of Lord Viol Siranos and six others shall be confiscated, and they are sentenced to indefinite imprisonment without possibility of parole!"
The tribunal, consisting of the mayor, the Maren parish priest, and Jevin Evergrow, delivered the verdict as swiftly as stir-frying beans in a lightning storm.
"This is all a frame-up!"
"It's a trap! We've fallen into a trap!"
The royalists, who had plummeted from grace overnight, bellowed at the top of their lungs, but all they received in return were jeers from the citizens and a barrage of filth.
The trial concluded in less than ten minutes.
Eugene exchanged a few brief words with Jevin, who was preparing to return to his territory.
"You believe I'll keep my promise, right?"
"I swore on my name and my family's honor in front of all those people. You know well enough how binding that is."
Jevin replied with a wry smile.
Even after soon inheriting his title and becoming Earl Evergrow, yesterday's oath would remain in effect.
If he broke it, he would face the ridicule and condemnation of the Maren mayor and countless other notables who had attended the feast.
No, that would be fortunate.
Eugene's illustrious connections, led by Earl Winslon and Marquis Archibald, would not sit idly by, which would spell the end for the Evergrow family in noble society.
'They picked the wrong fight from the start.'
With that resolve—never to cross him again until news of Eugene's death reached his territory—Jevin mounted his horse.
"Those slaves are a separate gift from me. Use them or sell them as you see fit. Farewell."
"Travel safely."
Jevin and his knights departed.
"Master, what should we do with these?"
Luke cautiously asked, pointing to the new slaves.
Three women and seven men, all appearing to be in their mid-teens to early twenties, with exceptional physiques and looks. Jevin had selected only the highest-value slaves.
"Hmm."
Eugene scanned the slaves.
Eager to please their new master, they forced smiles onto their faces. Yet they vividly remembered yesterday's bloodshed.
They had all clearly seen just how strong and merciless this beautiful-faced lord was as a knight.
'I have to smile. If I don't want to die, I have to smile.'
'Please, just no torture.'
'He's not going to drag us to the demon realm and feed us to monsters, is he?'
"The girls will become maids in my castle. You'll be paid one silver coin per month."
"……!?"
Ignoring the female slaves' wide-eyed shock, Eugene addressed the male slaves standing rigidly at attention.
"Any of you know how to fight or hunt? No, whatever your skills are, speak up."
Caught off guard by the sudden question, the slaves hesitated and glanced at each other. Luke stepped forward with a frown.
"Master asked you a question. Answer quickly."
Thinking Luke was Eugene's squire, the slaves hurriedly spoke up.
"M-My father was a hunter."
"I can read and write letters and numbers."
"I know how to tan hides. I can make candles too."
"I……."
As the slaves chimed in one after another, Eugene nodded. They weren't just brawny; each had some useful skill.
"Good. You'll all get one silver coin per month too. Luke, train them up before we reach the territory."
"Yes, Master!"
Luke responded energetically and approached the slaves.
"Um, should we call you Sir Luke from now on?"
One of the older slaves asked cautiously, and Luke chuckled.
"Sir? Nah, I'm a slave just like you."
"Yes?"
The slaves, men and women alike, gawked in disbelief. What slave wore fine armor and armed himself with sword and shield?
"Just call me Luke. Last name… forgot it. I've been serving Master for about half a year now, and thanks to my knight training, I fight alongside him."
"I-I see……."
The slaves couldn't easily drop the formal speech, even if he claimed to have forgotten his surname. They knew knights didn't arm slaves unless they trusted them deeply.
"But Luke… is it true that Master is paying wages?"
"True. I joined the demon realm subjugation and the expedition, so I get more than you will."
"Th-Then the armor and weapons… you bought them with your wages?"
"Nope. Master bought them for me himself. Master Eugene is the most merciful person in the world."
Ooh……
As the slaves' faces lit up, Luke swept them with a cold gaze.
"But try to suck up, and your head rolls. You saw it yesterday, right? Master shows no mercy to those who mean him harm. And……."
Luke patted his shortsword and continued.
"I'll never forgive anyone who dares defy Master."
"……."
The slaves gulped dryly and nodded vigorously in unison.
"Look at Luke~ Slave No. 1 owning the scene?"
Satisfied with how Luke had tamed the new slaves from the get-go, as Mirian put it, Eugene turned away.
"Lanslo."
"Y-Yes. Well then, ladies."
Kyaa!
Lanslo, who had been subtly flirting with the women who came to watch the trial, winked and followed Eugene.
"K-Kee… keemurook."
Mirian, about to spout more nonsense, caught Lanslo's eye and wisely retreated into his leather pouch.
No one kept the spirit in check quite like Lanslo, so Eugene felt anew his satisfaction with the man.
"Oh, Lord Eugene."
The mayor and guildmaster, raring to dash to a tavern and raise a toast, welcomed Eugene warmly.
"Now Maren will finally know peace."
"Haha! It's all thanks to you. You're the true hero of this city, Lord Eugene. Shall I poll the citizens and erect a statue in your honor?"
Eugene humbly shook his head at the mayor, who seemed ready to commission one on the spot.
"I couldn't possibly deserve that. It's the gods watching over Maren City. I merely did my duty."
"Ooh……."
"How can you be so humble!"
Glancing at their joyous faces, Eugene casually broached the subject.
"By the way, everyone. I have a proposal. Will you hear me out?"
"Anything! If it's your request, Lord Eugene, I'd rip off a giant's balls from White Noble for you!"
"No need for that. Actually, I may be heading out on an expedition soon. Could Maren City provide some support?"
"An expedition… you say?"
Noticing the mayor's eyes harden slightly, Eugene pressed on without giving him time to think.
"Yes. It looks like I'll have to go to Brantia."
"……!"
* * *
Eugene's Brantia expedition plan garnered the full backing of the Maren mayor and guildmasters.
Anyone else saying the same would have been chased out as mad, but they judged it possible for Eugene.
Brantia lay over six days by sea—requiring a perilous crossing of the open ocean, unlike the coastal routes of continental nations.
Moreover, pirates infested the scattered isles before the mainland, and the northern mainland hosted the mighty Kite orc tribe.
Thus, a Brantia expedition was fraught with danger, yet irresistibly alluring.
Even as an island, Brantia was vast.
Dozens of demon realms, countless mines, and fertile farmlands abounded.
Best of all, most of its warring dynasties had declined, leaving no proper king for over a decade.
So why had the continental kingdoms left such a juicy target alone?
The situation there was utter chaos, far from easy pickings.
Sending thousands of troops required astronomical funds, the authority to rally multiple lords, and above all, a 'just cause.'
Only a 'king' possessed that.
Yet kings, struggling just to keep their great nobles in check, couldn't even attempt it.
Even if conditions aligned, risking a gutted homeland made it folly.
Historically, Brantiia's mere three expeditions had all been led by the 'Church.'
Brantiia's church, blending native faiths into a path divergent from continental sects, offered perfect justification transcending nations.
But Yan Eugene had Earl Winslon and Marquis Archibald as backers, purified undead despite not being a cleric, and walked a path of profound faith as a knight.
Above all, Eugene was monstrously strong.
Not just personally, either.
He had resolved Marquis Archibald's family dispute on the Karsbayin Peninsula, proving his political acumen, and demonstrated command prowess in the knights' tournament mock battle.
"No one but Lord Eugene could conceive a Brantia expedition!"
"Right! If Maren can trade properly with Brantia, we'll surpass the kingdom to become the continent's premier city."
"But an expedition requires massive funds, no?"
"You fool? What do you think the confiscated royalist assets are for?"
"Ah!"
Thus, Maren united in resolve to support Eugene's Brantia expedition.
* * *
A few days later.
Not on a Feilin Merchant Group vessel, but on a warship provided by Maren City itself, Eugene arrived at Mopern.
News of the Winslon family knights' tournament hadn't spread yet, but Guildmaster Gardye and the leadership welcomed him with open arms.
"Welcome back, Lord Eugene!"
"Kieek? Fatty flounder's got an extra chin now?"
As Mirian noted, Gardye—now with three chins from added girth—beamed nonstop as he personally escorted Eugene to the reception room.
"But no injuries anywhere, I hope?"
"None."
"Ah! Such rudeness! A peerless knight like Lord Eugene wouldn't suffer wounds in a tournament."
Gardye's flattery had grown as ample as his belly. He soon lowered his voice slyly.
"If I may be so bold… how did you place?"
"Twin Crown. And I led the mock battle to victory."
"Ooooh!"
Gardye's jaw dropped.
Though Maren was a rival, a knight tied closely to Mopern sweeping a grand tournament hosted by an earl like Winslon was pure delight.
"Lord Eugene! Just say the word, and I'll empty my coffers to plop a statue of you right in front of Mopern harbor…"
There it was. Merchants never changed.
"Thanks, but no. Anyway, how fares my territory and the castle construction?"
"All proceeding smoothly. Word just days ago says the castle completes in three or four months. The silver mine……."
True to form as guildmaster, Gardye reported on the territory concisely yet thoroughly.
'Hm. Something's off? Why's he so on edge?'
He had always been deferential, but today's Gardye felt different somehow.
Hard to pinpoint, but… fearful?
"…And so! I and all Mopern's guilds have given our all for you and your territory, Lord Eugene. Immodest as it sounds, it was quite touching. So, Lord Eugene."
Gardye's voice dropped even lower, more insinuating.
"Could you please convey our efforts and sacrifices to your cousin—no, your territory's steward, Lord Delmundo—accurately, clearly, just as they are? I beg you."
Gardye bowed his flounder face low.
"……."
Eugene had been mistaken.
Gardye feared Delmundo, not him.
(To be continued)