Chapter 146: A Monster Among Hungry Wolves (3)
Chapter 146: A Monster Among Hungry Wolves (3)
"Sir, you have driven out the pirates and the Forest Spirit, saving many lives. You have already greatly contributed to spreading the will of God in this land. What plans do you have hereafter?"
At the priests' question, Eugene struck his chest with his fist.
"What good would it do a knight to sit idle? Even if the pests are eliminated, they will swarm again unless the stagnant pools are filled in."
"Well said."
At the answer they had hoped for, the priests nodded with satisfaction.
"I wish to join the expedition to Sicily, in whatever small way I can."
"We shall gladly accept your sword."
At present, Sicily was a promised land of opportunity. It was not without reason that mercenary captains came racing in, their eyes bloodshot.
When three elements — skill, preparation, and luck — aligned in harmony, a stage was set upon which even the lowliest could rise as a noble.
Among all those who had brought their armies to New Canaan, Eugene possessed those three qualities at the highest level.
"We arranged this meeting today to promise you several things. Your chivalry is beyond doubt. However, you will need something with which to reassure the men under your command."
Hearing the compensation offered by the Apostolic Council, Eugene nodded while concealing his delight.
From the moment they had singled him out and called him into the private chamber ahead of the others, he had known they meant to give him a great reward — but this surpassed his imagination.
"But brothers, will there not be resistance from the other captains who joined the crusade? They too will have high expectations."
Benedict asked. He was a simple-hearted man who had always lived among the common people and devoted himself to service, so he knew little of the ways of the world.
"You need not worry about that. Sir Eugene here commands the most powerful army of all those who have resolved to join the war."
"They are not the sort to be silenced by that alone, are they?"
Each of the assembled commanders exercised command independently.
They were not the sort to meekly fall in line merely because someone else had a somewhat stronger army. They had come this far precisely because they possessed strength, ambition, and ferocity.
Yet the priests did not worry in the least.
"Oh, silenced they will be, and more. You see, Sir Eugene does not merely march at the head of his army."
"What do you mean...?"
Everyone reassured the puzzled Benedict and turned to Eugene. The seasoned monks’ expressions vanished, their eyes sparkling like curious boys’.
"A fleet is currently being prepared to cross the Messana Strait."
It was the narrow strait between the Apen Peninsula, where the Apostolic Council had its base, and the island of Sicily.
"But Sir, I take it you have no intention of using ships?"
"Of course not. I shall cross the sea on my own. In truth, it seems I shall have no occasion to board a ship again."
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Naturally, the Apostolic Council already knew that Eugene was the lord of the Wandering Castle.
The finest knight.
The strongest army.
The final and greatest legacy of the Ancient Kingdom.
The backing of the Apostolic Council.
The nobleman standing before them possessed all four qualifications. Disputes over the matter of reward did not matter.
Was there any mercenary captain or noble who could hold his head high before this formidable authority? No such name existed on the list of those who had joined this crusade.
"The landing shall proceed smoothly. There are already nobles in Sicily who have joined hands with us."
Count Sicily did not, of course, rule the whole of that vast island alone. He had vassals beneath him, and there were also several families that coexisted in an openly hostile relationship.
Some among them had been bought off and declared neutrality, while others were set to fight outright on the side of the expeditionary army.
Of course, Count Sicily possessed hidden reserves of his own and would put up a fight.
"The legendary magic castle will descend upon Sicily, and the armies of the crusade will come ashore one after another. The enemy’s morale will collapse all at once."
"The gods show their will to the world in many forms. But it seems that never before has it been so clear as this time."
The high priests sensed destiny in this crusade.
* * *
"Of course, they must have already decided to some extent who will receive rewards. I did not expect you to be their first choice, though."
Marbas said to Eugene upon his return.
"It surprised me as well. There must be nobles they have long been close to and mercenary companies that have obeyed them and handled their dirty work, all tangled up in this."
"Well, you are a truly attractive choice. Even setting aside my personal bias, that is."
Eugene had won overwhelmingly in duels, tournaments, and all manner of subjugations. Whether as a knight or as a commander, his abilities had been sufficiently proven.
Yet such a knight was usually affiliated with a powerful household or closely entangled with an influential noble — through vassal contracts, marriage alliances, and the like.
Eugene, however, had next to no such entanglements of interest.
"To think they even knew that my vassal contract with the Morad family carries no obligation of summons."
"That is hardly surprising. The religious order followed by House Morad is also represented here."
"Ah! Since they are so devout a household, word could well have been passed along."
"Quite so. I daresay they investigated most diligently whether a political marriage between you and Lady Roxane was in the works."
The fact that Eugene had few ties to noble families meant all the more room to cultivate a close cooperative relationship with the orders.
Of course, you could never truly know what was in another person’s heart. Eugene might grow distant from the religious orders after becoming a lord.
"It seems all the monster hunting I’ve done over the years happened to suit the Apostolic Council’s tastes."
"Devoting yourself to the war against evil rather than war between men has been repaid in this manner."
And if they had to put their faith and resources behind someone, a knight who had slain countless monsters and villains was the better bet.
"What need is there to say more of your qualifications?"
Varda, who had been listening, grasped Eugene's wrist with a face flushed with excitement.
"I am curious what the orders promised you."
"Why don't you try guessing."
"Count Sicily shall certainly be brought down. Only then can rewards be distributed to those who took part in the war."
As Eugene nodded, Varda's ears pricked up. The way they flicked this way and that suggested she was highly excited.
"Surely not that they mean to have you inherit the title of count?"
"That is not it. It is true they regard me favorably, but that would be too excessive a reward."
"I thought as much."
Eugene kneaded the shoulders of a dejected Varda.
"What I was promised is the title of viscount."
"Mm."
Varda did not brighten. The station of a viscount carried an ambiguous standing.
The system of titles used across the continent could not help but be influenced by the Ancient Kingdom. If one claimed to belong to an entirely separate dynasty, one was treated as a bloodline without roots.
Thus the five-rank peerage system used by the Ancient Kingdom spread and became blended throughout the continent.
The most incongruous among them was the title of viscount. Its meaning shifted depending on where and by whom it was granted.
It often referred to a warlord whose power fell between that of a baron and a count, but it could also mean a deputy acting in a count’s absence. The latter was all show and no substance, with no fief of his own.
"When we are victorious in this crusade, Count Sicily's territory will become a bishopric."
"That is a fine thing."
Marbas, who was sympathetic to the common people, rejoiced.
The Apostolic Council’s bishoprics were assigned for fixed terms to high priests elected by a vote of the clergy.
Thus only those whose ability, diligence, and character had been verified were sent, and far more benevolent governance was carried out than under a noble lord.
"..."
"Hasn’t that title already slipped from this fellow’s grasp? Please stop glaring at me. You’re frightening me."
Marbas felt awkward under the elf maiden's cold stare. She seemed quite sorry that Eugene had missed out on the title of count.
"As the official regent of the territory of Sicily, I will receive several port cities and the title of viscount."
Since the priest charged as bishop-count would serve a term, a means was needed to prevent the chaos that accompanied a transition. That is, the assistance of a powerful, stably hereditary noble who was on close terms with the orders.
"Which port cities, then?"
Varda's golden eyes sparkling, she spread a map out across the table.
"Surely not Messana Port?"
Her graceful finger indicated the port city in northeastern Sicily.
It was a strategic hub for both military and trade, the finest base from which to reach out to every part of the Middle Sea. It was also the starting point of the pilgrimage routes to both New Canaan on the peninsula and the Holy Land of the East.
"Varda-nim. I do not make losing bargains."
Eugene's left hand came to rest upon Phileremo, the port city in northwestern Sicily. It was a vital trading hub, linked to Roman in the north and Samur in the west.
His right hand fell upon Kitania, the port city of the southeastern volcanic region. It was a place of immense value as a production center, thanks to its fertile soil and the unique minerals that flowed from the volcanoes.
"I secured Messana, and got Phileremo and Kitania thrown in as well."
"Oh my!"
Varda's beautiful face filled with rapture. She shook her shoulders this way and that, beside herself with joy.
'It seems she's even happier than when I gifted her the Wandering Castle's magic workshop.'
Her ears, fluttering more vigorously than ever, and her golden hair, scattering in every direction, were dazzling. Eugene had never seen her so utterly delighted.
"Those three cities are akin to seizing the very heart of Sicily!"
In truth, calling it the heart was an understatement. He had handed over the three most valuable cities in all of Sicily.
"It seems I was far more to their liking than I anticipated."
"Is that not only natural? Look at the mercenary companies and nobles who have arrived claiming they will join the crusade. None of them have stood at the forefront of the fight against evil as consistently as you have."
In fact, after the secret meeting concluded, the priests had questioned Eugene in detail about the Forest Spirit, the Gnoll Chieftain, and the Lamia Queen he had faced.
With a spiritual tide now sweeping over the world, the Apostolic Council was more alarmed than anyone by the signs of the Evil God’s champions appearing one after another.
"It seems they intend to forge you as their sword."
"Yes. The cities they are granting me are not merely a reward for the holy war."
Eugene recalled the words the priests had spoken before they parted.
-We have no intention of interfering with the rights you will exercise as a noble, Sir Knight. However, please understand that winter is approaching our world. Monsters lurk within that blizzard. Someone must kindle a fire to drive out the cold and raise a sword to face the monsters.
"There is also the implication that I am to use them as logistical bases, supplying manpower and materiel for the battles I shall fight henceforth."
Of course, Eugene had no intention of literally setting himself up as a warrior of justice. He would simply judge each situation by its practical benefits.
In any case, for Eugene, who possessed the Wandering Castle, the conditions were perfect. Holding a small number of key cities was far more efficient than ruling a vast, continuous territory.
"But isn't all of this contingent upon the expedition's success? No matter how much Sicily is called an island of gluttonous pigs."
Marbas asked, stroking his beard. It was an island with tradition and history, and even a narrow strait meant an amphibious landing had to be executed.
"The chances of victory seem ample. The Apostolic Council has had its sights on Sicily for a very long time. This incident was merely the trigger."
Taking the role of the main army in the invasion was the Holy War Knight Order, the very symbol of the Orders' military might.
While the Relief Knight Order of Roman focused on public service, the Holy War Knight Order was the opposite. It was a formidable knight order whose sole vocation was the destruction of the enemies of the faith.
The Holy War Knight Order was the source of the Apostolic Council’s confidence that it could control the many mercenary companies and nobles it was drawing in.
Eugene, too, had reinforced his own forces. It was a gamble with high stakes, one that must not fail. If it succeeded, his domain would sustain its own bulk and more on fixed income alone thereafter.
'May glory and fortune follow the Castle Lord. Our warriors who departed by ship will arrive soon.'
That was the content of the letter sent by Chieftain Alessa.
She and the elders had unanimously organized a support force. Once they arrived, a thousand-strong force composed entirely of dark elves would be complete.
It was time to gradually gather the tribesmen scattered across the continent into one place. Even the dissenters who had held out until the end were finally admitting their error and joining the fold.
-They scolded me for waiting so long to call them, Castle Lord. Hundreds of steel hammers are on their way here. Not a single fortress in Sicily will stand before them.
The headquarters of the Hammer Brotherhood, which had been receiving constant reports of Eugene’s growing power through Rampage, had also joined the effort. The elite warriors it sent were marching across the Apen Peninsula to join him.
In terms of military strength alone, one could argue that Eugene's army, not the Holy War Knight Order, constituted the main force.
* * *
Given the scale of the war, it did not begin immediately. All through the summer, an endless stream of warriors and merchants gathered, and great warships arrived from across the sea.
The Apostolic Council provided entertainment to raise the morale of those waiting. One such spectacle was a public execution.
"Hang them!"
The clamorous ringing of bells and the roar of the crowd. Lined up before it all were pirates, ropes around their necks. They were the prisoners Eugene had captured and delivered.
Thud!
A knight of the Holy War Knight Order kicked one pirate in the rear, and the prisoners were hanged one after another.
"Woaaa!"
"Boooo!"
Cheers and jeers poured out at the bodies dancing this way and that in the empty air. The tone of voice differed, but the emotion it carried was the same: amusement and mockery.
"May the gods in heaven forgive your sins. Now, part with your stained past and rise as their sword."
The mercenaries knelt in lines before a massive cross, hands clasped together. Holy water was poured over their filthy heads.
Priests from each religious order were bestowing blessings on the mercenaries who would take part in the crusade.
Mercenaries might be merciless where money was concerned, but that only meant they also feared the sins they had accumulated. The Apostolic Council had mastered the art of working on that fear and leading them onto the battlefield.
"God wills it."
At the priest's final words after the blessing, the mercenaries rose to their feet.
A sense of fulfillment that defied explanation crept into the eyes of the mercenaries, which had once held only greed for coin.
"God wills it!"
The mercenaries shouted, raising their fists.
Of course, the atmosphere was not entirely one of harmonious goodwill. The mercenary commanders and nobles gathered here were each other's potential rivals.
Sparks flying between eyes over limited spoils was the same everywhere, but this time it was especially fierce.
It was more than a chance for a fortune; it was an opportunity to rule as a noble lord. This was not something achieved by ability alone. The timing, truly a gift from heaven, had to be right.
Naturally, trouble arose among those waiting. Once the landing began, disorderly conduct would become a military offense, so now was their only chance to wage a war of nerves.
Nor could this simply be suppressed. The Apostolic Council held martial tournaments and set aside sparring grounds both to raise morale and give the tension an outlet.
"What does it matter if you made a name for yourself in a backwater like Bonyard? That won't work here on the holy peninsula."
"Where has your master gone? Tell him that I, Kalints, have come to see his mettle!"
Unsurprisingly, Eugene was the target of the most rivalry and challenge.
It was enough to bring back memories of his time staying as a champion guest at that manor in Bonyard.
"These bastards..."
Eugene had handled it with a degree of smooth diplomacy, but in the end, his irritation had to boil over.
"A duel! If you are a knight, then face me honorably!"
It was because he was interrupted even when he had made time amidst busy battle preparations to go out and buy gifts with Varda, Homi, and Cassandra.
Blocking Eugene's path was a flamboyantly dressed noble knight.
Many second or third sons who could not inherit their family titles had also joined this expedition. Some were given a small force by their families, while others became completely independent and formed something akin to a mercenary company.
"If you need a weapon, I shall lend you one. Do not even think of running away."
Seeing that Eugene was unarmed, the knight quickly shouted. He knew well that Eugene had slipped away under various pretexts until now.
'This won't do any longer.'
Eugene, who had wished to settle things amicably, let out a sigh.
"Fine. I accept your challenge."
"At last!"
"However, you need not lend me a weapon. I dislike using a stranger's blade, as it would be unfamiliar."
"Then how do you intend to fight? That trick of returning to your quarters and bolting the door will not work!"
'This fellow has investigated thoroughly.'
Eugene clicked his tongue and gently wrapped his hands around Homi's shoulders.
"My weapon is already right here."
"What?"
The knight looked at Homi before him, as if asking what he meant.
A beautiful girl, tall but with a youthful face, stared back at him with an expressionless gaze.
'Wh-what in the world...?'
The knight, whose attention had been fixed solely on Eugene until just a moment ago, suddenly felt a chill wrapping around his entire body.
Crack-crack.
Crack.
As he watched Homi loosening her fists, he felt a sense of pressure, as if surrounded by hundreds of beasts in the middle of a mountain at night.
End
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