Chapter 62: Prophecy (1)
Chapter 62: Prophecy (1)
Eugene, Varda, and Homi entered the lord's office.
As befitted a trading village, the office was filled with exotic objects—planters, furniture, sculptures, and even a huge painting.
When he touched the luxurious chair, not a speck of dust clung to his hand. It seemed it was cleaned every single day.
SWISH-SWISH!
Hearing Homi's tail swishing furiously, Eugene turned and saw her eyes crinkled in a smile.
"Hmph-hmph!"
She looked triumphant, as if to say, 'See? What did I tell you? Didn't I say you'd be a lord in no time!'
"Yes, you were right."
Eugene ruffled Homi's hair, then lifted her under the arms and seated her in the lord's chair.
CLUNK!
She immediately sprang back up, flustered, as if she did not dare sit there before he did.
After looking around the richly decorated office, the three stepped out onto the balcony at the back.
"There is more river than land in view."
"It is on a completely different scale from Richwood."
It was late afternoon. Varda lowered her hood, leaned against the railing, and gazed at the river.
Her golden hair fluttered against the sunlit water. With graceful fingers, she unwound the gold thread wrapped around her elegantly pointed ears.
The sunset suited Varda's pale face just as beautifully. Her hair, eyes, and skin all gleamed gold.
"..."
Eugene was speechless at the breathtaking sight. It was the first time he had realized a person could be more beautiful than nature itself.
"Everything that meets the eye from this balcony is yours. The flow of that wide river is determined by nature, but those who pass through it must follow your rules."
"Hearing you say that makes me feel as if I've seized tremendous power, even though I'm only the lord of a single village."
Was this what it felt like — that every lord was akin to a king within his own domain?
WHOOSH!
Two large merchant ships came into view. One cut powerfully through the current while the other lay at anchor in the village harbor.
The three piers jutting from the land into the river were perfectly spaced, and the water around them was deep. That allowed several merchant ships to dock at once.
'Even if I rise much higher someday, I'll have to keep this place under my direct rule.'
In income, transportation, and supply, it was a hub far beyond an ordinary village.
"My lord. The bathwater has been heated. We have prepared the guest bathroom for the other two."
"We will leave you to it. Take your time savoring the reward for your efforts."
Varda smiled, patted Eugene's shoulder, and left with Homi.
Eugene soaked and washed in the large tub of the lord's private bathroom.
Feeling refreshed, Eugene shuffled back to the office in slippers and found his armor hanging on a wooden rack. It had been placed where it would receive good ventilation and sunlight while remaining sheltered from rain.
"So this is service tailored to me alone."
It was a luxury he had not enjoyed even while staying with Count Morad or at the Richwood manor. Only now did it truly sink in that he had become a lord.
The next morning, Eugene took the steward on a circuit of the village.
As long as they could defend against outside threats, northern Roman was an even better place to live than the south, west, or central regions.
"I crossed the continent from the southwest, and I don't think I've seen a better village than this one."
Northern Roman lay close to the inland sea and had something like a Mediterranean climate, with relatively little temperature variation over the year. Even in winter, it was more cool than truly cold.
"No one here has ever starved to death, even during a famine."
Between his timid nature and habitual deference, the steward was always hunched over.
"Straighten your shoulders."
"Huh?!"
Eugene took the steward by both shoulders and straightened his posture. At the lord's touch, the man's body went rigid as if struck by lightning.
"Keep this posture from now on."
"Yes! Yessir!"
"If your back stays straight and healthy, you will be able to assist me for years. I looked over the past administrative records; I know how valuable you are to this domain."
The steward was more than capable of serving as Eugene's deputy while he was away, both in competence and loyalty.
"Oh my!"
The steward felt tears prick his eyes. To Eugene, it had been nothing more than a touch and a compliment, but to him it meant far more.
For a year he had waited for his new master, afraid that a violent, bloodsucking lord might arrive.
But now that he had met Eugene, the man was both a renowned knight and kind to those beneath him.
"Never throw it! If what's inside breaks, it's over!"
Burly sailors were busily unloading cargo from the two merchant ships at anchor. Up close, the three piers were faced in stone from the riverbed up through their submerged walls.
"Was this man-made?"
"Yes. The lord two generations ago had stone walls built around the harbor. There have been hardly any accidents since, and everyone speaks highly of the work."
The guards they passed saluted Eugene as their new lord.
With abundant seafood and busy trade, the village kept its guards well-fed and well-equipped.
"Hail the new lord."
"O God. Protect our lord."
The good rule of the previous lords combined with Eugene's knightly bearing and achievements. The guards, as fellow men-at-arms, looked at him with deep respect.
Small boats dotted the river, their crews fishing, while boys and women could be seen casting lines from the riverbank.
"By the will of the previous lord, fishing is permitted to all residents. If you find it displeasing..."
The steward watched Eugene's reaction.
Rules varied by region, but in Roman, only fishermen licensed by the lord could fish, and they had to pay tax for the privilege.
"No. Keep it open as it is now. Only restrict outsiders from doing so."
"We thank you for your generosity!"
Fish was the only means by which the lower classes could consume high-quality protein. In domains without rivers, even fresh fish was classified as a luxury, so this was a privilege of a riverside village.
Among lords, many restricted fishing activities to establish their authority, but to Eugene, that seemed a foolish thing to do.
If everyone from children to adults ate well and grew up big and healthy, wouldn't they all become his workforce and taxpayers in time?
When he returned to the lord's residence, Varda greeted him.
"You were bustling about from the very first day."
"I meant to fix anything that was lacking, but there was hardly anything to improve."
Part of it was that the village was already well run, but its focus on commerce mattered too. Most of what Eugene had learned at his home monastery concerned increasing the yields of farming and foraging.
Here, simplifying unnecessary procedures and cutting out corruption was about all he could do. Though one could say even that alone was significant.
"The steward is also competent and loyal."
"That would be natural, as his family has inherited know-how and loyalty over five generations."
"That's a relief, as it seemed I would often have to be away."
Merchant ships carrying mercenaries passed by frequently, and free knights who came to the village to use the waterway could also be seen from time to time.
'For now, I just need to build good relationships with the surrounding lords and monasteries.'
He had imagined every worst-case scenario on the journey north, so the lack of problems felt almost anticlimactic. For the domain, though, anticlimactic was a good thing.
The mercenaries under his command also enjoyed a comfortable rest in the village.
"Don't forget that we're only hired hands. Don't cause trouble in the village, understood? And don't get any stupid ideas about having the lord at your back."
"You're worrying over nothing. We're not greenhorns."
"We're all here because the knight picked us after at least a short one-on-one conversation."
The mercenary captain's repeated warnings drew gruff replies from all around.
- The chain of command must be unified.
It was because, according to Eugene's conviction, all the new mercenaries had been placed under the command of the mercenary captain who had followed him from Bonyard.
Some were more skilled or experienced than the captain, so there was some dissatisfaction.
But he had been with Eugene from the early days, back when Eugene was still a mere knight. That seniority gave him too much standing for anyone to challenge him openly.
'He may be easygoing and generous, but he has no mercy for breaches of military discipline.'
The mercenaries boasted of their exploits to bored village youths, bought food for village maidens, went fishing, or browsed the unusual goods at the docks.
"You can't hit that?"
"Shut it! I'm definitely having that one for dinner tonight!"
On certain days of the week, Eugene also opened the lord's private hunting grounds to the mercenaries under his command.
"The knight likes rib meat, so set that cut aside."
Thanks to that, on those days Eugene ate whatever the mercenaries brought back from the hunt for dinner.
The merchant companies that frequently passed through North Fork also sent gifts, asking for his favor.
"Wishing for the new lord's health, the Jakril Trading Company has sent aromatic oil."
"The Harris Trading Company has presented a pair of camels. They were in poor health from the long journey, so they were sent immediately to the stable for treatment."
The estate treasurer reported each gift in turn.
Then, one day, a most welcome guest arrived.
A dark elf man with closely cropped hair entered the lord's reception room.
"Rex?"
"It has been a long time, Sir Knight. Or should I call you my lord now?"
"Sir Knight is enough, just as before. No matter what rank I reach in the future."
"I am glad to hear you say that."
Rex smiled and gave Eugene a military salute.
"The contract is over now, so a military salute is more respect than necessary. Please, sit."
A maidservant set down beverages and refreshments.
"I expected you to rise quickly, but even I did not imagine it would be this fast."
"I was lucky. I benefited quite a bit from the Wendigo trophy you made. When Count Morad saw it, the look in his eyes changed."
"Haha! Seeing it displayed in the corridor as I entered made even me feel proud."
Visitors of some standing also came directly to the lord's residence to pay their respects. Each one stopped short in surprise at the entrance to the corridor.
-GASP!
The village notables, startled by the fierce face and horns.
-Did he take down a magical beast this large all by himself?!
The free knights, expressing wonder at Eugene's martial prowess.
- I've never seen a decorative piece like this before.
The merchant-company branch managers marveled at a product that could not be found anywhere else.
Until now, Eugene had always been the guest. Now he was the host.
'Is this why knights are mad about dangerous monsters?'
A single trophy in the corridor let him seize the initiative from the moment guests arrived and gave him a ready-made topic of conversation for free. It was remarkably useful.
"This is a congratulatory gift for becoming a lord."
Rex presented him with a ceremonial robe finely embroidered in gold thread. Its cut differed from what the local nobles usually wore.
"Is this traditional dark elf clothing?"
"Correct. To be precise, it is the attire of our Black Hand Tribe."
No wonder. Despite its dignified appearance, it did not hinder quick movement, and several vital areas were reinforced.
"Even your formalwear is designed with combat in mind. Impressive."
"I shall take that as a compliment."
"Thank you for the valuable gift. It will be perfect for relaxing by the river."
"I knew you would be pleased to accept it, Sir Knight."
Dark elf traditional clothing resembled that of the northeastern nomads in some ways. Most nobles would have regarded it as barbarian attire.
Another noble would probably have shown at least a trace of discomfort in expression or posture. Eugene merely ran his hands over the garment with genuine interest and gratitude.
Seeing his genuine delight, Rex smiled too.
"Make yourself at home and stay as long as you like."
"I thank you for your words, but I must depart immediately."
"Do you have another commission?"
"It is more important than that. A festival gathering all the dark elf tribes will be held."
"Ah, I heard about that from Captain Helga. But what was the name of the festival?"
"There is no particular name. We simply call it the Festival. For people like us, who normally fend for ourselves, it is the only time everyone gathers. We do not need another name."
Dark elves wandered the continent without a land of their own to settle. The festival was likely one of the safeguards that ensured the survival of their people.
"I heard the tribes are not particularly close-knit. Are there no incidents?"
Their rough disposition applied even to their own kind. They showed affection only to members of their own tribe.
"That is precisely why such a gathering is necessary. Even tribes that are on bad terms acknowledge the importance of this festival. Even families with a blood feud, who would draw swords upon meeting, share drinks during this period."
By then, Eugene had begun to see where this was going.
"Rex. You didn't come merely to congratulate my appointment as lord, did you?"
Eugene looked down at the traditional tribal outfit in his hands. Apparently it had not been given merely for him to wear while relaxing at home.
Rex grinned, pulled an invitation from inside his clothes, and held it out to Eugene. It bore the chieftain's seal.
"We would like to host you as a special guest of our tribe, Sir Knight. I hope you will wear the same clothes, drink the same liquor, and live as family with us for the duration of the festival."
Eugene had no reason to refuse. In this harsh world, the more connections he had, the better. In a crisis, there were few better armed allies to rely on than the Black Hand Tribe.
"Don't look at me so earnestly. I have no intention of refusing. Besides, that expression doesn't suit your face."
"Your words are harsh, Sir Knight!"
Despite his words, Rex's face lit up with delight.
He had been unable to shake the small chance that Eugene might refuse. Rex lived as though nothing in the world could frighten him, but this had made him anxious the entire journey.