CH 34

‘How am I so lucky?’

Eugene felt rather puzzled about the fortuitous turn of events. His original plan was to provoke the people in the castle amidst the hostage exchange between Robos and Pascal. Then afterward, he would do his best to receive their permission to ‘try whatever you may, if you can get inside!’. 

Then he would infiltrate the castle at night, kill the weak-looking soldiers, and take Baron Bommel or his family hostage. Since all of the bothersome knights and mercenaries were away, it would have been too easy. However, he never even imagined that the successor would storm out of the castle after being provoked.

“Sir Eugene, what are you thinking so hard about?” Robos spoke cautiously after seeing Eugene lost in thought. The energetic young knight had rescued him, then caused Baron Bommel to surrender. Robos then treated him like his master.

He was immensely ashamed that he acted recklessly. He had been unable to suppress the feeling of jealousy and vigor after hearing about Eugene’s performance from Delduan. However, he realized now that he could not even compare himself to Eugene.

“Nothing. How are you? I heard you were injured,” Eugene asked.

“This is nothing. I wasn’t particularly uncomfortable because Lord Bommel treated me with honor. Anyways, it is kind of weird for me to say this now, but…” Robos paused, then continued after stealing a glance at Pascal, who was silently walking by the slaves. “Wouldn’t it be better if we took Sir Franz Bommel with us instead? The lord would definitely be happier.”

In short, he was stating that Franz’s value was much higher than Pascal’s, that it was a waste to only take Pascal. Although it was a little bothersome, Eugene gave an explanation. After all, Robos was a knight of the Fairchild Viscounty and he was polite towards him.

“It was because I could not be bothered.”

“Could not be bothered?”

“From what I heard, the two lords do not have much animosity toward each other. It seemed like they wanted to finish this at a reasonable level. Besides, If I did what you said, Lord Fairchild would reprimand me.”

“Hmm!”

Robos became wide-eyed with shock, and Pascal stepped up.

“It is just as Sir Eugene said. In the first place, it would not have been a problem if you, sir, did not come storming into our territory. Lord Bommel was already planning to conclude the matter with a tournament or with a short, decisive battle.”

“Keheum.”

Robos’ face flushed red when his dark, shameful history was brought up. 

“But what if Sir Eugene brings back Lord Bommel’s successor as a prisoner for Lord Fairchild? Now that would be a real provocation. How do you think Lord Fairchild would have reacted if his successor was captured instead of you, sir?”

“…..”

Robos kept his silence. Needless to say, the lord would have been enraged. He might have even launched an all-out attack with all of his troops.

“Sir Eugene concluded the matter because he realized this fact. Although we were once enemies who crossed our swords, I acknowledge both the bravery and the resourcefulness of Sir Eugene.”

“I do not think we’ve ever crossed swords.”

“I-I am only speaking metaphorically.”

Likewise, Pascal’s face also turned red as he recalled his shameful history.

“But their troops must be surrounding our castle. How are you planning to get through there?”

“That is why I got this,” Eugene spoke while gesturing, and Robos turned his head. On top of a backpack lay three large javelins, and the folded flag of the Bommel family rested on top.

***

“Why is Lord Fairchild not giving us an answer?”

“Is it not obvious that he is trying to play for time? Let’s just storm in!” Knight Polmon raised his voice. 

Raviola, who was quietly listening, stepped out. “I agree with Sir Polmon’s words this time. This is quite suspicious, no matter how I look at it. I think it would be best for us to break their spirits and then proceed to exchange prisoners.”

“Right? Anyways, it would be strange for us to launch a siege right away. We will provoke them for a few days, and when they are exhausted, early in the morning, we could—”

“Sirs!”

“What is it?” Polmon responded with a fierce expression after a mercenary leader rushed into the tent.

“A messenger! A messenger from Lord Bommel has arrived!”

“What are you talking about? There aren’t any other knights besides us.”

“I-it’s Sir Pascal of Langbon…”

“What?!”

The knights became startled and rushed out of the tent.

“A messenger from Lord Bommel?”

“That is what they are saying. The one holding the flag is Sir Pascal, right?”

“What? I thought he was taken as a prisoner, wasn’t he?”

The mercenaries whispered after making way, and the knights stared at the group leisurely passing through the middle. The figure holding the Bommel family’s flag on a spear was certainly Pascal, the keeper of Langbon. A knight adorned with black plate armor and Robos, who had been a captured prisoner, followed on their horses. 

There were even two slaves carrying a large box in the rear.

“Sir Pascal!” Polmon ran to Pascal with wide eyes. “What is going on? I thought you were captured? What are you doing here?”

“…It is the lord’s order.”

Pascal wanted nothing more than to reveal the truth right away. However, he had already broken his promise twice, and he knew his life would be in jeopardy if he tried anything. As such, he spoke the words that Eugene relayed to him in advance.

“What does he want to—”

“Hey! Did I not say it was the lord’s orders? Are you planning to disobey your employer’s orders? Get out of my way!”

“Sir Pascal, you need to tell us the whole story. We are here to save you, sir. We need to know what is going on…”

“The flag of the Bommel family, and here is a document stamped with Lord Bommel’s seal. What more do you need?”

Everyone turned their heads to the owner of the voice. Eugene raised his visor and spoke while glancing at the knights with cold eyes.

“I am Jan of the Eugene family. The territorial dispute is over, so move out of the way.”

“W-what!? What nonsense are you spewing?!”

“It’s not nonsense, but the words of your employer. You are not thinking of going against Lord Bommel’s orders, are you?”

“…..!”

The knights became flustered. They were hired by a noble as knights. They could not go against their employer’s words, especially if he was a titled noble.

What would happen if hired knights or mercenaries went against the will of their employer? Aside from the fact that the lord would be enraged from having his honor and dignity tainted, no other nobles would hire them in the future, not after they went against the orders of their employer.

“And look over there.”

“…..?”

The gaze of the knights naturally shifted to where Eugene was pointing towards.

“Hut!”

Someone let out a gasp. The tightly sealed gates had opened with knights and soldiers crossing the drawbridge in an orderly manner.

“What do you think will happen if Sir Robos and I started rampaging? The troops over there will start attacking right away. Things will quickly get interesting in many ways.”

Receiving the knights’ gazes, Eugene rested his hand on the pommel of the shortsword hanging from the saddle. Robos imitated his actions and looked as if he was waiting for Eugene’s signal to attack.

“…..!”

The three knights were taken by surprise. It was just as he said. If two knights neglected their lives and started to run amok, the formation of the troops would collapse from the inside. If the troops of the Fairchild family charged into the fray amidst the commotion, they would undoubtedly suffer.

It would be suicidal for them to ignore Eugene’s words. Even if they managed to survive, their life as a knight would be finished after disobeying their employer’s orders.

“Then I will get going.”

Clop! Clop!

The two horses walked past the knights. Pascal gulped loudly and hurriedly took the lead.

“…..”

In the tense silence, nearly a hundred troops observed Eugene’s group as they passed through the formation in a leisurely manner as if they were simply taking a stroll in their backyard.

***

“Sir Eugene!” The first ones to greet Eugene were Partec and his group.

“I am relieved! What is going on here? I was on the wall and saw Sir Eugene. I immediately reported back, and we came out like this, but…”

“Is that so? Thank you.”

“Not at all.” As Partec shook his head with a flustered expression, the knights of the Fairchild Viscounty flocked around Eugene’s group. “Oh! Sir Robos, I am glad you are safe! And might you be Sir Eugene? I am…”

“Sirs, I apologize, but I think I better greet Lord Fairchild and report to him first.”

“Ah, that is right.”

Eugene had not only recovered Robos but also captured Baron Bommel’s nephew. The knights respected his words. The knights of the Fairchild family led the troops back into the castle and personally guided him to their lord.

***

“…So, I received this document from Lord Bommel and brought his nephew, Sir Appiel Bommel Pascal.”

“How courageous! Huh! I was still doubtful when I sent my butler after listening to the words of that merchant, but you, sir, are a real tiger crouching in the bushes!”

The same had been true of Baron Bommel, but the way Fairchild praised Eugene was sophisticated, befitting a true noble. At that time, a knight entered the hall after observing Baron Bommel’s troops for a while. He had remained on the wall even after Eugene entered the castle.

“Lord Fairchild! Lord Bommel’s troops have returned!”

“Ah! Is that true?”

“Yes, my lord! I have confirmed that they have completely disappeared from sight. I have sent a few soldiers to keep watch, so we will have access to more information in a few hours.”

“Good, very good. Hahahaha!”

Viscount Fairchild was a man in his early to mid-40s. He let out a boisterous laugh that matched his generous appearance. Soon, he stopped laughing and raised his baton with a dignified expression.

“Bring the things we prepared for Sir Eugene.”

“Yes, my lord!”

After a while, two servants of the castle brought a large box.

“It is the silver I promised. I put in a little extra as a bonus.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Lord Fairchild.”

“Of course, this isn’t the end. Mills.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Mills was dressed in a neat, black suit with a monocle to boot. He politely held out an item towards Eugene.

“It is a letter of recommendation I wrote for Count Winslon, my father-in-law. I will send him the same information right away, so he should find out about you soon, sir.”

“I am grateful.”

Eugene admired Viscount Fairchild’s preparations. It seemed that he started making preparations as soon as Partec and Mills returned to the castle. If Eugene came back with spectacular results, he could use it to show off his generosity, and if he failed, he could simply burn the letter.

‘As expected, real nobles are different.’

“Haha! I am apologetic that I can only do this much to a brave, honorable knight like yourself. Anyways, my butler said you had no intention of being sworn in, is that true?”

“Oh, that’s…” Eugene started contemplating excuses, but Viscount Fairchild continued with a laugh.

“Hahaha! I am only jesting with you. I did not mean to make you flustered, but to see a brave knight like yourself become embarrassed, it feels nice to see the human side of you, sir.”

The human side of a vampire? Eugene bowed his head, thinking that Fairchild had a bad eye for people considering he was a real nobleman.

“I am even more grateful that you consider me as such.”

“Anyways, since we have achieved such a large victory, a banquet is in order, but please understand that we have to be cautious because of the current situation. I would never try to discredit you for the victory.”

“Of course. Lord Bommel is an honorable nobleman, but it is always good to be cautious when dealing with these affairs. I understand.”

Eugene answered as if he had been waiting for Lord Bommel’s words. He wanted to return to Maren as soon as possible since he had already achieved his objective here.

“Huh! I cannot believe that the brave knight responsible for leading us to victory is so thoughtful as well. Sir Jan of the Eugene family, I truly admire you.”

Viscount Fairchild nodded with a benevolent expression, seemingly displaying true admiration and favor for Eugene. However, his mind spun quickly.

‘I am tempted, but I cannot take him in. It is obvious that Bommel would not like it if I took him as a territorial knight.’

Even though they ended up fighting, he was bound to become in-laws with Baron Bommel in the end. It wouldn’t hurt to show consideration for Baron Bommel, to appease their feelings while further raising his own honor.

‘But I need to do something… I need to give him something good to gain dignity… Ah, yes!’

After a moment of thought, Viscount Fairchild spoke with a glimmer in his eyes, “Mills! Bring the sword!”

“What? My lord, by that, do you mean…”

“Is there another sword I could be referring to?”

“Ah… yes!” Mills paused for a moment, then quickly disappeared.

“You can look forward to it.”

Viscount Fairchild grinned at Eugene. After a short while, Mills returned while carefully holding a shortsword clothed in a black scabbard.

“Sir Jan of the Eugene family.”

“Yes, Lord.”

Viscount Fairchild received the sword from Mills, then held it out to Eugene in a dignified manner.

“This sword is named ‘Wolfslaughter.’ It was a gift from my father-in-law given to me along with the dowry. It belonged to one of the most famous knights of the Winslon County, Sir Bellgreen Entaylor. He truly brought glory and honor to the Winslon County with this blade”

‘That old man was so regretful when he gave this to me. Whatever the case, I can boast after giving this to the knight. And if the knight actually becomes sworn in to the old man, I’m basically returning the sword to him, so he should be grateful.’

Although Viscount Fairchild was cold and calculating in his thoughts, he took on an expression of dignity and affection as he spoke.

“From now on, you, sir, are the owner of Wolfslaughter.”