CH 50

“I apologize! I committed an unforgivable crime! I have nothing to say even if you drive a silver stake through my heart! Please forgive this pathetic vampire for not recognizing an Origin!” Delmondo kowtowed and repeatedly slapped himself. However, Eugene’s gaze remained cold.

“Kieeeeeek! How dare you presumptuously place yourself on the same level as Sir Eugene! Don’t even think for a moment that all the members of the Night’s Tribe are the same! What a rude, impudent asshole! It doesn’t matter if he’s a vampire, people like him need to be taught a lesson! They need to be decimated!” Mirian started rampaging once again. Her anxious expression was nowhere to be seen.

“You bastard! Sir Eugene is destined to become the ultimate, greatest, most powerful demon king in the… Kiek!?”

Eugene forced Mirian into his leather pocket for the first time in a while, then finally spoke. “I guess that’s how you treat a fellow vampire? No, rather, is that how the Noferos operates?”

Eugene sneakily brought up what was presumed to be Delmondo’s family. 

The vampire responded with a pale expression. “N-not at all! Never! I was foolish enough to make such a mistake. Please, you can do as you wish with me! Please be satisfied with punishing this insolent fool.”

Delmondo even went as far as to bang his head against the ground.

‘It’s just as Romari said. Vampires seem to value their families quite a bit.’

It was said that the progenitor of the Blood Shadow School was very respectful towards their own family. Moreover, it was said that the vampires that Romari’s master once met also placed significance on their families, just like human nobles.

Eugene was using the vampire’s family in his threats after remembering such facts, and it appeared to be very effective.

‘It’s my first time seeing another vampire… I wonder what I can find out from him? But it might be strange for me to ask things that could be considered common sense.’

Eugene himself included, vampires were inherently devious and sly. Eugene wasn’t sure what Delmondo might try if he realized that Eugene was quite ignorant about the vampire world.

Thus, Eugene decided to threaten Delmondo further.

“Well. What reason do I have to believe your words after you committed such an act?”

“I swear it on the cold, blue veins of Noferos and on my father’s name. Please show mercy. I beg you.” Delmondo pleaded while lying flat on the ground.

‘Father?’

Was he saying that he had parents who gave birth to him and raised him?

“Who is your father?”

“It’s Sir Viorance. I am his seventh child. He showed me grace twenty years ago and I was transformed into a member of the tribe.”

Eugene nodded inwardly. Just as he expected, the vampire wasn’t referring to a biological relationship between parents and a child.

“Where is your father now?”

“What? I-I could not tell you. It has been more than 10 years since I became independent.”

“Hmm.”

Eugene narrowed his eyes. There wasn’t much to take away from so little information when he was ignorant about the vampire world. Delmondo mistakenly assumed that his answer dissatisfied Eugene, so he hurriedly continued.

“The last time I contacted him, he was in Albion, a port city in Brantia. It could be entirely possible that he is still there.”

Eugene didn’t know exactly where the City of Albion was, but Luke was originally from Brantia. He could figure it out later.

“I see. Then is your father an Origin of Noferos or a direct descendant?”

“H-how could that be? He is only one of the thralls serving the direct descendant of a Noferos noble. He is only a low-ranking aristocrat. As such, I cannot turn vampires into humans, unlike my father.”

‘A thrall is lower than a vassal, right?’

It was most likely true, considering the reaction that Romari showed when Eugene turned Galfredik into a vampire. In other words, both Delmondo and his father, Viorance, were much lower in status than even Galfredik, let alone himself as an Origin.

“Uaaaah! Please forgive me. Please show mercy and let the matter resolve with my death!” Delmondo started to wail. Eugene suddenly remembered the face of an incriminated serf as he stood in front of the territory’s lord. The vampire was truly afraid of him.

‘And that means…’

Eugene came to a rough understanding of his own position within the vampire world. Thus, he spoke in an even colder, more solemn voice.

“Fine. I will show you mercy.”

“Ah, ahh!”

“However, I have a condition.”

Delmondo started lowering his head with relief, then flinched. Soon, he raised his head with a determined expression. “I will do anything you ask for. I swear on the cold, blue blood of Noferos, I will obey your every word as long as it does not impair the Noferos family.”

*** 

“So that guy is going to go around and spread rumors about you?”

“Yes. I told him to spread rumors in the other villages, the ones I basically liberated, and to observe.”

Mirian folded her arms after hearing Eugene’s answer.

“Hmm. Can he be trusted? My seniors told me that members of the Night’s Tribe are renowned for being devious and sly.”

“First, I am also a vampire.”

“Exactly.”

Eugene suppressed his desire to give her a good knock on the head.

“He should be trustworthy. He swore on the name of his family and his father after all.”

From what Eugene experienced so far, it appeared that the vampires were only sly and crafty when dealing with other races, including humans. Instead, vampires seemed to follow a strict hierarchy among themselves, which was probably why Delmondo had proudly uttered nonsense during their first meeting, telling Eugene to kneel.

Above all else, it seemed that ordinary vampires such as Delmondo possessed immeasurable fear toward Origins. As such, it would be impossible for him to go against an oath he made in the name of his family and his father, especially when he was against an Origin.

“Anyways, I hope he does his job properly.”

“He will do a good job if he wants to keep on living.”

Eugene ordered the vampire to wait in Moffern after finishing his given tasks. Eugene could wait until then to think about what to do with Delmondo.

Eugene once again dashed through the dark night road. The residents of Mintan were almost done cleaning the fire and the remnants of the slaughter when Eugene returned. Judging from the fact that Silion was respectfully given ample space to rest, Eugene quickly recognized the fear and respect they felt towards him. 

Eugene summoned the village chief and said, “As I said, my name is Jan Eugene. I have also liberated Paranan Village, so there is nothing for you to worry about now.”

“I-Is that really true?”

“Do you think I will tell lies after what I did tonight?”

“N-not at all! Please forgive me, Sir!” The chief hurriedly bowed his head while trembling.

Eugene continued in a solemn voice, “The residents of Paranan Village wanted me to take care of their village. What are your thoughts?”

“T-there’s no reason for us to oppose it if it will keep us safe.” The chief spoke in a resigned voice. He was familiar with having to entrust the fate of his village to the strong. 

“You do not have to worry about safety. And I won’t be looting the village either, so don’t worry about that. There will be no forced requisition in the near future as well. I swear it on my honor.”

“We are lacking, so please lead us, Sir Eugene!” The chief quickly vowed. The village’s quality of life would dramatically improve as long as there was no more looting.

*** 

Eugene returned to Paranan Village before sunrise. The first thing he did was to call Galfredik to explain to the latter his plans. Galfredik was greatly surprised after hearing Eugene’s plan, but he was extremely supportive of it. Afterward, Galfredik called everyone around sunrise.

Eugene looked over the people gathered in front of the village hall. Excluding those who died last night, there were about 40 people in total. All of their faces were filled with tension and fear.

“Rudrian.”

“Yes!”

Rudrian was the strongest of the slaves, and he had contributed to quenching the little incident during the previous night. He immediately stood at attention when he was called upon.

“If you swear loyalty to me, I will not sell you as a slave. Will you follow me, or will you live a life as a slave? Choose.”

”I will follow Sir Eugene. I swear it.” As soon as Rudrian bowed his head, his subordinates also took to one knee. 

“We will follow you, Sir Eugene.”

They had made up their minds when they were called to gather by Galfredik. There was a huge disparity of power between themselves and the knights. Moreover, knights like Eugene were extremely rare, and they could succeed in life by following such a knight.

Power was equivalent to the law in Carls Baggins. As such, they answered without hesitation. It was the same for the other slaves.

“We will follow you as well! Please take us in! We will swear our loyalty to you, Sir Eugene!”

All of the slaves kneeled. Eugene spoke while imbuing a little bit of fear into his words. “If you betray me, I will kill you. If you disobey me, I will kill you. However, if you follow me, I promise you power and wealth.”

Uwaaaaaah!

The slaves roared loudly. They were truly simple and ignorant.

Eugene turned to Veron. “Veron, what will you do?”

“If you will accept us, we will live for you, Sir Eugene. Both me and these guys, we will follow you, even to the ends of hell.” Veron nodded immediately. He had already seen through Eugene’s capabilities during the past few days.

“Good.” Eugene nodded with satisfaction. Suddenly, Partec stepped up with a serious expression.

“Sir Eugene. Why aren’t you asking us the same question?”

“Hmm?” Eugene answered with a puzzled expression. “I thought we already shared such a relationship. Was I wrong?”

“…..!”

Partec jumped slightly before falling to one knee. “Thank you. We won’t let you down.”

“Thank you, Sir Eugene!”

“I will do my best!”

Glade and Lavan hurriedly followed suit.

“Hahaha! Today is a day worth celebrating.”

Galfredik burst out laughing, and Eugene looked around before speaking.

“As all of you should know, you will follow Galfredik’s orders when I am not around.”

“Yes, Sir Eugene!”

“Then, Galfredik.”

Galfredik stepped forward.

Having received official education since he was a child, Galfredik controlled and divided the troops with ease. Those with good skills were designated as soldiers, while others were tasked with carrying luggage.

No one was dissatisfied. Even if there were only 20 troops, many things were needed, and everyone would have their own roles. Moreover, Eugene and Galfredik were simply too scary for them to have any complaints.

“I’ve made rough arrangements. But master, if you want to become recognized as a lord, you need to be certified by a noble with a title. What are you planning to do?”

Eugene smirked and took something out of his pockets.

“What do you think? A count should suffice, right?”

“Ho-ho. That should be more than enough.”

The object fluttering in Eugene’s hand was the letter of recommendation he received from Viscount Fairchild to be given to Count Winslon. 

“Even so, we should get that wyvern first.”

Eugene was determined. If he could spread his name as the first ‘Wyvern Slayer’ as well, Count Winslon would definitely be very satisfied and swear him in as well as recognize him as a lord.

*** 

“The number of roamers coming out of the ruins has been increasing. It has been a long time since it was subjugated properly.”

“Send Sir Oleg there. He’s not doing anything else, is he?”

Baron Beogalan answered with annoyance after hearing the butler’s report.

“But we do not have enough troops. We cannot afford to send soldiers of the castle, so we must hire mercenaries. But the money to do that…”

“Ehem. Can we ask for cooperation from the knights of the Martianne Monastery? They wouldn’t possibly turn a blind eye, would they? Not after how much we’ve donated?”

“I have already given you a report ten days ago that the knights of the Martianne Monastery have disbanded, my lord.”

“Did you? Well, then we should hire mercenaries. Would thirty be enough?”

“With all due respect, my lord, but our finances are currently a little unstable. Would it not be better to ask the Palin Association to provide us with extra troops with their dispatched group? If we ask them to handle the roamer situation as well after the subjugation…”

“Impossible. They will have to handle the subjugation by themselves. Have Sir Oleg recruit mercenaries to handle the roamers. This should be enough to cover the finances.”

Baron Beogalan spoke arrogantly before tossing a thick, leather pouch. The butler sighed as he received the object, but he became wide-eyed as soon as he saw its contents.

“M-my lord? These are gold coins! Where did you get all this money?”

“It comes from a friend, who is both honorable and loyal. Anyways, there shouldn’t be any problems with the hiring of mercenaries and taking care of the roamers by now, right?”

“Yes. This is enough.”

“Then take care of it.”

“As you wish, my lord.” The butler bowed politely before leaving the office.

“Give me another drink. Put some effort into your fanning.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The servants and maids answered faithfully. One started pouring him another glass while others stationed behind him fanned even harder. Baron Beogalan had a satisfied expression as he opened a letter he received several days ago.

‘Ho-ho! There’s no reason for me to refuse such an offer. If they happen to succeed in the subjugation, I will earn a good sum. And even if they fail one more time, there’s always another chance.’

The letter in his hand came from a distant land, from the successor of the Evergrove County. They were likely related, but their blood relationship must be very thin. A relative of a relative of a relative was essentially no different from a stranger. However, the polite, sophisticated letter was enough to pique the baron’s interest. 

Of course, the 100 imperial gold coins contributed greatly as well.

In addition, the request was rather simple.

A knight named Jan Eugene would be commissioned by the Palin Association to subjugate the ruins, and all he had to do was ensure that Jan Eugene’s group wouldn’t be able to hire outside troops for the subjugation.

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