CH 72

“As promised, you will give me half of the mana stones and the materials, correct?” Eugene asked.

“…..!”

Essandra stared blankly at the mountain of materials before flinching. She responded with a bright smile. “Of course! Ahahahaha! Dammit! I knew I could believe in you, sir!” Essandra was clearly delighted.

The knights and nobles standing behind Essandra could not help but shiver. The number of materials brought back by Eugene was enormous, but it was even more unbelievable that he had achieved it ‘alone.’

‘H-how could this be possible?’

‘Is this knight truly a monster!?’

One or two famed, incredibly skilled knights were born every blue moon. Their stories spoke of an impossible victory against hundreds of enemy soldiers or hunting several large monsters by themselves. However, none had ever succeeded in conquering a dungeon by themselves.

Even the most skilled knights would bring along at least a team of mercenaries and a few aides, and such figures were praised as ‘master knights.’ However, the young knight standing in front of them had executed a successful subjugation by himself.

There was only a single explanation for an impossible feat such as this – Eugene was an unparalleled prodigy. Such a genius might be born once a century, and any sane noble would go nuts to build a relationship with such a knight or have the knight under their command.

“Open the gates! I will invite all the brave warriors who follow Sir Eugene! A feast! A banquet! I will be holding a grand banquet!” Essandra shouted with ecstasy.

“Yes, my lord!” All the surrounding figures immediately answered.

Essandra was considered the brightest of her siblings, and her orders were quickly carried out.

***

A marvelous feast was held at the palace and the courtyard of Essandra’s castle. Eugene’s mercenaries were rather fed up with eating the same, stale food every day. As such, they ate and drank gluttonously without holding back.

The atmosphere heated up even more as the band started playing an exciting tune. The dancers and clowns displayed their talents as well.

“Hahahaha! Drink up!” Essandra encouraged the attendees.

Essandra was quite broad-minded. As such, she mixed with her subordinates and other attendees without hesitation. She even went as far as to personally pour drinks for Eugene’s mercenaries. Her treatment of Eugene’s men was truly exceptional.

Nevertheless, she possessed a unique charm that allowed her to dominate the atmosphere. Her authority was innate, and no one dared to underestimate or belittle her. It was evident that she was a prepared monarch from the perplexed reactions of the rough, ignorant mercenaries.

“Now, then, Sir Eugene. We have something else to talk about, right?” Essandra spoke after returning to her seats. Her slaves hurriedly took their place at her side and started fanning her and massaging her hands and feet.

“How did you manage to capture the knights of Gabriel?” She asked.

“They seemed to have had a quarrel with some of those men on their way to Lord Edrique’s territory,” Eugene answered while beckoning toward the free knights.

“Hooh~ I thought they were just dead wood, but it seems I was mistaken,” Essandra spoke curiously.

Eugene glanced at the prideful knights. They were surrounding Galfredik and laughing boisterously with boastful expressions.

“They are quite useful. They have helped me in many ways as well.” Eugene answered.

“Hmm. Now that you are officially a lord, are you planning on taking them in?” Essandra asked.

Eugene shook his head and replied in a quiet voice. “I cannot afford to do that.”

“Hoho! Indeed, I am quite fond of you.” Essandra answered with an alluring smile, stroking Eugene’s arm at the same time.

It was fortunate that Mirian was completely occupied with the food and drinks of the banquet. After all, the spirit would have thrown a fit if she were here.

“It is difficult for knights seeking fame and honor to also possess a sense of reality. In that sense, you will continue to grow, sir. I guarantee it.” Essandra answered, feeling rather charmed by Eugene’s answer.

“I remember you asking me if anyone had ever called me crazy, my lord,” Eugene answered.

“Haha! Knights that hold grudges are not attractive, sir.” Essandra waved her hand while chuckling.

Then, she continued after sending away the slaves. “Anyways, thanks to your efforts, it is now clear that Edrique will submit to me in the future. If I tell him that I will be sending you to the dungeon once a month, he won’t be able to prohibit a subjugation force under the pretext of tolls.” Essandra said.

“That’s great. Then what about Lord Elena?” Eugene asked. Elena was the youngest remaining sibling after the death of Bemos.

“You don’t need to worry about her. She does whatever Gabriel tells her to do, so she will kneel before me if I take care of Gabriel. Well, she does have two strange wizards by her side, but I’m certain that she would not dare to confront me.” Essandra explained.

“Wizards?” Eugene asked with curiosity.

Essandra felt it was rather strange for Eugene to ask, but she answered anyway. “Well. You already know that the bishop fled to the royal city after my father was overthrown, right? These wizards crawled into the marquisate not long after that. I’m not sure what school they belong to, but I heard that the two of them are in a teacher-student relationship. Elena is quite reliant on them. Crazy wench. If I succeed the marquisate, I’m planning on getting rid of them right away.”

Most nobles didn’t particularly dislike wizards. However, it bothered Essandra that her younger sister was heavily reliant on wizards of unknown origin. Even though Essandra was quite candid, she cared deeply about her siblings as well.

“Can I ask you a question?” Eugene asked.

“Anything!” Essandra answered.

“What is the exact relationship between Lord Elena and Lord Gabriel like? To what degree does she follow him? Eugene continued.

“They were inseparable ever since we were young. Gabriel adored Elena terribly. Isn’t it quite obvious, that she would send even her own husband to Gabriel?” Essandra explained.

“What?”

“Ah, you didn’t know? Sir Andre is Elena’s husband.”

“…..!”

As if she found Eugene’s reaction amusing, Essandra giggled before she continued to explain. “Now do you understand why I was overjoyed when you brought me that murderer? It gave me a hold on both Gabriel and Elena.”

“Hmm. But they can simply deny anything.” Eugene answered.

“That’s possible. But that will be useless. The nobles under them are bound to be shaken. Can Gabriel succeed the marquisate in that situation? He will be branded as a traitor of the peninsula. He can never do that.” Essandra explained.

“Congratulations. You will soon be called a marquis.” Eugene spoke.

“Hahaha! It’s all thanks to you, sir.”

Eugene was sincerely amazed at Essandra. She clearly proved the importance of one’s political power and influence in the noble society. As such, Eugene decided to gift her another hand that could be utilized to secure her position as the succeeding Marquis of Archivold.

“Lord Essandra,” Eugene called out.

“What is it, my beloved Sir Eugene?” She answered while stroking his arm once again.

Eugene wasn’t used to her flirtatious actions, so he escaped her touch before continuing. “Although the tides have turned in your favor, my lord, there’s still a possibility of an all-out war, correct?” He asked.

“Well, yes,” Essandra answered in a dejected voice. Gabriel could certainly escalate the conflict if he was cornered.

“Then when you meet Lord Gabriel and Lord Elena, please say this before you bring up the incident regarding Balmong,” Eugene said.

“Hmm? Say what?” She asked.

“The wizard of the dungeon is dead,” Eugene said.

“…..?” Essandra simply blinked several times. She was clearly confused.

Eugene continued in a lower voice. “If they do not show any reaction, continue on to the matter with Balmong. If they react at all, the conflict will never escalate into a territorial war. They will kneel down before you of their own will. In any case, you stand to lose nothing, my lord.”

“…Sir. Are you sure no one’s ever called you crazy before?” Essandra asked with a baffled expression.

“Never.” Eugene once again answered with a straight face.

“I understand, but what does that mean? I need to know the facts if I want it done properly.” Essandra expressed her frustration.

“You have to keep this to yourself, my lord.” Eugene slowly and quietly began to give a summary of the dungeon’s events, although he made sure to hide the various details. Since Essandra was never trained as a knight, she took Eugene’s words at face value. Of course, the trust and favor she had towards Eugene had escalated enormously after Eugene’s brilliant achievement, which contributed greatly to her response.

“I also brought the wizard’s head, just in case,” Eugene spoke.

“And you think the evil wizard must be one of the two that Elena is with?” Essandra answered. Her relaxed, leisurely demeanor was replaced by an ice-cold atmosphere.

“I think it is highly probable. Only those permitted by the direct descendants of the marquisate can enter the dungeon in the first place, right? Of course, it would be a relief if my guess is wrong.” Eugene said.

“Gabriel. Elena. Those crazy bitches…” Essandra was genuinely furious. The fact that she could utilize this fact to completely subdue her younger siblings wasn’t very important.

She was heartbroken and filled with disappointment and anger that her younger siblings might have resorted to such a disgraceful, unforgivable action as children of the Archivold family, the pillar of the peninsula.

“Sir Eugene,” Essandra called out.

“Please speak.” He answered.

“I apologize, but I hope you can keep this matter a secret from everyone else.” Essandra pleaded.

“Naturally.”

It was obviously a lie. Eugene was planning to let Galfredik and Romari know. In particular, he had an order and a gift for Romari.

‘That way, I can keep her working even if she manages to complete her chimera.’

“Phew! It seems that I’ve done nothing but receive your help, sir. Of course, I presume there is something you want in return, right?” Essandra asked.

“Yes. Please recognize me as a lord, but not under the Archivold Marquisate.” Eugene replied.

“Tsk! I thought that might be the case, but I’m rather disappointed to hear it.” Essandra spoke regretfully.

“That’s fine. But will you be okay? You might be liberated from your duties, but there could be quite a few figures who might consider you a thorn in their sides.” Essandra asked with worry.

Becoming a vassal of a great noble meant that one was obligated to respond to the call of their lord at any time. However, the relationship also allowed the vassals to be protected by their superior.

There was a reason why nobles continued to establish blood ties with others to form their forces.

“There is no need to worry about that. I will have the authority of a lord, but I intend to share the responsibility with others. Of course, I will need a little help from you, my lord,” Eugene said.

“What do you mean?” Essandra asked.

“I’m referring to those men over there.”

Eugene beckoned and Essandra followed his gaze to the smiling, noisy free knights.

“Please have them sworn in by you, my lord. I will take care of them and give them portions of my territory.” Eugene answered.

“What? What does that… Ha!” Essandra came to a realization, and she laughed vainly.

“You are planning to tie the knights to your territory after they become sworn in to me? And since they were born and raised in the peninsula, no one will have the justification to touch your land? Ha! My goodness!” Essandra continued. She was baffled by Eugene’s request.

“Will it not be to your advantage as well, my lord? You will gain seven knights under your command without spending a single coin. Those men are quite formidable as well,” Eugene said.

“That’s true, but… Ha! Haha!”

Essandra laughed before staring at Eugene with a straight expression.

“Fine. I will accept all of your requests and suggestions,” she said.

“Thank you,” Eugene answered.

“However, I have a condition,” She continued.

“…..?”

Eugene frowned, and Essandra continued with a meaningful smile. “There’s nothing better than blood ties as evidence of mutual trust.”

“…What?”

“Sir, you are still unmarried, right? One of my nieces is quite fine. She’s Gabriel’s eldest daughter, so take her. If you don’t want to become engaged, you can have her as your aide as well. She is the best swordsman in our family,” Essandra said.

“…..”

Eugene was at a loss for words after hearing the sudden proposal. However, an idea suddenly came to his mind like lightning.

“It might be a bit difficult for me, but what about the person I trust the most? He is almost like a brother to me.” Eugene suggested.

“A vassal? Who?” Essandra asked.

“That man. He contributed the most in pummeling, or rather, capturing the knights of Lord Gabriel.” Eugene answered while gesturing towards Galfredik.

Both of their eyes became fixated on the burly knight, who was smiling pleasantly while gulping down wine.

“That knight…”

“Is Rowan of the Galfredik family. I assure you, you will be hard-pressed to find a knight that could rival him. He is a good friend, as well as an incredibly loyal knight. He does not have any aides yet as well.” Eugene explained.

“Hmm. Not bad. Good, then I will send Selena as that knight’s aide. Depending on the situation, it will be good for them to become engaged.” Essandra accepted Eugene’s counterproposal.

“I am grateful for your consideration, my lord,” Eugene spoke while inwardly sighing with relief. A thought suddenly came to his mind, and he asked another question. “How old is Lady Selena?”

“Fifteen.”

“…..”

It was rather common for girls younger than fifteen to become engaged as a noble. But Eugene couldn’t believe that Essandra would send her niece, who had not even commenced her coming-of-age ceremony, to such a rough, burly-looking knight.

‘Things will become even more complicated if they find out that he’s a vampire. Well, that will never happen.’

Essandra was trying to keep him by her side, but Eugene was confident of escaping her influence whenever he wanted. Regardless, Eugene stared at Galfredik without a word. The world of true nobles was really complex and mysterious.

‘Well, you are my vassal after all, right? This is the least that you can do for me. Right, Gal?’