CH 117

“It might be harder to persuade them than I initially thought,” Lanslo said.

“Could you possibly recover their relationship after they smashed apart the castle? Besides, they’ve killed so many soldiers and knights. It seems irreversible to me,” Galfredik said.

Wolfgan protested as if he had been falsely accused. “We only destroyed half of the castle. We didn’t even kill a single person. We simply broke a few bones and limbs.”

“That’s your excuse? And why did you kill the livestock?” Eugene asked.

“It’s because the villagers were throwing a fit. We were angry,” Wolfgan responded.

“Fine. Then what about the villagers?” Eugene asked coldly.

As if realizing that something was wrong, Wolfgan responded with a slightly timid expression. “We did not hurt the villagers. Well, I have a feeling that a few buildings might have, maybe, could have been blown away in the chaos, but…”

“So, they destroyed the village as well,” Galfredik muttered.

“That’s right. Besides, it’s only been a few years, so it must still be fresh in everyone’s minds,” Lanslo said while clicking his tongue.

It was a complete mess. Eugene held back a sigh as he looked back at Wolfgan and the beowulfs. "From now on. You obey my orders. Whatever they say, whatever they do. Do nothing without my words.”

“Hmph. I understand.”

“First order. Turn into humans.” As soon as Eugene finished speaking, the beowulfs lifted their transformation. Since they had already transformed several times in front of Eugene’s group, the beowulfs weren’t very embarrassed even though they were almost naked.

“The count’s castle. We will go,” Eugene declared. The warriors waddled behind Eugene’s group in shabby, torn clothing. It was a very comical scene, but Eugene was unconcerned. His mind was full of worries about how to restore the relationship between the beowulfs and the Crawlmarine territory.

“What do you think? Do you have any ideas?” Lanslo asked.

“Well…” Eugene smacked his lips in response.

‘They will have to make amends, but I don’t think apologizing will solve anything. Those bastards won’t apologize in the first place.’

Then what about force? No, it was the worst method. Eugene’s goal was to obtain the title of Batla’s Duke. The Crawlmarine family was highly reputable and influential in the south of Brantia, so it would only cause harm if Eugene left the wrong impression on them.

“I’ll have to see the count before I can do anything,” Eugene said while hurrying his horse. Simply thinking about it wasn’t giving him any answers.

***

“Stop!”

Eugene’s group was interrupted at the entrance to the castle-town. A knight with chainmail covering his upper body and soldiers in crude, leather armor surrounded the group without hiding their anxiety and hostility.

“His Excellency Crawlmarine’s village does not want a commotion! Especially those people! So go back to where you came from,” the guard captain shouted while glaring at the beowulfs. His hand rested on the pommel of his sword, ready to unsheathe the blade at a moment’s notice. However, his hands were trembling ever-so-slightly, indicating his fear of the beowulfs.

Eugene raised up his visor before speaking with the gentlest expression he could muster. “I am Knight Jan Eugene. I have the support of the City of Mungard. Luke.”

Luke quickly got off his horse and held out an object to the guard captain. It was an identification token that Mungard’s mayor had created for Eugene. The mayor had boasted that it would be recognized mostly everywhere even by those who weren’t literate since the crest of Mungard was quite famous. However, the captain took one look at the identification token before returning it.

“It doesn’t matter who you are supported by. Crawlmarine does not welcome outsiders, especially those who are armed. In particular, those people!” the guard captain shouted.

“Sir, sir. That man has said the same thing twice already,” Mirian whispered.

Eugene felt regretful. He never expected it to be easy, but he couldn’t believe that things would turn out like this from the get-go. Naturally, he could force the gate open. However, neither he nor Galfredik would be able to enter the village in that case. Vampires were forbidden from entering a village or buildings with walls and fences without explicit permission from a representative. An invisible force would repel them.

And in this situation, the guard captain was sufficient to represent Crawlmarine.

‘Hmm… What should I do?’

Eugene looked back at his group with a slight frown. One person caught his eye.

‘Ah! That’s right!’

How could he have forgotten? Eugene was dumbfounded.

He turned to the guard captain once again and spoke in a ‘noble manner’ as much as possible. “I, Knight Jan Eugene. I have a deep connection with the honorable Crawlmarine family.”

“W-what?” the guard captain stuttered. Eugene continued while leading someone forward by the shoulders. “This man. He knows the honor and the will of Crawlmarine. My aide. He is Luke Bosch.”

“…?!”

“M-master?”

Both the guard captain and Luke were surprised. No, rather, everyone was startled by Eugene’s sudden words.

“Kieeeeeek! Using aide number two like this? Kyah! As expected, you always have a plan, don’t you, sir?!” Mirian exclaimed.

However, it wasn’t a plan, but rather a hurried improvisation.

“Wow! I never even thought about this.”

“I agree.”

However, judging by everyone’s reaction, it seemed to be working rather well. Surely enough, the guard captain looked alternatingly at Eugene and Luke with a shocked expression. His eyes widened even further with surprise as he exclaimed. “L-Luke Bosch?! Sir Bosch’s illegitimate child? Weren’t you dead?”

“Luke,” Eugene called out.

Luke immediately came to his senses. He was very mature and intelligent compared to his peers, and he was able to recognize what Eugene wanted. He spoke in a calm, dignified manner. “I fought bravely as a man of Crawlmarine, but I was captured by the knights of the central church. I was sold as a slave to a territory in the Kingdom of Caylor…”

No one in Eugene’s party had realized that Luke was so well-spoken until now. Luke recounted the story of how he was given to Eugene as a slave and how he came to return to Brantia as Eugene’s aide. He dressed his words properly to add flavor to the story, and even the rest of the guards and the beowulfs crept up and started listening to his story. Even Partec and his men, as well as the spirit of desire, listened to Luke’s story with great attention, even though they had been with Eugene together even before Luke joined.

“As such, Master lived out his chivalry and brilliant honor by taking me, a mere slave, as his aide. My master is a true knight, and he would like to give his greetings to Lord Crawlmarine since we happened to be in the vicinity. So, please show us your consideration.” Luke’s long story came to an end.

Eugene stole a glance at the guard captain’s expression. Both his eyes and lips were quivering. It appeared that…

“Crawlmarine welcomes the return of a proud son of the land! Sir Eugene, you are a true, chivalrous knight. And you all...” the guard captain said before turning his eyes toward the beowulfs.

The beowulf warriors flinched.

“I will propose to the count an opportunity for you to apologize and to explain yourselves in honor of Sir Eugene’s prestige. Open the gates! Welcome the return of the fellow of Crawlmarine and the honorable, merciful knight, as well as the others!” the guard captain shouted.

Woaaaaah!

The beowulf warriors had been watching with nervous expressions, and the guards had been sighing and shedding tears while listening to Luke’s story. However, everyone cheered with one heart at the guard captain’s shouts.

***

“Bosch? Sir Bosch’s illegitimate son?”

“That is correct, my lord. Fortunately, he survived against the leaders of the central church, and he has now returned as the aide of a valiant, honorable knight who has the support of Mungard.”

Ooohh…!

The nobles of the county expressed their awe. The lingering scars of the war were still deeply etched in everyone’s hearts. However, the son of Crawlmarine’s knight had returned alive. Moreover, he had even become the aide of a skillful knight with a promising future.

“T-that is great! The holy spirits of Brantia and Crawlmarine must have been looking after him.” Count Lucas exclaimed. However, his thoughts were contrary to his bright expression and words.

‘How did he come back alive? This is problematic.’

“Oh, there’s just one more thing…” the guard captain said.

“What is it?” Count Lucas responded.

“Sir Jan Eugene brought the Perseus Beowulfs with him,” the guard captain answered.

“W-what!?”

The count and the nobles jumped up in shock, and the guard captain hurriedly continued. “I-I can explain…”

The guard captain explained how the beowulfs had assisted Eugene in taking care of the bandits and roamers around the region in a desperate voice. In addition, he spoke of how they were here to give proper compensation and to apologize.

“Hmm! Since they are already here, there’s no helping it,” Count Lucas said.

“Yes. And those rowdy bunch seemed to be very obedient to Sir Eugene’s words. Why don’t you give them a chance to explain themselves, my lord?” The guard captain suggested.

“Hmm.”

Lucas frowned.

‘Sir Bosch’s son, and the beowulfs. Ah! Perhaps…’

Count Lucas didn’t think for too long. “Bring them here. If it’s a son of our land and a knight of honor, it will be worth meeting them even with those obscene creatures.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Lucas waited for a few minutes with a stern look on his face to hide his anxiousness. Eugene and the beowulfs walked into the hall in a straight line. Eugene carried his helmet on the side, and he gave his greetings on behalf of the group by placing his right hand on Wolfslaughter’s guard and giving a light bow.

“I am Jan Eugene, the lord of the Eugene territory in the Carls Baggins Peninsula, a knight supported by Maren, Moffern, and Mungard, and an honorable friend of Marquis Archivold and Count Winslon,” Eugene said. His moderately-long obsidian hair and starry red eyes harmonized to create a very mysterious, elegant appearance. Moreover, his beauty was something that was uncommon amidst the rugged, thick men of Brantia, so the nobles couldn’t help but express their admiration.

“What a beautiful knight.”

“How could such a handsome knight receive the support of three port cities? Exactly how skillful is he?”

“Look at the beautiful armor. I have never seen anything like it. He must be a considerably great knight to possess such an excellent piece of art.”

“Isn’t Winslon one of the most prestigious nobles in the Kingdom of Caylor? Maybe the knight is his secret child or a lover?”

It was common for nobles to have one or two lovers who were either men or women, so the nobles poured out compliments and envy regarding Eugene’s appearance.

“And…”

However, Eugene wasn’t finished yet. The nobles stopped their murmuring and focused on Eugene once more.

Paaaaa…

Eugene released a tiny bit of Fear and continued while revealing his fangs, “I am a member of the Dark Clan from the continent.”

Whoaaaaa!

Even louder shouts of admiration filled the hall. The nobles weren’t very surprised by the fact Eugene was a vampire since Brantia was a nation familiar with other races. However, the hall was currently filled with sunlight, and Eugene was revealing his face without any fear. It could only mean one thing.

“A daywalker?! He’s a noble of the Dark Clan!”

“I have heard of them before, but this is the first time I’m actually seeing one!”

“That’s right! I knew it was weird that those dog-like thugs were being so obedient. A big shot has actually visited Crawlmarine!”

Vampires capable of walking around in broad daylight were rare even in Brantia. Of course, that was why Eugene had revealed his identity. He had to solve the existing problems without resorting to force, and sometimes, status and identity could be just as effective as force.