CH 152

“Oh! Lord Nosvolta. What a coincidence!”

“If it isn’t Lord Sithame? It has been a long time...”

The two lords greeted each other warmly after meeting near the Batla Duchy. Both nobles belonged to families that were once subordinate to the duchy, though they became independent for various reasons at different times.

The two nobles shared their respective greetings before sneaking a gaze at each other’s entourage.

“Is that a slave? I’m guessing it must be a gift for the new duke.”

“Well, it’s nothing extravagant. I don’t think he would like anything flashy since he’s a member of the Dark Clan. He should be satisfied with four healthy slaves to feed off of. And you? Did you prepare anything?”

“Just this,” the lord of Nosvolta responded before tapping his waist and taking out a shiny silver coin.

“Ahahahahaha! Sir, you’re too mischievous. What if the new duke stumbles and falls to the ground as soon as he opens it?” Sithame responded.

“Oh, you jest. I have no such intentions. And even if he is a member of the Dark Clan, surely the duke of the Great Batla family would never act so shamefully, right? Hahaha.” Lord Nosvolta chuckled with an exaggerated wave of his hands. However, in truth, he had been expecting such a reaction from Lord Sithame when he prepared the silver coin.

Both lords no longer had much loyalty toward the Batla Duchy. They didn’t dare to directly oppose the duchy because of its status and long history, but they had no respect for the duchy anymore.

“Anyway, Lord Sithame, are you trying to frighten the new duke?” Lord Nosvolta asked.

“Hmm? What do you mean by that?” Lord Sithame said with a puzzled expression.

Lord Nosvolta laughed while looking at the two soldiers and the large group of soldiers standing behind Sithame. There appeared to be about thirty soldiers. “Haha, otherwise, there’s no reason to bring so many soldiers with you, is there?”

“Oh, that’s what you’re talking about? I never had any intention to do such a thing,” Lord Sithame responded.

“So why?” Nosvolta asked.

“Well, the messenger who came to my castle brought a beowulf as an escort! Hmph! I guess they wanted to brag about hiring a wandering mercenary from who knows where. I felt absolutely disgusted and horrified. I had no other choice but to do this,” Sithame said. His eyes were filled with pride as he looked back at his knights and soldiers. The two knights of Sithame were equipped with longswords and chainmail, and the soldiers were wearing high-quality leather armor as well. Their appearance was rather dignified, although their equipment wouldn’t necessarily reflect their skills. Lord Sithame still deserved to be proud.

However, Nosvolta’s expression was rather grim.

Sithame asked, “What’s wrong? Are you perhaps jealous of my knights and soldiers?”

“Did you just say that the messenger who came to your castle from the duchy was accompanied by a beowulf warrior?” Nosvolta asked.

“That’s right. Why?” Sithame asked.

“The one who came to my castle was also accompanied by a beowulf,” Nosvolta stated.

“Huh?” Lord Sithame was surprised. The beowulfs were small in number and extremely expensive to hire. One could hire two free knights for the price of hiring a single beowulf warrior. The two lords knew how poor the duchy was, so how could they have managed to hire two of such warriors?

“By chance, what tribe did the beowulf say he belonged to? Was it… Perseus?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm.” Lord Sithame’s expression hardened. 

However, he soon shrugged and smirked. “Well, the new duke must have spent a fortune to save his face. Regardless, he’ll be stunned speechless once he sees our troops. I’m certain he will ask us for help or for an agreement, so… Hmm?!” Lord Sithame’s eyes filled with shock as he turned the corner of the forest located near the duchy. Lord Nosvolta and the troops following the two lords also stopped at once with shocked expressions.

“W-what in the…”

Dozens of small and large tents stood erect inside a long wall of tall wooden fences, and countless people were busily moving about. Moreover, everyone, including those inside the wooden fences and those outside, was armed with spears and swords.

“Sir! Someone is coming!”

A knight holding a flag was approaching the two lords from the large camp along with a group of soldiers. The forces of the two lords instinctively surrounded their masters and placed their hands on their weapons, as if to protect their lords. Sithame and Nosvolta also felt very nervous, but they felt relieved after recognizing the flag that the approaching knight was holding.

“Ah! It’s the crest of the Batla Duchy… Huh?!” the lords shouted with disbelief. Among the rapidly approaching group of soldiers, there were four figures visibly larger than the others. They were beowulf warriors.

“Whoa, whoa! I am Croul, a squad captain serving under Sir Eugene… No, His Excellency the Duke, Lord Eugene Batla. Who are you sirs, and where are you from?” the bearded man on horseback asked while looking at the group.

‘Squad captain?’

‘He’s not a knight?’

The lords were surprised. A knight would have introduced himself differently—by revealing his name and family.

“Ehem. I am Philio of Nosvolta.” 

“My name is Dren, the lord of Sithame.”

“Aha. You must be here because of the succession.” Croul pointed out.

The beowulf warriors raised their helmets and frowned after hearing his words. He then said to the others, “Huh? They aren’t here to fight? Why did they bring so many soldiers, then?”

“Probably because it’s still not that safe around these parts.”

“Tsk. That’s lame. I’m going to hunt.”

“Whatever...”

The beowulfs stretched their limbs and waddled away after losing interest in the two lords. They looked bored.

“…”

The two lords would have stopped anyone else if they had spoken in such a way, but they couldn’t say anything, let alone get angry. The four beowulf warriors were different from ordinary warriors in that they were armed with plate coats that came down from their shoulders all the way to their knees. Moreover, even at a glance, the beowulfs’ armor seemed to be twice as thick and durable compared to their own armor. Ordinary swords, spears, and arrows would fail to penetrate such a thick layer of steel. Even if a skilled swordsman succeeded in striking through the gaps of the armor, the beowulfs possessed incredible regenerative abilities and excellent physiques. It would be hard to inflict any significant damage on those beowulfs.

‘They have four of such warriors? No, including the two that came to my territory and Lord Nosvolta’s territory, there are six!’

‘Why weren’t the escorts wearing those armors when they brought the invitations? Was it done on purpose to deceive us?’

The two lords licked their lips vainly while glancing at the beowulf warriors. Croul smirked as if he could tell what they were thinking.

“Please follow me, sirs.”

“A-alright…”

The two lords passed through the campground inhabited by hundreds of troops and the workers of the depot. Rugged soldiers freely roamed the grounds as if to prove their identity as mercenaries. However, some discipline could be seen in the soldiers as well.

Those devoting themselves to training followed the commands of those wearing chainmail, and no one started fights or got drunk during the breaks, unlike ordinary mercenaries. In other words, they were organized and well-trained. They were an army.

‘And why are there so many beowulf warriors?’

‘At least three hundred troops and over ten beowulf warriors. Unbelievable…!’

The two lords suddenly felt ashamed of their knights and soldiers, even though they had been so proud just ten minutes ago.

‘Damn it! If I knew this would happen, I would have brought twenty slaves.’

‘Maybe I should have brought more gold coins. Keugh! I’ll send someone back as soon as I arrive at the castle.’

The lords never even dreamt that the new duke would possess such a massive army. They felt a sense of urgency in their hearts.

***

“Lord Philio of Nosvolta and Lord Dren of Sithame have arrived!” Vyort’s piercing voice resonated throughout the hall. Eugene gestured at the group while sitting on his throne.

“Come closer.”

“Yes, Your Excellency!” the two lords immediately shouted before hurrying forward and kneeling in front of Eugene. Luke and Lanslo stood on either side of Eugene, and all three figures exuded extraordinary auras, which caused the lords to feel nervous.

“Good to meet you. Was there any trouble on your ways here?” Eugene asked.

“Yes! It’s all thanks to Your Excellency’s boundless grace and the generosity of the spirits. We did not encounter any bandits or monsters on our way here!” the lords responded.

“I see. It is indeed thanks to my grace since my army has wiped out all the bandits and roamers in the vicinity,” Eugene responded.

“…!”

The lords had only spoken in formality, but their eyes filled with shock after hearing Eugen’s response.

“Why are you both acting so surprised? Didn’t you see my army on the way here?” Eugene asked.

“T-that’s right. I thought it to be an incredibly brave and disciplined army.”

“That’s it?” Eugene asked.

“What?”

“Do you think I got rid of the bandits out of charity?” Eugene asked.

“Ah…” The two quick-witted lords quickly noticed the meaning hidden behind Eugene’s words.

“Although it’s no match for the duke’s shining glory, I have prepared a small gift for you.” Lord Nosvolta was the first to speak. He politely offered the small sum he originally prepared on top of the emergency fund he had brought with him.

“This isn’t all. Other gifts will arrive in time for the succession to offer our congratulation for your succession. So please wait for a few more days…” Nosvolta continued.

“Is that it?”

“Yes. Y-yes?”

Nosvolta started to feel relieved, but he flinched after hearing Eugene’s question. Eugene intentionally revealed his fear slightly and spoke in a cold voice, “Nosvolta. I heard it was Batla’s vassal in the past. The reason it declared independence was due to how weak the duchy’s army had gotten and the insecurity in the lands. But now, that’s no longer an issue. Nosvolta, if you are ever under attack, I can offer you my help.”

“…” Lord Nosvolta felt sweat starting to drench his back. Anyone could understand what Eugen was saying unless they were a fool. The young, ambitious vampire duke was urging Nosvolta to once again serve under the Batla Duchy.

“I am a Daywalker.”

“Heup!”

“What?!”

The two lords gasped with shock.

“You sirs are lucky,” Eugene spoke while taking off his helmet. He slowly rose from his throne and continued.

“The lords who return to the duchy’s service will be welcomed with joyous hearts. However, the lords who reject…” With his bare face exposed to the direct sunlight from the windows, Eugene continued in an icy voice. “I, the duke, and my army will go to them personally. I will discipline them, by force if necessary. So you sirs, the lucky ones, you should decide now. They were unlucky and weren’t even given a choice.”

Eugene turned his head, and the gaze of the lords followed suit as if they were hypnotized.

“…!”

Eugene’s presence was overwhelming, and the lords had been focused on him all this time. However, they finally noticed a group of pale-faced, trembling people after following Eugene’s gaze. The two lords were familiar with most of them. Like themselves, they belonged to the previous vassals of the Batla Duchy. However, they were either the direct descendants of the lords or nobles with sufficient status to act as agents of the lords.

‘It’s over for the families that sent representatives instead.’

‘They’re doomed.’

The two lords finally understood why Eugene called them lucky.

“I, Philio of Nosvolta, will accept Your Excellency’s suggestion with g-great joy!”

“Only the flag of the Great Batla Duchy will stand above the flag of Sithame!”

Their contemplation was short and their decision was quick.

***

“How many?”

“Seven, Your Excellency.” The nobles of the castle could not hide their delight. It was only natural since all the nobles who came to attend the succession ceremony ended up swearing themselves as vassals of the duchy. The reason was simple. Eugene was a Daywalker, and he possessed an army strong enough to easily occupy a medium-sized territory.

Although the nobles smiled and laughed outwardly after swearing allegiance to Eugene, they were disheartened. Even so, there was one thing that they could all agree on.

‘We were lucky!’

The army situated outside the castle walls alone could easily and thoroughly trample on their territories, but the young knight from the Drak family told the nobles a shocking truth.

- His Excellency’s right-hand man is currently in Mungard. Soon, an army consisting of even greater numbers will be joining us. There will be knights and soldiers from the continent. And their first opponents will be those who didn’t personally participate in the succession ceremony.

The nobles felt truly sorry for those who didn’t come in person. However, it could not be considered unfair treatment. The duke had the justification, after all.

The Batla Duchy was one of the greatest families in Brantia, and they were originally vassals of the duchy. It was justified for the duke to become enraged at their lack of respect, and they had no right to complain even if their families were destroyed.

“Your Excellency! At this rate, all the invited nobles will come to serve you and the duchy once again. This can only be called the greatest of blessings.”

“As expected, it’s best to come and see the succession in person. This is all thanks to Your Excellency’s righteousness and honor. Hahaha!”

The nobles shouted with delight.

Eugene smiled coldly. “Is that so? But wouldn’t you agree that it’s better to experience it in person than to see it?”

“…!”

The nobles became startled and instantly became quiet.

“The succession is tomorrow. Anyone who doesn’t arrive until tonight, My army and I will have them pay with blood. Perhaps Mondelio. Oh, and did I mention Mondelio?”

Whatever the case, it seemed that Baron Mondelio was facing certain doom.