/
“What about the armor? When will you have them bring it?” Eugene asked.
“Please send two of my colleagues back to Eland. I will have them bring back the ransom and the armor. They will be back in a month at the latest,” Pranbow responded.
“I see. By any chance, your king and his nobles. They wouldn’t have any other thoughts, would they?” Eugene asked.
Pranbow smiled sadly. “The size and power of your army will be accurately relayed. I can tell you as a knight of Eland that our country will feel quite burdened by the army you possess, Your Excellency.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Eugene answered calmly. He knew that his army would have grown even larger when the time came. Pranbow felt impressed by Eugene’s demeanor.
“Moreover, as I have already mentioned, our nation only wants the help of the Batla Duchy. We have no intention of going against the duchy.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Eugene nodded with satisfaction.
Pranbow fell into thought for a moment before asking cautiously. “With all due respect… Does Your Excellency have the thought of unification in your mind?”
“Let’s just say yes for now,” Eugene responded.
“Ha…” Pranbow sighed as if he had been expecting Eugene’s answer. However, Eugene’s following words caused him to immediately raise his head.
“If you want, I will grant Eland its independence. And I will cede the islands in its vicinity as Eland’s territory.”
“…!” Pranbow’s eyes filled with disbelief.
Eugene continued while looking into the elf’s eyes. “My druid told me that even if someone succeeded in unifying Brantia, even greater strife and war might be awaiting them and that regardless of who unifies Brantia, it won’t even last for three generations.”
“Mmhm…” Pranbow felt dejected. He had heard similar words from the druids several times when he was in Eland. Even his cousin, the Elf King, knew the story. As such, although the Elf King was attempting to unify Brantia, he was pursuing it through a plan that hadn’t been attempted by the previous dynasties.
Several high-ranking nobles of Eland, led by Pranbow, had arrived on the mainland for that very reason. They had attempted to persuade and win over allies instead of conquering by force.
“Did Your Excellency’s druid give you any advice…?” Pranbow asked.
“A united kingdom. My druid advised me to form the United Kingdom of Brantia,” Eugene responded.
“As I thought!” Pranbow exclaimed with a clap. It appeared that the elves of Eland were pursuing a similar plan.
‘This makes it much easier to talk...’
Eugene put his devilish brain to work as he continued. “Brantia was invaded by the kingdoms of the continent, which caused the destruction of the dynasties after the Knight King. My druid thinks that the heart of the problem is Brantia’s architecture. He said that it is difficult to unite a nation that houses many different races, and that it would be difficult for a strong royal family to be born. Do you agree, sir?”
Although he was a prisoner, Pranbow possessed sufficient status to represent Eland. He answered without hesitation, “I agree. My king would agree to that as well. However…”
Pranbow couldn’t bring himself to continue, to say that Eland needed to stand at Brantia’s center. Eugene nodded as if he understood Pranbow’s thoughts.
“I understand, sir. You are an honorable knight of Eland. You have no choice but to stand for Eland in these matters.”
“Thank you for your deep consideration, Your Excellency,” Pranbow responded. He was truly touched by Eugene’s understanding and consideration. After coming to the mainland, he only encountered naive and ignorant nobles. After finally getting to speak with a wise and dignified individual like Eugene, his mind and heart felt liberated.
‘Isn’t he the ideal knight? Force, resourcefulness, and he’s even magnanimous. He’s fit to be a king. A king!’
“S-sir. The old elf’s eyes are weird and perverted. It reminds me of those humans who had taken off their clothes in my pond and started to lick and… Kiek!” The spirit started to chatter about the fond memories of her past. However, her words were interrupted by a smack and she turned into mushy liquid as he collided with the wall.
Pranbow felt elated at the sight, and he felt even fonder of Eugene.
“Anyway, Sir Pranbow, what if I told you that there was a way to guarantee Eland’s independence while allowing it to set foot on Brantia’s mainland?” Eugene said.
“Hmm? Is there such a way?” Pranbow asked curiously.
Eugene responded with a meaningful smile, “Does the king of Eland have any daughters or granddaughters who aren’t yet married? Ah, someone who is over the age of 15.”
“What?”
“If he does, I will turn her into the Queen of Brantia. I swear it on my honor,” Eugene declared.
“…!” Pranbow’s eyes became filled with shock. However, he immediately came to realize what Eugene was saying, and he responded with a voice full of excitement, “Oh! What a brilliant idea! Your wisdom must have reached the skies! Hahahaha!” Pranbow burst into bright laughter. If the head of the Batla Duchy, which stood as one of the most influential and powerful families of Brantia, took the throne and had a direct descendant of Eland’s royal family as his mate, it would greatly benefit both parties.
Pure-blooded elves lived as long as vampires. Excluding marriages within the same race, it could be said to be the most ideal combination among the many different races. In addition, there had been previous cases of marriages between vampires and elves.
The vampire in front of him possessed an even fairer appearance than most elves, and he was a Daywalker as well. He could enjoy minor pleasures such as walking in the forest or bathing in the sunlight without any problems.
“I will make sure to include that in the letter I send back to my homeland. Haha! Your Excellency! Let us build a proper, united kingdom together!” Pranbow laughed as he thought of several candidates to pair Eugene with.
However…
“I’m grateful that you are so willing. Let’s do our best.” Eugene wasn’t talking about himself, but about someone else. He was simply playing the matchmaker.
Pranbow was under a complete misconception.
‘Everything is proceeding so smoothly...’
‘It seems to me that coaxing Mondelio had been a blessing in disguise!’
“Hahahaha!”
“Hohoho!”
The Origin Vampire and the elven swordmaster laughed joyously, not realizing that the two of them were dreaming in completely different directions.
***
“P-p-please forgive me! This foolish, lowly man was out of his mind… N-no! I was possessed by an evil spirit and forced to act as such! C-curse! It was a curse! Your Excellency!” Baron Mondelio begged after running out barefooted and kowtowing repeatedly.
“Please forgive us!” The nobles of the Mondelio territory followed suit and groveled.
“Kieeee! How pathetic! What are these dogs saying?” Mirian shook her head while clicking her tongue. It wasn’t just her either. Everyone in Eugene’s army stared at Baron Mondelio and his nobles with pitiful, pathetic eyes. It was only natural, however, since Baron Mondelio had led all of his family and the nobles of the territory to the castle town to surrender as soon as he spotted Eugene’s flag in the distance.
“These bastards have no honor and no backbone either. I don’t know why they even plotted to betray the duchy when they’re so weak. You guys are pathetic for buying them off too,” Galfredik said mockingly with his gaze on Pranbow and the elven knights.
Although they couldn’t understand Galfredik’s words, Pranbow came to a rough understanding based on Galfredik’s tone and attitude. Pranbow avoided the burly knight’s gaze while coughing awkwardly.
“A wicked spirit? A curse? That’s an excuse I haven’t heard before…”
“…!”
Eugene looked down at Baron Mondelio atop Silion. Baron Mondelio and the nobles quivered at Eugene’s icy voice. The one looking down at them was Duke Batla, and he was powerful enough to defeat and capture a swordmaster of Eland. There was nothing else they could do aside from prostrating and begging for mercy.
“From this moment on, the Mondelio territory will be incorporated into the Batla Duchy. After that, I will assign an administrator to take care of the land in my stead. Baron Mondelio and his family will be stripped of their title. Any objections?” Eugene declared.
“N-none at all! Your mercy is like the boundless sea! The spirits will surely bless you, Your Excellency!”
“You will be blessed!”
Baron Mondelio praised Eugene. Even though his lordship disappeared in a day, he was relieved to keep his life.
“And two of your direct lines. Send them to the duchy as servants. Do you understand?” Eugene asked.
“Y-yes, my lord.” Baron Mondelio’s heart sank when he heard that they would be servants rather than aides, but he had no choice but to agree. He was thankful that they weren’t taken as slaves instead.
‘Surely that’s the end, right?’
“The duchy’s troops, and my troops. Quite a few of them were hurt. You’re going to pay for that and the ransom of the knights, right?”
It wasn’t over…
Baron Mondelio asked cautiously as he felt his heart drop even further, “Um… How much will suffice?”
“I would like to see a reflection of your sincerity and apology,” Eugene replied.
One of the scariest things in the world was to abstain from providing a clear standard. Moreover, it was even scarier when the opponent was holding a sword that could decapitate heads at a moment’s notice.
“Ah…”
Baron Mondelio looked up at Eugene from the ground with a pale expression.
Eugene’s lips twitched slightly.
All of Baron Mondelio’s nobles had their heads held against the ground, and Eugene’s back was to everyone else. As such, only Baron Mondelio saw what Eugene mouthed.
Every—thing.
Baron Mondelio flinched and bowed his head with a mournful expression. “I-I will offer up… my entire fortune.”
“Mmhm! Your sincerity. I accept it,” Eugene responded. It was true that Baron Mondelio had made a huge mistake. However, technically speaking, he was still a lord independent from the Batla Duchy. As such, Eugene couldn’t impose any other restrictions except to reclaim Mondelio’s title. In addition, the direct lineages of other vassals, who were brought over as ‘hostages disguised as aides,’ were watching, including Pranbow.
‘Damn this common law. It’s annoying, but I can’t help it.’
Even so, Eugene succeeded in taking Baron Mondelio’s entire fortune. It would be better to wrap it up. He was certain that the other vassals and the direct lineages were deeply moved by his generosity.
However, Eugene stood alone in his thoughts…
‘A-all of his wealth? Is he trying to bury them alive?’
‘How could he endure this kind of humiliation after living his entire life as a lord? And what about his family? It would’ve been better to just cut off the baron’s head.’
‘He no longer has any authority as the head of a household, not to mention as a lord. His Excellency is extremely thorough and unforgiving.’
They knew better than anyone that a noble’s power came from his territory and money. Instead of deeply etching the duke’s generosity in their hearts, the vassals and the direct descendants trembled at the thorough, terrible retaliation. The duke was making sure that the Mondelio Barony would never, ever stand again.
***
“Then I will be back, Master.”
“I’m ashamed to be leaving you behind. I have nothing to say for myself.” One of the elven knights bowed their heads after receiving Pranbow’s handwritten letter.
“No, your duties take precedence. Make sure you don’t go astray. Deliver the message to His Majesty as soon as possible,” Pranbow said.
“We will keep that in mind.”
“Master, Your Excellency Batla. Until I see you again, may the spirits bless you.” The elven knights bowed politely before riding away.
Bonmer slowly approached Lorraine, who was standing extremely close to Luke, and whispered, “Lady Lorraine. We must also take care of our ransom as soon as possible.”
“Hmm? Why? What’s the rush? It’s not like we’re uncomfortable or anything.” The immature girl continued to surreptitiously gaze at Luke even whilst responding.
Bonmer suppressed a sigh and added, “Sir Eugene, or rather, His Excellency Eugene and Count Crawlmarine are treating us honorably. But think of the lord and your siblings. In particular, Master Reyma, your eldest brother. He must be worried sick about you.”
“Uh…” Lorraine’s eyes shook violently at the mention of her eldest brother. She was certain that her current situation would have reached her brother by now. She didn’t know how her brother would act once he was enraged.
‘As long as I explain it well in a letter…’
She imagined her brother’s enraged face while peeping at Luke’s reliable, handsome face. After a moment of contemplation, she nodded with a sigh. “Then let us send another messenger. Ah! Perhaps you can go, Sir Bonmer.”
“I cannot,” Bonmer responded.
“Why?”
‘Who knows what you’re going to do with Count Crawlmarine if I leave the scene?!’
‘You thought I wouldn’t know what you were up to?!’
But he couldn’t possibly utter such words...
Bonmer was forced to be as patient as possible. “That’s because…”
“Gold coins… treasures… offer it… you can… mate with the… count…”
“Uwagh?!” Bonmer jumped with fright and reached for his sword as an insidious, evil whisper resonated from seemingly out of nowhere.