Chapter 55


    Eugene left Baron Beogns castle after receiving everything he was due, including a certificate to prove his lordship. Baron Beogn promised to send another document with the seals of the nearby nobles within fifteen days to a branch of the Palin Association. ording to Baron Beogn, it wasnt that difficult since his family shared close rtionships with many nobles as a family with a long history in the region.


    Huh!? What is this? Ah! Monster byproducts!? Wonderful one, turnip two, thunderous three, fabulous four Theres so much that I cant possibly count them all! Im rich now! Rich! Kieeeeekk!


    The spirit of desire shouted with excitement and joy, attempting toprehend the number of materials gained using a strange system of counting. Eugene felt satisfied as well.


    Although he would have to share the loot with the Palin Association, he would still earn a great sum of money. It was equivalent to what he could earn from participating in five or six regr subjugations.


    It was all thanks to the mana stone and the materials gained from the wyvern, a high-ranking monster.


    The materials gained from the wyvern are so precious?


    Of course. Although a few roamers have been killed in the past, theres no record of a wyvern being killed in an evilnd. By the way, since you promised to give me a part of the inner skin of the wings and the tail" Romari answered Eugenes question. She had been grinning nonstop while stealing nces at the wyverns by-products, which had been separately loaded into the carriage.


    Well, even though you did not contribute very much, a promise is a promise. You can have it.


    Thank you! Although I might not have been of much help this time, I promise I will do my best in the future!


    Romari was greatly moved. The materials gained from a high-ranking monster were precious enough for any wizards to drool over. A wyverns materials were even more rare and special, and Romari had been wanting to obtain them at any cost for her goal of producing chimeras.


    Killing the wyvern was only natural. But I didnt expect you to be a lord through the subjugation. This is quite ridiculous. Master, was this your intent all along?


    Of course not. Things just turned out this way. Well, its not bad though. Eugene shrugged in response.


    Galfredik burst intoughter. Puha! Not bad? I wouldnt have believed it if I had not seen it with my own eyes. Any knight would be shocked to death if they heard the story, both free and territorial knights alike.


    Is that so?


    Kukaka!


    Galfredik could not hold hisughter after seeing Eugenes calm attitude. His master had saved him and provided him with a new life. And now, his master was about to be a lord.


    He knew it was within the realm of possibility when they first met, but he never imagined that it woulde true in just a few months.


    Hehe. Im sure more fun and interesting things are waiting for us down the road, right? Im really looking forward to this.


    I thought you wanted to seed and advance in your life?


    This is what sess is. Im still young, so why would I want to trap myself as a territorial knight and fatten myself with riches? A real knight should chase honor in battles.


    I see. Now that you mention it, how old are you?


    Huh? Did I never mention it before? Im twenty-four.


    T-thats obviously a lie. Romari expressed her shock and disbelief from the side.


    Galfredik frowned in response. Miss Romari? Whats with that reaction?


    Ah, I apologize. I thought you were at least thirty-four.


    What? What exactly about me looks over thirty?


    Everything. Everything from your head to your toes.


    You clearly dont have an eye for men. Well, it makes sense that you dont have any experience with men with that figure. Even my grandma didnt look bad.


    Keup!


    Luke hurriedly covered his mouth and suppressed augh while turning away. Simultaneously, Romaris face turned beet red.


    Are youparing your grandmother and


    My grandmother was strict, but she used to y with me. She died just before I became a knights aide. I miss her.


    ..!


    Galfredik turned his eyes to the sky. He had a face full of sorrow, and Romaris eyes quivered. She couldnt possibly get mad at him when he was referring to a deceased family member


    Well, I guess ten years is a long life for a dog. Ah, I remember how she used to bite me when she was young. But it stopped as she got older, probably because shecked the energy.


    Dog? Are you talking about the animal?


    Yeah. A female dog we used to raise in the past. Her name was Tallh.[1]


    What bullshit are you


    Sir Eugene!


    Their conversation came to a halt when the scouts returned.


    Whats going on?


    A group of men has upied Roban Vige.


    Roban was a small vige that Eugene had passed through on his way to the Beogn Barony. Just like Paranan and Mintan, it had been liberated thanks to Eugene.


    It seems a bunch of nobodies has crawled in since the owner was nowhere in sight. Master, everywhere except Mintan and Parana are probably in a mess. What do you think? Should we stop by and clean up the viges on our way back? We need to stop by to procure food anyways.


    All right.


    Eugene took Galfrediks advice and gave orders to the three squad leaders. For the next five days, merciless massacres took ce in all the viges located between the Beogn Barony and Moffern.


    ***


    What? Recognize a territory with the Mino River as its boundary? Is this guy out of his mind?


    Lord Feedren frowned while looking over a letter delivered from Baron Beogn. As was the case with most nobles, the Feedren family had blood ties with the Beogn Barony from a long time ago.


    Although the current situation in Carls Baggins was rather chaotic, or rather, because the situation in the penins was chaotic, the nobles were more cooperative with each other. However, it was difficult to simply agree to a request to recognizend, more specifically, the area located right next to the Feedren territory, as someone elses territory.


    Jan Eugene? Why is he asking me this all of a sudden? Is that his illegitimate son or something? Hmph


    Lord Feedren clicked his tongue before continuing to read the letter. He had the intention of politely refusing the request.


    But then


    Killed more than two hundred monsters in the Philia Ruins? And the wyvern Wyvern!?


    Lord Feedren kicked off his seat with shock.


    He has forty well-armed, well-organized troops and another knight under hismand as well? And their number might increase in the future? What?


    The hands holding the letter started to tremble. There was no reason for Baron Beogn to exaggerate the matter or to lie since it would be known in the future anyway. ording to the contents of the letter, a knight capable of hunting a troll and a wyvern wanted to establish his territory with enough elite soldiers to burn down a small territory.


    That means, picking a fight while using legitimacy as an excuse would be a horrible idea. If they happen to invade, then it will be all over.


    Lord Feedren instinctively stopped himself. Since he himself was a knight, he knew very well that thirty soldiers in leather armor could never rival elite soldiers.


    Perhaps he could stand a chance if he hired mercenaries, but he couldnt afford to keep mercenaries without knowing when the enemy wouldunch an attack. It would simply exhaust his finances within a month.


    This is quite an exceptional event.


    Lord Feedren felt his heart pounding as he finished the letter. The moment heid his eyes on thest line, his face filled with an even bigger shock.


    What? Hes most likely going to be sworn in by His Excellency Winslon!?


    His mind went nk for a moment. Winslon was a noble among nobles, and his enormous territory was no different from a small kingdom. Lord Feedren quickly came to his senses and shouted while holding up a piece of parchment that was delivered to him with the letter.


    Ink! Bring me ink! Bring the seal as well! Quickly!


    It wasnt wise to invite a strong neighbor, but things were different this time around. The least he could do was to avoid offending the knight, even if he couldnt wee him.


    Moreover, Baron Beogn was the only lord in possession of an evilnd in the vicinity, and he possessed the highest status. If the neer was a knight recognized by Baron Beogn, then it was even more important to avoid offending him.


    A knight of Count Winslon This is not the time to stay still.


    Although Baron Beogn had mentioned it as simply a possibility, Lord Feedren epted it as a fact. He was in a rush. Such surprising news was better shared with as many people as possible, so he wrote simr letters before sending them to nobles close to him.


    The matters regarding the Philia Ruins subjugation continued to proceed in a manner that Eugene had never expected.


    ***


    S-sir. This is


    The branch manager of Moffern was stunned speechless after witnessing five carriages filled to the brim with monster by-products.


    However, that wasnt the only thing he was surprised by.


    Excuse me, sir, who are all those people?


    They are my new subordinates. I came across them by chance. What, is there a problem?


    No! Of course not. Ah, then Veron is also


    They want to follow me.


    I see. Congrattions, sir.


    He was shocked out of his mind, but the branch manager quickly grasped the situation like a merchant would and bowed his head. It was a pity to lose apetent mercenary group like Verons, but the branch manager was smart enough to realize that Eugene would bring him dozens of times more profit.


    By the way, I would like to return to Maren as soon as possible.


    I will find you a ship so that you can leave within three days.


    Thank you.


    Since you have more troops, it would be better to rent an entire inn for the amodation, what do you think?


    Hmm. And what about the cost?


    Eugene was obviously intending on paying for the amodation. However, he frowned slightly as he spoke, since it would be rather unfortunate to be forced to spend such arge sum. But the branch manager misunderstood Eugenes words and actions as he quickly shook his head.


    Ah, please dont worry about that. Our association will take care of it.


    Hmm? I would be very grateful.


    Eugene readily epted the offer, thinking that the branch manager of Moffern was as generous and honest as Prisci. The two werent as merchant-like and calcting as Eugene had thought.


    This isnt the first time youve done something like this, is it? Just what I would expect from someone soon to be a big-shot noble. Your threats are quite natural.


    The branch manager hid his true thoughts with a bright smile.


    Oh, please dont mention it. Its an honor for me to know an outstanding, honorable knight like Sir Eugene.


    Although the branch manager continued to bootlick him, Eugene was still grateful to him for paying for the amodation.


    Thus, Eugene spoke softly. I am still very grateful for your generosity. There is actually another matter that I would like your help with.


    The branch manager wondered how the knight was nning to leech off him further. He asked cautiously. What what kind of help would that be?


    I came to manage the viges and the hamlets on the way to the Beogn Barony from here. This is what happened


    Eugene gave a detailed ount of who attacked him and how he handled them on his way to and fro the barony. The branch managers expression gradually changed, and as soon as he saw the certificate with Baron Beogns seal, his jaw dropped open.


    D-does that mean Sir Eugene has just be the master of four viges and six hamlets?


    Things just turned out that way. A parchment with the seals of the nearby lords will be arriving here shortly as well.


    Oh, my! Forgive me for failing to recognize such a distinguished, exalted figure!


    The branch managers attitude had been polite originally. However, his attitude intensified even further after hearing Eugenes story. He continued to fawn over Eugene while running his mouth. Please forgive me for failing to recognize an uing lord. Please ept my sincerest apologies, Sir Eugene. If theres anything I can do to assist you, I will do it dly.


    Even though I became the master of these viges and hamlets, I dont have enough people to manage thend. I was thinking of asking the Moffern branch to have talented people manage thend.


    Of course, of course. I will definitely find the right people for the position and send them over. I am truly grateful to you for giving us this chance.


    The branch managers lips curled up into a huge grin.


    He was already grateful that the knight had crushed the associationspetition by being sessful in the Philia Ruins subjugation. But in addition, the knight had also conquered the road to the Beogn Barony and had stabilized it before eventually bing the master of a few viges and hamlets!


    The roads will be safer for travel, and it will be quite profitable to hire mercenaries and collect tolls. Hes truly blessed by the heavens!


    Then could I ask to borrow Sir Eugenes crest for our branch? I think that would be the best way to let others know that we are acting as Sir Eugenes agent when we are traveling or receiving tolls.


    Crest?


    Yes, yes.


    I will give it to you before I leave.


    Eugene was slightly taken aback, but he responded naturally. It appeared that he would have to first think about what he wanted his crest to look like.


    Yes. Then I will guide you to your amodation. We will take you to the best ce in Moffern.


    The branch manager fawned while inwardly praising himself for thoroughly following Priscis request to cooperate with Eugene as much as possible.


    1. /watch?v=yxEAP9Nmdos heres the reference if you dont get it. It might be a culture-specific thing. In Korea, the word Tallh is used when someone unwittingly insults someones parents. For example, A & B are having a conversation. A: Look at this new sweater I got. B: Man thats such an ugly-ass sweater, it cant even be recycled. A: My mom bought it for me. B: It cant be recycled because its so precious, obviously.