Chapter 100


    Galfredik had grown bigger and bulkier since theirst meeting. Apparently, he had hired mercenaries to subjugate evilnds in the Archivold marquisate and the Beogn barony. His transformation hade about after he drank the blood of the intermediate-rank monsters he killed in the evilnds.


    He should be about as strong as I was just after the subjugation of the Tywin familys dungeon.


    Galfredik was Eugenes vassal, and as such, Eugene could immediately grasp Galfrediks level as a vampire. In addition, Galfredik was originally an incredibly skilled knight. Since he was always training and gaining experience, he would naturally be stronger over time.


    Brantia? Galfredik asked.


    Yes. Things turned out that way. We will be departing soon, so keep that in mind, Eugene responded.


    If thats what Master says, then, of course, I will follow you. But whats going on all of a sudden? Galfredik asked.


    Well Eugene began to exin what had happened with Count Winslon. Eugene thought of Galfredik as one of the only people he could share everything with.


    Hooh! The Duke of Ba? Galfredik eximed.


    Do you know about it as well? Eugene asked.


    Galfredik responded with a wide grin. No. Its the first time Im hearing about it.


    Then why are you pretending that you know about it? Eugene asked.


    Haha! Its a duke, right? A duke is part of royalty, which means that they have the right to challenge the throne. In other words, if you do well, you could even be the king of Brantia, Master, Galfredik responded.


    Im not interested in that, Eugene refused.


    What?


    Kiek?! Both Eugenes vassal and the spirit were surprised by his response. Eugene calmly stated, Why are you so surprised? Bing the Duke of Ba may be a possibility, but do you really think I can ascend the throne as Brantias king? Im a vampire.


    Well Is there really no way? Galfredik mumbled.


    Right! Sir Eugene is destined to be the great demon king! Kiek?! Mirian started to scream, then was stifled as Eugene shoved her into the leather pocket.


    I would not want to. Lets say the impossible happened and I became the King of Brantia. You want me to stay locked up in a castle and y king? I should just live out my daysforting and ying house with the nobles and lords of Brantia? Eugene said.


    You have a point. My head hurts just thinking about it, Galfredik responded.


    There were stark differences between being a lord and a knight. No matter how outstanding a knight was on the battlefield, it didnt mean that they would make an excellent king. The two paths were entirely different and the education they received was different as well. As such, oftentimes, even sessful knights were incapable of managing even a small territory properly, which was why most of them recruited agents to take care of domestic affairs.


    Anyway, lets focus on taking over the Ba Duchy for now. That way, I canplete the entire set, Eugene said.


    Hehe. Is that the true reason? Youre coveting the equipment? Galfredik asked.


    Maybe a little bit? Eugene replied with a grin. Obtaining all the other pieces aside from Wolfughter and Madarazika was definitely one of his primary objectives. In fact, he was more interested in the shield and the armor than the title of duke. Since the two remaining pieces were made for defense, he was looking forward to how great they could be.


    Whatever the case, Im good! Haha! The name of Rowan Galfredik will make its way across the sea! Ah, will it be just the two of us? Galfredik asked.


    Luke and the wizard will be with us. Ah, and I intend to take Partecs group as well, Eugene responded.


    Good. ve Number One is from Brantia, so he should be quite useful, and Im sure that Partec and theds will prove their worth as well. Theyve been getting quite good as ofte, Galfredikmented.


    Hmm? Did you teach them while I was away? Eugene asked.


    Theres no point in training with anyone whos weaker than Partec. That piece of luggage you gave me is just too weak, Galfredik responded.


    Ah,e to think of it, we should take your aide as well. How is she? Is she adapting well? Eugene asked.


    Shes be a little obedient, Galfredik answered.


    Hooh? Eugene expressed his curiosity. Although she put up the pretense of being a knight, it still became obvious that she was raised in a sheltered environment as a direct descendant of a marquisate. So how did Galfredik make her obedient?


    This is all I need. Hehe. Galfredik grinned while tapping on his scabbard.


    Eugene instantly understood. I see. Indeed, theres no better teacher than a good beating.


    Thats the way it works, right? Haha! Anyway, whos thed that came with you? He looked pretty strong, Galfredikmented. Galfredik was a strong knight to begin with, and after bing Eugenes vassal, he had grown to the point of urately estimating an opponents skills by simply observing the air around them and the way they walked. Lanslo Drak was exuding one of the most extraordinary auras among the knights Galfredik had encountered until now.


    He is one of Count Winslons knights. He seemed pretty useful, so I asked to have him apany me for a little while. Hes a quarter elf, and hes pretty strong, Eugene answered.


    Hooh. Can I have a go at him? Galfredik asked.


    Do as you please, but dont injure him, Eugene responded.


    Very well. Hehe. I will have to y with him as a greeting, Galfredik was overjoyed.


    Thats right. Big bear! No, Gal! You show him! You need to determine the hierachy and show him how things are from the get-go! Mirian crawled out of the leather pocket and twirled around Galfrediks head while shouting.


    Gal? Determine the hierachy? I think the spirit just said something. Is that right? Galfredik said with a frown.


    Kiek?


    Eugene was astonished and asked. You can hear it now?


    Yeah. I can barely see something that looks like a fruit fly. I can hear a whiny voice as well, Galfredik responded.


    Eugene was surprised, but it made sense. Indeed, just as he had grown stronger throughout the expedition, Galfredik had grown stronger as well. Since the two vampires shared a bond formed by a covenant of the soul, it would be possible for Galfredik to express some of Eugenes powers as well.


    Im not a fruit fly! My voice is enchanting! Dont you know that they call me the minstrel of the spirit world?! Kieeeek! Mirian retorted angrily.


    How noisy, Galfredik muttered.


    p!


    Kiek! Mirian screamed after being caught between Galfrediks thick palms. She was squashed t, but she escaped the palms by softening herself like water. Then, she began to wail loudly. Kiehehekheuek! Even the big bear is looking down on me now! Oh, who could possibly understand my sorrows! Ah~! Spirits, pleasee and listen to my story!


    Eugene immediately noticed that the spirit was about to enter a monologue. As such, he shoved her into the leather pocket and tightly sealed the entrance before she could even begin.


    ***


    I will go! Please, please take me! While Galfredik had grown stronger during Eugenes absence, Romari appeared even more devastated than before. The bags under her eyes had grown a shade darker, and it was now nigh impossible to tell whether she was a human or a roon. When Eugene had just left, Romari had been filled with excitement at the thought of studying the twin-headed ogre undead. After all, even though there were clear differences between chimeras and the undead, she knew that there was still a lot to gain from studying thetter. But her expectations werepletely shattered in just a day.


    The dwarven miners and engineers from Moffern were extremelypetent, and she had to spend all her time refining the mountain of silver that was being mined every day. It was an unending nightmare ofbor for Romari.


    In addition, she also had to dedicate herself to research from evenings tote nights after refining the silver, which caused her to slowly wilt away into a living skeleton.


    Heheuk. Sir Eugene, please take me with you. Its so hard being here. Please save me! Romari begged.


    Well, Ive heard that the silver production has improved substantially thanks to you, so I will do that, Eugene responded.


    Thank you! You will be blessed, Romari wiped away her tears and bowed. She continued, When will we be leaving?


    The sooner the better. Delmondo is doing a good job running the territory even without me, so there arent any problems that we need to get out of the way, Eugene replied.


    I see. Then I will make preparations right away! Ah, you need to get ready as well, right, Sir Eugene? Romari asked.


    Get ready? What preparations would I need to make? Eugene was puzzled. The City of Maren was providing them with a ship to cross the sea, and he wasnt nning to bring arge army with him, so he thought that there wouldnt be much to prepare.


    What? I thought that we were going to Brantia, right? Then you must prepare a coffin, Romari answered.


    A coffin? Like a coffin for corpses? Eugene asked.


    Yes, yes. Its an absolute necessity, Romari answered.


    Eugene was made speechless for a moment. He wondered what the wizard was going on about. However, Romari intuitively sensed that an opportunity had presented itself for her to show off her wizardly knowledge for the first time in a while. As such, she straightened her posture before speaking. Ehem! It appears you didnt know, Sir Eugene. Members of the Dark n must enter a coffin when they are crossing the sea.


    Why? Eugene asked.


    You travel along the coastline on a boat in the ind sea, right? In such situations, the earths power still has some influence, so members of the Dark n wont be subjected to any adverse effects. But its different when traveling the open sea since the earth has no influence. Thats why you must go into a stone coffin filled with soil. You need to pay special attention when ites to sealing the coffins as well. Of course, it will be fine for you toe out for a little while at night, Romari exined.


    Dammit, Eugene muttered a curse.


    Theres no helping it. Eheem! Anyway, only someone like me, who seeds the legitimacy of the Blood Shadow School, would be privy to such knowledge and know methods of dealing with it in advance! I dare say I might be the only one, Romari dered.


    Youre being a little cheeky, Eugenemented.


    N-no way! Hoho! You must be mistaken. In an instant, Romari shriveled up. She continued, feeling as if she were treading on eggshells. You should be good when you arrive in Brantia. Since the continental church has little influence in Brantia, it might be fine to reveal your identity as a member of the Dark n.


    What? Is that true? Eugene asked with shock.


    Yes, yes! Its true. Well Romari was scared that Eugene might leave her behind. As such, she exined everything she knew about Brantia. Thanks to that, there are more members of the Dark n in Brantia than in this kingdom. I heard from my master that in the distant past, there were even ces in Brantia where vampires ruled as lords. Ah, well, it was only possible because they were high-ranking nobles within the Dark n.


    I see. Eugene nodded. He was greatly surprised. If what she said was true, couldnt he live in Brantia without any worries?


    As expected, this kingdom was the problem. Even the empire doesnt antagonize vampires as much.


    It felt as if he had stumbled upon a new path. In addition, he found a new objective.


    I will take Brantia.


    Even though he had no definite ns or methods just yet, Eugene could only focus on obtaining the Ba Duchy for now. However, Eugene was convinced that he would find a way if he dove straight in and struggled, just as he had done until now.


    ***


    Three dayster, Eugene departed from his territory. He felt slightly worried that he was leaving his territory far too often, but he was quickly relieved of his anxiety. For some reason, Delmondo was burning with enthusiasm. The head of the Moffern merchant guild, Gardye, had begged Eugene for mercy, but that wasnt Eugenes problem.


    Eugene once again praised Delmondo for his work and devotion to the territory. Naturally, he reduced Delmondo to tears once more.


    It was due to a piece of good news. It was reported that Essandra would soon return from her expedition. As such, the free knights that Eugene collected would also return to his territory, which would resolve the security issue of thend. But of course, there wasnt really a security issue in the first ce since Eugenes neighboring nobles, including Baron Beogn, would never dare to invade his territory.


    After ensuring that all internal affairs of his territory were in order, Eugene headed to Maren via Moffern.


    ***


    Do you like it, Sir Eugene? Marens mayor asked proudly.


    Eugene nodded in response. It is very nice.


    Hahahaha! Luckily, one of the royalists had a very nice merchant ship in their possession. Marens engineers did their best to modify it. Even the strong waves of the Brantian Sea wont cause any problems for her. The mayor boisterouslyughed as he exined.


    Eugene had no choice but to believe in the mayors words after seeing the ship personally. The ship was named Elion after the water spirit king, and it was more than ten meters longer than any other ship Eugene had ever ridden. Moreover, it possessed many masts and oars as well.


    It must have cost quite a lot, Eugene said.


    Hahaha! The royalists had a considerable sum of money in their possession. I originally assumed that they were close to ruin, but they had secretly garnered an enormous sum in order to take over the city one day. Those poisonous vipers The mayor exined.


    How much is it? Eugene asked.


    Dont be too surprised. In total, there were over 300,000 silver coins, the mayor answered.


    Kieeeeeeeeeeeeeek?! The spirits jaw melted into water as it dropped with shock. It was truly an unfathomable amount of money.


    300,000?


    Eugenes eyebrows wriggled. He was also incredibly shocked. Although he was iparably wealthierpared to his past life, this was on another level. However, the mayor understood Eugenes response a little differently.


    As expected, he considers himself to have ownership over it as well.


    In any case, the royalists had attempted to kill Eugene, and Eugene was a knight as well as a nobleman. It was customary for whoever attempted the killing to pay a ransom. However, all relevant parties were currently in prison, so Eugene could ask for whatever he wanted as ransom.


    Ahem! Sir Eugene, the mayor coughed and called out.


    Please speak, Eugene answered. But his expression and voice were still slightly stiff from the initial shock as if he was angry.


    What endless greed! Well, only someone like him could possibly dream of an expedition to Brantia. I knew he wasnt ordinary.


    The mayor became confident in his thoughts.


    He looked at Eugene and spoke as kindly as possible, There are various circumstances to consider with thews of our city and the situation of the guilds. About 10% of the confiscated property will be handed over to you as constion money. I know how generous you are, so I hope you can understand that


    Whoosh!


    ...!


    The mayor stammered unknowingly as Eugenes gaze burned bright like a me. Even if Eugene was the hero of Maren, surely, he wouldnt exercise violence against the mayor


    Forty-thousand, Eugene stated.


    W-what? The mayor stammered.


    Lets go with forty-thousand, shall we? Eugene added.


    L-lets do that. Forty-thousand, good! The mayor agreed.


    Horray! Horray! Kieeeeeeeek! The spirit of desire released herself from the bindings of sanity. This was the most fitting gift for them before they left for Brantia.


    Forty-thousand was arge sum of money. It would take years of hard-earned silver mining to gather such an amount.