Chapter 160


    Be quiet.


    The chaos subsided in an instant when a low, heavy voiceced with a hint of fear resonated. However, the gazes of those staring at Eugene were still filled with dissatisfaction and aggravation.


    There seems to have been quite a few misunderstandings. Lets go back to the castle. I will exin when we arrive, Eugene said.


    However, Your Excellency


    nd is


    Bonmer and Pranbow started to retort, but Eugenes eyes instantly turned toward them.


    You two sure talk a lot for prisoners, Eugene said.


    !


    The two flinched, and Eugene red at them while growling. Dont overstep your boundaries while Im treating you with honor. My honor is just as valuable as yours.


    Yes, yes...


    I understand


    The two representatives nodded before closing their mouths, which caused their subordinates to follow suit. They had forgotten that they were prisoners because of the great treatment they had been receiving. Duke Ba was a wise, articte noble, but he was also someone who preferred to cross des instead of conversing.


    Lets go.


    Eugene dered after calming the chaos.


    ***


    The castles atmosphere was quite solemn, perhaps due to the situation with the Brodia family and Reyma Fransil. Eugene received a short wee from the nobles and the elders, then summoned the two representatives responsible for the earliermotion.


    Eugene spoke while looking around at Pranbow, who was attempting to suppress his emotions, and Bonmer, who was stealing nces at him, First of all, I want to say that both of you are misunderstanding something.


    .


    They wanted to respond but decided to abandon that thought after seeing Eugenes icy gaze. Eugene continued. I have no intention of marrying Lorraine, so I have no idea why Reyma Fransil would have said such a thing.


    Hmm. I see, Pranbow muttered with a slightly brighter expression.


    Eugene met his gaze and continued, In addition, I have no intention of marrying a direct descendant of nds king.


    Your Excellency?! Pranbow eximed in shock.


    Im not finished with my words yet, Eugene said.


    Phew Please excuse me. Please continue. Pranbow took a deep breath to quench his emotions.


    I made a promise to make a direct descendant of nds king into the Queen of Brantia, and I intend to keep it. However, that doesnt mean that they will be marrying me. I dont intend on bing the King of Brantia, Eugene dered


    W-What do you mean by that? Bonmer said


    Huh? Who else will ascend the throne if not you, Your Excellency? Didnt you tell me earlier that you were going to unite Brantia? It doesnt add up, Pranbow spoke with doubt.


    Eugene clicked his tongue. Uniting Brantia. Does it mean I have to be a king?


    With all due respect, thats merely ying with words, Pranbow said.


    Sir Pranbow. Do you really think that the honor of Duke Ba is to be taken lightly? And that Im wasting my time ying word games with a swordmaster? Eugene asked.


    Ugh Pranbow flinched at Eugenes stern eyes and voice.


    I will unite Brantia. However, someone else will be ascending the throne instead of me. And that man will possess more justification and legitimacy than any other person who ims themselves to be king in Brantia, Eugene stated.


    And who could that person


    Count Crawlmarine. Eugene dered.


    Hmm?!


    The two were taken aback. They were filled with confusion and shock.


    Eugene spoke softly, The Crawlmarine County iscking inparison to the Drak family or the Ba family. However, its title was recognized by both families in the past. Its a noble family with an extensive history.


    Well, thats true. Although it was severely weakened after the crusade, the Crawlmarine County was still a well-recognized, prestigious family. It had long reigned in history as a monarch of Brantias Southwest.


    Over the course of history, the blood of many different dynasties was introduced into the county as well. However, there is one decisive reason that will allow the Count Crawlmarine to ascend Brantias throne, Eugene said. The two peoples expressions had bepletely different from when they first entered the office.


    Eugene dered, I, Duke Ba, and nds King will give our support to Count Crawlmarine. Does he need any further justification to be the King of Brantia then?


    Ohh! Pranbows expression brightened at once. Many families had sought the Ba Duchys support in contesting Brantias throne. As such, if one had the support of both the Ba Duchy and nd, no one else could possiblypete against them in terms of justification and backing.


    It would be game over


    Moreover, Pranbow was a swordmaster and an outstanding knight. However, he suffered defeat at the hands of Eugene and his army. Duke Ba possessed both status, justification, and outstanding skills, as well as a powerful army under hismand.


    Who could protest against a king with such a powerful backer?


    The direct descendant of nds king will be Count Crawlmarines wife. Are you satisfied with that, Sir Pranbow? Eugene asked.


    Please forgive this foolish knight for my failure inprehending your deep intentions, Your Excellency. Pranbow bowed without hesitation. He was greatly satisfied. Although the anticipated husband of nds daughter went from a daywalker to a regr human being, it wasnt a bad thing at all. Rather, it was good. If the king died earlier than the queen, then the throne would eventually be handed over to the queen and her children.


    And Sir Bonmer, Eugene called out.


    Ye-yes! Bonmer answered with apletely transformed attitude. From the very beginning, he found Eugene quite difficult to deal with, which wasrgely due to Eugenes incredible skills. However, the current conversation shocked him as much as Eugenes overwhelming skills.


    He wasnt simply strong. I never imagined that he had such a deep mind as well


    Bonmer gulped with awe and anxiety.


    Eugene spoke, If the Fransil family so desires, then you may send Loraine Fransil to Count Crawlmarine in marriage. There will be no evidence of trust greater than the joining of the two. However, she will be a concubine. If you ept, I will elevate the Fransil familys status to an independent lord after I unite Brantia with Count Crawlmarine. I will guarantee the independence of the eastern territories.


    Bonmer fell into thought after hearing the unexpected proposal. After a moment, he looked up and responded cautiously, Well I dont know if its my ce to say this, but I think its highly likely that my lord wont ept the proposal. He is an extremely proud man


    Even though Ill be saving the life of his eldest son? Eugene said.


    ! Bonmers eyes shook violently. He had momentarily forgotten about Reymas situation due to the magnanimity of the things they were discussing.


    If you refuse, I will do nothing in regard to the Fransil familys eldest son. Ill simply stand by and watch, regardless of whether they will kill him or not. And after I hand you and Lady Lorraine over to the Fransil family, I will dere war.


    B-but!


    No buts. You were the ones who attacked me first. Its reasonable for me to simply hand you, sir, and Lady Lorraine over for ransom. In fact, handing over prisoners before dering war is an extremely honorable act, is it not? Eugene asked.


    Ah Bonmers expression turned bleak. He could not find any faults with Eugenes logic. Even if the two families went to war, everyone would know that the Fransil family was the provoker.


    The problem is that we will have to go to war with the Brodia family as well.


    Although he felt sorry for Lorraine, the reality was that Reymas value was iparably greater than hers. If the Brodia family demanded a ransom for Reyma, it would undoubtedly be dozens of times greater than Lorraines ransom, and if anything happened to Reyma, the two families would immediately go to war. As such, what would happen if a grand army led by a dreadfully strong, frosty duke dered war on the Fransil family?


    I-it would all be over


    Bonmer made up his mind. As soon as he returned to the Fransil family, he would strongly advocate for maintaining a harmonious rtionship with the newly appointed Duke of Ba. He stuttered a response while breaking a cold sweat, Y-your Excellency. I-I


    Eugene interrupted him. I know that this is not a matter for you to decide. Return to your family and ry my message to Lord Fransil.


    Yes, yes! Bonmer responded before immediately lowering his head.


    Eugene turned his gaze to Pranbow once more. Now, Sir Pranbow


    Please speak.


    If you take my promise to be true, then from now on, we are sailing on the same boat. We are family, wouldnt you agree? Eugene said.


    Haha! Of course... Pranbow responded.


    Then I ask this of you, not as my prisoner, but as a swordmaster of nd. Will you join me in saving Reyma Fransil? Eugene asked.


    It would be my great honor to fight by your side, Your Excellency. The eyes of nds swordmaster shone with a brilliant light. On the other hand, Bonmers expression grew even darker.


    The Duke of Ba, and even a swordmaster of nd Our familys debt is growing out of control.


    ***


    Eat.


    Hmph! Do you really think I would eat anything that the unworthy, cowardly, dishonorable hands of yours have touched? Get rid of it! Although his armor and weapons had been confiscated and he was left with only his outerwear, Reyma remained confident and proud.


    The knight, who had brought the dry, ck bread, and the strange-smelling bowl of stew, red at Reyma. It wont be good for you if you keep acting like this. Be an obedient little sheep when were treating you like a noble. All of your weak knights are already dead, so why are you talking so big? No wonder your knights died like that. Their master doesnt know his own ce.


    Hahaha! The other knightsughed after hearing his words. They were eating a little away from Reyma and the knight.


    Reymas face turned red like autumn leaves. How dare you ambush us like cowards? Arent you ashamed of yourselves? And you still call yourselves knights? Ah, I see! The Brodia family is just a band of bandits who ambush their opponents without dering war!


    Thud!


    Keugh!


    Reyma stumbled backward as the knight struck his jaw.


    You were the ones to encroach on our familys territory without permission, so whos the bandit here? Thats right, you are! Moreover, all of you were wimps weaker than the roamers roaming our front yard.


    Thats right. An immature young master who ran away from home will have to suffer a little to get his act straight, right?


    If hes unlucky, he might even die, right? Itsmon.


    Hahahahahaha!


    Reyma was both ashamed and angry as his captors attacked him with tant ridicule. He bit his lips until blood started to flow. However, there was nothing he could do without any equipment. Moreover, his legs were restrained by steel chains. In addition, even if he had ess to his weapons, there was no chance he could defeat eight knights by himself.


    Even so, hes the heir to the Fransil family. Treat him honorably, sirs.


    Ah! Yes, Lord Helmond.


    The knights immediately apologized and turned toward the voice.


    Tap. Tap.


    A figure approached Reyma with heavy footsteps. Reyma struggled to set himself upright.


    I apologize for their mistakes, Sir Reyma Fransil, the figure said.


    Keugh Reyma wanted to dismiss the apology, but he had no choice but to raise his head.


    I ept your apology, sir, though I dont know why an honorable, noble man such as yourself is with the bandits of Brodia.


    It is my duty as a native of thisnd to control that brethren of mine from the continent since hes running rampant in this greatnd without knowing his own ce. And since your familys nning to tie knots with that hooligan, its no longer someone elses business, the figure spoke with a smile. He was a handsome man in his mid-20s with long, bright blonde hair.


    Lord Federique Helmond! Is the Helmond n truly going to go against the Fransil family?! Reyma shouted.


    If necessary, of course


    Federique Helmond. He was a high lord of one of two representative vampire ns of Brantia. Hisrge, pointed fangs glinted sharply.


    At that moment, two horses could be seen approaching the group from afar.


    Whoa, whoa!


    Two knights wrapped in obsidian robes and helmets with a pointed, beak-like appearance quickly descended from their saddles and kowtowed.


    We report to the great high lord. The one who calls himself the Duke of Ba is leading his force northward after crossing the Riwad territory, one of the two said.


    Hooh? Does that mean he doesnt care what happens to his brother-inw?


    I believe that to be the case. However, his forces seem less powerful than the rumors. In addition, I dont think Banneret Randolph and his knight are with the army.


    Randolph? Hmm.


    Federique stroked his smooth chin, then grinned.


    Well, thats even better. Destroying a single member of our kin is enough. And since he was kind enough toe out of his castle of his own volition, we wont have to go through the trouble of getting an invitation. This is a good sign. Federiqueughed silently while turning toward the dying sun.


    Despite facing the glittering sunset, his expression remained as calm as a cid ocean.