Chapter 198
!
The fake prince couldnt hide his shock. The real prince also stared at Eugene with nk eyes. It appeared he was quite shocked as well.
It wasnt just the two of them.
Pranbow, Princess Lilisain, and even Galfredik looked rather surprised as they stared at Eugene. Only Romari remained unfazed as she was still devoting herself to calctions.
It was a natural reaction. The Roman Empire was a power recognized by the entire world. There was even a saying that all culture stemmed from the Roman Empire. It was customary since ancient times for new kings of countries and newly established dynasties to send a messenger to the emperor to report the change. So how could someone refuse a proposal from the imperial prince of such a ce? It would be an extremely difficult decision to make, regardless of ones race and nationality.
<em>Kuhaha</em><em>!</em> Thats my master! Galfredik shouted boisterously. He stemmed from a poor family of knights, and he found Eugenes attitude extremely pleasing and refreshing.
It was only natural! It didnt matter if it was the request of an imperial prince. His master was the monarch of the Dark n. Someone worthy of representing an entire race didnt need to dwell on a prince''s proposal. Moreover, Romari was usually quite fussy. For her to remain calm in facing the unexpected situation meant that she already knew this truth.
<em>O-oh,</em> no. Its not something to refuse just like that. Let me exin my situation a bit more, Lord Ba, the fake prince hurriedly said.
I dont think there is any reason for me to do so. Im busy with my own work, and I have no reason to go all the way to the empire to help Your Highness, Eugene responded.
No, but
Your Highness, I think you might be getting a little agitated. Why dont you stop here for today? The real prince stepped up and dissuaded the fake prince.
The fake prince hesitated, then he smiled awkwardly. <em>Ehem! Hmm!</em> I became a little agitated without realizing it. I apologize for my disgraceful behavior, Lord Ba, the fake prince stated.
Thats not what you should be apologizing about, Eugene muttered to himself.
<em>Hmm?</em> What did you say? the fake prince asked with a curious gaze.
Eugene responded, Its nothing. I think everyone should have gotten enough rest, so lets continue moving. Galfredik, take charge of the knights. Evil golden spirit, pull yourself together and go make some water. Princess, Master Pranbow. Get ready to depart.
Eugene mounted Silion after giving his orders and moved away. He didnt spare a single nce at the princes group the entire time.
That arrogant man the fake prince muttered.
<em>Shh.</em> Even if no one here knows ournguage, we shouldnt be negligent, the real prince responded.
<em>Ah. </em>I apologize, Your Highness, the fake prince said.
Dont bow. Pat my shoulders instead, the real prince replied.
Yes, the servant answered in the empiresnguage and patted the shoulder of the real prince before asking, Why must it be that man? I agree that he is a great figure, but Im sure we could find a stronger knight.
No. I dont think there are any knights stronger than the Duke of Ba. My knowledge may becking, but I have neverid my eyes on such a figure, even in the imperial castle. As such, we must have him join us. For the future of the empire and for my survival, the prince said in a grim voice while bowing toward the fake prince as if he were being scolded by his master. However, his gaze remained on Eugenes back the entire time.
***
Your Excellency, we will get going now. Please call us back anytime!
If its for your sake, I will draw my de anytime, no matter who the opponent is.
The expressions of the knights returning to their bestowed territories and manors were filled with loyalty toward Eugene. It was only a matter of course. Eugene didnt take all the money and wealth he had gathered from the western nobles. Instead, he had distributed them to his knights.
The knights were already more than satisfied to have be official knights of the kingdom and masters of their own territories. Whenever Eugene rewarded them for their loyalty, and after every battle, their sense of loyalty toward him would grow even deeper.
Well, its good that you would do that for me, but remember to always keep your des sharp for the king. The one who swore you in as knights was the king, not me, Eugene responded.
Yes, of course. His Majesty has been ourrade since he was an aide of Your Excellency, one of the knights said. Most of the knights had been acquainted with Eugene since his time in the Caylor Kingdom, and they quite liked both Eugene and Luke. Luke could not bepared with Eugene in terms of skills, but the image of the humble aide who had always fought fiercely on the front lines, and the fact that Luke had never refused any bothersome chores were still fresh in their minds.
Take care then, Eugene said.
Yes, Your Excellency! The knightspeted to be the first to show their respect and politely saluted before departing.
Well, then Eugene turned his gaze. The beowulfs were standing in groups of twos and threes while smacking their lips with regret.
Great job until now, all of you, Eugene said.
<em>Sniff!</em> Its nothing.
Thats right. We got to fight a lot, and we ate lots of meat.
<em>Oh,</em> I want to eat grilled duck.
I want marinatedmb ribs. We cant have that in the mountains.
As always, the conversation of the beowulfs quickly started to flow in apletely unrted direction. Eugene quickly cut them off. You can buy some with the money I gave you before returning.
<em>Ehey</em><em>! </em>We cant do with only <em>some</em>. We will need at least 20 sheep to have a proper feast, one of the beowulfs responded.
Whether its twenty or thirty, you will still have some money remaining after you buy them, Eugene responded.
<em>Kuhehe</em><em>!</em> Thats true! one of the beowulfs eximed.
Four boxes filled with silver rested on a cart pulled by one of the warriors. However, that wasnt the end of it. The packs that the beowulfs carried were filled with various riches as well. Eugene had given enoughpensation for the beowulfs to not worry about starving for years even without hunting after they returned to Perseus Mountain.
Wolfgan and those remaining at the castle will help the king with his duties for the time being. There will be rotations every six months, so talk to your kind back on the mountain. All of you could volunteer yourselves as well, Eugene said.
Why would we talk to them?! Well definitely volunteer!
Thats right. If its helping the dark lord and the little king, we dont need anypensation. Instead, give us meat for our every meal and let us fight until our balls are soaked with sweat. Its a hundred times better than hunting in the mountains.
<em>Kuhehehehehehe!</em>
The warriors burst outughing while showing theirrge fangs. Eugene was greatly satisfied with the beowulfs. It wasnt an exaggeration to say that they had yed the biggest role during his time in Brantia.
It was hard to find mercenaries as loyal and skillful as the beowulfs. The only downside was that they consumed an enormous amount of food. However, they had no other fault besides that. However, Eugene had only formed a contractual rtionship with the beowulfs, and as such, he had no choice but to let them go.
But all of a sudden, Pythamoras, who had agreed to stay behind as the kings advisor, suggested, <em>Ehem.</em> This is a united kingdom, so theres no one stopping you from forming an alliance with the Perseus Beowulfs. Give official recognition of Mount Perseus as their territory, and you can have some of their warriors always stationed at the royal pce.
It was a brilliant idea, as expected from a druid. It wasmonly known that thebined strength of two or three experienced knights was necessary to deal with a normal lycanthrope. However, what about beowulf warriors armed with specially forged te coats? It was difficult to guarantee the oue even if they were ced against five or six heavily armed knights. In fact, Eugene had arranged a duel between the beowulfs and the knights from the Caylor Kingdom, and four knights had been insufficient to deal with a single beowulf.
Eugene immediately epted the druids suggestion and offered Wolfgan an alliance. The beowulf agreed without hesitation. Wolfgan was quite intelligent with excellent social skills and critical thinking. He knew that maintaining a harmonious rtionship with the new kingdom was the correct path for all of his kind.
Dark Lord! Be careful on your way!
Dark Knight, evil golden spirit, take care!
<em>Kiehhh?!</em> Im not an evil, golden spirit! You dog-brained mutts! <em>Kieeeeeehhh!</em>
The beowulfs departed while chuckling at the sight of the spirit throwing a tantrum.
***
Eugene entered the royal castle while receiving a warm wee from Brightons residents.
Master!
Your Excellency!
Luke and the nobles also flocked to the courtyard to wee Eugene. Their faces were filled with overwhelming emotions. It was because Eugenes expedition had led to a unified kingdom of Brantia for the first time in decades. Several dynasties had risen and fallen over the past few hundred years, but none of them had ever gotten the cooperation of the Bayman Orcs and nd except the Knight King.
As such, all the nobles in Brantia had considered it impossible to recreate such a scene regardless of who ascended the throne. However, what had only evere to fruition under the reign of the Knight King was being re-enacted hundreds of yearster.
<em>Uwaaagghh</em><em>! </em>Your Excellency! Your Excellency!
All the gods and spirits of thisnd will bless the house of Cralwmarine and Ba!
Everyone was thrilled. In particr, the nobles of the Ba Duchy shed tears of joy and cried out in tion. The duke had seeded in gathering all the treasures of the duchy, then he founded a unified kingdom. The kingdom''s nobles were ecstatic that such a figure had arisen within their generation. They no longer cared that Eugene was a vampire from abroad, as the duchy was entering its greatest era of prosperity since its founding thanks to Eugene. As such, theyughed and shed tears with joy, knowing that they could see and experience the glory alongside the duke.
Hooray! Hooray to the king!
Hooray to Duke Ba!
Brantia forever!
The cheers of the citizens shook the royal castle. Everyone rejoiced regardless of their age, ethnicity, and status. However, amidst the loud cheers and the festive atmosphere, some people watched with bitter,plicated expressions.
<em>Hmph!</em> Making such a fuss about the making of a king on this small, remote ind.
Thats right. Its a country even smaller than the territories of our great empires vassals.
Its only natural for bumpkins to rejoice about such trivial things, right?
Hold your tongues, sirs. Sir Localope stopped the knights whispers in a dignified voice. The knights quickly dropped their heads and stole nces at the prince.
The prince continued while suppressing his anger, It may be a small ind country, but it is also thend on which we are standing right now. It is their kingdom and theirnd. But what about you and me, sirs? We have ournd, but we cannot return to it. People are waiting for us, but we cannot meet them. How are we any better than the people of Brantia?
Y-Your Highness
Please forgive our ipetence, Your Highness.
The knights spoke while biting their lips. They couldnt raise their heads out of shame, and their voices were filled with sorrow.
Sirs, I know that your disy of jealousy stemmed from your frantic hearts. However, keep in mind that such words and actions are unbefitting and dishonorable for knights of the great empire, the prince responded.
Yes
And raise your heads. However bad things may be, I am still the son of the great empire. Even though I may be trotting on a dark path in the night right now, the light will definitelye. Moreover, since I have finally found light on thend of the west, where the sun sets, all of you will have to do your best, the prince remarked.
We will etch your words into our hearts. The knights finally raised their heads after answering and looked at the young prince. The princes fists were clenched tight, as were his teeth. He was dressed as the servant, but it was clear he was born with noble, golden blood. Unlike his arrogant brothers, who could not bear even the slightest difort, Prince Localope was resilient and headstrong. The knights truly respected and admired the wise prince with all their hearts. Otherwise, they would have never followed him to this remote ind nation.
The knights were slightly narrow-minded, but they werent ones without honor and chivalry.
However, they found one thing quite unfortunate
<em>Again, hes looking at the vampire duke, not the King of Brantia.</em>
<em>Has the prince taken such a liking to the duke?</em>
The knights unknowingly clenched their fists. They knew well that the vampire duke with obsidian hair and crimson eyes was a strong knight. Knights with his talent and skills would be born only every decade or so.
However, he was a Marecasioa daywalker. Even in the empire, only a few members of the Dark n were unaffected by the sun. The Marecasio yielded to the imperial family because of a covenant from the distant past, and the imperial family recognized their status. However, the Marecasio was the most dangerous of all foreign races.
As knights from prestigious, strong families of the empire, they couldnt help but worry about Prince Localope. The prince had already taken great favor to Duke Ba.
However
<em>As expected, could only a Marecasio deal with another Marecasio?</em>
<em>It may be true. We may need the help of that insidious vampire duke to drive out the demon king who resides by the side of the crown prince</em>
It was an undeniable reality. Prince Localope stared at Eugene as if he was possessed, and the knights stared at Eugene with aplex look of jealousy and hope. Vampires were the representatives of darkness, but the duke could ironically be a newfound light for them.