“Excuse me, Master. With all due respect, could you reconsider it one more time?” Luke asked.

“No. You will stay behind and clean up,” Eugene answered curtly.

“Yes…” Luke answered with disappointment. Although he was Eugene’s aide, it felt as if he was spending less and less time with his master ever since he became a count.

“Then, I will leave it to you, Pythamoras,” Eugene said.

“Well, I will do my best to assist Lord Crawlmarine.” Pythamoras nodded. He would remain at Castle Riwad with Luke. Mount Robtimo, where Pythamoras resided, was located in the Riwad territory, and he was a druid who was respected by all citizens of the Riwad territory, regardless of their age or gender. As long as he was by Luke’s side, Riwad’s nobles would not dare to have any scummy thoughts. In addition, Eugene had extra safety devices in place.

“Partec, I will leave it to you,” Eugene said.

“Yes, sir. We will protect Lord Crawlmarine with our lives,” Partec answered. He would remain behind with Glade and Lavan. The three had been through numerous battles since they first met Eugene, and they had received training from Lanslo and Galfredik in their spare time. As such, their skills were incomparable to the past. In particular, Partec was not inferior to ordinary knights. Considering his age, it was a testament to how much effort he had put in when it came to training.

“Dammit. Why us…”

“Drawing straws is complete luck. This is unfair. Let’s try one more time with rock-paper-scissors.” Four beowulf warriors grumbled next to Partec’s group.

Wolfgan stepped forward and spoke with an embarrassed expression, “It won’t take long, so make sure you do your job and keep him safe. You will be served meat every day.”

“What? Really?” one of the beowulfs asked.

“The dark lord promised. It won’t even take a month, so guard Count Crawlmarine well.” Wolfgan continued.

“Got it. Hehe.” They were disappointed that they couldn’t fight alongside their brothers, but they broke out into wide grins after hearing about the meat.

Luke couldn’t hide his disappointment either. Eugene turned toward his aide and spoke, “As you know, it’s about time we received news from Mungard. You may open any letters except for those from Delmondo. In particular, if you hear from Romari or Markus, Lord of Mungard, check the contents of the letter personally to determine the weight of the message and send messengers accordingly. You can use the beowulf warriors as messengers.”

“Yes, Master!” Luke answered with determination. He felt a much greater sense of responsibility now that he was a count. He swore that he would surely fulfill his responsibilities without fail.

Pythamoras grinned while observing the scene and gazed at Eugene with a meaningful look. Eugene turned a blind eye to Pythamoras and turned toward Galfredik and Lanslo.

It would be war once again.

***

Eugene joined with the forces waiting outside Castle Riwad, then immediately set course for Brighton.

The troops were well-rested and in high spirits. When they were initially subjugated, they had many worries, but it quickly became clear that Eugene was the ideal commander and employer. In a sense, the troops were no different from slaves, which meant that they had to comply with every order and demand. However, Eugene did not forcibly reorganize the structure of the troops and only gave reasonable instructions. He allowed groups of mercenaries to stick together, and he guaranteed independent command for the captains of the mercenary groups.

Of course, Eugene didn’t make such a decision because he adored the troops. Rather, he was heeding Galfredik’s advice.

“If we fight a large-scale battle, it’s not like they’re going to maintain formation. Master and I will draw the big picture, and when we actually fight, it will be best to let them do what they are familiar with. When to attack and to retreat—as long as they abide by these two commands, there won’t be any problems,” Galfredik said.

“Hmm. I understand. It will be difficult to pass down orders on a battlefield filled with hundreds of troops after all,” Eugene answered.

“Exactly. It will be even worse with thousands of troops. That’s why we only need to focus on leading the elite troops. The outcome of the battle will depend heavily on how the elite troops demolish the enemy camp.” Galfredik continued.

“In the end, a battle is ultimately about which side retains their elite forces. In our case, the beowulfs could be considered the main players. Sir Eugene or Sir Galfredik must lead them.” Lanslo chimed in as well.

Eugene nodded. Educated knights were indeed thoughtful and competent.

“It’s better if it’s Galfredik rather than me,” Eugene said.

“Kuhehe! I would love to!” Galfredik answered with delight.

Lanslo appeared rather confused. “It will be much more destructive if you lead them, wouldn’t it?”

Eugene answered, “I realized something after fighting a few battles. The elite troops of an army are important, but it seemed even easier to just take care of their commander. The battle ends earlier.”

“…!”

The two knights flinched, and Eugene recalled his own experiences as he continued. “Galfredik and the beowulfs will face the enemy’s elite troops. According to what Pythamoras said, it will be a force of around one hundred heavy cavalries or a little stronger. A gap would eventually be opened, right? At the least, the enemy’s elite forces will certainly be occupied by then.”

“That’s right.”

“So I thought I would take that chance and strike the enemy’s commander down. I heard that they are mostly weaker than their subordinates, except in special cases like Baron Riwad, am I right?” Eugene asked.

“That’s right. However, some people will be hiding an ace up their sleeves. Brantia’s lords are more familiar and open to magic than the people of the continent,” Lanslo remarked.

“That’s true. However…” Eugene answered.

Clack! Clack!

“I have this.” He smiled coldly while raising his left gauntlet.

***

Eugene’s troops came to face Brighton’s army two days later. The beowulfs had already scouted ahead, and the two forces had always been moving toward each other. As such, it was inevitable that they would encounter each other.

After a brief confrontation, three horses slowly emerged from the midst of Brighton’s troops.

‘Knights. One is a woman?’

Eugene narrowed his eyes. Two of the knights were armed with plate mail, which was rare in Brantia, and the other figure was a female knight dressed in decorative, impractical armor. The two male knights each took to the female knight’s sides. One held a flag of Brighton, while the other held the flag of a lion rampant.

The three figures came to a stop at a distance of about 50 meters from Eugene’s army. They whispered amongst themselves for a while, then the man holding the lion flag raised his voice. “Is this Sir Jan Eugene’s army?! We are representatives of the royal family of Fransil!”

“The royal family of Fransil?” Eugene muttered. It was an unfamiliar name.

Lanslo whispered, “They are one of the forces claiming themselves to be the rightful king. A great noble family that united the western coastal territories. They used to proclaim themselves as the Fransil duchy before, but it seems that they have made it all the way here now.”

“Is that so?” Eugene said.

He looked at the three knights with interest. It had been rather strange that they were equipped with good armor, which was quite rare in Brantia. As such, it made sense that they stemmed from a prestigious family.

‘Those seeking the throne in Brantia should roughly be equivalent to the great nobles of the Caylor Kingdom.’

The knight holding the lion flag raised his voice once again. “Listen up! The City of Brighton is overlooked by the gracious spirits, and they are an ally of ours! In addition! His Excellency Duke Fransil shared a brotherly bond with the Riwad territory! As such, we will…”

“Oi!” Eugene’s loud shout interrupted the noisy knight. The other two knights also looked startled by Eugene’s shout. 

Eugene continued. “Baron Riwad was like a brother to the Fransil family? Can you take responsibility for your words?”

“O-of course! However, His Excellency Fransil is willing to show grace and give you a chance to redeem your mistakes! Make the honorable choice! If you come under the flag of the Great Lion! He will graciously overlook your sins toward Lord Riwad…” The knight continued to babble nonsense.

Eugene turned toward Galfredik and Lanslo. “He’s asking us to surrender, right?”

“Kiekkk! I can’t forgive him! How dare he say that to the demon king!” Mirian huffed.

Galfredik spoke with a cruel smile, “He’s crazy. He’s trying to win master over rather than asking for complete surrender. He wants master to serve under Prancer or Francer, whatever it is that they’re called.”

“They mean to take the Riwad territory and Sir Eugene as well.” Lanslo chimed in.

Eugene conversed with the two knights. It seemed their response had hurt the opposing knight’s pride. He raised his voice to the point where his face turned red. “In the name of the royal family of Fransil! Get over here! Ask for forgiveness before you are convicted!”

“…” Eugene, Galfredik, and Lanslo closed their lips at the same time. They turned toward the three opposing knights.

“Kieeeeeek! Sir! We have to rip that bear to shreds! We have to beat that ugly girl to death as well!” Mirian shouted. Only the simpleton spirit seemed to have fallen for the provocation.

‘She doesn’t seem that ugly...’

Eugene observed the woman before whispering. She had a confident, arrogant expression. “That woman. She must have a pretty high position in the Fransil family, don’t you think?”

“Mmhm. She is likely one of the duke’s children. A real knight would never think to wear such gaudy decorative armor,” Lanslo answered.

“Well, let’s get her. If we get lucky, we won’t need to employ any strategies or tactics,” Eugene answered.

“What?” Lanslo was puzzled.

Eugene moved a little forward before shouting at the three knights. “Your story! I heard it! I will make a suggestion as well!”

“…?”

The three knights were bewildered by Eugene’s words. Eugene continued in the most insolent and arrogant manner possible. “I! Don’t listen to the words! Of anyone weaker than me! Knights of Fransil! Come out! If anyone manages to beat me! I will agree to your conditions!”

“…!”

Even though they were some distance away, Eugene could see the eyes of the three figures widening in shock.

“However! If no one beats me! Your commander! My prisoner! They must crawl under my crotch!” Eugene shouted.

“You lunatic!” the woman shouted in fury.

“Sir Carlisle! Sir Zoraf! Get that madman to kneel in front of me right now!” she shrieked.

“Lady Lorraine, you must not fall for the enemy’s provocation,” one of the knights answered.

“You heard what he said as well! How dare… How dare he!”

Eugene shrugged. Although they were far away, he could hear their conversation.

Eugene spoke, “Her name is Lorraine. It seems that she is indeed the commander. The other two are at a loss in front of her.”

“I see. However, I don’t think they will fall for the provocation. No matter how stupid they are, surely…” Lanslo started to speak.

The conversation between the woman named Lorraine and the two knights continued. “For now, we just need to figure out the approximate strength of that man’s army. If we make a hasty judgment, it could lead to unwanted outcomes.”

“My lady. Please remember that our primary objective is Brighton.”

The two knights attempted to dissuade her.

However, she remained adamant. “Fine! Fine! If you two are not up to the task, I will call the other knights!”

She was filled with anger as she jerked around. “Are there any brave knights who will drop that dishonorable savage from his horse?! I will give you a large reward!”

“I will teach that man a lesson!”

“Lady Lorraine! Please give me a chance. I, Kemble of Atmon will defend your honor!”

“I, as well!”

Five or six knights shouted while hurriedly riding forward.

“I think it worked,” Eugene remarked.

“The knights are desperate to prove themselves. That stupid woman must be a direct descendant of the Fransil family,” Lanslo commented with a bitter smile while shaking his head.

The two knights at Lorraine’s side hurriedly shouted after failing to dissuade her. “If you have any chivalry and honor! Fight as a knight, and not as a member of the Dark Clan!”

“You won’t be cowardly enough to use the powers of the Tribe of Darkness, hmm?!”

Eugene was dumbfounded. They wanted him to restrict his own abilities in a fight for his life? Were they out of their minds? No, in the first place, did they really think that he would be an easy pick without his vampiric powers?

“Keke! They might be skeptical about the words of Rubbish Odd, but it seems that they had obtained some decent information,” Galfredik said.

“They must have heard from the mercenaries who had been sold as slaves. Sir Eugene, what will you do?” Lanslo commented.

“It won’t do for Master to deal with those idiots. I will take care of them,” Galfredik said.

However, Eugene shook his head.” No. I will go. It’s enough for just one person’s reputation to be dirtied in Brantia.”

A conquest was inevitably accompanied by the resentment and the curses of many people, and Eugene was determined to focus it all on just one person—himself.

The reason?

Deepening resentment and curses were proportional to fear toward Eugene.

“I will be back.” Eugene lowered his visor before grabbing his reins.

‘Fight as a knight?’

Clack!

The Demon Spear, Madarazika, lay in his hand.

‘Do you really think that will let you defeat me?’

Eugene smiled coldly. Madarazika trembled with joy at its master’s touch. Eugene rode forward while equipping the spear on the spear thrower.