“W-w-what is this…?” Romari muttered before running up to Eugene and stroking his back. She forgot her embarrassment in the heat of the moment. She continued. “Why are there ancient scripts written on Sir Eugene’s body? Oh, they are tattoos? You shouldn’t engrave these things on a person’s body.”

“How would I know? Anyway, if you engrave ancient scripts on a person’s body, does it activate magic or curses?” Eugene asked.

Romari hesitated for a moment before answering, “Well… normally, it would kill the person. Or you would engrave it on someone who is already dead. Ah! But Sir Eugene is a vampire.”

“…”

“Well, to expand on that, the undead are technically already dead, so it wouldn’t be life-threatening. Even so, it must have placed a huge burden on your body to have had so many of them etched,” Romari said.

Eugene responded after putting on his clothes, “Wizard. I’ll tell you something if you swear not to go around blabbering.”

“Y-yes.” Romari licked her lips while nodding. She had never seen such a serious expression on Eugene’s face before.

“I have no memories past a certain point. And ever since I came to see and recognize the world, these tattoos were already on my body,” Eugene explained his secrets, except for the fact that he had died and resurrected.

Romari’s eyes continued to quiver as Eugene continued with his story. Once he finished, she asked with a shaky voice, “D-does that mean someone afflicted you with a curse?”

“We don’t know that yet. However, given that this armor has the same ancient scripts as those on my body, I’m certain that it has something to do with my past,” Eugene responded.

“Yes, that is for sure. Few people even know of ancient scripts, and there were almost no cases where ancient scripts were engraved on a living person, including vampires and humans,” Romari explained.

“Almost no cases? So that means there were past instances,” Eugene commented.

“Ah, well… It’s only something I heard from my master. A long time ago…  What would you call it… Human sacrifice? Offerings? Anyway, it’s said that ancient scripts were engraved on the bodies of humans and animals for such purposes. Of course, the scripts always killed the targets,” Romari explained.

“Kieh? Sir, were you an offering?!” Mirian exclaimed.

“We don’t know that yet. Hmm,” Eugene responded. However, it was certainly a possibility. Although nothing was clear yet, he felt glad to have shown Romari the demonic armor. He couldn’t be completely sure of anything, but he had discovered that the ancient tattoos on his body hadn’t been engraved on him with good intentions.

Romari scrutinized Armis for a while before speaking, “Excuse me, Sir Eugene. You said that the ancient scripts on the armor are identical to the ones on your body, right? You have the same number of them on your body as well? But when you consumed red mana stones, the source mana stones, five of them disappeared?”

The proper terminology for the red mana stones was source mana stones, which were a rare type of mana stones seldom obtained from monsters ranked intermediate or higher. It was extremely difficult to purify source mana stones since the energy contained in them was very strong. A wizard of Romari’s caliber had to work several days to possibly purify it.

However, there was a problem with source mana stones. Even after undergoing a purification process, it wasn’t guaranteed that source mana stones would become refined like regular mana stones. As such, source mana stones were treated like regular jewels, though they fetched an incredulous price because of their rarity.

“That’s right. Five of them have been erased. There are seven left,” Eugene responded.

Romari suggested, “Oh, this is just my opinion, but I think it might be better for you to equip the armor only after you get rid of all the tattoos on your body.”

“Hmm. Really?” Eugene asked.

“Yes, yes. I’m no expert with armor by any means, but from a magical point of view, armors were used to seal things since ancient times, as well as to protect the user,” Romari responded.

“Seal things?”

“Yes. In particular, this armor even has ancient scripts engraved on it, which just happen to be identical to the ones tattooed on Sir Eugene’s body. There’s no way it’s just a simple coincidence. It’s just so suspicious. So, I think it would be better to equip it after you have removed all the tattoos on your body. In the meantime, let me research more into these ancient scripts,” Romari explained.

“Hmm.” Eugene lowered his hand and stroked the armor once again. He could certainly feel a strange, ominous sensation emanating from the armor, and it wasn’t just because he had been influenced by Romari’s advice.

Eugene decided to trust in his intuition.

“Good. I will do that,” Eugene said before placing Armis back into its box. In any case, all four treasures of the Batla Duchy were finally in his hands. He was satisfied. In addition, his current plate armor could be considered a top-of-the-line product as well, so he had no need for anything else. He didn’t need to equip Armis.

“Anyway, well done. I’m glad I brought you here,” Eugene remarked.

“Ah! As expected, right? I was a big help, wasn’t I?” Romari asked.

“Well, I will admit it this time,” Eugene responded with a nod.

“Hehehe.” Romari grinned while scratching her nose.

Mirian buzzed over her head while yammering, “Kieeeek! Look how arrogant you’re acting just because Sir Eugene complimented you once! You simple raccoon!”

Romari suddenly interjected, “How did you know my master’s nickname for me? Is it because you’re a spirit?”

“What?!” Mirian exclaimed.

“The raccoon. My master always called me that. I’m not sure why, but maybe it’s because I’m as cute as a…” Romari mumbled shyly.

Mirian laughed mockingly and interrupted her. “Kihehehe! Are you a fool? That’s because your eyes look exactly like a raccoon! Your teacher definitely had a knack for naming things. Ah, and right now, you look like a zombie. You’re a zombie raccoon. Kihehehehehe!”

“T-That’s…” The wizard’s eyes quivered madly when she learned the truth behind her nickname after more than a decade of having received it.

***

“W-What?! M-Marriage? Me?!” Luke shouted with disbelief toward his beloved master. He had arrived at the duchy’s castle one day after Romari.

Eugene responded, “That’s right. The daughter of Eland’s king will be your wife, and Lorraine Fransil will be your concubine.”

“…?!” The young count could not believe his ears. He had never even been in a relationship, so what was this talk about marriage? It wasn’t just one woman either, but two?

“Ehem. Your Excellency. Were you perhaps talking about Lord Crawlmarine’s marriage right now?” Pythamoras asked after entering.

Eugene nodded, and the druid smiled.

“As expected of Your Excellency. It’s a brilliant and wise choice. Moreover, it won’t present any ethical problems or cause any trouble in terms of customs, so the count must absolutely agree with the decision,” Pythamoras stated.

“What?” Luke felt dumbfounded. He wasn’t sure how to react to Pythamora’s words.

The druid continued in a solemn voice. “The royal family of Eland and the Fransil family are two of the most powerful families in Brantia. If the two families give the duke their support and their daughters become members of Brantia’s new dynasty, we could safely assume that we have unified more than seventy percent of Brantia.”

“I-Is that so?” Luke asked.

“Yes. Moreover, the duke is your sole guardian and protector. It is customary for him to actively engage in the matter of the count’s marriage. As such, you have to accept it,” Pythamoras added.

“Ah…” Luke became alert after hearing Pythamoras’ words. After a moment of contemplation, he raised his head and met his master’s gaze. “If it will help the master achieve his goal, I will obey. Everything that I have belongs to you, Master. I will do as you say.” 

“Kieh?! Those eyes…! I knew it looked familiar. It’s the same as those humans who were in my pond biting and sucking… Kiaugh!”

Eugene quickly interrupted the spirit’s nonsense, which he had almost memorized word for word. He had a bad feeling that the spirit had been about to introduce Luke as one of the romantic protagonists of the story, as well as himself.

“Good. I’ve sent the elven knights, so Eland’s princess should arrive within a month. We will hold a ceremony when she comes,” Eugene said, nodding.

“Uh… With all due respect, that fast?” Luke asked.

“Of course. We must also hold a coronation ceremony after the wedding,” Eugene responded.

“Finally! Are you finally going to take Brantia’s throne, Master?! We must hurry and hold my wedding! Sirs!” Luke shouted, then continued to share the good news with the others gathered in the hall in Brantian. He was overjoyed that Eugene was finally about to take the throne.

The responses were divided into two extremes.

“That cannot be! Batla is the guardian and the watchman of the throne! It would be a disgrace to Batla’s long history and honor for the duke to ascend to the throne!”

“Please reconsider, Your Excellency! You must bring together all the candidates and establish a new royal family! The Batla family must not establish their own dynasty!”

The elders of the Batla Duchy were fiercely opposed to the idea.

“Kuwoooo! Does that mean you’re going to be king, Dark Lord? Meat! Are we going to have a big feast of meat?”

“We helped, so give us a few hunting grounds!”

Meanwhile, the beouwlfs welcomed anything that might provide them with more meat.

Luke shouted in a rare rage at the opposing voice of the elders,” What are you all talking about?! My master crossed the sea with the goal of unifying Brantia! Who else on this land is qualified to ascend the throne besides my master?!”

“Oi, Luke.” Eugene called out.

Luke quickly lowered his head, “Yes, Master! Please give me your orders! I will take care of those old men and…”

“When did I ever say that I was going to ascend the throne?” Eugene asked.

“What? B-but you said that you were going to unify Brantia…” Luke answered with bewilderment.

Eugene turned to the elders. The old men were looking at Eugene with perplexed eyes. Eugene then explained in Brantia, “I’m going to unify Brantia. However, I’m not going to be king.”

Ooh…!

The elders let out a sigh of relief. Eugene turned toward Luke.

“M-Master…?” Luke muttered with trembling lips. He appeared surprised and disappointed.

“The new king of Brantia…”

Eugene placed his hand on Luke’s shoulder.

He flinched. He had been enslaved on a battlefield in a trick of fate. But now, he stood as a proud count and an aide to a vampire knight.

Eugene continued slowly after pulling Luke forward. “It will be Count Luke Crawlmarine.”

“…?!”

Luke was shocked into silence. The audience also gawked at Luke with astonishment. Eland’s swordmaster and the druid were the first ones to break the silence.

“Ehem! It poses no problems in regard to law and custom. Why? It’s because both the Duke of Batla and the Knight of Drak approve it.”

“In addition, Eland will also actively support Duke Batla’s decision. Moreover, the Brodia family has already come under the duke’s command.”

Pranbow paused, then turned his gaze. Reyma, who had been standing dumbfounded with all the others, came to his senses and hastily nodded. “I-I am also providing my strong support as a representative of the Fransil family! My father has already agreed to share his will with the duke!”

“…!”

“Batla, Drak, Eland, Brodia, Fransil. All of them are supporting your ascension to the throne. So…” Eugene whispered.

Luke’s body was trembling like a leaf amidst tempestuous winds from the shock.

“Become the King of Brantia, aide number two,” Eugene concluded.

Everyone, including the man mentioned, stood motionless with shock.

“Kieeeeeh?! A slave in Caylor and King in Brantia?! This is a scam! It’s a scam! Sir Eugene needs to become the demon king! Everything belongs to him! Everything that belongs to him belongs to me! Kieeehhhhennng!”

A single spirit threw a fit and flapped her limbs on the floor, but unsurprisingly, no one paid her any attention.

***

“Truly a wonderful trick befitting a member of the Dark Clan, Your Excellency. No, a strategy would be a classier word,” Pythamoras said.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Eugene feigned ignorance.

The druid smiled meaningfully. “Hoh. Count Crawlmarine, no, the King of Brantia will be eternally loyal to the duke until he breathes his last. And even after he has returned back to the soil, his children and their children will honor the duke as the guardian of their family,” Pythamoras stated.

“Hooh?! Doesn’t that mean that no one in Brantia can oppose the duke as long as the Crawlmarine family exists?” Pranbow asked.

“…” Eugene avoided the elf’s gaze.

Pythamoras grinned while speaking to Pranbow, “A king reigns over his subjects, but he is not free from his heavy duties. In addition, running a kingdom is a difficult thing.”

“You are absolutely right. I also gave up my claim to the throne of Eland and chose to walk the path of the knight because of that. Huh? Does that mean… the duke as well?” Pranbow asked.

“That’s right. However, the difference between the duke and yourself is that His Excellency stands above the King of Brantia. Who could possibly hold the duke accountable? They will be making an enemy out of the royal family and all of their associated families if they do so,” Pythamroas explained.

“Woah!” Pranbow exclaimed after finally realizing Eugene’s intricate plan.

Eugene felt a little embarrassed, but he straightened his back and spoke confidently, “I worked incredibly hard until now to make my aide a king. I think I deserve to enjoy that much.”

“Ha! Hahaha…” Pranbow could only laugh in response. Eugene wasn’t exactly wrong, although he was quite shameless. No one; not even himself, a swordmaster, could disparage the vampire duke’s numerous exploits in Brantia.