Eugene left the Fairchild territory with a grand farewell from Viscount Fairchild and the people of the castle. He also carried with him a box full of silver coins, a letter of recommendation to a count, and even a treasured sword.

‘Wolfslaughter…’

Eugene stared at the shortsword hanging from the saddle. When he first received the weapon from Viscount Fairchild, he had considered it as a simple and expensive sword. However, he could not help but be surprised as soon as he unsheathed the weapon. It exuded a cold, sharp aura.

He was even more surprised after hearing Viscount Fairchild’s explanation of the weapon’s origins, which was slightly prideful and ostentatious. Wolfslaughter was a weapon forged from a meteorite in a dwarven city located on Mount Cranfos.

It was an excellent blade capable of easily slashing through chainmail.

‘The letter of recommendation is nice, but I like this one too. He even gave me a slave as well.’Eugene glanced back at his slaves. He now had three slaves in his possession: Viscount Fairchild had given him one and he had obtained two from Baron Bommel.

Although Eugene was still a free knight, he was equipped in plate armor, rode a famed warhorse, and possessed three slaves. He was undoubtedly a bigshot at first glance.

Moreover, the slave from Viscount Fairchild had more brawn than brains.

“You are from Brantia?”

“Yes, Master. Sir Boche of Crawlmarine is my father.”

The 19-year-old slave was rough-spoken in the common language. Surprisingly, he stemmed from a family of knights in the island country of Brantia. The slave, Luke was the offspring of a knight’s concubine, and he had been taken prisoner after losing a battle while serving as a mercenary.

A small family of a knight could not afford to pay the ransom of a concubine’s child, and eventually, he ended up in Viscount Fairchild’s castle as a slave.

“Did you receive knightly education?”

“Yes. I was taught by Sir Bosch.”

“Then you know how to use a blade?”

“I am not great at it by any means, but I am able to protect myself. If it ever comes to it, I will protect Master with my life.”

“I don’t think that will ever happen. If Sir Eugene is in danger, it means you and I will already be dead.”

“Ah…”

Partec smirked, and Luke shut his mouth. Certainly, his master was a young knight who was superior in skill to any other knights he had seen. Moreover, his master was able to defeat hired mercenaries of Lord Bommel and capture a territorial knight as well as the territory’s successor by himself. His feats reflected his amazing abilities.

“Do you two have any specialities?”

Eugene asked, and the slaves given to him by Baron Bommel answered one after another.

“I farmed and dug herbs for a long time in my hometown, Master.”

“I worked as a hunter in the Garanbow Territory.”

“I see.”

It was useful to possess slaves with specialties. In particular, for knights planning to travel from place to place like Eugene, it was even more important to have slaves with superior specialties.

‘One received education to become a knight, and the other two are a herbalist and a hunter. They might be helpful inside the dungeon as well.’

With such thoughts, Eugene spoke while looking at the slaves, “Good. Luke, Liddle, Pen. I will give you half a silver coin as a week’s wage. That will be two silver coins in a month.”

“You are truly generous!”

“Thank you, Master!”

“I will serve you to my fullest.”

Liddle and Pen were commoners. They bowed their heads with thrilled expressions, and even Luke looked deeply moved. Slaves were often most concerned about becoming possessions of knights.

Slaves that belonged to nobles were relatively safe because most nobles lived in castles or mansions. However, since knights usually led a rough life and traveled through dangerous areas, slaves that belonged to knights had to risk their lives as well.

In addition, it was common for knights with violent tendencies to treat their slaves harshly. It was incredibly rare to find a knight like Eugene, who was willing to even pay the slaves a wage.

“Luke, how long have you served as an aide?”

“A little over three years, master.”

“So you should be good at grooming horses and polishing armor?”

“Yes. If you leave it to me, I will always maintain it as good as new.”

“Good.”

“What?! No, Sir Eugene! What do you mean!?”

Mirian started rampaging. It was unknown whether she felt that her job had been taken away, or if she felt robbed of spending her sweet time stroking the expensive plate armor.

“Me too! I want to do it too! Kieeek!”

Eugene snatched her out of the air, pretended to swat away an insect, then placed her in his leather pocket before speaking.

“In the future, all of you will often have to enter evil lands. You might already know this, but there will be no one to protect the slaves and the porters.”

“…..!”

Luke appeared indifferent, but the expressions of Liddle and Pen became grim. However, they felt a little relieved at Eugene’s following words.

“Luke, you will be in charge of protecting these two in the evil lands. Always stick by their side until I give you an order.”

“As you wish, Master.”

“Hmm.”

Luke gave a quick response, and Eugene observed him for a moment before turning to Partec.

“Does it matter if I arm the slaves?”

“Not at all. Slaves are rarely given armor, but many knights provide them with shortswords or daggers.”

“I see.”

A single weapon would merely serve as the minimum. It would only be useful for self-defense. Moreover, although Eugene received the slaves for free, he felt that it would be a bit disappointing to lose them in vain.

‘Galfredik said that I would have to spend as much as I make. He was completely right.’

Eugene pondered and smacked his lips. He knew the burly knight would surely burst into laughter if he heard Eugene’s thoughts.

***

Upon arriving in Maren, Eugene immediately headed to a shop that handled weapons and armors before finding accommodation. Eugene provided Liddle and Pen with strong leather armor and daggers for self-defense. For Luke, he bought a set of hauberk[1], a shield, a shortsword, and a rondel dagger.

“T, to think you would grace us mere slaves with such undeserved armament! I will serve you with all that I have until the moment I die, Master!”

Luke's blue eyes filled with tears. He wasn’t as big as Partec, but he still possessed a fairly large physique. He couldn’t believe that he was receiving chainmail as a slave. He had never received such a gift even when he served as a knight’s aide.

‘He is as generous as he is courageous.’

Luke wiped away his tears. The other two slaves were greatly moved as well. They knew all too well how knights treated slaves they were gifted for free. If a knight received slaves as a gift, the slaves were usually treated very harshly. 

They had been expecting such treatment from their master as well. But never in their dreams did they imagine that their master would be so considerate to the extent that he would even pay them weekly wages.

“We will serve you until the day we die, Master Eugene.”

“All right.” Eugene inwardly nodded. The slaves appeared deeply touched by his gesture. Their reactions were greater than he had expected.

- If you ever get any slaves, give them a wage, even if it is minuscule, and buy them cheap armor. If you do so, they will even lick your toes of their own volition.

Eugene was certainly lucky to have had the opportunity to become acquainted with a knight like Galfredik.

‘Come to think of it, has he been sworn in by Count Evergrove?’

Although no news was usually good news, Eugene felt slightly bothered that nothing had reached his ears since the dungeon opening. However, knights like Galfredik would succeed regardless of where they were, so Eugene stopped worrying about him.

***

“Welcome back! I am glad you returned safely, Sir Eugene.”

“It seems you have been doing quite well as well, Vice Executive.” Priscilla bowed politely towards Eugene, then continued in a slightly excited tone. “I heard, sir! You were hired by Lord Fairchild for a bit and managed to end the territorial dispute by yourself?”

“Already? Word really travels fast.”

Although they were in an equal, contractual relationship, Eugene spoke comfortably. The difference in their status was clear.

“All the mercenaries hired by Lord Bommel could not stop talking about you, Sir Eugene. I cannot believe you managed to defeat dozens of mercenaries and captured a territorial knight as well as Lord Bommel’s successor!”

“That’s… well, that’s right.”

It was mostly true, but Eugene felt like the truth had been slightly distorted. However, he gave up on trying to correct the story.

“Anyways, as soon as news of Sir Eugene’s performance was spread…” Priscilla spoke with twinkling eyes, then suddenly stopped.

“As soon as the news spread? Did something happen?”

“Ah! I just wanted to mention that our association made a few slight tweaks with Sir Eugene’s contract.” She almost blurted out the fact that the nobles and celebrities of Maren were going crazy for him, but she managed to change the subject. It would become challenging if the knight became drunk on his reputation and started to have other thoughts.

“Oh really? What changed?”

“We decided to raise the success pay by five percent, and we have finished all cooperation clauses. We made it so that Sir Eugene will be able to participate in subjugations at any time, whenever you so desire.”

“Good. Is there anything else that has changed?”

“No. The contract will end after three subjugations, with two extra, mutually agreed subjugations. If there is a disagreement, the contract will end after three subjugations. If you want to renew your contract—”

“We can talk about that when the time comes. Shall we sign the contract then?”

“Yes, Sir Eugene.”

Priscilla felt regretful as she presented three pre-written documents. One was for the Palin Association, one was for Eugene, and the other was to be notarized in the merchant association.

Eugene had yet to possess his own seal, so he printed his name in clear letters before signing.

“Um… Are you not going to check?”

Priscilla asked carefully after noticing that Eugene signed the document without reading it properly. After he was done signing the final document, Eugene raised his head. “Why? Did you change your mind and decide to add something in?”

“Ah! N, not at all!” Priscilla felt a chill run down her spine as she faced Eugene’s cold smile. She quickly waved her hands in denial.

“That’s all that matters. Now, is this everything?”

“Yes! Then I will take you to the Heavenly Constellations to rest, as written in the contract. There are no differences with your entourage, correct?”

“Well, I have three slaves now.”

“Sl… Slaves. I see. I will set up a separate accommodation for them.”

It wasn’t just one, but three new slaves. The addition of extra slaves only served to prove the ability of the knight she signed a contract with. As such, Priscilla could play it cool.

“Ah, before I forget,” Eugene turned his head and spoke as he started leaving through the door, which was being held open by Priscilla.

“When is the first subjugation?”

“Oh! Look at me. I forgot to tell you the most important thing. It will be in ten days. Mount Morrison Labyrinth in the Evergrove Territory.”

“The Evergrove Territory…”

It was the land where Galfredik went to be sworn in.

“That’s good.” Eugene smiled, recalling the face of the only knight he rather liked.

“Ah, and one more thing. This subjugation is…” Various pieces of relevant information began to flow from Priscilla’s lips.

***

Five days passed.

In the meantime, Eugene attended various banquets hosted by Maren’s nobles and celebrities. And on the sixth day, Eugene left the city with his slaves and mercenaries. It was a little earlier than planned, but he had no desire to further involve himself with meaningless competitions between the pompous nobles. Moreover, he had already met with the most important figures.

“You worked hard these few days, Sir Eugene,” Partec spoke with a grin. He had attended the banquet alongside Eugene as his attendant.

“I would not call it hard work. There is no point in creating hostile relationships by rejecting their invitations.”

“You are right.”

“Anyways, I hope all of you are energized after resting these last few days.”

“Yes. All of us are well-rested after resting these past few days. All of us.”

Eugene nodded satisfactorily while looking around at the mercenaries and slaves. Including himself, there were seven people in the group. It was now a battle-ready party that no one could simply ignore.

“By the way, Sir Eugene, do you know how many members will be on the subjugation team?”

“About thirty people, including us. A knight of the Evergrove Territory will be leading the subjugation.”

“I see. It shouldn’t be too difficult, since the territorial knight should be familiar with the labyrinth. Moreover, Mount Morrison Labyrinth was discovered and opened more than ten years ago. Quite a bit of it has already been explored.”

“That’s what they said. But according to the Vice Executive, it seems like they are planning to head in deeper this time around.”

“Well, that’s because they would lose face if they were to fight in the same area every single time. Sometimes, they have to explore unidentified areas as a formality.”

Partec was the most experienced out of the group. At his reassuring words, the expressions of the group brightened.

However…

“They might include a wizard in the subjugation this time. I was told that Count Evergrove hired a wizard not too long ago.”

“What?!”

1. chainmail covering up to a person’s thighs ☜