How to Live as the Vampire Lord - Chapter 21
Due to some copyright issues. I changed some word such god=Β supreme-ruler. /divinΓ©=Β supreme. And some Chinese words etc, all of this to avoid copyright *.*
A novel by the same Author of nano machin and the same universe:
https://novelrare.com/novel/myst-might-mayhem-novel/novel/
βThatβs a shame,β Grail spoke while licking his lips vainly.
Priscilla responded with a smile, βStill, we arenβt making a loss since the terms of the contract are quite good. Besides, that sir knight apparently played a huge part in the dungeon opening at the Tywin estate.β
βHow good could he be? Even if he is indeed quite capable, heβs probably less than Sir Galfredik.β
βYou know the materials that were brought in today? I heard he took care of more than half of the monsters.β
βHuh? Come on, donβt joke around like thatβ¦β
βVice executive! Vice executive!β The door burst open and a clerk ran in while shouting excitedly.
βWhatβs going on?β
βThe subjugation squad has returned from the east forest! That sir knight named Eugene, he saved Sir Madrica and killed two orc warriors by himself!β
βEh?!β
***
The area in front of the mercenary guildβs headquarters was bustling. The bodies of fallen mercenaries were placed neatly to one side, and the corpses of goblins and orc warriors were placed on the other.
βIn honor of those who willingly raised their swords, spears, and shields for the free city of Maren, which is protected by faithβ¦β
The guild leader and recruiter, Trevik, solemnly recited a tribute, and all the gathered residents of Maren took off their hats and bowed their heads with respect. Although mercenaries sold their services for money, they deserved respect for fighting in response to Marenβs recruitment notice.
The short joint funeral ended shortly after, and priests from the church transported the bodies of the dead with the help of other mercenaries. There were about 20 casualties. The bodies of those who were killed while fighting monsters could be tainted with evil energy, so a prayer was a necessity as well as a show of respect.
βAnyways, where did Sir Eugene disappear off to?β Trevik asked while looking around. Eugene, the protagonist of todayβs battle, was nowhere to be found.
βHe should be resting in his home right now.β
βAh! Well, he did kill two orc warriors and dozens of goblins by himself. He must be exhausted. Anyways, I heard that Sir Eugeneβs skill with the javelin is incredible, is that true?β
βPhew! Thereβs no need to even mention it. I saw him lean back slightly after taking his hands off the reins, then he threw his javelin like lightning! It crossed 50 meters in the blink of an eye, pierced through the chest of the orc, then flew another 10 meters!β
It was actually 30 meters instead of 50. The javelin also did not pierce through the orc, but was instead stuck in its body. Unfortunately, these mercenaries had been too occupied during the battle that they could only speculate based on the corpses of the monsters Eugene had killed. Furthermore, the rumors about Eugene were starting to get out of hand thanks to a particular personβs testimony.
βI, Ron Madrica, can say with certainty that it was the first time I saw a knight, so brave, honorable, and chivalrous, since my master, Sir Capran. Sir Eugene is truly one of the greatest knights Iβve ever met.β Madrica spoke in a rather cheesy voice.
ββ¦Sir Eugeneβs spear attacks were like lightning bolts! When he wielded two battle axes in his hands, it was as if a legendary dwarven warrior had descended. As a man who lives by the sword and walks the path of a knight, I respect and admire Sir Eugene.β
Madrica was well known for his arrogance and bad temper. When he spoke endless praise about Eugene, the people surrounding him burst into admiration. In addition, there was another person who told stories that ignited the curiosity of the crowd, though he was not as influential as Madrica.
βAh, Iβm telling you! He pulled out the head of a troll with his bare hands! Even though it was a dark, dim dungeon, I swear I saw a halo behind his head. And thatβs not all. After he killed the immature troll and its mother, he fought against a giant cave spider. He did all of that in a few hours!β
βBy himself? He fought against intermediate-rank monsters in succession by himself?β
A mercenary asked while gulping loudly, and Lavan responded with a sigh.
βHa! Of course, I was there as well when we ran into the giant cave spider. Back then, I was about to help Sir Eugene whenβ¦β
The stories of his past feats and todayβs performance, combined with an appropriate dose of exaggeration, spread throughout the city in no time at all. As such, Eugene became a celebrity on his first day in Maren.
***
βIs that so? How many were killed?β
βSeventeen in total. St Valiantβs church will cremate and store the remains in the charnel house. By the way, about the knight I mentioned before.β
βSir Jan Eugene, right? What about him?β
Marenβs mayor showed curiosity at Tervikβs words. The stories regarding Eugene had already reached the mayor as well.
βThe mercenaries may have exaggerated a little, but we would have missed the orcs and the roamers from the Brandish Mountains without the knight.β
βHooh.β
βThatβs why I was thinking. Although there were only three orcs, itβs the first time weβve achieved victory in two years, right? I donβt think itβs a bad idea to promote it, what do you think?β
βHmm. Didnβt the knight say he was going back to the Tywin estate soon? Heβs going back anyway, so is it really necessary?β
βItβs not for Sir Eugene. Itβs because our city needs it. The royalists have been snooping around since last year, correct? At such a time, a knight from outside responded to our cityβs recruitment notice and wiped out the orcs from the Brandish Mountains.β
βHooh! So youβre saying we should send a message to some of the nearby royalist lords.β
βThatβs exactly right. We should not limit ourselves to only the City of Maren, but also keep the security and stability of the surrounding areas. But what did our distinguished king and the royalists do? Theyβre so greedy for money and mana stones that theyβre only focused on plundering it!β
βYes, yes!β
βRight? Doing that alone will have a significant effect. Why donβt you put his feats into the city report and spread it to the nearby lords and nobles?β
Even the king could not easily mess with a large commercial city like Maren, but that did not mean that Maren could rise against the monarchy and become independent like the cities of the Carls Baggins Peninsula. As such, the city sent quarterly reports to the royal castle, though it was mostly formality. The reports outlined mundane activities of the city, but for some reason, the reports always included military activities.
It was an underlying message and warning against the royal castle and the surrounding nobles, an open display of power and the level of combat ability that the city could mobilize at any time.
βItβs a brilliant idea. But will the guild leaders approve of this?β
The mayor was just a representative of the city. The general intentions of the city stemmed from the guild leaders. If the majority of the leaders disapproved of their decision, their discussion here would be in vain.
βI agree. The merchant guild will definitely agree as well.β
βReally?β
βYes. The Palin Association is taking care of Sir Eugene right now. They have an established contract regarding the dungeon of the Tywin estate. It seems to be a rather large deal.β
The current guild master of the merchantβs guild was the previous master of the Palin Association. Although he wasnβt the kind of person to use his status for his own people, since the issue regarding Eugene would be helpful to the merchant guild and the City of Maren, he would surely agree.
βHooh. Thatβs great. Then letβs get it going. Weβll provide him with more than enough compensation and give him sufficient treatment. Ah, yes, it would be nice if we could give him a gift while representing the city as a whole. What would be good?β
βWell.β
Trevik pondered for a while, then spoke while snapping his fingers.
βI saw that knight earlier and he was only wearing a chain mail. Why donβt we give him a nice set of plate mail? We can also engrave the small symbol of our city on the armor as well.β
βThat is an excellent idea. The more the knight is active and the more he performs brilliantly on the battlefield, the more popular our city would become. No, forget plate mail. Letβs go bigger. We have our cityβs reputation to think about, right?β
βYes.β
The commercial city was overflowing with money, and the mayor of such a city was quite generous in his thinking as well.
***
βYou want me to move?β
βYes, Sir Eugene. Our vice executive rented a first-class room from a top-class inn that shares a strong relationship with our association, specifically for you! Naturally, the Palin Association will pay the fees.β
βHmm. I would appreciate it. But what about the mercenaries who came with me? They will be accompanying me when I head back to the Tywin estate. It would be rather difficult if we were separated.β
Grail was taken aback by Eugeneβs words, but he answered after quickly regaining his smile, βN-naturally, they will be given rooms at the same inn.β
βAnd the Palin Association will pay for it as well?β
ββ¦Yes, β Grail answered rather hesitantly. He looked slightly sullen as well.
βGood. Letβs go right away.β
Eugene took off his helmet while answering. For some reason, he seemed to be getting lucky in many ways. When Grail saw Eugeneβs revealed face, his sullen expression transformed into a daze.
βHis appearance is trulyβ¦β
βDo you have anything else to say?β
βAh, no! Nothing! Then I will be waiting outside. Ah, our employees will move all of your equipment, so you only need to take what you need for now.β Grail bowed before hurrying out.
βSir Eugene, I would be careful of that rat-like merchant if I were you. The way he was looking at youβ¦ It was the same as those bastards who were sucking and biting each other butt naked in my pondβ¦β
βShut up and take care of Silion in the stables.β
βYes.β
***
Eugene moved to the new accommodations along with Partec and the rest of the group under the guidance of the Palin Associationβs employees. Befitting of its name βThe Heavenly Constellations,β the first-class room from a top-class inn was truly grand. Not a speck of dust could be found on the maple furniture and the bed. The walls and floors were smooth and shiny as well.
βWe need to live in a place like this in the future. If we get a castle one day, we need to make it exactly the same as this. Glamorous, noble, and elegant! So that anyone will be struck with awe the moment they walk in! We can cover the whole place with gold! Hmm? Please?β Mirian chattered with excitement and greed. Rather than the spirit of water, she sounded like the spirit of desire. Ignoring her, Eugene quickly unpacked before heading to the room of Partecβs group.
βSir Eugene, youβre here,β Partec greeted Eugene with a bright smile. Even the general room was unbelievably spacious and pleasant compared to the room of the Rose Castle, where they had been squeezed together.
βI never thought I would ever stay in a room that costs two silvers per night. It is all thanks to Sir Eugene.β
βThe Palin Associationβs paying for it anyways. Anyway, we will be leaving as soon as I get my armor, right? Is there anything else we should do before we leave?β
βHmm. Well, since theyβve gifted you a horse and moved us here, donβt you think it would be appropriate to meet with the vice executive of the Palin Association at least once?β
βIs that so?β
βYes. I think the vice executive wants to establish a good relationship with Sir Eugene. Obviously, they must be treating you more generously after considering your relationship with the Tywin family, but I think it would be good to thank her for the gifts. And one more thing.β
Lavan and Glade left the room as Partec gestured.
βI think the results of todayβs battle will be reported to the mayor. Guild Leader Trevik hinted earlier today.β
βThe mayor?β Eugene responded with a frown. Even if a major was different from lords, he was rather reluctant to meet with those in power.
βNo matter what anyone says, Sir Eugene was the greatest contributor to todayβs battle. Besides, itβs been a while since we killed any of the orcs from the Brandish Mountains. They will praise your performance at the city level. It will make your identity even more perfect than before.β
βI see. Then should I meet with the mayor?β
βProbably not. They will send an agent to give you appropriate compensation, and perhaps even award you a medal. A medal has no real uses, so you could just put it away somewhere appropriate.β
βHmm, so I shouldnβt face anything bothersome, correct?β
βThe celebrities of Maren could send you invitations starting tomorrow, Sir Eugene.β
βHmm.β
Eugene showed signs of discomfort, and Partec quickly continued, βIf you want to refuse, use your injuries as an excuse. If you say your broken wrist from the dungeonβs acting up again, they will understand. Ah, and you can say you have a couple of broken ribs as well, since it was a very fierce battle.β
βThat sounds believable.β Eugene nodded satisfactorily.
Partec was certainly skilled, but Eugene liked him because he was quick-witted.
βExcuse me, Sir Eugene. You have a guest,β Lavan spoke after carefully opening the door.
βA guest?β
βYes. From the Bestissark Armor Workshop.β
βBetissark Armor Workshop isβ¦β
It was one of the places he stopped by earlier when he was shopping for weapons and armor. The Betissark Armor Workshop was the number one armor shop in Maren, and it was run by a pair of dwarf brothers. Of course, as soon as Eugene heard that a regular plate mail cost 80 silver coins, he immediately left.
βHello there, sir. It is an honor to meet the Orc Slayer of Bangle Forest!β When Lavan opened the door, a sturdy dwarf spoke while entering the room.
βNice to meet you. You came to see me?β
βThat is correct. I received a request for armor under your name, sir, so I came to see if there was anything you wanted to request specifically for the armor.β
βHmm? But I never ordered armor from your workshop.β
βHuh? That canβt be. You are Sir Jan Eugene, arenβt you? The knight who beat up the roamer goblins and the orcs at noon today.β
βThatβs right, butβ¦β
Eugene tilted his head in confusion. Partec stepped in.
βThere seems to be a mistake. Sir Eugene ordered a plate mail from the Lane Defense Shop located right next to the Betissark Armor Workshop, not the Betissark Workshop.β
βNo way! The mayor personally placed the order not too long ago. Moreover, itβs not regular plate mail either, but plate armor. Thatβs why I am here to get the sirβs dimensions and to see if he has any special requests.β
βT-the mayor? And what did you say!? Plate armor!?β
Partec was not easily surprised, but his mouth went wide agape upon hearing the dwarfβs words. Eugene did not fully comprehend the situation, so he stayed silent.
βWell, how about this? Lane, heβs probably just started tapping the iron plate. I’ll cancel the order. Heβs the student of us brothers, so he should listen to us. Unfortunately, you wonβt be able to get the deposit back⦔ The dwarf spoke while stroking his beard, then continued with a shrug.
βLetβs just say you bought plate armor for the price of a down payment for a plate mail. What do you think, Sir Eugene? The mayorβs already paid the full price, so I canβt cancel the order now.β
βLetβs measure the dimensions.β
A plate armor for only ten silver coins was a deal that anyone in their right mind would never refuse.