Chapter 382: Eastward (2)
Among the Eastern paintings, only a few could actually be used for transmission, but the rest also had their own value.
Even if they contained imagination or distorted memories, they allowed a glimpse of the East. Geography, weather, farming methods, building descriptions, and more.
“From rumors, I heard it was similar to Samur—a barren land where sand blows—but looking at these, that doesn’t seem to be the case.”
Unlike Samur, dominated by yellows and browns, the Eastern landscapes were mostly green.
“We can’t conclude from these paintings alone. These regions aren’t really imperial territories but alliances or vassals bound by various interests.”
At Valda’s words, Rampage, who had offered the paintings, bowed his head.
“I apologize, Your Majesty. I could only obtain paintings of the Eastern Empire’s border provinces.”
“It’s fine. The place we’re going to isn’t some small kingdom but a country that has called itself an empire for ages. Their procedures and customs are far more complex than the West, so we need to be appropriately cautious. Suddenly dropping into the heartland would be problematic.”
In the West, landing the Moving Castle anywhere didn’t lead to major issues.
In an era of fragmented territories where each ruler reigned as an independent monarch, lacking nationalist consciousness or cohesion, there were also quite a few undeveloped regions or places with ambiguous ownership claims.
If you exploited those gaps, there was always a good parking spot. Combined with Eugene’s power, the Moving Castle’s intimidation, and a trade goods offensive, minor disturbances disappeared easily.
But the East was different. With stronger centralization than the West and a national character unified by monotheistic faith, it was a land under considerably stable control.
Landing the Moving Castle carelessly in the Eastern Empire’s main territory could be seen as a serious diplomatic insult or act of aggression.
“For the past six years, I thought I’d been diligently traveling the world, but I’m still far from done.”
Eugene’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the Eastern map.
“As expected, your wandering nature is innate.”
“Not utilizing this wonderful castle properly is a loss. Having a wandering nature is better then.”
“I don’t need to leave my wife alone in some distant homeland like other conquering kings. I’m a blessed woman.”
As befitting the age of barbarism, kings who achieved results by roaming the battlefield received good historical评价. That was why ambitious kings tended to travel outside their borders.
But they were the worst husbands to their wives. Waiting years for their husband at home while embroidering over a hundred works was not a pleasant experience.
When the husband who finally returned stayed at the royal palace for a few months, impregnated her, then quickly disappeared to the battlefield again, the emptiness was indescribable.
Valda recalled that her pillow had never been wet with tears and gave thanks for that fortune.
“What are you saying. Without this castle, I wouldn’t have charged out like this either.”
“Indeed. Then what would you have become by now?”
Eugene’s abilities wouldn’t go anywhere, so he would have secured a decent lordship, but he certainly wouldn’t have become king.
“I think our journey would have stopped at some proper territory.”
“That wouldn’t have been bad, but I prefer now.”
“Being a king and queen?”
“No. Still being the adventurer who left the Emerald Forest, traveling the world.”
Valda leaned her head against Eugene’s shoulder as they stood side by side. In truth, she also had a wanderlust.
Like now—standing together and pointing at places on the map one by one. Discussing destinations of mutual interest was something Valda greatly enjoyed.
*
Generally, the Dwarven Mountain Range and the Apostolic Nation on the peninsula were considered the end of the Western world.
Going east from there, the second peninsula—the Three Sisters Peninsula—appeared with its numerous kingdoms and free cities.
Influenced simultaneously by Western, Eastern, and Northern nomadic peoples, as well as Southern maritime forces, it possessed the world’s most diverse races and cultures.
It was also a land route connecting East and West, and bordering three seas, it was evaluated as the finest trade hub. The name Three Sisters Peninsula itself came from being washed by three seas.
Eugene and Valda each pointed at locations of interest.
“This small island is said to be entirely covered in bird droppings. The faint stench can be detected from kilometers away.”
“But it’s land so valuable they call it a white gold mine. It’s fertilizer of the highest efficiency for growing commercial crops.”
If you spread raw manure on fields as fertilizer, the toxicity would kill the crops. It required time and effort to ferment.
But in the case of Bird Island, natural fermentation had been completed over thousands of years. You just scraped the crystals from the ground and rocks and sold them.
“I’m interested in this.”
When Valda’s turn ended, the place Eugene pointed at was an unremarkable road junction.
“Why here? It doesn’t seem like a significant location.”
“I was thinking about those who went ahead, sweating and marching through here.”
“You’re terrible.”
Valda smiled wryly, her gaze following her husband’s finger to a new location. Though various cultures coexisted, it was a free city closer to the West.
“If Western warriors caused trouble, this would be the spot, wouldn’t it? Right when provisions run low, bodies are exhausted, and money is scarce.”
“Surely they wouldn’t create chaos in a place friendly to them?”
“During the Holy Land reclamation, pilgrims under divine mandate caused all sorts of trouble wherever they went. Moreover, these are men who want to swing their swords solely for greed. They wouldn’t know restraint.”
Just as during the Holy Land expedition, a significant number of stragglers would occur.
These types caused all sorts of trouble, but they weren’t just negatives. Some settled locally, integrated with native forces, and provided national defense.
This was one reason the Three Sisters Peninsula, pressured by all sides, had avoided annexation and survived.
Going further east, the Eastern Empire appeared, ruling vast territory.
“It’s truly vast land. Many plains too. Even the fertile fields of Barsia or southwestern Rome can’t match this scale.”
“In exchange, the land’s fertility is average, but that’s no problem. The Empire grows rice.”
“Looks like you’re already looking forward to their food?”
“Those who haven’t tasted rice won’t understand.”
While wheat was the staple in the West, rice was the staple in the East. Thanks to this, even farming the same area, they could support a far larger population than the West.
At the same time, there was no culture of despising commerce and technology, so they also exerted themselves in maritime trade, and their irrigation technology was at an impressive level.
The Eastern Empire possessed a population even greater than the Western superpower Rome.
“In the past Holy Land reclamation, they reportedly mobilized a force of 200,000.”
“200,000…”
Valda steadied herself, feeling dizzy. An utterly incomprehensible number.
Currently, Eugene as Britainia’s king could mobilize approximately 60,000 total troops for national defense alone. This was more than three times that.
“Of course, the number of elite soldiers isn’t that high. Most are conscripts, but sheer numbers are power. Especially in the East, where they worship a single god, they utilize the god’s doctrines well for maintaining conscript morale.”
Valda’s index finger pointed to a location on the empire’s left. A protruding land facing the Three Sisters Peninsula.
“The capital is here. Originally, the capital was inland, but several Caliphs ago, the capital was moved to pursue expansion policies.”
“There must be a special coast somewhere here where pearls can be farmed. The noblewomen in the Caliph’s harem reportedly wear pearls in every way imaginable.”
In particular, there was apparently a culture of sitting in steam baths wearing nothing but pearls, conversing. The mercenary who told Eugene about this especially emphasized this part.
“What I heard was rose farms stretching to the horizon. Perfume made by squeezing them was shipped across the long sea route all the way to Britainia.”
“Ah, so that rose scent that came up last week was that?”
“…No. That was mine.”
Valda also seemed particularly looking forward to this journey. At some point, she had begun using both index fingers to point here and there, pouring out words nonstop.
Their pleasant time was ended by Eastern merchants who came to the Moving Castle.
*
“Your Majesty. I’ve secured local interpreters.”
Cassandra brought the Eastern merchants before Eugene.
Being of fairy blood was valued as noble status in the East as well. Cassandra’s appearance and abilities gave her a unique advantage in this type of negotiation.
“I greet His Majesty, King of Britainia.”
“A figure renowned throughout the continent. We’re honored to be summoned.”
The Eastern merchants treated Eugene with utmost respect.
“Nice to meet you. Feel free to speak in Eastern. I’ve been learning for several years. We’ll be using it a lot, so I should get used to it.”
“Oh?!”
The merchants were genuinely surprised by the Britannian king’s fluent Eastern. Though there were slight differences in accent, it was at a level where he could converse with anyone local.
Western nations used a common language through the 2nd Age Ancient Kingdom’s language unification policy, but the East was different.
Given the distance, even after the Ancient Kingdom’s unification wars, rebellions repeatedly succeeded. Exhausted by suppression and re-rebellion, the Ancient Kingdom practically abandoned the region, allowing distinct languages to continue.
Eugene had learned Eastern through the slaves he obtained by defeating the Immortals. He believed the day would come when the Moving Castle would reach the East.
“However, I can only speak the standard language used in the capital. The slaves who taught me Eastern all went to the imperial palace at a young age and grew up entirely inside.”
Beyond the different dialects and customs, they also needed people who understood the rapidly changing Eastern political situation. For this, local merchants’ help was most convenient.
“I’ll pay you well.”
“We’ve already received more than sufficient silver coins, Your Majesty. Moreover, being able to return home instantly via this magical castle is itself an enormous profit.”
East-West trade wasn’t just about spending money and time. If unlucky, attacks by monsters or bandits could wipe out both wealth and life in an instant.
The merchants who had just finished trading were contemplating how to return to the Three Sisters Peninsula. If they could fly back in the blink of an eye via the Moving Castle, nothing could be better.
“It must have been hard to believe that a castle crosses the world. What convinced you?”
“We’ve visited the Dwarven Mountain Range over eight times. For the first seven times, there was nothing at this location. If suddenly appearing is possible, then suddenly disappearing is also possible.”
A simple but certain reason.
“Good. Then suggest a first destination? I have a few candidate locations in mind, but local recommendations would be better.”
“The thing is, it’s a bit beneath Your Majesty’s station, but the location has one condition that’s the best.”
“Don’t worry about that and speak freely. I’ll be with this castle anyway—what does it matter if the surroundings are a bit rustic?”
At that, the merchants all reached out simultaneously. Fingers of different thicknesses and colors all pointed at the same location—a region unknown to Eugene and Valda.
“Spardia. The name comes from ‘Spada’ (sword), and people call this the land where swords are cultivated.”
“What a fierce yet cool name. How did such a place name come about?”
“This area is a paradise for mercenaries. With the Three Sisters Peninsula’s characteristics, pressure comes from the West and East on a national level, cavalry raids from the North, and pirates from the South. Naturally, the mercenary industry had to develop greatly.”
Unlike Lantzheim, which was barren with no way to live other than mercenary work, the Three Sisters Peninsula’s frequent conflicts naturally led to more mercenaries.
“The Three Sisters Peninsula’s mercenaries gather, train, and exchange information here in Spardia.”
“Can I really land the castle in a place like this? They seem to have incredibly strong territorial意识.”
As much as mercenaries gathered and spread out, the geographical conditions were excellent. Yet not being swallowed by surrounding kingdoms meant they had both the power and will to resist.
“In fact, they’ve repelled not just nearby kingdoms but even the Eastern Empire’s invasions. Spardia’s mercenaries take great pride in their history of struggle.”
“Why recommend such a place?”
“Because Your Majesty isn’t going there for conquest.”
The merchants glanced at each other and paused. Though Eugene seemed casual, he was a king. What they were about to say could be taken as a grave offense.
“It’s fine, speak freely. Our Your Majesty is already overflowing with honor and glory. No one would dare criticize him for pursuing practicality.”
At Cassandra’s words, the merchants gulped and spoke.
“Spardia’s law is ‘Don’t block incoming mercenaries, don’t detain outgoing mercenaries.’ They serve as intermediaries, collecting accommodation fees and commissions—that’s all.”
“So you’re saying if I claim to be working as a mercenary, I have sufficient justification to land the Moving Castle?”
“Yes. Your Majesty came for exchange, not to covet land.”
“That’s true, but…”
The Eastern merchants felt relieved at Eugene’s genuinely contemplative expression. They had been worried he might erupt with ‘How dare you compare me to a mere mercenary?!’
“Indeed, in terms of location, there’s no better place to land the castle.”
Other proposed locations were within various kingdoms’ territories, making it easy to be called an invader from the start. To avoid that, landing in a remote border area was necessary.
“My dear, isn’t this too forced? If suddenly tens of thousands of people and a massive castle drop into their territory and you insist you came to do mercenary work…”
“I’m not insisting but stating facts. Why wouldn’t it work? We could even take on some local contracts to make it convincing.”
Valda shook her head.
On the other hand, the corners of her mouth were raised—she was also very curious about the locals’ reactions. Finding amusement in others’ difficulties—perhaps she had caught some bad habits from her husband.
*
As transmission began and Eugene pierced through the Grid Space, he discovered dark clouds filling the skies over the Three Sisters Peninsula. A torrential downpour was raging around the destination.
‘Good luck.’
Surprisingly, the best weather for transmitting the Moving Castle was during severe storms like this.
Though rain and wind didn’t interfere with the castle’s transmission, the human souls wandering the ground were always the greatest obstacle.
Especially when dealing with covert matters requiring the castle to land far away, it was infuriating.
Criminal smuggling, poaching, intimate moments between men and women—these things tended to happen in secluded places, making them even more troublesome.
But on days like this with heavy rain, all obstacles vanished. Colds were one of the diseases that claimed the most lives.
Even people of this era who seemed not to care much about food poisoning or skin diseases were sensitive about lung health.
*
“…!”
“…!”
“…!”
After completing transmission, the Easterners gathered in the lobby kept glancing at the corners of the castle gate.
-The gate moves on its own—how fascinating… AAAH!
They were recoiling in terror upon encountering one of the Moving Castle’s mascots.
Bundles of muscle shaped like clam shells opening and closing writhed, with dozens of blue eyes lined up horizontally.
Unlike terrestrial life forms’ muscles, these clam-shaped muscle bundles could maintain contraction for extended periods without loss of durability or energy.
As living tissue, as long as nutrients were supplied from the castle, self-repair occurred. The powerful advantage of not needing maintenance or repair was envied even by the dwarven technicians who had visited Khazad-dor.
-Our gate openers and elevators require 150 maintenance personnel monthly. Moreover, during operations, all related equipment must be shut down, paralyzing surrounding traffic.
-Your Majesty’s castle would always be in perfect condition just left alone. Cell division and recovery happen every moment.
Unlike the dwarves who looked on with goodwill as technicians, the Easterners showed much stronger reactions of fear.
“It looks like a monster, but it will never harm residents. It’s loyal and rather cute, so stop being scared.”
“Yes, sir!”
Even with Eugene’s safety guarantee, they still flinched everywhere.
“I apologize. It’s not that we don’t trust Your Majesty—it’s just a fear ingrained in our bodies.”
Nur, the merchants’ representative, stepped forward to explain.
“Does a similar monster inhabit the peninsula’s bays?”
“Yes. Every summer, man-eating clams come ashore to spawn in the bays around here.”
“Oh?”
Though Eugene had encountered every sort of monster from mammals and reptiles, he had never experienced man-eating clams.
“Those long blue eyes are an exact match.”
A merchant who had almost been eaten alive rubbed his goosebump-covered arm.
“I heard the Three Sisters Peninsula has more monsters of marine origin than land monsters.”
“That’s correct, Your Majesty. This is the region with the world’s highest density of mercenaries and logistics. Wars are frequent, and multiple monster extermination campaigns have been conducted. Land monsters have weakened.”
“And the vacant niche was filled by monsters coming up from the sea?”
“Unfortunately.”
Nur nodded with a bitter expression.
“The Three Sisters Peninsula has a geography where the seas on the west, south, and east sides carve in from all directions. It also features numerous archipelagos. Excellent for trade, but also suitable for marine monsters to thrive. The consistently warm climate goes without saying.”
This was also why the monster extermination campaigns on the Three Sisters Peninsula had been halted. The ecosystem that didn’t allow vacuums was detected bringing in new, fearsome predators from the sea.
“I don’t understand why they bother crawling from the sea to land.”
“The peninsula’s seas are famously bountiful. Just eating fish or crustaceans from the seabed should be enough—why be so greedy?”
The merchants complained about the marine monsters’ greed, but it was unavoidable.
Sea life—fish, crustaceans, shellfish—went crazy for the taste of land creatures. Even when fishing, using rat or chicken meat instead of fish bait drew them in incomparably greater numbers.
“So on the Three Sisters Peninsula, requests for marine monster extermination are frequent?”
“In the central and southern regions, yes. It’s mostly pirates or marine monsters.”
Having heard enough, Eugene opened the main gate.
Whoosh!
Before the outside scenery, the cool sound of rain preceded it into the lobby.
“We really came back?”
“Impossible.”
“Wait, how many days did this shorten?”
The doubting Easterners chattered with bewildered faces. The sky over the Dwarven Mountain Range, which had been clear just moments ago, had instantly changed to their hometown scenery of torrential rain.
“Is it the power of rainy days? Normally, you can’t wait at this distance where you can see the city.”
Eugene narrowed his eyes, scanning the distance. The Moving Castle had landed at quite a high elevation, so the outline of Spardia City was faintly visible. Of course, the actual distance was considerable.
“Spardia City will have noticed Your Majesty’s arrival too. Just as the city is visible from here, this massive castle will be visible from the city.”
Nur said.
“After the rain stops, will they send a delegation from there?”
“Probably. It will take some time. It’s an unprecedented event for them, and they’ll need to calm the anxious citizens.”
“Then I should do some research in the meantime. You’ve all concluded various mercenary contracts, so you must have contract documents? Show me some. I want to reference how contracts are done on the Three Sisters Peninsula.”
“…I hesitate to say this after offering advice, but are you seriously considering taking on mercenary work?”
Nur had only suggested it as a pretext for landing on the Three Sisters Peninsula. But this young monarch seemed intent on truly earning the Mercenary King title and taking on jobs.
“My purpose here is to receive a formal invitation to the Eastern Empire across the sea. I also want to build relationships with the peninsula’s people. Rather than sitting and waiting, it’s better to appeal by doing what I do well—that there’s a strong army here.”
“I dare say no conqueror in history could rival Your Majesty’s fearsomeness. Truly, one in whose veins flows the heart of a lion and the blood of a serpent.”
The expression “serpent’s blood” was used in the East to praise wise and pragmatic rulers.
Among the bowing merchants, the slaves prostrated themselves, pressing their foreheads to the ground. This was the same etiquette used to welcome the Caliph’s procession in the Eastern Empire’s imperial palace.
It was an experience that hammered the concept of divine kingship directly into the brain without explanation. For the slaves, Eugene as castle master and king was a being beyond human.
*
“Cassandra. While we’re active here, I’m counting on you. For the Eastern taste, you’re more alluring than elves.”
“These people definitely have an eye for things.”
Cassandra raised her nose with a proud expression.
While the West valued the sun as the most noble symbol, the East had a widespread culture of worshipping the moon.
Dark elves, blessed by the moon and marked with moonlight on their skin every full moon, were revered as auspicious races. They even appeared as benevolent friends in the Eastern Empire’s founding myths.
Cassandra was the brightest and clearest-skinned lady among the Black Hand dark elves. Her appearance was said to receive the blessing of the full moon year-round.
“Stay by my side like a personal secretary. And shake their minds while you’re at it. Make my negotiations easier.”
“I’ve already prepared clothing and accessories according to Eastern etiquette.”
“As expected of a king’s daughter.”
Eugene gave a thumbs up. Though sometimes overshadowed by Valda’s bloodline, Cassandra was genuinely a princess.
With great interest in political activities, her abilities in this area were impeccable. She had also studied Eastern more diligently than Eugene.
The pearl necklace and bracelet matched to her skin tone, the amethyst earrings and scarf matched to her eye color—these transformed Cassandra’s beauty into mystery. She looked like a priestess who had stepped straight out of Eastern mythology.
“I hear the East has many women-only spaces like bathhouses, steam baths, and noblewomen’s salons. I really want to visit.”
“The best information comes from those places. An enormous amount of bribes flows beneath the surface every year just to obtain it.”
Pillow talk was universal, but in the East, its value was particularly high. Whether Eastern men had loose lips or information exchange through women had become an established tradition.
“It’s reached the point where they say a man needs to build a household first to succeed. Women work hard in places men can’t enter, you see.”
“That’s somewhat unique. I heard it’s a very patriarchal region, but hearing this, it doesn’t seem quite that way.”
Cassandra tilted her head with a puzzled expression, arms crossed.
“The real noblewomen’s salons are like a battlefield. Even the snacks they prepare spark a competition of styles. Be thoroughly prepared.”
“Don’t worry. Lady Valda, Lady Maria, Homi, and I—the four of us combined are invincible. We won’t lose to any noblewomen, physically or mentally.”
“Oh!”
They did indeed look incredibly strong.
“When we enter the city, I’ll work hard to gather information for Your Majesty.”
Cassandra’s violet eyes curved with pleasure.
A hunt and battle fought with not a single dagger or armor, nude! She was intrigued by this new battlefield.
*
Two days later, the rain stopped, and by the third day, people began passing through. Adventurers and individual mercenaries eyed the Moving Castle from afar with curiosity.
“Your Majesty! A mercenary group is approaching from the east. Approximately 300.”
By the fourth day, the security team reported that a large procession had appeared.
“Ah, those are volunteers heading to Spardia.”
Nur, who had come to the balcony with Eugene, said.
“They won’t be heavily armed up close.”
“Not only are they without weapons, but not a single scar on their faces, and their expressions and gaits are lackluster. They look like people who’ve never held a sword in their lives.”
Nur was startled.
“You can see them from that far away?”
Though Nur had good eyesight, the distance was too great to discern more than the procession’s scale. But Eugene could see each individual as clearly as a bird of prey spotting a mouse from the open sky.
“I’m a bit… complicated.”
The enigmatic smile with that single remark seemed to gently rephrase ‘It’s annoying, don’t ask’ without causing offense. This unique king had a way of making even single words seem pleasant.
“There seem to be quite a few volunteers. Mercenary work is by no means easy. Is the local economy bad?”
“That’s part of it, but Spardia has over 500 years of history recruiting mercenary hopefuls around the peninsula. From promotion to transportation, everything is systematized.”
The skill and know-how of combing through every corner of the countryside like a touring performance. This was incomparable to a noble’s conscription officer.
“Some leave their hometowns because rural life is boring, some want to succeed, some don’t want to touch dirt. But they don’t want to be sent out as cannon fodder without knowing anything.”
“So you gather these youths, train them in Spardia, then scatter them across the country? Taking a commission from their wages in the process?”
“How… how did you know?”
The Easterners were once again amazed that Eugene knew two things when you explained one. But for him, it was nothing special.
‘This is just outsourcing with a different form.’
Centuries of large-scale mercenary industry, in pursuing efficiency, seemed to have given birth to a future monster.
“What about armor? Even if you make up for it with skill and guts, they can’t fight wearing just a shirt.”
“They use what the dead left behind. There’s a saying about Spardia mercenaries—that not even a stitch of underwear remains on the battlefield. They sweep everything up, clean it, and distribute it to new recruits.”
The best gear went to surviving mercenaries, so what was left for newcomers was the lowest-grade gambeson at best. Naturally, even this was better than nothing.
“The first thing a recruit does is repair the inherited armor. By sewing up the wounds that killed the original owner, minimal mental education occurs. ‘If you let your guard down, you’ll die like the original owner.'”
“Some would run away seeing that.”
Surprisingly, few who entered mercenary work were prepared to risk their lives. Many set out with the resolve of joining a militia, then suffered mental collapse after experiencing their first real combat.
“Those types would run away no matter what they do. It’s a relief if they disappear beforehand rather than disrupting formation during battle. Ah, they’re looking this way now.”
The young men, exhausted from a long march, gradually raised their heads. Then they gaped at the Moving Castle’s majestic form.
“Is that Spardia?”
“Incredible!”
“No wonder the instructors kept boasting about it!”
“We’re going to train there?”
All looked with awe at their instructors. Naturally, the veteran mercenaries serving as instructors also wore half-crazed expressions.
“What… what is that?!”
“Could we have taken a wrong… no, that’s impossible. We’ve traveled this path hundreds of times.”
One instructor who had been maintaining a stern demeanor while keeping discipline actually tripped over a stone while staring at the Moving Castle.
Due to the heavy rain delaying everyone’s schedule, another group passed about half a day later.
“They’ll report what they saw up close to the city, so a response should come soon.”
As Nur advised, when about four volunteer groups had passed, a delegation arrived from Spardia.
*
Warriors of each region naturally bore arms reflecting their local characteristics. Eugene had seen truly diverse warriors, but he could confidently say he had never seen ones as distinctive as Spardia’s.
“Isn’t that a shell?”
“It does look incredibly hard.”
Eugene’s guards rolled their eyes in wonder. Spardia warriors carried shells approximately one meter in diameter like shields.
“Is that a signal horn?”
A warrior who appeared to be a mid-level officer wore a large conch shell on his chest instead of a horn. What sound it would make when blown was extremely curious.
After introductions were exchanged, the delegation was stunned to learn that a king had personally come from the extreme west.
“Has Your Majesty truly come to this land to fight as a mercenary?”
“I’m a warrior before being a king. What’s so strange about a man who won his crown with a sword traveling the world with his sword?”
“But such a distinguished person…”
“Money has no scent.”
“Money has no scent.”
Seeing they weren’t convinced, Eugene recited the phrase he had learned from Nur. The delegation and guards instinctively repeated it.
-If there’s something hard to explain, just say this roughly. In most cases, ‘That’s right!’ will work.
‘Money has no scent.’
A proverb passed down for over a thousand years among Three Sisters Peninsula mercenaries. The delegation’s mood instantly shifted to one of ‘Indeed!’