Chapter 392: Kraken (3)

Luring a superior-class monster to a designated location wasn’t uncommon when subduing it.

Cockatrices, owlbears, and trolls could be encountered during a search and handled somehow, but anything above that required luring them with a prepared formation.

-Now!

-Cut the line!

The siege weapons fired in unison, and knights and spearmen charged in — a combined arms tactic that proved effective.

The most common bait in these lures was, of course, meat. Primarily fattened livestock and special spices to maximize the aroma.

However, in the Kraken lure, there was something more important than meat…

“The idol must be at least this large.”

“What a grotesque shape.”

Eugene marveled at the blueprint Hassan had drawn. Having traveled and seen all manner of idols throughout his adventures, including pagan worship objects, this was a completely different category of design.

“It’s not an octopus, but its habits are similar. Octopuses have a tendency to grab and envelop opponents smaller than themselves.”

“A pseudo-mating behavior? Or maybe just playing. Then these eight protruding parts are for wrapping tentacles around. I’ll need to make them especially sturdy.”

“…That’s correct.”

Eugene had spoken casually, but Hassan’s eyes widened slightly. It was the first time someone of knightly rank had immediately grasped knowledge that came from years of empirical experience in fishing.

“The size needs to accommodate each tentacle wrapping around it about two full times. The main body also needs something to embrace. To satisfy all these requirements, this shape is inevitable.”

“It’s definitely a structure you’d never find in natural rock formations. It would be irresistible to the bait.”

It was a concept similar to a body pillow, in a way. Not for cooling off, but for the comfort of embracing something.

“Also, octopuses don’t care about color but are sensitive to light refraction. So if we commission the Alchemy Guild to coat this part with prismatic varnish…”

Contrary to the council members’ concerns, Eugene kept exclaiming in admiration as he listened with great interest.

* * *

While Eugene prepared to lure the Kraken, his subordinates enjoyed the port city’s diverse offerings.

Since the opponent was a sea monster, the forces capable of participating were limited. In that case, the forces prepared by Veros City, specialists in this area, took priority.

That didn’t mean the non-participants simply played around. They used their high standing in the East to make connections and spread their name.

Having been with Eugene for so long, they had become far more sociable than they would have been in the past.

“We are horse people born on horseback and dancing on horseback. Borders mean nothing beneath our hooves, and the metal that leaves our hands will find the gap in even the most tightly sealed armor.”

In a tavern, city folk gathered around a boastful tribal warrior. To put it bluntly, it was just a mercenary running his mouth.

But the combination of terrifying nomad and beautiful fairy attracted popularity.

“Warrior. There are lots of nomads up north too. They raid those kingdoms whenever they’re bored, and they’re so fierce that the nobles focus only on defense. They don’t go on punitive expeditions.”

“Don’t compare those cockroach-like fellows to us. Their crotches are full of skin diseases, and you can smell their stench from kilometers away!”

He was extremely hostile toward human nomads, though. Competitive instincts played a part, but dark elves who valued elegance were fundamentally incompatible.

The northern nomads roamed the grasslands with almost no opportunity to bathe, and their diet consisted mainly of dairy and fermented products.

Dark elves, on the other hand, while technically nomadic, frequently visited rivers and cities. Especially after joining Eugene’s service, they all lived lives approaching those of minor nobility.

-Come on, I’ll start a fire, so go take a dip in the river.

-Snort!

Crucially, the Blackhand Tribe possessed the empathic ability unique to fairies. They could even bathe their horses.

Human nomads lived with the foul odor of apocrine glands all over their bodies, but dark elves kept even their horses clean.

“You really don’t smell like sweat at all, warrior.”

“This one? Don’t your nose work?”

“Your chin and cheeks are clean too.”

Though they’d left the forest, as children of the forest they couldn’t help it — a faint scent of leaves wafted from them. They also lacked the rough, dirty beards common to mercenaries.

“Oh, come on, lies. How can a place be winter all year round?”

“I stake my honor on the truth. That’s why it’s called the Land of Snow, isn’t it? When it snows, it piles up to bury a person. In some places, the doors to houses get blocked and you have to dig tunnels with shovels.”

“That’s impossible!”

“Before I left, I built a snowman as tall as a person. It’s probably still there. If we go back someday, we should check.”

“If you want to see it that much, just ask the king.”

“Blasphemy! Choosing the destination is the Lord’s… the King’s exclusive right.”

Veros City’s vitality had been sapped by the Kraken blockade.

At this time, the adventure stories of the fairy warriors who had spread throughout the city were like a traveling theater troupe. People gathered, ate, drank, and consumption circulated. For a moment, it felt as though they had returned to before the Kraken blockade.

“Dragons are truly off-specification beings. They hunt basilisks and ogres — giant monsters — like wolves catching rabbits. Just their teeth number over seventy, and each one is finer than the fine sword of a noble house.”

Stories of the Land of Snow, desert travels in the Samur Desert, a hell giant summoned by a pagan army, dismantling a drug cartel in a pleasure city, exploring a new continent — there were many popular tales, but of course, the best ones were about dragons.

“Hunting a mountain lord like a rabbit…”

“If we go to the magical castle, can we see its complete skeleton?”

“Yes. While we remain on the peninsula, the castle is always open. You can’t enter the living quarters, but the guest areas are freely accessible.”

The listeners looked at each other and clenched their fists.

“Seeing it once is better than hearing about it a hundred times. The Moving Castle holds the traces of every world His Majesty has walked through. Rather than wandering for decades, wouldn’t it be more enriching to tour our castle for a few days? A garden filled with the world’s foods, loot, and various plants awaits you.”

The tribal warriors conducted their own form of advertising in their own ways. Eugene had announced before leaving the castle.

-Remember that you are not here merely to fight and earn money. You must become what the Easterners desire. Veros has many people from the Empire, so there’s no better opportunity.

They didn’t need to humble themselves to solicit customers. Just boasting was enough to fill the ranks of those preparing to depart.

“Let’s go, come on!”

Mercenary companies were hired to escort them, food and supplies for the journey were traded, and merchant groups to assist were organized.

Naturally, everyone also planned to profit by selling goods purchased from the Moving Castle in the city, separate from tourism.

* * *

Veros City was accessible by a straight route by ship from the Eastern Empire. With a trade agreement also signed with the Caliph, many imperial citizens had crossed over.

Merchants seeking to establish trade connections in Veros before their imperial competitors, noble ladies and lords traveling for leisure, and knights, mercenaries, and adventurers pursuing fame or fortune.

The excited imperial citizens who had arrived by ship were in a difficult situation due to the sudden maritime blockade.

“When can the ship finally sail?”

“My lady, the Kraken is rampaging in the sea, so we can’t go now. Another merchant ship was torn to pieces and sunk.”

“Damn it! That’s why I said we should hire mercenaries and go to a northern city! If we’d left earlier, we’d be boarding by now!”

“My lady, your tone! Lower your voice! Besides, sleeping rough surrounded by those beastly peninsula mercenaries? If the master finds out, you’ll be in trouble.”

“Shut up!”

The lady Aishe, whom she served, was irritated, and her maid sighed.

Daughters of noble families were treasures capable of vaulting their houses to new heights through marriage alliances. Protecting them like greenhouse flowers for the sake of clean reputation was the universal culture. And the Eastern Empire, due to its cultural characteristics, wrapped them up extremely tightly.

When going out, they had to be veiled except for the area around their eyes, and they couldn’t participate in most secular duties like religious office, military service, or diplomacy. Commoners were an exception, of course.

Aishe, of noble blood, had set out lightly with only two household knights, a maid, and a few servants.

“The First Empress herself invited me to a tea party. If I can’t go because of this, it’s all your fault.”

“So you should have attended the tea party first and then come here…”

“You idiot! Then I’d have to bring the same boring gift everyone else brings! How would I stand out?”

Aishe, who didn’t want an ordinary gift, had planned to personally select a present for the Empress in Veros City.

What merchants brought to the Empire couldn’t ignore commercial viability or cost-effectiveness, and it was difficult to fully reflect the refined tastes of imperial noblewomen.

In this early stage of trade, where things from the Empire couldn’t be found, personally selecting rare items couldn’t be better. She had indeed found a gift she felt was ‘the one.’

But if she couldn’t attend the tea party after this, it was all for nothing. By the time the next tea party was held, other noblewomen would have obtained gifts like this too.

“Then why don’t you visit the place where the fairy warriors are staying?”

“The Silver Mercenary Company?”

Aishe’s irritated expression turned interested.

“Yes. I hear there’s more than one woman warrior bearing arms. They apparently rented out an entire hamam in the city, and any woman can enter freely.”

“How did you find that out?”

“With my lady so upset, how could I just watch? I inquired about any entertainment available.”

Aishe’s perpetually fierce gaze softened slightly. That mouth would never produce the word ‘sorry,’ but this much could be considered making an effort.

Imperial cities had numerous facilities exclusively for women, but Veros, with its strong peninsular culture, didn’t draw such strict lines between men and women.

Now that they’d signed a trade agreement, facilities for imperial guests would increase. But for the moment, there was nowhere for Aishe to go, and stress was building.

“The hamam has an attached salon and garden, so its reputation is excellent. Imperial noblewomen who crossed over like you seem to be eyeing it too. If you’re invited to the salon, you can taste fairy tea and leaf cookies.”

“I can’t miss a party like that!”

When Aishe stood up energetically, her maid skillfully draped a silk veil over her face.

* * *

The central Roman region, heavily influenced by the Ancient Kingdom, commonly had public baths. Moving Castle also had various hot springs, well-regarded by both residents and guests.

-You. Can’t you do something about this naming sense?

-What’s wrong with Hell Bath? Every mercenary who visits has a great reaction.

-You name everything else well, so why this…

-The principle of heating water isn’t that different, though?

Most of the hot spring names were chosen by Valda or through resident contests, but one had been insisted upon by Eugene.

The result was Hell Bath. It was, in fact, a place that connected directly to the Moving Castle’s deepest level, so the name was accurate.

-This is the castle’s finest cure-all. Any curse or evil spirit that soaks in this bath evaporates cleanly.

-…The name is Hell Bath, isn’t it?

-Just try soaking in it once, even if you think you’re being tricked. You’ll feel your body getting lighter in real time.

It was also popular as a treatment for those who had unfortunately contracted magical ailments during their adventures.

Like osmosis, lesser mysteries were drawn to greater ones. Even malevolent forces couldn’t escape the Hell Bath without looking like a cotton candy that had fallen into water.

Anyway, while Western baths focused on enjoying warm water, Eastern baths, or hamams, enjoyed the heat itself.

-Stagnant water rots. Let alone when people soak in it, filling it with all manner of waste, right?

-Tch! How do Westerners wallow in such filthy water? They’re not even pigs.

Easterners rolled their bodies on heated stone slabs. They believed that sweating and shedding dead skin on dry ground, then washing the entire body with clean water, was the civilized way to bathe.

As the guests’ status rose, the refreshments upgraded from scorched rice to cheap cookies, fruit, fine pastries, and ice cream in that order.

The heat sources also added steam jets from all directions, and instead of hard stone, fragrant luxury woods lined the floor.

Veros City’s Silver Rose hamam was a mid-to-low grade facility by imperial standards. But the noblewomen from the Empire were more excited than ever.

“My lady, how do you maintain this skin? Your complexion looks like it’s made of pearls.”

“I appreciate the compliment, but being called ‘my lady’ by you gives me goosebumps. I’m just a warrior.”

It was because the fairy ladies had made this place special.

“What are you staring at so intently?”

“…”

“Do you want to touch it?”

“R-really?”

“You’re cute.”

The imperial lady, ears red, reached out her hand to the special forces warrior’s abdomen.

“It’s hard.”

“Ahaha, that tickles.”

Her delicate hands continuously caressed abs that looked as though a god had carved them with a chisel. Sometimes her fingers traced between the abdominal muscles.

Even in the West, it was rare for women to live as warriors. In the East, it was even more so.

A female body honed to its limits through free travel and extreme training — this was like a bolt from the blue for Eastern noblewomen.

“It’s like marble in motion.”

“There’s gray, brown, silver, and light purple.”

Naturally, it was different from the muscles of laborers they often saw at home. There were no whip marks on their backs or limbs, and not a single skin blemish or mole could be found.

“How fascinating!”

An imperial young girl compared her palms and soles with sparkling eyes. The two feet placed side by side differed not only in size and shape but also significantly in color.

“I hear that a lot.”

“Gyah!”

She squealed with delight when the special forces member stroked her head.

The girl’s skin was the healthy brown typical of imperial citizens, and the maid she’d brought was black. Both had similar light-colored palms and soles due to the dermis layer.

The dark elf women, on the other hand, had diverse skin colors but matching palm and sole colors. This added the special quality of ‘fairies really are different from humans.’

“When shooting arrows from horseback, you bend your waist like this…”

The warrior, sitting on the heated floor, twisted her body nearly 180 degrees.

“Oh my!”

“Doesn’t it hurt? Not at all?”

The rope-like twisted waist muscles and stretched arm muscles. That tough yet beautiful figure caused a sensation among the Eastern noblewomen and servants alike.

“How on earth do you build a body like this?”

“Like this.”

Push-ups from a trained woman drew gasps of mixed shock and delight. Everything the special forces showed was fresh and new for the Eastern noblewomen.

“Mmm…”

Aishe, having a good time, tried to imitate them.

“My lady. Your face is all red. It doesn’t look good, so maybe you should stop?”

“It’s harder than it looks, right?”

Having failed to do even one, Aishe was about to shoot back at her mocking maid. But just then, a warrior spoke to her.

“How do you do this?”

“Once you get used to it, it’s nothing. I even do it with my younger siblings on my back.”

“Lyin’!”

Aishe, who had felt like she was dying unable to support her own weight, screamed.

“If you don’t believe me, why don’t you try climbing on?”

“!!!”

Aishe swallowed hard and climbed onto the back of the prone dark elf woman. When her slender arms wrapped around the lavender neck, her body moved as if on its own.

“It’s real?!”

“Oh my, oh my!”

The tough spectacle drew gazes from all around. In this way, the fairy warriors promoted the Silver Mercenary Company in their own unique fashion.

The scenes witnessed by the noblewomen and servants would spread through their networks. In the imperial bathhouses, the servants’ workplaces, in bed with their husbands — in every aspect.

It was groundwork to ensure that Moving Castle, which they would visit someday, would be gently received.

* * *

Eager to lift the maritime blockade as soon as possible, Veros City aided the ritual preparations in every way.

The finest sows with perfect meat and fat were sourced from everywhere, and master craftsmen came together to create the idol.

“Last night, the lighthouse keeper reported seeing the Kraken crouching beneath the sea surface. A dark shadow with eerily gleaming eyes…”

“The cry heard the night before it attacked the livestock at the wharf was the same. It must be getting hungry.”

The Kraken, too, seemed to be losing patience.

-Tie several flat-bottomed boats together with chains to anchor them, then place the offerings to lure it. Even if the Kraken attacks, the boats won’t shake, so we can fight standing firm.

-A creature that wouldn’t fall for something like that. Didn’t you see it attack the escaping ship? It’s cunning beyond mere animal cunning.

-How much do you even know about naval warfare?!

-You don’t have to eat shit to know it stinks. You can tell it’ll fail without trying.

The monster hunters who had gathered from various places and argued daily finally stopped their verbal battles.

Oink!

“Now that’s a plump one.”

Seeing the completed idol and the gathered sows, they decided it was time to head to Hassan.

“It’s the perfect weather, Your Majesty.”

Eugene nodded at the weather service’s report.

“Tonight, we hunt.”

When a clear sky arrived without even a wisp of cloud, Eugene made his declaration. It was the moment all the city’s hopes converged in one place.