WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: HidingTurtle
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Wandering Knight and the Moving Castle ◈
Chapter 38: What It Means to Become a Commander (1)
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After washing and preserving the Wendigo’s head, Rex coated its antlers with a polishing mixture. Even Eugene could not help applauding when he saw the finished trophy.
“It’s far more magnificent than I expected!”
“I could hardly believe my eyes myself. It’s the greatest masterpiece of my life.”
The enormous black antlers gleamed like jewels. With even the slightest change in viewing angle, their sheen raced from antler to antler like black waves.
“I considered cutting off the antlers and attaching them to a helmet, but the result was too good to waste like that.”
“Hahaha! It would certainly draw attention in battle, but it wouldn’t be good for your neck.”
For a knight, making one’s presence known on the battlefield was nearly as important as earning military glory. Some even decorated their helmets flamboyantly for that reason.
“A monster trophy becomes part of a warrior’s dignity. If you hang it in the hallway of your lord’s manor someday, everyone who visits will be overwhelmed. Though I doubt this will be the only thing hanging there.”
“A lord’s manor? Please remember that I’m still just a wandering knight.”
“For you, Sir Knight, it’s only a matter of time. You’ll surely obtain a fief and rule over it for all to see.”
At Rex’s gesture, a dark elf subordinate brought over a black cloak.
“Please have a look at the hide as well.”
“So it was unsuitable for armor after all.”
“It was only a little tougher than bear hide. It couldn’t replace your iron armor, Sir Knight. Still, it’s as dark as the night sky and has a fine texture, so it seemed suited for a cloak.”
Homi took the cloak and looked at Eugene.
“Try it on.”
“Homi, if you would.”
Flap!
With a dramatic flourish, she spread the cloak and fastened it around Eugene’s shoulders.
“Oh!”
“This is...”
Rex and his subordinate both widened their eyes.
When Eugene moved and the cloak swayed, darkness flowed across it like rippling water. It felt as though the Wendigo’s immense weight had been added to the knight’s shadow, following behind him.
“The mystery of the Otherworld held by the Wendigo remains within the cloak.”
Varda examined it with interest.
“Sir Knight! You have no need for some antlered helmet. If you charge while wearing that cloak, the lords will stare at you like maidens in love.”
Homi clasped her hands together, her tail wagging harder than ever.
“You’ve done excellent work on both the trophy and the cloak. I should give you proper compensation.”
“It’s all right, Sir Knight. We’ve already received more than enough for the labor. The guard captain personally asked the Chief Magistrate to cover it.”
“...”
Eugene realized that Bonyard City, from its lowest streets to its highest offices, had fully become his ally.
Even if something went wrong while he sought advancement elsewhere, he now had a foundation to return to and start over from. That put him much more at ease.
“What do you plan to do next?”
“If I followed my heart, I’d pester you about whether you had any work for us, Sir Knight. But a tribal summons has been issued.”
The Black Hand Mercenary Company was a small society made up of an entire tribe. They had dedicated departments handling administration, personnel, and diplomacy.
“As you know, there’s plenty of work cropping up in Roman, so it seems they mean to make a great deal of money while they can.”
“People keep leaving whenever we start to grow attached. It’s a real shame.”
“It makes me happy to hear you say that.”
Eugene walked up to Rex, who had given a military salute, and embraced him.
“Ah!”
Perhaps unfamiliar with the gesture, Rex was startled for a moment. Then he smiled and returned the embrace.
* * *
They had not held a triumphal procession, but Eugene still received a generous reward worthy of his remarkable accomplishments. Above all, the magic stones found in the Wendigo and animal carcasses were worth a fortune.
“Did you really need to give even the mercenaries a share? They already received plenty of pay and spoils.”
Eugene distributed part of the money from selling the magic stones to the dark elves as bonuses.
“They helped me in every way, both in battle and outside it. They treat me with goodwill and respect, so I should repay them properly with silver coins.”
Eugene had no intention of ending his connection with the Black Hand Tribe here. Once he had established himself, he planned to become one of their regular clients.
Varda closed the heretical mage’s research journal and rested her chin on her hand.
“Several letters have arrived from lords who wish to have you. Is there somewhere you have in mind? You should begin responding soon, whether you intend to accept or decline.”
“I’ll go here.”
Eugene unfolded a letter written on calfskin. It was an invitation from House Morad.
-If you ever come near our fief, please make sure to visit! It’s a promise!
Benjamin’s face came to mind. He had looked half-dead from a hangover, yet he still would not let go of Eugene’s hand. This invitation was probably his doing.
“He must have found it hard to wait after asking me to visit. He sent a letter immediately.”
“It bears the count’s signature, so they likely intend to formally host you on behalf of the house. It’s an excellent opportunity.”
If one of Roman’s greatest noble houses, with wealth and military power few could rival, had called for him, it would not end with simple praise.
Homi brought over several more letters.
“Those aren’t bad either. One viscount’s house even offered to give you a fief immediately.”
“You shouldn’t accept before checking the map. Many offer fiefs as though they’re being generous when they have no effective control over them or when they’re worthless territory.”
“Of course. Besides, I’ve already made up my mind.”
Eugene held the House Morad letter between his index and middle fingers and waved it.
“If possible, it’s better to go somewhere where people firmly on my side will support me. Besides, they say Roman will soon be engulfed in war.”
Some regions had already entered small-scale conflicts. Before long, great armies would be gathered, and the lords would begin fighting one another in earnest.
A renowned great noble house, the goodwill already built between them, and war. If those three things came together, there would be that much more for Eugene to gain.
“It seems you’ve prepared yourself to be swept up in someone else’s war.”
“Isn’t that the life of a knight? I never intended to settle for safety and peace.”
A knight’s life was a gamble at every moment. The stake was always everything, not only one’s property but one’s life as well. Eugene had been prepared for that for a very long time.
When he said he was going to House Morad, the Chief Magistrate reacted as though he had expected it.
“You were stuck together like lovers at the banquet, so I assumed they would call for you. The next time we meet, I may have to call you Lord. Hahaha.”
Fannis, who had accompanied him, could not say a word, his face filled with sorrow. Once Eugene left, it was unlikely he would return to remote Bonyard City.
“I believed you would spread your wings quickly, Sir Knight, but you’re leaving already.”
“I’m sad to part with you too, Chief Constable. You’ve treated me very well.”
Fannis had been a great helper, building a bridge for Eugene’s rise. He had connected Eugene to a stage where his strength could earn the highest price and made things easier for him in many ways.
“To think that Bonyard City’s proud Chief Constable would shed tears.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
Eugene had not expected him to cry and was taken aback. The Chief Magistrate sitting beside him looked even more shocked.
He knew how fiercely Fannis had lived while clawing his way up from the bottom. Among the members of the Grand Council, Fannis was the closest to deserving the title of the most heartless person.
Fannis only sobbed loudly as he bid Eugene farewell after drinking enough of the wine Eugene brought to become thoroughly drunk.
* * *
After that, Eugene remained busy traveling around the city.
Being just a knight was no longer enough. He needed the stature of a commander. Safety was one concern, but he would need people to lead if he wanted to gain anything more.
“What? I never expected you to come to us in person, Sir Knight.”
A mercenary captain drinking beer at the Undine Tavern jumped to his feet and bowed respectfully.
“Everyone, remain seated.”
Eugene calmed the subordinates who were trying to stand and pulled over a chair.
“I’ll pay for the drinks you’re having. Would you mind if I joined you for a while?”
“Of course! What mercenary in the world would refuse free drinks?”
Whenever the subjugation force camped, Eugene walked around the camp and inspected every position. He had been searching for capable people with strict discipline.
The mercenaries before him were elite soldiers assigned to the right flank, worthy men who trained by swinging their weapons even during breaks.
“We’re honored that you came to us first. We’ll serve you with all our sincerity.”
They needed new work if they wanted to save money before winter came. There was no reason to refuse when the strongest knight they had ever seen wanted to hire them.
He also sat shoulder to shoulder with mercenaries, raising beer mugs, trading jokes, and speaking easily with them. He showed none of the arrogance knights were known for.
“They say only two of Brandon’s group survived.”
“We were next after them. You saved our lives, Sir Knight.”
They had all seen veteran mercenaries massacred at close range when the bandits sent the Wendigo ahead to attack.
They too had been on the right flank. If Eugene had arrived only a little later, more than half of them would have become corpses.
They respected his overwhelming strength, but he had also practically saved their lives. Every one of them felt grateful to Eugene.
“I hear there are quite a few mercenary companies that were broken apart like that in this battle. I plan to select capable people from them. May I ask for your help?”
“Leave it to me. I have plenty of connections in this city.”
Eugene looked fondly at the mercenary captain, who thumped his chest.
“I’ll place everyone you gather under your command. If they don’t follow your orders, you may punish them as you see fit.”
“Thank you!”
Recruiting capable people improved a mercenary company’s standing. Yet those who were skilled often had egos just as large, making them difficult to control at first.
‘No one would be foolish enough to put on airs under this knight.’
With Eugene backing him, the mercenary captain could absorb veteran fighters easily without such side effects. He had no intention of letting this double stroke of good fortune slip away.
* * *
After several days of gathering capable mercenaries and stocking food and supplies for the march, Eugene’s party finished their preparations and formed up outside the city.
“Whew. I need to stay sharp.”
Eugene took a deep breath.
This was different from traveling alone with Homi. He now had fixed expenses, so he would have to keep earning money without pause.
He had made a considerable sum through the Hall War and the bandit subjugation, but it was chilling to think of money draining away even while he simply breathed.
The twenty-three veteran mercenaries were experienced, trustworthy, and well equipped. With four donkeys for transporting supplies, they looked like a proper group.
“Sir Knight, I’ve served many employers, but you’re the first I’ve seen who genuinely cares about those under you.”
The mercenary captain looked happily at the donkeys’ loads.
They were filled not with luxuries meant to display a noble’s dignity, but with supplies for the mercenaries. There were medicines, camping equipment, and all kinds of preserved food.
“Aren’t we all working to make a living? People need something, however small, to look forward to in life if they’re to have spirit.”
The mercenaries were moved before they had even set out by their employer’s matter-of-fact response.
“That’s true. Few things are as simple as food, yet give as much hope.”
“Thank you as well, Varda. This wasn’t something a mage needed to do, yet you helped so readily.”
Eugene bowed his head to her. While he had recruited mercenaries, Varda and Homi had gone to procure donkeys and supplies.
An elf’s eyes and a beastkin’s nose picked out only the finest goods. The results were as follows.
Hardtack, the eternal companion of infantrymen through every age and land, meant to keep their stomachs full.
Dried jujubes, a specialty from Samur that would provide the party with something sweet.
Pickled and fermented cabbage.
Sacks filled with mixed grains.
Gord’s famous smoked herring.
Salt-cured pork similar to ham.
Rum to raise morale after battle and soothe the minds of the wounded.
The provisions prioritized preservation and transport, so they would not taste particularly good. Still, to mercenaries living in camp, they were no different from a lavish feast.
The mercenary captain was so pleased that he became slightly worried.
‘These fools aren’t going to get carried away by the knight’s kindness and become lax, are they?’
Mercenaries becoming lax when treated well was simply their nature. He did not even want to imagine being struck by the Victor Knight’s fiery wrath for failing to manage them properly.
Fortunately, neither his original companions nor the newly recruited mercenaries showed the slightest sign of that.
-You need to be especially careful with this employer, understand? If anyone does anything stupid, I’ll beat them senseless myself.
After he gave the newcomers a firm warning, they all nodded as though it were obvious.
-What are you worrying about? Everyone here saw the knight take that magical beast’s head. What idiot would dare act up?
-I’m more afraid of his spear throwing. Not even a ballista bolt would fly that straight.
-Exactly. What kind of spear flies over a hundred meters and pierces two armored men? I’ve never seen a knight stop a melee involving hundreds with a single thrown spear, damn it.
-The man right in front of me was torn apart, and then I met the magical beast’s eyes. That was when the knight appeared. I owe him my life.
No one dared to fall out of line. The mercenaries watched the back of the knight riding his warhorse ahead of them.
Flap!
Whenever the black cloak fluttered in the wind, they were overwhelmed by its intimidating presence. At the same time, they felt pride.
That terrifying knight was leading them!
Beyond Bonyard City’s border, the plains stretching toward Roman came into view. Everyone’s steps were light, yet full of energy.
Footnotes:
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