WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: HidingTurtle
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◈ The Wandering Knight and the Moving Castle ◈
Chapter 62: Prophecy (1)
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Eugene, Varda, and Homi entered the lord's office.
As befitted a trading town, it was filled with exotic items, from potted plants and furniture to sculptures and large paintings.
Eugene touched the luxurious chair, but not a speck of dust clung to his hand. It must have been cleaned every day.
Swish, swish!
Hearing Homi's tail wagging wildly, Eugene turned to find her smiling with her eyes.
“Hmph!”
She looked as smug as if she were saying, I told you so. Didn't I say you'd become a lord in no time?
“You were right.”
Eugene ruffled Homi's hair, then lifted her beneath the arms and set her in the lord's chair.
Clatter!
She sprang up in a panic, as though she could never dare sit before him.
After looking around the office, which was full of interesting sights, the three stepped out onto the balcony behind it.
“There is more river in view than land.”
“It is on an entirely different scale from Richwood.”
It was late afternoon. Varda had removed her hood and stood at the railing, gazing out over the river.
Her golden hair fluttered against the sunlit water. With slender fingers, she loosened the gold thread wrapped around her elegantly pointed ears.
The glow of the sunset suited Varda's pale face as well. Her hair, eyes, and skin, everything shone gold.
“...”
Eugene could not find the words for such a breathtaking sight. It was the first time he realized a person could be more beautiful than nature itself.
“Everything visible from this balcony belongs to you. Nature determines the flow of that broad river, but those who pass through it must follow your rules.”
“When you put it that way, it feels as though I have gained tremendous power. I am only the lord of a single town.”
Was this what it felt like to be a king within one's own fief?
Whoosh!
Two large merchant ships came into view. One cut powerfully through the current, while the other was moored at the town harbor.
The three piers stretching from the land into the river were perfectly spaced, and the water was deep enough for many merchant ships to dock at once.
‘Even if I become more powerful in the future, I should keep this place as direct territory.’
In terms of income, transportation, and supplies, it was a base far exceeding the scale of an ordinary village.
“My lord, your bath has been prepared. The guest bathrooms have been readied for the other two.”
“We will be going now. Take your time enjoying the reward for your efforts.”
Varda smiled and patted Eugene's shoulder before leaving with Homi.
Eugene soaked and washed himself in the large bath reserved for the lord.
Feeling refreshed, he shuffled back to the office in slippers and found his armor hanging from a wooden rack. It stood where it could receive sunlight and fresh air without being exposed to rain.
“Service refined solely for one person.”
It was a luxury he had not enjoyed even while staying at Count Morad's estate or the Richwood manor. Only then did it truly sink in that he had become a lord.
* * *
The next morning, Eugene toured the town with the steward.
As long as it could defend itself against foreign enemies, northern Roman was a pleasant place to live, even compared with the south, west, and center.
“I crossed the continent from the southwest, but I don't think I've seen a better town than this.”
The north, close to the Inland Sea, had a climate somewhat similar to the Mediterranean, with little annual variation in temperature. Even in winter, it was chilly rather than cold.
“No one in this town has ever starved to death, even during famines.”
The steward's back was hunched from a mix of timidity and excessive politeness.
“Straighten your shoulders.”
“Gah!”
Eugene grasped the steward's shoulders and corrected their posture. At the lord's touch, the steward stiffened as though struck by lightning.
“Maintain this posture from now on.”
“Yes! Yes, sir!”
“You must stay healthy and upright if you are to serve me for a long time. I looked through the administrative records, and it was clear how valuable you are to this fief.”
The steward was more than capable of managing things whenever Eugene was away, both in ability and loyalty.
“Oh!”
The steward felt tears welling up. It was a small gesture and a little praise to Eugene, but not to the steward.
For a year, the steward had waited for a master, afraid that a violent lord who bled the people dry might arrive.
Yet when the new lord finally arrived, the steward found a knight of great renown who was kind even to those beneath him.
“Don't throw it! If what is inside breaks, we're finished!”
Well-built sailors busily unloaded cargo from the two moored merchant ships. Up close, Eugene could see that the three piers were lined with stone from the riverbed all the way to the submerged walls.
“Was this built artificially?”
“Yes. The lord before the previous lord had stone walls built around the harbor. There have hardly been any accidents since, so everyone speaks highly of it.”
The guards they passed saluted their new lord.
As befitted a town rich in seafood and bustling with trade, the guards were well-fed and well-equipped.
“Honor to the new lord.”
“God, protect our lord.”
The past lords' good governance, combined with Eugene's knightly bearing and achievements, created a powerful effect. As fellow warriors, the guards looked upon Eugene with deep respect.
Ferries moved along the river as people fished, while boys and women with fishing rods could be seen here and there along the banks.
“By the previous lord's will, all residents are permitted to fish. If it displeases you...”
The steward watched Eugene carefully.
Though it differed by region, fishing in Roman was generally allowed only to fishers who had received a lord's permission and paid taxes.
“No. Keep it open as it is. Restrict only outsiders.”
“Thank you for your generosity!”
Fish were the only way the lower classes could obtain high-quality protein. In fiefs without rivers, even fresh fish were considered a luxury, making this a privilege of riverside towns.
Many lords restricted fishing to establish their authority, but Eugene thought it was foolish.
If children and adults alike ate well and grew strong, would they not become his labor force and tax base?
When he returned to the lord's residence, Varda greeted him.
“You have been busy since your first day.”
“I intended to improve whatever was lacking, but there isn't much to change.”
The town was already well organized, but its focus on trade also played a part. The knowledge Eugene had learned at his home monastery was mainly useful for increasing yields from farming and gathering.
Here, all he could do was simplify needless procedures and cut out corruption. That alone would still be significant.
“The steward is competent and loyal as well.”
“His family has passed down know-how and loyalty for five generations, so it is only natural.”
“I thought I would often have to be away, so that is fortunate.”
Merchant ships carrying mercenaries came through regularly, and free knights traveling along the waterways often visited the town.
‘For now, I only need to build good relationships with the nearby lords and the monastery.’
He had imagined every possible worst-case scenario while traveling north, so the lack of trouble almost felt anticlimactic. Still, that was good for the fief.
* * *
The mercenaries under Eugene also enjoyed a comfortable rest in town.
“Do not forget that we are only hired men. Don't cause trouble in town, understand? Don't get stupid ideas about having the lord as our backing.”
“What are you worrying about? We're not rookies.”
“The knight chose every one of us after speaking with us one-on-one, even if only briefly.”
Blunt replies came from every direction at the mercenary captain's repeated warnings.
A chain of command had to be unified.
Following Eugene's principle, all the new mercenaries had been placed under the mercenary captain who had followed him since Bonyard City.
Some among them had more skill or experience than the captain, so there was some discontent.
Still, the captain was one of the original members who had served Eugene since the days when he was only a knight. Because of that position, no one dared challenge the captain.
‘The captain may be easygoing and generous, but there is no mercy toward breaches of discipline.’
The mercenaries boasted about their exploits to bored young townsmen, bought food for the town's young women, watched people fish, and examined unusual goods at the docks.
“You missed that?”
“Shut up! I'll catch that one for dinner tonight!”
Eugene also opened the lord's private hunting grounds to his mercenaries on certain days.
“The knight likes rib meat, so set that part aside.”
As a result, Eugene ate the game hunted by the mercenaries for dinner on those days.
Merchant companies that often passed through Northfork also sent gifts, asking for his favor.
“The Jakril Merchant Company has sent scented oil and wishes the new lord good health.”
“The Harris Merchant Company has presented a pair of camels. Their health suffered during the long journey, so we immediately sent them to the stables for care.”
The fief's treasurer reported each item one by one.
Then, one day, a very welcome guest arrived.
* * *
A Dark Elf man with closely cropped hair entered the lord's reception room.
“Rex?”
“It has been a long time, Sir Knight. Or should I call you my lord now?”
“Knight is enough, as before. No matter what position I reach in the future.”
“I am glad to hear that.”
Rex smiled and saluted Eugene.
“Your contract has ended, so a salute is too formal. Sit.”
A maid placed drinks and refreshments on the table.
“I knew you would rise quickly, but this is faster than I ever imagined.”
“I was lucky. I benefited quite a bit from the Wendigo trophy you made. The look in Count Morad's eyes changed when he saw it.”
“Ha ha! I saw it displayed in the hallway when I came in, and I felt proud myself.”
Visitors of some standing came to greet Eugene at the lord's residence in person. Each time, they stopped at the entrance to the hallway in surprise.
“Gasp!”
The town's influential residents recoiled at its savage face and horns.
“Did you slay a magical beast of this level alone?!”
Free knights marveled at Eugene's strength.
“I have never seen an ornament like this.”
Merchant company branch managers admired an item they could not find anywhere else.
Until now, Eugene had been received as a guest. Now, he was the one receiving guests as their host.
‘Is this why knights become obsessed with dangerous monsters?’
Having the upper hand from the start and gaining a topic of conversation for free, all because of a single trophy in the hallway, was extremely useful.
“This is a congratulatory gift for becoming a lord.”
Rex presented a formal outfit delicately embroidered with gold thread. Its shape differed from what the nobles here commonly wore.
“Is this traditional Dark Elf clothing?”
“That is right. More precisely, it is the traditional attire of our Black Hand Tribe.”
It was dignified while allowing agile movement, and several vital areas were reinforced.
“To prepare for battle even in formal wear, that is impressive.”
“I will take that as praise.”
“Thank you for this precious gift. It would be perfect to wear while resting and looking over the river.”
“I thought you, of all people, would gladly accept it.”
Traditional Dark Elf clothing had similarities to the attire of northeastern nomads. To the eyes of most nobles, it looked like barbarian clothing.
If Rex had presented it to another noble, some discomfort would have shown in their expression or manner. Eugene, though, ran his hands over the outfit with nothing but interest and gratitude.
His reaction came from genuine appreciation, and Rex smiled as well.
“Think of this as your home and stay as long as you wish.”
“I am grateful, but I must leave right away.”
“Is there another job?”
“This is more important than that. The festival, where all Dark Elf tribes gather, will be held.”
“Ah, Captain Helga told me about that. What is the festival called?”
“It does not have a particular name. We simply call it the festival. It is the only time all of us, who normally fend for ourselves, gather in one place. There is no need for another name.”
Dark Elves wandered the continent without a single land in which to settle. This was likely one of the safeguards for their survival as a people.
“I heard the tribes are not especially close. Are there no incidents?”
Their harsh temperaments applied even to their own kind. The only ones they showed affection toward were members of their own tribe.
“That is exactly why such a gathering is needed. Even tribes that hate each other acknowledge the importance of this festival. Families that would draw swords the moment they meet share drinks during this period.”
By then, Eugene was beginning to understand.
“Rex. You did not come here just to congratulate me on taking up my post as lord, did you?”
Eugene looked down at the tribe's traditional attire in his hands. It seemed Rex had not presented it merely for him to wear while relaxing at home.
Rex grinned and drew an invitation from his clothes, handing it to Eugene. It bore the seal of a tribal chieftain.
“We would like to welcome you as a special guest of our tribe. We hope you will wear the same clothes, drink the same liquor, and live as family with us during the festival.”
Eugene had no reason to refuse. In this harsh world, the more connections he had, the better. If he ever needed strength to rely on in an emergency, the Black Hand Tribe would be the finest allies.
“Don't look so desperate. I have no intention of refusing. That expression does not suit you, either.”
“That is harsh, Sir Knight!”
Despite his words, Rex's face brightened with joy.
He had been unable to cast aside the fear that Eugene might refuse, however slight the chance. Rex had lived without fearing anything in the world, but this one thing had made him anxious throughout the journey.
Footnotes:
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