Eugene, Galfredic, and the Gate-Opening Subjugation Force were hailed as heroes.
All the people of Rose Castle gathered to welcome the two knights and the mercenaries, and the highly elated Kamara held a grand banquet.
Although about thirty percent had been killed or seriously wounded, the survivors ate and drank to their hearts' content. That was simply the life of mercenaries who sold their blades for money.
"By the way, Sir Eugene, do you truly not need the mana stones?"
"Not at all. As per the original contract, half of the monster by-products will be enough."
"In that case…"
Kamara smacked his lips.
It wasn't because he regretted the unexpectedly large haul of low-grade monster materials. He genuinely wanted to give Eugene more.
"They say your performance was extraordinary. Is it true that you alone killed about thirty percent of the low-grade monsters?"
"I didn't count them one by one, so I'm not sure."
"Ha! It's true, I tell you. Nearly half the kobolds were killed by Sir Eugene. And he personally took down both a troll pup and an adult. Like this—he just tore the head right off!"
"Oh my god!"
Galfredic's action of roughly ripping apart the roasted piglet's head made Kamara's wife and the women of Rose Castle shriek in shock.
Ordinarily, women did not mingle much at gatherings with knights, but since this was a special banquet, they had taken part.
"But that giant cave spider we met at the end? That was a real shame."
"Tsk! Give it up, First Son Tiwin. If we had gone in any deeper to hunt that thing, we might have been truly screwed. You don't seriously think that was the only mid-grade monster in that dungeon, do you?"
"Of course not. It's just… well. Wasn't that the one that injured Sir Eugene? He deserves revenge."
"That's something the next subjugation force can handle. More importantly, Sir Eugene, is your arm really all right?"
"It's not broken—just slightly cracked. If I rest for about ten days, it should be fine."
Eugene lifted his left arm, which was splinted and tightly wrapped in cloth.
"Oh my!"
"A glorious wound, Sir Eugene."
The women's eyes grew dreamy.
Their gazes were not drawn to Eugene's injured arm, but entirely to his face.
With his helmet off, Eugene's face was so mysterious and beautiful that it was hard to believe he was the knight who had brutally torn a troll's head clean off.
Whenever their eyes happened to meet his red pupils, the women felt as if they might be pulled in, regardless of status.
Of course, Eugene himself paid no attention at all.
'Looks like I'll have to keep it wrapped for about ten days.'
He rested his left arm on the table.
Pretending that a perfectly fine arm was injured was bothersome, but it couldn't be helped if he was to deceive everyone.
After all, he couldn't let it be discovered that he had killed an upper-grade Giant Cave Spider Lord and consumed its blood and mana stone.
Of course, during the actual battle with the Giant Cave Spider Lord, he had indeed broken bones here and there.
But the moment he killed it and consumed its blood and mana stone, all his injuries were completely healed, and his stamina fully recovered.
Moreover, the Lord he had killed was a special monster even among upper-grade ones, as Mirian had said.
The magic stone that came from its body was red.
'I was lucky.'
According to Mirian, it was because this had been the first subjugation of a newly opened dungeon.
In any case, Eugene killed the Giant Cave Spider Lord and obtained its red mana stone.
This time, the tattoo on the nape of his neck disappeared, and just as he had gained black scales from the swamp monster before, he also acquired one of this creature's abilities.
The ability of camouflage.
'But… what was that, exactly?'
When he consumed the red mana stone from the Giant Cave Spider Lord, something had flashed through his mind and then vanished.
A scene where someone was holding his hand, with a few other people nearby.
It happened so quickly that he couldn't tell who they were or what the situation had been, but he clearly remembered how soft the hand felt.
'Who in the world were they? Could they possibly be vampires too…?'
"But it feels strange seeing your face after only ever seeing you in a helmet every day. I mean, why were you hiding such a fine face all this time?"
At Galfredic's words, which cut through his thoughts, Eugene answered quickly.
"Because I dislike sunlight."
"Hahaha! I've never seen a pale-faced fellow who trained properly as a knight—but you're the exception, Sir."
Though the day was overcast, it wasn't completely devoid of sunlight. In the past, Eugene's entire face would already have been covered in blisters and turned mushy.
Yet now, sitting near the window with his bare face exposed, he showed no abnormality at all.
That was because his face was currently protected by black scales.
Thanks to the camouflage ability he gained from the Giant Cave Spider Lord, he could change the scales to match his original skin color, making it appear to others as if his face were bare.
'I can't change the texture, but no one's going to touch it anyway.'
If he had continued wearing a mask or helmet all day even in daylight, it would surely have aroused suspicion. Now, there was no need to worry anymore.
From this point on, he could live openly, showing his appearance in daylight like other humans.
"Now! For Sir Eugene, Sir Galfredic, and the warriors who achieved the greatest results—let us all raise a toast together!"
"Ohhhh!"
At Kamara's shout, everyone raised their glasses high.
"For the victory of the Tywin family!"
"for victory!"
kamara, Galfredic, and Eugene all who had obtained what they sought drained their wine in one go.
But there was one exception.
Bertel only half-heartedly drank, stealing glances at Eugene instead.
'That guy was the real standout in the dungeon? More than Galfredic?'
It was hard to believe.
Finding it absurd, he separately asked the leaders of the mercenaries who had taken part in the subjugation, but their answers were all the same.
Even Brin, the bald mercenary who had once harbored ill feelings toward Eugene, shook his head and said this:
"You should be recruiting Sir Eugene, not Sir Galfredic. When I was with the Black Sheep Mercenary Corps, I participated in subjugations of dungeons and ruins a few times, but I've never seen a knight as strong as Sir Eugene. If you searched the entire Kalsvegin Peninsula, there would be only a handful who could stand against him."
It was a ridiculous claim.
Unlike this place, the Kalsvegin Peninsula was a region where countless cities and territories fought bloody battles almost daily.
Many cities cried out for independence, to the point that even the king had half given up control, and it was said that the knights and mercenaries there were all of high caliber.
Yet they claimed there were only a few who could match Eugene?
It was hard to dismiss entirely, considering that the testimony came from Brin, who had served in the Black Sheep Mercenary Corps for two years, even if he had since left.
'If I had gone instead… I too could at least match that man!'
Strength entered Bertel's gaze as he stared at Eugene.
* * *
"The ice second son keeps staring at you. I told you, he's a weird kid too. Buuaaah!"
Mirian, who had been sprawled over Eugene's shoulder after stuffing herself with food and dishes, whispered while even letting out a belch.
'There's enough reason for that.'
Inside the dungeon, Eugene had grown fairly close to Galfredic.
But that was only Eugene's own perception—Galfredic didn't treat him as merely a close acquaintance, but rather with the warmth of a long-lost brother.
Because of that, he told Eugene everything, including his relationship with Bertel and what he planned to do going forward.
"So? Have you thought about my proposal?"
"I'm grateful, but I'll still have to decline."
Galfredic looked at Eugene with regret for a moment, then soon nodded.
"Well, someone of your caliber could serve an even greater lord. And if you went to the Evergrow Count's estate, the knights there would probably work you to death anyway."
Galfredic had suggested that they receive knighthood together under the Evergrow Count, and Eugene had refused.
"So you plan to stay here for now?"
"For the time being, yes. I'm thinking of participating in one more subjugation."
"Hmm. If you take part, it won't be hard to hire mercenaries. Those guys will spread the word well."
Where Galfredic gestured, the mercenaries who had entered the dungeon together were eating and drinking greedily.
Having struck it rich in this subjugation, the mercenaries were, for the most part, behaving themselves.
Members of the noble Tywin family were also present, but more than anything else, this was because both Eugene and Galfredic were here together.
"If you're staying here, then this is just my idea, but…"
Galfredic's softly whispered voice took on a more suggestive tone.
"Hire those guys yourself. Just pick about ten who seem usable."
"Me? Personally?"
"Yes."
Nodding, Galfredic lowered his voice even further.
"If the Tywin family is going to keep subjugating the dungeon, they'll have to hire mercenaries again. But instead of gathering several separate teams like this time, it's better to hire a force with a clear leader. From the Tiwin family's perspective, it would be ideal if you took those men under your command."
"Hmm. Judging by the second son's attitude, he might try to bring in another knight like you, don't you think?"
"Ugh! I only ended up here because I ran my mouth while drinking after the swordsmanship match. As for other knights, not a chance. And reaching out to other nobles instead? If he were going to do that, he would've done so from the beginning. The eldest son, in particular, has absolutely no intention of that—especially now that the Gate-Opening subjugation has succeeded."
"I see. Then what do I gain from this?"
At Eugene's question, Galfredic wagged his index finger from side to side.
"First, they've already fought in formation with you during the Gate-Opening subjugation, so in the next operation they'll respond immediately to your commands. And if you have around ten men under you, it becomes much easier to take control of the subjugation force. Even the newcomers will have to read the room. In many ways, things become more convenient."
"Hmm."
"And the more people there are, the bigger the contract fee and success bonus become. It won't be as big as the Gate-Opening bonus, of course, but if you follow my advice, you'll still make a considerable profit."
"Hmm. Is that so?"
Seeing Eugene still unconvinced, Galfredic let out a smirk.
"In demon realm hunts or on the battlefield, mercenaries believe the strongest leader is the best leader. That's how they stay alive the longest. And the sharp ones may have already noticed something."
"...?"
"That if things go well, you might actually become a landed lord with a real title."
Not fully understanding what that meant, Eugene simply nodded.
In Eugene's mind, all he could think about was earning money—and how this might make it a little easier to bring Bertel down.
'Hiring mercenaries…'
Eugene made his decision.
No matter what, employing subordinates would clearly be useful in many ways.
"Sir Kamara Tywin. May I have a word with you for a moment?"
"Hahaha! Of course."
Though he hadn't heard all of Eugene and Galfredic's conversation, Camara had caught the parts about the next subjugation and participation as if by instinct, and a smile spread across his face.
* * *
"Brother! Are you serious? You're really going to let that man meet Father?"
"Why not? He's a knight who made the Gate-Opening subjugation a success. Everyone testifies that he made the greatest contribution, and he even said he'll participate in the next subjugation as well. Wouldn't it be stranger not to let him meet Father? It also fits perfectly with the traditions and laws you're so fond of."
"But…!"
Kamara frowned and cut off his brother's words.
"No 'but' or 'however.' You're acting strange. It's not as if he's meeting Father alone, is he? Sir Galfredic and that fellow Pellid will be with him too, so what exactly are you so dissatisfied about?"
"..."
When Bertel fell silent, Kamara laughed as if he had expected that reaction.
"Oh don't tell me you're upset because the Sir Galfredic you personally invited performed worse than Sir Eugene? Still, he killed a troll and commanded the mercenaries impressively, didn't he? That should be enough, shouldn't it?"
"Huh…!"
Just seeing the usually cool-headed Bertel show this much emotion made Kamara feel as if a ten-year-old knot in his chest had finally loosened.
If only he could fully draw Eugene to his side, he might be able to drive out Bertel, who picked fights over everything and strutted around as if he were the captain of the Tywin family's knights.
"Anyway, start getting ready for the next subjugation. Oh, and the mercenaries hired by Sir Eugene will be staying here for the time being. There are nine of them in total, so try to recruit about ten more mercenaries per knight. And it would be nice if Sir Galfredic would step up once again too. Since you were boasting about your close ties, that should be possible, right?"
Without even waiting for Bertel's reply, Kamara left his seat. No there was no need to hear it.
After all, at the banquet earlier, Galfredic had said he would meet Sir Tywin tomorrow and then depart immediately.
'Now where will he go next to beg for favors? Let's see how well he puts that great network of connections to use.'
Kamara suppressed the laughter threatening to burst out, his shoulders shaking repeatedly.
And behind him, Bertel glared at Kamara's back as if he wanted to devour him whole.
(To be continued in the next chapter)