Golden Cross: Chapter 11

Chapter 11.  The Road to Roidenponsk (2)

A few days later, Stralsund left the camp on a horse carriage.  Since then Eugene was focused on the safety of the Duchess.  He was leading about 10 body guards, but as the camp was peaceful, there weren’t any issues.  The Blue Force was in the midst of R&R in preparation for the next battle, and the enemy was far away.  Stuartemitte Landgraf and Myrus Landgraf were working diligently to convince the regional lords to commit allegiance to the great Duke Bentist.  Those efforts bore a series of successes, and they gave the impression that such methods were more effective than military means.  The time honored tradition told that diplomacy was more important than sword and spear.  Hence, there were occasions in the ancient times where a single diplomat had achieved what couldn’t be accomplished by 10,000 troops.

At any rate, the troops were enjoying their leisure time due to these reasons for the first time in a long while.

 “Welcome.  Sir Eugene.”

Recently, Ava has been inviting Eugene to join her during tea times.  As her beauty has been well established, many aristocrats were vying for her attention, but Ava could only trust Myrus and Eugene.

Of course, being very smart, she wouldn’t fully trust Eugene, either.

 “Please do speak informally.  I’m only a knighted man.”

 “Still, that is not appropriate.”

Ava, being a duchess, had a much higher standing in the society than Eugene who was a semi aristocrat.  The difference between the head of a Landgraf family and a recently knighted person was night and day.  However, she treated Eugene with the utmost courtesy as she owed her life to him.

 “Please, come and sit here.”

Putting on a smile on her beautiful face, Ava was like a flower.

 “Thank you.”

 “There are no cookies or cakes in the battle field.  Sorry for that.”

Those items didn’t seem appropriate in the battle fields, anyhow.  There were men of high stature that enjoyed crackers in normal times, but bringing such items was deemed a taboo.  It certainly gave a sense on insufficient manliness.  On the other hand, tea was one thing that was not missed.  The aristocrats of the empire enjoyed beers more, but this refined culture that has been imported from a foreign country spread quickly as a stylish fad.

 “Not at all.  I’m just truly honored to be able to share a cup of tea with a beautiful woman.”

 “Ho?  You are able to say such things.”

When Ava said that, after seeing rather an interesting aspect of Eugene, he spoke frankly.

 “Reading that novel, the protagonist always says it in this way.  It’s a bit creepy though.”

 “Hohohoho.  Sir Eugene.”

She looked quite lovely with that bright laughter.  Eugene did not say that in passing, though.  Ava, who was 22 years of age, this year, had mysterious, attractive purple eyes, and she was bubbly and well mannered.  Although her conditions have experienced degradation as the result of being a captive for a few weeks, she has recovered most of her old self, at this point.  She was beautiful and liked to be on the move all the time that she walked around with her waving brown hair.  And also having simple demeanor, she sometimes gave a country girl like vibe, but her elegant, graceful manners certainly demonstrated that she was a duchess.  It was natural for men to pay much attention to Ava as she was beautiful.  On top of that, she was a land lord, so the men were more hawkish about getting her attention in recent days.  As a result, Ava has been growing quite tired of those efforts of the men, and as expected, the topic of the men’s vying for her attention has come up.

 “I think I should slowly get back to my land.”

Eugene could not disagree with her as she said with a sigh.

 “Well, I think the time is right.  It will take about 2 weeks to get to Roidenponsk.”

As Eugene said nonchalantly, Ava hesitated a bit before she spoke.

 “By any chance, will you be able to escort me to my territory?  Of course, I’ll compensate you handsomely.”

It was a very welcoming request as far as Eugene was concerned.

 ‘Great.  I had to go with her anyway.’

He intentionally stuttered a little and that caused Ava to turn red, and she quickly shook her head.

 “I, I mean I don’t mean to trouble you.  Only if it’s OK with you…..”

Unlike her audacious nature, she trailed the end of her words very quietly.

 ‘She is cuter the more I see her.’

Eugene had initially approached her because he had a purpose, but he has also opened his heart to her in the recent days.  Ava was daring and lovely at the same time, and men were easily attracted to such women.  He enjoyed being with her and did not want to be separated from her.  On top of that, her curvy figure had the magical power of drawing him to her.

Eugene often thought about how desirable her bosoms would be under her garment.

 “Alright.  I’ll talk to Myrus Landgraf, so that we can prepare to leave soon.”

At that moment, Ava’s countenance brightened.

 “Thank you.  Sir Eugene.”

 “No, not at all.”

There permeated a strange air of ambience between them.  There wasn’t a cook that was making sugary desert, yet there seemed to a sweet aroma.

Eugene subtly extended out his hand, and looking at that, Ava gently lowered her head.  However, she could not hide her anticipation, especially around her lips.

 “I….”

An unwelcomed visitor showed up and broke the mood when Eugene was about to say something.

 “Reichsgraf, the count of Maxmillian has come.”

The counts were senators that worked in the emperor’s assembly, and wielded much power.  Their direct influences were not as great as the Landgrafs, but as they were close to the power, they couldn’t be ignored.  For example, they were addressed as Erlaucht (or lord) despite having the same count titles.

 “Invite him in.”

Eugene stood behind Ava.  Although he was being treated well by her, from the count’s perspective, he was only a lowly semi-aristocrat.  In fact, should it be said that it was even fortunate that he was being treated as a human being?

 “Greetings.  Duchess.”

After entering the tent, Maximillian courteously said hello to Ava.  On the surface, he looked to be a good looking, courteous gentleman with a long beard.  However, he had an unwelcoming reputation that Ava, too, kept her distance from him.  Unlike his appearance, he was known for being very conceited, selfish, and scheming.  He has just recently joined the Blue Force after seeing the war swinging in their favor, so people around him did not trust him.

 “My lord.”

However, Ava gracefully welcomed him.  Being at the near bottom of the totem pole, among the Landgrafs, Maximillian who was an assembly man was a burdensome individual for Ava. 

 “How is the life in the tent?  Any difficulties?”

 “Since everyone is taking good care of me, I’m doing well.”

After making few small talks, Maximillian dove into the main subject.

 “I’ve heard that you are going to return home.”

He must have gotten a wind of the news as he came here so quickly.

 “Yes.  My lord.”

 “Then would it be acceptable if I was to escort you to Roidenponsk?”

That was like inviting a wild dog into the house.  Should Maximillian establish his presence, it would be highly troublesome should he begin to interfere with things.  There have been many men that attempted to get her attention, but it was the first time that she was facing such a direct maneuver as that of Maximillian’s.  Hence, it made her flutter.  However, she responded in a firm manner.

 “I appreciate the offer, but I kindly decline.”

Maximillian’s face instantly hardened, and Ava felt fear.

 “You do not need to decline.”

He quickly insisted, but Ava said with courage, even at this time.

 “I’ll be alright.”

Maximillian did not say anything for a while.  Then he somehow wanted to see which character has snatched away his prey.

 “Who will be escorting you, duchess, during your journey.  Is it one of the Myrus Langraf’s servants?  Or one of the other aristocrats?”

As Ava hesitated at that moment, Eugene decided to step forward.

 “My lord.  I was chosen to escort the duchess.”

 “O-ho.  You?”

As the knighthood endowment was made after Maximillian had joined the force, he knew of Eugene.

 “Certainly, a provost level swordsman would serve you well.”

He sarcastically smiled, yet he seemed content.  As far as Maximillian’s thinking went, Eugene was just a servant of Myrus, not his competition.

Hence, he has concluded that no other aristocrats have earned her favors.  Having seen how the escorting duty was going to play out, he got up without any hesitation.

 “If it was your decision, I understand.  However, I’d like to give you an advice.”

His eyes flashed like the serpent’s eyes, before its prey.

 “Kindness isn’t something to be strongly declined.”

Ava avoided his eyes as it was a clear warning.  He was definitely going to make her pay for this rejection.

 “….Yes.  Thank you for the advice.”

Ava was scared.  Maximillian left the tent with that, and Eugene silently stared at the back of him.  Maximillian was scrupulous, but it was clearly a mistake to anger a provost.

 ‘Maximillian, the Reichsgraf of the empire.’

Eugene remembered his name.  However, not able to see the serious nature in that, the subject only thought that Ava was rather conceited, beyond his expectation.

 “Hm!  Playing hard to get, huh!”

Three days later.  A small horse carriage pulled by 2 horses departed from the Blue Force’s camp.

 “Please hurry.”

Fearing that she might run into Maximillian again, Ava rushed the carriage driver.  Eugene was in charge of her security, and Myrus Landgraf provided 10 cavalry men to accompany them.  Leon wanted to go with Eugene, but as the situation did not allow that, he had no choice, but to stay behind.  The group peacefully moved toward the Duchess’ home town for three days, and there did not seem to be any hurdles ahead.  Unexpectedly, their journey was rather pleasant.

Eugene either read the map as he rode the horse or discussed the itinerary with sergeant Dainhifelder, who followed him.

 “My lord.  I think we could rest at the village before continuing on.”

Dainhifelder, too, treated Eugene more formally since he has been knighted.  He was a respectable man to begin with, and so young Eugene felt quite burdened as he treated him so formally.  However, Eugene had to get used to his new title.  What really caused trouble was for someone to act in the ways that are unfitting to his title.

 “Yes.  I concur.”

However, he did not disrespect him or spoke conceitedly.  Dainhifelder was 32 years old, and besides that, he was a respectable soldier.  He was a man who had strong sense of responsibility, and he would do anything in order to accomplish any task given to him.

Eugene asked him to take the lead, and he slowly led his horse towards the carriage at near the back of the procession.

 “Duchess.”

When Eugene called, a small sliding window opened.

 “Yes, Sir Eugene.”

 “We should be arriving at a village in the next 3 to 4 hours.  We’ll stay there overnight.”

 “Got it.”

After smiling lightly, Ava closed the window.  Unlike having the title of a duchess, she was amiable and very kind.  Eugene did not know, but Roidenponsk was a territory deeply rooted in the patriarchal tradition, and there were more small landowners and farmers than other industries.  As a result, the territory was more conservative, but the landowners and farmers got along very well.  The landowners had no choice, but to treat the farmers that made up the majority of the population well, and the farmers, too, obeyed the landowners in accordance to the tradition of the middle ages.  The relationship between the weak landowners and the influential farmers grew peacefully in that fashion.

Having grown up in such an environment, Ava was used to relating well to the peasants.  Regardless of the societal titles, Ava always treated the others kindly.  And so, now, she has become the most well liked person even by the knights who followed. 

 ‘She is a kind person.’

Eugene grew to like her more and more.  However, it was then when he suddenly felt something alarming.  Eugene has sensed that an ambush against his party was in the works.

 “Everyone, ready for battle!”

The cavalry in the vicinity fluttered as they were surprised to hear Eugene hollering as he drew his pistol.  However, they all took out there guns like the well trained soldiers they were.

 “Enemy ahead!”

As anticipated, twenty cavalry men, wearing black bandana appeared.

 “Charge!”

The man appeared to be the captain of their group began charging without a warning, and Eugene and the bodyguards instantly prepared to counter them.  Eugene sprang forward, riding his horse, after instructing two of the men to protect the carriage.

 “Giddyup!”

Then he fired his pistol at the head of a cavalry man who was grazing right by him.

Pang!

Having been struck in the head with the bullet at close range, he was instantly killed without even able to make a sound.  From there, Eugene drew his sword and swung it down on the helmet of another enemy troop, and took out the other remaining pistol with his left hand and fired it.

Pang!

 “Krahk!”

This time, the bullet penetrated the enemy’s thigh.

Pang!  Pang!  Paang!

 “Die!”

Pang-pang-pang!

The immediate area has become a mess due to the gun fight.  The cavalry rode on their individual horses and fired their guns, and the area was fogged up with smoke.  As the bullets ran out, everyone took out their swords and engaged in the ensuing battle.

 “You are all mine.”

Closing his jaw tightly, Eugene wielded his sword in every which way.  As far as the ensuing battle was being fought by using the swords, Eugene would be most advantageous.  Eugene sliced the opponents through their armor suits.  Trusting to have superiority in the numbers, the enemies were fluttered at Eugene’s brilliance. 

 “Damn it!  Stop that crazy bastard!”

With murderous tone of voice, the enemy’s captain pressed his men.  Five of them came at Eugene at once as they wielded their sables, but they all perished by Eugene’s sword.

 “Krrahk!”

As another cavalry man fell to his death, the other enemies that were attacking him on their horses stuttered backwards.  Unfortunately, that only gave openings to Eugene, and he, again, sent them to their deaths.

 “Stop him!  Stop that crazy bastard!”

The murderous captain ultimately took out the rifle (Reiterei Arkebus) from the saddle.  Designed differently from the pistols, the rifle was a modified long gun made to be used easily on horsebacks, and its power was on a different plain when compared to the pistols.  Skillfully, he bit open the gun powder bottle and poured it down into the gun.  Sheehksheeehk.

After quickly saying few offensive words, he pointed the gun at Eugene.

 “My lord!”

Dainhifelder warned Eugene as soon as he saw that, but

 ‘Pang!’

The sound of a reverberating short gunfire was quicker.