Golden Cross: Chapter 1
Chapter 1. The Beginning of All Stories (1)
Manuel’s countenance didn’t look peaceful when he returned from seeing Duke Markgraf
“Eugene, can you bring me some tea?”
“Yes, master.”
Eugene took out the tea kettle that was on the fireplace shelf and boiled water in it. Soon, the sweet aroma of red tea filled the room.
“What did Duke Markgraf say?”
Heavy hearted, Manuel did not say a word until he has nearly emptied his cup. It was fitting as it dealt with the news of war.
“He said that a conflict broke out between the current grand duke, the 2nd prince Benfist, and the 3rd prince, Duke Betin regarding the throne of Andalhall. There have always been such fierce wars for the rightful succession to the throne. I am concerned for potentially shedding much blood.”
The current emperor Coathild of the Stuartebecker Family was near death due to his old age.
That problem lied in the fact that the emperor had failed to identify his successor in a timely manner as was the tradition of the empire, before he went into coma. The new Bentake Empire was not recognizing the right of the eldest son.
As a result, the sons of Stuartebecker Family who had the right to succession all stepped forward saying that they all wanted to be the emperor. But prior to becoming an emperor, one must have the honorary title of the king of Andalhall. Only the king of Andalhall was able to become the emperor, so it was the necessary stepping stone. Hence, the strongest princes, who were in the line to the throne, the 2nd and the 3rd princes rose up wanting to be the rightful successor.
“Then what is Duke Markgraf’s plan?”
The fate of this city of Eintelhoefel would be determined by the leader Christopher Markgraf’s decision.
“Duke Markgraf is supporting the grand duke of Benfist. And asked me for double-paid mercenaries.”
It was as about what Eugene had anticipated. The lord of the territory calling on the regional leader of the swordsman’s guild was no different than saying that he wanted to hire the region’s swordsmen.
“Looks like avoiding a war would be difficult. How many did he say he needed?”
“Over 200 men.”
That was a number that could not be supplied only from the Eintelhoefel location. Double-paid mercenaries were always difficult to come by.
“I understand. I’ll contact the Brotherhood.”
On top of being a student of Manuel who was the leader of the area, Eugene was also a capable administrator. He immediately began preparing the necessary paper work to call on the Brotherhood’s swordsmen.
The double-paid mercenaries, as the name suggests, were considered to be very highly skilled, even among the mercenaries who join, as they receive double the pay. The reason for this was not only because the task itself was dangerous, but their individual skill level makes them deserving to get paid that much. In order to function as a double-paid mercenary, one must attain a certificate of being at least a Ritter or above level, from a certified swordsman’s guild. This process usually took 10 years, and every one of all the double-paid mercenaries was a high skilled expert in swordsmanship. Such people were gathering in groups of three or four at the city of Eintelhoefel. The rumor about the duke Christopher Markgraf preparing for a war in order to support the grand duke Benfist has already spread widely. Wars were good opportunities for the swordsmen of swordsman’s guilds to make money.
“Eugene, how long do you think it will take to recruit them all?”
Eugene looked at the documents when Manuel asked. The war contract to be signed with Duke Markgraf showed 140 double-paid mercenaries from the Brotherhood’s guild.
“It may take over 2 weeks.”
“Looks like that’s roughly in line with the schedule. Do pay your attention to it.”
“Yes, master.”
But having finished his reporting, Eugene stood there, rather than leaving the room. Hesitating somewhat, it appeared that he had something to say.
“Is there anything else?”
“Master. May I also go to war, this time?”
Manuel took in a breath as the question was something that he had anticipated. As a matter of fact, Eugene was at the Provost level which was one level higher than the double-paid mecenary’s Ritter level. There was no question about his qualification, but he was merely a 16 year old lad. Although he was being called the genius in swordsmanship, Eugene was still too young to go to war.
“I’m sorry, but that’s not possible.”
Eugene’s heart seemed to be pulsating as part of being a young man who was moved by the war news, but war was a real fight and a reality. Having an experience of fighting in a war on the international battlefield, Manuel saw that Eugene was still too young to be joining the war.
“But I can certainly fight.”
“Huhu.”
Manuel felt strange when he looked on Eugene. It was a cold winter day when he first met Eugene. Some unknown mother left the recently born Eugene at the gate of the Brotherhood’s building. Only the name of Eugene Lamert was written on a piece of paper. Since then, Manuel, who was the leader of the region, took care of Eugene. Eugene was a student, but he was also a son to Manuel. However, Eugene has already grown up so much.
“I know. Your skill is at the top level even in this region. However, war is not a place to go only armed with a sword skill. You may not understand my words at this time, but do honor my instructions.”
“…..Yes.”
Eugene has reluctantly agreed to his respected teacher, but he didn’t look convinced. However, instead of being angry, Manuel said.
“I want to put this school’s operation in your hands during my absence.”
And that was all he said.
‘At this rate, I can’t ask any more.’
Ultimately, all that Eugene could do was let out a sigh and walk out of the room. He concentrated on the paperwork with a lot of conflicted thoughts. And when he came outside after a few hours, he saw many swordsmen who were busy examining their double-hand swords. War was an opportunity for those who were mercenaries, and as such, they could not stay still.
‘I want to go, too.’
Eugene was still young and he did not yet know the meaning of war and death. He just wanted to show off his swordsmanship and become famous. For warriors, war was the best opportunity. In the old days, knights would dance with exuberance when they saw fire signal. It was that kind of a situation, and Eugene was feeling sad to be staying put. His clear blue eyes were filled with frustration, disappointment, and his blond hair fell down along his lowered cheek. However, he did not think any deeper. He was still young and there would be many chances.
‘Once I become an adult, even the master would not disapprove then.’
Eugene, who was optimistic, stopped being disappointed and began helping the Brotherhood’s departure. Then after 2 weeks later, the 200 or so double-paid mercenaries, who were summoned by Manuel, were hired by Duke Christopher Markgraf’s army, and left for the battlefield.
A few months have passed since then.
After his teacher and colleagues went off to the war, Eugene was still watching over the school of the swordsman. Based on what he was hearing, fierce battles were taking place in many places, but there wasn’t much effect of it in Eintelhoefel which was located at the vicinity of the empire’s frontier. As a result, Eugene was passing boring days while waiting for war news. By his ordinary daily routine, he would be swinging about his sword, practicing at this time, but he didn’t have the drive. Then as luck would have it, a letter arrived, containing a shocking message.
The duke Christopher Markgraf’s army was defeated, and that many of the Brotherhood’s mercenaries were killed. Eugene’s heart suddenly began pounding.
‘No, is the master safe?’
Suddenly he was filled with so many unpleasant thoughts.
‘No, master is stronger than anyone. Surely, nothing has happened to him.’
Although Eugene trusted Manuel’s power, he, nonetheless, could not help but worry. Since that day, he went about inside the building, preoccupied with the thoughts of the battle field.
‘Right. I just can’t sit around and wait like this like a fool.’
Although, he came to that thought, it wasn’t easy for a 16 year old lad to go to a war. There was a low possibility that he would be accepted, even if he swaggeringly carried his sword there. In fact, he would be more likely to be beaten up and chased away. He had no idea where the duke Markgraf’s base was. The military base locations were top military secret. He thought it was roughly near Ubernile, but that was already a few months ago.
“Darn it!”
Frustrated, Eugene kicked a stone that was in the road. Individuality wasn’t important in wars. As it was a group fight, one must be part of a group.
‘I need to find a way if I am to go look for the master.’
As he was thinking about many ways to do that, a letter came from the Brotherhood.
<We, the White Wing Swordsman’s Guild of the Wolfenbuthel City, are recruiting double-paid mercenaries by the order of Duke Stuartemitte Landgraf. Should you have any available swordsmen with the level of Ritter or above at your school, please let us know. Furthermore, we are also accepting recommendations.>
‘Uh? This, wait.’
It was a very alluring letter to Eugene. On top of that, along with Duke Christopher Markgraf of Eintelhoefel, Duke Stuartemitte Landgraf of Wonlfenbuthel was supporting the grand duke Benfist. Hence, they and the Brotherhood wouldn’t be on opposing ends of two swords in the battle field, ether.
‘Isn’t this really a chance given by the gods!’
However, he was worried about the troubles that will come later.
‘Can’t do anything if I’m worried about little things.’
Finally, thinking simply about it, Eugene discretely entered the head of the school’s office that evening. Currently, all of the school head’s authorities have been delegated to the deputy head of the school. However, the deputy head of the school was not likely write up a recommendation letter on behalf of Eugene. So, cleverly, he has decided to forge a letter as there wasn’t any other way.
‘Well, this is simple.’
After opening one of the desk drawers, he took out a piece of paper as he has done it many times.
It was a paper that was used for official communications by the guild. Specially ordered from the printing shop, there on the edge of the paper were a leaf, the words of ‘St. Marco Brotherhood’, and the coat of arms of the Brotherhood which was bestowed by the emperor. Immediately, Eugene began to write down the recommendation letter in the blank space, according to the predetermined format.
<The above individual’s swordsmanship is certified by our school, therefore…..> As he has been assisting Manuel with the school’s paperwork, writing this type of recommendation letter was a piece of cake. After writing it down with a stroke of the brush, he audaciously took out the head master’s seal, and firmly stamped the letter at the bottom.
“Haha! Done!”
He happily laughed out loud, but his life would turn upside down with that single sealing of the letter. Eugene Lamert, who was a 16 year old boy this year, has become the youngest one to ever fight in ‘the fiercest war in the history, ‘the war of the golden cross.’
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