Golden Cross: Chapter 7
Chapter 7. Now, I Place My Life in Your Hands (1)
Eugene truly thought that Myrus’ visit to the Black Regiment was because of him.
“Hahaha. All the military folks are the same. Although the regiment commander is a king to us, even he reacts the same way when his superior pays a visit.”
An elder soldier murmured as if to make light fun of the situation, and laughter broke out around him. Myrus Landgraf relayed his greetings to the troops all around. He was a man of high stature, even among the aristocrats, but as he was down to earth, all the troops smiled.
“Thank you. My lord.”
“I hope your injured arm will heal soon.”
Then as Landgraf said something to the regiment commander, the commander soon looked over to where Eugene was.
And a group of people, including the regiment commander, Landgraf and his chiefs of staff were coming towards Eugene. Even if he was a good natured person, it was still a difficult situation for the troops around Eugene.
“Oops! Why are they coming over here?”
Before anything else, an old timer soldier took some wine and meat, which were by him, and subtly left the area.
The rest of the soldiers, unfortunately, lost the opportunity to do the same. Eugene, however, maintained his audacious posture.
“Hey, you.”
However, as Myrus Landgraf approached him with a smile on his face, he immediately stood up to attention. He did act indifferently once, but he couldn’t act the same way in that situation. After all, the man was the one of the highest aristocrats of the empire, and he was nobody compared to him.
“How are you sir. My lord.”
“Hahahaha. It’s so hard to see you.”
“My apologies. As there would be pressing issues which would need your attention, I, a lowly servant, couldn’t even think of paying my lord a visit.”
The ambience turned strange as the people around them saw their meeting develop. It sounded as if Eugene has been dissing Landgraf’s calling. The people began to look at Eugene with a different set of eye glasses. Some were impressed with his skills which even Landgraf envied, and some others even thought that, perhaps, Eugene was an aristocrat.
“For someone with the talents that you have, it is I who has to make time to see you.”
Based on Myrus’ comment, Eugene knew that the situation was developing as he wanted it to pan out. Soon, he would propose an offer with better terms.
“I’m speechless, your graciousness.”
“Well, let’s do a lunch tomorrow? How about it?”
Eugene answered positively, and Landgraf nodded in satisfaction. And then remembering the reason for his visit here, he shouted to the crowd.
“Troops of the empire! The central command will not forget the achievement of the Black Regiment the other day. Hence, we have decided to offer 6 gold coins to every member of the regiment!”
With the surprise gift, there broke out cheers from everywhere.
“Long live Landgraf!”
“Long live Myrus Landgraf!”
Landgraf raised his hand in response to the troops’ cheers.
“And the central command has been made aware of one soldier having achieved great things.”
Suddenly, everyone’s attention was turned to Eugene. There wouldn’t be anyone who did not know who Landgraf was referring to. Eugene cleared his throat, feeling embarrassed, not knowing what to do as all the attention was focused on him. Leon, who was next to him, quietly laughed as he looked at Eugene.
“Everyone, give applause to Eugene who showed tremendous bravery!”
With those words from Landgraf, thundering applause ensued.
“Whoaaaaa!”
“Eugene! Eugene!”
There came sounds of chanting his name from everywhere. And Eugene received 20 gold coins, as his reward, from Landgraf.
The double-paid mercenaries were tasked to do multitude of things as if they could be called omnipotent soldiers. Not only did they attack the enemy’s long spearmen, they also charged, in the maneuver called the assault of ‘lost hope’, at the trenches where the enemy gunners were dug in. On top of that, they worked as VIP body guards, escorted gunners and sorcerers, and carried out defensive maneuvers for the military flag/spirit as well as the choke points. They were a military unit which carried out every sort of tasks, but at the same time, that was also the clear proof that the double-paid mercenaries’ capabilities were that much outstanding.
After the battle, Eugene has, now, been selected out of the Black Regiment and was tasked to protect the safety of the important commanders. The generals who were in dangers of being assassinated did not leave Eugene, who was a provost, alone. Of course, Myrus’ intervention was very influential in this process.
For his new task of providing protection, Eugene was promised a lot of gold in return. The risks have been reduced, but the reward has grown.
‘Can’t get hurt before I go out to search for my master.’
Also, his unit has chosen Ubernile, where Manuel and the Brotherhood’s troops were supposedly positioned, as their destination. At the news of Christopher Markgraf, being pushed into a corner at the battle of Ubernile, Stuartemitte Landgraf and Myrus Landgraf have decided to provide reinforcements.
‘At this pace, I should be able to meet with my master soon.’
He was happy as the situation was moving in his way of thinking. As he was walking elatedly, something unfamiliar was shaking from his chest. They were two beautiful wheel-lock pistols, which he had received from Landgra,f as gifts. When the trigger was pulled, the iron pyrites would hit the iron plate that once a bullet was placed in advance, there was no need for fusing.
‘Should get familiar with shooting firearms, also.’
Eugene thought a lot about things as he walked with his two-hand-held sword around his shoulders. In fact, Eugene was fully aware of the power of guns, but he was not able to realize its full potential. However, seeing many experienced swordsmen, who had over 10 years of training under their belts, fall like leaves in the last battle, his thoughts evolved. So, Eugene was carrying a pair of guns around in the hoist that crisscrossed his chest.
Those items might not have been something that he would feel good about, but, now, his thoughts have changed completely.
“The White Force led by that bastard Malian is said to be positioned in Peiheim.”
“Stubborn bastards. I’ve heard that the losses they suffered in the previous battle have already been recouped.”
Since he was providing protection to the commanders, he could naturally hear their conversations. As a result, Eugene was one of the rare soldiers who had the benefit of knowing exactly what was going on. Based on what he has heard, it appeared that Malian Landgraf and his allies have recovered, somewhat, from the previous defeat. He heard that they have been wandering around the territory, looting and putting together mercenaries from wherever they could. Naturally, the territories that have joined the Blue Force have suffered, and at this rate, it was possible that they could leave the Blue Force, as well. It was necessary to eliminate Malian Landgraf and his allies as soon as possible.
Hence, the unit that Eugene was part of has also increased its forces, and they were chasing after Malian Landgraf for a battle.
“But, have you heard? My lord.”
“What is it? Barron.”
“Countess Eva has been captured alive by the enemy in the battle a week ago.”
“What? By Countess Eva, you mean the daughter of the dead Leopold Landgraf of Roidenponsk?”
Since Landgraf was a member of the dukes, if a woman rose to the status of a Landgraf then she was just simply called a duchess.
“Yes. After the Landgraf has died unnaturally, his unwed daughter had inherited the territory. It had been a great feat for a woman to struggle in solitary and lead her own military, but she has lost in the end and was captured alive by Malian Landgraf.”
Even at a single glance, they were heavy gunners who would charge towards the enemy as they fired their guns, wearing armor suits. Around their waists, they had backswords, and were wearing boots that came up to their knees.
“Come. These are my trusted staff, so you don’t need to be concerned.”
Myrus Landgraf said as he sensed Eugene’s watchful eyes.
“Come, sit here.”
He sat down first, and asked Eugene to join him. Immediately, a nearby on-duty orderly gave offered wine to Eugene.
“This wine is made from the grapes harvested two years ago in Andalucía of the Caspian Empire. It is a flavorful wine that cannot be made in our empire.”
Landgraf took the first taste of the win. Although he didn’t know much about wine, after tasking it, Eugene thought that the flavor and aroma were as excellent as Landgraf said.
“I’m wondering what made you summon me.”
If he has called on him who was a mercenary then there was some task that he wanted to get done.
“……”
As Landgraf hesitated, it must not have been an easy task.
“Please. If it is seemed to be too difficult, I’d turn it down.”
“If you put it in those terms. Alright. By any chance, do you know of Eva Gible Pon Danemark? She is the duchess of Rodenponsk and the daughter of the emperor’s treasurer Leopold Danemark.”
“I would not know the family relations of high aristocrats. However, I, too, have ears, and heard that the duchess has been captured alive as a prisoner.”
With hardened facial expression, Myrus nodded.
“That’s right. It seems that the Malian Landgraf who was defeated in the last battle against us had looted Roidenponsk as they were retreating. If she had been an ordinary woman, she would have either run or hidden, but she had, in fact, fought against him.”
Langraf then sighed for a minute.
“That bravery was good to a certain point, but she is now a captured prisoner. The Malian’s military has her custody. People from Roidenponsk are asking them to name the price for her release, but Malian is refusing to let her go.”
“Then there seems to be only one way for me to resolve it.”
“That’s right. That’s why I called on you, rather than an aristocrat or merchants who have a lot of money or power. A swordsman with a sword, that is.”
Eugene has accepted Myrus’ assignment. Now, he had to use force to rescue the prisoner duchess Eva Danemark.
“A swordsman with a sword.”