After spending eight days crossing mountains, fields, and various stretches of water, Eugene finally arrived in front of Maren.

“It’s big…”

Felid could not hide his astonishment. It was the same with Mirian, although she was of a different race. She could not hide her excitement.

“Now I can finally go back to the spirit world without any regrets. Even among my seniors, not many would have seen cities that are this big. Uwaah! It was the best decision of my life to follow Sir Eugeneee! My life’s been worth living!”

Mirian continued hopping around Eugene’s head and shoulders, shouting with joy and enthusiasm. Although he wasn’t as shocked as the two, Eugene was also thoroughly impressed by the greatness of the city – it was the first metropolitan city he saw. Maren was easily five or six times larger than the largest town he had seen in his previous life, a place he lived in hiding from his pursuers.

“Wh-what kind of person is the lord who rules over this city? A count? A marquis?”

“What? Hahaha!”

Partec burst into laughter at Felid’s question.

“A commercial city like Maren has no lord, young master.”

“What? Then who rules over the people of the city? Who do they pay taxes to?”

“Maren has various guilds of different professions. Grain farmers, cotton farmers, blacksmiths, and mercenaries. Most of the professions with many members will have guilds. Of course, the merchant guild holds the strongest power. Anyhow, such guilds send representatives to elect a mayor – someone from a family with deep roots.”

“A mayor? So that person is the master of the city?”

“Not the master. Once every three years, the guild leaders gather together to discuss whether the current mayor will serve a second term, or another person will be elected. And among the guilds, the merchant guild is the strongest. The amount of tax they pay is on an entirely different level. The current mayor was also strongly recommended by the merchant guild.”

“Then Maren must be centered around the merchant guild. Is the mayor from the merchant guild by chance as well?”

Partec turned towards Eugene to answer.

“The current mayor is not a merchant, but he is indeed very wealthy. He is quite influential and has good relationships with nearby lords. Oh, if you would like to see the mayor…”

“Not at all. Let’s take care of business and return.”

“Yes!”

Partec answered swiftly. During their time together thus far, he obtained a rough understanding of Eugene’s personality. The knight he decided to follow did not have much interest in power, nor did he want personal gains to suck up to a titled noble.

From Partec’s experience, such a knight usually followed one of two paths.

‘You either grab the title yourself or become a templar.’

Partec hoped Eugene would choose the former path. Thinking as such, he spoke confidently while looking back towards Eugene.

“I have some connections in the Maren guards, so we should be able to get passage without trouble. Just follow me from here on out, I guarantee it.”

***

Indeed, Partec’s words had not been a bluff. Shockingly, the group was inspected with great hospitality instead of an inspection, then guided straight to the Palin Association. It was rather surprising that the guards of such a large city would forego a formal inspection, but Eugene did not mind it.

“Oh! Partec! Welcome!”

Bilmoa spoke warmly and embraced Partec. His stomach seemed to have become larger since their previous encounter.

“Sir Eugene! It is a pleasure to see you again.”

“Nice to see you as well.”

Bilmoa greeted Eugene politely, then turned towards Felid. The young man’s gaze was constantly shifting as he marveled at the city.

“The young master of Tywin is here as well.”

“Hello.”

“Yes, yes.”

Bilmoa groveled all too naturally, then glanced towards the group’s carriage with an interested expression.

“Are those the goods, Sir Eugene? Would you mind if I took a look?”

“Go ahead.”

Bilmoa headed towards the back of the carriage with a face full of expectations, then became stunned at the sight that greeted him.

“Huh!”

He drew a sharp breath, and his mouth became agape with shock as he saw the box full of monsters’ materials.

“What are you all doing? Get to work.”

Bilmoa rubbed his palms together while the association’s workers quickly unloaded the goods.

“Sir Eugene, why don’t you come inside for now?”

“I have some business to take care of at the guild. Please take your time, Sir Eugene.”

“I will.”

Eugene and Felid entered the Palin Association as Partec’s group moved away. The merchants and workers in the nearby areas stole glimpses at their backs as the two entered the building

***

“What? The knight who opened the Tywin family’s dungeon is here?”

“Yes. Moreover, Bilmoa addressed the accompanying boy as ‘young master.’ I think he may be the bastard son of the Tywin family.”

“Hmm.”

The Palin Association’s headquarters was located in Maren. It was quite a large and prestigious organization, even advancing their business to the Carls Baggins peninsula. Priscilla, who was toying with an expensive pen while resting her other hand on her chin, was the daughter of the executive of the Palin Association’s main establishment. Although she was only in her mid-20s, she was quite competent, which was reflected in her position as the vice executive of the association.

“The knight himself came to dispose of the materials? Perhaps he’s an impersonator?”

“That cannot be true. Not only Bilmoa, but all of the mercenaries who returned after participating in the expedition are certain of his status. And some of the clerks overheard the young boy calling him ‘master.’”

“Is that so? Then he must be a real knight. This is a little strange.”

“I was surprised as well.”

The man talking to Priscilla was Grail. He was responsible for managing the personnel of the main establishment. He continued after looking around the office to make sure no one else was present.

“Maybe he’s extremely greedy for money, or he wants to start a business.”

“A knight would? Come on, that’s going too far. Then he should have used an agent since there’s no reason for him to come personally. Moreover, why would he do such a thing? If the rumor gets around that a knight is doing business, his reputation will plummet to the ground. Besides, he’s a knight who even succeeded in opening a dungeon.”

“Well, that’s true…”

Grail scratched his head with curiosity.

If one asked merchants who they hated the most, the majority would say knights. Although the aristocrats were arrogant, they often established relationships with merchant associations if their interests aligned, but it was different with knights.

Knights were only interested in battles and gaining fame, and they despised the merchants who sought wealth.

“Then why do you think he’s here?”

“Hmm.”

Priscilla thought for a moment, then soon raised her head.

“That knight. You said he accepted Lord Tywin’s bastard son as his aide, right? Perhaps he’s here to represent the Tywin family using that child.”

“Hmm?”

“On the surface, the boy will be the agent of the Tywin family, but it would actually be the knight named Jan Eugene. He’s looking for money and business, but also trying to keep his reputation as well.”

“Hooh!”

“I think it might be better if I met with him personally. Our association is on friendly terms with the Tywin, and they are probably looking for an association to take care of their mana stones and materials on a regular basis. Where is the knight now?”

“He is meeting with Bilmoa. Will you head there right away?”

“No matter how unique he is, that might come off as being rude. Ask him for his opinion and schedule us an appointment within today.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Grail’s face lit up. As always, Priscilla would surely score something big once again.

***

“Why me?”

“Sorry? W-well, if you meet with the vice executive and share a conversation, perhaps you could find a better opportunity…”

“Opportunity? What opportunity?”

Eugene asked simply out of curiosity. But Eugene emitted a cold atmosphere, and combined with his gorgeous appearance, Grail became quite flustered.

“I apologize if I offended you. I never meant to be disrespectful towards Sir Eugene.”

“If you offended me?”

Once again, Eugene asked in ignorance and puzzlement. But Grail was now afraid of the red-eyed knight.

“I-I really did not mean to offend you, sir… I apologize once again. W-well, then, I shall be on my way now. Please enjoy your time.”

Grail left less than a minute after he arrived, never even given the chance to sit down.

“Hmm?”

Eugene was confused.

The man suddenly appeared and spoke of meeting the vice executive. When Eugene asked for the reason, he became flustered and spoke of an ‘opportunity’ and randomly apologized multiple times before leaving.

‘A vice executive? Well, Bilmoa is good enough for me. Galfredik also said that it’s not good for a knight to become too deeply involved with a merchant association.’

Eugene disregarded the random encounter and turned back towards Bilmoa, who was seated in front of him.

“Hmm? What’s wrong with you?”

“I-I am deeply touched, Sir Eugene!”

“Touched?”

“I cannot believe you refused a meeting with the vice executive because you wanted to keep the faith between us. Keugh! I, BIlmoa, will work hard until my feet and hands crumble into dust!”

“…If you so desire.”

It was truly hard to understand the merchants. Eugene continued.

“So you will take care of my aide?”

“Of course! I will take responsibility and assist the young master to the best of my abilities. It’s only natural since you entrusted me with such a huge opportunity.”

“I will tell you in advance, just in case, but if I catch you doing anything behind my back or if you do something shady…”

“That, don’t worry! Although I may be a little bit behind in terms of performance, I swear to you that I have never done anything dishonest when dealing with customers. Precision and transparency! I will continue to honor the dealings with the Tywin family and Sir Eugene.”

“All right. I will trust you.”

Obviously, Eugene did not fully trust Bilmoa and the Palin Association.

But Partec spoke of their reliability. In the first place, it would have been difficult for them to obtain a license in a commercial city like Maren unless they were credible and had a sufficient history. That was why Partec recommended the Palin Association to Eugene, regardless of his ties to Bilmoa.

“Well, master, then I…”

“You will be staying here. You and this man will be taking care of all the mana stones and the monster by-products from the Tywin family’s dungeon. So you will need to learn the ropes for the time being.”

“…..!”

Felid was finally able to realize the exact meaning behind the words Eugene spoke when they left the Rose Castle. His master was trying to provide him with a new opportunity – a chance for him to proudly do his part.

Eugene misunderstood Felid’s surprised expression, then hastily spoke.

“You have to do it even if you don’t want to. It’s better than living while being bullied by your second brother in the castle. Since you are my aide, no one will dare to touch a single hair on you here. I already spoke with Lord Tywin as well.”

“Ayah! Of course, of course! Who would dare to mistreat the young master, especially when he’s representing Sir Eugene and the Tywin family? I will take responsibility and…”

“I will do my best! Master!”

Felid bowed deeply and spoke with tears in his eyes.

“I cannot believe you provided me with such an opportunity after saving me. I really… I will live and die for my master!”

“…..”

Eugene wondered what was wrong with the kid, but he just nodded. Mirian’s voice snaked its way into Eugene’s ears.

“Now you’ve completely mastered the art of seduction? I heard from my seniors that vampires are natural con artists and destroyers of families – the true undead seductors. I guess they were right after all.”

***

“He said he would not see me?”

“Yes, yes. He was glaring at me and asking me why he should meet with you, and I was almost scared to death. He seemed to have quite the temper.”

Grail reported back to Priscilla with his own interpretation of events, and Priscilla, unaware of the truth, frowned.

“Is it because he considers himself an outstanding knight? Since he’s succeeded in opening a dungeon, perhaps a vice executive like me isn’t sufficient to even catch his eye. What did Mister Bilmoa say?”

“He was silently sitting on the side without making a squeak. That knight’s surely got a firm hold over him. Perhaps the knight has some dirt on him?”

“Hmm. Despite his poor performance, Mister Bilmoa isn’t the type of person to get cornered like that. Are you sure you were being polite when you asked? You specifically told him I wanted to see him?”

“Yes. I’m telling you. Although I made a small mistake at the end, I didn’t say anything offensive when I delivered the message. All knights are truly…”

Grail started to vent his anger towards the knight, but Priscilla cut him off by waving her hand.

“That’s enough. Please find out what the sir knight needs first.”

“What?”

“Sigh! He’s a knight, right? Weapons, armor, horse, whatever! Do you think a knight goes around naked? And you told him he came here without a horse, right? Then… Ah!”

Priscilla came to a realization while speaking, then spoke while snapping her fingers.

“Search for a war horse. One with pedigree.”

“That will not be difficult, but why… Ahhh!”

Grail exclaimed after belatedly recognizing her intentions. Priscilla gave a mysterious smile while speaking.

“No matter how arrogant or hot-tempered they are, there aren’t any knights who dislike horses. He’s going to be a long-term client, so don’t you think we need to show him some courtesy by giving him a gift?”

“Truly a brilliant solution, Vice Executive!”