Journey of Vampire Lord
Copyright© 2025 by Vamp
Chapter 18
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.