Not a barbarian warrior.

Eugene, who had been counting the value of the spoils, raised his head at the suddenly quiet atmosphere. He was flustered when he realized that numerous people were looking at him. What’s going on? Why is everyone staring at me?

“Eugene, the Count is calling you. Pull yourself together.”

“An opportunity like this doesn’t come easily. Hurry and go!”

“…Huh?”

Eugene realized he had missed the Count’s words because he was distracted by the spoils, and broke out in a cold sweat. What did he just say? In a world where one’s head could fly off at a single word from a noble… Eugene swallowed and moved his feet.

“Go quickly. He’s calling you as the protagonist of this tournament. We’re proud of you.”

His comrades were simply congratulating him, unaware of Eugene’s inner thoughts. Eugene tried to prepare for the situation that was about to unfold, rapidly turning his thoughts. He walked towards the platform as slowly as possible, but he arrived soon anyway. Eugene knelt on one knee before the Count seated in the spectator stands.

Watching this scene, Clea anxiously asked Sir Bernard, her uncle:

“Sir Bernard… Will it be okay? It will be alright, won’t it?”

“Count Leopold is a magnanimous person. Even if it were someone covered in dirt from roaming rough fields, if they proved the nobility of their soul, he would gladly accept them.”

The dirt-covered person Bernard mentioned referred to Sir Silas. He believed that just as the Count had held an investiture ceremony for Silas, who had been a robber knight, he would bestow the same grace on Eugene.

“Ah… Right… He was that kind of person. I hope he shows such generosity to Eugene too.”

“He certainly will.”

Meanwhile, a vassal standing next to Eugene, who was kneeling on one knee, approached and whispered quietly:

“Remove your helmet to show respect to the Count.”

“…Yes. I understand.”

Eugene’s hand touching the helmet trembled very slightly. All eyes, including those of the spectators, were focused on him. The cold and heavy iron helmet was slowly lifted off. This revealed Eugene’s face, soaked in sweat. Along with his black hair and eyes.

“…!”

The vassals sitting next to the Count opened their eyes wide. Even the priest, who was always expressionless, showed signs of surprise. However, she was surprised for a slightly different reason, as if saying, ‘Why are you here?’ And the crowd, upon seeing Eugene’s appearance, began to murmur among themselves.

“Look at that, black hair and eyes… Isn’t he a barbarian?”

Someone’s quietly uttered words spread like a spark.

“It’s true… Was there someone like that among those learning swords under Sir Bernard?”

“That guy was the player who performed so well in the tournament just now? Hmm…”

Words mixed with doubt and caution spread around. Meanwhile, the vassals quietly turned their heads and exchanged glances.

‘Isn’t that a barbarian? What do we do now?’

‘Don’t cause a commotion. Let’s wait and see for now…’

The vassals kept their mouths shut, watching the Count’s reaction. They couldn’t change their words now and tell him to go back after calling him out for proving unparalleled nobility. This was an issue that could potentially damage a noble’s dignity.

‘This has become troublesome. We might need to step in at an appropriate opportunity…’

While all the vassals were thinking this way, the Count slowly stood up from his seat. He spoke in a loud voice towards the crowd below the platform:

“Honor is not something one is born with, but something one proves! This warrior from the North has proven his nobility through skill in this tournament! Therefore, he is more than qualified to stand here!”

“…!”

At this exclamation, the audience fell silent for a moment. The Count smiled and raised Eugene, who was kneeling.

“Lift your head. Your expression is dark. Brighten up your face. It’s not like you’ve committed any crime.”

“…I sincerely thank you for your generous consideration.”

Seeing Eugene trying his best to be polite, the Count smirked and asked:

“What consideration? This is nothing. What’s your name?”

“My name is Eugene.”

“Eugene… Eugene… A good name. I watched your amazing performance. Truly remarkable strength.”

“You flatter me. I still have many shortcomings.”

“Haha…! If you say that, what does that make of the Shadow of Steel led by Sir Silas?”

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

The Count patted Eugene’s shoulder and lavishly praised his skills. The vassals behind, noticing that the Count was trying to embrace even a barbarian, immediately managed their expressions. Gentle smiles bloomed on their faces as if nothing had happened.

The spectators watching this scene first looked puzzled, but gradually nodded. If Count Leopold was willing to acknowledge Eugene’s honor, who were they, mere commoners, to raise any questions?

‘Well, if the Count recognizes him…’

‘He did show an amazing performance in this tournament after all…’

Someone in the crowd cautiously began to clap. At first, it was just a small, uncertain sound, but it gradually spread around. As the atmosphere shifted this way, the Count decisively drove the point home. He tightly embraced Eugene, who was covered in sweat and dust.

Eugene, standing awkwardly, pondered as he received the Count’s embrace. Should I hug back? Or just stand still? He rolled his eyes and met the gaze of the Count’s vassals. The vassals nodded their heads up and down quickly and slightly.

As Eugene, having received the signal, hugged the Count back perceptively, another huge cheer erupted. After ending the embrace this way, the Count bestowed a reward on Eugene.

“This is a small token of appreciation for the bravery you showed in this tournament. Share it with your comrades who fought alongside you. If it were me, I’d buy some good wine with this and drink it, but I believe you’ll use it more wisely.”

At the Count’s gesture, someone brought a small box. The open box was full of gold and silver coins. The Count closed the box and handed it directly to Eugene.

“Thank you. I will use it wisely as you said, Count.”

While Eugene was realizing the weight he felt in his hands, the Count whispered quietly so that only he could hear:

“I don’t care at all about your origins. If you want to gain more honor in this land in the future, come find me later. I won’t spare any support to help you become a squire.”

“…!”

For a moment, Eugene’s eyes wavered. His offer was truly sweet. Who would have thought that a path leading to wealth and honor would come so suddenly like this… Eugene pondered for a moment.

But soon he shook his head. If he accepted the Count’s offer, he wouldn’t be able to leave the territory. He might gain comfort, but conversely, the path back to Earth would become more distant. He had to refuse. Eugene quickly thought and said:

“I sincerely thank you for bestowing such a great honor upon me. However, I am still lacking. I know I am not sufficiently qualified. So I will build up my skills further and return. When I judge that I can protect the honor, the nobility of soul that you have vouched for, I will prove my worth again at that time.”

Eugene nervously expressed his intention to refuse in a roundabout way. His heart was infinitely anxious while maintaining a serious expression. I hope he doesn’t get offended…

The Count listened to all of Eugene’s words, thought for a moment, and then laughed heartily.

“…Haha! I see, you’re not satisfied with just being a squire! You’re full of ambition. Sir Bernard is really something. I wonder where he found such a talent. Eugene, was it? Until the day you come to prove your worth again, I shall wait.”

“Thank you.”

As Eugene bowed his head, the audience applauded once again. It was in praise of the Count’s merciful inclusiveness and Eugene’s honor. With that, Carlisle’s tournament came to an end.

Immediately after the match ended, Eugene fairly divided the prize money he received from the Count among his comrades. Clea immediately headed to a shop in the blacksmith street with Eugene, carrying this money. Entering the shop, she exclaimed triumphantly:

“Did you see us crushing those cunning… no, those pathetic Steel guys? Did you see those losers’ heads getting cracked?”

“Ah, yes… I knew I could trust you… Uh, Eugene, was it? I saw your performance too. It was amazing…”

“Thank you for trusting us and lending the equipment. Here are the borrowed items and the promised rental fee.”

“Sniff… I should be thanking you. Thank you for showing us a great match, and above all, for winning.”

The shop owners shed tears of gratitude just for having their items returned safely. By the way, the Shadow of Steel, as Clea said, was now called ‘Pathetic Steel’ instead of ‘Cunning Steel’.

A few days later, there was hardly anyone in Carlisle who didn’t know Eugene’s name. The first barbarian warrior to receive an award from Count Leopold! The honorable barbarian! The barbarian with a noble soul! Such strange modifiers were even attached to his name.

Eugene, who had become a celebrity, had to wear a robe over himself every time he went out. If he revealed his face, he received all kinds of attention, and it was extremely uncomfortable when people approached to talk to him. Of course, it was better than receiving looks of caution and suspicion, but it was still uncomfortable.

Since things had come to this, Eugene decided to take a break for a while. After training in sword and magic day and night without rest, it was time to reward himself.

He was spending happy times at Lorena’s mansion, tending to the spoils he had obtained from the tournament.

“Hmm… Should I just use this? Or should I sell it and buy new equipment?”

He couldn’t estimate how many gold coins it would be if converted to money. Moreover, if he combined it with the money he already had and the prize money, it would be an even larger amount.

“Hehe… I’m rich now… Rich…”

While Eugene was creepily laughing as he polished the armor with an oiled cloth, there was a knock on the door.

“What is it?”

He got up and went out into the hallway. Could it be someone who knows I’m here and came looking for me? Eugene carefully opened the door. Then a familiar face appeared.

It was her – the one who had deliberately allowed herself to be pickpocketed in the market, and who had climbed onto the platform at the tournament to recite a prayer. With her usual impassive face, she quietly opened her mouth.

“Good morning, Brother.”

Her voice was coldly subdued, unlike the lazy sunshine.

“…What brings the Priestess here?”

“I have come to ask a favor.”

“A favor… you say?”

She took out several small pouches from her bosom. Each contained a few copper coins.

“Do you remember what these are?”

“Of course.”

Eugene remembered clearly. Those pouches were the charity she distributed to the street children of this city. They were traces of her quiet good deeds.

“…I used to make pouches like these every day and carry them around. But…”

Her lips trembled slightly.

“For the past few days, I haven’t lost a single one…”

Shadows gradually fell over her face, which had only been expressionless before.

Eugene felt something invisible wavering in her eyes.

This wasn’t simply a matter of losing pouches or not.

Something was happening in the back alleys of the city, in places beyond people’s sight.

She was the only one who had sensed this strangeness.