Chapter 245: The Mage’s Wish (1)
vlElArtem had said the name Yuri Briol, and so, the hikers found out who he was.yUrLwC
w5kNBUEmbarrassed, Yuri came up with an excuse and quickly descended, but what had happened at the summit of Mount Zenel was something he couldn’t hide, no matter how much he wanted to.xIAp
Y8VlWThe story of Saint Artem’s ascension spread by word of mouth, and with the reappearance of his role as “the Baptist,” rumors spread that Yuri was an apostle chosen by divine will.ZQx3k6U
gmsYuri was already a famous figure in his own right.TTL
HuFBut now, with the Power of the Tyrant King complete and a religious miracle behind him, his fame skyrocketed.naU
VVw30AsIt was then that Yuri Briol declared to the continent:D4hjzmM
wvj“The Empire is ruled by black magic, a malevolent power, and performs forbidden rituals such as human sacrifice as if they were normal! Briol will not allow it. The Holy Kingdom, Brusen, Liberta, and the Central Union of Small Kingdoms have united to condemn the Empire.”OODGg
JpoIt was the first time someone had officially mentioned the Empire’s connection to black magic.zIvnMT4
qrzoaYuri’s warning was published in newspapers across the continent, making the existence of black magic common knowledge.5gz8hP
JVz7w1But the Empire remained silent.F4Mdh
pC4c5Some didn’t believe Yuri’s words.zsGLoBR
lDJ6cq“Isn’t that black magic stuff just made up?”XpZjqf
gYf“If it really existed, don’t you think someone would’ve said something before?”UhN
ubur“The mage in our region says there’s no such thing.”9szL
40E“Magic is magic, what’s this about black magic? Is it a novel or something?”C52eSs
rzlMentions of black magic sparked countless debates.GDUy
RZZAnd since it was such a major issue, the attention of the continent turned to one place.KLSAFef
NtseaFAThe Magic Tower.HJbN
1i9LZezIt was the highest authority on everything related to magic. The cradle of mages, their school, their home.tKU
2BS1etAnd yet, the Master of the Magic Tower did not appear.BmIDk
VHB***lUPte8V
ilOEYuri was scolding Hernando.n3cV
xMW“Hey, didn’t you say you’d find him any moment now? So what the hell are you doing?”AAVYsv
R6wIO“Well, um… mmm…”gpr0
Otzd“Where the hell is that supposed Master of the Tower?”W4mM
w38hQ0“I don’t know.”JU5A
rekT“Hernando!”3L9mSS
G5EI68“Find him already!”pcfts
1zaEiyHernando flinched, widened his eyes, and stepped back.pCe
k4Cr6“Why are you so explosive lately?”NBwHwx
qJOggG“That’s how people get when they’re successful!”ejc8
bTLIa6“Ah… really?”9s2xTE1
wugLN“If it bothers you, become famous yourself!”DRah
HE6wq78“U-understood…”XTO5I
EoEn5aCYuri was, at that moment, the most famous figure on the continent.SK28v
CcsBefore, not everyone recognized him on the street. But now, with so many portraits of him circulating, he couldn’t walk the streets with his face uncovered.pUvoJ
UIiQVHe leaned back in his chair and murmured.O3J
FJC7“With just a word from the Master of the Tower, the Empire would be cornered.”gTzan4T
rmbXThe current situation was very promising.CZJC2A
I03xTgFIn his past life, the nations of the continent responded to the chaos in a disorganized way and ended up being destroyed by the Empire.9Rq
wz5xBut this time, they all shared the same concern over the Empire’s rise.4enZ
0g4FIn addition to the four countries allied with Briol and the Union of Small Kingdoms, many other nations had sent envoys to discuss potential measures.0mEEp
v8bp7cThe whole continent was watching the Empire with suspicion. And for some reason, the Empire still remained silent.SsE
5PtYuri wanted to seize that opportunity to strike a definitive blow, even by mobilizing the Master of the Tower.r3TZP6v
bcexx“But that guy won’t show up. Could something have happened to him?”NRhpCkB
pi0Tn“Impossible. If anything happened to the Master of the Tower, the entire institution would know.”egL
7h1utn“Then how the hell does no one know where someone that important is?”Mlyz
W1U“That… I couldn’t tell you.”zyUhc
xdg0G“Ugh…”vjKXk
nWmFYuri raised his head, and a waiter immediately rushed over.JESb
S9gdw“Would you like something?”bR6
UPkVC“A beer, please.”3LpZo
9TkO“Right away!”lqO
J0ZYuri and Hernando were seated in a tavern in Briol’s capital. Since his face wasn’t covered, a huge crowd had gathered just to see him.uLLhlCc
pHqHowever, as a member of royalty, no one dared to get too close, and everyone simply watched him from afar without making a scene.nt5m931
nszPaThe only one delighted with the situation was the tavern owner.hK7Ta
D5ov“So, Sir Hernando, you’re telling me you can’t do the job I asked. Is that how you’re going to admit your incompetence?”TeXLWd
5N3X“If you put it that way… I suppose so.”5x1yY4a
aHT2fP2“Useless!”s8jX8
g0Y“Your Highness, there are many people watching, you should moderate your words…”vaZC8Iq
aBWja“Oh yeah?”6q1bY
fSV“Of course.”eJCNtkJ
cin2N“Then watch this.”x0c4n
Ddmz7Yuri slammed the table and stood up. Instantly, every eye turned to him.o0lKePI
FM9fHe stared at Hernando with blazing eyes, but as if he couldn’t yell freely, he simply muttered firmly.KVP
begs2bp“Fucking useless…”wxy
d3y5He didn’t say it loudly, but his tone was clear enough to echo throughout the tavern.Ukk
coghLAnd his words didn’t go unnoticed.SXZ
LSZNo one criticized Yuri. On the contrary, everyone began to scold Hernando as if they had witnessed the same failure.vdwNc
66fA“That guy must be the incompetent one.”G7c4atg
pbHdt“How dare he upset His Highness?”wiO2we
udUyh4“He looks useless.”2OX9
HlQKt“Damn useless!”Ccyl
cOG2RO“That guy is an incompetent now. Let’s call him that, the Incompetent.”QdenIF5
3p497h“The Incompetent drinking with His Highness… How kind His Highness is.”qhCJ
9YU2In an instant, public opinion was manipulated by Yuri.Elxv0U
MHE1aMjHernando opened his mouth.W78
LMpyz“No way…”F3v3Vs
uvjfcU“Told you. If it bothers you, get famous.”mgyQ
lv33Dwq“In my whole life, I’ve never been called incompetent. I, Hernando, am a genius recognized by the Magic Tower…!”5X7pj
mU181M“Fine. Then tell me, where is the Master of the Magic Tower?”o2iB
ics“I don’t know.”pSv9Hp
1iw6“Useless.”Rgcr
Bv5SI“Ggh…”ndTR80
ehpBHernando bit his lip.upxfE
LQSDbYuri’s words weren’t entirely wrong. Hernando felt a sting of shame.hixlU1
Zo9The Grand Sorcerer still hadn’t found the Master of the Tower. In other words, he hadn’t managed to dismantle the spell cast by that Master.PBXb
Dxm9gC“Maybe he’s right. Maybe I really am just useless…”cdBYYb
cBhid“Seeing you wallow in self-pity is even sadder.”bdJjNyv
sd0I2N“Useless and pathetic…”GEW
ybtIfkHernando slumped his head on the table. Immediately, the crowd started murmuring again.eVGuYfq
0dY9FI“How dare he act like that in front of His Highness!”a1S0nA
TN3YfXy“Useless, pathetic… and even rude!”MD83oG
vdd“Who is that? What’s he doing here?”hSsm
4P92“That His Highness even protects him… He’s truly admirable…”QAbY
OVcRHA normal person would’ve been overwhelmed by such irrational devotion.j3JKb
ZCrd3SBut Yuri didn’t care about others’ opinions, so he just shrugged. Whether praise or criticism, he used them as tools.ht6OX1
jdYQa8lAt that moment, he was using his fame to reprimand Hernando.AlT
T1lSurrounded by the crowd’s scorn, Hernando muttered with a trembling voice.CTXZq
lje“Don’t tell me… you summoned me to the capital just for this…?”bjW
5BmnS“You just figured that out?”uQul1Og
s7IR6tt“You’re terrifying…!”yaGpSSf
P9bFMUtJust then, a stir broke out at the tavern’s entrance, and people began stepping aside.pM1J
W2BlkYuri and Hernando looked over.pY4Y9
KPuM6aJIt wasn’t fame or status that made people part.W03D
R1wIt was beauty.VRc9n0
j32kRMaryrose Antret.IdpCO
grKwCThe mage from Valshard approached Yuri and Hernando.Io7fl
F7M2KShe wasn’t wearing her usual elegant dress, but rather comfortable clothes to move around in.ncosVS
ECUaBut her beauty couldn’t be hidden, and the citizens didn’t dare block her path.3MXc
Y0VMaryrose walked naturally through the crowded tavern interior. She stopped beside them, smiled enigmatically, and looked at Yuri.gB7FE
2SVThh“Your Highness. There you are.”DKWLA3t
FRMr“Yes.”yK5u
LYGtqhE“Shall we go?”eGa
orzn“Let’s.”rBZ5d
CoL2NY“Because of this incompetent Hernando, Your Highness has had to suffer…”VC9Rx
IuN“That’s right.”61UdJw
UcAtSV“Hey, Maryrose! You’re also with—”ecNBc
cTHaWts“Shut your mouth.”jBa
NT7qp8cMaryrose raised a finger to stop Hernando and continued.Qb8uX
RtU5“With this incompetent’s magical capacity, it’s clear he can’t find the Master of the Tower. There’s no other option but for Your Highness to go in person. Maybe that’s exactly what that person wants.”tdW8b
NmB1f5AYuri nodded.ZJFZg
AWFRD0“Yes. Since I don’t have a single reliable subordinate, once again I have to make a move.”nVlwxzI
jNIUhIh“What a pity for Your Highness. Surrounded by such useless people…”iqS
pU60gHernando retorted indignantly.5mu
rvI6nl“If you put it that way, aren’t you also one of those unreliable subordinates?”SKJ
TurwYuri shook his head.1bJC
KS9E“Maryrose is not my subordinate.”pr5Mo4v
UtLXM“Then what is she?”jwoo
Tgro8J7“Maryrose is…”NbX1UV
Scv4Before Yuri could finish, she quickly responded.bpg
K0N“A companion.”OGPI8
bNnHernando looked at Yuri, surprised. He, who was about to say “collaborator,” coughed and nodded.gJ4
or7plJ“Well, it’s the same thing.”CnE8r6E
Hhj“You see, Sir Hernando? You are a subordinate. I am a companion. So as a subordinate, accept your incompetence.”zzxb
Dkh“I already had before you arrived…”FQmJrRV
ycCaaRHernando sighed deeply.i5d6K
hQum“Alright. Let’s go to the Tower. I don’t know if anything will change just because Your Highness goes… But let’s go. If it doesn’t work, Your Highness will be an incompetent too.”E4U9
FCgBI“Me?”SBis
aR2g2vqYuri stood up and said.gTWGYL
7ztqlPG“Hernando. At this moment, there’s nothing I’m not willing to do.”3nOul5
e6ice“How surprising.”Rut2
EyuD4“Do you think I’ll just let it slide if it doesn’t work? As if it doesn’t matter?”z7AJrA
V5YPS7RSomething flashed in Yuri’s eyes.yt5QWxL
i18“I’m not playing. I’m not going to politely wait for that so-called Master to be persuaded. That’s not the attitude to fight the Empire with.”DVO
IDtFNHe still remembered the battles of his past life.nsbNxu
naUxlHe had no intention of showing leniency. Nor did he plan to wait forever for others’ approval.fTEG4a
l4XIf the Master of the Tower didn’t come out, Yuri planned to tear the Tower down until he did.NLGr
oBUih8If that’s what it took to prevent the tragedy and face the Empire, he would do it without hesitation.pZCE8l
NnDSKFighting black magic, to Yuri, meant that.NKiH53F
PLfoIc“Let’s go.”zffGEoV
BFVUs“Already?”nNiU43O
nhzQ“I told you. I don’t have time.”67Y
5FgTXE“But you sure drank…”85tls
VbpfeO0“That was fuel.”MX5DGwv
MuUitCvWith a smile, Yuri downed the remaining beer in one gulp, left some coins on the table, and stood up abruptly.kta2
xsKuUcpUpon leaving the tavern, a dozen knights were already waiting on horseback.kSa
1jG6OYIt was the Order of Vengeance.gXm0
tjVThey had been waiting there from the start.OvtbJQD
mUq65iYuri was the first to mount his horse, and the knights followed instantly. It was a simple action, but with impeccable discipline.PAAiaXY
4L0DiO3“His Highness and the Order of Vengeance…!”BiT5Lb
ApY“Wow…!”jZjc7
QaxME“How impressive!”S3Vp4
IGw“Are they the ones from the rumors…?”Ag8E6G
Ldu9KCPeople watched in awe. Some even applauded.i7TGXXz
pXm4NJared, who came out after Hernando, gave him a smile.f3nQLd
cPJHS“Well, did you enjoy your punishment, Sir Hernando?”n7I010J
fmRP7Po“Yeah, well… something like that.”bn3jvn
DtA“Let’s go.”gvMyNu
ThxMaryrose and Hernando mounted as well.BO7
QMjpUWhile Yuri took the reins, Jared joked.Pfhxc
jSS“Your Highness. Isn’t riding drunk a crime?”80vYYfg
fDGHUeC“I’m above the law.”uJAwI
5rjPu9V“Hahahaha…”WnCMrG3
zL4oB“Let’s go.”mvSIl
M9viN“Yes, sir!”zYjzTC7
2gC5Yuri and the Order of Vengeance rode swiftly through the capital streets.dufU20
8nLpOXThere was also a Tower of Magic in Briol.W4LH
oOEWIt wasn’t very large, but all the Towers were interconnected.EaILx
xrkH8YYuri and the Order of Vengeance were headed to the fief of Ainzer Yustam, Matehorn.WmIVc
JNQD94N***4KA
UQjRNews of Yuri’s arrival had already spread, so the castle gates were open.PkmYi
1VcUovhWhile Yuri conversed with Ainzer Yustam, who had come out to receive him, the Order of Vengeance exchanged tense glances with the knights of Matehorn.EhK
VRnAfter all, when sword-bearers lock eyes, friction is common.0n4
Hup1DHThough there were exceptions.KIklSex
UshyfFC“Why are they looking at me like that? Hehehe…”RX0
A5pITirbo, with his awkward demeanor, scratched his head. Even Jared, who was usually laid-back, sighed.pYe4
X66DuHe truly didn’t seem like the heir of a prestigious count family.VuD
MgOE“Sir Tirbo.”vLiAAOW
GktxTLm“Yes?”VAyP
irbgQ6r“Show a more dignified knightly demeanor, please.”KQGG1z
zURk“What’s a knightly demeanor?”DoJ9A
Oug6tC“Raise your chin, open your eyes wide and look straight ahead. And don’t smile like that. If you smile, they’ll underestimate you.”r7usR
emE73H9“But His Highness is always smiling…”bJO
Y0Zh“His Highness doesn’t smile, he sneers.”UVJ
YCaTR“T-then I’ll sneer too. Like this, right?”O8QLuf
o7bOu“Don’t. You look like an idiot.”nkVC9e
7hK“Yes, sir…”cUiL
Bup“They’re already pointing fingers at you!”IGtnvs
Ubi1WSC“I’m really sorry…”4s2
dvmpAOf course, there were also knights in Matehorn who had fought alongside them in the battle of Bezos.fXG8c
cKOWDThey greeted Jared and the rest of the Order of Vengeance warmly. But a group of unknown knights continued to glare at them with hostility.39Qc
ybOl5CJared asked.nOXFT7
uhEO“Who are those guys that keep staring at us?”MIk
236pd“Ah, those…”NsY9
rfc75A middle-aged knight who had been in Bezos gave an awkward smile.XoFeKZr
ao68iGb“Have you heard of Parsent?”h9T
pxdDT“Parsent? The territory with the Parsent Knight Academy?”Zt64q
vZ5JTDC“Yes.”rnz
BPKF9TParsent was a region located on the outskirts of the Empire, famous for its knight training academy. It was one of the top three breeding grounds for the Empire’s military elite.PDkhJ
1NevQf“Matehorn has an agreement with them. It regularly sends knights there.”gpHJi
tCWl“So…?”anqbXHE
e6mW“That’s right.”LVo
6YgZAThe middle-aged knight smiled wryly.MtjW5bf
gktfm0T“They’re knights trained abroad, in the Empire.”Exf
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