Chapter 246: The Mage’s Wish (2)
FcGmNw“Was that what happened?”23I
F2tZXWhen Yuri returned after finishing his talk with Ainzer, Jared told him about the altercation between the knights earlier.vIo
LIHX1Yuri nodded.W31U
kLfUS“You said they were knights who studied in the Empire?”PQ8A9TZ
zYB4“Yes.”GeUz
btZxH“Perfect.”xgz
7OYSL“Excuse me?”5t86ZII
yIAKHowever, Yuri showed no discomfort.A0oz5
0SSU“If it’s something good, we should take it. The Empire’s Knight Academies are better structured than those in Briol. We could adopt a new training system through them.”cVPfA
6YbR38“That may be true, but they were picking a fight.”o8Bpl6f
dfI“Isn’t that normal for a knight?”hA7e
Ql9o“Doesn’t it anger you? Those guys, despite you publicly denouncing the Empire for using black magic, since they fed from the same imperial hand, now show hostility. They think they’re imperial knights!”pnqWw
CmEC69“Jared. They simply don’t know. You can’t punish ignorance.”T1p4
VoQLbyj“That doesn’t sound like something you’d say…”HPtq1Jk
6Q7“I forgive ignorance. But not incompetence!”auScGc
Cy1LHernando, who had been listening silently, flinched and looked at Yuri.jG9kAx
YcXMaryrose pointed at him with her finger, laughing.qCmoYuI
4JjW“Ignorance and incompetence! Having both is the worst!”vxKl
SXPThen Yuri pointed at Tirbo.bFxYO
o3T7B“Tirbo!”ZSiae9
Muuo“Yes!”sw0QY
3FD17“You’re going to be the one to make them taste humiliation. Understood?”ybvtcZ
XTdKMs“Humiliation? Um… how?”kpNJL
CXP“You just have to defeat them with your sword.”AnS9dWj
DwQDwTirbo opened his eyes wide in surprise and tilted his head. Then he scratched his neck with a somewhat goofy expression and said,IAN9Kli
waQj5“But… is it really humiliating for a weak knight to lose to a strong one? Hehe…”g6EZy
EFc2WQ3At his carefree comment, Jared clutched his chest as if his heart had been stabbed.9EH
baEp“Kh…!”PK4
fnK8n“Do you feel it, Jared?”5usEDK
v5NJt“Yes. Damn it… it’ll be the greatest humiliation of their lives as knights.”fAHHgc
ZF7Id“Exactly.”227O
18dfTirbo still didn’t quite get it.AJsYD6H
b5e“Tirbo. Have you studied abroad?”vqfmKov
BUr3u“No. Hehe…”nbk9oW
AzZJBqu“Any expensive private swordsmanship tutor?”VS9Oj
cm3U“No. Should I have one?”nJ0U
NlA“Then how did you learn?”LITU
xcFO“I just bought swordsmanship manuals at a bookstore and…”yMp
CUe“See?! We’ll use this Tirbo to make the difference in talent clear.”ss1
blK6Hgj“Hehe…”CuIi5
J1CbAnd yes.zbz3
zhFmngrTirbo was a genius.Pedo
tmuNot on Yuri’s monstrous level, but while others took private lessons or studied at imperial academies, he had reached his current level by reading books and training on his own.EggAH
nOQAdz“The son of a count learned on his own?”QixYr
FRufHw“My family isn’t famous for its swordsmanship…”6cKx8
KRdRm“The House of Romance has a good head, but it’s not known for using swords.”UM82Uv
TXJ1JF“A good head? Are you joking?”oYdCdJ
W0OcThe House of Romance, to which Tirbo belonged, wasn’t recognized for martial prowess. That’s why he was considered an oddity even within his family.iJTi8vz
4JJblTirbo smiled confidently, though it didn’t inspire much.5ZbC
J5i“Sir Jared, I’m smart. Hehe…”ruIfhV9
Vrf“Don’t lie.”kLg89
SiZ“It’s true.”kEb
X9MYI“Are you serious?”ApP
vFF“Yes.”ywG
ZczFjs“Alright, you…”yhiTrzo
nPfIh0RJared asked,QIdZl7h
ZpJW“How much is 24 times 56?”xbYjyz
32jXjZ4“1,344.”JK4xwUf
UbsNTThe answer came before Jared finished speaking. His eyes shook.ND9W
ZRIG8“18 times 75?”JIu
Cs0“1,350.”TaC
yeSHxTirbo’s face remained calm.lwGMZks
Dx3VgJared, looking incredulous, threw another problem.C6xiI4
cNvS6yn“144 times 754?”bSoFNqL
wLwWUss“108,576.”8ZfWBN
xAf0fv9“441 times 553?”8qSZngO
KzA“243,873.”aFLi
tOsn“Are you answering seriously? You’re not just throwing random numbers, right?”d2S
EaVI7“You can check it.”fRE4um
RGjW“This brat…!”4FL15AM
f5aHJared tried writing the calculations on paper, but forgetting the exact numbers he had said, he crumpled it in frustration.gr2xX7
V8r5GTirbo kindly reminded him,Icyl2
DIn“You said 144 times 754, and 441 times 553. My answers were 108,576 and 243,873…”IoBdW
HQ7SO“Shut up!”4aN
OgT“Hehe…”4Chs5PY
FZ04Seeing that scene, Yuri slowly nodded.wrpw
wxBCWEverything made sense.rkk
gYOYuri spoke.2Zs4lP
SVI“Jared. Why do you think those who studied abroad looked at you with hostility?”03h
m86d“Because they don’t like me?”Wkv
CnVRb“Not wrong, but if you dig deeper, it’s because of desire.”rca
5rF5mc0“Desire?”oD4
TzK6x“Human beings desire to prove their superiority.”GlcsoJ
G6J8“That’s true.”ted3
qb0RqT“If it turns out the Empire has been corrupted by black magic as I claim, then those knights who pride themselves on being from Parcent will be seen as trash. That’s why they want to refute me. And that feeling is projected toward you and yours.”jLzzJ
uf0TPGN“I see.”ZvaZZIc
wrmg“It’s a trait common to all humans.”3O4yYH
qsgPYuri patted Tirbo’s shoulder.b9sxhw
odYF3k“I want to use that. Humiliation comes later. For now, we’ll use their desire.”XsDW9p5
GANdN“Use their desire?”vo1L
Yny“With that desire… we’ll stir the magician’s desire.”0zVJBz
i5acym“Excuse me?”tSqxJp
uSDfL***13E
wE9OMqbYuri asked Ainzer for permission and summoned the knights who had studied abroad.dap
vTZDRSince they sent people every year, the group had grown considerably. The Order of Vengeance had about fifteen people, including Yuri, Hernando, and Maryrose, but when all the graduates from the Parsent Knight Academy were gathered, the number doubled.UcciG
QkckwEven so, the Order of Vengeance showed no tension at all.2fFzw
LIl“Why did you call us?”MsPc7J
zGJohOne of the knights who had studied in the Empire stepped forward and asked. Even with Yuri—now famous across the continent—in front of him, his attitude was blatantly insolent.zlGA3nF
PvFTYjFrom behind, the members of the Order of Vengeance reacted irritably.kQ43ZQ
UYXXtrN“Hey, watch your attitude.”FzTx
mTxDn“My attitude? If something’s wrong with it, why don’t you explain it clearly?”EZi2Scn
7Ap8Uc2“This idiot…”c2h
VitdQoYuri calmed them with a gesture, then put on a friendly smile.G8hx0jH
ESO“I called you because you studied in the Empire. You’re all from Parsent, right?”Y6G38
xkz“That’s right.”uVgD90G
KkS“Well… I have a little problem…”1NIv
xjcrYuri put on an uncomfortable expression.rHK
b00“The thing is…”7FN9wiL
jW9Then he mimicked a gesture he had learned from watching Tirbo—scratching his neck while leaving his mouth slightly open. That single action was enough to completely dissolve the arrogant atmosphere that usually surrounded him, making him look clumsy and naïve.UoYsd
5DlmWithout going so far as to laugh like Tirbo, Yuri kept that pose and continued,WJ6E1L
UJpTTz“I-I thought it would be good if those who studied in the Empire could help me a little…”SLZ
boo7SO“Oh, I see. Hahaha…”1AkV
yMqSeeing Yuri imitate Tirbo, the imperial knights instinctively felt superior.9X2pkb
OUOOyY“Well, leave it to us. We can help you. Problems in the Empire can only be understood by those who have lived there.”QET
qO5“Thank you. The master of the Magic Tower hasn’t agreed to meet us. I want you to go and talk to him. Tell him the Empire is using black magic.”PhZ
oNrWujF“Black magic?”vLP
JSyU5The knights looked at each other, then smiled and nodded.iAjN00
DMp3q4F“Yes. We’ll tell him clearly.”gvCN
ambiLO“Thanks. Gentlemen!”kbZ
J2sAmtyYuri shook their hands with a big smile.akD
pxc2iMh“Then, let’s go right away.”VNe
B3Ld“Right now?”KBpHT
Pbd0“Of course. Is there a problem? If we don’t go now, we might not get another chance…”9ex2qR
vOb“No, it’s fine. Let’s go. Anyway, the tower is in Mathehorn. Since you probably don’t know the area, we’ll guide you. Hahaha…”gftLHWC
Jz5Ignoring the death glares from the Order of Vengeance, the imperial knights took the lead and began moving forward.D4ltW
er2Jared approached Yuri and asked,YXEHl
fPhIa“Your Highness, are you sure about this?”gasI7y
4H2Chv“Why do you ask?”o30BRQ
WwW3P“Those guys are looking down on you.”3CsRA
4hAhPrr“No adult gets angry over a child’s boasting. To me, they’re nothing more than that.”Jawj
oQ112“Oh…”bI5O
XZ0sJzi“Let’s see if they do what I expect.”uKTDF
N9ugSq“Understood.”tGjPX
1ljHAhThe mixed group of imperial knights and the Order of Vengeance soon arrived at the Magic Tower, located in the center of Mathehorn. Though they called it a tower, from the outside it looked more like a solid mansion.1xLVDw
fSFaQBOnce inside, Hernando and Maryrose took the lead. They climbed to the top floor of the tower and, together, activated a spell. On a blank wall, an arch appeared drawn, transforming into a real door.ezq
Kcus8Hernando explained,uhTSNss
kmVp9m“This is the interview room with the master of the tower. If he decides to receive you, you’ll be able to meet him there.”HGs
NDD8“Yes?”sr5Iu
ciJSV“By the way, neither Maryrose nor I managed to get him to show up, no matter how much we called…”g8XORcP
csoxiFollowing Yuri’s instructions, Hernando scratched his neck with his mouth half open, also imitating Tirbo’s gesture. Immediately, his appearance changed, making him look like an incompetent mage. The effect was truly remarkable.8Q4
ldQMAVThe knights asked,ySm7dvL
36Uz7xA“Our job is to go in there?”B548nu
eVFnA“That’s right. Go in and convince the master that the Empire is involved with black magic.”mNE
LR0t“Alright, we’ll give it a try.”eYUyXr
RcILxFOne by one, the more than twenty imperial knights passed through the door and disappeared. It closed behind them.bwnD
5sKYuri turned to Hernando and asked,oVOl
yY2VM“When you said you were investigating, you weren’t just sitting in there complaining, were you?”62ab5oa
cRfS“Of course not. I conducted all kinds of magical analyses.”kYI7Y
gPTLA00“Yes?”RUi
XxFH“But, Your Highness…”zs7
9oAGlHernando looked worriedly at the entrance to the room.ig853g
VSrK“How are those knights supposed to convince the master of the tower? All they’ll do is criticize you and praise the Empire.”PefPb
E39ml9I“That’s exactly why.”l6zZ
HS4Mz“Excuse me?”Z4ak6
dZZXj1r“You two were too naïve in your approach.”ciYFN
hCfXAt those words, Hernando blinked in confusion.l0mMhnZ
YXvY2cX“Naïve, me?”foj
181CIKMaryrose, on the other hand, winked.kUOEF
pWHlB“His Highness is right. I’m very naïve. I don’t understand anything.”RaSI
i2aHernando frowned at her. Maryrose looked back seriously, lifting her chin.kDpjFp
PjgBBS“What are you looking at?”rsM
vXCj2e“I’m looking at someone naïve.”54Q5Y
pRpTOfI“Don’t look at me. It wears out.”Xp7dYQ
OAN“Even if you ask, I don’t want to.”CQ6
HsuwWhile the two argued, Yuri sighed and explained,wj4d
ik3qGzt“Of all human desires, there’s one that’s particularly irresistible. And mages feel it stronger than anyone else. Do you know what it is?”wmRYJQy
XwoO“What?”zNDvd
OGegQi“It’s…”fN3FIt
xiHj4tYuri opened his eyes intensely.ggwYE8Y
TYkaCnI“The desire to correct stupidity!”iiQnm
c71Gx**ssv
SCmmBD4The imperial knights entered the interview room. Unlike the exterior, the interior was surprisingly spacious. There were even chairs prepared, exactly the number needed for everyone present.BOgCH
u54B67JThey sat in order.Aw3ll
sjnlDlIn front of them was a table with a crystal sphere and an ostentatious empty chair. An invisible barrier prevented them from getting closer to it.mat
biDEOne of the knights spoke,bJ32S
kCbD2wt“So, we’re supposed to talk here and the master of the tower or whatever will show up?”ZwJB
D13f“Seems like it. He must be listening through that crystal sphere.”YJoi
xnWZ“Hm.”VxEfW0
snAPAp0They exchanged glances and signals.LwPK
DZw5GFrom the start, these knights had no intention of cooperating with Yuri’s plan. They were sympathetic to the Empire and didn’t believe in black magic. In fact, they thought Yuri was conspiring with other countries to discredit the Empire.1CsAm
bYyOne of them spoke,fNiYZRq
dJ5V“Master of the Tower, can you hear us?”tAh7Vf
Jol“…”ESVk
dQZY“Allow me to say something. Black magic doesn’t exist. His Highness must have misunderstood something. In fact, black magic isn’t as evil as they say. It’s just another branch of magic. And I know what I’m talking about. What is magic? It’s using nature’s mana! A mage imposes his will! And produces miracles, plain and simple!”0Fgy
Ci4“Oh…”fe0udnQ
Horgvt“Not bad, this guy!”AZpsC
qJK4ELThe others applauded his words.G9m
FXSq“Please, scold His Highness for speaking without knowing. We beg you!”Vpxg9c
E6nffAnother knight continued,zXkZO
PgTkO“That’s right. Black magic? Human sacrifices? All of that is conspiracy theory nonsense. Hahaha, how exactly is one supposed to get magic from something like that? If it’s not pure mana, magic can’t be created. I had lessons as a child! Only the pure mana of nature! Only a kind and pure personality can feed magic!”EsVV
lvJPR“Are you a prodigy or what?”upm7N5
Po6wuM“This guy’s too good to be just a knight.”l1TLqY
KN7Z“Exactly! You need a good heart to use magic!”mQ8
8w8C“I heard that from my nanny too.”DwoS4d
yxx“What if your nanny was a secret mage?”gwoSy33
5Qbc“These idiots…”HpC
pLHekKThe crystal sphere in front of them trembled slightly, but the knights, absorbed in their own words, didn’t notice.Q5Ag
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