TL/Editor: raei
Status: 5/week mon-fri
Illustrations: none
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'Let me sort this out.'
Ian calmly analyzed the current situation.
'Lord Fin has given up on finding House Dufel's treasure.'
The reason was unclear.
Maybe he didn't want to waste time and money on treasure hunting. Or perhaps his bitterness toward his father made him stubbornly refuse to acknowledge the treasure's existence.
Lord Fin had chosen to alter his father's will rather than search for the treasure.
'But Baron Mud can find the treasure.'
The treasure map was in Ian's hands.
Plus, Baron Mud was a veteran thief seasoned in exploring dangerous places.
Therefore, Ian had several options.
'If I side with Lord Fin.'
Since Ian had the treasure map, he could help Lord Fin search for the treasure.
In this case, Lord Fin could declare himself the rightful heir without the messy business of forging the will.
However...
'The reward might be lousy?'
The problem was that Lord Fin might just clam up after finding the treasure.
After all, Ian was just a wandering wizard, while Lord Fin would become Heltingen's supreme authority once he succeeded.
He'd obviously try to pay Ian off with just a few gold coins.
But Ian didn't really need gold.
He'd already gotten a chest full of it from killing the dragon...
Magical items or enhancement materials for Anor-lsil would be better than gold.
'If I side with Baron Mud.'
This was high risk, high reward.
If successful, House Dufel's treasure might fall right into Ian's hands.
Moreover, Baron Mud... might even become the next Count Dufel.
If the previous count's will was properly executed!
That would put the city's ruler deeply in Ian's debt, which would be beneficial in many ways.
'...I think it's better to encourage Baron Mud.'
Ian felt more drawn to Baron Mud's side than Lord Fin's.
Someone who'd alter his father's will probably wouldn't keep his promises either.
He'd already brought in Father Berum and the two were clearly in cahoots.
Though Ian didn't know much about Father Berum, he knew well enough that he wasn't exactly righteous.
Birds of a feather flock together - Ian had no interest in getting friendly with Berum's partner.
'Still, might as well try talking.'
It might end up being their final conversation, but.
Ian chose dialogue anyway.
It was a sort of occupational habit he'd developed as a wizard.
If words might work, try talking first!
Even if Lord Fin wasn't trustworthy, talking would be better than not talking at all.
Though he didn't expect much, Ian prepared several spells before deciding to meet Lord Fin.
If he didn't like either Baron Mud or Lord Fin, Ian figured he could search for the treasure alone.
Though that would mean postponing the treasure hunt for a while.
"Baron Mud. How much do you know about the current situation?"
"Hmm. That I'm about to get fucked over by Lord Fin?"
"You know quite a bit."
From the looks of it, Baron Mud clearly knew nothing about the previous count's will.
...Ian realized just how much high-level information Zenik had spilled.
If Father Berum found out later, a simple scolding wouldn't cover it.
"Baron Mud. There might be one way for you to survive..."
"!"
When Ian started with the implication he could help him survive, Baron Mud immediately rushed over like a desperate man.
As expected!
That wizard was interested in House Dufel's treasure!
"What is it! Just tell me!"
"...No. Forget it."
"What?"
"I'll come back later. If I don't return, guess it wasn't meant to be~"
"..."
Baron Mud's jaw dropped.
Wait, didn't he just say he'd help?!
And now he's just leaving?!
What kind of asshole...!
Just like a wizard, he was an incredibly eccentric bastard!
"Wh-What?!"
Ian leaped out the window.
Baron Mud rushed to look outside, but there was no splattered corpse to be found.
...Ian was slowly descending to the ground, wrapped in wind.
'A-Amazing magic...'
Though Baron Mud didn't know Ian's magical capabilities well.
He believed a wizard of that level could definitely save him.
"?"
An incredibly swift movement.
Ian finally realized that Lord Fin was a properly trained swordsman.
Swordsmanship was basic education for nobles.
My lord's sword was quite fierce!
'He won't even listen?!'
Though dumbfounded, Ian understood Lord Fin's reaction.
This was a secret operation, and he'd probably already finished negotiating with Father Berum.
Things weren't good enough to pretend nothing happened and order Ian to find the treasure!
From Lord Fin's perspective, the treasure didn't matter anymore.
He'd already prepared everything to become count, so who cared about treasure!
Better to kill the wizard here than risk being manipulated.
Wizards were suspicious characters after all!
'So that's how it is.'
Lord Fin intended to silence Ian permanently.
And this was within Ian's expectations.
'So much for trying to talk.'
Ian grumbled internally.
Since becoming a wizard, he'd developed the habit of trying dialogue first.
But Lord Fin rejected conversation.
"[Arno! Isil!]"
Ian immediately summoned the mystery of the sword.
Anor-lsil shot out from his waist like lightning!
Clang!
"What?!"
Lord Fin couldn't believe his eyes as he stared at the 'sword' that had blocked him.
The sword... was flying!
A flying sword!
"What is this...!"
Lord Fin was startled momentarily but quickly regained his composure.
A wizard having magic items was natural, in a way.
Lord Fin called for the guards.
"Is anyone out there! There's an assassin here!"
Ian just smirked.
Ah. So that's how you want to play it?
"I don't know what made you bold enough to come alone! But this will be your grave! Wizard!"
Guards waiting outside rushed in instantly.
Lord Fin pointed his sword at Ian and shouted triumphantly.
However.
Despite being surrounded by over a dozen soldiers, Ian remained calm.
He'd come prepared for the worst case scenario, with plenty of spells ready.
And Ian's specialty was dark magic.
"How disappointing, my lord."
"Y-You bastard...! Still so arrogant...!"
"I'll take your rejection of my offer and withdraw."
Suddenly.
Pitch-black darkness began surging from beneath Ian's feet...!
"W-What is this!"
"I can't see anything!"
The soldiers shouted in panic.
Lord Fin also jumped in shock and quickly scrambled under his desk.
If the wizard held a grudge and came to kill him, he'd be finished!
"Catch him! Catch the wizard!"
The soldiers flailed their arms around but grabbed nothing.
Only.
[May your path be filled with thorns, my lord.]
The wizard's voice echoed emptily in the darkness.
It was a mysterious voice prophesying an ominous future.
"Ah..."
An eerie foreboding washed over Lord Fin.
Only then did he frantically shout.
"W-Wait! Come back! Wizard! Let's! Let's talk about this!"
"..."
The darkness vanished.
Ian's presence had disappeared like magic.
Lord Fin turned pale.
'I'm fucked...!'
---
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