Shepherd Wizard

Chapter 130

Translator: Pai_

As expected, the wizards of Aravion didn’t immediately respond to Turan’s words with an “Aha, so that’s how it is!”

That was because they had been briefed beforehand that their target, Turan, was an illegitimate child of the House Zahar who had concealed his identity and seduced the heir of main house in an attempt to gain recognition.

“What a load of bullshit.......”

“If the upper echelon of the main house is occupied by white elves, shouldn’t we be checking whether the woman next to you has proper ears? Or what, was she born of a different seed, not the family head?”

However, Turan paid no mind to their negative reactions and calmly continued his explanation.

He elaborated on the irrational attitude the upper echelon of House Aravion had shown toward Meisa in the past.

He laid out all the corruption and slander within the family that had already been publicly exposed, appropriately misleading them about his purpose.

To this, Solif, who claimed to be the successor of House Varaha, added his own testimony that something similar had occurred in his own family, which caused the mocking tone of the listeners to gradually shift to one of seriousness.

After spewing such deceiving words for some time, finally someone emerged who voiced agreement with Turan's claims.

“Now that I hear it, there is something suspicious.......”

Surprisingly, the one who spoke was the vassal of the Frost Bloodline who had just been the most fiercely critical of Turan.

Over 250 years old, he claimed to have known Cadrum and several other key figures of House Aravion since their youth.

“I did feel that a few nobles in the main house had changed in personality and speech style at some point. At the time, I simply thought it was part of aging.”

He was saying that after hearing Turan's words, that strangeness now stood out to him.

Come to think of it, how many times had they managed to pull off such schemes without a hitch?

Not just one or two people, but if there were more than three or four similar individuals within, some of them would inevitably show signs.

When even someone older than themselves, who had fought beside them just moments ago, said such things, doubt began to surface on the faces of the other wizards.

Turan then added a final lie to drive the nail in.

“Also, did you see the technique shown just now by Cadrum and that unknown wizard from Nagin? That is one of the white elves’ secret arts.”

He continued to explain that the special magic used by the gods was, in fact, an evil art that combined spirit magic and regular magic, which could only be used when a white elf took control of a human body.

Surprisingly, the lie aligned quite well with the truth in the sense that it involved magic powered by the soul.

Then one of the Aravion wizards tilted his head and spoke.

“But didn’t you use similar techniques yourself?”

Since they were all high-ranking wizards with abundant knowledge of magic, they couldn’t help but point out that Turan had also used bizarre powers just like them.

To that, he nodded and brought up an excuse he made up on the spot.

“That’s because of the Sacred Relic I possess.”

“A Sacred Relic...... ?”

“It has the ability to mimic the opponent’s power. Didn’t you see the magic I used just now?”

Before their eyes, Turan demonstrated flight, Concealment, and Light of Judgement, as well as complex earth manipulation magic, abilities derived from the Earthmover Bloodline and the Tamer Bloodline of the Nagin.

There was someone among them who had contracted with a magical beast, and Turan showed himself severing and then re-establishing that contract.

It wasn’t just one or two, in fact, seeing him freely wield five or six different bloodline abilities on his own made it hard not to believe his claim.

Watching this, Solif whispered quietly.

“Is it really okay to show all your cards like this?”

"The Aravion side already figured out that I have the Mimic's power. I've gained as much advantage as I could by hiding it."

“Well, I guess that’s true.......”

Besides, everything that could be shown had already been revealed during the earlier fight, and the faction behind Aravion and Nagin would have gotten all the information they needed through the returning Ymir.

Since Turan had bound Cadrum’s soul, they would also come to know that he could now handle souls.

Turan, while continuing to offer persuasive words at an appropriate pace, judged that the time was ripe and personally released the bindings restraining the wizards.

If they were trustworthy, then the seed would already have been planted. And if they were those who would never believe him no matter what, then keeping them bound and continuing to talk would be a waste of time, that was his thinking.

“No, this is.......”

“First, return to the main house and discuss this with your families. You may spread this story widely, or keep it secret among those you know. Just remember it. That this could be true.”

Rather than outright insisting that their words were the truth, Turan’s attitude, one of indifference as to whether they believed him or not, actually came across as more persuasive.

While everyone stood dazed, one noble spoke with a despondent expression.

“But, if what you say is true, then what exactly can we do?”

Though it was a wizard’s duty to confront other races, if the upper echelon of the great House Aravion had already been controlled by other races, they couldn’t even begin to imagine resisting.

Moreover, hadn't they said that even Badal, the head of House Aravion, who had seemed like a god, was in on it?

No matter how powerful the young nobles before them might be, they weren’t at the level to oppose something like that.

“The head isn’t invincible. If he were, they wouldn’t have formed factions and brought others into it. Even if each individual is weak, the strength of those gathered together is not.”

Of course, the surviving wizards were all nobles, and most of them possessed at least mid-tier strength, so they weren’t to be dismissed as weaklings.

But right now, those words struck a deep chord.

It was because they had felt, during the recent battle, that they were nothing more than supporting roles, swept aside like mere knights.

Everyone wants to be recognized as someone with a bit more significance, someone more important.

And so, Turan planted the seed of rebellion within House Aravion.

*

Before sending off the Aravion wizards, Turan’s group shared magic power with the lower-ranking nobles among them who hadn’t yet reached their limit.

Since absorbing the power of such individuals wouldn’t provide any meaningful gain, they chose instead to show goodwill.

Of course, the magic power of the three top-tier wizards and the mythical-grade magical beast was entirely claimed by Turan’s group.

Because the weaker the individual, the lower the efficiency when strong ones absorbed their power, Meisa showed little progress, Solif gained slightly, Turan made moderate gains, and Bije achieved a significant level of advancement.

After recovering several undamaged magic artifacts, they retrieved Melo, who had been hidden far away in a cave, and returned to Zavilin City.

In the early dawn, the Berk estate stirred with commotion at the heir’s return.

“No way, the young master is......!”

“I’ll call for the family head right away!”

Despite the knight's cry, all the key members of House Berk, including the family head and her husband, were already awake.

"Me-Meisa, miss... no, Meisa. Is it really you?"

“Yes, aunt. It’s me.”

“Your voice is the same. Yes, it really is you.......”

While the Berk couple was moved to see Meisa who had returned with a normal appearance, there was a more urgent matter to deal with first.

That was the treatment of the severely injured Turan and Solif.

Fortunately, Rua Manag, the healer who had previously treated Solif, happened to be staying here as a guest, so they were able to receive her help.

The problem was.......

“Is this the best you can do?”

“Yes.......”

Rua, placing her hand over Turan’s torn chest, nodded while sweating profusely.

Although the wound was slowly healing, it looked like it would take an eternity to fully recover.

“I can’t completely heal him with my power...... especially since it seems his lungs were injured. You’ll need a more powerful healer.”

Of course, due to the inherent resilience of nobles, a lung injury wouldn’t lead to immediate sickness or death, but they were told he would have to endure reduced physical ability until he recovered.

To fix this, it seemed they would have to visit House Lavitas again sometime soon.

After stabilizing his condition, they discussed Melo’s abduction and the events that had occurred in the forest.

Unexpectedly, the senior members of House Berk already knew a considerable amount about what had happened. This was because Ashiz had persuaded them by explaining the situation, intending to dispatch Haram and others who could serve as reinforcements.

“Ashiz.”

“S-Sorry. But I was too worried.......”

“It’s fine. Things didn’t turn out too badly in the end. Just don’t do it again next time.”

Since convincing them would’ve required discussing the matter anyway, Turan figured he could consider it time saved.

Turan supplemented the parts Ashiz had forgotten or left out, then clearly conveyed the current situation to them.

“Staying here in Zavilin City any longer is dangerous.”

“Hmm.......”

Though they groaned, no one voiced any opposition.

Hadn’t the heir of the family been kidnapped and returned gravely injured?

There were some who didn’t want to leave, given that their family had been based in this city for over a thousand years, but doing so would mean confronting the great House Aravion head-on.

And if Turan was right, then even House Nagin would join the fray.

“So, if we’re to leave, where to?”

“I recommend Kalamaf.”

The place Turan proposed to them was Kalamaf.

A neutral city in the Gray Zone, located between the territories of Aravion and Zahar.

It was a city Turan had once ruled himself, and now it was under the control of Zahar nobles who were impersonating his identity.

“Isn’t that too ambiguous a place?”

“That’s what I’m aiming for. As I mentioned before, Aravion and Zahar were once allied, but they’ve since split apart. Of course, if they realize I was the cause, the situation might change...... but it’ll depend on how we negotiate with Zahar.”

Originally, he had thought of sending House Berk to the hideout where Solif’s parents were staying, but the problem was that House Berk was simply too large.

No matter how remote the location, hiding traces of over a hundred people living there would be impossible.

And taking only a few senior members of House Berk wouldn’t work either, as the bonds between the family’s knights and retainers were too strong.

Those left behind would undoubtedly face vicious retaliation, so how could they possibly flee with peace of mind?

That’s why he came up with the next best plan: to become a third power positioned between the two great noble houses, Aravion and Zahar, and maintain a balance.

It was something unthinkable in the past, but the current Turan was confident he could pull it off.

‘This recent battle has severely weakened Aravion’s forces, and I’ve learned how to bind the souls of the gods. Soon, I’ll also be able to teach Meisa how to wield the magic of the gods...... If I can just convince Zahar, it’s more than possible.’

Of course, if the family heads of the great noble houses came together and invaded, they would be crushed with no way to resist, but Turan believed that was unlikely.

Hadn’t the head of House Varaha recently left his base and paid a terrible price for it?

If they truly did come here, Turan was thinking of riding Bije and launching a counterattack directly on their headquarters.

If their souls lost a place to return to, then none of them would ever dare to leave their bases unattended again.

After about three more hours of discussion, House Berk announced that they would relocate their headquarters immediately in accordance with Turan’s decision.

Turan bowed his head to the family head Midella in gratitude.

“Thank you for accepting this.”

“It is we who should be thankful. You’ve shown us a truth we didn’t want to see but needed to, and even told us the path we must take.......”

Regardless of being his son’s friend, Turan was now strong enough to rival the heads of great noble houses, so Midella spoke to him with a respectful tone, bowing her head in return to lower herself.

A noble house of the ancient Enchanter Bloodline was a group even great nobles respected, but ultimately, it was the logic of strength that mattered more.

“Then let’s move at once. We don’t know when Aravion might reach out again.”

*

The relocation of House Berk proceeded faster than expected.

Since many wagons were already prepared for transporting magic tools and other items, a large number of the family’s magic artifacts were loaded onto them.

“What? You’re leaving Zavilin?”

“Please don’t abandon us, my lord!”

“Lord Ashiz!”

Having ruled Zavilin City as a good lord for over a thousand years, House Berk was met with tearful pleas from citizens trying to stop their departure.

Ashiz, always sensitive, cried his eyes out while embracing a commoner girl whose identity was unknown.

“Anyone who wishes to follow us may do so! But it will be a long and harsh journey, so be prepared!”

All of House Berk’s retainers and knights chose to follow without exception, but unsurprisingly, no commoners stepped forward after hearing those words.

Thus, a group of about two hundred departed from Zavilin City through the southern gate and moved along the main road.

“It’s been a while, Tilly.”

As Turan greeted her and petted her, the massive horse neighed loudly.

House Berk’s horse magical beast, Tilly.

The creature he had first met when rescuing Ashiz was now pulling an enormous wagon at the rear.

A magically reinforced heavy wagon, so large and heavy that only a powerful magical beast like Tilly could even attempt to pull it.

"Does Bije want to say hello too?"

-She’s too weak! If she becomes my subordinate, I’ll have to train her!

Perched on Tilly’s forehead in the form of a small kestrel, Bije spoke with an arrogant tone.

Having defeated four high-ranking Aravion wizards in aerial combat during the last battle, Bije’s pride had skyrocketed.

Moreover, hadn't she grown even stronger after absorbing the magic power of several top-tier wizards this time?

“Yeah, yeah. You’re the boss, so take good care of her.”

Of course, since Tilly couldn’t hear those words, she paid no mind to whatever had climbed onto her nose and calmly pulled the wagon.

House Berk’s relocation procession was incomparably faster than that of ordinary people.

Thanks to many of the commoner retainers riding in the wagon pulled by Tilly or being carried by knights.

Most of their heavy luggage had been abandoned, and what remained was stored in large-capacity pouches by Turan’s group.

As a result, they managed to travel more than four hundred kilometers in just two days, swiftly reaching a valley in the southeastern part of the Takein Plains.

Meisa glanced back toward the north, where the main house of Aravion was located, and murmured quietly.

“They’re not pursuing as fast as I thought.”

“They’ve probably got a lot on their minds over there too. They’ll need to figure out why everything got wiped out despite deploying such overwhelming force, and also work on controlling the information I leaked to the survivors.”

Turan had spread and released information to Aravion’s surviving members precisely for this outcome.

The more chaotic things were inside, the harder it would be to exert power outward.

On top of that, the fact that Cadrum’s soul had not returned likely became another shackle on them.

Their typical mindset was that even if things went wrong, they could just die and return, but now it had been revealed that there was a possibility they might not be able to return.

Considering that a few thousand years of peace wouldn’t have made them truly bold, it was entirely possible they were currently fighting over who should step forward.

“Um, Turan.”

Just then, Melo, the heir of House Berk, approached and spoke to him.

Rescued only a day ago, he still seemed intimidated by Turan, showing a subtly meek demeanor.

He remembered how many and how powerful the Aravion nobles who had kidnapped and abused him were, and so he naturally assumed that Turan, who had defeated them and rescued him, must possess equally immense power.

Just like Midella, he too found it difficult to treat Turan lightly as merely a friend of his younger brother.

“Yes, please speak.”

“You don’t have to be so formal when you talk to me...... More importantly, it seems like we’re about to reach the edge of the mountain range. What should we do now?”

Originally, to get from the Takein Plains, where Aravion was located, to the Gray Zone, where Kalamaf was, one had to head south, pass through the western forest region, and then move east.

This was because when moving southeast, one would run into a mountain range that lay between the Gray Zone, the Takein Plains, and the Carmine Hill Region.

The mountain range wasn’t absurdly tall or treacherous like the Sky Mountain Range, so nobles with enough skill could cross it, but it was impossible for a refugee procession like theirs.

Of course, it wasn’t as if Turan was an idiot who insisted on this route just because it looked like the shortest path on the map.

“We’ve arrived faster than I expected. From here on, we’ll fly over.”

“Fly......?”

Melo was thinking, 'We’re not Aravion nobles, how are we supposed to do that?', but a moment later, his eyes widened.

At the front of the refugee procession, he spotted the figure of a giant golden eagle.

“Let’s give it our all, Bije.”

The enlarged Bije roared with all her might in a voice that was incongruously thin for her size.

*****

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