novelraw Chapter 98 : Chapter 98
Chapter 98 : Chapter 98
Chapter 98
“…Ian?”
At the Count’s voice, I came to my senses and greeted Garius, who was smiling slyly.
“Ah, Lord Garius.
It’s such a precious face that I’ve finally come to see, I found myself staring intently without realizing it.”
A hero in the game is nothing special.
Just a ‘recruitable character’.
In other words, a hero in the game is not unconditionally on Moner’s side, nor are they unconditionally good or foolishly inspired by heroism just because they are heroes.
Rather, heroes were generally selfish and cold-hearted.
‘Being called a hero in the game means, after all, that they survived longer than others in a perishing world.’
In the end, just because the opponent is a hero, it doesn't mean I have to bow down or maintain favorability.
So, it means I can say whatever I want like this.
“Since you were hiding your face like that, I wondered if you had some fatal disease.
I’m glad you look fine.”
The faces of the Count and the Tower Lord hardened in real-time.
“Young Lord!
Lord Garius is not someone you can treat so thoughtlessly……!”
Perhaps thinking I confused him with someone else, the Count shouted in shock, but Garius chuckled and asked.
“It seems my days are numbered, as my memory is fading.
I apologize, but could you tell me where you saw me?”
It was a question that seemed polite on the surface, but he seemed certain that I wouldn't have recognized him.
Actually, it was true that I guessed he was the Tower Lord just by looking at the amount of mana Garius possessed.
Of course, if Calua were here, he would have told me my guess was right, but there was no need to be disappointed.
The cute footprint left on the hem of Garius’s robe was practically a dragon-certified guarantee.
‘When on earth did he stamp a footprint there?’
I was really curious about how he left a footprint on such a strong person without getting caught, but that’s not what’s important right now.
After sitting on the chair, I naturally put my two legs up on the table and spoke in a calm voice.
“There’s no reason I can't tell you.”
While thoroughly enjoying the wizard’s face hardening from its overflowing composure.
“Tower Lord.”
* * *
Garius looked at the Young Lord’s mouth with trembling eyes.
“Didn't I see you yesterday, and again this morning?
Considering even the Count came to see you, I can't view this as a coincidence.”
“Heoheo…….”
The moment he heard those words, Garius couldn't hold back a sigh.
Saying he saw him yesterday meant he knew he was there but still pointed a sword at the Vice-tower lord’s neck, didn't it?
Moreover, saying he saw him again this morning meant the Young Lord had seen through all of his magic and artifacts.
But what was more surprising was something else.
“So, why did the wizard who gained a fortuitous encounter but doesn't know gratitude want to see me?”
The Young Lord even knew the fact that he had taken a step forward.
“How did you…….”
“If I didn't know even after you made such a fuss, then what I have are knot-holes, not eyes.”
Surprised by those words, Garius looked at the Count, and the Count slowly shook his head.
- Is that something that can be felt so easily?
- Just, this guy is strange.
Thinking about it a little, it was obvious.
If it had been that noisy, wouldn't the knight order have blocked him before he even headed to the Count?
“Heoheoheo… The Young Lord is humble.”
Garius was certain that the Young Lord possessed tremendous talent or was hiding his skills even from the Count.
If not, there's no way he could have seen through a Great Mage with 6 circles who had deliberately hidden his body.
Of course, it was Calua the dragon who discovered him at the Magic Tower and saw through his magic, but still.
“I should have sought understanding from Moner’s young master before greeting the Count, but this old fool was foolish and committed a discourtesy.”
As Garius stood up and offered a sincere apology, Ian spoke in a sullen voice.
“Yeah, yeah.
So, what is the reason you wanted to see me while hiding the fact that you are the Tower Lord of the Magic Tower?”
When Garius, flustered for a moment, looked at the Count, the Young Lord spoke in a cold voice.
“If you don't have business with the Count, look at me and speak to me.
If not, let’s end this meeting here.”
At the tone that suggested he would get up at any moment, Garius sighed, laughed awkwardly, and spoke.
“Heoheo… This has become troublesome… I apologize again.”
Garius reported in detail what happened yesterday evening at the Main Tower with the Young Lord.
Also the fact that if they didn't help Moner now, Moner might become hostile to wizards forever.
Accordingly, he formally requested support from the Main Tower, and the Main Tower and the ‘Star of Wisdom’ still haven't been able to make a decision.
To be honest, it was highly likely that the Main Tower wouldn't make a decision until the war broke out.
“Thinking that the Young Lord might become more disappointed in wizards if he learned that fact, this old man committed a discourtesy.”
The current meeting was truly a coincidence.
If he hadn't gained enlightenment, he wouldn't even be here.
After gaining the fortuitous encounter, he met the Count to sincerely apologize for his thoughtlessness and asked if there was anything he could do to help.
“Then, he recommended I meet the Young Lord, saying he would know better about such things.”
When Ian looked at the Count, the Count shrugged his shoulders slightly.
“Anyway, I apologize once again for committing a discourtesy.”
Since Garius came out openly with a humble attitude, Ian nodded.
“If that was the case, it can’t be helped.
By the way, I have something I’m curious about, can you tell me?”
Seeing Ian leaning his body forward and asking with shining eyes, as if his hostility had completely disappeared, Garius chuckled and answered.
“If it is something I know, then by all means.”
“I know the Magic Tower dislikes standing on the battlefield, but I don't know why.”
Garius slowly nodded.
Except for high-ranking wizards who have started walking their own path, it was a story known by only a handful of people these days.
“Can you tell me what the reason is?”
“Keum, keum.
It is not a short story, but…….”
“Hearing that story will help me understand wizards a bit better, so please.”
Garius nodded at those words and opened his mouth.
* * *
In a forgotten era, a great dark wizard established a kingdom for wizards with mighty magic.
He did not fear showing his power, and wizards who wrought miracles under the King enjoyed glory.
It was a time when all living beings on the continent worshiped the King and revered dark magic.
“At least until that great dark wizard suddenly disappeared.”
The problem was that after his disappearance, there was not a single wizard worthy of succeeding the throne.
“Records say there was no wizard strong enough to replace him, but well.”
Pausing to sip his tea, he chuckled and continued.
“In this old man’s opinion, everyone probably thought it was bothersome.
Saying, ‘I don't even have time for my research, and now the throne!’ Meanwhile, those claiming to be kings appeared.”
From all over the continent, those claiming to have inherited the blood of gods rose up and shouted.
That they were the kings sent by god and the true monarchs to lead humanity.
“Some dark wizards began to help them.
The reason is unknown, but they probably thought that if a king emerged, the noisy affairs would disappear.”
It was a thought plausible enough for a wizard.
As long as it didn't interfere with research, they probably didn't care much who became king.
“Given that only dark wizards moved, the probability is high.
Compared to the officials of the wizard kingdom urging them to quickly take the throne, humans offering to shoulder the throne instead must have been more appealing.”
“They eventually went to war, and it is said that the dark wizards of that time were treated like kings.”
Dark wizards were the closest friends, advisors, and simultaneously powerful weapons of those who claimed to be children of gods.
To those who sat on the throne with dark wizards at the forefront, dark wizards were uncomfortable existences.
“Once the war ended, the weapons they cherished must have become frightening.
Wouldn't there be a possibility that the person wielding that weapon next time might not be them?”
Thus, countless kings scrambled to ban dark magic and began to cover up records.
Dark wizards resisted fiercely, but the chosen wizards were always a minority, and kings and officials shouted, calling upon the names of gods who sent them.
“Just like that, dark wizards who comforted the dead and explored the truths of the afterlife were recorded as evil beings mocking god and died in an instant.
It was a time when not only dark wizards but countless wizards were driven to death as dark wizards.”
The remaining 12 wizards gathered to form a group called the ‘Star of Wisdom’ and established the first Magic Tower.
And they left a warning for wizards succeeding their studies.
‘The moment a wizard shows power, everyone will regard the wizard as a weapon, not a human.
Therefore, covet the truth but hide your power.
Strive for creation, not destruction.’
Thus, the first policy of the ‘Main Tower’ was decided.
‘Wizards do not stand on the battlefield.’
Nowadays, wizards just sit at their desks giggling, saying, ‘Wizards do not stand.’
* * *
“…That is the end of the story.”
I expressed my gratitude to him, who seemed tired from talking without rest.
“Ah, thanks to you, I heard a precious story.”
“It is not something to call precious.
Since it is a story every high-ranking wizard knows.”
I smirked at those words.
“Seems they are afraid high-ranking wizards might do something foolish.”
“Keulkeulkeul, precisely.
Once one achieves about five circles, it’s likely they would want to test their power.”
He probably isn't just teaching the story.
Since a story akin to a folktale cannot stop human curiosity.
There must be something that shakes the mind.
I pushed my body deep into the chair for a moment and enjoyed the lingering feeling of the story.
‘The part I liked the most in 『Lost Chronicle』 was these trivial stories.’
Just hearing the stories contained in the background of Locke, no, this world, allows me to infer the thoughts and principles of action of wizards.
Moreover, such information usually leads to hidden pieces.
‘A great dark wizard…….’
Like a name that blatantly gives off the vibe of a hidden piece.
‘Let’s just remember it for now.
Since that’s not what’s important right now.’
Dark wizard is a class that doesn't even appear in the game.
So even if I set out to find it, it will take over a year just to find a single hint.
Besides, there is a more important part remaining in this story.
“But considering the time that has passed, it seems there are many wizards with different thoughts.”
Didn't the Tower Lord right in front of me say he requested the Main Tower to support Moner?
Seeing that he withdrew silently even after seeing me train Jeremy, it seems he doesn't have much aversion to wizards standing on the battlefield either.
‘Then…….’
If I cajole him well, couldn't I recruit Garius?
After gulping down saliva, I asked in the most natural voice possible.
“Does the Main Tower’s policy have no binding force, or is it losing its binding force?”
Ian’s eyes flashed at the thought that maybe Jeremy wasn't just a fraudulent good, but a buy-one-get-one-free deal.