Became a Medieval Fantasy Wizard chapter 36

36 – Episode 36

# 36

The banquet continued for several days. The knights gorged themselves on food and drink until they were sated. Consuming large quantities of food was considered a virtue among medieval knights. Just as a magician’s peculiarity increased their acclaim, knights were also highly esteemed the more they consumed. The reasoning was rather medieval in its simplicity. Eating a lot=Strong vitality. That was their logic. We might then argue that food fighters like Tzuyang could be likened to reincarnations of Hercules… However, without delving too deeply into it, the common perception was that vitality was correlated with a hearty appetite. A rather intuitive notion, wouldn’t you agree? In demonstrating their physical prowess, the knights made a grand show of feasting. Wow! He devoured an entire pig by himself! How strong he must be!

That was the general mood in the room.

In the midst of all the eccentric magicians in cosplay, why would the knights forgo their right to gluttony cosplay?

“The Leuken brothers have decided to stay with the count.”

During the days-long banquet, the count carefully courted the Santiago Knights. The Santiago Knights are monastic soldiers, meaning they belong to a monastery. To become a monastic soldier, one must join the monastic order and prove their worth before earning their sword.

The process is, in theory, rather arduous. However, due to several reasons, entry was often granted on the basis of ability alone. As long as one could fight, the lack of devoutness was loosely forgiven, and knighthood was easily granted. The monastic order, on principle, permitted free exit.

While entrance required strict procedure, exiting was often approved without questions. Such acts of leaving the order were referred to as ‘conversion.’ Monastic soldiers of the Santiago Knights’ sort often ‘converted’ upon meeting a good lord.

No, from the beginning, there were not a few who became knights under Holy Orders to build their reputations. They hunted monsters and made a name for themselves, then pledged their loyalty to suitable rulers and became secular knights. From the perspective of the Holy Orders, this is a clear loss of power. But… so what can the Holy Orders do about it? To put it simply, the Holy Orders are essentially a kind of club, like a mountaineering or cycling club. Even if a member doesn’t show up to the group, the club can’t really do anything about it. If they didn’t like losing their power, they should not have allowed freedom to roam across the continent in the first place. It was easier to think of it as their compensation for hunting wild beasts without receiving a penny and only in the name of a god. When they heard the Rumken Brothers were leaving the Santiago Knights, the other knights were nonchalant about it. “In fact, I’ve decided to join the Rumken brothers.”

“Not a bad choice. Count Katina seems to be generous and ambitious.”

Just like a ruler who evaluates his subjects, the subjects also evaluate the ruler. As the lord and the knight were tied by a contract, it happened naturally. Thus, for a ruler, generosity and largesse were important virtues. The big-eared guy in The Three Kingdoms didn’t just cosplay as a gentleman for nothing. He had to do whatever it took to attract more subordinates. Count Katina, for the reward for the manticore hunt, generously gave out individual rewards to each knight. Of course, this was a bait to attract knights to switch sides. The knights who fell for this bait became new vassals of Count Katina. The sorceress Marni also received a satisfactory reward. She obtained a guarantee from the count that there would be no priestly interference for a while. She could live quietly in the forest, growing her crops as usual. Ian also received wealth and treasures. Among them, the scroll adorned with gold stood out immediately. “How is it? Do you like it?”

The count, seeing Ian stare at the scroll, smiled inwardly. That was among the count’s many treasures and was valuable enough to be called a real treasure. It was amazingly expensive. With its value, you could buy a whole village! Why was it so expensive? Because it was a magic scroll, a high-grade one at that, created by the wizards of the ancient Golden Empire to be dedicated to the royal family. ‘Being a wizard, he appears stunned.’ The count thought Ian had been entirely captivated by the scroll gift. Of course! It’s such a precious and expensive item! However, contrary to the count’s prediction, Ian was only feeling pure academic curiosity. ‘This is…’

The count only knew that this was a scroll created during the Golden Empire era. Yet, this was not the case for Ian, the magician.

“Engraved by Maronius Aero.”

The scroll held a poetically scripted appeal to the wind and seemed to be a scroll capable of invoking a massive gale.

Ian, understanding the working principles of the magical scroll, marveled.

The sentences on the scroll were spread out in fragments. When torn and stretched out, they formed complete sentences.

Therefore, unless torn apart, the sentences held no meaning— this was their operation method.

Moreover, being a relic created by ancient sorcerers, the sentences were quaint and beautiful.

It was so breathtaking that it could leave a science student like Ian dazed.

“Wow… what an impressive handwriting.”

Such an intense expressiveness would even move a mystical being to lend a hand, he thought.

“Thank you for such a precious item.”

As Ian expressed his gratitude, the count laughed merrily dismissively.

“You need not worry, there are many more magical artifacts to choose from!”

It was classic deception.

‘Do any of you have gold? Scrolls? Do you think this is good? There are many more magical items…’

If it were an online community, he would have certainly been banned.

Indeed, the count’s treasure vault held many magical scrolls.

But only because it was filled with counterfeits.

“You’ve already done so much. Not just vanquishing monsters… but also safely bringing my niece back.”

On a signal from the count, a lady in a silk dress stepped forward delicately.

It was Talia’s Lucy.

Ian had a hard time holding back his laughter at Lucy’s attire, her fashion sense was quite outlandish.

The airy design of the dress was somewhat passable, perhaps even befitting a fashion show.

However, the long, conical hat on her head couldn’t help but raise the question, ‘why on earth would she wear something like that?’

Wow, a female character in a cone hat!

Regardless of how pretty Lucy’s original character was, Ian wasn’t able to feel any particular emotions towards her…

“My niece has told me a lot about you.”

Lucy Talia gave a small, coy smile. She was indeed an elegant cosplayer.

Ian understood all of Lucy’s actions. There was no rule against him being a quirky magician cosplayer, and having his adorable niece also play along.

“I’d like to make a proposal to you.”

“Please go ahead.”

“I would like to borrow your strength on the way to help my niece.”

The reason the earl had presented such a generous gift was exactly this. He had created a situation in which it was hard to refuse.

“If things conclude well, you will be amply compensated. What do you think?”

‘So, this was indeed a linked quest.’

He had somewhat anticipated this, but it wasn’t until he agreed to participate in the territory war did he truly feel the quest was completed.

It wasn’t a bad proposition for Ian.

He could always search for the mystery later. It’s not like he was asking Ian to risk his life in battle.

Hadn’t he experienced similar situations while hunting Manticores? In battle, the role of a wizard was support through magic.

And of course, isn’t the final reward of a quest always the sweetest one?

If she could reclaim her territory for Lucy, she could gain a decent compensation from both the Count and Lucy.

“If you need the help of a humble wizard like me.”

“Hey! Watch your language! Who called you a worthless wizard!”

The Count praised Ian’s ability, afraid Ian might say something rash again. This was why it was harder to deal with a humble wizard than an arrogant one.

Once he obtained Ian’s firm confirmation, the Count began preparations for the domain war.

About three days later, the Knights of Santiago left the Count of Catina’s territory.

#

Because the Count was busy preparing for the expedition, Ian and Lucy saw off the Knights.

“I see. The author is the Viscount of Talian, you say…”

The Knights of Santiago set off on their journey to find a new commission. With many of them leaving behind worldly affairs, the journey became one of pure practice of the teachings of the scriptures.

Thus, the Knights did not seem too surprised, even when they saw Lucy transformed into a Viscount(?).

“Well, we expected her to be of fake identity…”

Lucy tried to give the Knights an additional payment, but they declined. Having wealth tends to weigh one down, it seems.

“When you visit Talian’s territories later, I will definitely welcome you.”

At Lucy’s words, Elder cracked a smile.

“I hope so.”

This time, Elder offered a handshake to Ian.

“Come and visit the Tripalo Island once.”

“Tripalo?”

“An island in the Coral Sea… It’s a bit far from here. But you’re a wizard, aren’t you?”

As you wander in search of mystery, you might even end up visiting the Coral Sea someday.

“I suppose I can tell you my name. I am Salvador of the Orcus house. If you come seeking Salvador, you’ll be welcomed by all.”

“Salvador… Yes, I will remember that.”

Listening to their conversation, Lucy was surprised and exclaimed.

“Salvador of Orcus…! Are you the ‘White Wolf’ Salvador?!”

White Wolf?

Ian looked at Elder… no, Salvador. He wasn’t sure about the wolf part, but the white fit, especially the hair.

“Heh. There’s no need to remember such an old man’s name.”

Ian teased Lucy a bit.

“White Wolf? Who is that?”

“You don’t know about the White Wolf Brotherhood?”

Lucy looked at Ian as if he had secluded himself in the mountains studying… then she lowered her head when she realized that was actually the case.

Well, a wizard might not know about it.

“That man is none other than the famous ‘Sword Master.'”

“…What?”

Ian was taken aback. He had heard the term ‘Sword Master’ often.

Wow! Sword Master! He must be able to pull out his sword energy at will and fight dragons with an Aura Blade!

…Of course, that couldn’t be the case.

That was a story from an old fantasy novel.

The ‘Sword Master’ Lucy referred to was a kind of title.

“In the old days, during the wars between Shakrain I and his vassals, the mercenary group directly under the emperor, known as the White Wolf Brotherhood, was active.”

Hence, the nickname of the White Wolf Brotherhood was the Imperial Army. This bond has been ongoing from 50 years ago to the present, and even now, the White Wolf Brotherhood only pledges loyalty to the emperor.

“The emperor bestowed the honorary title of ‘Sword Master’ upon the leader of the White Wolf Brotherhood.”

Lucy pointed at Salvador.

“…He is the former leader of the White Wolf Brotherhood. Sword Master Salvador.”

Lucy sensed an indescribable aura emanating from Salvador.

Salvador, the Sword Master, was truly a remarkable figure worthy of being called a living legend.

He helped the Emperor win numerous battles, clambered up to be the Emperor’s closest confidant with a single sword, but he was also someone who had thrown away all he had achieved, assisting the knights that fought for humanity and wandered the continent.

Even nobles from remote areas like Lucy knew his name; Salvador’s name was famous throughout the empire.

Therefore, Salvador had hidden his true identity.

Obviously, in this era, there were no TVs or radios. All stories were passed from mouth to mouth in an oral tradition, in the same format as ancient tales.

Lucy was a child who was raised listening to tales of heroic deeds of the empire recounted by her nursemaid.

So in the eyes of Lucy, Salvador was no different from a character from a superhero movie appearing right before her.

“Hmph. So that’s how it is.”

… However, to Ian, it was a story devoid of any thrill.

For a modern man reincarnated in another world, what does it mean to have a hero of this world in front of him? To Ian, Salvador was merely a healthy old man. And seriously healthy at that.

But Salvador was entirely pleased with Ian’s unaffected attitude.

“I knew you would not be fazed.”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

“hehehe. Never mind.”

Salvador had seen too many fools who recklessly sought to elevate their own reputation.

Foolish knights who risked their lives just to say, “I once bested the Sword Master ㅋ.”

That’s why Salvador deliberately kept his identity hidden. It was not because he was interested in playing games of hidden strength.

Being tired of dealing with such fools, Salvador found Ian’s straightforward reaction extremely refreshing.

Indeed, intelligent wizards are better than foolish knights!

“If you come to Treefalo Island, I’ll introduce you to a mystery you might be interested in.”

“Oh. What is it?”

“hehehe, wouldn’t the intrigue die if I told you?”

Rather, if he didn’t tell, I wouldn’t go because I’d be so frustrated… Ian thought so, but wizards were inherently very curious.

With a curiosity so strong that they’d rather die than endure it, because wizards belonged to this tribe, Salvador was convinced that Ian would come to Treefalo Island.

In fact, Ian was more curious about what the southern part of the Empire was like than intrigued by the mystery. He even thought of going there just for sightseeing.

“Well… we’ll see.”

With their farewells over, the Santiago Order of Knights steadily disappeared over the horizon.

Ian waved goodbye to the knights and Salvador.

Dihitri, who had been by Ian’s side until the last minute, spoke.

“Ian. You are undoubtedly an apostle who has been called by God. I will duly report the miracle I experienced to the church, so please be sure to tell the church.”

‘Again, that talk…’

It was certain that Dihitri saw something on the brink of death, but no one knew what it was. Ian did not like Dihitri talking nonsense, but he had no intention of scolding him.

Because Ian knew very well what the ‘miracle’ Dihitri had experienced was.