16. It’s Ridiculous
As morning came, the group moved quickly.
However, the atmosphere was very different.
“Ah, I’m thirsty.”
Jooyeon only said a word.
And Haken tried to react as usual.
“I’ll bring you some water…”
“Here, I brought you some water!”
However, a soldier brought a cup of water before him.
It was Aiden’s soldier who had almost died from a spell due to James’ betrayal.
He wasn’t the only one.
“Are you hungry? I have some bread left over from yesterday…”
“Where did you get such food? I have some dried fruit…”
“I have some jerky that I’ve been saving.”
As if this was their chance, the soldiers came running.
They all showed favor to Jooyeon.
Juyeon did not refuse their kindness.
“Alright? If that is truly your intention, then I can’t help it. I shall eat well.”
“Thank you for accepting!”
“Yes, yes. Continue to endure the hardship.”
“Lo, loyalty!”
The soldiers’ eyes lit up with joy as their presents were accepted.
They had heard that the one who had saved them from their rampage was none other than Juyeon.
‘Normally, we should have been disposed of the moment we attacked our lord.’
‘In our monstrous state, we should have died long ago.’
Yet the one who had saved them was Juyeon.
Their gazes towards Juyeon could not help but change.
‘Come to think of it, he saved our lives and didn’t show it at all.’
‘If only such a person were to become our master.’
Of course, Haken shook his head.
‘You guys are misunderstanding something. This man is not such a kind person, you know?’
Haken pitied those who would become Juyeon’s willing slaves, just like himself.
However, it was not only the soldiers who were showing favor.
“Ahem. By any chance, is there anything uncomfortable?”
The knights’ gazes were also surprisingly friendly.
Of course, considering Juyeon’s actions so far, it might be natural.
Since he had saved their lord.
However, Haken whispered quietly, as if slightly worried.
“Be careful, Juyeon-nim. You can’t trust those knights, even if the soldiers don’t know.”
“Why?”
“Don’t you remember who cut off that knight’s arm?”
Haken pointed at Knight Olson.
He was the knight who had his arm cut off by Juyeon in the Hunter’s Forest.
He had been guarding Aiden with only one arm ever since.
“How much do you think he’s grinding his teeth inside?”
He meant that he might seek revenge for his lost arm.
That the pretense of being friendly was merely a trick to let down their guard.
“Nobles and knights are all the same.”
Juyeon chuckled.
It seemed that Haken had quite the grudge against nobles.
However, he did not know one thing.
“By the way, do you know that the knights have excellent physical abilities?”
“Of course I know. Why?”
“It seems like they heard everything you just said?”
“……!?”
Haken was shocked.
Indeed, the knights were looking at Haken with a sly gaze. The flustered Haken grabbed the protagonist.
“Am I, am I going to die now?”
“If we were going to kill you, we would have done so earlier.”
“Huh?”
“In the first place, you’re not some general who doesn’t know honor. Do you think the righteous knights like ＜Obedience＞ would take personal revenge?”
It was a trait of the knights of ＜Obedience＞.
‘Since I think I’m necessary to Aiden, they’ll wag their tails if I wag mine, but they would never have thought of touching me.’
Then, Olson, the knight who lost his arm, nodded.
“Don’t worry about it. In the first place, my arm was cut off because I didn’t grasp your power, Sir Protagonist. If there’s any fault, it’s my immature skill that’s at fault.”
The protagonist laughed lightly.
The knights were supposed to be prideful guys, but they seemed like unexpectedly good guys.
“And in fact, you didn’t care about your severed arm, did you?”
“My arm, which is more important than anything to a knight, was cut off… and there’s no reason to care?”
“I don’t think you intended to live as a one-armed man forever, seeing how you’re holding onto your arm.”
At the protagonist’s words, not only the knights but also Aiden’s eyes widened.
“Did you know that too?”
“Really, I wonder what you don’t know.”
The knights burst into laughter.
Haken seemed unable to understand the current situation.
“You mean you don’t intend to live as a one-armed man? Will your severed arm grow back?”
“Do you think people are lizards or something? It’s just that the Edmar family has someone who can reattach severed arms.”
“Ah!”
Only then did Haken recall a certain existence.
＜Magicians＞
They were people who could use the mystic arts to perform miracles.
People who possessed abilities far more precious and mysterious than knights.
“If it’s a magician… surely they can reattach a severed arm. Magic is truly amazing.”
“Well… magicians are great.”
Even the protagonist admitted it, but his face was grim.
Haken tilted his head.
“Why is that?”
“Ah. I suddenly thought of a magician I know. The thing is, magicians tend to be rather eccentric.”
The knights agreed.
“They’re great when they’re on your side, but they’re a pain when they’re your enemy. They’ll chase you relentlessly, to the point where you’ll tell assassins to go away.”
“Among them, the [Grand Magician] is said to be the most powerful. There’s probably no one in the world who can stop him.”
“It’s hard enough to stop an ordinary magician, so what about a Grand Magician? The only one in the world who could make him an ally would be a hero.”
“It’s impossible unless you’re a monster.”
I’m that monster, guys.
In fact, one of my companions who fought alongside the Knight King against the Demon King was a Grand Magician.
The problem was that while he was tremendously skilled, his personality was twisted.
“I don’t know how he did it, but he followed me around every time.”
Taking him on as my colleague was half-forced from the beginning.
Even when I wanted to have a different wizard as my colleague, he somehow found out and became my colleague.
He would find out somehow and follow me around, which was incredible.
It was as if he wouldn’t tolerate me having any other wizards besides him.
I let Jooyeon lead because he was strong, but he shook his head firmly.
‘He’s good, but I should avoid him this time.’
Since he has reflexes, it won’t be difficult.
I just need to cast magic and reflect it back at him.
But then, Adien sighed and looked at the knight.
“I’ll tell the family wizard, but don’t expect too much. We need the water of life to reattach your arm.”
“Yes. I’m prepared. Even wizards don’t give away the water of life easily because it’s so precious.”
“I don’t think the family wizard will refuse, but it’ll be difficult to obtain the item in the first place.”
Adien felt incredibly bitter because he had lost the arm of a subordinate he cared for.
However, Jooyeon unexpectedly spoke up.
“Don’t worry. I know an easy way to get it.”
What?
Adien’s eyes widened.
“Really? You know how?”
“Yes. You won’t need to bow down to wizards.”
“……!!”
If Jooyeon’s words were true, it would be extraordinary.
‘Not only will the soldiers’ abilities increase, but the situation could change.’
It meant that this guy had an incredible weapon.
‘It’s unlikely to be a lie… because I’ve seen it.’
Not only that unknown power, but Jooyeon’s words were believable based on his actions so far.
Adien couldn’t take his eyes off of Jooyeon.
‘Count Sanderson. I must have this guy’s help to stop him.’
But then, it happened.
“I see the dukedom!”
Along with a soldier’s exclamation, a prosperous city appeared.
It was a large city that was so advanced it was hard to believe it was the Middle Ages.
The enormous castle walls were magnificent.
The line of people waiting to enter the castle stretched to the end of the hill.
However, the soldiers felt both joy and regret at the sight of the dukedom.
It was because of Jooyeon.
To the soldiers, a house or rest was important, but there was something more important than that.
A superior they could trust.
Some treasured the monthly pay they received more than their lives, but in the end, their lives depended on their superior.
As proof, Adien called Jooyeon over when he saw the soldiers looking at him with regret.
“I’ll give you some soldiers when we get there.”
“Oh? Really? Won’t that be a waste?”
“From now on, both you and I will be targets of the enemy.”
Aiden announced it to the soldiers.
“Those of you who wish to transfer, come to me. I’ll assign you to that guy.”
“……!?”
Everyone’s eyes lit up.
Even the knights looked at their master with surprise, as if it were an outrageous act.
Joo-Yeon was also pleased because it was something he had been hoping for, but then a problem arose.
‘Hmm?’
As the carriage arrived at the castle gate, Joo-Yeon tilted his head.
“Huh?”
It felt as if something was scanning him.
No, it was more like eyes trying to look deep inside him.
‘Is this… detection magic?’
Joo-Yeon glanced at Aiden and the knights, but they didn’t seem to notice it.
‘It’s such a subtle detection that even the knights can’t sense it…’
It was certain.
This was the mystic power of magic.
‘But why would a precious wizard be in a place like this?’
It was clear that someone was after him.
‘Detection alone is not dangerous, but magic can be tricky.’
Still, he had the [Grand Mage] and wanted to test it out, so it might be a good thing.
At that moment, the power that was scanning Joo-Yeon delved into his body.
Joo-Yeon smiled.
‘Let’s test it out.’
＜Reflect＞
Soon, the power of reflection clashed with the magic.