Episode 31. Will You Fall for the Trick?
Sirius looked at Velid and recalled the days of the Baekmuran.
“He truly is like a warrior of the Twelve Guards.”
Even in the martial world, there were occasionally such fellows.
Those who, despite their exceptional abilities, thought they lacked opportunities due to the peaceful surroundings. These were usually young nobles who, longing for the rough and turbulent life of a warrior, believed that by leaving the protection of their family and heading towards the rugged life of a warrior, they could prove their abilities.
As this condition worsened, they would often end up attempting to act as mercenaries alone, leading to mostly unfavorable outcomes.
Baekmuran called this condition the ‘warrior syndrome’ and referred to those afflicted with it as ‘warrior-syndrome patients’.
Velid seems to be anticipating turbulent times… one could say he’s a ‘turbulent times patient’ afflicted with ‘turbulent times syndrome’.
“Enough with the nonsense.”
Sirius coldly retorted to the turbulent times patient.
“Let’s just go out. The air isn’t good here.”
“Tsk, fine.”
“Is there a magic spell to purify the air?”
“That much is possible with a gale spell.”
As Velid clapped his hands, the wind roared, swiftly circulating the air.
“How’s that?”
“…”
From creating light to dispel darkness earlier… he’s more capable than I thought.
“You handle magic well.”
“Well, of course, for me it’s basic.”
“…Academy.”
The word referred to an institution specialized in teaching magic in this world.
It was said that those prestigious individuals who wished to learn magic systematically would attend the Academy.
Even Rutvein Rigel had received education at the Academy.
“Sirius, if you truly aspire to become an outstanding wizard, it would be best to enter the academy. Regardless of who your mentor is, the professors at the academy are truly…”
“Valeed, are there 9th Circle wizards at the academy as well?”
“The 9th Circle? Of course, they exist.”
Valeed nodded.
“They all possess tremendous skills. I once saw them up close when they were handling a landslide, and I doubted my own eyes. It seemed more like a miracle than magic.”
“…”
“I, too, with more practice, will someday reach the level of the 9th Circle…”
Listening to Valeed’s enthusiastic voice, Sirius was lost in thought.
If he mastered his martial arts, he might be able to cause a landslide.
However, no matter how skilled he became, he could never remedy a landslide.
What kind of martial arts would he need to defeat a 9th Circle wizard possessing such miraculous power?
It seemed like he would need to contemplate this from various angles.
‘When I meet the 9th Circle wizards… I might gain new insights.’
Obtaining new insights and reaching a higher level than when he was in the martial world.
That was another goal Sirius pursued in this world.
***
Since things had turned out this way, why not meet Father before leaving?
As they emerged from the cave, Valeed made the suggestion.
While they needed to report on dealing with the troublesome Gold Goat gang, since it wasn’t solely his accomplishment, he wanted company for the task.
Examining the Albraim family and meeting the patriarch were also things Sirius desired.
With no reason to refuse, he followed Valeed to the headquarters of the Albraim family.
“This is the main residence of our Albraim family.”
The main residence of the Albraim family was a fortress surrounded by walls.
It appeared quite large in scale and well-maintained.
It was indeed different from the fallen Regal family, he thought.
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Observing this, Valeed subtly smiled.
Valeed had various intentions in bringing Sirius to the main residence.
One of them was to showcase the prestige of the Albraim family.
“This way, please.”
As Valeed led the way, several people politely greeted them.
“Lord Valeed, who is this…?”
“The youngest successor of the Regal family, Sirius.”
“…!”
“We collaborated in subduing thieves this time, hahahaha!”
As Valeed put his hand on Sirius’ shoulder and spoke, the people were amazed.
Valeed’s intention also included displaying his closeness with Sirius.
“Is Father in the garden today? There’s something I need to report.”
“He is in the garden. However… he is entertaining guests.”
“Guests? Who might they be?”
“That is….”
“What?”
Leaving Belid, who was whispering to someone below, behind, Sirius walked alone.
As he was exploring the interior, Belid hurriedly caught up with him.
“Wait, Sirius!”
Belid grabbed the edge of Sirius’s clothes and urgently whispered.
“The situation is a bit unfavorable. Let’s meet Father later.”
“Why?”
“There’s word that someone from the Agtas family has arrived.”
“….”
The Agtas family.
Sirius had heard the name before as well.
In the northeast, the Albraim family was the strongest, but considering the entire east, the Agtas family was said to be the best.
A prestigious family located close to the 5 major families of the continent… that was the Agtas family.
“Well, that worked out nicely.”
“What?”
“I was curious about the Agtas family too.”
“Oh, wait!”
This time, Sirius placed his hand on Belid’s shoulder.
But unlike what Belid had done earlier to show friendship, this gesture was not for that purpose.
It was to lead Belid forward and freely roam around Albraim Castle.
“Is the garden this way?”
“Yes, Sirius…!”
Though Belid resisted, Sirius did not release his grip on Belid’s shoulder.
They eventually reached a garden constructed within the castle walls.
“….”
In the beautifully adorned garden, there was a pavilion-like structure.
Seated there were an old man with white hair and a man in his late twenties facing each other.
“Belid, what is the matter?”
The old man’s gaze turned towards them.
Finally, Belid gritted his teeth and stepped forward.
“Father, I have dealt with the Golgot gang that hindered the fortress expansion for some time.”
“Hm, those bandits.”
The head of the Albraim family, Clind Albraim.
He was said to have been a mage who once held a position of authority at the academy.
Although he was too old now to engage in combat directly, there was a time when no one in the northeast could rival him.
“It was quite challenging to deal with them, but we finally subdued them. Belid, you have done well.”
“Oh, well, actually, it wasn’t just me who did it….”
Belid cautiously glanced at Sirius.
“Nice to meet you for the first time, Sir Clind.”
“You are…”
“They say he is Sirius, the youngest heir of the Regal family. He recently led the Golgoth gang with Belied to subdue them.”
As Sirius spoke with formality, Clind’s eyes widened.
Meanwhile, the young man with Clind frowned and glared at Sirius.
“hahahaha… This is quite impressive, a remarkable figure has appeared.”
Clind smiled and spoke again.
“Sirius, I’ve heard a lot about you. I wanted to meet you once, but I never expected you to come all the way here in person.”
Saying so, Clind shifted his gaze.
“It’s fortunate. We were just discussing about you.”
“Lord Clind…”
“What is it, Parriel?”
Clind turned to the young man in his late twenties sitting next to him.
“Wouldn’t it be better to hear directly from him?”
“…”
With pursed lips, Parriel turned his gaze towards Sirius.
After briefly staring at him with hostility, he slowly spoke up.
“He is Parriel, son of the Agtas family. It seems there’s unrest in the northeast recently, so I was discussing it with Clind, the most prestigious figure in the northeast.”
“Unrest?”
“Don’t beat around the bush, Sirius.”
Parriel said sharply.
“Not only did he suppress the Uterus family and establish the Scarecrow Manor… he even killed several leaders of the Black Assembly and recruited their followers? And it’s said he used that power to control even the merchants.”
“…”
“Our Agtas family is concerned about your actions. It’s regrettable to see the Regal family, once a prestigious lineage, fall so low… That’s why we were in talks with the Albrime family.”
After saying so, Parriel shrugged.
“But I never expected you to show up here. Since it’s come to this, it would be good to hear an explanation from you. If you have anything to say…”
“What a ludicrous thing to say.”
Before Parriel could finish, Sirius spoke.
“The Agtas family, who turned a blind eye to whatever was happening in the northeast, is now concerned about the situation there?”
“What did you say?”
“Parriel Agtas.”
Sirius called Parriel’s name.
“When organizations like the Kalstein Swordsmen, Valkain Guild, or the Oblea Mercenaries were preying on civilians in the northeast. What exactly was the Agtas family doing?”
“What do you mean?”
“The Agtas family…”
“I heard that the Agtas family mainly holds influence in the southern regions even in the east. But with your power, advancing to the northeast to suppress the Black Assembly would have been entirely possible.”
This was a situation already confirmed through discussions with Yustia and others.
“Am I wrong?”
“Don’t speak so easily, Sirius.”
Parriel said with a frown.
“The northeast is beyond our family’s sphere of influence. If we were to intervene, we would need a valid reason…”
“Then why are you trying to get involved in the northeast situation now?”
“….”
At Sirius’s remark, Pariel fell silent.
“In the past, you could have justified restoring order in the Northeast. However, the Northeast is more stable now than when the Black and Gray gangs roamed around eating civilians. Hasn’t the justification diminished?”
“….”
“Yes, no matter how much you think about it, the justification was lacking. So, were you planning to meet with the Albrime family? Trying to create some justification somehow?”
This time, Bellid, who was standing beside them, flinched and looked at Sirius.
He belatedly realized the significance of Pariel’s visit.
“You’ve been ignoring the Black and Gray gangs in the Northeast because you wouldn’t suffer any losses from your perspective.”
Sirius lashed out in a cold voice.
“Even if the Black and Gray gangs in the Northeast harm civilians and roam around, you wouldn’t suffer any harm. No, you might even applaud. Because they could cause direct or indirect harm to the Yuterus or Albrime families.”
“Hey, what are you saying….”
“Weren’t you hoping the Agtas family would leave the Northeast as an insignificant rural area?”
Poor public safety.
Lack of industrial development.
The more the Northeast was like that, the better for the Agtas family.
“You had plans to eventually control the entire East. To do that, it’s advantageous for the Northeast to be a poor rural area.”
“What….”
“But now the situation has changed. Our Rigel family has started stabilizing the Northeast.”
Sirius stared at Pariel and spoke.
“What you fear is the Rigel family regaining the status of one of the Five Great Families and becoming the lord of the East.”
“…!”
“The Agtas family has always dreamed of being part of the Five Great Families. So, they cannot just stand by and watch the Rigel family rise again here.”
It wasn’t only the Yuterus family aiming for the Rigel family’s position.
The Agtas family also wanted to make a name for themselves among the Five Great Families in place of the Rigel family.
“So, that’s why we’ve sought out the Albrime family. If we can gain the cooperation of the powerful Albrime family in the Northeast, it will be easier to create justification.”
“Stop talking nonsense, Sirius!”
Pariel raised his voice.
“My visit to the Albrime family this time was purely for…!”
“Lord Clind.”
Without responding to Pariel, Sirius looked at Clind.
“The Agtas family plans to use the Albrime family’s support to lead the charge in the fight against the Rigel family. Having the prestigious Albrime family from the Northeast at the forefront is crucial for legitimacy.”
“….”
“Then, both the Rigel and Albrime families will enter the heavily damaged Northeast, achieve the long-standing dream of dominating the entire East, and reach the Five Great Families.”
This was truly the best strategy the Agtas family could choose.
By involving the Albrime family in this fight, they could gain control of the entire East and come closer to the Five Great Families.
But Sirius had already seen through their scheme.
“Will you fall for such a trick?”
“….”
Clind Albrime closed his eyes tightly, showing a contemplative expression.