Chapter 58: Where Would You Use a Fool? (1)
As the atmosphere shifted abruptly, Belinda, Gillian, and Kaor, who had been tense, could only blink in confusion.
Just a moment ago, it would have been strange if someone didn’t die.
But as Ghislaine promised to consistently provide Runestones, the Mages suddenly took a step back.
They looked like people who were going crazy for not being able to get their hands on Runestones.
This transaction succeeded purely because Ghislaine knew the future.
People who didn’t know he had returned wouldn’t grasp that.
Belinda fiddled with her brooch, sinking into thought.
‘…Seems like there’s some weakness? Is there something more we can squeeze out of this?’
Practical Belinda abandoned understanding the unfolding situation and was pondering ways to reap greater benefits.
After being swept up in Ghislaine’s whims a few times, she had become somewhat accustomed to it.
While the three were lost in their thoughts, Ghislaine continued.
“To be honest, we’re not planning to attack any Territory. We simply don’t have the strength for that.”
“Really? Then why are we discussing war?”
Hubert asked, seemingly intrigued.
If they weren’t planning an attack, it would be less burdensome to lend out Mages.
“A Runestone has been discovered in a poor and weak Territory like ours. Would other Territories just sit by idly?”
“…I see.”
If a Runestone appeared in a weak Territory like Perdium, it was likely that greedy Lords would emerge wanting to seize it.
“However, it won’t be easy to attack. If one place wants to gobble up the Runestone, other Territories won’t sit still either.”
Ghislaine couldn’t help but admire that. Indeed, a Mage’s keen intuition shouldn’t be underestimated.
It was as he said. If someone attacked Perdium, other Territories would jump in for various reasons.
The initial attacking Lord would have to deal not just with Perdium but several Territories, causing everyone to hesitate and play the waiting game.
However, Ghislaine didn’t need to consider such complex political dynamics.
The enemy was clear, and Duke Delphine would undoubtedly invade Perdium by any means necessary.
They had the power and political influence to do so.
“That’s a good point. However, we need the strength to defend our Territory until we can use the Runestones to grow stronger. They might collude to split Perdium among themselves.”
Since he couldn’t say he knew the future, he could only frame it as a mere possibility.
It was a reasonable statement, so Hubert didn’t sense anything unusual and nodded in agreement.
Under such circumstances, Ghislaine’s request to borrow Mages was quite understandable.
Ghislaine’s request to borrow mages was certainly understandable.
‘If the lords find out, it’ll be a pickle.’
The Tower of the Bloody Flame was already safeguarding the Brivant Territory, but at least there was a justification to defend around the mage tower.
If it was revealed that they had joined forces with Perdium, which lacked even a plausible justification, the Tower of the Bloody Flame wouldn’t be safe either.
However, Hubert wanted to intervene in Perdium’s situation, even if it meant overstepping his bounds.
‘With the Runestone I just received, I could gain several times more. With that, I could surely surpass the Tower of Crimson again. I must not let that guy sell Runestones to the Tower of Crimson!’
The quarrels of the lords meant nothing to him. His only goal was to suppress the Tower of Crimson and rise as the best mage tower in the kingdom.
To fulfill that ambition, he needed to obtain Perdium’s Runestone.
Hubert sighed and asked the elders.
“What do you think? If we keep the secret, should be worth a shot, right?”
While asking, it was basically a way of saying they should do it.
“Well, if the secret is kept… it shouldn’t be bad.”
“Can’t we just push forward and claim ignorance? It wouldn’t hurt anyone.”
“If it gets out that we’re from the tower… let’s say we came to study Runestones and got dragged into this.”
With the elders agreeing, Hubert took a deep breath and spoke to Ghislaine.
“Alright. I’ll borrow the mages. Just give me a moment. I need to select trustworthy people to maintain the secret.”
In the end, Hubert decided to put one foot into protecting the Perdium Territory.
Ghislaine smiled happily and politely bowed his head.
“Thank you. You needn’t worry; nothing major should happen.”
“You’re quite the fearless young lad. You’ll need to ensure your people keep their mouths shut.”
“Rest assured. As mercenaries, we can handle that well.”
No matter how uninterested he claimed to be in power struggles, the Tower of the Bloody Flame could not be completely free from the nobles’ influence.
But the tower decided to follow Ghislaine even while taking on such risks.
The bulk of Runestones Ghislaine brought and the tower’s unfortunate situation intertwined and produced this result.
‘What on earth is this kid?’
Now that he had made the decision, Hubert felt like he was possessed by a ghost.
‘Could he know our situation? There’s no way he could, though.’
From an outside perspective, the Tower of the Bloody Flame appeared to have no problems at all.
It had only suffered a slight dip in reputation due to being overshadowed by the Tower of Crimson. They were still purchasing Runestones in small quantities through other merchant groups.
In fact, many of the mages affiliated with the tower were still unaware of the detailed internal matters.
Unless a high-ranking mage within the tower had colluded, there was no way a rookie noble could so brazenly wield them.
Hubert’s suspicious gaze lingered, but Ghislaine smiled inwardly without a care.
‘If you don’t join hands with me, the Tower of the Bloody Flame will collapse even faster.’
Hubert seemed unaware, but the Tower of Crimson was thoroughly planning to trample this place.
While Ghislaine might seem like an annoying brat right now, he was essentially offering a lifeline.
With a slightly worried expression, Hubert stood up.
“Tonight, I’ll arrange for you to have accommodations, so just rest. It’ll take some time to gather people.”
It seems like we have a situation at hand.”
“I understand. You can take your time.”
After the transaction was concluded, Ghislaine confidently stepped outside.
Belinda, Gillian, and Kaor followed behind in a daze.
It was hard to wrap their heads around the fact that something so absurd had actually happened, especially since they were right there witnessing it.
*
It was only after four days that Ghislaine could meet with the Mage Tower Master again.
Hubert looked a bit worn out.
Even with Ghislaine right in front of him, he seemed at a loss for words, fumbling around.
He glanced around as if seeking help from the Elders, but the mages were pointedly looking elsewhere.
Not wanting to wait anymore, Ghislaine spoke up first.
“Everyone seems to have a rather grim expression.”
Indeed, Hubert looked pale as if he had dark circles under his eyes, rather resembling a dying person.
After hesitating for a moment, he finally managed to speak.
“I’m sorry. It seems like we can’t possibly manage ten mages.”
Just reaching the 4th Circle means one can become an exclusive mage for a territory. It’s no easy feat to achieve that status.
In fact, 3rd Circle Masters and 4th Circle Users were the backbone of the Mage Tower.
If they were to aim for it blindly, they could probably scrape together ten 3rd Circle Masters somehow, but it would be risky concerning confidentiality. They had to pick those who were tight-lipped and would follow the Tower’s instructions closely.
‘Ugh, everyone here only knows me.’
Mages generally have a strong individualistic tendency, which made it challenging to choose someone trustworthy.
Even if they combined the disciples of the Tower Master and the Elders, only six would meet the conditions.
But letting go of the Runestone was not an option.
Hubert put on the most pitiful face he could muster.
“I’m so sorry. I couldn’t manage to find ten reliable people after all.”
“Well then, how many are possible?”
“For now, including the Elders’ disciples, it’s six in total. What shall we do?”
“What shall we do? It’s a shame, but we’ll have to conduct the transaction next time.”
When Ghislaine expressed her disappointment, Hubert began to lament.
“Isn’t there another way? Who are we? The best in the North, the Tower of the Bloody Flame. Building a good relationship could benefit the Perdium Territory in the long run.”
The Elders began to persuade Ghislaine as well.
“Having six 3rd Circle Masters should be enough to protect a small territory, right?”
“Exactly, with just that, we could take down hundreds of regular soldiers easily.”
“Think it over again. It’s definitely not insufficient.”
As the mages pleaded, Ghislaine stroked her chin and muttered.
“Well, there is another way… but I’m not sure if the Tower Master would agree.”
Seeing Ghislaine show a hint of concession, Hubert became anxious.
“Oh dear, is there anything that could come between us? If it’s your request, I can even go out and hunt a dragon. What do you say? Just say the word!”
Hubert displayed a desperate expression as if he really would go hunt a dragon. Ghislaine sighed and said.
“As much as I think about it, six just isn’t enough. So, I would like you to give me an additional mage entirely.”
“Huh? You mean you want one outright… are you saying you need an exclusive mage for the territory?”
“Rather than an exclusive mage for the territory, it would be more accurate to say it’s for my personal exclusive mage.”
Hubert narrowed his eyes and let out a pained sound.
“Ugh, isn’t that basically saying you want to expel a mage from the Tower? That’s a matter I can’t just dispose of on a whim without a valid reason.”
While he could make excuses to expel someone from the Tower, it was something within the authority of the Tower Master to handle.
I can do it.
But getting the mage to follow Ghislaine is a completely different problem.
Given the mage’s prideful nature, it was more likely that he would hold a grudge against Ghislaine.
“Even if we dismiss her, whether he follows you is entirely up to him, and there’s nothing we can do about it. Can’t we offer something else instead?”
Ghislaine shook her head and whispered gently.
“Well, can’t we just hear the mage’s opinion first? How about discussing it again after we listen?”
It was a valid point. Hubert nodded after a moment of thought.
“Alright, let’s call him and ask. Do you have a specific mage in mind? Or should we recommend one?”
When Hubert asked, Ghislaine immediately named someone as if she had been waiting for the question.
“Vanessa.”
“Huh?”
At that name, Hubert and the elders tilted their heads in confusion. They couldn’t recall who it was at all.
“Who’s that?”
While he might remember a direct disciple, it was impossible to memorize all the names of the countless people at the mage tower.
Then, one of the elders suddenly shouted as if he had remembered something.
“Oh, that useless glutton!”
“Huh? Who’s that? Do you know them?”
“You know, the disciple who just eats up resources at the mage tower. We once considered dismissing her because it felt wasteful to have her around… Ahem, anyway! She was a disciple taken in by the late Ronato a while back. Don’t you remember?”
Only then did Hubert nod, as if recalling.
“Oh, that girl? The one we’re currently using as a maid… Oh dear, ahem. She’s also a fine mage of our tower indeed. Yes, indeed.”
Hubert maintained a serious expression while nodding a few times, and then he beamed, gripping Ghislaine’s hand tightly.
“Don’t worry. I will definitely appoint her as your exclusive mage.”
“All of a sudden? Didn’t you say you’d just ask for opinions first?”
“Oh ho, opinions and whatnot. If I, the tower owner, command it, she must do it. Hahaha. This seems to be wrapping up easier than expected.”
“That’s true. You’re quite perceptive in picking people, young friend.”
“How did you choose such a lovely and sharp girl? Hohoho.”
Hubert and the elders exchanged pleased smiles.
“Hehe, as expected, a rookie is a rookie. What do they plan to do with such a fool?”
“Tsk tsk. A girl who can’t even sense mana, and they want her to be a mage…”
“Seems like they fell for her during their time here.”
The disciple named Vanessa, whom Ghislaine requested, had been living alone after her master passed away not long ago.
With no connections, she was being looked after at the mage tower for the time being, but no mage had stepped up to take her as a disciple.
The poor thing was so lacking in talent that she couldn’t even sense mana.
Yet to ask for someone who clearly had no talent to be a mage…
The tower owner and the elders laughed at Ghislaine inwardly but made sure not to show it outside.
They figured if Ghislaine got too prideful and just left, she would miss out on the runestone.
“Then please wait a moment. I’ll be right back with the mages.”
The elders hurried off to fetch a disciple, fearing Ghislaine might change her mind.
A significant smile appeared on Ghislaine’s face as she was left alone.
It was time to finalize the most important transaction.
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