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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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The Imperial Court Mage.
As the Crown Princess had explained, even though the vast empire’s tax revenue was no joke, it wasn’t so flush with money that it could provide nearly unlimited research funds.
If the large territory and numerous subjects meant a lot of tax was collected, it also meant there were many places where that collected tax needed to be used.
However, the position of Court Mage wasn’t one that existed solely for the pure advancement of magic through academic research, which others might neglect.
It could be said that its true purpose was to serve as a substitute for the army in matters that would normally require military deployment and mobilization of knight orders.
Another nickname for the position of Court Mage was the Empire’s ultimate weapon.
Whether it was unrest near the border or a large-scale monster subjugation, it didn’t matter what the issue was.
If the opponent was human, they would avoid conflict knowing how powerful a mage, especially a great mage who had reached the realm of grand magic, could be on the battlefield.
And if it was mindless monsters, it was much cheaper to deploy just one person instead of mobilizing an army for a task that would normally require one.
“When you say verification…”
“Any form necessary, if needed.”
Rudrick, who knew this fact, quietly asked, and the Crown Princess answered while elegantly brushing back her hair.
“Normally, there would be a rigorous verification process… but as you know, this is an unprecedented case where the Court Mage position has become vacant in such a manner.”
“…”
“As it’s a position that can’t be left vacant for long, the process will need to be somewhat streamlined. However, we can’t handle it too hastily either.”
Rudrick remained silent, and the Crown Princess continued.
Even Elena, as if this had been agreed upon beforehand, quietly listened to the Crown Princess’s words.
It was unusual for her not to have interjected by now, given her usual behavior.
Contrary to Rudrick’s expectation that they might combine the verification process with the mages being invited from the Magic Tower to assess his skills externally, the Crown Princess brought up a completely unexpected topic.
“Do you know why the Nord Grand Duchy is separated as a grand duchy?”
“…No, I’m not sure.”
“The northern lands are barren. While they’re rich in resources, the climate is harsh, and above all, there are many monsters just beyond the barrier.”
Although he was puzzled as to why Eileen’s Nord Grand Duchy had suddenly become the topic, Rudrick honestly answered that he didn’t know.
As if she had expected this, the Crown Princess continued her explanation.
“To put it simply, the Nord Grand Duchy is a breakwater.”
“…You mean it’s a shield protecting the empire’s mainland from attacks by barbarians and monsters.”
“You catch on quickly. Fortunately, there hasn’t been a large-scale monster attack in over a decade, but instead, barbarians are stirring up trouble at the barrier almost daily.”
“Then does this verification involve me going to deal with barbarian attacks…”
“Similar, but different.”
As Rudrick trailed off, the Crown Princess shook her head.
At this firm denial, Rudrick internally sighed with relief.
Although they were barbarians who had come south to raid the border, it was a different matter to use magic against humans compared to monsters that looked completely different from humans, like creatures straight out of a game or novel.
“The reason barbarians constantly try to cross the barrier is, of course, largely because the land of the grand duchy is relatively better compared to outside the barrier. At least the land inside the Great Barrier is arable to some extent. But that’s not all.”
“If that’s not all, then…”
“The environment beyond the barrier is harsh. Not only is proper farming impossible, but it’s also difficult to enjoy the benefits of civilization… but the biggest reason is survival.”
“…You’re saying that the barbarians are trying desperately to cross the barrier because they’re threatened by monsters.”
“Exactly. The barbarians outside the barrier aren’t fools, and they’re not rushing in like moths to a flame without ever having properly crossed the barrier. They’re simply making the choice with the highest chance of survival, as crossing the barrier is their best hope for survival.”
The Crown Princess nodded.
The empire’s intelligence was by no means shallow.
Moreover, the exchange ratio in battles at the northern Great Barrier had been nearly 50:1 in simple terms.
It meant fifty poorly armed barbarians had to fall, spilling their blood on the cold snow, for one soldier of the Nord Grand Duchy guarding the barrier to die.
Despite hardly ever succeeding in their raids and suffering such crushing defeats time and time again, it would be foolish not to find it strange that the barbarians kept engaging in these hopeless battles to cross the barrier.
Naturally, skilled rangers from the Nord Grand Duchy had gone on several expeditions combined with investigations beyond the barrier, and those who returned from these investigations reported with astonishment what they had witnessed.
Beyond the barrier was an extreme environment where scattered barbarian tribes fought a desperate daily survival competition against monsters like orcs, trolls, and ogres over their scarce resources.
Eileen and the Crown Princess had drawn their conclusions from this.
The recent rapid increase in the number of monsters beyond the barrier was likely not unrelated to the increasingly frequent barbarian invasions.
“…It’s a preventive war, then.”
“That’s right.”
The Crown Princess nodded again at Rudrick’s carefully uttered murmur.
It was a vicious cycle where barbarians, threatened by the rapidly increasing monsters, were pushed down and frequently invaded the Nord Grand Duchy in desperate attempts to cross the barrier.
Establishing a base beyond the barrier and dispatching an army to hunt monsters would inevitably require large-scale troops.
When troops were mobilized, the military organization naturally consumed resources without producing any, and being a preemptive attack rather than a defensive war, it would inevitably incur enormous military expenses.
The conclusion drawn was that it was far more cost-effective to send one outstanding mage to reduce the number of monsters than to spend such military expenses.
This was the core of the ‘Court Mage verification process’ this time.
Being dispatched alone into the harsh environment beyond the barrier to eliminate a significant number of monsters.
Even for a superhuman, it wasn’t an easy task to be optimistic about, which inversely made it a device for distinguishing the truly qualified for the position of Court Mage.
“Of course, even if you fail, there will be no penalty for you. And if someone as talented as you were to get hurt, that would also be our loss.”
Elena, who had been quietly listening until now, interjected with a grin.
In short, given that it was a somewhat dangerous and challenging mission, it meant they would prepare sufficient safety measures to guard against it.
In reality, Elena was worried sick that Rudrick might get hurt by a stray attack, but she couldn’t assign a large number of guards for escort.
That would invert the purpose.
Therefore,
“To serve as your escort, and because we definitely need to subjugate monsters anyway, some knights from the Nord Grand Duchy will be additionally mobilized.”
“…And the Grand Duchess of Nord said she would personally take to the field.”
The Crown Princess added, frowning as if quite displeased, following up on Elena’s words.
Even thinking simply, it was an operation involving one grand mage-class magician and the empire’s Black Lion.
Although the numbers might be small, judging by combat power alone, it was comparable to an army.
And this was also the greatest advantage of superhumans who exceeded human standards.
Achieving maximum efficiency with minimum personnel.
It was also a basic principle.
“Of course, as you know, I’m not thrilled about my damn cousin getting involved in this, but your safety is the top priority, so it can’t be helped.”
Elena said jokingly, shaking her head.
Even though she was wary of Eileen and Rudrick getting closer, she could make at least a minimal distinction.
Keeping Rudrick and Eileen together for a while was far better than Rudrick getting hurt.
And with this, all explanations were concluded.
To verify whether Rudrick was indeed a mage worthy of the Court Mage position, the task was to subjugate the monsters that had been rapidly increasing in number beyond the barrier recently.
Given that even Eileen was stepping in, and that he had already affirmed he would become the Court Mage, Rudrick had no reason to refuse.
“…I’ll do it.”
It was a somewhat blunt answer.
Although his thoughts were still jumbled, messily swirling in his mind since he was somewhat mentally shocked by recent events, like Elena making a rational decision, Rudrick too could exercise minimal discernment.
“It’s decided then.”
And as if she had been waiting for that answer, the Crown Princess issued a dismissal.
“We plan to set a date as soon as possible. Once the practical details are sorted out, you’ll be notified through the former Court Mage’s laboratory.”
The laboratory where, until just yesterday, his mentor Lorenzo and Sylphia had been.
Though if he went back now, there would be no one to welcome him, with only Rudrick there alone.
Rudrick bowed his head, showing respect to the princess’s, and turned to leave the office without lingering.
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[Im putting bets he meets a hot barbarian woman lol what do yall think?]
Imagine that the one he chose before their regression is a hot barbarian woman that is 10000% loyal will never lie, is cute and can learn fast. Aka the perfect wife, and if she has white hair even better