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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“I know. However, that doesn’t change the fact that I’m a warlock.”
“At the very least, I need the absolute trust of the noble house that accepts me. In that sense, House Lineta is a perfect fit.”
“…I see. If that’s what you think, I can’t stop you.”
“So, I’ve come to discuss the arrangements for the matters I requested earlier.”
I informed him that I had someone to transport the artifacts, and that the hired mage would accompany Athena.
“I’ll pay the fees in advance.”
The artifacts cost about 20 gold coins, and I paid a hefty 100 gold coins for the mage.
“That’s quite a sum…”
“It’s for your troubles. Consider it a commission as well. The mage’s circle doesn’t matter, even 1st circle is fine, but their identity must be verifiable.”
“I understand. Don’t worry. I’ll send someone suitable.”
With the matter settled, Otriokar stood up and extended his hand.
“If you’re going to Lineta, we won’t see each other often. But if you’re ever in the area, stop by. You’re always welcome.”
After a brief farewell with Otriokar, I went to see Colmail.
He seemed to have already heard the news, wearing a bittersweet expression.
“There is a branch in Lineta, but it’s practically defunct.”
“I intend to stabilize the territory as much as possible. Don’t miss that opportunity.”
“…Will that be possible?”
“It will be.”
“…If it were anyone else, I would have dismissed it as a bluff, but considering what you’ve shown us so far, Do Inha, I can’t. Especially since you’re a necromancer…”
Moreover, I had the royal family’s backing.
Colmail, wearing a complex expression, composed himself and spoke.
“…I am a man of Doriem. Does that not matter to you?”
“That doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”
“You know that Lineta and Doriem are in a difficult position to fight each other. Besides, both houses are part of the royalist faction.”
“That’s true.”
Lineta and Doriem were neighboring territories, but their relationship was different from other neighboring territories.
‘Not that it’s a good relationship either.’
They were more like indifferent neighbors.
While Doriem was ambitious and eager to expand its influence, they didn’t touch Lineta.
Or rather, they couldn’t.
Doriem was stronger.
However, Lineta was a founding noble family.
Regardless of their current power, they couldn’t be touched without significant justification.
‘Doriem would suffer greatly without Lineta.’
Like lips and teeth.
Lineta bordered the ‘Barren Lands’ and acted as a bulwark against the monsters that emerged from it.
In other words, Lineta served as a breakwater for Doriem.
And currently, that breakwater was on the verge of collapse.
“I’m not suggesting immediate action. It’s too early for that.”
“However, I’m advising you not to miss the opportunity when it arises.”
Mercenary guild branches inevitably had close ties with the territory’s ruler.
Having the branch manager, someone connected to Colmail, on my side wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Of course, I had no intention of antagonizing the lord of Lineta.
However, I wouldn’t tolerate any attempts to use the mercenary guild to undermine me.
I didn’t intend to interfere with the territory’s affairs, but I wouldn’t be controlled either.
I planned to secure an independent position within the territory.
‘And I intend to contribute accordingly.’
While the dragon’s corpse was my primary, selfish motivation, it would undoubtedly benefit the territory as well.
Indeed, one of my objectives after becoming the official warlock of Lineta was to clear the ‘Barren Lands.’
The reason was simple.
‘That’s where the dragon’s corpse is located.’
And that’s where my tower would be built.
If that area was secured, House Lineta wouldn’t face ruin.
Of course, it would merely give them breathing room, not restore their former glory.
House Lineta was in too dire a state for that.
‘Honestly, they can barely sustain themselves. Of course, with the royal family’s support this time, the situation will be better.’
They hadn’t given up their territory in the previous iteration for nothing.
Even if the Barren Lands were cleared, there was still the neighboring Monster Forest, and if they regained their power, they would face renewed opposition from the noble faction.
It would merely give them a chance to survive.
However, if the Earth Mother Religion was successfully revived, the royal family’s power would inevitably increase, rendering the noble faction’s opposition meaningless.
‘This really puts into perspective how vast the Monster Forest is.’
The Monster Forest, said to have branched off from the Great Southern Forest, was a massive expanse bordering several countries and countless territories.
And the level of threat varied depending on the monsters inhabiting each area…
‘The Lineta side had numerous medium and large monsters.’
Even high-ranking monsters occasionally appeared.
It was a cursed land in some respects.
But it also meant they had a strong military force.
The King’s concern for Lineta stemmed not only from their history as a founding noble family and their loyalty to the royal family, but also from a practical reason, the royal family didn’t want to deal with it.
Reclaiming that land would be a huge expense for the royal family.
However, the royal family was currently focused on reviving the Earth Mother Religion…
‘Well, they could use it as an excuse to strengthen the royal army, but the losses would outweigh the gains.’
Of course, in the previous iteration, the discovery of the dragon’s corpse had been a windfall, but that fortune would be mine this time.
I didn’t forget to mention Athena’s matter.
She would remain in Doriem for the time being, as she had other matters to attend to, and she needed mercenaries for that.
“I understand the situation is difficult. However, it’s an important matter. I’d like you to prioritize assigning competent mercenaries without any suspicion of betrayal from this incident to Athena’s request.”
Colmail looked troubled but eventually sighed and agreed, knowing he couldn’t refuse.
I had done him favors, I had the royal family’s backing, and I was close to him.
Especially since I had indirectly expressed my intention to maintain our connection even after leaving Doriem, it was difficult for him to refuse.
After giving Colmail some advice and bidding him farewell, I returned to my companions.
I didn’t say goodbye to the Viscount personally, as we weren’t close, and there was some awkwardness due to his previous attempt to recruit me.
Departure preparations didn’t take long.
With the subspace pouch and the dimensional fragment, I could store almost everything.
“…I’ll get there as soon as possible.”
“Safety first. Don’t rush. Remember, Thea isn’t as strong as you.”
To be precise, she was just an ordinary girl her age.
However, compared to Athena, she could only be described as frail.
“I know.”
“It’s okay to be late. Just come back safely.”
Athena, who was staying behind in Doriem, seemed anxious, as she had never been separated from me for so long.
Indeed, her life had changed drastically after meeting me.
She gained power and safety, along with a relatively comfortable life.
‘She never lacked food or clothing.’
In this world, many couldn’t even meet those basic needs.
Furthermore, she was rarely treated with disrespect.
Being separated from me and having to act independently, even temporarily, would be unfamiliar and unsettling for her.
Actually, Kayla would be better suited for this task.
However, Kayla’s strength was essential in Lineta, so I couldn’t send her away.
While Athena was also valuable, she was less so than Kayla, and since it involved retrieving her sister, it was better for her to handle it personally.
Indeed, Athena seemed to think she should be the one to go.
That’s why she didn’t object despite her anxiety.
Leaving Athena in Doriem, we boarded the carriage and headed towards Lineta County.
The journey was uneventful.
However, upon entering the County, Kayla sighed softly, seeing the state of disrepair.
“I had heard stories, but I didn’t realize it was this bad.”
There were no proper roads or villages.
Fortunately, it wasn’t infested with bandits, but the atmosphere was that of a dying territory.
We had traveled deep into the territory without encountering any patrols or checkpoints.
Despite having camped twice during the journey, which wasn’t short, we had barely seen any villages.
We even encountered monsters along the way.
After cutting down a group of goblins, Kayla muttered with a grave expression,
“The territory itself seems vast, but it’s not being properly utilized. This is worse than I imagined.”
“…The villages we found were all in ruins. And they looked like they had collapsed long ago.”
“…There was even a village occupied by goblins.”
Baldur and Annelise seemed to agree.
“At this point, isn’t it a monster territory, not a human one?”
It sounded half true.
However, this was officially Lineta County, and therefore, other territories couldn’t interfere.
If it weren’t for the royal family’s protection and House Lineta’s history as a founding noble family, other territories would have seized it for its mismanagement.
‘Indeed, the area actually controlled by House Lineta has been shrinking over time.’
They were barely holding onto the crucial areas near the Barren Lands and the Monster Forest, and even those weren’t completely secure.
Of course, no noble territory was entirely free of monsters.
Few lords managed their entire territory effectively, and monsters often established themselves in various areas.
Villages were occasionally attacked.
While such incidents were rare in centrally located territories, those were few and far between.
However, even for an outer territory, this was excessive.
No other territory had monsters roaming so freely.
Kayla wasn’t exaggerating when she called it a monster territory.
On the third day after entering Lineta, we finally reached the Count’s castle.
As befitting a house that was once a powerful founding noble family, the castle itself was massive.
However, it was poorly maintained, appearing more like an empty shell.
The state of the territory, and the condition of the castle… it was no wonder this territory was destined for ruin.
A man stopped our carriage.
‘A knight?’
Instead of the usual guards, a man who clearly looked like a knight stood before us.
However, his appearance wasn’t knightly at all.
He looked more like a mercenary.
But anyone with a discerning eye wouldn’t mistake him for a mercenary.
His posture, gait, hand movements, and presence… he wasn’t trying to hide his strength.
‘At least Expert level.’
He looked quite old, over forty.
Considering mana users looked younger than their actual age, unless he had prematurely aged, he was likely closer to fifty.
Someone of his skill and age would have considerable experience, and yet, he was guarding the gate.
“Who are you? You don’t appear to be nobles. Identify yourselves.”
A knight, not an ordinary guard, addressed us.
I immediately stepped out of the carriage.
“…A mage?”
“I am Do Inha. I am the newly appointed official warlock of Lineta County.”
Official warlock.
The knight’s eyes lit up, as if looking at a rare creature.
“So you’re that eccentric warlock I’ve heard so much about? You’re much younger than I expected.”
Eccentric.
It seemed that was how I was known.
‘At least it’s not a negative image?’
Perhaps because I had the royal family’s backing. Surprisingly, there was no typical warlock suspicion.
Considering I was a warlock, and the general image of warlocks on the continent, being called eccentric or a rare creature was almost a sign of goodwill.
He checked my appointment papers as a precaution, then nodded after confirming the seals.
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