Became a Medieval Fantasy Wizard-Chapter 360

TL/Editor: raei

Status: 5/week mon-fri

Illustrations: none

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Though Ian knew little about war, he was a magic expert.

Ian met privately with Count Francis.

"How is Duke Roxlan's condition?"

Count Francis answered casually.

"Not good."

"...Was he injured that badly?"

"Precisely. He'll likely remain bedridden until the war ends."

"Are you certain?"

"Absolutely certain."

Ian shot him a suspiciously curious look.

Wizard Stera had claimed she'd moderated her power when striking the Duke.

Was Stera's magic that unrefined?

Or was there something Ian didn't know?

Of course, Ian wasn't particularly interested in House Roxlan's circumstances.

Currently, Count Francis was performing admirably as the Duke's proxy.

He was doing a good job, so there was no need to interfere.

"Sir Salvador's advice was extremely helpful."

Roxlan had positioned their army forward.

It was a demonstration that they'd strike from behind if given the opportunity.

"But there's still an uncertain element."

Ian understood what Count Francis meant.

"You're referring to the black wizards."

"Yes. Do you have any ideas?"

Currently, black wizards were hiding within Roxlan's army.

More precisely, black wizards or their minions.

Duke Roxlan had contracted with the Golden Rule Society to borrow the power of black magic.

Once battle commenced, they would certainly reveal themselves.

Naturally, it would be better not to receive help from black wizards.

One mistake and Roxlan could be branded as an 'evil' force.

Duke Roxlan had apparently formulated a mad plan to actively use black magic.

But Count Francis had no intention of following his father's path.

"I'm always happy to eliminate black wizards."

Count Francis patted Ian's shoulder and said:

"If you resolve this black wizard problem, I'll never forget the debt."

"..."

You're welcome to forget it, honestly.

Ian was beginning to feel burdened by Count Francis's increasingly friendly behavior.

This man tried desperately to promote Ian at every opportunity.

He probably wanted to support the future Margrave of Silverwind's husband in advance.

Yet Ian had absolutely no intention of living in Silverwind.

Why on earth would he live in the far southern edge when he had perfectly good land in Talian?

Still, being on good terms with the future duke wasn't bad for Ian.

The Count could help counter black wizards. Ian might need his help someday.

"I do have something in mind..."

"Then do it."

"?"

I haven't explained it yet?

But Count Francis gave an eerie smile and said:

"I'll provide whatever you need. Go stop the black wizards' mischief."

...That was the kind of unlimited trust that made Ian bow his head involuntarily.

"Thank you, Count."

"No need for thanks. Go do your work. And become a husband your wife can be proud of."

Ian bowed to the Count and left.

Though he never intended it, Ian had become a quasi-expert on black magic.

The reason? He'd beaten up too many black wizards.

But more than anything, he'd spent time with a genuine black magic expert.

'Professor Demonite.'

Professor Demonite not only taught Ian transmutation but also brilliantly taught him how to act like a black wizard(...).

Of course, he wasn't actually a black wizard.

But he was such a psycho that he could perfectly deceive other black wizards, serving effectively as a double agent.

Ian decided to imitate Professor Demonite's methods.

He wasn't sure how well it would work...

But he judged it worth trying.

'Black wizards operate as a cell organization.'

That was both why black wizards could persistently survive and why Ian's plan might work.

Most black wizards operated in cells, without a strong reporting system.

Especially in infiltration operations like this, they could only move according to their initial instructions.

'The leader of the black wizards currently operating in Roxlan Castle is... Black Wizard Brié.'

Through Count Francis, Ian had acquired all the documents Duke Roxlan had received.

Based on these documents, he prepared an appropriate scenario.

It wouldn't matter much if the plan failed.

Ian already had Count Francis's trust.

The actual battle might become a bit more difficult, but that was the only penalty.

Ian decided he needed to act boldly.

There wasn't much time anyway.

The large-scale battle wasn't far off.

First, Ian approached Sir Pyrak and reported.

"What is it, Lord Ian?"

"I need your help, Sir. It concerns the black wizards."

"!"

Sir Pyrak had already received instructions from Count Francis.

If it involved black wizards, he was to give Ian all possible assistance.

"Tell me."

"The bald man with the brown beard from the Black Eagle mercenary company is definitely a black wizard."

"My goodness... I'll arrest him immediately."

Ian had several black wizards arrested this way.

Then he carefully examined the condition of each captured black wizard.

'Someone suitably stupid yet loyal...'

The Golden Rule Society was a secret organization.

In fiction, secret organizations are often portrayed as ultra-elite groups.

But that's just a setting created for dramatic tension.

Usually, secret organizations are full of bottom-feeders.

Why would accomplished elites join a secret organization? They all want to climb to the top in the light.

Therefore, many of the Golden Rule Society's wizards were mediocre.

Additionally, since black magic could be practiced through murder or torture, there were many nasty characters.

'That one looks good.'

Ian singled out a stubborn-looking black wizard.

He was bald with a brown beard.

His face was a mess, probably from being beaten during capture.

Ian took a deep breath.

He'd acted like a wizard many times before, but this kind was new.

'Like Professor Demonite.'

But Ian moved confidently.

He was long past the point of fearing failure.

In the cold underground dungeon.

Ian met privately with the captured black wizard.

"...Who are you?"

The bald black wizard glared at Ian with cold eyes.

Asking about Ian's identity? +50 points.

Ian liked straightforward types!

Method acting came naturally.

"You stupid fool."

"...?"

"I told you to be careful. Yet you got yourself caught."

When Ian suddenly hurled what sounded like insults, the bald man looked flabbergasted.

"What nonsense are you talking?"

"No need for you to know, simpleton. These new recruits are always..."

"???"

Ian muttered while touching various parts of the prison cell.

There was... an escape route.

Beyond the thin wall seemed to be a cliff.

"Keep watch for anyone coming."

"Hey, who do you think you are—"

Shing!

Ian drew Anor-lsil and pressed it against the wizard's throat.

Thin droplets of blood trickled down the blade.

'Like the Professor.'

Ian smiled slyly and said:

"Does my word not sound convincing? Or would you prefer I kill you right here?"

"...Well, that's. You need to explain—"

"I command, you obey. Simple enough explanation?"

"..."

The black wizard looked like he wanted to say something, but no one had the guts to voice their opinions when threatened with a blade.

"...I'll obey."

He nervously watched Ian's movements while keeping lookout.

Of course, no guards came.

Ian had already cleared them away.

The important thing was...

To the black wizard, it appeared that Ian was helping him!

Since black wizards were still 'wizards,' they had basic knowledge of the Maronius language.

They could easily recognize that Ian was drawing a magic circle.

"Listen while you watch. As you probably expected, the association's membership list has been leaked."

"...!"

"I don't know who leaked it or how. But only a few names were exposed. Therefore, the operation proceeds as planned."

Thud.

Ian subtly concealed the completed magic circle with darkness.

Hidden by concealment power, guards would never discover it.

"Keep an eye out and escape from here. I've arranged a servant position at the stables. Wait there."

"Th-thank you..."

Ian looked directly at the black wizard and said:

"And tell Brié."

"!"

"If he continues to move this carelessly, his head will roll."

The black wizard couldn't meet Ian's eyes.

Black Wizard Brié was the current leader of the black wizards.

Yet this stranger spoke the leader's name as casually as calling someone's pet dog!

"Wh-who should I say sent the message?"

"Demius. He'll understand."

"...! Yes! Lord Demius!"

***

The next day.

The bald black wizard escaped from prison, exactly as Ian intended.

The guards were amazed by the black wizard's mysterious magic and clicked their tongues.

"How did he manage to break through the wall?"

"Even the wizard didn't know. It's not our fault."

The guards naturally knew nothing about magic—

And when Wizard Ian himself inspected the prison, he couldn't find any magic circle.

So the guards thought:

That black wizard...

Must be incredibly skilled at magic!

***

With the clash against Fargar imminent.

The black wizard's existence seemed to be forgotten...

Black Wizard Kan found it difficult to calm his pounding heart.

As a black wizard belonging to the Golden Rule Society, he had been disguised as a mercenary to carry out his mission.

But suddenly he was dragged away by the guards—

And ended up imprisoned!

He had no idea what to do.

Just when he thought everything was over...

[Demius. He'll understand.]

A mysterious young man appeared and helped Kan escape...!

Kan recalled 'Demius's' words.

[I told you to be careful. Yet you got yourself caught.]

[No need for you to know, simpleton. These new recruits are always...]

[I command, you obey. Simple enough explanation?]

An attitude accustomed to giving orders.

A harsh yet caring tone.

And above all—

The appearance that Lord Antios, head of the Golden Rule Society, preferred!

Pure imperial black hair!

And even the archaic name 'Demius'!

'...He must be a high-ranking official!'

Kan was convinced that 'Demius' was one of the Golden Rule Society's executives.

Otherwise, why would he secretly help him escape?

'I need to find Brié!'

Kan hurried to report this to Brié.

Lord Demius had passed critical information to Kan.

Specifically... that the association's membership list had been leaked.

The sudden arrests must have happened because of the leaked list.

Since they didn't know 'who' leaked it, they needed to contain the situation quickly.

"Brié!"

Just as Kan was about to meet Brié.

"Huh? Kan!"

"?"

Kan tilted his head, witnessing an unexpected scene.

The team leader, Brié, was... being held captive by other wizards?

"Weren't you taken to prison?!"

"Um... I got lucky and escaped."

"That's fortunate!"

Kan couldn't contain his curiosity and asked:

"But why is Brié in that state?"

"Hah. Hear it yourself."

Kan approached Brié.

Brié stammered as he explained the situation to Kan.

"These bastards... found gold nuggets in my room and have been acting like this since morning."

"Acting like what? You're the bastard! What you're doing is fucked up!"

A black wizard shouted.

"Tell us! That gold! Who gave it to you!"

Brié cried out indignantly.

"I didn't receive it from anyone! I took it from a crow that was carrying it!"

"Fuck, do you think that makes any sense? You crazy bastard?"

"It's true, dammit! Fuck!"

"..."

Kan stared blankly at Brié's face.

The sudden arrests.

The leaked list.

And... the suspicious gold nugget.

Before he knew it, Kan blurted out:

"Brié."

"Yeah?"

"Where did you get that gold?"

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