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Chapter – 86
Dark Mage
“Are the preparations complete?”
“Yes. Everything is finished. Aside from the evidence obtained from the Ger tribe, we’ve also confirmed the presence of a chimera in the underground of Count Gamigin’s castle.”
Like Count Valefor, Count Gamigin was a hereditary noble without his own territory. He resided in the main domain of the Duchy of Fern, which was ruled by Duke Ruzema, one of the three dukes.
The Duchy of Fern was a traditional commercial city where many merchants came and went. Count Gamigin also operated a merchant guild of his own, accumulating a fair amount of wealth and living comfortably within the duchy.
“And the Crows?”
“They’ve all returned. It doesn’t seem that Count Gamigin is aware that we suspect him.”
“That would be because security was maintained. Still, the opponent is a dark mage. Just in case, investigate all the Crows who infiltrated Count Gamigin’s castle this time.”
Marquis Eastern wasn’t doubting the Crows themselves, but it was possible that they had unknowingly fallen under a dark mage’s spell and acted accordingly.
“I’ll let Ollis know. If it’s Ollis, he should be able to detect Count Gamigin’s brainwashing magic.”
“Do that. And how is the training with the mana amplification technique Count Amand brought last time going?”
“No problems at all. The explanation is clear, and it even includes detailed illustrations of the human body to show how to use mana efficiently. It’s been a great help to the knights, not only in learning it but also in expanding how they can apply it.”
“If you say so, then Pirantheba must have uncovered an impressive technique.”
“If ordinary knights can manifest an aura blade using this amplification technique, that alone makes it extraordinary.”
Marquis Eastern looked at Foren with an expression asking whether that was really possible.
“We discovered that by gathering the mana stored in the body into one point, amplifying it, and then pushing that energy into the sword, the resulting explosive force can release an aura blade.”
“And its power?”
“It’s not much different from a master’s aura blade. However, while a master can control their aura blade, the aura blade released through amplified mana is difficult to control.”
“What do you mean by difficult to control?”
“In the case of a master’s aura blade…”
After listening to Foren’s explanation, Marquis Eastern nodded and spoke.
“If that much time is required, then it could be used for a preemptive strike. For example, firing an aura blade at the castle gate.”
“That’s possible.”
“Then wouldn’t it be effective for seizing the initiative? If a dozen or so people launch aura blades, the enemy would surely be intimidated.”
“That’s true. But to use it more perfectly, we’re currently searching for ways to improve control.”
Marquis Eastern nodded again.
“Ollis won’t be of much help, will he?”
“A knight’s control and a mage’s control are different. Pirantheba—or perhaps the young lady—might be able to help, but Ollis, who specializes only in magic, likely won’t.”
Marquis Eastern narrowed his eyes slightly. Seeing this, Foren asked,
“What is it?”
“It’s just that I don’t know whether my runaway daughter is alive or dead.”
He was referring to Elina.
“She quit the academy and ran off to become a mercenary, making such a fuss… and now it’s been a year without even a single message.”
“I believe one of the Crows was assigned to her. Don’t you receive reports from him?”
“I do. He tells me in detail what she’s doing. But what I want isn’t to hear through a Crow—I want to hear Elina herself tell me that she’s doing well.”
“Don’t worry. If it’s Lady Elina, she’ll be doing just fine.”
After dropping out of the academy, Elina became a mercenary. Over the past year, she completed twelve commissions: six monster subjugations, three dungeon explorations, and three miscellaneous requests such as escorts.
At first, she lacked an understanding of the strict hierarchy of the mercenary world and often seemed clumsy and made mistakes. However, her sheer combat strength was overwhelming, so the mercenaries let it slide.
In fact, mercenaries who wanted to take advantage of her power began gathering around her.
Despite Pirantheba’s advice, Elina initially worked with such mercenaries and was taken advantage of. But as she came to understand the ecology of mercenaries through experience, she realized why Pirantheba had warned her about certain things.
“Then I’ll just make my own mercenary group.”
As a D-rank mercenary, Elina knew that if she formed a group, higher-ranked mercenaries wouldn’t join—and even if they did, they might try to take over her group. So she traveled to the capital, Barseille, where the academy was located, to see if there were academy students interested in becoming mercenaries together.
Visiting the academy, she sat in the campus café and watched the students.
The place was still full of students enjoying the romance of academy life.
“They’re really still so immature.”
Elina watched them with deep agreement for the saying that experience is what makes people grow.
Back when she attended the academy, Elina had been famous not only for her beauty but also for her sense of fashion, making her quite popular among students.
Now that she was sitting there again, male students glanced at her furtively, hesitating to approach. Seeing this, Elina smiled softly.
“Oh, Elina!”
At that moment, a woman who recognized her called out her name and approached with a bright smile.
It was Louise.
“Senior Louise.”
Elina stood up with a pleased expression and bowed her head slightly.
“I heard you dropped out.”
“Yes. I felt there was nothing more for me to learn at the academy, so I’m treating the world itself as my teacher.”
“Wow, that sounds amazing.”
“Once you leave home, it’s all hardship. It’s not that glamorous. Still, the world has taught me a lot, so I don’t regret it.”
“That’s good, then.”
“You’ll be graduating next year, right?”
“Yeah. Once I graduate, I’m being scouted to the imperial palace.”
“The palace?”
“Yes. On the recommendation of my professor and department head, I’ll be entering the Imperial Treasury. Of course, my grandfather’s influence helped a bit too.”
With one of the three dukes as her grandfather and one of the three empresses as her aunt, it was hardly surprising.
“That’s wonderful.”
“And you? Are you going to keep being a mercenary?”
People nearby began listening in with interest.
“Yes. That’s actually why I came. I was wondering if there were any academy graduates who wanted to become mercenaries.”
“Mercenaries?”
“I’m planning to form a mercenary group, but since I’m only D-rank, there are many restrictions. So I want to start with D-rank mercenaries and grow together.”
Louise didn’t know much about that field, but she knew Elina’s abilities well.
“I see. But what about Pirantheba? Didn’t you say you’d become mercenaries together?”
“That was the plan, but something came up. He’ll join me in about two more years.”
“I see. It would’ve been nice if Pirantheba could come with you.”
“I know. But it seems he can’t help it because of family matters.”
Louise nodded.
“Then is there someone among the graduates you plan to meet?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
“Senior Peirare Orland of the Marquis Orland family.”
“Peirare? Would he really become a mercenary?”
He was the eldest son of the empire’s greatest martial family, destined to inherit the Marquis Orland title.
“With Senior Peirare’s aggressive personality, he will. If he helps for the two years until Pirantheba joins, the other members will feel much more secure.”
“It’d be great if Peirare helped, but considering his family, it won’t be easy.”
Elina still smiled brightly.
“I know Senior Peirare’s personality better than anyone.”
At that moment, a large man strode over toward them.
It was Peirare Orland, the eldest son of the Marquis Orland family.
“To think two beautiful ladies would be waiting for me like this…”
“You haven’t changed.”
“Haha. Louise, people don’t change that easily.”
“True. You’ll probably never change—but it suits you.”
“Thanks. But Elina, why did you want to see me?”
“Senior, you don’t really have any plans after graduation, do you?”
“Not particularly. Even if I return to the family, my father is still in excellent health, so there’s nothing immediate for me to do.”
“Then would you help me for just two or three years?”
“Help you?”
“Yes. I’m planning to form a mercenary group.”
At the words “mercenary group,” Peirare looked intrigued.
“So you really quit the academy and switched to being a mercenary?”
“Yes. I believed the world would teach me more—and it really has.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’m a fifth-circle mage and a sword expert.”
Those listening nearby widened their eyes in shock.
“That’s impressive. No wonder people called you a genius.”
“If you work with me, I’ll help you break through the plateau you’re currently stuck at.”
Peirare looked at her as if to ask how she could possibly know that.
“I was the same before I met Pirantheba.”
“Pirantheba? You mean that genius kid from the Count Ilya family?”
“Yes. While living as a mercenary, he gave me some clues, and through clashing with people and gaining experience, I reached enlightenment.”
“Hm…”
—And I’ll also teach you a way to amplify your mana.
At Elina’s message magic, Peirare narrowed his eyes.
“There’s a technique like that?”
—Yes. Mana amplification is better suited to martial artists who use their bodies as weapons than to knights who rely on swords. If you master it, you’ll definitely be able to surpass your current limits.
“Hm…”
If things went as she said, it would be ideal—but he also bore the heavy responsibility of inheriting his family.
—I’m confident that this mana amplification technique can make the Marquis Orland family the greatest marquis family in the empire.
“What do you mean by that?”
—It means you can pass it on to the monks of the Marquis Orland family as well.
If it could be taught not only to him but also to his family’s monks, it would certainly be a tremendous benefit.
“Wow… that’s too tempting to refuse.”
“What were you talking about?” Louise asked curiously.
“Elina brought a secret strategy that could make the Orland family the greatest marquis family in the empire.”
“Really?”
“But I’m in a position where I have to inherit the family, so I can’t decide easily.”
“Then forget everything else—what about you?”
“Me?”
“How do you feel about it?”
“Of course I want to.”
“Then do it. She’s not asking you to commit for life, just to help for two or three years. If you invest that time and your family becomes the greatest marquis family in the empire, that’s a huge profit.”
“That’s true.”
“Don’t tell me—you’re worried you might die as a mercenary?”
“No. What are you talking about? I’m Peirare!”
“Then what?”
“I’m worried my father will strongly oppose it.”
Hearing that, Elina made him an offer.
“Then if you receive permission from Marquis Isaac de Orland, will you help me?”
“Of course. I’m the eldest son. There are far more restrictions than you might think.”
“I understand. I’ll take care of that issue.”
“You will?”
“Yes. I’ll contact my father and tell him to pass on the technique I’ll be teaching you to your family first. Then Marquis Isaac will give his permission.”
