Ch.163EP.39 – Two Men Go All the Way (6)

Pendragon Noble Council.

A central institution of the kingdom that rises alongside the royal family, guild associations, and merchant unions.

The council, where high nobles of the royal capital regularly gathered, was famous for its constant outbursts of shouting, perhaps because the nobles were divided into factions despite belonging to the same council.

It was an institution created to handle state affairs, but watching them fight among themselves, it seemed that the behavior of those in power was similar regardless of the world.

Bang!

“That’s what I said! Our side will be responsible for the Sultan’s escort!”

“What escort! They said they don’t need protection, so on what grounds should we protect them!”

“We shouldn’t have accepted them in the first place. That’s why this trouble occurred.”

“You ignorant fools who don’t even know the basics of diplomacy! Is that what you should be saying now!? Not accepting them from the start? Are you in your right mind? Please, if you have a head, try using it for thinking and contemplation! Your head isn’t just for decoration.”

“What? Do you think I’ll just take that!”

“Take off your glove!? How dare you be so impudent without knowing your place…!”

Every minute, gloves were flying through the air as duels were established, and nobles continued to throw punches amid the shouting.

It was hard to tell if this was a council of intellectuals or a fighting arena.

The quarrel was due to the previous day’s terrorist attack on the Sultan, and since no plausible proposals were forthcoming, the council was filled with nothing but nonsense and loud shouting.

“Sigh, how frustrating. Lord Dalton, do you have any opinion? If you have a good idea, please share it.”

“…What clever solution could I possibly have.”

“Ha, you’re being modest, unlike your usual self. That’s not like you. Are you feeling unwell?”

“Ah, no. I just seem to have a lot on my mind, Lord Edri.”

“Hmm, if you have any problems, feel free to tell me anytime. We’re seniors and juniors, aren’t we?”

“…I’m always grateful.”

A seemingly warm conversation between senior and junior noble councilors.

Perhaps a glimpse of the importance of school connections.

However, the expression of the noble called Dalton was severely hardened.

To the extent that one wouldn’t notice unless looking carefully.

He…

‘That stupid Sultan, why did he have to act alone and get caught, really!’

He was currently viewing the situation with discomfort, his eyes more sunken than usual.

With an infinitely cold sneer on his lips.

Dalton, or rather the cunning wizard wearing Dalton’s skin, found the entire situation contemptible.

* * *

Illegal wizard Greg was an old wizard who was over eighty years old this year.

Unlike knights or warriors who lose their youthful vigor and decline with age, wizards were a race whose magical power deepened as they grew older.

Thanks to this, Greg was still enjoying his powerful days without any problems even at the age of eighty.

Like now.

“Tsk, did I choose the wrong person to hide as? I never imagined he would be so poor and shabby…”

Greg had belatedly discovered that the original owner of the skin he was wearing was an honorary noble of the scholarly type who had spent his life reading books and studying without money.

He had chosen him simply because he was a member of the Noble Council, but he never expected him to be this poor.

Not even a servant, and his living expenses came entirely from the council.

Even for an honorary position, how could a noble live such a modest, or rather impoverished life?

“Huu, finally a noble, and I draw a blank.”

Greg clicked his tongue in disappointment but didn’t act violently.

It was one of his principles to focus relatively on acting when impersonating others.

It was thanks to this acting that Greg had been able to escape for many years.

‘I thought I could end my life on the run.’

However, even Greg couldn’t live someone else’s life forever.

He desperately wanted to settle down in one place.

For example.

“…The Sultanate would make a good nest.”

Although Sultan Salah had been attacked and was confined to his quarters, Greg knew that the Sultan would not give up on the mystery.

How could that greedy man give up such an opportunity?

Clatter.

Greg rolled the highest-grade magic stone he had received from the Sultan.

A magic stone containing brilliant light like a jewel.

Small like a pebble, but its value was beyond price.

‘He said he needed it and asked me to get it, but I didn’t expect him to provide it so easily.’

He was newly impressed by the Sultan’s power, and Greg’s greed surged.

-I want it!

His life…!

He was none other than a wizard who had spent his entire life striving to extort others’ lives and talents.

Greg was honestly tempted not only by the mystery but also by the Sultan’s life.

If he could get his hands on it, he wouldn’t have to worry about research funds anymore, and if he played his cards right…

‘Even the Tower will no longer be able to treat me carelessly!’

The moment he recalled the Tower’s name, countless emotions crossed Greg’s eyes.

Love-hate and hatred, envy and greed.

His, or rather a wizard’s, hometown and the ivory tower he would someday have to return to.

He wanted to be recognized, and he wanted the Tower to look up to him.

To have his lifelong research stored on the top floor of the Tower.

That was truly a dream!

Greg burned with desire.

‘If I extort the mystery and this research achievement reaches those old men in the ivory tower, they’ll have to acknowledge me even if they don’t want to.’

Greg was already looking forward to the day when those who had driven him out would regret it and call him back.

Clatter.

Thud.

“……”

…Greg was rolling the magic stone out of habit when he suddenly felt a sense of discomfort.

‘What is it?’

The wizard who had lived for 80 years never ignored the sense of alienation that came over him.

Having survived for many years meant that his survival instincts were extremely developed.

He.

Flash!

‘It’s quiet around here!’

He successfully assessed the situation quickly.

Not even the sound of insects, and eerily silent.

Noticing this, Greg hurriedly grabbed only the magic stone and then…

“-For a spellcaster, you have good instincts.”

Crash!!

“!!”

A hand breaking through the wall like sand and lunging toward him.

Greg was terrified.

It was a sight that might paralyze someone with a weak heart, but instead of being surprised, Greg.

Whoosh!

Boom!

“Keuuk!”

Simply spread out a mana barrier to block it.

Being ambushed had been like a lifelong karma for him.

Being attacked by surprise was nothing if not familiar…

Crack!!

“!?!!!”

Damn it!!

Greg tried to curse out loud, but his voice was drowned out as the mana barrier was torn apart.

The attacker’s arm was effortlessly shattering the mana barrier.

This was the mana barrier of an old wizard who had lived for 80 years.

Though his talent might be lacking, he had never forgotten to consistently train his psychic power throughout his life.

The mana barrier created with such psychic power should have had a sturdiness comparable to a fortress wall, so it was only natural to be shocked at seeing such a barrier about to collapse.

Greg immediately realized that the attacker was no ordinary person.

‘This is no ordinary fellow!’

As soon as he realized this, Greg chanted a spell instead of running away.

“[Clouds gather], [Storm winds dwell in the clouds]. [Lightning dances and wind dances sharply], [Annihilate my enemy]!”

A lightning cloud was formed by the instantaneous spell incantation.

A small sphere of thundercloud was formed, small but containing powerful force.

Rumble!

“Die, you!”

As he launched the thundercloud containing formidable power, Greg was about to chant another spell and flee.

Because even he couldn’t be safe if caught in the explosion of the thundercloud.

In reality, this attack was more about avoiding the opponent than killing them.

It was only natural that anyone who wasn’t foolish would avoid a thundercloud.

…That was supposed to be natural.

“That stings.”

Crack!!

-The thundercloud was shattered.

“You monster!”

What on earth is this!

Witnessing his full-power thundercloud spell being shattered to pieces, Greg couldn’t maintain his sanity.

That shouldn’t be a spell that disappears so easily…

‘No, could it be!’

“Oh, are you an Aura User! An Aura User has come for me-!”

Aura User.

Known as the terror of wizards, a superhuman who could annihilate a nation alone.

Greg made a fuss, wondering if that monster had appeared, but.

“Wouldn’t it be too wasteful for an Aura User to move for a mere spellcaster like you?”

The attacker sneered as if it were ridiculous.

As if saying, would a superhuman come to catch someone like you?

And above all…

“If those people had moved, the situation would have been over long ago, without all this difficulty.”

The attacker had somehow already approached right in front of Greg with a low sneer.

“[Wi-wind, dwell in my legs]!”

Greg hurriedly chanted a spell and leaped into the air.

Whoosh!

With the help of psychic power and spells, Greg soared into the air like a bird, and thanks to the house collapsing from the attacker’s assault, escaping wasn’t difficult.

Rising instantly, he fled to the sky fast enough to pierce through clouds, with the sole thought of escaping somehow.

‘That, that bastard can’t possibly chase me to the sky!’

Aerial combat had traditionally been the domain of wizards.

It was nothing if not sacred, a realm that knights and warriors could never invade.

So…

‘Finally, I can catch my breath.’

Greg, who had been terrified from beginning to end, was about to sigh in relief, thinking he might finally survive.

However, as he raised his head to sigh…

“-So, are you done running?”

“…Kuhp!?”

He gasped.

Because he saw the attacker walking in the sky as naturally as himself, or even more naturally.

“Ho-how…!?”

“-Void Walking.”

“???”

“Right, how would a mere spellcaster know.”

The attacker quietly drew his sword.

And then.

“Haa, it’s difficult trying to capture without killing.”

“??”

…Watching the sword break through his mana field and strike his side, he had to witness this series of events that happened in an instant.

And Greg thought.

…How is this trying to capture without killing?

* * *

Ihan let out a small exclamation of admiration.

“Tougher than our guys?”

That old spellcaster was quite impressive.

He had hit him with considerable force, but it only resulted in broken ribs.

Seeing how solid the mana field itself was, he was on a different level from other spellcasters.

Old ginger is spicier, as they say. An accurate statement.

But.

“A spellcaster is still just a spellcaster.”

Ihan stopped admiring the spellcaster.

No matter how strong or old a spellcaster might be, it doesn’t matter.

It’s right to beat a spellcaster, especially one who goes around wearing someone else’s skin.

“Lord Ihan. Lord Dalton is safe. His injuries are severe, but he should recover soon if he goes to the temple.”

“That’s good news.”

While he was subduing the spellcaster, the knights of Galahad had successfully found the victim whose skin had been stolen by the spellcaster, and Ihan was relieved.

Originally, nine out of ten people kidnapped by spellcasters end up dead.

“…Come to think of it, this pisses me off.”

Crack!

“Keuuuuk!”

Ihan completely shattered Greg Bin’s shoulder.

Though he writhed in pain again, Ihan paid no attention and stomped on the back of his head.

Crunch, crunch!

“…Lord Ihan, he might die if you continue.”

“He won’t die. How sturdy do you think a spellcaster is as a monster?”

“Well, spellcasters aren’t monsters, though?”

“Then insects?”

“……”

“I’m joking.”

“Hmm….”

The knight of Galahad was convinced that those words were not a joke.

Because those eyes were not the eyes of someone who saw people as people.

‘…What a frightening person.’

His prowess was admirable, but his thoroughness and cruelty in dealing with wizards was not just bold but resolute.

Eyes that viewed wizards not as people but as monsters that must be exterminated.

…Eyes that one would fear to see in dreams.

“How are things on your end?”

“…Don’t worry. We finished quickly without casualties.”

“As expected of Galahad. You’re the best in the kingdom.”

“…Th-thank you for your kind words, but wouldn’t the Order of the Silver Lion be upset if they heard…”

“Do they have the right to be upset?”

“……”

…The knight felt a slight sympathy for the mistreated Order of the Silver Lion.

*

*

*

“Excellent. How did you find the wizard in this vast royal capital?”

“We found out through the Tower’s grand disciple that a wizard had infiltrated the Noble Council, so it’s not that impressive…”

“No one knew that a wizard was hiding in the council, but he did.”

“……”

“Haha, are you jealous because I’m only praising that knight?”

“…Your Highness.”

“Ahaha!”

Duke Blake de Vivian Galahad seemed pleased.

Perhaps it was because he had come out for a walk with his disciple for a change.

“Your skills have improved, Lac. Soon I might be able to give you the position of Knight Commander.”

“I am still infinitely lacking. I had to borrow Your Highness’s power to catch these people.”

“…This guy.”

Blake laughed at his disciple’s modesty.

“Uuugh…”

“Pl-please kill me…”

“Wa-water, please give me water…!”

At the feet of Duke Blake and the knights of Galahad were people rolling around.

Fifty thousand troops hidden in the foothills of the border.

They were those bearing the Sultan’s flag, and they were suffering from heat and pain as if they had been burned in a furnace.

Duke Blake, who had single-handedly “neutralized” 40,000 of these troops, laughed heartily.

“It feels good to exercise after a while.”

“Hmm….”

Lac, who had barely neutralized 10,000 troops with the knights, swallowed hard.

The owner of the magic sword comparable to a superhuman.

His power remains overwhelming enough to render tens of thousands of troops useless.

Truly…

‘The wall I’m trying to reach is too big and thick.’

He suddenly wondered what that insolent rogue would have said if he had seen this scene.

Probably.

– That gentleman is still in good shape. He could even remarry.

…Wouldn’t he say something so irreverent?

“Ha….”

‘I must be getting influenced by that rogue.’

He shook his head, dismissing such idle thoughts.