Episode 5 – Salvie Baron

*

Flavis, the largest port city on the continent, where massive ships line up to the end of the horizon on the calm sea

This city, with a population density similar to that of the capital, was the center of trade, also known as the heart of the empire,

And it was also a center of free thought and knowledge, as people from various races and countries gathered to live.

Thanks to this, Aureo Academy, the empire’s best educational institution, was also established in Flavis.

Dockworkers, and

Merchants selling wondrous goods gathered from all over the continent.

And this vibrant city, bustling with young students mixed in, has been particularly busier recently.

It was because of Salvie Baron, who suddenly appeared in this city a month ago.

,Thank you so much, Baron-nim.”

,No. If you’re doing physical labor, wouldn’t you need strength if you’re hungry?”

,Ait, Baron-nim. I’ve repeatedly told you not to use honorifics with laborers like me.”

,Haha, I was rescued thanks to you all, so how could I arbitrarily flaunt my status and treat you poorly? As a human being, I can’t do that.”

,Hehehe, then there must be no human beings among the nobles in this country.”

The laborers who were gathered for a meal all laughed heartily.

Inside the tent set up near the loading dock, it was packed with laborers eating a slightly late lunch.

This place was a free meal service operated by Salvie Baron at his own expense.

Salvie Baron.

Jet-black hair, a black mask.

Even his unfamiliar but neat and luxurious attire was all black, except for the gold decorations.

He was from a distant continent, and after his ship encountered a storm, he drifted around and was washed up near the port of this city and rescued.

Only he and two maids were rescued from the ship.

The number of people was ridiculously small compared to the size of the ship, but no one asked about the other sailors.

When water and food run out on a ship where you don’t know when you’ll set foot on land, civilization sleeps and barbarism awakens.

In this city full of sailors, there was a long-standing custom of not holding anyone responsible for anything that happened on a wrecked ship,

Salvie Baron safely settled in Flavis.

,But Baron-nim, I really don’t know if it’s okay to get free meals like this every day. I heard that they provide free lunch to the poor even inside the city…”

,This city accepted me, even though my identity isn’t confirmed, so I can’t not repay them at least this much.”

At those words, some laborers were impressed, and some laughed heartily and chimed in.

Hoveba, a bear beastman with a physique that stood out even among the large laborers, patted the baron’s shoulder and said.

,Hehehe, it’s only been about a month, but Baron-nim is already a Flavis person.”

,Ah- that’s right, now I can’t work if I don’t eat like I used to, just tearing off pieces of bread,”

,This crazy bastard is trying to get free meals for the rest of his life.”

,Aigoo- it just means that Baron-nim’s food, no, that we like Baron-nim. Why do you have to say it like that, you!”

The baron smiled as if he was used to it.

The laborers quite liked the good-natured baron, who didn’t really care that someone of lower status patted his shoulder.

,Don’t worry, I don’t know about other things, but fortunately, I have plenty of money. Of course, I won’t be running this forever, though.”

,Heo- when are you going to quit? I’ll eat a lot before then.”

,Ahahahaha, I’m not going to quit right away, so don’t overeat too much.”

,Ooh- Baron-nim, hooray-“

,Ugh, please don’t do that!”

People call him ‘Salvie Baron,’ but it was impossible to know if he was actually a baron.

Judging from his attire and 말투 (mal-tu, way of speaking), it was certain that he was a noble, but since he was from a distant continent with a different status and peerage system, people arbitrarily called him the lowest title, baron.

Salvie Baron didn’t really care and accepted the name.

,Hmm? Baron-nim, where are you going?”

The baron put down his plate, picked up his coat, and was holding it.

At Hoveba’s question, the baron smiled and answered.

,I should get going now. I have an appointment today.”

,Ooh, is it a woman? Baron-nim. The women of Flavis may have nasty tempers, but their bodies-“

,Aait- that’s not it. I’m going to the academy.”

,Why are you so startled again? Baron-nim, are you perhaps gay?”

,Yes?!”

,No- you’re not really interested in women, and you wear that weird mask, and you’re nice to us laborers… perhaps…?”

,Ugh- I’m leaving, everyone, continue your meal!”

The baron hurriedly left the tent, leaving behind the laughter that had erupted.

Hoveba laughed heartily at that sight, but only after seeing the baron safely get into the carriage did he return to finish his meal.

The baron got into the carriage and closed the curtains on the window, and the carriage immediately began to move.

The baron took off his mask and handed it to the elf maid sitting across from him in the carriage.

The elf received the mask and spoke.

,The appointment is in an hour. If we leave now, we’ll arrive with plenty of time.”

,Yeah, I know.”

,Are you getting used to the acting?”

,No, I can somehow manage the way of speaking and actions, but,”

The baron then didn’t move. He sat still like a doll, with no breath or pulse.

,You can’t imagine how difficult it is to pretend to breathe. Lily.”

,…That’s a hardship I hadn’t considered. Ed.”

The identity of Salvie Baron is me, ‘Edward.’

It has already been four months since I was resurrected as an undead.

I, who had vowed revenge, first returned to the Demon King’s castle and took various treasures.

The dense magical energy still perfectly blocked access to everyone except me, so all the treasures and valuables there were as good as mine.

A cart full of treasures went back and forth seven times, but it was still only a drop in the bucket compared to the amount remaining in the castle.

Fortunately, the currency exchange route I knew from my days as a thief was still the same even after 20 years.

Since Lara and I were from a famous hero party, there was a possibility that our identities would be revealed, so Lily was in charge of converting the assets into money.

Washing the treasures into other jewels and the magical energy-soaked gold coins into normal gold coins was not easy for a beginner,

Lily had made some big losses by mistake.

However, thanks to Lily, who quickly got used to it after repeating it several times, I became a wealthy man very easily.

I secretly hired a shipbuilder to build a ship and deliberately damaged it.

And a month ago, I appeared near the port,

Disguised as a wealthy sailor who had drifted from a distant land.

After that, I literally spread gold coins and gained some trust in this city.

I operated a high-quality free meal service for the poor and laborers,

And praised poor artists performing on the street, giving them 10 gold coins.

Buying a drink for all the customers at the tavern was now a daily routine.

After a month, my money-spending spree was finally reaching its first goal.

The troublesome preliminary work, and all my good deeds and donations, were ultimately just a stepping stone to receiving today’s invitation.

,The entrance to Aureo Academy is coming up soon.”

Lily, who is currently my maid and secretary on the surface, handed me the mask.

This mask, one of the treasures found in the Demon King’s castle, has the function of hiding the wearer’s magical energy.

According to Lara, a very small amount of magical energy always flows out of my body.

I can’t feel it at all, but sensitive people can detect it, so I always wore this mask when acting as Salvie Baron.

To justify wearing the mask, I reverted part of my skin from my forehead to my right eye to rotten skin.

At first glance, it looked like a burn scar, so people understood why I didn’t take off the mask.

I took the mask and whispered.

,Finally taking the first step.”

Aureo Academy.

The hero’s children attend this, the empire’s best educational institution.

*

Following the port of Flavis, a high cliff suddenly rises and blocks the way.

On top of that dizzying height, a golden castle built of yellow bricks proudly stood with its tall spires.

Most of the buildings in Flavis have yellow roofs and walls.

This was a culture of this city, which had been a port since long ago, to make the port more visible to sailors far away in the days before lighthouses.

Among those yellow buildings, this particularly bright and magnificent golden castle is ‘Aureo Academy.’

The empire’s best educational institution and academic group.

,Welcome. Salvie Baron-nim. Aureo Academy sincerely welcomes Baron-nim.”

,Thank you for inviting me to the esteemed garden of knowledge.”

The guard who was inspecting the carriage in front of the academy’s entrance gave me a polite greeting, so I also answered with courtesy.

The guard bowed his head and gestured towards the door.

The huge iron gate blocking the carriage opened on its own with a clanging sound.

,Wow,”

,…”

I was momentarily impressed like an idiot, and Lily looked at me with disdain.

No, an iron gate that opens on its own with a single gesture is amazing.

The guard smiled at me and spoke.

,Excuse me, but it seems that Baron-nim is not familiar with magic.”

,To my embarrassment, my hometown is far from magic… I am ashamed of my short-sightedness.”

Of course, it’s a lie. I know most magic well because I spent time with Jennifer.

It’s just that there were no buildings that used magic in that way 20 years ago.

So, please stop looking at me like that. Lily?

,Haha, no. Who would criticize ignorance in a place of education? I hope you have a good time.”

The carriage started moving again and began to enter the academy.

The closer it gets, the more magnificent the brilliant castle becomes.

It is truly an admirable architecture and art.

The carriage slowly came to a stop.

When I slightly lifted the curtain of the window, I saw someone who had come out to greet me in front of the carriage.

I cleared my throat and got out through the door that Lily opened.

,Welcome. Salvie Baron.”

,Thank you for coming out to greet me in person. Headmaster Magier.”

A purple robe that gets darker as it goes down, with small, yellow gold attached like millet.

A middle-aged woman in a luxurious outfit that resembles the stars floating in the night sky.

The headmaster of Aureo Academy and professor of the magic department, ‘Magier,’ had come out to greet me in person.

,Follow me. I don’t know if it will suit Baron-nim’s taste, but I have prepared my own special refreshments.”

,My knowledge and tongue are at the same level as the laborers, so you don’t have to worry.”

,Hoho, Baron-nim is also good at making jokes.”

Lily and I followed her to the headmaster’s office, located at the top of the high spire.

It was so high and far that I was worried about how many stairs I would have to climb, but Magier guided us with a transparent platform.

As soon as we stood on that platform, which was not visible at all but clearly existed, our bodies floated into the air so lightly.

Lily was slightly surprised and clung to me.

I felt Lily’s body trembling slightly, so I held her hand tightly.

Looking around on the platform that went straight up to the spire, there were many students going up and down in the air.

,Do the students also use this transparent platform? Isn’t it dangerous?”

,If you can sense magical energy, you can feel the shape well enough. Some knight department students seem to just memorize the location and ride it, though.”

,Hmm, that sounds dangerous.”

,This ‘Air Lift’ has a spell cast on it that immediately moves under a student if it detects them falling nearby. Aureo Academy does not tolerate unfortunate accidents.”

You can feel the pride as a headmaster from her 말투 (mal-tu, way of speaking).

Well, as the empire’s best educational institution, many nobles’ children must attend here, so they wouldn’t easily allow students to fall to their deaths.

During the short conversation, the Air Lift had already arrived in front of the door in the middle of the spire.

I wondered why there was a door in the middle of the high wall, but it must have been an entrance for the Air Lift.

Lily was startled even by the slight impact of the Air Lift closing on the door and clung to my arm as if wrapping around it.

Headmaster Magier smiled slightly, opened the door, and guided us in.

Following her through the door, a neatly organized study appeared.

As we approached the guest table and comfortable-looking yellow sofa in the middle of the room, a dish containing cookies and a teapot slowly floated in the air.

Magier sat on the opposite sofa and invited me to sit as well.

,That’s really wonderful magic.”

,Hoho, isn’t it because you’re not familiar with magic that you feel that way?”

,No, I’ve seen magic many times, but it was all for attack purposes.”

,I see. There was definitely a time when a lot of combat magic was developed. But that kind of magic use has its limits. I believe that magic shows its true value in everyday life.”

Certainly, powerful attack magic had clear drawbacks as much as its effects.

It took a long time, allies were often injured by the indiscriminate magic, and even the best magicians often failed.

In the end, the average damage output of a magician was usually not even enough to match that of a soldier with a sword.

Rather, the true value of a magician shone the most when they were a supporter who led the battle to their advantage by restraining the enemy or breaking their formation.

Jennifer, who restrained the Demon King, flashed through my mind.

,I completely agree.”

,Well, shall we talk about the main topic?”

Lily carefully grabbed the teapot in the air and filled the headmaster’s and my teacups.

The headmaster asked for a donation to the school.

My appearance of scattering gold coins in the city recently was thought of as a good deed by some, and seen as an eccentricity by others.

But whichever way they thought, the conclusion was the same for both.

Salvie Baron has a lot of money.

It had only been a month, but on the streets,

‘Salvie Baron’s money running out is like the sea in front of Flavis drying up’

There was even a joke circulating.

Headmaster Magier was carefully making the offer, worried that she might offend me, but she was trying to persuade me how proud it would be to donate to the academy.

,You don’t have to explain so hard. Headmaster-nim.”

,Ah… is that so?”

Whether she took my words as a refusal, a disappointed expression briefly appeared on Magier’s face and disappeared.

I had expected her offer to be something like this from the beginning.

,Of course. I’m honored, rather.”

,Yes? Does that mean…”

,If you let me know the amount you need, I will send it through my maid, Lily.”

,…! Ah, thank you! You won’t regret it. Baron!”

I picked up a cookie and waited until her thank yous were over.

Headmaster Magier repeatedly expressed her gratitude and began to calculate in her head how much money she should ask for.

,You can give me enough donation to build another tower. Don’t worry.”

,Tower… Thank you…”

,Instead, I have a favor to ask,”

,A favor… you say?”

Her eyebrows twitched slightly at my words that I was asking for something in return, but the headmaster recalled the beautiful stories of Salvie Baron that were circulating on the streets.

He wasn’t someone who would make an unfair request.

,As you know, I came here from a distant continent.”

,Yes, I heard you went through a really big ordeal.”

,Fortunately, I have many precious jewels, so I settled down easily, but I am ignorant of the culture of this country and continent.”

,But you are very familiar with the language.”

,My mother was from this country. My two maids are the same.”

,Ah, I see.”

I skillfully took out the lie I had prepared.

,So, I would like you to allow me free access to the academy and the library. I want to study.”

,… Is that all?”

,Yes. Is it a difficult request?”

,Ah, no, I was just a little surprised that it was such a trivial request compared to what you donated. Is there anything else you would like to ask for?”

,Haha, then… hmm…”

Asking for the students’ roster would be out of the question. Then…

,I think it would be enough if you could guide me to the library right now.”

Headmaster Magier nodded.

While not understanding Salvie Baron’s crazy spending, she was relieved that the rumors about him were true, and she slowly got up.

Lily and I followed her to the library.

Headmaster Magier kindly explained the places and decorations that caught her eye while going to the library.

20 minutes later, we arrived in front of the library.

Magier introduced me to the librarian and repeatedly urged her to treat me kindly.

Then Lily tapped me on the shoulder and whispered quietly.

,That window inside.”

I looked at where Lily was pointing.

A red-haired female student was flipping through a book with a fierce expression.

Yes, she is,

,The eldest daughter of the hero and the magician.”

,Found her.”

.