Became a Medieval Fantasy Wizard-Chapter 324

TL/Editor: raei

Status: 5/week mon-fri

Illustrations: none

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They say it takes two hands to clap.

Meaning things need to work together to succeed.

"Did you just say I'm a weak wizard? Just now?"

Ian skillfully made his shadow move, preparing for some medieval WWE.

As a somewhat experienced wizard, Ian was quite used to putting on a show to satisfy his audience.

But as soon as Ian made his shadow move-

"W-wait a moment!"

Count Consla raised the white flag.

"There seems to be a misunderstanding. I don't think you're a weak wizard at all!"

"...?"

Ian was briefly bewildered by the Count's sudden change of tune.

It completely contradicted what he'd just said.

But Count Consla had been operating without any thoughts(...) from start to finish.

"Earlier... I was just too excited! Hahaha!"

"You find this funny?"

"..."

Ian took another look at the Count, just to be sure.

And confirmed it.

'This guy's totally scared...'

That fearful expression. Those unconfident eyes.

The look of a terrified person that Ian had seen countless times.

"Ah! Now I remember! Wizard Ian!"

Count Consla flipped his words around like turning over his palm.

The infantry captain behind him heaved a deep sigh, but the Count was too oblivious to notice.

"The Count of Talian's fiancé! A wizard's disciple! And you attend university too!"

"..."

Ian was dumbfounded.

Hey, those are all things I just said earlier!

Indeed they were.

The Count was simply parroting back what Ian had just shouted moments ago.

His earlier statement about 'never hearing Ian's name' was probably closer to the truth.

'Should I keep this up? Or not?'

Ian briefly considered his options.

From the looks of it, his opponent didn't seem to know about or want to engage in the Calling of Wizards.

The Calling was a kind of show.

It was closer to nobles and wizards exchanging formal introductions according to classical rules, by mutual agreement.

Therefore, if one side refused the Calling, the other side couldn't force it unilaterally.

"F-first dispel your magic!"

Ian's fighting spirit completely deflated and he simply dispelled the magic.

Looking at the Count's state, there was no point expecting anything more.

Ian returned his shadow to its original place.

At that moment, Count Consla's eyes lit up...!

As soon as Ian dispelled his magic, the Count quickly ordered:

"Sir Sayer! Attack that wizard immediately...!"

But the Count's knight moved even faster.

He threw his helmet(...) and hit Count Consla in the head.

The Count's eyes rolled back as he fainted.

The knight shouted loudly:

"The Count has collapsed!"

The infantry captain brightened and shouted:

"Oh no! What a terrible accident! Quick, move the Count to the rear!"

"Yes sir!"

"..."

This must be what real medieval WWE looked like.

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While Ian stood there dumbfounded thinking this, the Count was carried away by his soldiers.

"...I apologize on his behalf, wizard. The Count isn't usually like this, but lately he's been rather heated about the war..."

"He doesn't seem very wise."

Ian shook his head.

Looking forward or back, it was all a mess.

Count Consla.

Just why had that man come here in the first place...?

#

Fortunately(?), the Count soon regained consciousness.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he shouted:

"The wizard! Sir Sayer!"

"We're right here, Your Grace."

The first to welcome the awakened Count was Sir Sayer.

The Count excitedly started to...

"Sir Sayer!"

"Keep your voice down, my lord."

"..."

He almost... shouted.

But faced with Sir Sayer's stern expression, he couldn't bring himself to raise his voice.

Count Consla was a mature and rational man who controlled his anger very well.

Ah! Sir Sayer must have something important to say! That's all he thought.

It definitely wasn't because he was scared.

"My lord, you were very rash earlier."

"W-what do you mean?"

"Wizard Ian is simply a traveling wizard. How could you order an attack on an innocent traveler!"

The knights standing around Sir Sayer nodded in unison, as if rehearsed.

"???"

Count Consla was completely bewildered by the situation.

Wait...

Wasn't attacking innocent travelers your specialty?!

What nonsense were these bandit knights spouting!

"If he's such a great wizard, a surprise attack..."

"Surprise attack?! You're trampling on our honor, my lord!"

"???"

Since when did you lot have any honor?

The Count stared at his knights with wide eyes.

These weren't sons and daughters of noble houses, just thieves who'd become knights!

What was this nonsense about honor?!

Count Consla didn't know.

The knights had already received a heavy dose of chivalric spirit(...) from Ian.

Though it might only last a week at most.

But right now, they were the very embodiment of knights who served their lord and protected the weak.

"What's gotten into you all?!"

"You're the one who's wrong, my lord!"

"Wizard Ian is a wizard who understands honor!"

"He's wise and prudent too!"

"We must treat him as an honored guest!"

As the knights each added their piece, the Count's head began spinning...

Until just half a day ago, these same men had been robbing travelers on the road.

What magic had possessed them to start babbling about honor?

"Alright! Alright!"

Faced with the knights' collective protest, the Count surrendered.

He lacked both the guts and conviction to ignore the knights' objections.

"I'll apologize and welcome Wizard Ian as a guest!"

"A wise decision, my lord!"

Later, the Count would learn why his knights had collectively thrown such a fit.

They were repaying their debt to Ian for releasing them for free(...).

But for now, the Count could only agree with his knights' demands without understanding why.

#

Meeting the ruler of a region while traveling was almost inevitable.

News of travelers spread easily.

Especially for travelers like Ian who moved with a large group.

In fact, Ian's group was closer to a war band than mere travelers.

They were combat-focused travelers carrying weapons who could instantly transform into mercenaries if paid.

With Ian and his companions at the center, followed by over a dozen servants and dozens of bandits, their numbers were quite significant.

"I acknowledge you as my guest, Wizard Ian."

"But Count, didn't you just say you were going to attack me..."

"Attack? What attack? You must be mistaken!"

"..."

Ian was already tired of dealing with Count Consla.

If they'd done the Calling, he might have received proper treatment.

But from what he heard, Count Consla didn't even know what the Calling was.

"How is someone like him a Count?"

"Being noble isn't much. Get your title recognized and you're noble."

Rulers of large cities or regions couldn't dissolve or change their titles, as it would threaten the legitimacy of the titles.

For example, the Count of "Seoul City" couldn't split it into the "Gangnam Barony" and "Gangbuk Barony."

"Seoul City" was an ancient domain, its boundaries solidified by history and tradition.

Split Seoul in two? Are you mad? That would be the obvious response.

But territories that were small or less important could expand or shrink over time.

While the "Jeolla Province" duchy's borders wouldn't change much over time, the territories of the "Gwangju Count" and "Naju Count" could grow or shrink, something like that.

In Count Consla's case, his territory had shrunk over time.

"He used to be a noble with many vassals in the empire's early days, but over time his barons gradually broke away," Belenka said.

She had gathered basic information from talking with the knights.

"All that's left is one small direct territory. Though his title is Count, his power isn't much different from other barons."

The title of 'Count' was tied to the territory, so it hadn't changed. As long as imperial law listed it as "Count Consla's domain", whoever ruled it was Count Consla. (Though it might be demoted to a barony over time)

A noble's power naturally grew or shrank with time.

So the question "Who's stronger, a count or a baron?" was very difficult to answer.

It would be clearer to ask "Who's the most prominent noble these days?"

Moreover, in this medieval fantasy world, there were still many undeveloped regions, so new territories and cities could emerge anywhere.

"Since you're my guest, I'll escort you until you leave my territory! Ah, no need to thank me!"

"..."

"But where are you heading with such a large force, Lord Ian?"

Ian's group only numbered a few dozen, but by medieval standards that was indeed a 'large' force...

This many men was about what a baron might muster.

In other words, enough to somehow raid a small rural territory.

"If we go this way, we'll reach Roxlan..."

Count Consla eyed Ian suspiciously.

"Perhaps... you're planning to join Roxlan's army..."

"And if I am? What then?"

"...That would be most unfortunate, Lord Ian!"

According to Belenka's information, Count Consla was a fervent supporter of Duke Fargar.

Fervent but not particularly favored... (Understandable, Ian thought)

If Ian said he was joining Roxlan, the Count might start raining arrows from afar.

Count Consla was just that kind of person.

Ian found it too bothersome to explain, so he decided to make something up.

"I'm on Duke Fargar's side."

"...? Really?!"

Count Consla's eyes went wide.

He seemed genuinely surprised.

"Then why are you heading toward Roxlan..."

"It's Duke Fargar's orders."

"The Duke's orders...?"

"Ask that guy for details."

Ian pointed at Aesis.

Following behind them, Aesis was startled to find Ian pointing at him.

What? Me?

You want me to explain?

Ian's eyes said:

Yes.

Aesis returned the look:

I-I can't do it! Such a sudden explanation...

Ian turned his head sharply.

Can't do it? Then die.

"..."

Conversation over.

Whimpering(...), Aesis explained to the Count.

"Lord Ian... received a very secret mission from the Duke."

"A secret mission!"

"Shh! Your voice is too loud! Do you know Chief Steward Panzel?"

"Ah, of course!"

"He gave Lord Ian the request."

"...!"

Aesis was a minstrel, informant, and assassin.

He already had plenty of information about Duke Fargar, so making up a fake mission was child's play.

"It's a secret mission he wouldn't entrust to anyone else."

"Oh...!"

"That's how much the Duke trusts Lord Ian."

Though bad luck had gotten him caught by Ian, Aesis was a capable informant in his own right.

He easily managed to butter up Count Consla.

Soon the Count's view of Ian changed completely.

"Hahaha! Lord Ian! Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm fine."

Ian continued forward with the Count's army as escort.

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