Wizard: I Have a Cultivation System

Moonlight poured down like quicksilver, slowly dispelling the shadows behind the main seat.

A middle-aged, golden-haired man in a dark green velvet robe stepped out calmly. The robe was embroidered with intricate patterns of mountains and rivers in silver thread, shimmering with a cold light in the moonlight.

The face was all too familiar to the four followers: it was none other than Baron Sylvan Duval.

Lawrence’s face instantly turned deathly pale, then flushed an unnatural, feverish red.

He shot to his feet, drew his longsword, and roared hoarsely, "It’s come to this! We might as well see it through to the end! With me..."

But before he could finish, he realized the other three followers were still kneeling where they were, motionless.

In this world of strict hierarchy, the concept of noble rule was deeply ingrained in people’s hearts.

No matter how dissatisfied they were with the current Lord, they had never considered completely overthrowing the Duval Clan’s rule.

This wasn’t just because millennia of tradition had become part of their blood, but also because the Noble Inheritance Technique explicitly stipulated that any usurper would face a joint crusade from the Church Court and neighboring Lords.

Even if they succeeded by some fluke, a great army would be at their borders the very next day, and a new lord would ultimately be chosen from the Duval Clan’s bloodline.

This deeply rooted legality and tradition weighed on everyone’s heart like an invisible mountain.

Even with their lives on the line, Arthur, Luca, and Gilbert still couldn’t muster the courage to draw their swords against him.

Seeing no one respond, Lawrence had no choice but to charge at Murphy alone, sword in hand.

Yet Murphy remained completely still, as if what approached was not a sharp blade, but a gentle breeze.

Just as the tip of the blade was about to touch Murphy, Aurora’s longsword was already drawn, parrying Lawrence’s attack.

"Stop!" Aurora commanded, and with a turn of her blade, she forced Lawrence back several steps.

Lawrence’s face was pained. "My Lady, please stand aside... This old servant does not wish to be your enemy."

He had thought that Aurora, having just given birth and still being young, would surely be no match for him.

However, when their swords clashed again, Lawrence’s expression changed drastically.

Aurora’s strength far exceeded his imagination. Every blow sent a numbing shock through the webbing of his thumb.

Even in his prime, he had never possessed such formidable strength.

Aurora’s strength was at least thirty percent greater than his own. In the face of such absolute power, his only remaining advantage—experience—seemed pathetically weak.

Murphy slowly stepped forward, his voice calm yet clear as it echoed in the chapel. "Your loyalty to the Duval Clan deeply gratifies me."

Lawrence’s sword faltered for a moment, and Aurora seized the opportunity to send his longsword flying.

The longsword clattered to the floor with a crisp sound, ending the brief battle.

"It is precisely this loyalty," Murphy continued, "that made you adhere to your duties at the final moment. Even though you are dissatisfied with me, you have always remembered the legitimate line of the Duval Clan."

His gaze swept over the three kneeling men before finally resting on the crestfallen Lawrence. "This loyalty is the very cornerstone upon which the Duval Territory stands unshaken."

Murphy’s voice flowed quietly through the chapel as moonlight cast mottled patterns of light and shadow on him through the stained-glass windows.

Lawrence staggered backward, his face a mask of despair and unwillingness to concede.

He cried out hoarsely, "Sylvan, drop this charade of benevolence and righteousness! If you’re going to kill me, just do it! Did you show any mercy when you dealt with my uncle, Roton Knight?"

The words had accidentally stumbled upon the truth. Roton Knight had indeed died at Murphy’s hands.

Murphy looked at the man who should have been Aurora’s cousin and said calmly, "No, I will not kill you. Because you are truly loyal to the Duval Clan, and that loyalty is worth cherishing."

He turned to the other three followers still kneeling on the floor. "Not only Lawrence, but Arthur, Luca, and Gilbert—I will not execute any of you. Furthermore, I will allow you to keep your status and power within the territory."

Arthur’s head snapped up, his gaze fixed on Murphy in disbelief. Luca’s fingers unconsciously gripped the cracks in the stone slab before his knees, while Gilbert took a deep breath, his eyes filled with confusion.

"What are you playing at?" Lawrence’s voice trembled with agitation. "This isn’t the Sylvan I know! Where is the ruthless Sylvan who would never hesitate to eliminate his rivals?"

Murphy sighed softly, the sound exceptionally clear in the silent chapel. "Why is it that whenever I tell the truth, no one is willing to believe me?"

He took a step forward, the moonlight perfectly illuminating his deep eyes. "Raise your heads and look into my eyes."

The words seemed to carry a certain magic.

The followers involuntarily raised their gazes. Even Lawrence, filled with resentment, couldn’t help but look at those eyes, which appeared exceptionally clear in the moonlight.

In those eyes, they saw no anger or killing intent, nor any deception or calculation.

Instead, there was an unprecedented calm, as profound as a deep pool, yet reflecting a reassuring sincerity under the moonlight.

Arthur was the first to be stunned. He had never seen such an expression in Sylvan’s eyes.

Luca unconsciously relaxed his clenched fist, while Gilbert’s eyes flickered slightly, as if he were re-evaluating the Lord he had served for so many years.

Even Lawrence’s originally hostile gaze began to waver.

He stared intently into Murphy’s eyes, trying to find any trace of pretense, but saw only open honesty.

"This is impossible..."

Lawrence muttered to himself, his voice laced with confusion and uncertainty.

The Sylvan in his memory, the man who would ruthlessly eliminate his own family’s influence for the sake of a power struggle, how could he possibly have such eyes?

Murphy’s gaze slowly swept over everyone present, his voice steady and clear. "All these years, every change the Duval Territory has undergone, every decision made, has been to find a path to survival in these turbulent times."

His voice carried a convincing power, causing the followers, who had been on high alert, to listen with rapt attention.

Even Lawrence temporarily set aside his hostility, the confusion in his eyes gradually replaced by focus.

"Reducing taxes wasn’t about buying people’s favor, but about giving our subjects the strength to survive the winter. Refusing to levy a war tax wasn’t cowardice, but a refusal to let this land be scorched by the flames of war." Murphy’s voice rose with passion. "Everything I have done has been to protect the legacy of the Duval Clan."

Arthur nodded involuntarily. Luca’s eyes gradually brightened, and Gilbert gave a slight nod.

Although Lawrence was still skeptical, his tense shoulders had relaxed without him realizing it.

"Now," Murphy continued, taking another step forward as the moonlight edged him in silver, "I don’t need your fear. I need your sincere allegiance. Not for me personally, but for the land that raised us, and for the eternal glory of the Duval Clan."

Arthur was the first to drop to one knee. "On the honor of the Smith Clan, I swear to continue my allegiance to Lord Sylvan, and to the Duval Clan!" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Luca followed immediately after. "The Lof Clan will follow your steps forever!"

Gilbert bowed his head deeply. "The Nash Clan swears fealty until death!"

Finally, after a moment of silence, Lawrence slowly bent his knee, his voice carrying an unprecedented gravity. "The Holden Clan... will continue to serve you, my Lord."

Murphy nodded slightly and began a speech that lasted for over an hour.

His voice echoed in the chapel, repeatedly expounding on the themes of loyalty and faith.

The four followers listened with rapt attention, as if they were hearing a sacred teaching.

"The glory of the Duval Clan is built on the shoulders of every loyal Knight." Murphy’s voice was gentle yet powerful. "You once fought side-by-side with my father. That bond is stronger than any contract."

Lawrence’s gaze gradually grew fervent, his initial doubts completely replaced by an almost fanatical loyalty.

When Murphy finally finished his speech, the four followers bowed respectfully and took their leave.

Lawrence, walking last, turned back with a determined light shining in his eyes. He gave Murphy a deep bow, the gesture filled with unprecedented respect.

As the chapel doors slowly closed, Murphy’s upright posture suddenly swayed.

He gripped the oak high-backed chair beside him for support, an unconcealable exhaustion showing on his face.

"Brother!" Aurora immediately rushed forward to support him, her voice full of concern.

Murphy waved a hand gently. "I’m fine."

It’s certainly troublesome without the [Control Human] Magic. I can only rely on my Spiritual Power, combined with language, for prolonged hypnotic suggestion, and it requires a carefully crafted atmosphere.

Yes, nothing about tonight was a coincidence.

Murphy didn’t enjoy acting, nor was he fond of being deliberately mysterious.

It was all for the sake of applying mental guidance at the precise moment the followers’ minds were wavering—the moment their loyalty and fear towards the Duval Clan were stimulated.

If he had missed this opportune moment, not even a month of continuous guidance with his Spiritual Power could have achieved such an ideal result.

Aurora held Murphy in her arms, gazing worriedly at his pale face. "Are you really okay?"

Lying in Aurora’s embrace, Murphy managed a weak smile and patted the back of her hand. "I’m just a little tired. I’ll be fine after some rest."

He mulled it over for a moment, then asked softly, "You... don’t you have any questions for me?"

Aurora shook her head, her golden hair glowing softly in the moonlight. "No."

Murphy opened his mouth, as if to say something more, but then he saw Aurora lower her head and seal his lips with her own.