Chapter 58
Chapter 58: Who Would Use a Fool? (1)
As the atmosphere shifted dramatically, Belinda, Gillian, and Kaor, who had been tense, could only blink in confusion.
Just a moment ago, the mood had been such that it wouldn’t have been surprising if someone dropped dead.
But as Ghislaine announced he would consistently provide the Runestone, the wizards suddenly reverted to a lower stance.
They looked like people who were desperate to get their hands on Runestones.
This transaction succeeded solely because Ghislaine knew the future.
Those who didn’t know he had returned couldn’t possibly understand him.
Belinda fiddled with her brooch, consumed by thoughts.
‘…Is there some weakness I can exploit? Maybe I should be asking for something more?’
Practical Belinda abandoned the hope of understanding the unfolding situation and pondered how to gain a bigger advantage.
Having been swept up by Ghislaine’s arbitrary schemes a few times, she had grown somewhat accustomed to it.
While the three of them were lost in thought, Ghislaine continued speaking.
“To be honest, we aren’t planning to attack any territory. We don’t have the strength for that.”
“Really? Then why bring up war?”
Hubert questioned, his interest piqued.
If they weren’t targeting anyone, it would be less of a burden to lend wizards.
“A Runestone has been discovered in our poor, powerless territory. Do you think the other territories will just sit idly by?”
“……I see.”
If a Runestone had been found in a powerless territory like Perdium, there would surely be lords eager to lay claim to it.
“However, actually attacking won’t be easy. If one territory aims for the Runestone, others won’t just stand by.”
Ghislaine admired the sharp intuition of wizards. It was indeed as he said. If someone were to attack Perdium, other territories would intervene for various reasons.
The first lord to attack would have to deal with multiple territories, causing them to hesitate and watch for a while.
However, Ghislaine didn’t need to consider such complicated political relations.
The enemy was already clear, and Duke Delphine would undoubtedly invade Perdium by any means necessary.
They had the power and political influence to do so.
“That’s true. However, until we can strengthen ourselves using the Runestone, we need the power to defend our territory. They could conspire together to take a share of Perdium.”
Not being able to say he knew the future, he could only express it as a possibility.
Since it made a certain amount of sense, Hubert didn’t sense anything odd and nodded.
Given that reasoning, Ghislaine’s request to borrow wizards also made complete sense.
‘If the lords find out, we’re in trouble.’
The Tower of the Bloody Flame was already defending the Brivant territory, but at least there was a justification for defending the area around the tower.
If the fact that they were colluding with Perdium, which had no plausible justification, were to be revealed, the Tower of the Bloody Flame wouldn’t remain unscathed either.
However, Hubert was keen to interfere with Perdium’s situation, even if it was pushing his limits.
‘If I can gain several times more than the Runestone we just received. Then surely, I could overcome the Tower of the Crimson Flame again. I can’t let that guy sell Runestones to the Tower of the Crimson Flame!’
The disputes of the lords weren’t important to him. His only goal was to crush the Tower of the Crimson Flame and rise to the top of the kingdom’s towers.
To achieve that desire, he had to obtain Perdium’s Runestone.
With a sigh, Hubert asked the elders.
“What are your thoughts? If we can keep it a secret, I think it’s worth a shot?”
He was just asking as a formality, as he wanted to proceed.
“Hmm, if we can keep it a secret…… it shouldn’t be too bad.”
“Can’t we just stick our foot in and insist? It’s not like we’re attacking anyone, so it’s possible.”
“If being a tower mage comes up… let’s say we came to study Runestones and were dragged into it.”
Once the elders agreed, Hubert took a deep breath and spoke to Ghislaine.
“Alright. We’ll lend you the wizards. Just wait a moment. I need to handpick trustworthy people to ensure the secret is kept.”
In the end, Hubert made the decision to step into the defense of the Perdium territory.
Ghislaine smiled pleasantly and bowed politely.
“Thank you. It shouldn’t be a big deal, so you need not worry.”
“You’re a bold young man, more than I expected. You must make sure your side keeps tight control.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll manage the mercenaries well.”
No matter how indifferent he was to the power struggle, the Tower of the Bloody Flame couldn’t be completely free from the influence of nobles.
But still, they decided to follow Ghislaine, accepting that risk.
It was a result born from the massive amount of Runestones Ghislaine brought and the desperate situation of the tower.
‘What on earth is this guy up to?’
After making the decision, Hubert felt like he was possessed by a ghost.
‘Does he, by any chance, know our situation? That can’t be true.’
From the outside, the Tower of the Bloody Flame appeared to be fine.
It had only lost some reputation due to being overshadowed by the Tower of the Crimson Flame. The tower was still buying a small quantity of Runestones through various merchant groups.
Even among the wizards of the tower, many were still unaware of the detailed internal circumstances.
Unless a high-ranking wizard, who knew the tower’s situation, had leaked information, there was no way this rookie noble could so brazenly manipulate them.
Though Hubert cast a suspicious gaze, Ghislaine simply smiled inwardly, unfazed.
‘If you don’t join hands with me, the Tower of the Bloody Flame will crumble faster.’
Hubert still seemed oblivious, but the Tower of the Crimson Flame was thoroughly planning to stomp them down.
Right now, Ghislaine might seem like a scoundrel, but in reality, he was offering a lifeline.
Hubert stood up with a slightly worried expression.
“Today, I’ll arrange accommodations, so take it easy. It’ll take some time to assemble the people.”
“Understood. Take your time.”
Having completed the transaction, Ghislaine confidently stepped outside.
Belinda, Gillian, and Kaor followed him vacantly.
Something utterly nonsensical had just happened, and even witnessing it firsthand left them unable to comprehend why it occurred.
*
It was only after four days that Ghislaine could meet with the tower lord again.
Hubert appeared a bit tired.
He hesitated to speak in front of Ghislaine, fumbling with his words.
He looked to the elders for help, but the wizards averted their gazes, pretending not to notice.
Unable to take the silence any longer, Ghislaine spoke first.
“Everyone looks rather unwell.”
Indeed, Hubert looked like a dying man, with dark circles under his eyes.
After a moment’s hesitation, he finally opened his mouth with great difficulty.
“I’m sorry. I just can’t manage to gather ten wizards.”
Even a 4th Circle wizard could become a territory’s exclusive mage. It wasn’t a rank to attain easily.
In fact, the 3rd Circle masters and 4th Circle users were the foundation of the tower.
If he were to just pick randomly, he might scrape together ten 3rd Circle masters somehow, but it was uncertain whether they could keep the secret. He needed to select those with heavy lips who would obediently follow the tower’s orders.
‘Hmm, they’re all cut from the same cloth as me.’
Wizards tend to have strong individualistic tendencies, making it hard to select someone reliable.
Even if you combined the disciples of the tower head and the elders, only six individuals met the criteria.
However, he couldn’t give up the Runestone.
Hubert honed his most pitiable expression.
“I’m sorry. It seems I can’t gather ten trustworthy individuals.”
“Hmm, then how many can you manage?”
“With the elders’ disciples included, a total of six. What should we do?”
“What should we do? It’s regrettable, but I suppose we’ll have to trade next time.”
Seeing Ghislaine express his disappointment, Hubert began to wail.
“Isn’t there any other way? Do you know who we are? The northern elite, the Tower of the Bloody Flame. If we build a good relationship, it will surely benefit Perdium in the future.”
The elders began persuading him alongside Hubert.
“Six 3rd Circle masters should be sufficient to defend a small territory, right?”
“Yeah, that would easily wipe out hundreds of regular soldiers.”
“Think it over again. It’s definitely not inadequate.”
As the wizards begged, Ghislaine stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“Hmm, there is another method, but… I’m not sure if the tower master will agree.”
Seeing Ghislaine show signs of compromise, Hubert became eager.
“Oh come now, why would you sound so reserved? If it’s your request, I’d even go after a dragon! What do you think? Just say the word.”
Hubert wore a face that made it seem as if he would actually hunt a dragon. Ghislaine reluctantly replied.
“No matter how I look at it, six seems a bit lacking. So, I would like you to give me one more wizard.”
“Wait, are you saying you want one outright… implying you need the territory’s exclusive mage?”
“More than the territory’s exclusive mage, it’s better to say you need my exclusive mage.”
Hubert narrowed his brow, making a distressed sound.
“Hmm, that’s basically asking me to expel a wizard from the tower, isn’t it? It’s not something I can just take care of without a valid reason.”
Using various excuses to have a wizard sent away would definitely fall within the tower master’s authority.
However, making that wizard follow Ghislaine was an entirely different issue.
Given the prideful nature of wizards, they would likely hold a grudge against Ghislaine instead.
“Even if I do chase them away, whether that person will follow you depends on their own will, and there’s nothing we can do about it. Is there something else you can offer?”
Ghislaine shook his head and whispered subtly.
“Well, we can at least hear that wizard’s opinion, can’t we? How about we listen and discuss further?”
That made sense. Hubert hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
“Alright, I’ll call them in and ask. Is there a particular wizard you’d like? Or should we recommend someone?”
At Hubert’s inquiry, Ghislaine, as if he had been waiting for this moment, immediately stated a name.
“Vanessa.”
“Hmm?”
Upon hearing that name, Hubert and the elders tilted their heads in confusion. They couldn’t remember who that was at all.
“Who is that?”
Unless she was a direct disciple, there was no way they could memorize the names of all the numerous people in the tower.
At that moment, one of the elders suddenly cried out as if recalling something.
“Oh, that foolish leech!”
“Hmm? Who’s that? Do you know?”
“That one. The disciple who only eats and does nothing in the tower. I tried to expel her once because I felt it was wasteful money… Hm, anyway! She was the disciple that Ronato, who died recently, took in. Don’t you remember?”
Only then did Hubert nod as if suddenly realizing.
“Oh, that girl? The one we’re just using as a maid now… Oh dear, uh-huh. That girl is also a fine wizard of our tower. Yes, indeed!”
Hubert nodded several times with a grave expression but soon broke into a wide grin and squeezed Ghislaine’s hand.
“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely appoint that girl as your exclusive mage.”
“All of a sudden? Didn’t you say you’d just ask for their opinion?”
“Oh come on, opinion, what opinion? If I, the tower master, give the order, it will be done! Hahaha. This deal seems to be concluding much easier than expected.”
“Indeed, it seems so. You have a keen eye for people, young friend.”
“How could you choose such a beautiful and clever child? Hehehe.”
Hubert and the elders exchanged pleasant smiles.
‘Hehe, the rookie really is a rookie. Who would use a fool like that?’
‘Tsk tsk. She can’t even feel mana, calling herself a wizard…’
‘It seems like he fell for her while staying here?’
The disciple named Vanessa that Ghislaine requested had been living alone since her master passed away not too long ago.
With no connections, they had been looking after her in the tower, but no wizard had stepped forward to take her on as a disciple.
After all, she was so devoid of talent that she couldn’t even feel mana.
Yet, asking for a pathetic existence who had no prospects for becoming a wizard, while calling her a wizard?
The tower master and the elders couldn’t help but laugh at Ghislaine internally, although they didn’t show it outwardly.
After all, if Ghislaine were to leave in frustration, he wouldn’t obtain the Runestone.
“Then wait a moment. I’ll go get the wizards right away.”
The elders hurriedly ran off to fetch the disciple, fearing Ghislaine might change his mind.
A meaningful smile appeared on Ghislaine’s face as he remained behind alone.
It was time to finalize the most important deal.
