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Chapter 90

“I don’t understand! What do you mean you can’t sell the Runestone! This isn’t how we agreed! Why did we even send the Wizards at our expense? Didn’t we offer three times the market rate? This sudden change is unacceptable!”

Ghislaine let out a sigh, emphasizing how difficult her situation was as well.

“As you know, we almost faced a major disaster. There will likely be many more lords targeting the Runestone in the future.”

Hubert glared at Ghislaine but couldn’t deny her words were true.

“If rumors spread, then the number of lords seeking it will indeed increase.”

Ghislaine nodded her head.

“We are short on troops and supplies. Selling the Runestone could earn us a lot of money, but it’s ultimately a limited resource.”

“So, that’s why you should sell it to us! If that’s the case, I’ll offer you five times its market value!”

Hubert shouted desperately.

But Ghislaine shook her head with a somber expression.

“It’s not just about the money. Even if we secure funds, it takes time to build up troops and gather supplies. What if someone attacks in the meantime?”

“…Then it would be war again.”

Thinking that couldn’t possibly happen, Hubert remembered that war had already broken out faster than expected.

He couldn’t be sure of any future.

Ghislaine noticed Hubert’s reaction and internally chuckled. This is what desk slaves do.

“If war breaks out, we’ll have to blow up the Runestone again. That’s the only way to stop a large army.”

Hubert’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Are you insane? Blow up the Runestone again? If we use it that way, we’ll run out in no time!”

“There’s no choice. Don’t you think it’s a shame for me as well? With that money, we could raise soldiers, improve facilities, and significantly develop the territory. But if we lose in war, it’s all for nothing. There’s no other way.”

“Ah, come on! Don’t spout such nonsense!”

“Is it reasonable for me to sell the Runestone and watch our territory perish?”

“Ugh…”

Hubert bit down hard as he found no comeback.

There was nothing wrong with Ghislaine’s words.

When the survival of the territory is at stake, not making money is not an option.

Still, he had to persuade her somehow.

Without the Runestone, the Tower of the Bloody Flame would surely fall as well.

“What if we use the money from selling the Runestone to raise troops…”

He attempted to respond by racking his brain, but Ghislaine scoffed.

“Hah, Lord of the Tower. When do you expect to gather thousands of soldiers? They don’t just drop from the sky. Our territory has a small population.”

“Then we can hire mercenaries.”

“I hired mercenaries with the money from selling the Runestone before, but that was barely over three hundred men. I had already hired almost two hundred before that, so mercenaries are virtually dried up now.”

“No, isn’t that enough?”

“Not small, but not large either. This time, thousands of them invaded.”

“…”

Ghislaine continued, feigning a sad expression.

“I also love money, and I really want to sell this all. I told you earlier, I want to continue a good deal. But if the territory is destroyed, what good is it?”

Hubert felt dizzy in front of him.

At the same time, he couldn’t just tell her to sell the territory and go elsewhere.

If he sold the land inherited from his ancestors, he would be pointed at wherever he went as a disgrace.

No, even before that, if he left Perdium, the Runestone would disappear.

“We will guarantee and support you as much as we can! How about submitting the Runestone to the royal family and receiving protection?”

Hubert threw out any number of solutions that came to mind.

“Or how about forming an alliance with other lords? Joining with the Temple could also be good. Being a vassal of Duke Delphine would keep you safe!”

Ghislaine instinctively held back a laugh at the last suggestion.

They could not reveal that they were enemies. Otherwise, the tower would immediately change its attitude.

“That could have some effect. But other lords can do that too. Who would stop you if you say you’ll sacrifice the Runestone after winning the war?”

Ghislaine shook her head while pretending to show a bitter expression.

“I’ve thought about it a lot, but no matter how much I think, there’s no way. Since a war is bound to happen, we’ll just have to blow up the Runestone every time they attack.”

In the end, the only thing Hubert could say was one thing.

“More Wizards! We’ll send more Wizards! If the royal family, other lords, and the temple don’t want to help, we’ll help you ourselves!”

At that moment, Ghislaine hurriedly covered her rising smile with her hand. She had to maintain her act until the end.

“Ah… now that I think about it, that could work. If strong Wizards from the Tower of the Bloody Flame are sent, it would provide reassurance. But are you okay with that?”

“We have already dispatched Wizards anyway, so it’s practically the same thing! Sooner or later, once the rumors spread, the lords will know.”

“Still, isn’t it not out yet?”

Hubert glared at Ghislaine.

“Will it not be rumored…? Can you swear that there will be no gossip?”

“Why would you say that? I’m not that kind of person!”

Ghislaine shrugged her shoulders, feigning innocence.

But Hubert’s piercing gaze did not falter.

To blow up the Runestone, they needed a Mage.

However, it would be like advertising that there were Mages present if explosions happened in a place like Perdium, where Mages were nowhere to be found.

Someone would surely investigate, and it wouldn’t be long before the identity of the Mages was exposed.

Though he could find a way to excuse himself out of it, Hubert sighed.

He only wanted to buy the Runestone, but somehow, things felt increasingly complicated whenever he got involved with this person.

Ghislaine then smiled reassuringly at him.

“What sort of impression do you have of me to say such things? I also want to last a long time with the Tower of the Bloody Flame.”

“You speak well.”

Ghislaine pretended to change the subject as if she hadn’t heard.

“I’m touched by the Tower Master’s determination to take risks and send more Wizards.”

“Ahem, so we are selling the Runestone as planned?”

Ghislaine lowered her voice subtly and continued.

“Since you’re taking risks anyway, why not spend a little more?”

“What? Spend more on what?”

When Hubert questioned back, Ghislaine hardened her expression seriously.

“Why not establish a branch of the Tower in our territory?”

“A branch?”

Hubert looked flabbergasted.

“We don’t establish branches. No, neither does any tower on the continent. It’s the same for any organization aspiring to transcend. Even you, as a noble, should know that.”

Those who share a vision must gather together to help each other and increase their proficiency faster.

If they scatter to grow power, they might become weaker instead.

A big reason they didn’t want to leak their vision to the outside world.

“I know. But if you’re going to send more Wizards anyway, wouldn’t it be fine to establish a branch?”

“However, formally establishing a branch contradicts the intentions behind founding the tower…”

“You’re worried about it being rumored that you sent Wizards. If you establish a branch, you can avoid that controversy.”

“What?”

“It’s a territory with a tower, so it’s facilitating interaction and providing protection. What can others do?”

Hubert’s expression became complex.

He hadn’t considered it because there were no such precedents before.

‘That’s true. I can receive the Runestone more closely… If I send just the right number of people and pretend it’s a branch, it should work, right?’

Why hadn’t he thought of just setting up a branch all this time?

Because he believed that he shouldn’t break traditions passed down through the ages.

Not colluding with political forces or intervening in disputes. Not choosing sides but also not becoming enemies with anyone. They only pursue improving their own proficiency.

The intentions of the one who originally established the tower had been passed down for a long time, turning into unwritten rules.

Since everyone assumed that was the case, no one even tried to approach them.

‘But just because it’s the right thing doesn’t mean it’s right in all situations.’

The words tradition and custom can often become fixed ideas that bind people.

However, there was nothing of that sort in Ghislaine Perdium.

She simplified complicated things and pushed forward as it suited her.

Put positively, she was an enlightened person; negatively, she was a beastly brat who disregarded customs.

But if they wanted to resurrect the Tower of the Bloody Flame in crisis, they needed a free mindset like Ghislaine’s.

Better to survive and be called shameless than to maintain traditions and starve to death.

Hubert was lost in thought and returned to reality quickly when he heard Ghislaine speak.

“If you don’t want to, then I’ll just take my leave. When my power has grown and it is safe, if the Runestone is still around, I will return.”

Ghislaine stood up as if to leave.

Hubert, no longer surprised, promptly got up and blocked the door.

“Eh, that’s how it’s been up to now. If I, the Tower Master, decide to do it, I shall do it. Sending a few more people and establishing a branch isn’t such a bad idea. It’ll also serve for Alfoy’s heir training.”

Mages prioritize individual achievement over loyalty to the tower.

If they could no longer receive supplies of the Runestone, the tower would collapse, and what use would that serve their predecessors’ wishes?

If he could convince them in this regard, the elders and ordinary Mages would naturally agree without any fuss.

“Thank you for your generous decision.”

Ghislaine bowed her head with a relaxed smile.

‘The goal is achieved.’

Recruiting Mages would be a tremendous help in protecting and developing the territory.

Unlike the time when they had to deceive and hire them as mercenaries, they could now receive support publicly.

Mages were much harder to raise than Knights.

Even if Ghislaine knew the future, she lacked the time to raise Mages herself.

That’s why she had come to the tower to minimize that time as much as possible.

‘Blowing up the Runestone? Why would I waste that again?’

In order to execute the plans he would establish in the future, Hubert would need a lot of Runestones.

The enemy wasn’t a fool and wouldn’t fall for the same trap twice.

“Ahem, first establishing a branch means I’ll need to check and prepare, so it requires time.”

“Of course. Understood.”

“Is there suitable land in Perdium? Even if it’s a branch, once the tower is established, people will flock there. It needs to be spacious, well-connected, and in a good environment.”

This was non-negotiable. The surrounding environment of the tower was akin to its pride.

Ghislaine nodded.

“We will provide you with your desired location. However, it won’t be in Perdium.”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

Didn’t she just say to come to her territory, but now it’s not in Perdium?

Talking to this person was utterly unpredictable.

“Where then?”

Ghislaine grinned and responded.

“Baron Penris’ Territory. That’s where I’m the lord.”

“You’re a lord? You’re a lord?!”

This fool is a lord? The kingdom must be doomed!

Hubert’s face turned pale as a sheet.

 

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