The Regressed Mercenary’s Machinations

Ghislain let out a sigh, emphasizing that he was in a difficult position as well.

“As you know, we narrowly avoided disaster this time. There will likely be more lords targeting the Runestone from now on.”

Hubert glared at Ghislain fiercely, but he couldn’t deny the truth in his words.

“If the rumors spread, more lords could set their sights on it.”

Ghislain nodded.

“We lack soldiers and resources. Sure, we could make a lot of money by selling the Runestone, but in the end, it’s still a limited resource.”

“That’s why I’m telling you to sell it to us! If that’s the issue, I’ll pay you five times the market price!”

Hubert shouted urgently.

However, Ghislain shook his head with a somber expression.

“It’s not about the money. Even if we secure funds, it takes time to train troops and gather supplies. What if someone invades again during that time?”

“…It would mean another war.”

It seemed unthinkable, yet a war had already broken out earlier than expected.

Hubert couldn’t be certain about anything anymore.

Seeing Hubert’s reaction, Ghislain inwardly smirked. That’s why desk-bound people were like this.

“If war breaks out, we’ll have to use the Runestone again. There’s no other way to stop a large army.”

Hubert’s eyes widened in shock.

“Are you out of your mind? Use the Runestone again? If you keep using it like that, it’ll run out in no time!”

“There’s no other choice. Do you think I don’t find it regrettable? With that money, we could expand our army, improve our facilities, and greatly develop the territory. But if we lose the war, it’s all meaningless. We have no choice.”

“Ah, where’s the logic in that? Stop spouting nonsense!”

“And selling the Runestone, leading to the destruction of our territory, is logical?”

“You…!”

Hubert gritted his teeth, having no counterargument.

There was no flaw in Ghislain’s reasoning.

He couldn’t suggest making money when the very survival of the territory was at stake.

Still, he had to convince him somehow.

Without the Runestone, the Crimson Flame Tower would also fall.

“Then, use the money from selling the Runestone to strengthen your forces…”

He tried to come up with a solution, but Ghislain scoffed.

“Hah, Tower Master. How long do you think it would take to gather thousands of soldiers? Soldiers don’t just fall from the sky. Our territory has a small population.”

“Then why not hire mercenaries?”

“I’ve already spent the money from the last Runestone sale hiring mercenaries all across the north, and it barely got me a little over three hundred. Before that, I had already hired nearly two hundred more, so now mercenaries are nearly impossible to find.”

“Isn’t that enough?”

“It’s not a small number, but it’s not large either. We were attacked by thousands last time.”

“……”

With a deliberately regretful expression, Ghislain continued.

“I like money too, and I’d love to sell all of this. Didn’t I say before that I wanted to maintain a good business relationship? But if the territory falls, what good will that do?”

Hubert’s vision blurred with despair.

Still, he couldn’t suggest that Ghislain abandon his territory and move elsewhere.

Selling the land inherited from his ancestors would lead to being scorned and ridiculed as dishonorable wherever he went.

No, more than that, leaving Ferdium would mean losing the Runestone as well.

“We—we’ll vouch for you and help as much as possible! How about offering the Runestone to the royal family in exchange for their protection?”

Hubert hastily rattled off whatever solutions came to mind.

“Or how about forming an alliance with other lords? You could even cooperate with the temple. Becoming a vassal of the Delfine Duchy would also guarantee safety!”

Ghislain nearly let out a snort at the last suggestion but managed to hold it back.

He couldn’t reveal them as enemies. If he did, the Crimson Flame Tower would change its stance immediately.

“That could certainly have some effect. But other lords could do the same, couldn’t they? If they promise to offer the Runestone after winning a war, who would object?”

Ghislain shook his head, putting on a deliberately bitter expression.

“I’ve thought about this a great deal, but no matter how I look at it, there’s no solution. It’s an ongoing cycle of war, and the only option is to detonate the Runestone whenever an invasion occurs.”

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

“Mages! We’ll send you more mages! If you don’t want support from the royal family, other lords, or the temple, we’ll step in!”

At that moment, Ghislain quickly covered his mouth with his hand to hide the smile creeping up his lips. If he was going to play his part, he had to see it through.

“Oh… now that you mention it, that is an option. If the Crimson Flame Tower sends powerful mages, we can feel secure. But are you sure it’s alright?”

“We’ve already dispatched mages, so we’re practically in the same boat! If rumors spread, the other lords will find out eventually.”

“But it hasn’t come to that yet, has it?”

Hubert glared at Ghislain.

“Can you swear… that there won’t be any rumors? That you won’t let it slip?”

“What are you saying? Do you think I would do such a thing?”

Ghislain shrugged, feigning indignation.

Yet Hubert’s sharp gaze didn’t waver.

To detonate the Runestone, a mage was necessary.

And in a place like Ferdium, where mages were scarce, such a blast would practically advertise their presence.

Undoubtedly, some would investigate, and once they did, the mages’ identities could be exposed at any moment.

Excuses could get them out of trouble, but…

Hubert let out a deep sigh.

All he had wanted was to buy the Runestone, yet the deeper he got entangled with this man, the more convoluted things seemed to become.

Seeing this, Ghislain offered a reassuring smile, as if trying to put him at ease.

“What kind of man do you take me for, saying such things? I also want a long and fruitful relationship with the Crimson Flame Tower.”

“You certainly have a way with words.”

Ghislain pretended not to hear that and changed the subject.

“You’re taking a risk by sending more mages, and I’m moved by the Tower Master’s determination.”

“Ahem, so then, will the Runestone sale proceed as planned?”

Ghislain lowered his voice subtly as he responded.

“If you’re willing to take on the risk, why not invest a little more?”

“What? Invest more in what?”

When Hubert questioned him, Ghislain’s expression turned serious.

“You should establish a branch of the tower in our territory.”

“What? A branch?”

Hubert’s face filled with disbelief.

“We don’t set up branches. No, in fact, none of the magic towers across the continent do that. It’s not just the towers—every organization aiming to reach transcendence is the same. As a noble, you should be well aware of this.”

Those who shared a vision gathered in one place, helping each other train, in order to advance their mastery more quickly.

If they spread out in an attempt to increase their influence, they might actually become weaker.

Another reason was their desire to keep their unique knowledge from leaking outside.

“I understand that. But since you’re going to be sending more mages anyway, wouldn’t it be a good idea to establish a branch while you’re at it?”

“Even so, officially setting up a branch would go against the founding principles of the tower…”

“You’re worried that rumors might spread about the mages you’ve dispatched, aren’t you? Establishing a branch would prevent such controversies.”

“What?”

“If people think the presence of the mages is simply due to the tower having a branch here, then no one else can really object to it, can they?”

Hubert’s expression grew complicated.

Since this had never been done before, it hadn’t even crossed his mind.

‘That’s true. We could secure the Runestone up close… sending a few people to make it look like a branch might work?’

He wondered why he had never considered setting up a branch before.

It was because he believed in the longstanding traditions.

The magic towers never allied with political forces or got involved in conflicts. They took no sides, yet made no enemies either. Their focus was solely on elevating their own mastery.

This unwritten rule had been passed down since the time the first magic tower was established.

Since everyone naturally assumed this was the way, no one had even thought of forming alliances with them.

‘But just because it’s the right thing, doesn’t mean it’s right in every situation, does it?’

Words like tradition and custom often became rigid beliefs that bound people.

Yet Ghislain Ferdium showed none of that rigidity.

He simplified the complex and pushed things forward in his own way.

To put it nicely, he was a visionary; to put it bluntly, he was a beast that disregarded customs.

But to revive the Crimson Flame Tower, which was cornered, a mindset as flexible as Ghislain was necessary.

Better to survive and endure the criticism of being shameless, than to uphold traditions and perish.

Lost in his thoughts, Hubert snapped back to reality when he heard Ghislain’s voice.

“If you’re not interested, I’ll be on my way. Once I’ve built up my forces and secured my safety, I’ll come back for the Runestone if it’s still around.”

Ghislain got up, as if ready to leave.

Hubert, no longer surprised by Ghislain’s unpredictable words, quickly stood up and blocked the door.

“Hey, that’s just how things have been until now. If I, the Tower Master, decide to do it, then we’ll do it. We might as well go ahead and set up a branch while sending a few more people. And, it’ll be a good chance to train that Alfoi kid as a successor.”

Mages are a breed that prioritize their own achievements over loyalty to the tower.

If they couldn’t continue receiving the Runestone supply, the tower would crumble. In that scenario, the intentions of their predecessors would mean nothing.

If Hubert framed it this way, the elders and the other mages would undoubtedly agree without objection.

“Thank you for your generous decision.”

Ghislain bowed his head, a relaxed smile on his face.

‘I’ve achieved my goal.’

With the mages’ support, it would greatly assist in both protecting and developing the territory.

This time, unlike when he had to secretly hire them as if they were mercenaries, he would receive their support openly.

Mages are far more challenging to cultivate than knights.

Even with all his knowledge of future events, Ghislain lacked the time needed to train mages himself.

That was why he sought out the magic tower—to save as much time as possible.

‘Detonate the Runestone? What a waste. Why would I blow it up again?’

To execute the plans he had for the future, he would need a substantial amount of Runestones.

No enemy would fall for the same trick twice, anyway.

“Ahem, since setting up a branch is a first for us, I’ll need some time to research and make preparations.”

“Of course, that’s perfectly understandable. I’ll be waiting.”

“Is there suitable land in Ferdium? Even if it’s just a branch, a magic tower will attract people. It needs to be spacious, have good transportation access, and be in a scenic area with fertile land.”

This was non-negotiable. The surroundings of a magic tower were a point of pride.

Ghislain nodded in agreement.

“I’ll find a location that meets your requirements. But it won’t be in Ferdium.”

“Hm? What do you mean by that?”

First, he said to come to his territory, but now he’s saying it won’t be in Ferdium?

Talking to this guy was like trying to guess which direction a wild card would fly.

“Then where do you expect us to go?”

Ghislain flashed a sly smile as he replied.

“To Baron Fenris’s estate. It’s where I hold my title as lord.”

“Lord? You’re a lord?”

This guy being a lord—is this some kind of omen of the kingdom’s downfall?

Hubert’s face went pale.