Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 131 (Part 1)

Rodin followed Jena, observing the faces of the people around him.

Most of them were unfamiliar. A few faces seemed familiar, but they were just mages who had followed Francis yesterday.

“Is it them?”

“Seems like it.”

“I heard they were young.”

“They’re wearing hoods, so it’s hard to tell their age.”

Rodin overheard murmurs about his group from those nearby. Although he realized they were talking about him, he pretended not to notice.

Initially, there were all kinds of rumors—some claimed that Landes Tower had captured him, others that the Central Knights of the Kingdom of Tebia had caught him. There was even a mercenary group that boasted about hunting him down.

However, Landes Tower officially declared that a young mage had subdued a colossal magical beast. With a declaration from one of the Four Great Towers, the baseless rumors were quickly silenced.

Instead, the existence of the young mage drew great interest from many, especially among the nobility, who had been lingering near the giant magical beast to recruit him into their factions.

“Excuse me…”

“If you come any closer, I will cut you down.”

A nobleman attempting to approach was blocked by Jena. Her firm stance forced the nobles to halt.

Rodin glanced briefly, then turned away, signaling his disinterest.

“This way, my lord.”

“Thank you, Jena.”

After following Jena for some time, they arrived at a clearing at a reasonable distance from the location of the giant magical beast. Dozens of tents were neatly set up, and robed mages bustled around the area.

“Stop! This area is occupied by Landes Tower.”

“We’re here to meet Tower Lord Francis. Tell him it’s the mage he met yesterday.”

“Yesterday? Ah! Please wait a moment.”

The mages of Landes Tower fixed their gazes on Rodin, and shortly thereafter, exclamations of recognition arose.

It just so happened that the mage blocking Rodin had not been present yesterday, so naturally, they didn’t recognize him until he introduced himself.

However, most of the mages in this area had seen Rodin and his group the day before. A hooded figure accompanied by a stunningly beautiful female escort was not a common sight.

Soon, Rodin and his party were led to the innermost part of the encampment.

Every time Rodin moved, the nearby mages stole glances at him. The rumor that he was a 7-circle Archmage had already spread.

An Archmage was the pinnacle every mage dreamed of reaching. All the mages present had joined their towers in childhood, aspiring to become Archmages.

Although some had given up after realizing the harsh reality, many still devoted themselves to training, holding on to that dream.

“Welcome.”

Tower Lord Francis greeted them with a warm smile. His expression, free of pretense, was comforting.

“Thank you for welcoming us.”

“Thank you for avenging us yesterday.”

“Thank you.”

Bianca and Larry bowed their heads respectfully, while Matthew, standing awkwardly, followed suit to express his gratitude.

“I avenged you? Haha, did you really say that?”

“Isn’t it true?”

“I was actually worried that I stole the chance for vengeance. It’s kind of you to see it that way. Have a seat.”

Tower Lord Francis gestured toward the seats. Plush chairs were arranged facing each other.

Rodin briefly glanced at the chairs but then turned his gaze outside.

“I think the children might find this place uncomfortable.”

“Hmm, I’m not sure if there’s a suitable place for them outside.”

“They’ll entertain themselves just fine.”

“Will they? Haren.”

At the Tower Lord’s call, a mage Rodin had seen the day before entered. He appeared to be a 6-circle mage in his late fifties or early sixties.

“You called, Tower Lord?”

“We need some privacy for our conversation. Could you take the children and look after them?”

“Yes, Tower Lord.”

“Hmm, Jena, accompany the children and wait outside.”

Jena also bowed her head and stepped outside. With her around, there would be no issue regarding the children’s safety.

“I’ve prepared some tea. I’m not sure if it’ll suit your taste.”

“I’ll give it a try.”

Rodin took just one sip before setting the cup down.

It wasn’t to his liking. While he usually endured unpleasant tastes, this was far too bitter and coarse.

“It seems the tea doesn’t suit your palate.”

“Apologies. I didn’t mean to disregard your hospitality, but it’s just… not enjoyable.”

Rodin firmly believed that taste was paramount in anything consumed—whether it was a meal, snack, or drink. If it didn’t taste good, he wouldn’t even touch it.

“Haha, it’s fine if the tea isn’t to your liking. By the way, you’re from the Richmond Marquisate, correct?”

“Yes, it’s my home.”

While discussing his past conflicts with Elder Kendrick yesterday, Rodin had mentioned the Richmond Marquisate. It wasn’t something he felt the need to hide.

“Did you leave to avoid the territorial war?”

“Territorial war? Is there one involving the Richmond Marquisate?”

“You weren’t aware? A territorial war between the Richmond Marquisate and the Roten Marquisate is scheduled two months from now.”

This was the first Rodin had heard of it. When he left the Richmond Marquisate, there had been no sign of such an event.

Even if he had known, it wouldn’t have changed his plans. For Rodin, laying Margaret to rest in her homeland was far more important than any territorial dispute.

“Not at all. A territorial war… but with the Roten Marquisate? Aren’t they nobles of the Kingdom of Maven?”

“That’s correct. The Roten Marquisate belongs to Maven, while the Richmond Marquisate is part of Lennox. It’s a rather troublesome territorial war.”

“Can nobles from different kingdoms engage in a territorial war?”

“That’s why it’s so problematic.”

Rodin had never heard of such a situation before. Judging by Tower Lord Francis’s reaction, this might either be unprecedented or an extremely rare occurrence.

“That’s intriguing.”

“You don’t seem particularly concerned.”

The current territorial war stemmed from the curse of black magic. A gift from the Roten Marquisate had sparked a conflict that could potentially escalate into a war between kingdoms.

To mediate, several towers had stepped in, ultimately leading to a territorial war between the two Marquisates, an outcome both parties had agreed upon.

This war involved not only their honor and pride but also a substantial compensation. The losing side would need to tighten their belts for at least three years.

“I’m in no position to assist with a territorial war right now.”

“Fair enough. If you’re not here for the war, then you must have some other purpose.”

Seeing Rodin’s lack of interest, Tower Lord Francis decided not to elaborate further and shifted the topic.

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