Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 132 (Part 2)

It was harder to procure materials here than in a major city. Even mana stones, a versatile magical resource, were difficult to buy in large quantities.

“I’m doing some research.”

“Ah, research. That makes sense. Want to take these?”

“Yes, I’ll take them.”

“Good luck with your research.”

Rodin visited five more magic shops to purchase a total of 500 low-grade mana stones, nearly depleting the local stock.

“I also need some mithril. Do you have any ingots?”

“Yes, we have two small ingots. Would you like both?”

“Yes, I’ll take them.”

After purchasing the materials he needed, Rodin left the magic shop.

He had made significant progress in his research on magical energy stones. The ancient texts from the underground ruins of the Magic Empire had been immensely helpful.

However, the research wasn’t complete. He would need to experiment directly and learn through trial and error.

“Big Brother Rodin!”

“What? Do you want to buy something?”

“I want to buy some books.”

“Really? There’s a bookstore over here.”

Bianca bought over ten books at the bookstore, all of which turned out to be poetry collections.

“Poetry? All of a sudden?”

“I feel like writing poetry.”

“Because of what you saw at the plaza?”

“Yeah, it was inspiring.”

On their way to the commercial district, they had stopped to watch a performance by minstrels in the plaza. The story was about Reynolds Verken, delivered with vivid vocal acting.

It seemed the scene had left a strong impression on Bianca, inspiring her newfound interest in poetry. Though Rodin doubted it would last long, he suspected she’d talk about becoming a poet for a while.

“Sure, do whatever you want to do.”

“Brother, are we heading back to the inn now?”

“You all head back. I need to stop by the mercenary guild.”

Rodin was curious about the news from the Richmond Marquisate and the rumors circulating about him. The mercenary guild was the best place to gather such information.

“Okay. I’m going to read and write poetry.”

“I’ll do some stretching.”

“Let’s go.”

Leaving the others at the inn, Rodin went out alone. Just in case, he left Jenna with Larry and Bianca.

“Jenna, keep an eye on them.”

“Don’t worry, Master.”

Though Jenna had a playful and lighthearted personality, she never forgot that she was a combat doll and a bodyguard. She disliked leaving her master unguarded.

But Rodin wasn’t truly alone. Karis, who was nearly fully recovered, was in his necklace’s storage space. If a fight broke out, Rodin could summon Karis at any time. It was as if he wasn’t alone at all.

Rodin asked around and eventually found the mercenary guild.

The building was large, and the interior was bustling. Many mercenaries who had gathered because of the colossal beast were still lingering in groups.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes, are you a mercenary?”

“Yes, I need some information.”

The mercenary guild sold or provided information to mercenaries. While they didn’t share highly classified details, they compiled and distributed rumors circulating within their network.

“May I see your mercenary badge?”

“Here you go.”

“Thank you. Let me check… Oh! Could you be… the one who defeated the colossal beast?”

The clerk stared at the badge and then at Rodin, clearly struggling to believe it.

“Yes, that would be me.”

“Ah! Please wait a moment!”

The clerk rushed off, and within three minutes, a man in his forties came hurrying over.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Archmage. I’m Arken, the head of the Hedenes Mercenary Guild branch.”

Arken, the branch head, bowed deeply. His actions immediately drew the attention of everyone in the guild.

“Archmage?”

“Is that the mage who killed the colossal beast?”

“Seriously? He’s a mercenary?”

The astonished murmurs of the mercenaries filled the air.

Rodin sighed and clicked his tongue lightly. He didn’t welcome such situations.

Arken’s overly enthusiastic greeting had caused too much commotion, and his excessive courtesy made Rodin uncomfortable.

“Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“What brings you here?”

“I need information about the Richmond Marquisate.”

Rodin decided not to ask about the rumors concerning him. Judging by the reactions of the mercenaries, he could already imagine what was being said.

“I’ll tell you everything I know.”

“I’m curious about the state of the territorial war. I heard that the Richmond Marquisate is engaged in a conflict with the Lotten Marquisate.”

“Ah, they’re currently in negotiations over reparations.”

The two territories weren’t geographically close, so the winner wouldn’t gain much from acquiring land or mines. As such, they had decided to wager only money on the outcome.

The Richmond Marquisate wanted to settle things quietly, proposing a reasonable amount of 500,000 gold coins as reparations.

In contrast, the Lotten Marquisate pushed for an exorbitant 5,000,000 gold coins. Such a sum would require at least a decade of austerity measures for the loser to pay.

“The tenfold difference is significant. Does this mean the Richmond Marquisate is prepared for defeat?”

“I wouldn’t say that. In fact, most believe the Richmond Marquisate is in a stronger position. It seems they simply want to resolve the matter without much noise.”

“That’s interesting.”

“The conflict began because of…”

Rodin learned that the territorial war had been triggered by the Curse of Frailty, something he had vaguely suspected.

“So, the Richmond Marquisate, as the victim, wants to settle things quietly, while the Lotten Marquisate, the perpetrator, wants to escalate the situation.”

“Yes, though the reason remains unclear.”

“Hm, it seems they’re confident of victory. Got it. Thank you for the information.”

Rodin extended his hand to retrieve his mercenary badge, which he had handed over for identification.

“Ah, wait a moment, Mage Rodin.”

“Is there something else?”

“There’s a matter regarding your badge renewal.”

“Renewal? Has the term expired?”

As far as Rodin knew, the renewal term for a mercenary badge was ten years. He had received his badge only two years ago, so he shouldn’t have been due for renewal.

“No, it’s about upgrading you to a Platinum Badge.”

“A Platinum Badge? That’s the highest rank, isn’t it?”

“Yes. Currently, there are only two Platinum Badge holders. If you accept, you’ll be the third.”

Rodin knew of only one Platinum Badge holder: a swordsman who primarily operated on the eastern continent. It seemed another had been added recently.

“Do I meet the requirements for a Platinum Badge?”

“The conditions are simple: you must be a transcendent and a mercenary. That’s all.”

To qualify, one had to be either a 7th-circle mage or a master swordsman and also be a registered mercenary. The criteria were simple but far from easy to achieve.

“Oh, I see. So, the second holder must have recently become a transcendent.”

“No, that individual was already a master swordsman. His name is Benson, and he joined the mercenary ranks about a year ago.”

“Benson? Benson Tyke?”

“Yes, you know him? He’s said to have been a famous knight in the western continent.”

As Arken explained, Rodin recalled who Benson Tyke was. The man was indeed renowned—a master swordsman and one of only two in the western continent when Rodin had been there.

Benson had been a duke of the Kingdom of Randert. For someone of his status to become a mercenary seemed unfathomable.

“Because of the war?”

War has a way of upending everything, making the impossible possible. That Benson Tyke had become a mercenary was likely just another example of such upheaval.

“All right. But doesn’t it take time to issue a Platinum Badge?”

“Yes, about ten days—or five, if we rush it.”

“I have business to attend to and will leave Hedenes tomorrow. I’ll return in a few days to collect the badge.”

“Understood. We’ll have the Platinum Badge ready for you.”

Rodin retrieved his bronze badge and left the mercenary guild. As he walked out, the gazes of the people inside trailed after him.

This is uncomfortable.

Hyung_Otaku2

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