Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 169 (Part 2)

Karis brought two mercenaries completely covered in blood. Fortunately, they didn’t have any major injuries—just a lot of minor cuts.

“Krook!”

“Anderson!”

The mercenary who had spoken last night about what he experienced approached the two fallen mercenaries.

“They’re not dead. They’ve just lost consciousness, so they’ll wake up soon.”

“Ah!”

All five mercenaries who had been said to travel together gathered. With Hurst as the leader: Krook, Anderson, Klimt, and Benoit. They were all people who had worked as mercenaries for no less than ten years, some for more than twenty.

It was quite an unusual group. The leader, Hurst, was an old man over seventy this year. Though he was a swordsman who had reached Master level and would likely live long, it was undeniable that he was old.

But the four mercenaries who traveled with him were in their late thirties to early forties. There was a more than thirty-year age gap between them and Hurst.

While the mercenaries were tending to their comrades, Marquis Richmond looked toward Rodin.

“Mage Rodin.”

“Yes. Please speak.”

“Would you be able to help me?”

“If you’re suggesting we hurry, I must decline. I do intend to go, but I don’t want to rush.”

Rodin declined in a roundabout way. As if he had expected that, Marquis Richmond let out a sigh.

“As expected. Tower master Tamia.”

“Speak.”

“Depending on what I tell you, we may need to move in haste. It would be a problem if we arrive later than Marquis Rotten.”

While they conversed, the surrounding commotion gradually died down. The battle was nearing its end.

“That’s fine. It’s already been long since I left the tower’s affairs to my disciple. If it’s to help the Marquis, I’ll do my utmost.”

“Hmm. Actually…”

Marquis Richmond explained everything he had experienced. His explanation naturally included the story about the legacy of the Kingdom of Bolas that he had heard from Rodin.

After hearing the full story, Tower master Tamia fell into brief thought.

Handling a legacy related to black magic was important. It was something one had to see with their own eyes to be at ease.

However, the curiosity about any treasure that might be within that “legacy” was stronger. As the head of a Magic Tower, it might have been materialistic, but it couldn’t be helped.

People assumed the Four Great Magic Towers must be wealthy. They were organizations that had led the continent for a very long time. No one associated poverty with the Four Great Towers.

But in reality, the financial situation of the Four Great Towers wasn’t good.

In the past, only the Four Great Towers could create artifacts. But now, other towers could make them too.

There were even individuals—like Rodin—who could create far superior artifacts despite working alone.

With no business ventures for income, their financial situation worsened by the year. The problem was that their spending habits remained the same despite tighter budgets.

At present, all four towers were on the verge of bankruptcy.

“Very well. I’ll go with you.”

“Truly?”

“Of course. I’ll move at the pace you set.”

Tamia had made her decision.

Marquis Richmond’s face instantly brightened.

“Thank you.”

“But!”

“Yes?”

“As for the legacy, I can concede up to half.”

“That will suffice.”

The destination was set. At the same time, the surrounding battle came to an end.

“Mage Rodin. Thank you for your assistance. However…”

“Hmm, is this something that should be said here?”

“Ah!”

“Everyone, step back.”

Reading the situation, Tamia sent the mages of Chronoa Tower away from the area.

Marquis Richmond likewise sent his knights and the mercenary magician to the outskirts, creating a quiet space for conversation.

“I will go as well, but I will move at my own pace. If everything is over before I arrive, I won’t ask for my share.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. It wouldn’t make sense to expect something when I’ve done nothing.”

Rodin had no interest in the treasure. Having already acquired the legacy of the Kingdom of Rophelia, the legacy of the Kingdom of Bolas didn’t even catch his eye.

“Mage Rodin, won’t that leave you empty-handed?”

“That’s fine. I’ll treat it as a journey. I actually plan to move thinking of it as just that—a trip.”

“Understood.”

“Since things seem to be wrapped up here, I’ll take my leave.”

Rodin slightly nodded to Marquis Richmond and Tower master Tamia and stepped away. He made space so the two could continue their conversation privately.

*

When Rodin returned to the carriage, Karis and Jena naturally sat on the driver’s bench.

“Master, where shall we go?”

“Hmm, where should we? Larry, didn’t you say you wanted to take a request heading to the Western Continent?”

“No. I’ve changed my mind. I decided to go after I get a bit stronger.”

“Really?”

The reason Larry changed his mind was the battle he had seen here. After witnessing the knights and soldiers fighting desperately, he realized he still had a long way to go.

He decided to return to his hometown only after becoming someone he wouldn’t be ashamed to show anywhere. He wanted to grow stronger and gain more fame, so that he could stand proud even when returning home.

“Yes. You can go wherever you want, brother.”

“Then hmm, let’s go to Lientas.”

“Lientas?”

“It’s a major city in the northeastern region of the Maven Kingdom. First, we head east, and when we reach a fork, we turn north.”

Karis and Jena started the carriage. It was still at a slow and relaxed pace.

*

The carriage’s movement ended shortly. After about an hour of travel to put distance from the battlefield, they stopped.

“Let’s eat before going further.”

“Brother. We’re finally eating.”

“Brother Larry. I was hungry too, but the atmosphere was weird, so I couldn’t even say anything.”

Noon had long since passed. They had missed the usual lunchtime, so it was only natural they were hungry.

They didn’t cook anything special for the meal. They just took out a table and chairs, and pulled food from the subspace storage.

While they were in the middle of eating, a group of people approached. Tower Master Tamia and Marquis Richmond, along with ten others traveling with them.

“Mage Rodin, here you were.”

“Yes. I was hungry.”

Rodin casually showed them the food he had been eating.

Watching the meal, Tower master Tamia shook her head. She couldn’t help but think Rodin was carefree.

“You’re really not interested, are you?”

“If it’s meant to be, it’ll come to me. If not, then it can’t be helped.”

“Sometimes I wonder if our ages got switched. Haha. I’d like to join you for a meal, but it’s a shame we can’t. We’ll take our leave.”

“Yes. If fate allows, we’ll meet again later.”

Tamia was accompanied by five of her mages. Marquis Richmond also moved with five knights who usually followed him closely.

Altogether, there were twelve people. Mounted on horses, they quickly rode off into the distance.

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