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Volume 1 Chapter 1 Part 8

「As you wish. 」

Saturus bowed respectfully, his binoculars gleaming sharply.

At that moment, the gate’s guard rushed into the room.

「What is it now?! 」

Mesut glared at the guard as if he was throwing out anger that had nowhere else to go.

「Actually, a Lord named Theo asks you to surrender your Crest and castle to him… 」

「What? 」

Mesut’s complexion changed.

「If you fail to comply, he said he will use force… 」

「So it’s a fight he wants, huh? Which Lord is it? How many opponents are there? 」

「There are three opponents. A young Lord and a Mage, and a man who seems to be a servant. 」

「Only three people? Ha, haha… 」

Mesut put his hand to his face and burst into laughter.

「They must have a lot of guts to look down upon us like that! Do they really think this castle can fall to just three people? 」

「… That’s more than enough. 」

Suddenly a female voice could be heard, and Saturus turned to face the voice source of it, and saw two men and woman standing at the entrance of the hall.

* * *

「And you are? 」

Saturus asked the young female Mage.

「My name is Siluca Meletes, and I have a contract with Theo here. 」

The young female magician answered while looking at the young man who seemed to be the Lord in question.

「… Hmm, I have heard that there’s an extremely talented female student at the Magic University. She’s has already finished five Faculties and is without a doubt expected to reach the rank of a Rainbow Mage… 」

「Unfortunately, I graduated after only finishing six Faculties. I intend to master the last one someday too, but for now… 」
「What are you doing, Saturus!? Soldiers, get rid of them quickly! 」

「W-We can’t do it! 」

The Soldiers shook his heads in haste, and he ran as fast as they could from their spots.

「O-Oi! 」
Mesut calls out, but the soldier’s commander did not stop.

「Are you the Mage who was on his way to make a contract with the Earl of Artuk? 」

Saturus ignored his master’s words and continued talking to Siluca.

「Yes, it is I. 」

Siluca opens her cloak slightly.

「I see, that does look like the Earl’s taste for clothing. 」

Saturus smiled wryly.

「However, due to circumstances I had to make a contract with this Lord. I was ambushed on the road and nearly killed, and he saved me… 」

「Good heavens! Are you sure about that?! 」

Saturus was shocked. In order to unilaterally cancel a contract that had already been decided, a suitable reason is necessary, after all.

「I wonder if this is also fate… 」
Siluca bowed her head deeply to the old Mage It was a declaration of intention not to pursue this matter further.

「If it really was fate, then a cruel one indeed. 」

Siluca decided not to hear Theo mutterings next to her.

「Saturus! By my Crest, I command you. Hurry up and…! 」

The Lord yelled at the old Mage while foaming at the corners of his mouth.

「Shut up… 」

The old Mage turned to the Lord and said in a lowly voice:

「You broke the agreement. Therefore, all your titles will be stripped. You are no longer the Lord of this land, and your contract with me is no longer valid. I now belong only to the Mages Association, and we have an obligation to impose sanctions on those who break the agreement. 」

「What?!! 」

The Lord became blue at the face.

「Even Lord Shakes backing won’t protect you for violating the agreement. It’s all because of your stupidity. In that case, you should give up your Crest and leave this land as soon as possible. 」

「No, no! This is my territory! I inherited it from my father along with the Crest…!!! 」

「We Mages only follow the peerage system. The same goes for territories. Anyone who has a Crest without a peerage is nothing more than an enemy of the Mages Association. There is nothing you can do to change that. 」

「D-Damn it!!! 」

In desperation, Mesut drew his sword.

「It’s all because you passed through my territory! 」

He shouted so and slashed at Siluca, but she remaied motionless, staring at the blade and letting out a sigh after Theo drew his sword to prevent her from being slashed.

「Thank you very much. 」

Siluca bowed to Theo.

「From now on, please protect yourself. You can do at least that much, right? 」

「Probably… 」

Siluca nodded at him. By that time, Irvin was behind Mesut, holding his dagger to his throat.

「The Crest? Or your life? Which will it be? 」

Siluca called out to him coldly.

「A-Anything but my life… please… 」

Mesut begged and threw his sword on the ground.
「Then present your Crest to my Lord. 」

Mesut hung his head in disappointment and lifted his trembling right hand. Then, a Crest appeared on the backside of it.

「I, Mesut Medric, offer my Crest to your Crest… 」

He took an oath while shedding tears.

「I, Theo, hereby accept your Crest as my Crest… 」

Theo also made a Crest appear on the back of his right hand, overlapping the two Crests together. A pure white light then flashed violently several times.

Theo was staring at his own right hand when it was over. The Crest had changed its shape. The lines have increased and the pattern has become more complex. Siluca touched the Crest next and checked its growth.

「You’re still a long way from the rank of Baron… 」

Siluca mutters softly.

Depending on the power of the Crest, there are several levels of rank. A Baron is the rank above a Knight.

「M-My Crest… 」

Seeing the Crest disappear from the back of his own hand, Mesut wept and ran out of the hall.

「It’s kind of pitiiful… 」

Theo muttered as he trailed him with his eyes.
「The only ones to be pitied are the people living under such a Lord. If not for you, Lord Theo, he would have lost his Crest to some other Lord someday. 」

Siluca said coldly.

「By the way, Lord Theo has inherited that Lord’s territory along with the Crest. However, whether or not the neighboring Lords will recognize it… 」

「I will go and negotiate with Viscount Shakes, King of Clovis. Assuming that this Lord agrees to make a contract with me of course. 」

「A Mage with experience and common sense like you is most welcome. 」

Theo said that with a smile and glanced at Siluca, but Siluca still pretended not to notice a thing.

The old Mage swore an oath to Theo’s Crest, and the contract was concluded.

「Then, let’s go straight to negotiations. The Mage who made a contract with Viscount Shakes is an old acquaintance of mine, and he understands the situation of this land. If I tell him the circumstances, his Lord will definitely approve of you taking these territories over.

「That won’t be necessary… 」

Siluca resolutely said to the old Mage.

「Because Lord Theo will be announcing his joining with the Fantasy Union. 」

「Say what?!!! 」

The old Mage stares at him in disbelief.

「Then all the surrounding nations will become your enemies! 」

「That’s what my Lord desires… 」

Siluca said with a serious expression.

「Isn’t that right? 」

「I would like to argue about that, but… 」

Theo looked at Siluca with a tired expression.

「What the hell are you planning to make me do? 」

「Didn’t I tell you that I will make your dream come true? 」

「At this rate, I’m afraid my life will end before my dreams can come true. 」

「Trust me, it will be fine . 」

Siluca smiled at Theo.

「Because you have me at your side. 」

At that time, Theo became convinced.

He didn’t make a contract with a Mage, but with a Witch.