Chapter 6

Chapter 6

 

I WAS SHOWN TO THE COURTYARD of the Stalwart Castle.

There were a number of huge tables set out. Dishes made with the delicacies of the nearby seas and mountains lined their surface. Musicians played elegant songs, and beautiful women clad in thin silk danced for our entertainment.

I was seated at the head of the table next to the duke. On one side of me were my friends (Elisabel took the end seat, looking uncomfortable), and on the opposite side sat the duke’s subordinates.

The duke of Filsand was in a great mood. The court sorcerer, prime minister, the duchess, and her son all had long faces. The duke’s son Agveil looked especially drawn.

“Thank you for inviting me here,” I told them. “My gratitude knows no bounds.”

The duke sat next to me. He’d started this banquet without taking time for any formalities or protocol, so it was a far more casual affair than Clara had warned me it would be. I let myself relax a bit. I was more concerned about the naked, nervous fear visible in the duke’s subordinates and servants. There may have been some fear there over the wizard (me), but it seemed like they feared the duke most of all.

“The pleasure is all mine,” said the duke, amiable. “It’s not every day I get to host someone who is both a great hero and also possesses fantastical magical powers.”

I didn’t answer.

“Go ahead and feast to your heart’s content. It seems like you’ve done a lot for my daughter.”

There was no way I could read his true intentions just by sitting there and watching him. I didn’t have the stomach to put myself inside his head.

While I was making excuses to myself, I grasped and activated my ESP Medal in the sleeve of my robe. Although the duke was decked out in high-grade materia and armor, Elisabel told me in advance that he possessed no defense against mental attacks. I was normally reluctant to look into people’s souls, but it was unavoidable this time.

The internal thoughts of the duke sitting beside me were conveyed to me through the power of the ESP Medal.

There is just no ambition in his expression… He looks like nothing more than a lowly junior officer of the Sorcerers’ Guild.

He was criticizing me right from the start. It was none of his business, but I couldn’t say he was wrong.

“So, what is it that drew you to my daughter? Between you and me, she’s pretty high-maintenance, and frankly, not even that cute.”

But his power is real. That dragon alone could defeat any army. Forget the barbarians, it could even destroy Thanesand with ease. If we were to team up…we could even take on Velde. Eventually, our dominion would spread to every point of the compass!

I almost spit out my (slightly) spicy barbecued beef. Every thought in this man’s head was that of a warlord!

“H-heh. I think she’s an intelligent and attractive girl.” The only thing I was sure of at this point was that there could be no marriage between Elisabel and myself. “Though there is much I want to discuss with you about your daughter. I feel I am not yet qualified to be her husband.”

“Hmph. If you say so, it must be true.”

I was sure he was going to banish me after marrying Elisabel, but maybe that’s not his plan. Is he thinking that someone like me would give in so easily that he doesn’t have to consider such details?

I found my own thoughts growing frustrated. How does he do that? There isn’t even the slightest hint of his true thoughts on his face. How infuriating…

As far as I could tell from reading the duke’s thoughts, he believed that I’d achieved my alliance with the Calbanera Knights, Relis City, and Axeholm through force. It was true that I’d behaved impudently in all of those places. Considering that, from a certain point of view, it wasn’t really an exaggeration to say I’d used my overwhelming power to force the weak into submission.

 

***

 

“Good wizard, please have a drink.”

“Sure…”

A waitress whose uniform was so skimpy she might as well have been naked poured me a cup. While I was trying to avert my eyes, the duke spoke to me again, still pretending to be in the best of moods.

“Now, where should we start? I have a lot I want to discuss with you, too… Let’s just follow etiquette and start with your business.”

Hmm. Doesn’t even look at the girl. He’s already taken the sorceress, the dark elf—although she’s not here—and now Elisabel. Well, at least I know he likes women. But not this woman, eh? I thought he was partial to the voluptuous type… Does that mean he has his hands full already?

The ESP Medal could truly read what someone was thinking, and it was so effective for negotiations that it was unfair…but it was damaging my soul.

I decided to focus and start with the easily agreeable items.

“I-I beg your pardon. Certainly, let’s get my agenda out of the way. The first item is a proposal concerning Lord Feivel, the Axeholm dwarves, and Castle Getaeus.”

“Aye, that’s right, Your Grace. We dwarves judged Laird Margilus’s overture to be most fine.”

“It’s a straightforward matter,” I assured the duke. With some input from Feivel, I explained the development plan for a new trade route connecting Relis City, Castle Getaeus, Axeholm, and Filsand. I was sure he was already somewhat informed, but he had a surprised look on his face.

“Oh. That’s even more than I could have hoped for. Making it easier to receive goods from Axeholm and the Ryuse Alliance would help Filsand flourish even more.”

I heard about this, but it turns out he can speak for himself after all. He understands not just the importance of force, but of money as well. He’s a dangerous man…but If I have his power, then I really can take over Velde. Maybe I can finally realize my dream…

So, it seemed the duke’s ambition was taking over Velde. They said that war between humans in this daemon-riddled world was rare…but here was one of the exceptions.

If I didn’t do something, I would get dragged along in his ruse and help him take over Velde. It would hurt my efforts with the trade route, but I couldn’t let myself get any more deeply involved with him.

“Hmm? Sorry. Perhaps this wasn’t sufficient inspiration for you, Lord Margilus? Musicians, you are dismissed! Bring the prisoner from the dungeon and the beast we captured! They will fight to the death for our entertainment!” The duke, misunderstanding my sigh for one of boredom, made a shocking request.

“No, no, no. I don’t want to see that. I much prefer the music that was just playing, and the dancers. It was so wonderful that it made me sigh in admiration.”

“Is that right? That’s fine then. Carry on!”

This man, who can freely manipulate dragons and giants, is really interested in such frivolous entertainment? A terrifying man with a dull face.

I was starting to understand. The duke wasn’t particularly stupid. In fact, he had an excellent mind and information network. But according to his beliefs and worldview, he was unable to imagine a person like me, one who had power but didn’t use it for himself.

I still had a few things to discuss with him. I accepted the lavish hospitality and tried to calm my nerves.

 

***

 

That night, I was invited to the duke’s quarters. Apparently, he had an after-party planned.

His chambers were clean, but scattered with vicious-looking armor. The bookshelf overflowed with books on military tactics, and mounted bear and wolf heads loomed upon the walls. The decor really seemed to reflect his character.

The duke had shed his formal coat, and I likewise removed my robe, attending in a shirt and pants. In other words, I wouldn’t be able to secretly use my ESP Medal this time. Well…I’m sure I’ll get through it somehow.

“I’m sorry to rush you, Lord Margilus. I just couldn’t wait any longer.”

“It’s fine. However, I would like to keep this meeting just between us. A private chat.”

“Hmm? Oh, certainly. Of course.”

I felt unexpectedly relaxed. The duke was definitely a villain who didn’t think twice about crushing people who stood in his way—but he was friendly to those he deemed valuable. Was this the mindset of a conqueror?

“Please, have a drink. Elisabel is a very lucky girl, you know. She found a genuine hero just before she was going to be assassinated.” The duke poured me a glass from an expensive-looking bottle shaped to resemble a dragon. He was awfully casual about mentioning his daughter’s near-murder.

“Did you know that your son and daughter were fighting?”

“A surprisingly serious question!” He looked genuinely unsettled.

“It’s just…even setting aside ethics, it’s hard to believe there’s benefit to you from leaving your successors to fight amongst themselves.”

“Oh, is that what you’re on about? Well…” he shrugged his shoulders slightly and continued. “Alaine and Agveil rushed into removing Elisabel without my permission. I’m sure if Elisabel wanted, she could have gotten the prime minister involved and stood up to them. The way I see it, if I appointed whoever survived their conflict, then I wouldn’t have to be bothered picking the successor myself.”

I kept silent. I’d had just about enough of this duke. I wanted to break through the glass and get as far away from him as possible. However, even though I felt anger and disgust toward him, for some reason, I couldn’t quite bring myself to look down on him. I wonder if it was because he didn’t have a humble bone in his body…

“You say that,” I said, “but it’s clear Elisabel was at an enormous disadvantage. Don’t you care for Elisabel and her mother, your former wife?”

“Oho.”

I was treading into very personal territory. But as a single man with no children, I couldn’t get over my curiosity about what the duke was thinking. I thought he would laugh in my face, but instead he had a surprisingly serious look. He played with the empty glass in his hand for a few moments before looking up at me.

“Well, Shayla was an amazing woman. That was precisely why I took her for my own—she impressed me, Margilus. Truly. I gave her the most luxurious life I could. I think that shows I cared for her. I also provided the very best life and education for Elisabel.”

The thought occurred to me that pushing further might hurt whatever friendship existed in our relationship. But I couldn’t help myself.

“But wasn’t it a forced marriage?”

“And what of it? I had the power to take Shayla, and I used that power. I don’t see anything unusual about it.”

I didn’t need my ESP Medal here. I could tell from his eyes and attitude that he spoke the truth. And I’d learned one more thing.

He was me.

He was just like me when I’d almost cast the Charm spell on Mora. If things had gone differently, I could have ended up like him. He was me, but drunk with power.

 

***

 

“I see…”

If I had used my magical powers for my own desires, how would I have turned out? Would I have been even more of a tyrant than the duke of Filsand who sat before me? Or would I have been beheaded before that by someone who considered me a threat?

Now I had companions who I could trust to watch my back. The duke couldn’t even trust his own children, and they certainly didn’t trust him. It was clear the duke didn’t regret his life, but as someone who knew what it was like to feel the allure of power, I couldn’t help but be thankful that I hadn’t turned out like him.

“I can’t really say I understand,” I told him. “But I think every man wants to walk that path at some time or another in their life.”

“Heh heh. That just sounds like sarcasm, coming from someone with your powers.” His words weren’t meant to be a compliment. He was still speaking without pretense.

I knew his type. There was a time when I even admired the villains of manga and novels, or the ambitious generals of the Sengoku period in Japan. This duke would definitely be a villain in modern-day Japan, and if he were to unilaterally attack me, I’m sure I would fight and defeat him without hesitation.

But for some reason, here we were, drinking together. And more than anything, I couldn’t escape the thought that he was another version of me. He couldn’t be a member of my team, or my friend, and we would probably never understand each other. But even so… It wouldn’t hurt to look for something that I could do for him and his family. Perhaps there was a small possibility that he would be known as a good ruler to future generations.

 

***

 

We had a pretty good time, two middle-aged men drinking together. I was even able to retreat to the building prepared for me before getting too belligerent. It was indeed a whole building, not a guest room—a magnificent three-story stone mansion built within the Stalwart Castle’s walls to house honored guests.

It was a luxurious accommodation, better than a three-star hotel (not that I’d ever stayed in a three-star hotel), and came complete with maids, musicians, and even a doctor. It was a lavish welcome, but I couldn’t let my guard down when it came to the duke. I took strict precautions. I used Detect Enemy to check all of the servants, cast Wizard Key on the door, and set Wall of Force on my bedroom to secure a safe perimeter. Out in the hall, I cast Soldiers of Bronze and Invisible Demon on the back ceiling and windowsills.

Incidentally, Feivel and the other dwarves stayed on the first floor, Ild and my other friends stayed on the second floor, and the third floor was reserved for Elisabel and myself.

We all gathered on the top floor in the master suite.

“I’m glad everyone is all right,” I said, relieved after hearing the details of the attack on Elisabel from Clara. Clara, Ted, and the new recruits looked proud. The dwarves also seemed satisfied. Looking at the expressions on their faces reminded me of Clara’s words: They’re happy working for you.

I see. So this is what she was talking about. This was an opportunity to reward them as their “lord.”

“Thank you. You did a wonderful job, truly commendable. When we get back to Castle Getaeus, you’ll all receive a bonus.”

“This escort mission is kind of like being an adventurer. And low-status nobles are the same everywhere you go.”

“Heh heh heh. I am a member of Sedam’s warrior party, ya know.”

“M-Master Margilus, thank you for your praise.”

“I can’t wait to tell my father back in the village…”

“I am glad that we could return even a small amount of the favors you have done for us.”

I wished I had better words to express myself. Everyone was full of joy.

 

***

 

Next, I reported on my conversation with the duke of Filsand, and the hidden thoughts he kept to himself. His ambition was to use me to conquer Velde.

“To think, a war of territorial invasion in this day and age…” Clara shrugged.

“I didn’t realize he was planning something so massive… But now that I think about it, my father has been angry about being charged taxes by his home country of Velde for some time now.” Elisabel pursed her lips. Everyone else was frowning, too. Well, I’m sure I had the same expression on my own face.

“Now, he needs to understand that all we want is trade, cooperation with the anti-daemon alliance, and Elisabel’s safety.” Ild summarized what we needed to do, and everyone else, including me, agreed.

“However,” Clara started, looking around at everyone before sharing her opinion. “We cannot show any weakness to the duke. Think about what would happen if he saw through Margilus’s personality.”

“Wh-what would happen?”

“You can bet on this: He would control you. Economically, politically, and emotionally. If the duke wanted, he could put pressure on Relis City, the Calbanera Knights, and Axeholm. He would take hostages to threaten you without a second thought,” Clara explained, showing her knowledge of aristocratic intrigue.

“Absolutely,” Elisabel nodded, agreeing with the assessment of her father.

“I-I see.” If he came at us with that, I wouldn’t be able to fight him off with my current powers. I was strong in magic, but social and political niceties weren’t exactly my forte.

“Okay. Let’s do what we can not to get taken in. Even where Elisabel’s safety is concerned, it would be better if he feared me.”

“I’m sorry to bring this up now, but if it weren’t for me, you would have it much easier.” Elisabel bowed her head in gratitude after hearing my words.

“No, don’t worry about that. This is my job as a wizard. And you’re my ally. It’s natural for me to protect you.”

“But I don’t have a single thing to offer you as your ally.” The daughter of the duke looked increasingly dejected. To be honest, she must have been aware of that in the first place, and planned to use me regardless. She’d probably had a change of heart at some point. Hopefully in a good way.

“That’s it!” After she’d thought for a few minutes, biting her dainty lip, Elisabel’s face suddenly lit up. “What if we make my father’s imagined scenario a reality?! Marry me, and let’s exile my father! You’re more than qualified to take over as Filsand’s new ruler, Lord Margilus!”

Clara, who was watching Elisabel’s expression closely, let out a nervous guffaw.

I was silent, my mouth agape.

Everyone else had similar reactions.

“Why would he do that?!”

WHAP!

Before I could say anything, Clara slapped the side of Elisabel’s head with an open hand. It was like a comedy routine.

“Ehh?! Umm, sorry. I mean, I can just be a mistress or a second wife!” Elisabel came back with the perfect comedic response, too.

“That’s not the issue!”

“Aaagh…!”

“Umm…” Even Ted and Ild looked disturbed.

I guess you never grow out of being the daughter of a duke.

But if you looked at it from the perspective of more influential folk and their subordinates, Elisabel’s way of thinking was probably more common. Considering that, Clara really did understand us lowly commoners well.

“Excuse me,” I said, “But I’m not some kind of dark lord, and I didn’t rescue you because I’m interested in power.”

“But when you rescued me, you said that it would be beneficial to you…”

She was right. I had said that when we first met.

“And in fact, you’re my ally while I’m negotiating with the duke, right? That is beneficial to me. And it would not be very wizardly of me to allow a child to be killed by her own father and brother.”

“A…child?” She raised her thin eyebrows at this, and I worried for a moment, but she let it go quickly.

“Besides the objectives that Ild just summarized for us, there are also things that I must do as a wizard. The first is to stop any potential war that the duke tries to start with Velde. Next, I would ideally like to stop the conflict with the Schultz clan. And if I were to get everything I wanted, the duke would have a change of heart and become a decent ruler…but that’s probably impossible.”

“L-Likely, yes…”

I would not change my basic policy of refusing to contribute to conflicts between humans. However, the fact that a force as big as Filsand’s would go to war was a significant factor hindering humans in their fight with the daemons. So it wouldn’t be out of line for a wizard to stop such a thing. Or at least, I thought that line of reasoning would fly…

“Even so, the reason the duke is attacking the Schultz clan is because he needs land, right?” Ted asked.

“If the economy is doing well, then the population continues to increase, so they must, by necessity, also increase their farmland,” Ild explained.

“Land…” I considered what Ild was saying. There just happened to be a map marked as the “Filsand Area Map” on the wall.

To the north were the Twilight Wastelands, where the undead sometimes appeared. To the west was the Iron Fan mountain range, where the dwarves resided. To the south was the Hidal Plateau and the Twisted Wood. To the east was Velde territory. Filsand was blocked from all four directions.

“How about using Master Margilus’s magic to, y’know, POW!” Ted suggested. “Is there no way to destroy all the undead in the Twilight Wastelands in one zap?”

“Nah, there’s no spell that convenient.”

“Oh, hmm…” Ted had a somewhat surprised look on his face. In a way I was happy he felt he could rely on me. But there weren’t really many spells in my repertoire that were effective against the undead. Then again…

Hmm.

“Hey, everyone, listen up.” I stood up straight and looked around at my friends. “I’m going to go the Twilight Wastelands now. I’m just going to conduct a small experiment, but if it goes well, then I may be able to exterminate the undead there and open it up to development.”

“Wow! That’s our Margilus!” Everyone got excited. I rolled my sudden idea around in my head and came up with the details for it as I explained. Luckily, everyone was on board and trusted what I had to say.

“I’m going to leave now. I’ll come back by the day after tomorrow at the latest. Until then, I need Ild and Feivel to move forward with the trade talks with the duke’s team. You don’t need to push too hard. Clara, please have Ted and the dwarves help you keep everyone safe.”

“I understand.”

“We will negotiate well.”

“Just leave it to us.”

“Aye! Us dwarves’ll protect ye, on the honor of Axeholm!”

Finally, I addressed Elisabel. “You should come up with a way to convince the duke to rethink his plans to start a war.”

“Y-yes. I’ll do my best!” The princess nodded, conviction in her scarlet eyes.