Chapter 12
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: A National-Level Mage Arrives in the Territory
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That day, the weather was truly fine.
It was just the right time to plant crops on the newly cleared fields that had finished their reclamation. I thought it was perfect timing.
Just as I was thinking the day would pass peacefully like any other, that news arrived.
"The Red Mage Sharen has come to see you, my lord."
"...I must have stayed up late last night, because my ears aren't working right. Hart, who did you say came?"
"The sage candidate and heir to the Red Tower, the famous Red Mage Sharen, has come to see you, my lord."
Red Mage Sharen
The moment I heard that name, the knowledge from my past life clashed with my current life's memories, screaming in unison.
Even in Calix's memories, that name existed.
A free-spirited half-elf mage who wandered the empire without serving any lord.
Rumors said she handled the work of a hundred mages single-handedly, annihilated an orc legion, and healed a plague-ridden village with a single spell. Tales of her sage-level prowess abounded.
No, as one of the candidates for heir to the Red Tower, the rumors were practically fact.
And in my memories from my past life, Sharen was one of the three divine characters in World Archive.
The strategy guides rated her like this:
"If you don't pull Sharen, large-scale battle phases will be hell."
"No. You'll see hell in territory phases too."
"I'm in hell right now, you bastards."
She was one of the strongest SSR mages, earning such reviews.
One might think I'd be thrilled that such a mage had come calling.
The problem was that World Archive had a fame stat.
This fame wasn't just from my own achievements—it included those of my subordinates too.
Like how Guan Yu's fame rose along with Liu Bei's when he returned after taking Anliang and Wenchu. If I gained a top-tier mage like Sharen, my fame would skyrocket.
That could evolve the perception from "He's beloved but incompetent, so let's spare him" to "He's beloved and has competent subordinates—better kill him."
In short, Sharen's visit was terrifying news for me.
"This is our chance! Recruit Sharen as our exclusive mage, my lord!"
"I agree with Lady Noah. Having someone like Sharen as the Cron Family's exclusive mage would be a tremendous asset."
Whether they knew my feelings or not, Noah and Hart raised their voices to recruit her.
Sharen was one of those characters who was incredibly hard to recruit without heavy spending.
I'd played casually, skimming strategy sites without deep dives, so I'd never gotten or even met her before finishing the game.
"Where shall we escort Lady Sharen?"
The guard who'd brought the news asked during this exchange.
Hart answered as if it were obvious.
"Isn't it obvious? Take her to the VIP guest quarters. There's a fine one in the southern castle—escort her there!"
"Yes, sir!"
Hart had so naturally ordered her to the VIP quarters.
Considering the mages in World Archive that I'd seen, that was probably the right move.
Mages were arrogant by nature, after all.
But right now, hitting that "right" answer was the wrong play.
Recruiting Sharen could put my life in danger, so I spoke up.
"Wait!"
"My lord?"
"House the Red Mage Sharen at the inn in the commoners' district."
"Pardon!?"
"My lord!!"
"My lord, that's not wise. Proud mages will leave immediately if treated that way."
I know. That's what I want.
I swallowed the urge to say that to Noah and replied instead.
"I've thought this through. Obey my words."
"My lord... Understood. Escort Lady Sharen to the inn."
"Yes, sir!"
Hart spoke as if he had no choice, and the guard departed.
This time, even Noah stared at me sullenly, not flashing her usual knowing smile—she clearly couldn't understand.
Sorry, but I had no choice.
Noah's fame alone had already pushed me into dangerously high territory.
If Sharen became my vassal too, it'd be a situation I couldn't handle.
And so, I sent Sharen to the inn.
"You'll be staying here."
"Thank you."
Sharen was escorted to the inn with the mother and daughter.
The inn room was utterly ordinary.
A bed of wood, cloth, and rice straw, paired with a wooden table—it was a perfectly standard room by this era's standards.
"Wow!! A bed!!!"
Layla, thrilled at the chance to sleep in a bed after so long, leaped right onto it.
Sharen was shocked by her treatment.
For years now, lords had ushered her into lavish rooms upon hearing of her arrival.
Each time, the screams of spirits in those opulent chambers had kept her awake.
But this place was plain and simple.
And warmer than any room she'd been shown before.
"We should air it out."
Aila, Layla's mother, set to cleaning like the practical woman she was, opening the windows.
Cron Territory came into view at a glance.
In the sinking sunset, the people of Cron went about their lives.
Workers toiled diligently at the salt pans, while in the distance, figures cleared new land.
The nearby market bustled with merchants hawking goods, mothers haggling for bargains.
Officials rushed about, guiding outsiders like her.
It wasn't flashy, but everyone worked hard, smiles bright on their faces.
The spirits soared through Cron's skies, smiling just as brightly.
"Wow... It's so pretty, Lady Sharen."
"Yes... Truly beautiful."
How long had it been since she'd seen such a beautiful territory?
No, this was the first territory where everyone looked so genuinely happy in her life.
After a comfortable day at the inn, a guard visited the next day.
"Lady Sharen, the lord has a request for you."
"Yes... What is it?"
Sharen tensed.
High officials' "requests" were always repulsive demands tailored just for her.
To the tense Sharen, the guard said:
"The lord asks you to treat the commoners."
"Pardon?"
Cron Territory currently suffered a severe doctor shortage due to the influx of migrants.
Sharen sighed in relief at the request to heal them and gladly accepted.
Guided by the guard, she began touring the territory, treating people.
Then she witnessed something astonishing.
It was a field under reclamation.
A silver-haired young man stood at the front, followed by a crowd.
They began planting crops in unison to his spirited calls.
"Then, everyone—one!"
[ "One!!!!" ]
"Two!"
[ "Two!!!!" ]
To the silver-haired youth's chants, the people planted flawlessly.
Sensing unmistakable nobility, Sharen asked the nearby guard.
"Who is that noble-looking silver-haired gentleman?"
"Ah! That's our lord of Cron, Calix Cron!!"
Sharen was stunned by the guard's words.
It was hard to believe this shockingly young lord ruled this paradise.
"Him? But why is the lord doing farm work himself?"
"Our lord says farming is the most important task for filling bellies. He joins in to set an example."
"I see..."
Farming is the great foundation of the world.
Everyone knows and understands that agriculture is the bedrock of the realm.
But leaders who step forward to practice it themselves are rare.
Sharen had met lords who claimed to value farming for food security.
But none who led by example like this.
Curiosity about Lord Calix bloomed in Sharen.
A week passed after that.
While staying in the territory, Sharen asked the people about the lord.
Their answers were remarkably similar.
"The lord? He's a great man! No more starving days thanks to him!"
"Our lord is heaven-sent! No one like him anywhere."
"Phew, no need to say more about the lord. Insult him here, and you're dead. For real."
"We survived because he took us in. If the Lion Family had dragged us off... We're so grateful even now."
Everyone loved, cherished, and praised Lord Calix.
Some lords brainwashed their people with magic, drugs, or cults.
But no unnatural spirit mana fluctuations lingered here.
They truly loved their lord.
And Sharen met that family too.
"The lord is our family's benefactor. He made us prosperous, saved my son from dying in that storm. We'll repay him until our last breath."
"Yeah! He saved my life—I'll definitely repay that grace!!"
Sharen was amazed at the claim the lord had saved his life.
Were the bards' songs true?
Grown wary from human dealings, Sharen cautiously asked.
"If it's alright, may I view that memory?"
"You can see memories with magic?"
Baron nodded at her question.
Boldly, he said:
"Of course! Look all you want. Just... that memory only. The next day with Aron's mom and..."
"Dear!!"
Sharen smiled faintly at the affectionate couple.
"Understood. Don't worry—I'll read only that memory precisely. Now... recall it."
Sharen placed a hand on Baron's head, casting memory projection magic.
Amid the whirl of memories, that one unfolded before her eyes.
A stormy sea, the son's discarded shoe, their wailing screams.
In utter despair, his gaze turned to the sea.
There stood the silver-haired lord she'd seen, emerging with the child, hand on his heart, desperately administering aid.
It worked—the boy vomited water and regained consciousness.
No magic, no blessing—just a mortal's desperate struggle. Yet the most beautiful lordly act Sharen had witnessed.
"It must have been painful... Thank you for sharing."
"No, mage lady. We're the grateful ones for the free treatment."
Seeing the memory organized Sharen's thoughts.
She made up her mind.
I met Sharen a week after her arrival.
I'd delayed to make her want to leave.
Giving a wandering mage an inn room and having her treat commoners for a week—this incompetent lord must have disappointed her.
Honestly, I never wanted to see her again. But Hart and Noah kept nagging me to at least make a formal offer as lord, so I summoned her.
"Hello, my lord. I'm Sharen."
"I'm Calix Cron. Pleased to meet you, Red Mage Sharen."
Seeing her in person, she was like a goddess of flame—stunningly beautiful.
Her half-elf pointed ears, fiery red hair swaying to her neck, goddess-like features. A sight to make anyone gasp.
Feasting my eyes, I said:
"Sorry for not meeting sooner. The territory keeps me busy."
"It's fine, my lord. I understand."
She looked at me with an odd gaze.
Different from Noah's.
Like an encouraging big sister watching a little brother?
Something like that.
"To the point: The Cron Family wants you as our territory's exclusive mage."
Avoiding her eyes, I cut straight to it.
Beating around the bush wasn't my style.
Nor was it necessary.
I'd heard she'd investigated me and the family while wandering.
So she'd know.
We invested every coin into the people—no money left, endless work from migrants.
No way a high mage like her would join a rural southern backwater like ours.
It'd be like Zhuge Liang serving a penniless Liu Bei—impossible.
Thinking that, I spoke. Sharen replied instantly.
"Yes."
"I see, what a sha—Huh? What did you say, Sharen?"
My ears must be failing lately.
Asking again, she answered clearly.
"I'll become... the exclusive mage of your Cron Family here."
That day, I became Liu Bei.