Shadows Over the Talian Mausoleum
A few days after the victory banquet ended, Sir Dicedo and the count's knights departed the barony.
"Ian Raven. If you're not too busy, how about coming to our territory and lending us your wisdom?"
Sir Dicedo persistently tried to recruit Ian as a new retainer for the count. The value of a mage retainer was incredibly high. Even if Ian looked like a lazy good-for-nothing who could barely open his mouth (which he was), the fact that he could speak in a language unknown to others was quite impressive. Hadn't he already been putting his magical abilities to good use everywhere he went? If he unleashed that power with noble backing, he could accomplish far greater things than now. Even a greenhorn mage like him had plenty of potential uses. That's why every noble he'd met so far had tried to pull him to their side.
"Not interested."
"...I see."
When Ian made his refusal clear, Sir Dicedo didn't pester him further. Taking a mage along was more like a side quest anyway. The main quest was returning to the count's territory to appoint the next count.
"Then this is farewell."
"If fate allows, we'll meet again."
Sir Dicedo grinned at Ian's words. Fate. It was a word mages loved to toss around. It carried a hint of mystical power.
"I'd like it if we meet again in good circumstances."
"Same here."
The news that a new lord had taken over Talian domain sent the commoners into cheers. In truth, this was the seed Ian had sown. He'd spread fake news badmouthing Graeme, claiming the land would go to ruin if he became lord—and it had worked spectacularly. The people, who'd been fretting over the chance of Graeme winning, screamed "Hell yeah~!" when they heard Lucy Talian was the new Baroness Talian.
Whoa! Baroness Talian won! We get to farm another year!
The commoners didn't care much who their lord was... but when it came to their own interests, they reacted with razor-sharp precision. It made Ian think that even medieval folk were human at heart.
"Blessings upon the baroness!"
"Long live Baroness Talian!"
As Lucy rode by on horseback, the farmers dropped their work and cheered. Lucy had heard the rough details from Ian, but she still grinned ear to ear, delighted.
"Aah, what am I to do when the people love me so? Being this popular is such a hassle~"
"..."
Could she think the same if a full rebellion broke out and the nobles came for her head? Ian muttered what wasn't quite a curse.
The cheers for Lucy were deafening, but not a single word was spared for Ian. With his pitch-black hair, pitch-black eyes, and raven perched on his shoulder... who would want to talk to that mage? Especially one who'd been spreading ominous rumors that the land was doomed!
"Ian~ Looks like you have no virtue~ Not a soul chanting your name?"
"...Fuck off."
"What? Did you just tell Ba. Ron. Ess to fuck off?"
"Shut up, you crazy bitch. They're hating on me 'cause I spread those prophecies. Pissing me off. Should I just curse the shit out of them for real?"
"C-calm down! Ian! It was a joke!"
Even as baroness, Lucy was still Lucy. Ian genuinely worried for her future. How's she gonna run the domain acting like that? Well, it wasn't his problem anyway.
"Ah! Ian! Time to head out!"
"Head out where?"
At Ian's question, Lucy flashed her signature innocent smile.
"The gift! I said I'd give you one! Time to pick it up!"
It was about the magic sword. Ian only half-believed Lucy. Even if it's a gift, what kind of souvenir? This a scam? But it was real. Lucy had finished preparing for the trip and set off with Ian toward a hidden family mausoleum at the edge of Talian domain.
Before leaving, she'd executed all the ringleaders of the rebellion, stepping lightly onto the journey.
"Let's go! Ian!"
"..."
It was the first time Ian had witnessed a beheading since birth, and his stomach churned. They really hacked away at people's necks with a sword, thwack thwack thwack... Considering they'd started a rebellion, it was understandable punishment. Still, cruel was cruel.
"Ian, you're going on a trip? Mind if I tag along?"
Belenca slyly joined the traveling party. Without her helmet, her blonde hair flowed down, drawing stares from the crowd.
"Doesn't seem dangerous..."
Still, having Belenca along might prevent any accidents. Better than nothing. But then a thought struck him.
"Wait, you coming means I gotta pay your fee, right?"
"Isn't that obvious? One silver a day."
"..."
Now he saw it—Belenca was tagging along to sell her services. Like some tourist-trap hawker at a sightseeing spot. Trying to peddle her fee at every turn?
"Nah, not buying. Pass."
Belenca nodded and mounted her horse as Ian waved her off.
"Fair enough. Can't be helped."
"I said no."
Belenca shot him a sullen look.
"Even if you don't hire me, I have free will. I'm just going to see Talian's mausoleum. Do I need your permission?"
"..."
She had a point. Lucy had approved, so Belenca's company was fine.
"If trouble hits and I need to draw my sword, we'll settle the fee then."
"Thorough as hell. You'd crush it as a freelancer."
"...? I am a freelancer."
Talian's mausoleum was hidden deep in the mountains. Despite the name, it was more like a history museum or treasure vault. Recent family deaths were buried in a cemetery near Talian Hall. Who'd haul a corpse and funeral gear up this treacherous mountain just for a burial? One slip, and you'd be joining the dead yourself. Only tradition-obsessed clans did that. Talian's family style wasn't that extreme.
...This isn't some assassination plot 'cause she doesn't wanna give up the treasure, is it?
Ian sweated coldly, edging along sheer cliffs.
That said, Lucy was too pure and empty-headed for scheming. Better to chalk it up to Talian's mausoleum being in a goddamn awful spot.
"This place... feels like a rip-off to visit for free."
Belenca grumbled from behind. Ian was dumbfounded. Who was it that begged to come along first?
"Lucy! You sure we're on the right path?"
Ian shouted. Lucy replied with utterly shameless innocence.
"Yep!"
Fuck. Guess we are. Ian shut his mouth and pushed his legs harder. He didn't want to die.
"Caw! Master!"
That's when Oberon flapped down onto his shoulder.
"What."
"...?"
Humans? Ian looked up. Nothing but rocky mountain.
"Check closer."
Oberon soared high into the sky.
"What's up, Ian?"
"Oberon spotted something. Humans up top."
"Humans?"
Lucy tilted her head and prodded her aides.
"Only our mausoleum's up there? Humans? Anyone know them?"
"We're not sure..."
"No idea."
It was natural Talian's people didn't know. They'd been swamped with assassinations and war—who had time to check the mausoleum?
"Grave robbers, probably."
"Grave robbers?"
Ian thought of Unlucky Tomb Raider Oper and Lucky Tomb Raider Lara Croft. Lara might launder her finds somehow... but Oper? That fucker had no excuses. Stealing from graves 'cause there's nothing else to rob? Total piece of shit!
"Fucking bastards!"
"Bastards, yeah."
As Ian and Belenca traded words, Lucy's face soured in real time. No descendant joys at their ancestors' tombs being looted.
"We gotta kick their asses right now...!"
Then Oberon returned from scouting.
"How many?"
"Oberon, you... can't count?"
"..."
Subtly useless bird. Ian resolved to teach Oberon counting someday. Crows had childlike smarts—numbers should be easy.
"Belenca. You check it out."
"Mm. Got it. But my fee..."
"I'll cover it. Go."
"Love the decisiveness."
Ian sent Belenca to gauge the robbers' numbers. She did a decent job—better than birdbrain Oberon.
"Situation's bad."
Belenca summed up her recon in one line.
"Over ten visible outside. With a dozen tents, probably 30-40 total."
That size wasn't random bandits. Pros who'd gotten intel on the treasures beforehand.
"Attack! We charge 'em!"
Lucy rampaged. Her feelings were valid, but everyone else voted no.
"Too disadvantaged. No clue their defenses. Outnumbered, frontal assault is suicide."
"For real? We really can't win? Even you, Belenca?!"
Belenca looked incredulous at Lucy's nonsense.
"You think I'm some super monster? I'm human. With brains, I wouldn't storm a half-fortress high ground head-on."
After back-and-forth, conclusion was unanimous: Attacking the robbers now was impossible.
"Hmm..."
But one person stayed quietly silent.
"Ian...?"
Only mage Ian, chin in hand, deep in thought. Lucy's group would've turned tail clean if he'd yelled, "Can't do it. Let the tomb raiders have the loot—let's go home and eat." But Ian didn't say "impossible." This mage had pulled off near-miracles before. They waited silently for his take.
After a pause, Ian spoke.
"There's something worth trying..."
"!"
Belenca and Lucy stared in disbelief. A way here? Even for Ian the mage, no mass laser cannon from his hands?! Triple Abra Kadabra?
"What horrific magic now..."
"Horrific? What do you take magic for."
"The spell you hit me with was horrific enough."
"..."
Ah. The water slide. Yeah, that was overkill. But that was the river mystery's doing, not mine.
Ian said calmly.
"This is Talian's mausoleum, right? Bound to have legends... How about we scare 'em a bit."