Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 041
Chapter Title: When Told Not to Do It, You Want to Do It More – That's the Human Heart
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To the deep regret of the villagers, even if Shan wanted it, he couldn't just plop down as the lord of the castle right away.
If that were possible, rural villages and fiefdoms everywhere would have long since been "subjugated" by rogue knights swarming from all directions and had their lords replaced.
When a fief's lordship became vacant with no heir from the family due to various incidents, the custom was usually for the overlord to reclaim the title.
Since Castaman Castle was a royal demesne, the bedridden king or the new king who would ascend later would grant the castle's lordship to someone.
After the cleanup was done, Shan's army returned to the city where they had first recruited mercenaries on the third day after the battle with the vampire.
There, Roden terminated the contracts with the mercenaries and paid them their promised wages.
"Huh?"
"Um, sir..."
"What's wrong?"
"This is more money than we heard before."
One mercenary said that, and the others shot him glances as if asking why he had to point it out.
But he had a point—if they stiffed the knight on payment and things went south, what then? It wasn't enough money to just shut up and flee to some far-off land anyway.
"That's because you fought harder than expected. Let it be known far and wide that Sir Shan is not stingy when rewarding his men!"
Shan nodded with a hum at Roden's words.
He didn't even know exactly how much they were getting, but he trusted Roden to judge it fairly.
"Ooh..."
"Thank you, Sir Knight!"
The mercenaries, clutching more money than they'd imagined, bowed deeply with ingratiating smiles before vanishing.
Watching them go, Shan asked Roden,
"Did you give those guys a lot of money?"
"Truth be told, I haggled them down pretty hard at first. Promising generous pay and delivering exactly that is one thing, but handing it out like this lets us take credit for it."
"Oh."
"Plus, factoring in the vampire byproducts we nabbed this time—magic stones and all the extra income—this is no loss. If they spread good word with full pockets, it's pure profit."
Calculating unstructured profits and losses while manipulating human hearts was a skill far too advanced for Shan.
Watching from the sidelines like this, would he one day handle it as naturally as Roden?
Maybe the day I figure that out is when I become a real adult, Shan thought to himself.
"Haha! Drink up, as much as you want! It's all on me tonight!"
"Whoa, made a killing, huh?"
"You bet! Let me tell you what I did—"
As Roden predicted, the mercenaries who'd unexpectedly pocketed a windfall bragged about it everywhere, strutting around.
After all, wasn't it human nature to splash cash ostentatiously when you had some to spare?
"Is that for real?"
"Totally! When that guy waved his hand, the blue sky turned pitch black and the sun vanished—like the end of the world!"
As the tales grew taller with embellishments, they became heroes who'd battled hundreds of vampires pouring from some castle, and Shan transformed into a legendary warrior commanding those monsters against a mighty vampire king who swapped day for night.
Even though no one had actually seen Shan fight the high vampire Kudrak.
Legends were born this way, more often than not.
The two returned to the capital after several days of trekking, laden with hefty packs of spoils.
Entering through the north gate, people who spotted Awin recognized Shan and began murmuring.
"It's Sir Shan!"
"Cockatrice Slayer!"
"Altoin's Blade!"
Embarrassing nicknames rained down just from overhearing, so Shan gave an awkward smile and waved lightly.
He'd thought the rumors might have died down while he was away vampire hunting, but if anything, they'd grown louder.
"Bringing Awin along means we can't slip in and out quietly like before."
"Look on the bright side, sir. Plenty of knights risk their lives for fame like yours."
Roden consoled him politely in public view.
"No, it's not that I hate it..."
Shan murmured softly that he just missed blending seamlessly through crowds like a ghost.
He knew it sounded childish, that achieving his goals meant becoming far more famous and great than now.
Returning to Webers Manor after waving to the cheering crowds, Shan finally relaxed his shoulders with a sigh.
"Hoo."
"Eh, no need to worry too much. Even if it's like that now, walk around in plain clothes and hardly anyone will recognize you."
"True, but still."
As the pair shed their armor and unpacked with servants' help, one approached Shan deferentially.
"Young master, the horse armor you ordered yesterday arrived."
"Oh, where is it?"
"By the stables. If you say the word, I'll..."
Before the servant could offer to help suit it up, Shan bolted to the stables.
"Awin! Let's try on your new armor!"
After the vampire fight, he'd fretted endlessly over magic attacks hitting the mount.
Even Shan couldn't deflect a hail of arrows from all sides while protecting Awin.
Awin eyed the bulky plate armor the servants hauled out with a bored expression but didn't resist being fitted.
Once armored, everyone gasped in admiration.
"Ooh..."
"A magnificent steed in magnificent barding—twice the majesty. Shame it hides that gorgeous coat, though."
The horse armor covered nearly everything except eyes, nostrils, and legs through small slits.
Even the exposed legs gleamed like metal thanks to the creature's glossy fur, making it look forged entirely of steel.
Shan mounted the armored Awin and trotted a lap around the garden, chatting to it.
"How's it feel? Not uncomfortable? If it hinders your run, we'll get it fixed."
Awin couldn't understand words, but it snorted lightly, then bounded once to show no issues.
Despite the armor weighing nearly 35kg due to its massive size, the graceful, fluid motion drew awed sighs.
"Hmm, maybe enchant this barding with the vampire magic stone we got..."
"You should prioritize your own armor first. And don't talk about enchanting with magic stones so casually outside. Even if no one's listening."
Roden shot a glance at the servants nearby, exasperated by Shan's absentmindedness.
Webers Manor's staff were long-time loyalists, proven over years, but no need to tempt fate.
"More importantly, let's think how to visit the princess. Sneaking past eyes won't be easy unless you go alone at night."
Just look at how Prince Elvin learned of their midnight visit via Kagon's guidance—secrecy wasn't simple.
Once was one thing, but repeated visits in view of others? Bad idea.
Sure, Shan going solo like last time would work, but leaving him alone with her felt uneasy.
Like leaving a kid by the water's edge.
Hmm, or maybe not as big a worry?
Shan was innocent, but he had a keen nose for hostility or ill intent toward himself.
Call it sharp instincts.
He'd handle negotiations better, and the princess was playing friendly to win him over anyway.
Shan's offhand remark cut through Roden's musings.
"Can't we just ask Professor Maya?"
"Huh?"
"We met the princess through her first time. Contact her and go via that route. Need a checkup anyway."
"You're right."
Unlike Shan, Roden rarely dealt with her, so it hadn't occurred to him.
Seizing the moment, Roden sent a servant to Maya's workshop requesting a checkup appointment tomorrow.
That evening, Kallion returned from work drunk, grinning sloppily unlike his usual self.
"Business is booming—no complaints!"
"That good?"
"Damn right! Knights who used to turn up their noses now bow their heads! Their heads!"
Roden shook his head at Kallion toasting "To great Sir Shan's health!"
After some flattery, Shan had agreed to casual meetups with wandering knights when time allowed.
A trifle compared to the sponsorships he'd received.
The next afternoon, Shan and Roden headed to Maya's workshop in low-key attire.
As expected, Aran and Kagon loitered nearby, scanning the area like before.
"Hello."
"You're here."
"I've been thinking, but aren't you two way too conspicuous for secret guards?"
"W-We are?"
Kagon looked flustered at Shan's point.
From their demeanor, they thought they'd been stealthy all along.
Leaving their protests behind, Shan and Roden knocked on Maya's door.
A neat, middle-aged woman soon opened it.
"Come in. Heard you won the joust. Congrats!"
Last meeting Professor Maya was after Princess Sherin arranged the checkup.
Despite Shan's knighthood and joust victory since, she treated him like any boy.
That warmth felt comforting now.
"Thank you, Professor."
"Here for an exam? Come sit."
Guided inside, Princess Sherin waited as expected, dressed as their first meeting.
"Hey."
"Long time, Pri—"
"Why so formal all of a sudden?"
"Pardon?"
Roden incredulously echoed Sherin's retort.
Maya knew her identity too—were they seriously keeping up the "ordinary mage girl" act in plain sight?
Overkill.
Sherin chuckled at their conflicted faces.
"Haha, fine, drop it! No need for excessive courtesy. I'm here as a mage right now."
"Pleased to work with you."
Roden whipped his head toward Shan at the reply.
Far more casual than before—like they'd bonded since last time.
Sherin teasingly chided Shan.
"Hey, I said only when it's just us."
"Sorry."
"No need to be that stiff, though."
"Just us," sounded suspiciously intimate, borderline irreverent.
To outsiders, they'd pass as lovers.
Roden eyed Sherin and Maya, then signaled Shan: What happened when you met alone?
Anything I missed?
A bit.
Talk later.
The exam proceeded routinely: blood draw, hair snip, shining mystery tools over his body.
The change? Sherin and Maya no longer hid identities, treating each other accordingly.
After, the mages checked reagent reactions and hummed thoughtfully.
"Hmm."
"Ah..."
"How's it look?"
"Sadly, no real changes."
Maya knew via letter about the high vampire kill, hence Sherin's presence.
Shan hid his disappointment.
Per Sherin's hypothesis, he should've absorbed some power.
Too weak a vamp? Or not in the Demon Realm?
As Shan pondered, Sherin conferred with Maya.
"Your thoughts, Professor Maya?"
"We need its strength level. Big variance even within species..."
"Need byproducts to analyze. Got any?"
Roden, listening, pulled two pouches from his belt.
"Perfect timing. Was going to ask for appraisal anyway."
"Saved a trip. Got the gear—let's do it here. One sec."
The high vampire's silver-ashed remains proved their kill and fetched top coin as magic material.
Sherin weighed a sample, mixed it with powders, then gasped in shock.
"Ah...!?"
"What is it, Princess?"
"N-No, just... stronger than I thought. No injuries fighting it? Impressive."
Brushing it off, she turned to Maya abruptly.
"Professor, sorry for the impropriety, but could you fetch black tea from the guards outside? Craving a cup."
"Of course, Princess. Milk too?"
"Please."
Mid-exam and debate, sudden tea craving to send her out? Absurd.
Once Maya left, Sherin fiddled with her bound hair.
"She won't come back for a bit. Signal for private talk."
"Ah..."
"About that lance, or vampire-Elvin ties—easier just us."
"Professor knows nothing of the plan?"
Sherin nodded at Roden's mention of her past ambitions.
"I trust Maya, but I prefer need-to-know. Had to tell you to recruit you, sir—and Roden would've learned anyway. No reason to hide from one."
Bluntly, Maya wasn't worth revealing such secrets for.
Great mage, but Sherin already had Pendia's top: the Mage Guildmaster.
Roden nodded, offering the second pouch.
"Here, Princess. All usable docs from the castle."
Letters and the vampire's diary from the lord's residence.
Sherin skimmed letters, flipped diary, then laughed dryly.
"Elvin's handwriting—no hiding it. Thanks. Very useful."
"Hope he doesn't resent Shan."
"No worry there. Plan's done. He'll think Konrad used Shan indirectly to ruin his scheme. Elvin won't irrationally hate you. Might want you more."
Her confidence let Roden drop it.
Plenty of time to press if issues arose.
"Understood. Diary mentions a 'council'—could that be trouble?"
Like grudge over wrecking their "farm."
Sherin frowned slightly.
"Never heard of it. If unknown to me, probably not court-active. I'll investigate using this."
Her intel prowess was trustworthy.
Despite just two amateur knights as guards, she knew everything.
Sherin turned to Shan.
"So, how was the lance?"
"Great."
Worlds beyond stock gear.
A normal one might snap piercing blood shields or wounds heal instantly.
As Shan raved, Sherin looked awkward.
"G-Good, glad. But... something to say."
"Go ahead."
"Big difference in the two high vamps' ashes."
"Yes. Kudrak much stronger. Unique spells too."
Stronger meant pricier.
That blood-crystal barrage was unreal.
Bare-handed, unarmed? Impossible to block or dodge.
Pure body through arrow storms.
"Can you use magic like that, Princess?"
"If needed, decent imitation."
"Ooh..."
Want to see it sometime—then she hesitated oddly.
Experience said big reveals followed such pauses.
Spot on.
"But the stronger vamp's ashes weren't ordinary silver. Pure silver—high-grade, massive amount. Anything to say?"
Silence fell in Maya's workshop.
Roden's head snapped to Shan.
You didn't... burn it with Thousand Forms, did you?
Yeah.
You should've said!
Didn't know pure silver mattered.
I didn't either, but...
Eye signals conveyed it all.
Roden swallowed, boldly counter-asking instead.
"Anyone examining the ashes could tell?"
"Alchemy experts would. Advanced recipe requires pure silver ashes for vamps. Researchers'd know—three to five in the kingdom."
Quiet again.
Shan and Roden eyed each other, pondering next steps.
They'd hidden Thousand Forms' nature because it was absurdly valuable.
The lance Shan just praised? Top-tier magic item—but junk next to it.
Its pure silver alone could spark war between kingdoms; the embedded magic, lost Altoin-era ancient spells no modern mage could replicate.
Even hidden from top backer Kallion, Roden's father.
"Hmm, Princess, that's..."
"Hard to discuss? Won't pry. Just didn't want to hide I know."
With massive pure silver ownership exposed, Roden—who'd planned to dodge—clams up at her unexpected restraint.
Royal or not, a mage's desire for such a potent catalyst was fierce, yet Sherin showed iron will.
Probably valued Shan alliance too much to risk.
Lucky...
Relief short-lived—Roden yelped as Shan gripped his collar.
"Hey, wait—"
Too late. The softly unfolding Thousand Forms shaped into a sword, aimed at Sherin.