Chapter 71
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 071
Chapter Title: The Dead and the Black Mage (6)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Count Chester, who usually only showed a stern demeanor.
This was the first time he'd displayed such an emotional response.
So it was easy to tell that he was genuinely thrilled right now.
'Even the nobles think the tide of battle has turned in our favor.'
I thought as much while receiving Count Chester's praise.
The fact that the nobles, who'd been holding back, were now stepping forward aggressively meant they saw victory leaning our way.
It was a relief.
But it was still too early to let our guards down.
"My lord, it's not time to relax just yet. Why not savor the joy of victory after the war is truly over?"
I said to Count Chester.
He let out a short exclamation of admiration and removed his hands from my shoulders.
By then, he'd composed his expression; the smile had vanished from his face.
"You're right. We can't squander the opportunity you've created. Head back to the city and get some rest. We'll handle the rest."
Had the black mages controlling the undead noticed the tide turning against them and fled?
The corpses they'd commanded had stopped their advance on Chester and were now wandering aimlessly nearby.
They wouldn't pose much threat to the nobles anymore.
In other words, this was a chance for the nobles to rack up easy merits.
That's why Count Chester had ordered me to stand down.
If I, who'd already claimed the greatest feat, kept going, it would rob the others of their chance to shine.
'Works for me.'
The count's suggestion suited me perfectly.
My mana was depleted anyway; there was nothing more I could do.
So I accepted his command without complaint.
"We'll hear about that one later."
Before I left, Count Chester nodded toward Stalring.
He stood there with three Nahcherers at his side and flinched when the count looked his way.
"Yes, I'll tell you everything once the war ends."
I answered confidently before Count Chester.
He nodded and turned his horse away.
The war ended in our victory.
Now came the cleanup.
Soldiers, refugees, and city residents poured out, diligently gathering the corpses in one place.
And the spoils that turned up in the process?
They pocketed them.
The nobles had permitted it.
Without that incentive, no one would clear away nearly a thousand bodies so quickly.
Meanwhile, the ruling class...
...mourned the fallen.
"O Sky God, these souls took up the sword not for personal gain, but for justice. They proved their convictions with their blood. Now, embrace their spirits."
The elderly priest who had presided over the knighting of the burly trio.
He bowed his head as he spoke those words.
The nobles around him followed suit, their faces somber as they lowered their heads.
Nina and I, standing with them, did the same.
Before us lay five bodies.
They were knights from the detachment.
They'd lost their lives to the black mages' spells while pressing the fight.
"Let the blood they shed nourish the seeds of peace. And let abundance settle upon the earth where they fell."
The priest said, gazing up at the darkened sky.
A solemn atmosphere naturally took hold.
But I wasn't entirely comfortable with the scene.
Not everyone who died in the war was a knight.
Soldiers, refugees, city folk.
Many had perished.
Yet their deaths went unacknowledged.
Even death varied by station.
It was regrettable.
'Still, glad we won.'
That thought crossed my mind just as the memorial rite concluded.
This had been a simplified version; a grander ceremony would follow once cleanup finished.
But that wasn't the point.
What mattered was that I could finally rest.
Ah, but first, there was something to do.
"Count Chester."
I sought him out right away.
He greeted me with a beaming smile.
"Heros! What is it?"
Count Chester looked in high spirits.
He seemed ready to grant any request right now.
"As promised on the battlefield, I'd like to introduce my friend. Oh, and thanks to him, we took down the enemy leader with ease."
"Hm..."
Count Chester frowned as he eyed Stalring.
He clearly didn't like him.
It was only natural.
When Desmond issued his declaration of war, Stalring had been the one holding the reins of his donkey.
His first impression was inevitably poor.
That's where I came in.
"Mage Stalring. We've known each other for a while. From what he told me, he was trying to leave the east when the black mages captured him. He ended up working like a slave under Desmond and got dragged here."
"Can he be trusted?"
Count Chester seemed suspicious of Stalring.
It was understandable.
He'd been right beside the enemy leader.
Truth be told, I hadn't fully dispelled my own doubts either.
But I'd decided to trust him anyway.
He'd saved my life, after all.
If I couldn't trust someone like that, there were no humans worth trusting in this world.
"Yes."
A firm, confident reply.
With that, Stalring had become someone vouched for by Mage Heros.
If he caused any trouble here, I'd share the blame.
"If you're so certain, then I'll trust him too. So, what would you have me do with him?"
"He moved with the black mages, but it was against his will. I'd appreciate it if you'd take that into account when judging his crimes."
"Understood. Anything else you want from me?"
"Yes. I'd prefer he not suffer during interrogation."
Stalring stood beside me.
He'd been listening quietly, but now his face lit up with emotion as he looked at me.
I'd kept my promise.
Stalring didn't want punishment for his ties to Eremus.
I'd told him I'd do my best to prevent that.
And repaying the one who'd saved my life was only right.
'Can't avoid interrogation entirely, but since I've spoken up like this, it'll end in conversation.'
Interrogation in this era meant physical persuasion.
Torture was standard.
No one emerged unscathed.
That's why I'd brought it up with Count Chester—to spare Stalring that ordeal.
"Hmmm..."
Count Chester observed Stalring closely.
Suddenly under a high noble's scrutiny, Stalring stood at rigid attention, tension plain on his face.
After a moment...
"I'll speak to the interrogator myself. Don't worry about it."
Count Chester gave his assurance.
Then he turned to Stalring.
"Could you step away for a bit? I have important matters to discuss with Heros."
"Yes!"
Stalring responded energetically to the count's request and hurried off.
The count watched him go, then spoke to me.
"Heros, today's events have convinced me."
"Convinced, my lord?"
"Yes. That I must recruit you. That's why I'm bringing it up now, before it's too late."
A recruitment offer out of nowhere?
As I stood there flustered...
Count Chester continued matter-of-factly.
"If you and Nina join Chester Castle, I'll become the strongest noble in the east. I'll offer the best terms, of course. I could even make you a noble."
The count's proposal was extraordinary.
He'd even dangled a noble title.
It would be strange not to be tempted.
But...
"I'm sorry. I appreciate the offer, but I can't accept."
I turned down Count Chester.
I still had unfinished business.
The imperial north.
I planned to seek the ruins of the space-time sorcerer there.
I couldn't be tied down in one place.
'I can always come back after I'm done.'
The fact that he'd offered such generous terms meant he valued me highly.
He'd welcome me later, no doubt.
That certainty let me refuse without hesitation.
"I thought as much. You still have things to do?"
"Yes. We've averted a major crisis by dealing with the eastern branch chief. I'll rest a bit, then head north."
"The north? Why there?"
"I got word of a mystery there. A mage's drawn to mysteries—it's only natural, isn't it?"
"A perfectly reasonable answer."
Count Chester nodded at my words.
Regret was plain on his face.
He'd expected my refusal.
Yet he'd made the offer anyway, which showed how badly he wanted talent like mine.
"Heros."
At that moment, Count Chester called my name.
He still had more to say.
"Yes, my lord."
"Do you have a fiancée or wife?"
"No."
"A few of my retainers have marriageable daughters. What do you say to starting a family? A man needs someone to be responsible for to truly mature."
"I'm sorry. I'll be wandering for a few more years, which would leave a wife alone too often. I'm not ready to take one yet."
I apologized once more.
I knew exactly why Count Chester was making these offers.
He wanted to bind me through marriage.
The intent was so transparent I could read him easily.
He surely knew I saw through it...
So why act this way?
'He wants to leave a strong impression on me?'
To show me how desperately he wanted Mage Heros.
That if I ever felt like settling down, I should return here.
"What a shame. Such a rare mage: brave, wise, and above all, exceptionally skilled."
"Thank you."
"The other nobles will surely try to recruit you too. Get ready to fend them off."
"Haha..."
I didn't know how to respond to that.
As I managed an awkward smile, Count Chester chuckled and said,
"Good luck."
With that, he turned away.
As he walked off, he suddenly stopped.
Then turned back.
As if something had just occurred to him.
"Just one more question."
"Yes, my lord."
"You're the top hero of this war, aren't you? You slew the enemy leader."
"I got lucky."
"Luck or skill, it doesn't change the fact. It's only right I reward you accordingly. Do you agree?"
"Uh... yes."
Why ask that all of a sudden?
As I pondered...
Count Chester nodded and spoke.
"I'll prepare a place for your return. So you can come back anytime your journey ends."
With that, Count Chester strode off toward the other nobles.
I watched his retreating figure grow distant.
It was remarkable.
The way he'd treated me at our first meeting was worlds apart from now.
I'd earned his respect, I suppose.
'Master should have seen this.'
I thought of my master.
He'd have been proud of my growth.
Maybe because of everything that had happened, but today, I really missed him.