Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Isaac's Growing Influence
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The scorching southern sun beat down on the Everglow territory.
Though it was late spring, the heat here felt like midsummer.
All eyes turned to the count.
Ludwig Everglow stood alone atop the speeding chariot.
One hand gripped the reins while the other wove magic through the air.
"Inertial frame, adjustment, projection."
As the incantation finished, three flaming spears arced through the air on distinct trajectories.
Without a hint of wobble, even from the racing chariot.
Thud—thud—thud!
They slammed simultaneously into the three targets on the training field.
Whoosh!
The areas around the spears erupted in flames.
"Woooaaah!"
Clap clap clap clap clap!
Cheers and applause exploded from the family mages watching the training.
Ludwig brought the chariot to a halt with a satisfied smile.
"Indeed... incredible."
The new ballistics, built on the foundation of Calculus.
The stable mobility secured from the Uphills Workshop's suspension.
And finally, the Principia, which established the mechanics of different inertial frames.
The knowledge Isaac had disseminated grew ever more synergistic when combined.
It was still too early to integrate into standard circle magic, but the enhancement to the count's secret arts alone was a massive achievement.
Memories of past failures flashed through Ludwig Everglow's mind like a lantern show.
-"Your Excellency! Calculations become impossible from this point!"
-"Then shouldn't we at least approximate?"
-"We're already doing our utmost, but..."
-"I know, I know. I already heard your last clock-out was three days ago."
-"Then...!"
-"But I've been at it without rest for three weeks straight."
-"..."
-"We have to work hard, right?"
-"Yes, sir!"
It had been worth grinding their bodies to the bone to complete it.
'With this, I could chase down and sweep away the rebel cavalry...'
Stepping down from the chariot, Ludwig handed his helmet to a young mage.
The mage's eyes gleamed with awe as he received it.
Practice over—it was time to return to regular duties.
Back in his office after training, a single letter sat atop his desk.
'From my daughter, perhaps.'
Ludwig recalled the letter Gwendolyn had sent before departing for the north.
'Father's only daughter chose to tour the north with a man over transforming into one herself.'
He didn't know the exact circumstances... but he supported his daughter's decision.
It had stung a bit that she'd announced it so bluntly, but that was fine now.
She was sending letters, after all.
A pleased smile on his face, Ludwig checked the envelope's sender.
[Gray Fortress Command - Marques]
His smile froze.
"Business, then..."
It wasn't from his daughter.
When would he finally get a letter from her?
This one was from a junior officer who had served as his aide in the past.
Ludwig read on.
The letter detailed the recent operation to wipe out the "Lantern Guides" in the north—and the mage named "Howard Wallowitz" at its center.
...Howard, huh.
"Who's that... oh."
The latter half speculated that "Howard" was actually Isaac Uphills.
"As expected... that kid again."
Isaac had apparently used the pseudonym this time to author a new [Field Mage Manual - Search Squad].
"Field manual..."
Ludwig picked up the book lying beside the letter.
[Field Mage Field Manual - Search Squad]
"This is it."
He flipped through the pages as if entranced.
Rustle. Rustle.
For a good while, only the sound of turning parchment filled the office.
Rustle.
"Whoa... what is this now."
Rustle rustle.
"Unbelievable."
Rustle.
"A system like this... really devised all by himself?"
Thud.
Feeling dizzy if he read more, Ludwig closed the manual.
"That guy. I thought he was just exceptional at fundamentals..."
This [Field Manual] confirmed it.
Isaac knew exactly what truly mattered in real combat—as well as any field mage.
A whole new magic system that divided every combat spell into "loading" and "firing."
An absurd framework.
Field mages needed not just the ability to "design spells well," but equally the skill to "finish composing them at the right moment."
Take archery as an example.
An archer needs to draw the string quickly and accurately—but knowing when to release it is just as crucial.
In that sense, Isaac's magic was like converting every bow into a crossbow.
Once loaded, the user could fire whenever they chose.
They could wait relaxed until the perfect moment arrived.
'Of course, it'll take more research time...'
But if implemented properly, success rates for reconnaissance, searches, and infiltrations would skyrocket.
Sigh...
Ludwig let out a deep breath.
Thud.
He set the [Field Manual] back on the desk and stared blankly at the office ceiling.
"..."
He imagined how the battlefield might change from here.
By the time the ceiling's patterns were burned into his vision, Ludwig snapped back to reality.
"...I should finish work first before daydreaming."
He was still in the middle of his junior's letter.
There were surely matters related to this demanding his attention.
[...He's also disguising his new manual as the work of this "Howard" pseudonym.]
Ludwig nodded.
"As expected... dodging the poisoned chalice. Wise move."
The northern front rotated command among noble houses.
The center was always wary of emerging powers.
In this situation, Isaac aimed solely for army reform without boosting his personal influence.
"At this rate, His Majesty the Emperor might take notice."
Not in a bad way, but to reward and elevate Isaac.
Thinking of that future left him feeling a twinge of regret.
"Should I have pushed harder for recruitment?"
Isaac's innocent, wide-eyed face from their meeting at the capital villa flickered in his mind.
Producing results like this with a face that seemed utterly clueless...
'If only I'd succeeded in recruiting him then...'
The southern rebellion might be fully quelled by now.
"Too late for regrets now."
Ludwig turned back to the letter.
[Honoring Isaac's intentions, I'll report the pseudonym up the chain. Could use your help?]
He immediately took up his quill.
No need to hesitate.
This matter would proceed, no question.
Time passed, and the day came for the caravan to return to Gray Fortress.
It was time to head back to the capital.
Gwendolyn and I packed up to ride along.
Unfortunately, Sir Valerius would return separately.
The remnants were nearly mopped up, but he wanted to investigate the "Black Heart" the cult leader had swallowed further.
Gwendolyn was already aboard the carriage.
But I still hadn't cleared the fortress gates.
Not on purpose—circumstances.
'Tough crowd to get through...'
Cheers erupted left and right along my path.
"Sir Howard! Don't go!"
"Thanks to you, I found my brother! Thank you!"
"I'll never forget this favor!"
Squadmates I'd indebted to, soldiers I'd barely met faces, and survivors rescued from the "Lantern Guides."
They chanted "Howard" in unison.
Not my real name, but my chest swelled anyway.
Yeah, this is it.
When someone's leaving, the classic send-off is to cling with regret like this.
Not some cool, detached farewell.
It was a bit hard holding back the laughter.
Yet amid the crowd, some watched my movements quietly.
"What are those folks doing?"
Sara, standing beside me, answered awkwardly.
"Ugh, sir... they're still at it..."
"At what?"
"There's this weird debate going around the unit lately."
Sara sighed and continued.
"'Isaac Uphills' versus 'Howard Wallowitz'—who's stronger?"
"...Pardon?"
"Those guys... they're the 'Isaac faction'... so they can't let Howard go with smiles."
"..."
What the hell.
Sara's face gradually flushed redder.
"We tried to stop them, but no luck."
"I see..."
Man... talk about bored.
Well, frontlines don't offer much entertainment.
"Once Sir Valerius returns, we planned to reveal you're the same person... but now, who knows if they'll believe it."
"It'll blow over."
Sara chuckled at my nonchalant reply.
"Isaac, you always seem so worry-free. I envy that."
"Do I?"
"Personally, I'd love if you stayed on the northern front instead of the Magic Tower."
Her eyes sparkled eagerly.
Chills.
'Military life's a hard pass...!'
As I edged back, Sara pressed on.
"But... you've got things only the Magic Tower can offer, so I'll drop it quick."
"Relief."
We'd reached the carriage before I knew it.
Just before boarding, Sara said to me,
"Our unit plans to overhaul all field mages based on the [Field Manual]."
Sara beamed.
"And I'll wrap up my brother's matter to the best of my ability."
"Noble goals, both."
I smiled in kind.
I told her,
"Best of luck."
"Thanks. Keep an eye from the capital."
The carriage soon departed, pulling me away from the crowd.
-"Come back someday!"
-"Wallowitz! Wallowitz!"
Beyond the endless cheers, Sara snapped a crisp salute my way.
Starting with her, her squadmates followed one by one.
The commander smiled and raised his salute too.
The salutes rippled outward like a wave.
Everyone around joining in—even the diehard "Isaac faction."
I stopped my awkward waving and returned a quiet salute.
Continuing until the carriage crested the hill and they vanished from sight.
Just over the hill, Gwendolyn—waiting inside—laughed.
"Sara... she's got real guts."
"Huh?"
"Commander didn't lead, but she saluted first. Could've been reprimanded."
"Oh... bold resolve."
I couldn't have.
"Maybe she likes Uphills so much she didn't notice."
"..."
Considering Sara's usual behavior, it was plausible.
Gwendolyn asked me,
"Back in the capital, what's next for you?"
"Me? Hmm..."
I answered that I wanted to devise "gravity magic."
Not borrowing general relativity like before—purely using the law of universal gravitation.
Relativity was still decades too early.
'Gravity without relativity...'
My physicist side screamed "impossible," but my mage side deemed it research-worthy.
Spells like Fireball or Flame Spear already imposed virtual mass—maybe adapt those?
Gwendolyn looked flustered at my answer.
"No plans to rest at all...?"
"This is my rest? Real work's separate."
I pulled a letter from my pocket and handed it over.
She startled upon checking the sender.
"This is... a letter from the Princess?"
"You'll be more shocked by the contents."
"..."
Gwendolyn carefully read the full letter.
Her eyes went wide.
"An audience... with His Imperial Majesty?"
"That's right."
All the goodwill I'd built with the imperial court was finally paying off.
[...Thus, His Majesty wishes to praise your merits in person and grant one wish. Prepare a single request for the audience.]
I'd scored an Emperor free wish coupon, no less.