Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 369

Episode 369: Conclusion (1)

Deal? Deal?

What on earth was the proposal that made you barge in without warning and blow away the envoys from other territories?

'And how did they breach the castle's security?'

Even though all of the close associates have fled, there are still soldiers guarding the gates.

There is also an escort brought by the envoy.

In addition, just in case, they secretly hired a skilled magician and placed several security magic circles inside the castle… … .

It was difficult to accept that the intrusion had been permitted in this way, without any fuss.

Liam was confused.

The embarrassment was far greater than the anger at the intruder.

Still, I tried my best to remain rational and not get swayed by emotions. I shouldn't bring harm upon myself.

That was the teaching of my late father.

Liam said, barely moistening his throat with the cold tea.

“What kind of… deal do you want to make with me?”

A cautious response for one's age.

I thought you were going to go crazy and tried to calm you down a bit, but it looks like it won't be necessary.

Verden secretly raised his evaluation of the man named Liam a little.

“I heard that the Arrein family holds the registration rights for the Gargant auction house. Do you remember that story from when you were young?”

“If it’s the Gargant Auction House… oh, you mean the ‘Scales of Ignacia’? Of course I haven’t forgotten. It’s the right that my family acquired by paying the greatest price.”

That day, I was forced out of the mega city by the powerful people who supported me.

Liam was only in his early teens.

'At that time, the tangible and intangible assets that Gargant had not been able to dispose of amounted to a whopping three-fifths of the entire property.'

Since it was obvious that if left alone, they would all be eaten up by their vicious competitors, they just donated it all to the city where the Transcendent belonged.

My father's expression, which was both relieved and utterly miserable at the time, still lingered in my mind.

Liam tilted his head as he recalled the past for a moment.

“But why all of a sudden……”

“Because we need it.”

Liam quickly thought about the purpose of the deal.

I carefully opened my mouth, organizing the things that immediately came to mind.

“……The right to use Ignacia’s scales cannot be bought or sold.”

“It would be enough if you would step forward as my agent.”

“If the item to be registered does not meet the standards, I, as your agent, will have to pay the cost.”

“I can assure you, that will not happen.”

“Does that mean you can guarantee the intentions of the great transcendent being?”

“If I hadn’t been so sure in the first place, I wouldn’t have come looking for you. And if I had intended to harm you, I would have done so already without going through the trouble of setting up a board.”

Liam felt a chill down his spine as he flinched without realizing it. He pretended to think for a moment, then quietly clasped his hands together and wiggled them.

Eyes that turn quietly.

The maid, Mires, looked terrified and turned her gaze to Keirel.

The cat Suin gently pulled his chin.

Are you asking me to believe you?

Uninvited guests who don't even reveal their identities?

Liam caressed the corner of his mouth and exhaled deeply through his nose.

“If I were to be your agent… if you really want to do business, what would you give me?”

“I will save you.”

He said he wasn't a robber.

They say this is an ownerless land… … But still, isn’t this too much?

'If I don't accept your offer, I'll kill you. What the…?'

Liam felt an indescribable misery.

Because I understood it as a very cruel and merciless threat.

And then, right after, I realized that wasn't what he meant.

“They say the other lords are after your life. You could be brutally executed if you’re not careful. We’ll stop that from happening.”

“……Yes? Does that mean you’ll protect Arain?”

“If you want, I’ll do it. It’s all the same anyway.”

Liam swallowed hard, his eyes wide open.

'Is that possible? Preventing other lords from taking over this city?'

Did you bring hundreds of mercenaries? I don't think so.

If such a large group were to move, rumors would surely spread.

So does that mean those people are that strong?

It certainly looked unusual, but Liam, who had only ever swung a shortsword a few times, couldn't even guess.

I looked at Keirel for advice, but she just nodded with her brows narrowed slightly.

I'm not sure what that means.

Should I accept the deal?

Should we trust an uninvited guest who shows up without our knowledge?

'Just refuse, and instead buy some time by somehow placating the fainted envoy… … .'

No, wait a minute.

Is rejection even possible in the first place?

Given the circumstances, it seemed like the other party had come looking for only one answer.

My head feels dizzy.

Liam spoke with difficulty, his forehead burning with fever.

“Do I… have a choice?”

“It depends on what you think.”

If you want to live or die, you only have one choice.

If you have no attachment to life, you can choose freely.

Liam laughed in disbelief.

He wiped the cold sweat with his forearm and belatedly shook his head back and forth.

“Okay, I’ll make a deal.”

“I believe there is no need to write a separate contract.”

Both pay the price.

A contract was concluded by word of mouth and agreement.

“By the way, do you know the procedure for using the auction house?”

“Well, I have a general idea, but I don’t know exactly. In fact, I’ve never used my rights before.”

No matter how successful the merchant had been in the past and how much he was now the lord of the city, it was nearly impossible for him to obtain valuable items that would interest a transcendent being.

“I see. Then, Keirel?”

"yes?"

“I heard you know the auction house registration process. Can you help Liam? I won’t give you a favor.”

“I don’t need an example. I was planning to help from the beginning.”

Keirel, leaning against the wall, wags his tail.

Verden, having finished his business, stood up from his seat.

As I lightly summoned my magical powers, the unconscious body of the envoy floated into the air.

At the same time, Verden gave Adrian a mission.

“Please protect them while I am away.”

“Please leave it to me.”

He nodded and led the envoy towards the entrance.

Keirel blinked as he watched the scene.

“No, where are you going now?”

“To fulfill the contract.”

Verden left the reception room.

* * *

He suddenly invaded the castle, attacked the envoys of other territories, and made a verbal contract with Liam.

As if that wasn't enough, he took the envoy outside.

'Contract performance? What are you performing?'

Wasn't it a condition to protect the city and Liam?

But why are you leaving?

Kayrel, who had been standing there blankly, approached the window.

Hwaaaaak!

A strange carriage rose from the courtyard and flew into the sky at high speed.

“What is that?”

Although I've been through a lot, I've never seen anything like this before.

I just didn't quite understand the situation right now.

So I have no choice but to ask.

“Hey, where is that guy going…?”

He asked the question without mentioning his old friend's name.

Liam and Mirez, who had been awkwardly standing there, also pricked up their ears in curiosity.

Adrian answered softly, crossing his arms.

“The best defense in battle is a good offense. And the same goes for protecting someone.”

“……?”

“It has always been said that if you remove the cause, the danger will disappear.”

Silence fell.

Liam's hands trembled and he let out a gasp of shock.

“How cruel is Lord Dallehin, all alone……!!!”

And then, understanding Adrian's meaning, Keirel opened his mouth.

“This is crazy.”

* * *

The name of the lord who sent the envoy to Liam was 'Dalehin'.

Last year, they say there were invaders who captured the previous lord, publicly executed him, and began to rule the territory.

Blood ties, appointments, and usurpation by force, etc.

There are many ways to inherit land and title in an ownerless land like this.

“Ha, haha. It may be barbaric, but it’s perfect for someone like you. Especially, Lord Dalehin, whom I serve, respects and treats capable people well. It’s not like a weak and poor city like Arrein!”

The envoy, who had regained consciousness while moving to Dalehin's territory, began to tell everything he knew, even information that had not been asked.

At first, he seemed to rebel, but when he realized that he was in a carriage in the distant sky, he became very obedient.

'You look like a rat.'

It seems like the concept of flattery is embedded in the voice itself.

I understand that each person has their own way of surviving, but I absolutely cannot like the cunningness of betraying others as easily as eating food to achieve their own goals.

Not long after that, we arrived at the estate where Dalehin lived.

Not only was it not that far from Arane, but Verden's flight speed and horsepower were different.

“If you are planning to meet the lord, I will show you around! He is always recruiting wizards! He will be outraged when he sees me leaving behind an escort… but I am sure he will be happy to see you!”

But unfortunately, the envoy was completely unaware of Verden's magical abilities.

Because he was an ordinary person who had not awakened the power of magic or spirit.

Judging by the greed in his eyes… … he most likely thought that the flying carriage itself was a magical item or artifact.

Well, I've never heard of a wizard who moves a carriage with <telekinesis>.

Phew.

Verden landed his carriage some distance from the city gate.

Because I didn't want to cause unnecessary chaos in the city.

The envoy's attitude is extremely unpleasant, but as before, Verden is not a murderer.

I had no intention of attacking Dalehin because he was Liam's enemy.

The first is persuasion.

If the reason for Dalehin to occupy Arane disappears, then that cause will also be removed.

'Of course, I don't think that will happen.'

In fact, in my experience, in cases like this, it never ends with words.

Even knowing that, Verden persisted in the same way to protect his own line.

Thud, thud, thud.

Verden headed toward the castle gate, ignoring the envoy's voice bowing beside him.

And as they got closer, Verden's expression began to harden.

'… … .'

Corpses are impaled on waiting spears driven into the floor.

On the walls were hung corpses with ropes around their necks.

Caw! Caw!

Crows fly around and eat rotten organs.

A terrible stench tickled his nose. Berden looked at him for a moment and asked.

“Why were the authors executed?”

“That one? They’re the family of the former lord who ran away and was caught a while ago. Tsk tsk, it’s going to end like that anyway, so why bother? I don’t deserve to end up like that.”

It seems only natural to annihilate hostile forces that pose a potential great threat.

Verden, who did not know the details, kept his mouth shut.

He stared at the pile of bones of the child that had fallen beneath the wall for a moment before moving on.

He entered the city, leading the envoy.

And the scenery was different from any city Verden had ever seen.

“Fuck, you’re rebelling after they’ve just kicked my taxes?!”

“No, I gave it to you the day before yesterday…… Ouch! Aaaah!”

“This fucking kid. Hey! This kid is going to raid the whole house! Even the food!”

Soldiers armed with swords surrounded the old man and beat him.

Mercilessly, as if it didn't matter whether I died or not.

The envoy said with a chuckle.

“That’s called taming. After the lord changes, there is a need to periodically maintain discipline. It’s like a model.”

“Gyaaaah!”

At that moment, a young girl was dragged out of the house by her hair.