Became a Medieval Fantasy Wizard-Chapter 359
TL/Editor: raei
Status: 5/week mon-fri
Illustrations: none
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Duke Fargar's army was in a gloomy mood.
Their raids hadn't been as rewarding as expected.
"So you wandered lost in the forest and only just returned?"
"...My apologies, Your Grace."
The Duke was more dumbfounded than irritated.
What kind of magic could possibly make them lose their way so thoroughly?
"Ah, there's a devilish wizard there!"
The vassals began defending the cavalry one after another.
After all, their own cavalry units were partially involved too.
"It's the wizard's mischief, Your Grace."
"He seems to be the same wizard who summoned lightning."
"You mean the wizard who moves with the cavalry?"
Duke Fargar contemplated deeply.
Wizards did occasionally assist nobles in wars, but rarely this proactively.
Either the wizard had truly befriended the nobles, or there were critical interests at stake.
Either way, it was nothing but a nuisance for Duke Fargar.
"Is there no wizard who can counter the enemy shadow wizard?"
"..."
"I'll grant 100 gold coins to whoever brings me his head."
Not just the nobles, but even the knights' eyes gleamed with excitement.
A hundred gold coins for a single head!
If I were a wizard, I'd volunteer immediately!
But the wizards' reactions were cold.
"I'm sorry, Your Grace. With my level of magic, it's impossible to capture a shadow wizard."
"The matchup isn't favorable for me..."
"The mysteries haven't been responding well lately."
The wizards collectively complained of poor condition, as if they'd coordinated their excuses.
In truth, the wizards weren't in great shape.
They had been continuously using magic since the battles with the Rashin Kingdom.
Requesting help from the mysteries couldn't be done endlessly.
If someone constantly contacted you begging for help, would they still be considered a friend?
[Lately it feels like you're just using me...]
"[Not at all, my friend. I have a truly important matter...]"
[Fine. Important matters... I'll tolerate it. For now...]
The wizards had been sweating daily trying to placate the mysteries.
Despite having used magic numerous times already, Duke Fargar continually demanded new spells.
"Find new magic that can break through the shadow wizard's spells."
"..."
"What about using fire magic to burn down the forest?"
The fire wizard glanced nervously at the Mystery, wearing an awkward expression.
[(ᓀ‸ᓂ)]
"..."
Seeing the Mystery of Fire standing with folded arms, staring at him, he simply couldn't bring himself to say "Certainly!"
"I'm sorry, Your Grace, but if I use fire magic now, the spell might run wild."
"Run wild?"
"I've been suppressing the mystery too much. Fire naturally loves to burn everything in its path. If I summon it again, it might cause uncontrolled arson regardless of my intentions..."
"Tch. So you're saying you're useless."
"..."
The fire wizard's pride was wounded, but he couldn't say anything in response.
Honestly... the wizards were afraid of Duke Fargar.
He was the kind of man who ordered massacres without batting an eye.
If he treated peasants' lives as insignificant as flies, why would wizards be any different?
Even wizards had to be careful with their behavior.
If they openly protested against Duke Fargar, they might be beheaded for disturbing military discipline.
No, that stone-faced human would definitely do just that.
'I want to go home...'
Seeing the wizards' reluctant responses, Duke Fargar simply had them removed from sight.
"Steward. The wizards' morale is low. Provide them with high-quality gold coins as consolation."
The steward cautiously studied the Duke's expression.
"Um... Your Grace. I'm not sure if the wizards will be pleased to receive money..."
"?"
Duke Fargar gave him a look that seemed to say, 'What nonsense are you talking about?'
"Is there anyone in this world who dislikes money?"
"...No, Your Grace."
"Good. That settles it."
The Duke's judgment was generally correct...
But gold coins would hardly soothe the wizards' hearts.
Their greatest desire was to escape their current situation where they were forced to use magic.
But the iron-disciplined soldier Duke Fargar couldn't grasp such subtle considerations.
They'll receive money and feel better, then fight well! Simple!
"Shadow wizards must be weak against light. Have the cavalry carry light-emitting magical items."
"Yes, Your Grace."
Though the wizards were unavailable, the Duke believed he could somehow overcome magical darkness.
Indeed, the cavalry did manage to pass through the curtain of darkness.
"Your Grace! The cavalry that left with magical items!"
"Have they returned already?"
"No! They've all been captured by the enemy!"
"...?"
Duke Fargar exclaimed in confusion.
"What kind of magic defeated them this time?"
"I-it wasn't magic, they say!"
"?"
The soldier stammered his report.
"They just... lost in combat..."
"..."
Duke Fargar was utterly speechless.
The darkness magic circle Ian had set up effectively hindered the enemy cavalry's movements.
But Ian judged that the enemies would soon find a way around it.
"They'll either bring a light wizard or gather light-emitting magical items."
The latter was likely correct.
While light wizards were extremely rare, magical items that emitted light were surprisingly common.
After all, items that produce light are always useful, aren't they?
Both then and now, wizards frequently created objects that generated their own light.
Consequently, magical light wasn't particularly unusual.
"A wizard needs to use their brain, but magical items don't matter."
Hearing this, the cavalrymen brightened and exclaimed:
"You know magic that can neutralize magical items!"
Ian tilted his head and replied:
"I don't have such magic?"
"?"
"We can just take them by force."
"..."
Physical neutralization magic.
Fighting a wizard directly would be problematic, but objects were a different story.
Just raid them and take the items!
"But Fargar's forces won't fall that easily..."
"My friend will help us, so don't worry."
"!"
Once again, the cavalrymen looked at Ian with eyes full of expectation.
A wizard's friend!
They were bursting with excitement over what might appear!
A massive bear? An eagle the size of a bull? Or perhaps a lion?!
Ian rode away and returned with his friend.
"I-is this your friend?!"
It was Belenka, the Black Knight in midnight armor.
"This is my friend, Belenka."
"Pleased to meet you."
The wizard's friend (human).
The cavalrymen couldn't hide their disappointment and said to Ian:
"Why is the wizard's friend a person?!"
"???"
Ian was dumbfounded.
What on earth were you expecting?!
Belenka spoke in a slightly sulky voice:
"Sorry for being human."
"N-no, Sir Knight. That's not what we meant..."
Whatever the cavalrymen had expected...
Belenka was definitely Belenka.
She displayed exceptional combat prowess, crushing the cavalry units carrying magical items.
"Wow...!"
The cavalrymen watched Belenka's fighting in awe.
This was the same overwhelming strength that had once astonished Ian in Talian.
"What kind of magic is that, Sir Wizard?"
"Ah, that is what we call 'genius.'"
"?"
Trying to break through Ian's magic with magical items was pointless if they lost in combat.
And so Fargar's cavalry naturally fell into a hellish dilemma.
If they gathered to break through Ian's darkness, Belenka would demolish them—
But if they split up to raid, they couldn't overcome the magical darkness!
Eventually, Fargar's cavalry ceased their raiding activities.
Cavalry was a high-tier military class, not to be wasted like infantry.
With these successive victories, Roxlan's morale soared.
"Hahaha! Those Fargar bastards! They're nothing special!"
Count Francis spoke in a calm voice:
"Fargar's army is certainly strong."
"..."
The boastful noble immediately closed his mouth and looked nervously at the Count...
"Despite that, the reason we've been able to achieve victory..."
Count Francis looked at Ian with appreciative eyes and said:
"Is thanks to the help of an exceptional wizard."
The sharp-witted nobles quickly followed his lead.
"Wizard Ian!"
"He's Roxlan's fortune! Hahaha!"
The wizards also smiled and applauded.
Though they were fighting on Roxlan's side for now, they lacked the enthusiasm to fight earnestly.
Power struggles among nobles were nothing new, after all.
They received money as compensation, but if they damaged their relationship with the mysteries for money, they'd be missing the point.
A wizard who loses their magic is nothing.
"I hear he's fighting so diligently for his fiancée."
"What a passionate young man!"
Ian let the surrounding praise go in one ear and out the other.
The war wasn't over yet.
"Your Grace. Fargar's army is now..."
"Hmm. Yes."
Count Francis tapped the table.
The nobles' attention naturally gathered.
"They've abandoned their raiding strategy and begun advancing."
"!"
It was an extremely bold move.
Normally, one doesn't carelessly break formation when enemies are nearby.
The difference in fighting power between an army with good formation and one without is like heaven and earth.
Even the strongest army can be easily defeated if ambushed while their formation is broken.
"If they're advancing..."
"It must be Humar Hill. If they're moving their camp, that's the only place!"
Currently, Roxlan's vassals were sending armies of various sizes to support their lord.
If all the armies combined safely, they would number about 5,000.
That would be sufficient to face Fargar's forces.
Knowing this, Fargar chose to advance.
He intended to occupy the hill leading to Roxlan—
And then defeat each arriving reinforcement one by one.
An enraged noble shouted:
"We must strike them from behind immediately!"
There was logic to his words.
Armies are vulnerable when marching.
Moreover, to just leave an enemy force relocating to a strategic position?
Unthinkable!
"Then let's first send out 100 cavalry to..."
"100 cavalry? Are you joking?! We should leave only minimal guards and deploy everyone!"
"But what if they've set a trap? What if they're waiting to induce a rotation?"
"How frustrating! They're an army on the march! What are you so afraid of?"
"? What? Afraid?"
The nobles naturally split into two factions.
One advocated attacking them from behind immediately! The other suggested observing the situation first!
But the majority was leaning toward hitting them from behind.
"Cowards!"
You scared?
"My! Cowards, you say! Such important matters require caution...!"
"What, are your legs trembling at being called a coward?"
You triggered?
"...I'll have to show you my courage in person!"
The nobles were brimming with confidence after their consecutive victories.
They weren't yet frightened enough to suggest avoiding battle!
It would be helpful if Count Francis would say something at this point...
Unfortunately, the Count knew almost nothing about combat.
"Enough. We'll make a decision tomorrow afternoon."
"Yes, Your Grace!"
After dismissing the nobles, Count Francis secretly summoned Ian.
He wanted to borrow the wizard's wisdom.
"Ian. What do you think?"
"..."
But... Ian didn't have much to offer either.
Ian was no Zhuge Liang.
He knew next to nothing about strategy and tactics.
However, Ian had made many friends during his travels.
"I'll seek wisdom from a wise person."
Ian hurried off to Sir Salvador.
'Sword Master' Salvador was the ultimate war expert!
Fortunately, Sir Salvador gladly offered his wisdom.
"Position your forces forward, but don't get too close to the enemy."
"I see."
"That alone will make Fargar's army feel pressured."
"What if they ignore us?"
"Then you need to teach them a proper lesson."
Ian relayed Sir Salvador's opinion exactly—
And the next day.
Roxlan's army left the castle and began establishing a camp.
The distance between the two armies was neither too far nor too close.
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