Became a Medieval Fantasy Wizard-Chapter 349

TL/Editor: raei

Status: 5/week mon-fri

Illustrations: none

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'They're confused.'

Ian observed the nobles with their divided opinions.

"Lies! All lies!"

"Be reasonable. How could a foreign wizard have prepared all this?"

"Then! Are you saying Duke Roxlan orchestrated this?"

"That seems to be the case."

"What disloyalty!"

The nobles gathered in the banquet hall were either vassals of Duke Roxlan or people with connections to him.

But not all nobles were dedicated to the Duke.

That's just how the feudal system worked.

As long as they fulfilled their contractual obligations, they didn't care what others did elsewhere.

Of course, blood is thicker than water, so most were friendly toward Duke Roxlan.

However...

"His Grace would never stoop to such vile tactics!"

"A witness has already come forward, yet you still spout nonsense?"

"...A paid witness!"

"This conversation is pointless."

While some nobles insisted on Duke Roxlan's innocence even if their skulls were cracked open(...),

Others rationally assessed the situation and concluded the Duke had schemed against Ian.

"But why would His Grace bother setting a trap for a wandering wizard..."

"If he was targeting a Silverwind child, it's entirely possible."

"..."

Ian let the nobles argue among themselves.

Even though time was on Duke Roxlan's side, Ian was in no hurry.

Rushing could ruin everything.

An imperial duke was like a monster with multiple heads.

If you targeted just one head, you could be counterattacked.

The correct approach was to break down the surrounding nobles supporting the Duke one by one.

"If it's about Silverwind..."

"If it's about Silverwind, then it's possible."

'This is working well.'

And just as Ian had expected—

The nobles gradually began to suspect Duke Roxlan.

If the Duke had unilaterally set a trap to capture the Silverwind heir... that would be reprehensible behavior even for a duke.

Duke Fargar's threat wasn't a crisis for Duke Roxlan alone.

Naturally, Duke Roxlan would issue a call to arms to counter Fargar's threat.

And who would have to fight?

Duke Roxlan's vassals, of course.

No one enjoys taking up arms when invaders appear.

The same went for nobles.

They wanted to live comfortably in their domains where they were treated like kings.

Only war-crazed dopamine addicts would want war when they already had everything.

If Maria truly was the Silverwind heir, that would provide enough legitimacy to stop the war.

And the Duke tried to swallow up such an important person all by himself?

If he had simply done it without being caught, there would have been no issue.

But... he was caught by Ian.

Not only caught, but beaten and forced to flee.

Nobles who wanted to undermine Duke Roxlan's influence seized this opportunity.

"His Grace has clearly crossed a line this time," an elderly count declared.

Many nobles agreed with him.

"We must hear the Duke's explanation!"

"I sincerely hope he provides a proper answer!"

Public opinion tilted increasingly toward the anti-duke faction.

From the nobles' perspective, there was no reason not to support the anti-duke faction.

If Duke Roxlan's influence decreased, it would naturally benefit his vassals—

And they had the opportunity to send Duke Fargar home. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Even nobles who didn't particularly dislike the Duke quietly joined the anti-duke faction.

"Traitors!"

"Their loyalty is thinner than parchment!"

The pro-duke faction grumbled bitterly from behind...

But what could they do in this situation?

Shouting "I can't lose the Duke!" wouldn't change anything.

The advantage had already shifted to Ian.

"I will now go and formally 'protest' to the Duke," Ian announced to the nobles.

Ian's 'protest' was justified.

The nobles understood him.

"I'll go with you!"

"I won't accompany you, but I support your restoration of honor."

After all, Ian had been framed for murder by the Duke.

He had nearly been arrested.

Even if Ian was just a wandering wizard, he still had a wizard's honor!

In such a situation, "letting it go" could never be the right answer.

When honor is insulted, one repays with skill!

That was the way of nobility.

Ian led his knights and boldly went to confront Duke Roxlan.

It was time for the "real negotiation."

Duke Roxlan prepared for a desperate defense.

Half a day.

He firmly believed that if he could just hold out for half a day, brave knights would come by boat to rescue him.

Moreover, the Duke's army was in a semi-war state.

Just outside the castle, countless mercenaries had set up tents.

They were all like wild dogs who had caught the scent of war.

And now, an opportunity to save the Duke?

They would all fight over each other for the chance to earn merit!

"Everyone," the Duke said gravely.

The atmosphere in the tower was extremely solemn.

Naturally.

In about 30 minutes, they would be engaged in a life-or-death battle!

"If you survive this battle... I will never forget the debt I owe you."

"...!"

The Duke's guards burned with a mixture of tension and eagerness.

Regardless of how they got here... they stood by the Duke in his final moment.

If they lost, they would lose their lives—

But if they won, they could receive tremendous rewards!

This was a chance for a life-changing opportunity.

"I will sacrifice my life to protect Your Grace!"

"My sword is yours!"

"I just realized! I have lived only! For this very moment!"

The Duke's guards competed to spew nonsense...

No, they poured out fervent loyalty pledges.

'These lunatics...!'

Wizard Stera felt like she would collapse from disbelief.

If you want to die, do it among yourselves!

I'm! Just! Someone who was dragged here while going to the bathroom at night!!!

Stera wanted to escape from this suffocating tower immediately.

But if she said, "Hahaha~ This is uncomfortable so I'll head home~," someone overcome with excessive loyalty would immediately swing their sword shouting, "Die! Traitor!"

The atmosphere was one where betrayal would not be tolerated.

Wizard Stera desperately racked her brain.

Specifically... how could she surrender without getting hurt...

'Why should I risk my life fighting for this duke bastard?'

Though she didn't know Wizard Ian, surely he would accept her surrender.

After all, they were both wizards.

Tap, tap, tap...

"!"

"They're coming!"

As footsteps were heard outside, the guards tensed and drew their swords.

'This is truly maddening!'

Wizard Stera also prepared her magic.

It was to avoid dying if Ian used an area-of-effect spell.

But no magic came.

In fact, there was no attack at all.

Ian fearlessly approached the tower entrance.

Duke Roxlan couldn't understand Ian's behavior.

'He's attempting dialogue in this situation?'

From the moment Ian summoned soldiers, negotiation became impossible.

Either the Duke would be captured or Ian would be. They had to fight until one of them fell.

And time was on the Duke's side.

If he could just stall a little longer, Ian would have to face the Duke's knights.

But when the Duke saw those following Ian, he frowned.

They were nobles.

Some of the nobles from the banquet were following Ian!

"Duke Roxlan."

Ian called out to the Duke in a gentle voice.

It was a voice full of courtesy—

No one present could find fault with Ian's respectful manner.

The nobles were impressed to see Ian maintaining his manners until the end.

'If it were me, I would have started cursing right away...!'

'Even toward an enemy, he never loses his respect!'

In truth, it wouldn't have been a problem if Ian had cursed at the Duke.

Wizards were known for their eccentricities.

And since the Duke had tarnished Ian's honor, his anger would be justified.

But Ian remained conscious of public opinion.

To successfully deal with the Duke, he needed the nobles' support.

"Wizard Ian."

Duke Roxlan spoke in a gloomy voice.

"I cannot believe this. I invited you as a guest. And yet you dare attack my castle?"

Ian smirked.

Ah~ That approach?

The Duke's excuse was predictably obvious.

He would paint Ian as Duke Fargar's agent.

The Duke indeed spoke as Ian predicted.

"Answer honestly and I'll spare your life. Did you receive orders from Duke Fargar?"

"!"

The soldiers in the tower looked at Ian in surprise.

So that's why he suddenly attacked His Grace!

He was an agent sent by Duke Fargar!

Ian slowly shook his head.

Duke Roxlan still didn't realize his plan had been exposed.

"Your Grace. It's over. Let's stop the act."

"What...?"

"Your friend Baltanka confessed everything."

Ian looked directly at the Duke and said:

"He said you intimidated him and prepared a body in advance."

"..."

"I also found all the props you prepared. You did a good job making the culprit look like a wizard."

The Duke glared at Ian with cold eyes.

But he quickly changed his expression with astonishing speed.

It was an impressively skillful control of his face.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You don't understand?"

"That's right. This is all news to me."

Ian nodded.

He had anticipated that the Duke wouldn't engage in negotiations.

Admitting now would mean surrendering everything.

Ian hadn't expected him to, anyway.

But the Duke's brazen denial angered many people.

Especially the clergy.

"Duke Roxlan! Heaven is watching! Have you no shame!"

"Murder conspiracy and false accusation... your sins run deep, brother."

Takarion and the priest publicly condemned Duke Roxlan.

Usually, clergymen were annoying for always speaking the truth...

But now, they were commendable for speaking the truth!

"Shut up! What do you know!"

Duke Roxlan shouted, emanating murderous intent.

"Keep babbling as you please, and I'll rip out your tongues!"

The priest, shocked by the Duke's madness, fell silent momentarily.

Threatening clergy wasn't normally possible without extreme audacity.

So the priest hesitated slightly.

Duke Roxlan... could he actually be innocent?

Is that why he could be so confident?!

But Takarion continued to shout without intimidation.

His resolute figure reminded Ian of Isila the monk.

"If I have no tongue, I'll denounce you with my pen! Duke Roxlan!"

"What...? How dare a mere monk..."

"It is you who should not be mistaken! Worldly power is but an illusion! You and I are both merely humans under heaven!"

Speak your mind, Takarion!

Ian was slightly impressed that Takarion would speak up.

Monk Isila seemed to have taught him well.

"We can discuss details later. First, please come out of that stifling tower."

"Ha! Try to drag me out if you can!"

The situation was now completely reversed.

The Duke was holding out, and Ian was trying to extract him.

Ian selected an appropriate spell to deal with the Duke.

But just then:

"[Storm and lightning!]"

"?"

A magic language burst forth from the Duke's formation.

Magically created lightning sprang up in all directions...

"Gyaaaaaah!"

...and electrocuted Duke Roxlan.

The Duke collapsed, drooling.

Ian looked ahead in confusion, wondering what had just happened.

A wizard was desperately waving her hands.

"I did it! I used magic!"

Ian didn't quite understand what was happening, but he didn't miss this golden opportunity.

"Capture them all!"

Ian shouted as he magically broke the lock.

Ian's soldiers poured in instantly.

"Uh... huh?!"

The Duke's guards were all arrested before they could even react.

Their planned desperate resistance never even began.

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