The Story Of The Second Son Of The Baron Family [EN]: Chapter 17

Clench-

Having said everything I needed to say, I closed my eyes and awaited my fate. If my words convinced Duke Zieg, I would live; if not, I would die. At the very least, I wouldn’t be leaving this room in one piece.

Gulp.

With my eyes closed, the coldness of the blade against my throat felt even more vivid. Each time I swallowed, the blade dug in slightly, causing a sharp pain, but at least it wasn’t moving.

“Impudent fellow.”

But as time passed, my head remained attached to my body. The sound of a sword cutting through the air reached my ears, and when I cautiously opened my eyes, the sword that had threatened to sever my neck was already sheathed. I hadn’t even heard the sound of metal scraping, which spoke volumes about the smoothness of the movement.

“But you are also right. Merely following orders from above does not make one a true loyalist. A true loyalist must do everything in their power to ensure their lord walks the right path.”

I lived. Whew. I was sweating bullets. I had taken a calculated risk, but when Duke Zieg held the sword to my throat, I truly thought I was staring into the river Styx [the river separating the living from the underworld in Greek mythology]. I even thought the Grim Reaper had come for me—or perhaps it’s a psychopomp [a creature or being that guides souls to the afterlife] here in the West? Anyway, that’s not important.

“Thank you for understanding my intentions.”

I thought as I treated the scratch on my neck. If it hadn’t been Duke Zieg, I wouldn’t have even considered such a direct approach.

As I’d noticed before, Duke Zieg was the epitome of a knight, so any hesitation or calculation would likely backfire.

Unconditional loyalty to the Emperor and the Empire. Words that others would scoff at or reluctantly accept were, for Duke Zieg, the ultimate weapon.

“However, it is also true that you spoke impudently. Everything that has happened, including today’s conversation, will be recorded without any leniency and reported to His Imperial Majesty. Your fate will be determined by the Emperor’s command.”

“That, that’s…”

That’s a bit problematic. Of course, the current Emperor wasn’t a tyrant or a madman; in fact, he was quite well-regarded. But how he would react to what I said was uncertain. I never imagined he would include a conversation with a mage who was barely twenty in an official report. I hadn’t thought that far ahead.

“Since the final words came from your mouth, you shall also conclude this matter. You may use the magic stones held at the Barrier for research. Devise a means to effectively defend the Tera Barrier using the magic stones. Do you understand?”

“…I understand. I will do my best to live up to your expectations.”

There’s nothing more I can do. No matter what I say here, I can’t stop the report from reaching the Emperor. My best bet is to hope the Emperor is more magnanimous than I expect and carry out the orders I’ve been given.

#

Although not all the results are in, based on what we have so far, everything has been successful. I managed to persuade Duke Zieg, creating an opportunity to secure a large quantity of magic stones. Duke Zieg’s favor towards me momentarily plummeted, but I managed to recover it. And the fact that I can start experimenting with the magic stones right away is also a bonus.

“I wonder how many ideas I had to bury because they were too unrealistic…”

Three months have passed since I confidently told Duke Zieg that I would break the endless cycle. Shouldn’t I have been devising ways to utilize magic stones during that time?

I can think of countless ideas right now. But they had to be shelved due to the issue of practicality. Unless it’s a top-grade magic stone, they are strictly consumables. And you can imagine how consumables are treated when demand far exceeds supply.

If I want to create weapons reminiscent of firepower, like mines, cannons, and guns, using magic instead of gunpowder, the existence of magic stones is essential. There’s no need to understand the structure. After all, magic can replace most of the processes that machines handle.

‘No, even if I were to utilize imprints instead of magic, magic stones would still be indispensable.’

Imprints have a wide range of applications, but they are not a panacea [a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases]. In fact, they are similar to magic stones in that they are consumables.

Once the stored magic power runs out, they become useless. That’s why imprints can’t be used as the scissors to cut the cycle.

I’m the only one who can create imprints, and it’s impossible to pass on the ability to someone else. In the end, no matter how hard I work, the quantity will be woefully insufficient, and only those who can wield magic can use them.

But magic stones are different. Even if it’s not me, any mage can imbue effects into magic stones, and even those who can’t wield magic can use them. What happens when the magic power in the magic stone runs out? Unless it’s a disposable item, you can simply replace the magic stone.

“This is something only I can do.”

The development of new weapons using magic stones. It would take others ages. Not because they can’t utilize magic stones, and not because they lack the ability of imprinting. But because they lack the concept of new weapons. Such a concept isn’t something that can be solved simply by pondering.

#

Far from the Tera Barrier, the empire’s center and capital, which thrives because of that distance, was as peaceful as ever. At least, the empire was a major power that no single force on the continent could resist, and the Emperor held power firmly in his grasp, making the empire’s political situation more stable than ever. It was to this Emperor that a report arrived.

“Your Majesty, Count Winchester requests an audience.”

“Let him in.”

The Emperor, who was reviewing documents, was not young. He was between middle age and old age, and even though those who wield magic tend to have longer lifespans, he could hardly be called young. However, the Emperor’s gaze towards Count Winchester, who entered through the door, was no different from that of a vibrant young man.

“What is it?”

“A report has arrived from Duke Zieg of the Tera Barrier.”

“Zieg?”

The Emperor’s eyes lit up at the news of Zieg’s report. Even in a position above all others, or rather, precisely because he was in such a position, he couldn’t afford to give his trust carelessly.

However, Duke Zieg was one of the few individuals the Emperor trusted implicitly. The Emperor had maintained a relationship with him since childhood, and Duke Zieg’s loyalty to the Emperor had always been paramount, allowing him to entrust the command of the Tera Barrier, which possessed military power unimaginable for a mere noble. And Duke Zieg had repaid that trust by faithfully guarding the Tera Barrier, so the Emperor couldn’t help but be interested when a report arrived from him.

“Here it is.”

The neatly folded report from Count Winchester’s hand reached the Emperor. The report containing the total summary of the previous year had already arrived long ago. So, the current report meant that something had happened at the Tera Barrier. As the Tera Barrier was the empire’s primary concern, the Emperor began reading the report with considerable haste.

The Emperor’s face shifted from joy to indifference to intrigue. Count Winchester, who was watching the Emperor’s expressions, wondered what Duke Zieg had written to elicit such reactions, but he didn’t dare to interrupt the Emperor’s concentration.

“Hahaha! Hahahahaha!”

Finally, the Emperor burst into laughter. What could be in the report that made the Emperor laugh and rejoice? Just as Count Winchester’s curiosity reached its peak, the Emperor handed the report to Count Winchester, as if reading his mind.

It was an invitation to read it himself. And Count Winchester’s expression, after hastily reading the report, changed in the same order as the Emperor’s—surprise, indifference—but the final expression was a pale one, unlike the Emperor’s.

“Isn’t it amusing? A mere mage without even a title dares to speak of loyalty.”

“T, this…! We must immediately order Duke Zieg to behead the traitor!”

“No, no. Let’s be honest. If I don’t reward merit, who will follow me? Besides, he’s a promising young man, isn’t he? It would be a waste of his talent to kill him like this.”

Discovering the magic stone mine is a great achievement. And the story behind his words is quite meaningful. It’s not just about wealth, but about saving the people of the empire. Emperor felt that Renil’s words, which were loyal not to himself but to the empire, were somewhat presumptuous, but he didn’t mind it much.

‘I am the empire, and the empire is me. He says he will use his abilities for the empire, so there’s no need to crush that potential.’

The location of the magic stone mine is said to be in unclaimed territory. But that made it even more advantageous. Even though the Emperor possessed absolute power, he couldn’t completely ignore the nobles who held territories in various regions. If the mine’s location had been within someone’s territory, the amount the Emperor could claim would have been considerably reduced.

However, since it was unclaimed territory bordering only the empire, there was no need to worry about friction with neighboring countries or conflicts with nobles. And the imperial family’s finances would undoubtedly become even more solid.

“He says he won’t find any more mines if the mined magic stones aren’t used for the Tera Barrier… He’s too valuable to use once and discard. Don’t you think?”

“That is true, but a person whose loyalty is uncertain…”

“Either way, I had to take some measures for the Tera Barrier. As this fellow said, I can’t keep throwing my people to monsters forever.”

The Emperor pondered deeply. He had no intention of punishing the young mage Renil. On the contrary, he would reward him. Why would he punish someone who had rendered such service? His words were a bit presumptuous, but his loyalty to the empire seemed genuine.

‘He seems to have tried to maintain neutrality as much as possible and send only the facts, but Zieg himself seems to think highly of him in his own way…’

He doesn’t exaggerate merits or diminish faults. He simply writes things as they are. Duke Zieg’s reports have always been like that. But this report contained a slight personal touch. As the Emperor had a long-standing relationship with Zieg, he could discern that personal touch that others couldn’t see.

“Send a reply to Duke Zieg. Tell him to assess the exact size of the mine and report it. Also, promise that some of the magic stones from the magic stone mine will be used to defend the Tera Barrier. Finally, the family of Renil, who rendered meritorious service in discovering the mine…”

“He is the second son of Baron Dragnil, located in the southwest of the empire.”

“Hmm, promote Baron Dragnil’s title to Viscount and grant Viscount Dragnil ten percent of the mining volume for the next twenty years.”

“A most appropriate command. I will convey it to Duke Zieg and Viscount Dragnil without any omission.”

“Also, I would like to bestow a personal reward upon that fellow. Let’s see, what would be good?”

Baron’s Second Son – Episode 17 – End