The Story Of The Second Son Of The Baron Family [EN]: Chapter 26

Baron’s Family Second Son – Episode 26

I’m nervous. It wasn’t my first time standing before so many people, but if I wasn’t nervous at this moment, it would mean one of two things: either my liver was swollen to an unimaginable size, or I was blind and deaf. Otherwise, I would have known who was directing those hostile gazes at me.

Moreover, the gazes directed at me were quite hostile. Who would look kindly upon someone trying to take their assets? It was a necessary measure for everyone, yet I was receiving such treatment. If I served on the Terra Barrier [a frontline defense against monsters] for about a year, they would rather choose to provide more support.

“Raise your head.”

The training ground for the demonstration was incredibly vast. Well, the number of standing troops defending the capital wasn’t much different from the number of soldiers at the Terra Barrier, so it was to be expected. The emperor and nobles were seated as if at a military parade, surrounded by layers of knights guarding them. It was quite a spectacle.

“The three days you requested have passed. I heard you were fully prepared, but it doesn’t look much different from a regular ballista [a large, crossbow-like siege weapon].”

“I assure you, you won’t be disappointed.”

The nobles’ faces were filled with deep disappointment, yet also relief. They had expected a new weapon, but seeing no significant changes from the ballista, an outdated siege weapon, they felt reassured that its power would be insignificant, and they wouldn’t have to give up their magic stones. However, the mages on one side were carefully observing the ballista.

Magic was several steps ahead of science in this era. Magic could easily reproduce phenomena that science couldn’t explain, so judging solely by appearance would be foolish.

[······]

An ogre was dragged into the training ground in silence. It was the result of a request to Count Winchester. It was probably an ogre that had been captured for experiments by the Magic Tower.

It would have been difficult to capture a monster like an ogre in this area within two days. The knights in charge of guarding became more tense at the sight of the ogre being dragged in, but it was an unnecessary worry. The mages of the Magic Tower weren’t so careless as to cause problems at such an important moment.

“Viscount, prepare the soldiers.”

“Understood.”

The soldiers who had come with me from the Terra Barrier diligently aimed the ballista at the ogre. Despite the sharp spearhead pointing at it, the ogre maintained its silence without the slightest movement, likely due to the mage maintaining the magic.

‘Certainly, it’s not comparable to the monsters of the Terra Barrier.’

Even though it was the same ogre, its size was different from the ogres seen at the Terra Barrier. In this area, even a monster like an ogre would be considered a top predator, but in the land of monsters, there were countless monsters that considered ogres as prey, so they chose to increase their size to become even stronger. It wasn’t just a difference in size, so the outcome of the demonstration was obvious without even seeing it.

“Is that ogre definitely alive?”

“Of course.”

“Then release the magic and show His Majesty the Emperor and the nobles that the ogre is still alive. Its limbs are firmly secured, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”

“Understood.”

After reporting everything to the Emperor and following the procedures step by step, the ogre awoke. The ogre, awakened from its deep sleep, roared and rampaged, but due to the restraints attached to its limbs and body, it could only waste its energy pointlessly roaring, unable to do anything else.

“We will now begin the demonstration.”

#

The demonstration was a success. The first target, the ogre, had its life cut short with a single shot as expected. However, with the Emperor and high-ranking nobles as the audience, the demonstration couldn’t end with just one shot. After sending two more prepared ogres to their demise in succession, there were no more monsters prepared, but it wasn’t difficult to continue the demonstration.

Perhaps surprised by the unexpected power, from then on, it was possible to conduct the demonstration against the elders’ defensive magic. There was some trickery in the middle, but I was also able to finish the demonstration smoothly by adding some trickery to the wooden spear. However, for the nobles who didn’t know much about magic, the first scene of cutting off the ogre’s breath with a single shot seemed to be the most impressive.

“May I take a look?”

“It would be an honor for the mages who participated in the production for the Tower Lord to examine it directly.”

The Tower Lord, also intrigued, came to examine the Scorpion [the ballista] himself. And after a while, I couldn’t help but be surprised by the words that came out of the Tower Lord’s mouth.

“It’s different from existing magic.”

“Yes. The mages of the Barrier put their heads together to improve the existing magic.”

“······No, not that. Even if you improve the magic that grants the lightning attribute, it’s not that surprising. It’s just a difference between a white horse and a black horse [a minor difference]. The part that I said was different is this. The system itself is completely different from the magic I know.”

Quite a few mages had noticed the existence of the imprint. If they hadn’t noticed that a large amount of magic power was being consumed, they wouldn’t deserve the title of mage. However, it was the first time someone had recognized at a glance that it was different from existing magic. Until now, when I said it was a personal research achievement, they dismissed it as a slightly different kind of magic.

“Who is it? Who came up with this? In the Terra Barrier······Wonder? No. That old man’s head is too stiff to find a new path like this. Then who is it? Is it you? Are you the pioneer who has opened up this path?”

Before I knew it, the Tower Lord’s face was so close that I could feel his breath. As I was making eye contact with the Tower Lord, not just anyone, it was as if the 1m around me had become a different space, and I couldn’t hear any sound.

‘Could the Tower Lord uncover the secret of the imprint?’

Even now, the imprint was an unknown area to me. It was an ability that I had obtained by luck and was using without knowing the principle, and it was an ability that I couldn’t complain about even if it disappeared at any time.

Even now, I was using it by following the sensation I felt in my dreams, and if I didn’t use it for about a year, I might not be able to use the imprint again. Even though I explained the sensation I felt at the time to the best of my ability to people other than myself, not a single successful person appeared.

I had been conducting research on my own, but I couldn’t even see a clue. However, could the Tower Lord, who is said to be the best mage in the world, uncover the secret of the imprint?

“······It’s a personal research achievement.”

“Research achievement? Bring me the research data right away.”

“I can’t do that.”

But what about it? I don’t know if the Tower Lord can uncover the secret of the imprint, but one thing is certain: it’s not in my interest for him to uncover the secret. I had to be the one to uncover the secret. If the Tower Lord said that I would die if he didn’t tell me about the imprint, I would consider it, but that’s not the case.

“You can’t do that? Do you know who you’re saying that in front of?”

“As a mage, how could I not know the face of the Tower Lord? However, even the Tower Lord cannot steal the achievements of an individual mage. Are you going to break the unwritten rule?”

Even if he was the Tower Lord, he couldn’t break the unwritten rule. Just the fact that he tried would mean that he would have to step down from the position of Tower Lord, and in severe cases, he could even be exiled. The unwritten rule that had been passed down for so long was the morality and law that all mages had to abide by.

“I’ll take you as my disciple. I’ll also help you get out of the Terra Barrier. I’ve heard about you. You’re not even twenty yet, but you’ve created four circles [a measure of magical power]? If you become my disciple, you can become an elder at the youngest age. If your abilities are sufficient, you may even succeed me. Isn’t this enough in exchange for bringing me your research results?”

It’s an offer that would make the average mage’s jaw drop. The offer to accept him as a disciple and the offer to get him out of the Terra Barrier. But these are offers that I have already rejected once.

For me, who is still lacking in the 4th circle, it was difficult to see a big difference between the teachings of the Tower Lord and the teachings of Wonder, and if I only wanted to get out of the Terra Barrier, I wouldn’t have said such a thing in front of Duke Zieg.

“Thank you for giving me such a generous offer. But I still cannot accept your offer.”

The Tower Lord stared at me for a while without saying a word. I also met his gaze without looking away, and after a while, the Tower Lord turned away first.

“You’re an arrogant fellow. I’ve never said that I would accept someone as a disciple, but you refuse without hesitation. Then, I’ll make one more offer.”

“Please speak.”

“I will provide the Terra Barrier with as many magic stones as the Magic Tower has. Instead, I’ll take that ballista. You should be able to accept this offer.”

What did the Tower Lord see from the imprint that he would make such an offer? Anyway, it wasn’t a bad offer. Support would come anyway since I showed the power of the Scorpion, but it would be good if the Magic Tower actively responded. It wouldn’t be bad. Besides, I had an inexplicable feeling. Even if the Tower Lord started researching in earnest, I had an unknown feeling that he wouldn’t be able to easily uncover the secret.

“I would be grateful if you would do that.”

“The previous offer will be valid until I catch up with your research. If you ever feel like accepting my offer, tell me anytime.”

#

Immediately after the demonstration, I was suffering from endless waiting. However, the good thing was that I heard from Count Winchester that the meeting was going well and that support was half confirmed.

Meanwhile, quite a few guests came to me. Almost all of them were aides of the nobles who attended the demonstration, and they came to offer me to become their vassal. After sending them back with appropriate excuses, this time, an unfamiliar face came to me.

“The Young Lady has invited the Young Master once again. I hope you will not refuse this time?”

“······Lead the way. At this point, I’m curious as to why she wants to see me.”

Following the knight, it wasn’t long before the Duke Zieg’s mansion came into view. Despite being in the capital, not the family’s territory, it was larger than my hometown mansion.

“Miss, I’ve brought the guest as you requested.”

“Come in.”

The door opened.

Baron’s Family Second Son – Episode 26 – End