Chapter 91

Chapter 90: The First Friend (Please Subscribe! Please Vote!)

—"Contract."

This is a power that only mages can wield.

Since mages need to chant and take time to prepare when casting spells, the contract was born.

Initially, the purpose of the contract was to allow mages to recruit guards under certain conditions, so that someone could protect them and block enemies while they prepared their spells.

Over time, as history evolved, the contract gradually developed into various forms, being used for constraints, agreements, or even enslavement.

Once the rules of a contract are established and take effect, they must be followed; otherwise, a punishment mechanism will be triggered.

For example, slaves, who have lost their human rights, are often bound by enslavement contracts cast by mages hired by slave traders. Once the contract is successful, the slave must unconditionally obey the master's orders; otherwise, the punishment mechanism will be triggered, leading to torture or even death.

The original owner's grandfather was a slave to a wealthy merchant in the countryside, who obeyed his master's every command. When he discovered that the original owner had extremely powerful innate magic, he immediately decided to offer the original owner to his master.

Fortunately, the original owner managed to escape; otherwise, if that ignorant wealthy merchant in the countryside had known about his talent, he would have found ways to exploit him, even binding him with an enslavement contract to make him a slave for life.

Compared to such inhumane enslavement contracts, the attendant contract is undoubtedly much more equal.

When a mage needs a guard or an attendant to protect them, they often propose the establishment of an attendant contract.

Unlike the tyrannical and inhumane enslavement contract, the attendant contract emphasizes equality. The mage proposing the contract must fulfill a wish of the contract's subject for the contract to be established.

Under this contract, the mage proposing the contract must do their best to fulfill the attendant's wish; otherwise, the contract will be invalid.

Conversely, if the mage fulfills the attendant's wish, the contract will take full effect, and the attendant must protect the master with all their might, or the contract's punishment mechanism will be triggered.

For this reason, the attendant contract is the most commonly used contract method for mages who need to recruit guards.

Many powerful mages have many attendants who have signed attendant contracts with them to protect themselves and ensure their safety.

Especially for nobles, who are not lacking in money or power, they usually have the ability to fulfill many people's wishes and can attract many attendants.

As a marquess of the Ginass Kingdom, a strategic mage, and the chief court mage, Yulie naturally has many attendants, each of whom is very capable.

Marylin was the first attendant Yulie recruited, having served Yulie for a long time and being deeply trusted by her.

Now, the two female knights Yulie sent with Marylin are also attendants who have signed contracts with Yulie.

Rig gave them a brief look.

Whether it was Ein or Ian, they both seemed to be in their early twenties, in their prime.

Ein appeared to be the older one, with a mature appearance, sharp and resolute eyes, and long purple hair tied into a side ponytail hanging over her shoulder. She wore a large sword at her waist, giving her a reliable impression.

Ian looked younger than Ein but was still a few years older than Rig, Yulie, and Marylin. Though not as mature as Ein, she had a more slender figure. Her face was serious, and her long dark blue hair was braided into a braid hanging in front of her, making her seem equally reliable.

The two wore different weapons, one a large sword and the other a slender sword, but both had a strong presence and were very attractive, giving a reliable first impression.

"Miss."

The two female knights, wearing minimal armor, bowed to Yulie, showing great respect and reverence.

"Ein, Ian." Yulie nodded at the two attendants and said, "I have a task for you."

The two female knights stepped forward in unison.

"Please give your orders."

Ein lowered her head, waiting for the command.

"Whenever Miss needs it."

Ian spoke formally.

"Do you recognize this person?" Yulie pointed to Rig and said, "I need you to protect him and bring him back safely from outside."

Hearing this, Ein and Ian looked at Rig.

Rig nodded at them.

The two female knights exchanged glances and then looked at Yulie.

"Yes!"

Without asking for reasons or objecting, the two women accepted the task without hesitation.

Yulie then looked back at Rig and said, "Ein and Ian have been my attendants for a long time. They are very capable and rank among the top five of all my attendants. With them protecting you, your journey should be much safer."

"Alright." Rig had no choice but to accept Yulie's arrangement and said, "I will take them with me."

"That's good." Yulie smiled and then said seriously to Rig, "Be careful with everything. If you encounter any danger that is difficult to handle, retreat. Don't act rashly or impulsively, understand?"

Yulie's instructions, though somewhat nagging, clearly conveyed her concern.

"Don't worry." Rig smiled faintly and said, "I know my limits."

With that, Rig turned and left Yulie's office.

"Go."

Yulie also urged Ein and Ian, who bowed and followed Rig out.

After the sound of their footsteps gradually faded away, Marylin spoke.

"Is it alright, Miss?"

Marylin asked in a low voice.

"Ein and Ian should be able to ensure his safety." Yulie, still looking at the door, said, "He's right; we can't keep him locked up here forever."

"He's quite fearless, isn't he?" Marylin's tone was unkind, even harsh, as she said, "I heard he used to be a country boy, uneducated and spending his days in revelry, being led around by a group of young nobles. But looking at him now, it's hard to imagine he was ever like that."

"At first, I was also surprised," Yulie smiled and said, "I thought he was just pretending to be calm, but now it seems this might be his true nature."

At this point, Yulie couldn't help but recall the first time she met Rig.

At that time, Rig was lying in a pool of blood, barely alive.

When Yulie arrived and scared off the attackers, she saw a strong sense of vigilance and hostility in Rig's eyes.

Thinking back to Rig's eyes at that moment, Yulie had to admit that the initial reason for their relationship was this.

From those eyes, Yulie saw a caged wild beast, a fierce tiger that had lost its freedom and was venting its anger at everything around it.

At that moment, Yulie felt a sense of resonance.

That's why she brought Rig back.

That's why she became interested in Rig, personally visited him, and gradually considered him an important friend.

"A friend, huh?"

Muttering to herself, Yulie's eyes turned cold.

"He's my first friend; I can't let the rats in the sewers harm him."

At the same time, outside the manor's gate.

"Thank you both."

Rig looked at Ein and Ian, who had followed him out, and thanked them.

"No need." Ein said calmly, "This is Miss's order; we are just following it."

"Yes," Ian added, "We will do our best to fulfill any order from Miss."

"Even so, I still appreciate your help," Rig said calmly, "This trip might be dangerous. If we encounter any serious trouble, you don't need to worry about me."

Leaving these words, Rig didn't give the two female knights a chance to respond and turned to leave again.

"What does he mean?"

Ian frowned.

"..."

Ein didn't speak, just looking at Rig's back with a meaningful gaze.

Though they had different thoughts, they followed Rig without hesitation.

Despite not understanding Rig's words, their duties remained unchanged.

The capital of the Ginass Kingdom is a large city called "Yeluv."

This city is very prosperous, with most buildings being grand houses like chalk castles, giving a majestic impression and making one feel as if they had entered a medieval magical kingdom.

The people living in Yeluv are mostly wealthy and noble, making the city more splendid and bright than other cities.

After all, it is the capital of the kingdom, and those who can live here have some capital.

Of course, the city is also home to many nobles.

Since the royal palace is located in the center of the city, nobles frequently visit, including court nobles serving the king, land nobles with territories, and even honorary and local nobles, making the city a mix of various people.

In such a situation, Rig, after leaving the Franzel manor, arrived at a square in Yeluv.

In front of the fountain in this square, a group of young nobles had gathered.

"Rig! Over here!"

Someone called out to Rig.

Rig immediately looked up.

The next moment, Rig saw the group of young nobles from his memories.

They were dressed formally, with carriages parked nearby and guards around them, making quite a scene.

The leader of the group, who had sharp eyes, immediately spotted Rig and waved at him.

It was Arquil Rein.

First update: 11:00 AM

Second update: 4:00 PM

Third update: 9:00 PM

The regular update schedule will follow this timetable, with possible delays.

If there are any changes, I will inform you.

I hope everyone will continue to support me.

(＾Ｕ＾)ノ~ＹＯ

(End of Chapter)