Chapter 63

Duke's Magic Genius - Chapter 64 (63/324)

64

"I will complete the necessary preparations for building the magic tower. In addition, the White Magic Tower will provide full support to your new magic tower."

'The support of the White Magic Tower.'

The White Magic Tower.

It was the name of the magic tower established by the Duke's family.

Given that it was a top-tier magic tower, the support it offered would undoubtedly be sweet.

It would certainly be a great help in building my new magic tower.

However, I had something else in mind.

I smiled at the Duke.

"Your Grace, isn't there quite a bit of conflict with the Eastern Magic Guild?"

The empire had a total of four massive magic guilds.

East, West, South, and North.

These were the four magic guilds.

Among them, the Eastern and Northern magic guilds could be considered very poor-quality organizations.

'These two places are where the villains are most active.'

The eastern and northern regions of the Alton Empire.

Including the central region where the capital is located.

Compared to the western and southern regions, these areas saw more activity from the villains.

The Eastern Magic Guild.

This was also one of the main stages for the villains.

'It was Houdini, Duke of Caelon.'

Houdini Caelon.

The head of the Caelon Duke's family, the chairman of the Eastern Magic Guild, and one of the five Great Mages on the continent, who had also been one of the pawns corrupted by the power of evil.

With one of the five Great Mages on the continent having fallen to the power of darkness, it was no wonder the future was bleak.

Thinking of him, my brow furrowed.

A Great Mage who had obtained a great deal of evil power.

He was certainly not an easy opponent.

'I'd rather not confront him if I can help it.'

Unfortunately, that was not possible.

If I left him unchecked, the continent's collapse would accelerate even further.

The Millennium Barrier.

The name of the barrier that currently surrounds the central continent.

In the past, just before the ancient empire fell, this powerful barrier was activated to protect the central continent from the other continents.

The other four continents, located to the east, west, south, and north, were inhabited by beings who were very hostile to humans.

The Millennium Barrier was the last line of defense prepared by the ancient empire to guard against the worst-case scenario.

If it weren't for this barrier, the invasion would have begun immediately after the ancient empire's disappearance.

'Then this place would have been in ruins.'

The peace that this region has maintained so far can be attributed to this barrier.

One regrettable point is that the barrier is breaking down even though it is far from the thousand-year mark.

That is why this chaos has erupted.

Creatures are starting to cross the barrier.

'About two years left, I guess.'

The time remaining until the creature finds the barrier.

Even now, the barrier is weakening, and if it is tampered with further?

It will be completely beyond repair.

For my happy fantasy life, this Great Mage must be eliminated.

To do that.

'I should go to the east.'

The eastern region of the empire is where my base is located and is known for its abundant resources.

There are many honey spots, such as mana stone mines and dungeons.

After strengthening myself here, the first step would be to thoroughly clean up the east.

Therefore, the magic tower must be built in the east.

Other regions are too far from the east.

After building the magic tower, I plan to keep an eye on the creature.

This will delay the discovery of the barrier by even a single day.

So.

"Would it be alright to send me to the east? I will keep an eye on the Eastern Magic Guild. Of course, with your full support, Your Grace."

Under the full support of the Duke's family, keeping an eye on Duke Houdini is a much better option than building a magic tower in the west.

If I go to the west, it might seem good at first, but as time goes on, the geographical disadvantage will become a problem.

A month's journey by magic carriage.

That's not an option.

Teleportation gates are not a solution either.

The high-grade mana stones required for them are considered rare items even by the Duke's family.

It would take a long time to obtain them.

The Duke chuckled at my words.

"It's true that I don't have a good relationship with the Eastern Magic Guild. I do want to keep an eye on them, but it's not an easy task."

"Isn't the strained relationship with the Eastern Magic Guild due to Duke Houdini, who is the chairman there?"

"......Yes."

Duke Houdini and Duke Melaeos.

These two were famously on bad terms.

They were both magicians of similar age and skill, and they had been clashing over various issues.

In external competitions like magic tournaments.

'And in love, too.'

Elina, the current duchess.

They had also clashed over her.

The same went for their research fields.

In the game's story, whenever the two faced off, the Duke always won.

Rivals.

That's the best way to describe their relationship.

Duke Houdini.

In a way, he could be seen as a pitiful man.

Despite his grand title as a Great Mage, his life was marred by defeat, thanks to Duke Melaeos.

That's why?

The hatred he harbored towards the Duke was much greater than expected. His fall to the temptation of power was also due to this reason.

After receiving a great deal of evil power a few years ago, the Duke has been actively clashing with the Western Magic Guild while leading the Eastern Magic Guild.

"If Your Grace provides support, I will keep an eye on the Eastern Magic Guild and Duke Houdini."

My confident words made the Duke look at me with disbelief.

"You may have potential, but you're just a 1st Circle Mage, aren't you?"

"Of course, it's impossible right now. At best, I can only act as a scout, providing information on the eastern situation. However, if we look a bit further, it's entirely possible."

"Possible?"

"Yes. Pulling down the chairman of the Eastern Magic Guild and becoming the chairman myself to ally with the Western Magic Guild are all possibilities."

With the full support of the Duke's family, the time it would take to pull down the creature could be significantly reduced.

The power of the White Magic Tower is that great.

It's like taking a bus instead of walking.

The Duke laughed in disbelief at my words.

"How long are you talking about? From my perspective, it would take at least twenty years. Do you think it's reasonable to ask for full support for such an uncertain period?"

Twenty years.

That's very different from what I had in mind.

If I asked for support for twenty years, the likelihood of rejection would be very high.

Moreover.

In ten years, the continent will start to fall apart, and I have no intention of spending twenty years bickering with just Duke Houdini.

"It's not twenty years."

"Then, ten years?"

"No. Three years. It could be even shorter."

"......Three years?"

"Yes."

"Unbelievable."

The Duke looked at me with a cold gaze after I finished speaking.

"You are a talented magician, and your growth rate is very fast. I understand that you might feel confident. However, making promises without confidence is a different matter. Once you say something, it's not easy to take it back. Let's pretend I didn't hear that."

It seems he doesn't believe me easily.

That's understandable.

So far, I haven't shown enough to make him think I can even handle the underlings, let alone Duke Houdini.

Indeed, the Duke is not an easy opponent.

Although he has always been overshadowed by the Duke, in other words.

'He maintained the second position among the magicians of his era.'

That's why the Duke couldn't easily remove him. To persuade him, I need to show my talent to the Duke.

Showing is better than telling.

'2nd Circle Magic.'

If I show that, I can change the Duke's mind. It will show that my growth rate is far beyond that of an average magician.

If I can secure the full support of the White Magic Tower, revealing my current circle is not a loss.

After a moment of thought.

Without hesitation, I cast a spell.

"......"

The Duke, who had been tilting his head, slowly widened his eyes.

The emotion in his eyes was surprise.

"Could it be... you've achieved the 2nd Circle?"

"Yes."

"How long has it been since you overcame Hermes?"

"I've been learning magic faster than I thought. I seem to have some talent. With this, it's not an impossible story, is it?"

The Duke was silent for a moment after my words.

Then, after a long deliberation, he spoke.

"......So, you didn't say it lightly. However, even considering your growth rate, three years is a very short time. At best, you might reach the 4th Circle."

No.

I am determined to reach the 5th Circle within three years.

The vast knowledge I possess.

Using it, it's not an impossible goal.

6th Circle!

Before reaching the boundary where pure enlightenment is required.

'I can advance circles faster than anyone else.'

Over time, the range of my actions and the items I can obtain will gradually increase.

With the knowledge and talent I have.

I plan to advance circles at a speed no one has ever achieved.

The greatest magic genius in the history of the central continent!

That goal is now within reach.

I met the Duke's eyes.

"Yes, Your Grace is right. It would be difficult to drive the Duke out within that time. I admit I said it partly out of youthful enthusiasm. However... isn't three years enough to become a rising star in the Eastern Magic Guild?"

"A rising star......"

"Even if I reach that level, I can effectively keep an eye on the Duke. If we look at ten years instead of three...... wouldn't it be possible to drive him out?"

To make the Duke invest in me, I presented myself with the utmost enthusiasm.

Mentioning the ten-year period was part of that strategy. I have the knowledge in my head to believe I can take down the Duke in three years, but since the Duke doesn't know that, it's easier to extend the time frame.

"......"

The Duke closed his eyes at my words.

He is probably reflecting on my abnormal growth rate and the magic formulas I showed today.

The silence was not long.

"Alright. I'll take a chance on you. However, you must establish a foothold within three years. Even if you can't pull down Houdini, you must at least be able to hold him back."

"Of course."

"On the day you build your magic tower, the White Magic Tower will stand behind you."

The Duke took out a piece of paper after finishing his words.

It was a top-tier magic contract.

To prevent any backstabbing.

The Duke, who then looked at me, smiled and held out the contract.

"Then, let's draft the contract."

"Sure."

Thus, the Duke and I began to look at the magic contract.