Chapter 65

Duke's Magic Genius - Chapter 66 (65/324)

66

After the contract was completed.

"Let's get along well from now on."

With a rather satisfied smile, the duke extended his hand. I also smiled and bowed, shaking his hand politely.

This contract could be considered a great success.

'Two hundred platinum coins per month.'

The reason I could sign the contract without hesitation.

It was because of the clause that within this amount, I could receive items I wanted or their equivalent in kind.

The White Tower.

As a magic tower of the highest grade, it naturally possessed an incredible array of magical items.

From countless artifacts to all kinds of magical materials, they were piled up like mountains.

These were not things that could be easily obtained just with money.

The higher the grade, the more one had to search through various magic towers or participate in the biannual magic tower auctions held by the empire to secure them.

But with this clause?

There was no need for such troublesome tasks.

Within the two hundred billion, I could simply pick what I wanted.

'So I can easily obtain the items I desire.'

Three years.

The amount they had to pay me during this time, calculated in Korean terms, would be a staggering 72 billion.

This was a considerable sum even for the duke's family.

That's why they included the clause about in-kind payments.

'Well, I don't really plan to receive cash unless absolutely necessary.'

I intended to receive the rest entirely in magical items.

After leaving the office.

I entered my room with Leonhardt.

"Did everything go well?"

The curiosity in his eyes was evident as he asked.

Indeed.

Given that he had just had a one-on-one meeting with a duke, it was quite natural for him to be curious about what was discussed.

"Yeah, more or less. We agreed that I would receive various supports when building the magic tower."

"I see."

After a moment of contemplation, he quietly said:

"Then, does it mean that leaving the family is a foregone conclusion?"

"Probably."

Upon hearing my answer, his eyes showed a mix of emotions.

A look of deep contemplation.

I had a rough idea why he was showing such an expression.

"Are you perhaps struggling with the decision between the family and me?"

"...A little, yes."

Kail Seltairon.

I had been living in this rascal's body for over two months.

During that time.

I had shown a significantly different side to the people around me.

Astonishing magical talent.

Unrestrained actions.

And a clear vision of the path I intended to take, including the modification of the Storm Sword.

He must have clearly anticipated that a bright future lay ahead of me.

That's why his affection had risen to the mid-70s.

If it were the original Kail, he would have chosen the family without hesitation.

'But now, it's different.'

He must be deeply contemplating whether to follow me.

I glanced at him and asked:

"By the way, you've been with the duke's family for twelve years, right?"

"...You knew?"

"Roughly. You passed the squire exam back then, and you even topped it."

At my words, his eyes became distant.

Leonhardt.

His father was an ordinary knight.

After learning swordsmanship under a minor noble, he took the family's squire exam at the age of eleven.

There, he demonstrated overwhelming talent, surpassing the average thirteen-year-old knight candidates and passed the exam as the top student.

The talent he showed back then.

'Because of that, the duke personally taught him swordsmanship.'

A great teacher.

Ample support from the family.

And finally, his astonishing talent.

These three elements combined, allowing him to achieve a high level at the young age of twenty-three.

He must have thought he would spend his life in service to the family that had given him so much.

Now, it was time to change that mindset.

"I'll probably leave the family after the succession ceremony."

"Have you decided where you will build the magic tower?"

"Not too far away, if possible. We need to maintain communication."

"Understood."

Leonhardt.

He is a talent that must be secured.

While I have no intention of letting him go, I don't plan to beg for his loyalty and tarnish my image.

People, after all, are influenced by appearances.

"I have a rough idea of what you're struggling with. Even if you don't choose me, I won't hold it against you. I don't intend to force loyalty."

"..."

"Isn't that true? You've been working under me for almost six years, and I've only shown my changed self for about two months. It's not fair to ask you to abandon everything and work for me in such a situation."

At this, Leonhardt gave a bitter smile.

"...I'm not sure how much more you will change."

That's understandable.

If I were the original Kail.

He would have immediately started cursing, not even recalling his past actions.

Calling me a traitor or something.

'That would be the most foolish thing to do.'

Isn't there a fable in Aesop's collection that tells a similar story?

The north wind tried to blow off a traveler's coat but failed.

'But the sun sent warm rays, and the traveler took off his coat on his own.'

Loyalty is similar in that it can be influenced in a similar way.

If you try to force someone with a cold and strict attitude, they will naturally resist.

But if you warm their heart with a gentle and kind approach?

People tend to act on their own.

Of course, in the worst-case scenario, if he really decides not to follow me.

'I'll have to use some means to bring him along, but I don't know what yet.'

Anyway.

Until then, I plan to try to win his heart as gently as possible.

"I don't intend to force loyalty. What I want is voluntary action, not forced loyalty. There's one thing I want to say."

Looking into his eyes, I continued firmly.

"Even if you leave the family to follow me, it doesn't mean you're betraying the main family."

"..."

"I plan to continue helping each other even after my older brother becomes the next head of the family. The modification of the Storm Sword is also part of this plan."

At this, Leonhardt nodded quietly.

"Anyway, since there's still some time left, take your time to think about it. It would be great if you continue to guard me, but I won't stop you if you don't want to."

"...Thank you."

Thank you for what?

It's only natural to have some time to think.

In the end, his fate is to work under me.

In the worst case, I would just ask Abel or the duke to assign him to me.

Sending me alone to build a magic tower would be too risky, so they wouldn't refuse.

Duke Houdini.

To deal with him, I need a knight of the same caliber as my bodyguard.

If Abel or the duke refuses,

'I can offer the Storm Sword in exchange.'

They wouldn't refuse that.

The value of that sword technique is far greater than that of a high-level knight like Leonhardt.

"Shall we go enjoy the banquet? You can have a drink too."

"I'm fine."

Tsk.

He's only twenty-three.

His actions are those of a hermit meditating on a mountain. His strictness is what makes him indispensable, though.

Soon, Leonhardt and I arrived at the banquet hall.

The two brilliant insignias on my chest immediately drew the attention of the mages.

It was only natural.

Practical and theoretical.

Among the mages gathered in the hall, nine out of ten were mages.

"Are you here?"

Heltin approached me.

He poured a glass of wine and looked at me.

"I heard the gist of it from your father. It seems you made a rather interesting deal."

"Is that a compliment?"

At this, Heltin chuckled.

"More or less. I thought you were just a reckless kid, but you seem to have some backbone."

"Thank you."

"Actually, growing under the protection of the White Tower in the western region would have been a much easier path for you."

After a moment, Heltin nodded, as if he had sensed something.

"But your decision to confront Duke Houdini in the eastern region... there must be a reason for it."

"Is that what you think?"

"Before seeing you in person, I thought you might have made that choice on a whim. But looking into your eyes, I don't think that's the case. Let's have a drink first."

So, Heltin and I raised our glasses of wine.

The wine was slightly sweet with a bitter aftertaste.

After the tingling sensation on my tongue, a fragrant aroma spread.

It was clearly an expensive drink.

"Kail."

"Yes."

"Do you know that a teleportation gate can be installed in a magic tower?"

"Yes. I heard that it can be installed once the tower reaches a certain grade."

"Right. Until then, I or your father will probably have to visit you directly. It's easier to maintain secrecy that way rather than you visiting the duke's family."

Hmm.

This is a bit unexpected.

"Directly by the duke or Heltin?"

"Yes. If the magic you deliver monthly has the same power as what was shown in the main tournament... it would be worth the effort. So, where do you plan to build your magic tower?"

"Frankly, I haven't decided yet."

"I see. So you don't plan to build it in Trasden?"

"Probably not."

Trasden territory.

It is my base, but I don't plan to build a magic tower here.

The reason is simple.

There are already two well-established magic towers here.

'And the mana stone mines, which are prime spots, have already been mined out.'

To put it simply.

It's a fully developed area with local forces, making it difficult for my new magic tower to grow quickly.

It's not impossible to build it here and receive strong support from the family to push out the existing two magic towers.

'But that would cause a huge uproar.'

The Eastern Magic Tower Association.

They wouldn't just stand by and let that happen.

The association was formed by many mages to prevent such occurrences.

Lack of cooperation.

No blood, no tears.

All sorts of negative comments would arise.

My future plan is to build a reputation in the east and gather forces to oppose Duke Houdini.

If such negative public opinion takes root from the beginning, it would naturally slow down my growth.

So, building a magic tower in my base is half abandoned.

'Which of the five should I choose?'

I have five locations in mind for building my magic tower. They are relatively close to the main family and are rich in natural and other resources.

Finally, they are underdeveloped areas without established local forces.

If nothing special happens, I plan to choose one of these five candidates.

Meanwhile.

"His Grace, Duke Melios, has entered!"

A loud announcement echoed through the banquet hall.

The duke had entered.

As soon as he entered, he looked at the mages and smiled.

"Practical and theoretical. The winners in both fields, please come forward. We need to exchange greetings, don't we?"

As soon as he finished speaking, several mages began to move toward the podium.

Of course, I was no exception.

I was the winner in the theoretical field.