Chapter 69

Duke's Family's Magic Genius - Chapter 70 (69/324)

70

At my words, the Duke shook his head.

"We haven't found out yet."

"Were there no survivors?"

"They were quite stubborn. Apart from the five who entered your room, the others immediately took poison when the situation turned against them."

It seems they hired a fairly competent assassination group.

They must have taken the poison as soon as they felt it was impossible to succeed.

"Kyle."

"Yes."

"It seems the targets they were after were your subordinates. Do you have any idea why?"

Of course, I did.

Baron Lemington in Ferinus.

If it wasn't him, there would be no reason to target Seron and Ersiel instead of my life.

'By the way, Ferinus.'

Ferinus.

Upon reflection, this city could be considered quite suitable for building a magic tower.

Firstly, it was very close to Trasden.

Moreover, it was a city famous for entertainment, frequently visited by the nobles of the eastern region.

These people with high purchasing power would likely buy expensive artifacts from the magic tower if the quality was good.

It was a city perfect for selling luxury goods.

'And there were also mana stone mines nearby.'

The city also had a considerable number of natural resources in its vicinity. Despite being such a good city, the reason it wasn't chosen as a candidate was due to Baron Lemington, who was stationed here.

With the city's owner grinding his teeth, it would be impossible to build a magic tower here.

But now, things were different.

Baron Lemington.

This was a golden opportunity to capture him.

If he were to disappear, there would be no problem building a magic tower there.

So, I had to make him disappear.

"I have an idea."

"What is it?"

I then began to briefly explain the events that occurred in Ferinus, including the illegal arena and how I rescued Seron. The Duke nodded quietly as he listened to my story.

"So, you think Baron Lemington harbors a grudge against you?"

"That's right. Moreover, the assassins targeted Seron and Ersiel instead of me. Isn't that strange?"

"If what you say is true, the Baron must have known about the two of them."

"Yes. He likely interrogated the surviving gladiators and found out about the two. The only person who would target them directly is the Baron. Moreover—"

I glanced at the Duke and continued.

"There might have been an internal conspirator."

"A conspirator?"

"No matter how skilled the assassins were, the security wouldn't have been breached so easily without inside information."

"…Yes. I had my suspicions about that too."

Conspirator.

I had a rough idea of who it might be.

Someone close to Baron Lemington and who also deeply disliked me.

'Baron Hemington'

As far as I knew, there was only one person who fit that description. He was one of the nobles who frequently visited Ferinus and had a greedy appearance.

He likely maintained regular contact with the Baron. Until now, there was no reason for Baron Lemington to target me, but now, with a significant grudge built up, it made sense.

'He must have contacted the Baron.'

After learning that Kyle and I were moving towards Helena, he likely immediately commissioned this assassination.

Ersiel and Seron.

The Baron must have realized how much I cared for these two.

So, he must have planned to strike a blow through them.

Ferinus.

It seemed I needed to change the city's owner. If I could take over the fief, operating a magic tower would be much easier.

'Lord.'

Being a lord was certainly better than just being a magic tower master.

The Duke's words began to reach me.

"Even if the Baron is suspected, we can't accuse him without clear evidence."

That was a given.

Everything needed a plausible reason.

So, what if—

We provided a reason that left the Baron no room to deny.

"Father."

"What is it?"

"If we had clear evidence that the Baron was the culprit, what would you do?"

The Duke's eyes lit up at my words.

"If the evidence is solid, we would need to eliminate the Baron's forces. Isn't Ferinus a good city?"

Ferinus.

It was a small city among medium-sized ones, but it was one of the cities with substantial income. It was a city that tempted one to swallow it whole if there was a proper reason.

Isn't more money always better?

I glanced at the Duke and said,

"There is a way to find the evidence."

"How?"

"We can check the memories of the deceased assassins."

"How can you see the memories of a dead person?"

"There is an artifact that can do it."

The Duke's eyes showed doubt at my words.

"…Is there really such an artifact?"

Yes.

In this game, there were many diverse artifacts, some of which were only available to players. The one I mentioned was one of them.

How could I convincingly explain how I knew about this?

I didn't have to think long.

A good idea came to mind.

"I've seen the method of creation."

"…The method of creating such an artifact? Where?"

"Let me show you."

I pulled out a staff from my magic bag.

"An artifact."

"I obtained it from a dungeon."

"…A dungeon?"

"I visited the Neron Duke's family, remember? On the way there, I discovered a dungeon by chance."

The Duke laughed bitterly at my words.

"Did you hide it?"

"Yes. I thought it would be difficult to protect it with my own strength if it were made public. So, Leonhardt, Ersiel, and I explored it together. This is one of the things we obtained."

"No wonder the sword looked quite good."

"Are you talking about Leonhardt's sword?"

"Yes. I thought you had found it for him. I didn't think it came from a dungeon."

Indeed.

This was the first time I heard this story.

It seemed I had reported this to the Duke to keep the dungeon a secret.

What else could a true knight do?

"That's what he must have thought."

"Yes. Then, the method of creating the artifact you mentioned—"

"Yes. I found it in the dungeon. It was one of the contents written on the wall."

A dungeon.

No one knew what rewards would be given until they cleared it.

It was plausible that the method of creating a unique artifact was written on the wall.

The Duke nodded in understanding at the mention of the dungeon.

"Yes. It sounds like a very useful artifact. Can you definitely create it?"

"If I have enough materials."

"I'll provide them."

"Understood. Oh, Father."

"What is it?"

"If we find the evidence and eliminate the Baron's family—can I manage Ferinus?"

"…You?"

"Yes. I will need personnel to govern the place. I would like to take charge of it."

The Duke frowned slightly at my words.

He likely intended to send one of the heirs, Abel or Adolph, who didn't become the successor.

However, there was only one person capable of handling internal affairs. Adolph would likely die if the rebellion was successfully suppressed.

Abel had to govern Trasden.

'Duke, what can I say.'

He wasn't capable of governing a fief.

The only one left was me.

Of course, I could entrust it to vassals.

'But it's better to give it to me.'

Blood is thicker than water, after all.

So, I decided to persuade the Duke.

"Do you have a reason?"

"I plan to build a magic tower there."

"In Ferinus?"

"Yes. Upon reflection, it seems like a good place. If I manage the city, it will greatly benefit the magic tower I build."

In other words, a synergy effect.

The Duke looked at me intently.

"Kyle."

"Yes, Father."

"Even though it's a small city among medium-sized ones, governing a city is a very difficult task."

The difficulty depends on the person in charge.

I was brimming with confidence.

During the ten years I played this game, I had become a lord countless times.

"If you trust me, you won't regret it."

"You will have to send 15% of the city's revenue to the family. Even after deducting that amount, do you have the confidence to develop the city?"

"Yes, I do."

15%.

It was a significant amount, but it was fair considering the effort my family put into securing the city.

I was confident I could cover it.

'If I can drastically increase the city's income.'

City development plan.

With the knowledge I have, it's entirely possible to rapidly develop Ferinus.

If I can become a lord for such a small price, it would be a great deal.

"Even if you go there, it will be difficult to give you the official position of lord. It will be hard to persuade the royal family. For now, you will be a temporary governor."

That's likely true.

If it were Abel or Adolph, who have built a reputation, the royal family would immediately grant them the position. But I was different.

A 12-year-old, 1st Circle Mage, who just became a new magic tower master. Moreover, my behavior had only recently changed.

The royal family would laugh if I asked for the official position.

Of course, they wouldn't openly mock me in front of the Duke.

"Can't we set conditions? If you can rapidly develop the city within a certain period, we can ask for the official position."

"If you fail, a harsh person might become the lord instead of a family member. The royal family and other families won't let it slide. Do you think I should take that risk?"

"If that happens, I will spend the rest of my life serving the family."

Perhaps because of my firm tone,

"Indeed."

The Duke chuckled.

It was certainly a tempting condition.

The value of a mage like me.

He must have already had some idea.

Ferinus?

The value of the sword I modified was certainly not lower than that of a medium-sized city.

His hesitation didn't last long.

"Alright. If you create the artifact and find solid evidence, I will do as you ask."

Permission was granted.

"Thank you."

"Take the necessary materials from the magic warehouse."

"Yes. However, a considerable amount of materials is required. About two hundred platinum coins."

"Expensive."

"From what I saw on the wall, it seemed to be an artifact from the era of the ancient empire. That's why it requires expensive materials."

"…Alright. In exchange for the materials, you must find the evidence."

"Of course, Father."

Even if I took materials worth two hundred platinum coins, it would be a bargain if I could take over Ferinus.

So,

I planned to take quite a lot of materials.

Since the method of creating this artifact was only available to players, no one else knew how to make it.

The materials I take will be used for the artifact.

Isn't this the perfect time to take advantage?

As for the evidence,

Since the culprit is already clear, I was confident I could find it.

'The materials for an artifact that assists the mind…'

Thus, numerous materials began to be taken from the magic warehouse.

* * * * *

After taking the materials from the warehouse,

I immediately started creating the artifact to view the lion's memory.

Some artifacts were difficult to create, while others were quite easy. This one was the latter.

It was a one-time use item.

Naturally, the cost of the materials wasn't that high.

With the saved material costs, I had already taken the materials needed to create Seron's artifact.

This was nothing short of beautiful embezzlement.

After dedicating about four hours to artifact creation, I immediately went to see the Duke.

"I have created it. However, it's a one-time use item. We will likely need to view the memory of a high-level assassin."

"…Indeed. To view the memory of a dead person, two hundred platinum coins are spent?"

"Isn't it an artifact worth that much?"

"…Yes. Follow me."

The Duke opened a hidden door in his office and began to guide me.

It was clearly a secret space.

As we descended underground,

Five bodies, mutilated all over, came into view.

"That's him."

Among them, the Duke pointed to the body in the center.

An assassin wearing a necklace with a blue seal.

He must be the high-level assassin.

I immediately began to infuse mana into the artifact I had created. It was time to examine his memories.