Offer a Tribute and Become an Archmage - Chapter 145



Only Noblemtl

Episode 145.

“You follow me.”

“Huh!? Me? Why?”

Ronobe, who had asked back without realizing it, covered his mouth. No matter how surprised he was, he was a count. He had to be treated with the courtesy of a nobleman. This was especially true for Count Enheid, who was known for his strict inflexibility.

“I’m sorry… I was so surprised…”

The count looked down at the bowed Ronobe and slightly shook his head.

“It doesn’t have to be right now, but come north within a year.”

Ronob asked hurriedly at the Count’s attitude of trying to finish the story.

“Hey, may I ask why?”

If the North falls, it’s not even a stone’s throw away, and it would take at least a month to get there.

The North is called the North for nothing.

The territory of Gradas is located to the east of the royal palace. From here, it takes at least a month to travel to the north by carriage. No, considering the various things that need to be done, it would definitely take three months. You can’t just ride a carriage without eating or sleeping!

‘Because the land is so wide…’

It would be different if he turned into a crow and flew away, but he couldn’t fly to the North alone without anyone.

‘No, it doesn’t matter.’

Anyway, going to the North is that difficult.

So at least you should know the reason.

“Needed in the North.”

This is another truncated statement.

‘You’re just like my father.’

The talking toga is similar to Venom.

When he was hungry, he had a very similar way of speaking to Venom, who would slap him if he talked too much. If he were to explain himself here, he might upset the Count. The feeling of being slapped in his ear as a child is hitting him all over his body.

‘I have a feeling that if I ask any more, I’ll get screwed.’

We have to do some reasoning.

Needed in the North.

What do you need?

‘You need me. Why? Because of the orcs? To use me in the war?’

However, Ronobe is a magician from the territory of Gradas. It is not a position where you can just take him away like that.

‘If you have the status of a count, you might be able to do it. I’ll give you money, so borrow me for a bit!’

If you force her like that, Elysia will definitely not be able to say anything.

‘The reason you take me…’

Two things come to mind.

One is magic. Most likely because it deals with Anna’s magic.

‘Because it snows in the north.’

It’s cold all year round.

Ronobe, who deals with coolness, is relatively resistant to cold. In the past, it may have been possible, but now he has the power to block the cold by casting magic.

‘Another one…’

Perhaps it is because of the priest’s maple tree made in the Allobato estate.

‘The North is a battlefield.’

The casualties are plentiful. If the priest’s maple tree were to exist there, it would certainly be of great help to the North.

‘hmm…’

Ultimately, the Count needs Ronnobe.

He wants to use his power.

then?

‘There’s no need for me to be scared.’

The turtle’s curled neck straightens.

In the end, the one who feels sorry is the Count. Looking at the situation, it seems like he’s trying to coerce them into using him for free…

‘No way.’

She has a pretty face and is a very strong person, but because of the recent incident, Ronobe’s favorability towards her has decreased significantly. No matter how pretty she is, if her actions are half-baked, she will fall to a certain level.

“How much have you researched?”

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

The corners of Ronobe’s mouth twitched.

“…”

The count looked down at Ronobe with an expressionless face, but it wasn’t a very good look. But whatever.

‘Either you fill your stomach or something!’

In the end, the one who feels sorry is the count.

Whatever it is, he’s clearly someone who needs Ronobe.

“I am sorry to say this, but I am a magician from the territory of Gradas. As you know, Gradas is still suffering from the wounds of war. It needs the power of a magician. I came to the territory of Alobato only to see my master’s legacy, and I had no intention of staying here for long.”

That means there’s no reason to go north.

The count looked at Ronobé quietly as if telling him to try more. His throat was parched.

How much time has passed?

At that moment, cold sweat formed on the tip of my chin.

Suddenly the count took off his clothes.

“…?”

Take off your cloak and your light armor.

I took off all my underwear.

“Wow, whoa! G, you’re suddenly using this kind of beauty trick! Oh, oh!”

Ronobe covered his eyes with both hands. But the space between his fingers was quite large. It was worse than not covering them at all.

“Oh…?”

It’s a more muscular and refreshing body than you’d think. The firm abs and plump chest are quite well-balanced.

The woman’s voluptuousness was a little less, but the elasticity of her body alone seemed very great. It was a wonderful body rather than a lewd body. It gave off a strong impression of a classic knight’s body. Ronobe, who was sneaking a peek, felt a little admiration and a surge of questions.

‘But why did you take it off?’

The question was quickly resolved.

“Raise your head.”

Because it was the count’s order.

“T, this is… I’m married…”

While saying that, Ronobe’s eyes quickly scanned the entire place. The black knight, of which there were only two in the kingdom. And the naked body of the Count who protected the North. It would be a lie to say that he was not interested as a man. The naked body of such a strong woman! However, his interest soon cooled down.

The reason was simple.

“How are you alive?”

Ronobé’s comment after seeing the Count’s body was quite natural.

A huge scar running diagonally from shoulder to pelvis. No, not a scar. It was a wound that hadn’t healed yet. It was just a large, frozen wound.

‘That’s why…’

I understood what Jonterion meant when he said he was neither dead nor alive.

Count Enhyde.

She was a corpse herself, still unable to recover from the wounds of war. Despite her wounds from which she had not recovered, there was only one thing she could do.

‘Tula.’

It must be because of the chivalry she harbors.

“This is a wound that should have killed him. This wound was left by the great warrior of the North, Krukka. It is a medal of honor for battle.”

But this wound was one that would never heal. It was a wound that should have caused death, but was fixed with her power.

“Can I touch it?”

“… I permit it.”

It’s hard. It’s like touching a corpse rather than a living person.

“My chest isn’t hurt. Why are you touching it there?”

“Oops! Sorry…”

It was sticking out, so I touched it without realizing it. The count narrowed his eyes and continued talking about the wound.

“… When I allowed this attack, I died. And the chivalry within me awakened. Inside my body were the snow-capped mountains of the North. They froze the wounds and created severed arms, leading the battlefield to victory.”

But the wound did not heal.

“What about potions? The potions in the North are said to be excellent…”

“I’m basically frozen. I haven’t eaten in a long time. Even if I do, I’ll just freeze and throw up.”

“!!”

The war in the North was at least seven years ago.

If that’s the case, then she’s still alive even though she hasn’t eaten or drank anything for 7 years.

“that…”

Making the absurd possible.

The Count’s body was a miracle in itself.

“Some people used to envy me. But as time goes by, I feel it.”

That I was dying.

“My flesh and soul are for my family. I don’t care if they are used for the North. I don’t care if I don’t have children. The North will raise great warriors even if it’s not me.”

“Then why…”

“You ask the obvious. It’s because I want to live. I have to live long to protect the North.”

“ah…”

No one wants to die.

Of course, he would want to use himself to survive.

“I had high hopes for her. We handle the same ice.”

But Anna, of course, couldn’t do anything to the Count’s body. Maybe not now, but in the past, she probably couldn’t do it.

‘I guess I have a connection with the teacher.’

I didn’t like it anymore that she kept calling me that bitch, but it felt like there was some kind of friendship I didn’t know about.

It’s just a feeling.

“Then, Your Majesty…”

The reason why he told Ronobe about his physical condition that could not be helped by potions or Anna’s magic was completely natural.

‘The priest’s maple leaves.’

Because of the healing it creates.

“I don’t know what’s inside you. I don’t care what’s inside you. But if it can cure me, then it’s a different story.”

The Count said that just by being near this land, he felt his body slowly recovering little by little.

“Even Archmage Ashwald said that it was virtually impossible for frozen wounds to heal.”

“omg!”

But with Ronobe’s power, it is possible.

Neither the Count nor Ronobe know why.

“It must be a miracle that combines your power to manipulate the cold with something else. The reason doesn’t matter.”

The important thing is that the Count’s body, which had no chance of recovery, has begun to recover.

“A month. During the month you didn’t wake up, my body has recovered a little, though weakly. I can feel the nerves in the wounded areas that were frozen and couldn’t feel anything.”

It was a tiny recovery rate, like a truck, but it was important that recovery occurred.

It may be just that much a month, but it’s a different story when a year, five years, or ten years pass.

The count was looking very far into the distance.

“I would like to stay here, but the North needs me.”

So make one more in the north too.

That was the content.

“If there’s anything you want, I’ll give it to you.”

The Count was more worn out than Ronobe could have imagined. It was clear that whatever he wanted, the Count would give it to him.

Gulp.

The height of the Ronobe’s neck was drawn.

‘What do you want?’

A grimoire? A strange stone? Or a gold coin? It seemed like he would give it to a strong knight or soldier from the north if he asked for it. Seeing Ronobe’s already happy appearance, the count made the first offer.

“How about marrying me?”

“…?”

Ronobé’s thoughts stopped.

“If you don’t need anything right now, you can take whatever you need when you need it after you marry me.”

“No, but even so, getting married for that reason… I already have a wife.”

It doesn’t match at all when you talk nonsense with a calm expression.

“That doesn’t matter. Your wife is a knight, but she is a commoner without a family. There is no way that it will affect your marriage to me.”

“No, that’s a problem! It’s a problem that doesn’t necessarily require marriage! I love Benny!”

“If you marry me, it will be easy to protect Gradas. A powerless lord needs a lot to protect his territory.”

“!!”

It seems he hasn’t just been recuperating for the past month.

‘Doing background checks!!’

I didn’t just bring up the topic of marriage.

I thought about it in advance and took it out.

‘Are you in love with me?’

That might be the case.

Ronobe, who has shed her skin several times, is still a little short, but her face has changed quite a bit. I don’t like the fact that she is becoming more and more girlish, but her face has a promising future.

‘Is the greatest knight in the kingdom beneath me…?’

Ronobe pushed his butt back.

Age couldn’t be lied to. But that’s one thing, and this is another. Ronobe wasn’t crazy enough to readily accept a marriage with someone he didn’t like.

But it was the Count who proposed it himself. No matter how high or low the title may be, she is still a woman. It would be impolite to reject the offer on the spot.

“Marriage is a connection between families. It is not something I can think about alone. I need time to think about it.”

“One year. Bring me the answer within that time. I can’t wait any longer.”

It’s more spacious than I thought.

‘Well, it’s because the distance is far.’

Considering the generous distance, it’s like giving a grace period of about half a year. Besides, magicians and knights have long life spans. That’s probably why. In any case, it was beneficial to Ronobe.

He quickly retreated, glancing at the Count’s body as he took off his clothes.

*

That night.

Ronobe had a good night with Benny and called Yonterion.

“Yonterion.”

I had a lot to ask.

[Why are you calling me again?]

“First of all, thank you.”

Whatever he says, it is right to be deeply grateful to him. In any case, Anna could not be saved by Ronobe’s power. Although Yonterion easily dealt with her in a rage, it was because he was Yonterion. Even if Ronobe had died and come back to life three times, he would not have thought of solving it with a totem.

‘I never thought I’d be able to use a totem like that. I didn’t even know it was possible.’

I thought a totem was just a piece of wood carved like a jangseung. But that wasn’t the case. If you think about it, it’s obvious. A totem is a symbolic structure to begin with.

Now, it is not just a matter of using a stick, but you can also make various structures into totems to see the effects. Ronobe knows that the wisdom that has taught him this is priceless.

“But aren’t two grimoires too expensive? I’ve been seeing them for a long time!”

[Still shameless. Tsk tsk.]

Yonterion laughed.

It was because he knew that Ronobe wasn’t being sincere. Ronobe wasn’t really saying that either. It was just because he felt awkward saying thank you. It was his fate to be born a man.

Yonterion consumed Cloud’s soul by totemizing Anna’s Arcan, and at the same time received the two grimoires that Ronobe had as tribute.

A fallen flower petal and Loti’s glove. An invisible hand disappeared from the snake cage.

[It’s probably not just about expressing gratitude. It’s probably about a moderate amount of curiosity and something about the Count.]

I nodded in amazement at Yonterion’s insight in predicting things without him saying a word.

[But don’t ask me to teach you magic.]

“why!”

Moderate curiosity. That was what I was really curious about. The power of Yonterion, who made the Count kneel with a snap of his fingers, was truly astonishing. If that wasn’t magic, then what else could it be!

“How on earth did you do it! Please tell me! That’s real magic!”

But Yonterion’s face was serious.

[That’s not magic.]

“Saying that again…”

I’ve heard it before.

But this time, it won’t just pass.

If that’s not magic, then what is!

Yonterion sighed.

[You idiot. Do you know why magic is called a miracle?]

“Isn’t that because you’re creating something that can’t happen?”

Something that could not originally exist.

We call such things miracles.

Magic is definitely like that. It does what you can’t do. It lets you live when you’re on the edge of death. It lets you shout joy when you’re on the edge of despair. That’s what a miracle is.

[That’s right. That’s what a miracle is. But magicians try to dig into that miracle. They try to figure out the principle and explore it. But you shouldn’t do that.]

“Yes? In order to increase your magical achievements, you have to explore, right? In order to train… That’s what you have to do.”

Ronobe became stronger as he explored magic.

By conducting human experiments and understanding the principles of the phenomenon called magic, I was able to become stronger. But then suddenly, they told me not to explore. That was no different from telling me not to become stronger.

[You are a stone head. You make oil. Others may see it that way. But what about the truth you have grasped?]

“It’s about drawing up and controlling the potential oil in the ground. Why are you asking such an obvious question?”

[What seems obvious to you will seem to others like you are producing and handling oil. Isn’t that right?]

“What are you trying to say?”

Yontirion answered, looking at the distant mountains.

[This is a warning not to get lost in knowledge.]

“… But wouldn’t having knowledge allow you to use magic more freely?”

Ronobe felt that magic required a lot of knowledge. The more you knew, the more diverse the transformation and strengthening you could do when using magic. But don’t get caught up in knowledge. It seemed as if Yonterion was denying the very means by which Ronobe had become stronger. This incident was no different. If Ronobe had been wiser, he could have simply finished the matter by totemizing Anna’s Akan. But he couldn’t. Why? Because he lacked wisdom and knowledge.

Lacking and insufficient.

That was the current Ronobe. So he couldn’t admit it. Ronobe wanted to become smart. To protect those around him.

[When knowledge spreads, it becomes common sense. Common sense is dangerous. Do you think that dirt can become sand?]

“Well… if it breaks into small pieces, wouldn’t it become sand?”

I don’t know the details, but I thought it wouldn’t be difficult if a little magic was added.

[Then what about turning dirt into gold? Is that possible?]

“Isn’t that… impossible?”

[Why.]

“Yes? Why…”

“Since dirt is dirt. Dirt can gather to become stones or disperse to become sand, but it can never become iron or gold,” thought Ronobe, but then flinched.

‘It can’t be…’

Isn’t that the miracle you’ve been talking about all along? My head started to hurt.

[You can turn oil into fire. You’ve actually done that. Can’t you?]

“yes…”

[But you can’t turn water into fire. They are opposites. You might think that water, which is not oil, can become fire. Is that right?]

“… you’re right.”

Yonterion’s face turned cold.

[Is that really a miracle?]

A chill ran through my body.

Ronobe couldn’t say anything.

Any miracle is truly a miracle when it creates something out of nothing. Isn’t it true that turning water into fire and fire into water is a true miracle? That was Yontirion’s words.

[I’ve told you before. When you asked me to teach you magic. I told you this.]

It was a long time ago.

When Ronobe used magic on Yonterion, he sucked everything up with a single drop of water from his open mouth. At that time, Ronobe asked him for teachings, but he flatly refused.

“This isn’t magic…,” he said.

Yonterion nodded.

[When you are immersed in knowledge, what blooms at your fingertips is not a miracle, but only a technique.]

End