Offer a Tribute and Become an Archmage - Chapter 201



Only Noblemtl

Offering Tribute to the Archmage Chapter 201

Boladizen [1]

Episode 201.

A little north of the royal capital.

Ronobe arrived in Boladigen and searched for his group. Boladigen was a city with a wide open plain, and it was also the baronial territory of Baron Boladigen.

“Did I come too soon?”

No matter how hard I searched, I couldn’t find the group.

I searched for a carriage with the Gradas emblem engraved on it, but I couldn’t find it no matter how hard I searched, so it seemed that Ronobe arrived earlier than the rest of the group.

As I was flying at high altitude while dazed, I must have passed the carriage.

“I don’t want to bother going back…”

The royal road and Boladigen were not as far apart as you might think, so it would only take a day or two to get there by carriage.

“I guess you’ll figure it out. Whatever.”

Didn’t go into the city.

Anyway, you’ll have to check your ID when you go in, so if you go in early, you won’t have an entry badge, so it could cause unnecessary trouble.

So he decided to sit near the castle gate and practice magic.

Of course, it was the golem magic that I had been putting off day after day. When I was with Ashwald, I had made snakes, but now I had made a doll that was closer to a human. I had made similar things when I was doing puppet shows, so it wasn’t that difficult.

Another difference is that it is more elaborate than before. It is carved intricately, just like a modern figure.

There is no particular reason.

Because Anna will be there.

I had a strong desire to recreate Anna’s refined and elegant atmosphere.

As I was delicately creating the frame like an old man carving a sculptural piece, weaving thin threads and dividing them into joints, the sun was already setting.

“Who’s there?”

“Hey! Who are you!”

Ronobe stood up, leaning on his cane, looking at the darkening sky. He was so focused that his buttocks were cramping and he had lost all feeling.

“Uh… who are you?”

At first glance, Ronobe’s appearance is luxurious, with clothes and designs. The fabric itself is worth dozens of gold coins. This is because it is clothes he received from Beatrice.

Plus a cane.

A well-made walking stick and an ivory walking stick with an unusual white finish.

Just looking at it, it seemed like he was throwing money around, but the guards guarding the area near the gate were not in a position to speak carelessly.

‘If it were in the old days, I would have been beaten, caught, and taken to prison.’

A lot has changed.

I am deeply moved.

‘I succeeded.’

He answered solemnly, feeling newly promoted.

“I am Baron Ronnove de Hopper.”

He spoke to the guards who were wielding torches. He even had a white lance on his lapel, symbolizing the White Wizard.

“Ship, White Wizard!”

“We are the Red Guards of Boladigen! It is an honor to meet you, Baron Hopper!”

The guards were startled and the one who appeared to be the captain of the guard bowed.

Since he wasn’t my direct superior, all I could do was bow my head and put my hand on my heart, but that was enough.

“I was waiting for my group. I lost track of time while practicing magic. I guess I made you uncomfortable.”

“Oh, no. How could that be? But…”

“I see what’s going on.”

“The area around Boladizen is dangerous. It wouldn’t be surprising if war broke out at any moment, so how about going inside the castle?”

It seems like the atmosphere among the lords isn’t very good.

Wars between lords were a common occurrence. No matter who was fighting whom, it had nothing to do with Gradas, so frankly, it was someone else’s business.

“Given the circumstances, it is difficult to refuse. By the way, if a carriage with the Gradas emblem comes, would you tell them that I am in the castle?”

“Of course.”

Ronobe followed them with dignity, leaning on his cane.

The gate opened and we waited for a moment, then a man dressed as a vassal of a nobleman rather than a guard came running out in a hurry.

“Meet Baron Hopper!”

“You?”

“I am Zenjar Boladizen. I am a vassal of Lord Boladizen. The Lord is pleased to welcome you. Although it is late, if you have not eaten, he would like to entertain you.”

“Youngju? I’m sorry, but I’ve never met Youngju before…”

This was my first time doing something like this, so I felt quite burdened.

“Boladissen is a place closely connected to the House of Hoheneire. Your lord knows that Baron Hopper has connections to the White Wizard of Hoheneire.”

“Hmm… It’s because of Director Modert.”

Jenjar smiled as if to say that was true.

It seems that Boladizen himself was a vassal of the Hoheneire family. Although the head of the Hoheneire family is not Modert, it is said that his reputation is greater than that of the head of the family.

So, the picky Modert treats Ronobe, who has caught his fancy, with great care.

It is also impolite to refuse a favor offered.

‘Let’s try getting something to eat first.’

Ronobe replied that he understood and entered.

Ronobe, who had boarded the carriage brought by Zenjar, looked at Boladizen through the window.

Boladizen was a city relatively close to the capital and had a lot of lively exchanges. Even though it was night, many buildings were still lit up and many stores were open late.

In particular, there were quite a few places where red lights flashed, and when Ronobe looked in that direction, Zenjar gave a light explanation.

“It’s a high-class window. Boladizen is famous for having many beautiful women.”

“I see.”

Zenjar skillfully signaled to his coachman to slow down his horse, and made him walk down the street of Changgwan, where he saw many women in slinky clothes, linking arms with men, in front of red lanterns.

“They are places where commoners go, so the quality is not that good. If you want, I can prepare a proper high-class prostitute for you.”

“… No, that’s okay.”

It may be a little harsh, but this was an era when venereal diseases were rampant. The beauty of high-class prostitutes was pretty, but I didn’t have the stomach for that kind of thing.

‘A man with a princess as his wife can’t have fun with a prostitute.’

Besides, Benny would probably arrive today or tomorrow, and if I did something like that, rumors would spread and I would be in trouble. I couldn’t do something like that when I already had a heavy heart.

“I’m hungry. Let’s go.”

“All right.”

As soon as he said that, the coachman picked up his pace and headed straight for the lord’s residence. After about ten minutes, Ronobe arrived at the lord’s residence, went into the lodging guided by the butler, put on some light clothing, and headed to the dining room.

Baron Boladizen was already waiting for Ronobe in the restaurant.

“It is an honor to meet the renowned Baron Hopper!”

“This is Ronove de Hopper.”

“My name is Jo Wan Boladizen! Haha, please sit down.”

Baron Boladissen was a rather plump man, with a goatee and a thinning head of hair, and his sausage-shaped fingers were covered with gold rings set with jewels.

What is physiognomy?

‘This is the punishment of a corrupt official.’

It was a sign of corrupt management.

Seeing him brought back memories.

‘That’s right. I’m the head of the inspection team.’

Even though he was a pants-dealer who didn’t even know who his subordinates were, he was still a pants-dealer.

If there is evidence of corruption, the head of the inspection team can report to the royal family and have them executed. They can execute people at will, but if possible, they must be transferred to the royal family and put on the execution grounds.

Although it was formal, Ronobe had no intention of following through.

‘If it’s shit, I’ll execute it as I please. When will I have to wait for that slow administration?’

While being wary of Ronobe’s power, it is right to wield a sword while distancing oneself from the nobles, and to wield it with that much discretion.

Of course, that’s that, and the food was delicious.

“What kind of meat is it?”

“The black cattle are the pride of Boladigen. The black cattle of Boladigen, raised on grass from the plains, are rich in meat and fat. The steaks made with generous amounts of spices are the pride of our territory.”

“Hmm, definitely. The flavor of this meat is different. How should I put it? It feels like the green of the plains.”

“Hahahaha! As expected, you are a noble noble. What a dignified expression!”

“Haha, is that so? I do have some class, don’t I? Puhehehe!”

Praise makes even a whale dance.

Ronobe was involuntarily delighted by the flattery of Baron Boladizen, who was sucking him up to the point of tearing him apart. He was so delighted that he even drank alcohol.

In the past, it was really tasteless, but as I kept eating it, the taste of the wine that went with the food became addictive.

“When I was young, I hated this bitter taste. But as I got older, I realized that maybe it was because life was so bitter? This sweetness in the midst of bitterness kept drawing me in.”

“Isn’t that how it is? I don’t know much about the Baron’s past, but I’ve heard a little about it. Isn’t he someone who has risen to that position solely through his own strength? I completely understand.”

Although the bastard’s kind face was unpleasant to look at, the words he uttered were sweet. When he saved face like that, Ronobe also started to show off a little like a man.

“Even if I say it myself… there aren’t many wizards who have fought against Imperial Wizards. They’re the ones who fell down with a single blow from me… but the Kingdom Wizards probably can’t do it. The Kingdom Wizards are too weak! They have no real combat experience! They can’t do anything without private soldiers or knights protecting them! Hey.”

“That’s right, that’s right!”

As we talked, I felt more comfortable speaking.

If the Bright Kingdom had a high level of knights and wizards, they could escape from some of the concerns that Ronobe was worried about.

However, it was clear that the kingdom’s situation would worsen with each passing day.

Because Ashwald, who had steadfastly protected the kingdom for four hundred years, will disappear.

“I pour out my worries into a glass of wine, and my drunkenness floats in the coolness of the moonlight.”

He seemed to be drunk.

He spouts out nonsense as if he’s reciting poetry.

“Wow! I’m so impressed by your lyrical poetry, Boladizen!”

“Is that so? I am a bit emotional. Ahem. Hehehehe.”

When I took another sip of wine, I let out a stupid laugh.

Boladizen suddenly sighed.

The Boladizen who had been laughing and chatting until just a moment ago was nowhere to be found, and only a dead Boladizen was left.

‘What the heck, are you crazy?’

Ronobe felt as if he had completely sobered up at the sudden change in Boladizen’s complexion.

“Baron. What do you think about the Basti Church?”

“Bastie?”

Basti.

‘What is that?’

As I was rubbing my chin because I didn’t know what was going on, Boladizen nodded as if he understood everything.

“I know this is difficult for you to understand. I know that. Just know that the Basti Church hates me, Boladizen.”

‘Why should I know that?’

It seemed like the words would pop out.

If it were the old days, I would have just said it, but seeing that he had self-control even when drunk, it seemed that Ronobe had grown in his own way.

“Hmm. I guess there are circumstances.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Have you seen the streets of Boladizen on your way here?”

“I saw it. It was beautiful.”

I only remember the red light district, so I’m not sure about anything else, but it was okay.

That is, there was no shit or urine sprayed on the street.

“In particular, the Red Wine of Boladigen is a place that trains high-class courtesans. They are elites trained for the high-ranking aristocrats of the social world. They are also excellent at night skills.”

“… Are you proud?”

“No way! But didn’t the Basti Church tell you to destroy the prostitutes of Boladizen!”

“Umm…”

Come to think of it.

‘They say that even in Count Frank’s household, a priestess suggested that sausages be banned, saying that they were too masculine.’

Now that I think about it, it’s ridiculous.

She was a total crazy bitch.

‘What’s wrong with your head? When you used to say good things, why did you suddenly become a misandry? Or not? Hmm…’

I was treated so badly by the townspeople that I started to hate men.

“so?”

“We can’t give up one of our sources of income! But since we are from the Basti Church, which is the state religion…”

“The kingdom can’t really help either.”

“You are right.”

It meant that if you stayed still, you would be labeled a heretic and could be arrested by the heresy inquisitor.

“Are these people forced to become prostitutes?”

“No! Didn’t I just tell you that I’m going to train you! High-class courtesans. Hestia of Red Wine is something that only those with both beauty and wisdom can do! Not just anyone can do it!”

It seems like they weren’t forced to do it.

If you’re dealing with nobles who have entered politics or are prostitutes who will become their governments, you’d definitely have to be smart.

“Hmm, are you getting caught?”

“That can’t be right. Even though Boladigen is a barony… there are many specialties besides prostitutes. And I am a vassal of the Hoheneire family!”

It means that you can’t act so carelessly in the Basti Church.

“But if it’s a territorial dispute between vassals, the story is a little different.”

“What are you talking about?”

“That fool, Nelatino, is using the power of the Basti Church to covet my territory under false pretenses!”

“?”

Maybe because he was drinking, his head wasn’t working well. After chewing and swallowing a mouthful of sirloin steak, Ronobe took a sip of wine before he could gather his thoughts.

“So. The Basti Church doesn’t like the prostitution business run by the Baron Voladizen, so they conspire with other lords to wage war?”

“Yes!”

The power of the Basti religion, which was designated as the state religion, seemed to be stronger than expected.

Of course, he wouldn’t do it openly, but he’s acting so selfishly.

‘Is that how strong Rene is?’

Or is that the extent of the power of the Basti Church? To be honest, it was just refreshing for Ronobe, since it was Namil.

“Where is such an unjust treatment! Nelatino’s force is five hundred, and the support of the Basti Cult’s holy warriors is one thousand! This is no different from simply trying to kill me!!”

There was talk that a total of 1,500 troops would come to Boladizen to pressure him.

They said it was a justification for oppression, but it was war.

“What was the justification?”

“The claim is that Nelatino’s ancestors were the lords of Voladizen, and that he, as their descendant, also has ownership of this place.”

“Is the bloodline true?”

“yes…”

“Isn’t that a different reason…?”

It’s a common excuse for war.

Of course, there are not many nobles who would start a war just because of that. That is, unless they have a serious grudge. In war, public sentiment must also be taken into consideration.

Given the nature of the nobility, who must consider the public sentiment, it is unlikely that this alone will lead to war. It is likely that they will be involved religiously.

Anyway, if that’s true, there’s no way to stop this war.

Neither Hohenei, who had them as vassals, nor the king had any particular reason to stop their territorial dispute. This was especially true because it was a war over bloodline ownership.

Ronobe ordered more steak with a look of regret on his face.

“Please give me some more steak. Medium rare, you know? I’d appreciate it if you could cook it juicy and with butter.”

Ronobe, who ordered more meat from his servant, didn’t say anything in particular. He had no reason to get involved in these wars. He shouldn’t have gotten involved in the first place.

There was a very high chance that it would become annoying.

“So, would you mind if Baron Hopper helped me out a little?”

“Me? Uh… why me?”

“If you join us as an ally, I will do anything for you!”

“…”

Even if you don’t think about it, it’s a war that has more losses than gains.

“I’m asking just in case. I’m not participating. I’m just asking. How many troops does Boladigen have?”

However, it is a city close to the capital and has a high level of development, and is a baronial territory.

I think there are quite a few troops prepared.

“There are five knights and… a thousand troops. But if you add all my cousins ​​together, there will be more than one thousand, five hundred!”

‘It’s a joke.’

It was a feeling, but there was a very high chance that it was a joke. Even if it was true, it would not be a force on par with the level of the Basti’s Templars. It would be a ragtag group.

‘I have to go north, but I can’t afford to be tied down by war.’

The situation is quite unfortunate.

But honestly, it wasn’t Ronobe’s concern whether there was a prostitute or not.

There are also windows in Gradas.

In this day and age, the Changgwan is a valuable facility that lowers the rate of sexual crimes simply by existing.

It’s foolish for the Basti Church to try to get rid of such prostitutes. Frankly, it was hard for Ronobe to understand why he was so obsessed with getting rid of prostitutes. Of course, he didn’t really care.

“That’s too bad.”

After finishing his meal, Ronobe wiped his mouth with a napkin, pulled out the meat stuck in his teeth, and turned his tongue around to taste it.

“Baron! If you help me! I will give you half of the profits from the store!”

“No, what is that…”

“The annual income of the window shop is over six hundred gold coins! I will give you half of it every year. What do you think?”

“…is it that expensive?”

We’re not even selling human flesh, so why is it so expensive?

‘If the annual income is six hundred gold…’

It also means that three hundred gold coins are regularly received every year.

Ronobe is supported by the kingdom with one hundred gold coins as a subsidy for the White Wizard.

Here, money comes in every year from the profits of the window and from the maple leaves that treat people in Alovato. If you add it all up, the money that comes in every year is a whopping five hundred gold coins.

‘Am I so rich?’

Now that he was a true noble, not a quasi-noble, he could further expand his territory. In any case, Hopper’s territory was now completely his own.

Developing the territory is development, but at Count Frank’s auction house, didn’t you need money to buy what you wanted?

‘hmm.’

Even now, the ring on her hand occasionally sparkles with the light of Elicia, as if to say that she is doing well.

Useful artifacts are worth paying a lot of money for.

No matter how much money you have, it’s never enough.

‘War. Let’s do it.’

What might have been a difficult war for Boladizen might not have been so difficult for Ronobe.

A week if it’s short?

That time alone was enough.

“Should we… negotiate a little?”

Of course, half of the profits from the creation of the company is not enough.

Even if it meant cutting open the belly of a fat golden goblin, it was more profitable to pull out as many as possible while you could.

“How far have you seen?”

Because war is something you have to risk your life for.