Became a Medieval Fantasy Wizard
Chapter 389

TL/Editor: raei

Status: 5/week mon-fri

Illustrations: none

Join the discord! Here

Afterward, Belenka met with Princess Elia.

"I've decided to enter the tournament."

Belenka announced cheerfully.

After her intimate meeting with Ian, she seemed much more refreshed than before.

As if she had put down a heavy burden she'd been carrying.

"Not particularly? As long as I make good money, it doesn't matter where I am."

Belenka possessed exceptional talent.

Given the right stage, she would surely become a renowned hero.

Ian sincerely blessed Belenka's future path.

"First you'll win, then think about what's next, right?"

"Win?"

Belenka said with a brightly shining smile:

"It doesn't seem that difficult."

Ian couldn't help but smile.

Not because of baseless confidence, but because he genuinely believed Belenka could win.

"I'll stay until your wedding before heading down."

Suddenly, Belenka offered her hand.

"Until then, we go together."

Ian took Belenka's hand.

Though their paths had diverged, he felt they could remain good friends for the rest of their lives.

Just then, a servant approached.

"Lord Ian."

A servant dispatched from Roxlan Castle.

"The Duke summons you."

Ian instructed Belenka:

"Let's prepare to leave."

"Of course."

#

Duke Roxlan promised Ian a substantial reward.

Without thinking twice, Ian brought Anor-lsil and headed to the treasure vault.

"I asked your fiancée."

Ian hesitated, wondering which fiancée the Duke meant.

Probably Maria.

"When I asked what gift would be best, she said it would be better to let you choose directly."

An excellent decision.

Maria knew the purpose of Ian's journey.

"That was the best choice, Your Grace."

"Seeing you pleased makes me happy as well."

Ian had made tremendous contributions in this war.

Moreover, being a wizard with a bright future, there was no need to skimp on gifts.

"Choose whatever you want."

"Can I take anything I like?"

"You can take everything if you wish."

Ian wasn't tactless enough to shout, 'Wow! Then I'll take everything from here to there!'

This was Duke Roxlan after all.

Though he wouldn't refuse if asked, he would try to extract the gift's value in some way.

Being someone who enjoyed scheming, he would likely torment Ian through various means.

[Master! This! This!]

The sword spirit, Arno, eagerly pointed at something.

Ian didn't hesitate to pick it up.

"Oho..."

Duke Roxlan watched with an intrigued expression.

The item Ian had picked up was a beautiful tiara.

A precious item said to have been crafted by ancients.

The tiara was adorned with many jewels, making it ornate and feminine.

Duke Roxlan gave a pale smile.

Among all the items, to pick a woman's tiara...

Could it be he's going to give it to his wife...?

[Give it to me, Master.]

Arno and Isil simultaneously placed their hands on the tiara.

Along with a strange wave of power, Anor-lsil began to tremble.

This was the sword spirits' ability.

Without borrowing divine help, they could absorb necessary power themselves.

[You have acquired the mysterious power of the "Starlight Tiara"!]

[The power of stars rises within you!]

The tiara, having lost its stellar power, was reduced to merely a pretty accessory.

Wearing it would no longer allow communication with stars.

'Is it over?'

Ian had obtained another mystery.

Now, only two mysteries remained before Anor-lsil's completion.

"You'll take that?"

"Ah. Yes."

Though he'd considered just draining its power and throwing it away.

Since he'd already picked it up, Ian decided to keep the tiara.

The craftsmanship was very refined and beautiful.

It would look perfect adorning a bride's head.

"I hear you're having a wedding when you return to Talian."

"Yes, Your Grace. Would you like to attend?"

Though he knew the Duke wouldn't come, Ian asked out of courtesy.

The Duke was in poor health and had much to do. He wasn't someone who could undertake a journey crossing the empire's north and south.

"My health is too poor for traveling. I'll send my younger cousin instead, so don't feel disappointed."

"Disappointed? I'm truly grateful for your consideration."

Having dealt with nobles so much, Ian had become quite adept at smooth talking.

"Be sure to hold Maria's wedding here in Roxlan."

"..."

"I'll handle the preparations."

Ian smiled bitterly.

It seemed that completely breaking free from Duke Roxlan in this lifetime would be difficult.

But it wasn't bad.

Opportunities to have an imperial duke as a backer were rare.

Ian decided to think of this as a kind of connection.

"Then, I'll be going now."

"I'll be waiting."

After saying his farewells, Ian left Roxlan Castle.

#

Two weeks had already passed since the Golden Rule Society's collapse.

Time flies disgustingly fast when you're doing nothing.

Ian spent all his time saying goodbye to people, eating, and making them promise to attend his wedding.

He'd enjoyed his time as a man of leisure.

During that time, those who needed to leave had departed.

The wizard friends and Takarion. Even Sir Reshach from the Pope's office.

Ian couldn't even invite Sir Reshach to the wedding.

Apparently, he returned to the Pope immediately after the work was done.

"He's a busy man, so it can't be helped."

"True."

And while only Ian was free, most others were busy.

"We should go too, right?"

"Yes. We've rested long enough."

Ian's group also prepared to resume their journey.

They deliberately took their time, planning to travel with the Emperor's procession.

"You're coming too?"

"His Imperial Majesty said he would provide compensation."

Self-proclaimed [professional] infiltration agent, Aesis, joined them.

Ian nodded.

There's no way that guy would turn down paid work.

"When I receive treasures from the Emperor, I'll give you a cut."

"Oh. Performance bonus?"

"Yes. You really did good work."

He meant it sincerely.

Without Aesis, things might have been many times harder.

And Aesis's professional mindset was worthy of respect.

No matter how much he was paid, voluntarily risking danger wasn't easy.

"Let's go! Ian!"

Princess Elia beckoned.

Already, dozens of carriages were lined up one after another.

Being the Emperor's procession, its scale was tremendous.

But before they could properly depart, the procession came to a halt.

"What's going on?"

"Someone's blocking the road up ahead."

Elia stared ahead with a puzzled expression.

Ian also turned his head.

And was surprised.

"Bandits?"

"!"

At Ian's voice, the soldiers reflexively drew their weapons.

What kind of crazy bandits would attack the Emperor's procession in broad daylight...!

"Hey! Sabui!"

"?"

This time when Ian called the bandit's(?) name, the soldiers were bewildered.

This wizard... is acquainted with bandits?

Then the soldiers witnessed an absurd scene.

"Brother! Sister! Sabui pays his deepest respects!"

"Oh. You're still alive and well."

It was only because Ian had blurted out "Bandits!" without thinking.

In reality, they were escort forces sent by Duke Roxlan.

With the Emperor departing, the Duke naturally had to provide some manpower.

"Where have you been that we haven't seen your face?"

"Haha! His Grace the Duke assigned me several missions! I completed them quickly and returned!"

"..."

That's right.

Sabui had remained at Roxlan Castle until the end, working under the Duke.

For Duke Roxlan, Sabui was a useful chess piece he couldn't resist employing.

An unaffiliated unit that could be deployed in times of crisis!

At first, he thought he was "borrowing" Sabui from Ian.

But when Ian didn't recruit additional mercenaries, Duke Roxlan simply swallowed him whole.

Originally, medieval armies simply changed banners as needed.

Whether bandits, mercenaries, or standing armies, they used whatever was available.

Without doing so, survival would have been impossible in the resource-scarce medieval era.

"So you've pledged loyalty to the Duke?"

"Yes! He's a truly excellent person! He cares even for lowly ones like us!"

Sabui laughed heartily and said:

"Even without giving us land, I'll be loyal for life!"

"..."

No... that's...

Ian briefly considered whether he should honestly share his thoughts about Duke Roxlan.

Though not as bad as his father, the current Duke Roxlan was still capable of scheming.

It's nice that you've gone from a mere savage to a corporate employee(?), but...

Just because it's a big company doesn't mean everything will be good.

...Though these thoughts occurred to Ian, he decided not to voice them.

Living as the Duke's man was clearly better than living as a bandit who might be exterminated.

Duke Roxlan was different from his father, so he might unexpectedly treat his subordinates well.

Someone like Sabui was definitely a capable talent.

"Alright. Work hard."

"Yes, sir!"

Seeing him shout so enthusiastically, it really felt like watching a newly hired employee.

It's good to be enthusiastic...

Anyway.

Ian moved to the Emperor's [Spring Palace] with Sabui's escort.

Monsters appeared a few times along the way, but aside from that, the journey was consistently peaceful.

Their numbers were overwhelming.

Being such a large group, neither bandits nor monsters dared approach.

Ian's party safely arrived at the [Spring Palace].

"Welcome to the imperial palace!"

Elia shouted brightly.

From behind, the Emperor added:

"Isn't this your first time at the Spring Palace too?"

"..."

Elia blushed awkwardly.

Enjoy the chappy!

Please give the book a rating and a review on NovelUpdates.

It helps the website and helps people find this novel!

If you'd like to make a one-time donation to support our translations or subscribe to read up to 15 chapters or more (depending on the novel) ahead, you can do so via Ko-fi.

Click here!