21st Century Archmage

“This is an imperial mandate! In order to prevent plague, from this moment forth, the flow of goods and people in the Imperial Capital and all territories will be restricted! Anyone who acts arbitrarily will be treated as a violator of the imperial mandate!”

Th-th-thud, th-th-th-thud.

In the Imperial Capital, which had an enormous population of over 1 million people, a group of Royal Guard knights galloped through the capital in the evening on their horses, relaying the imperial mandate with mana-charged voices.

“What’s going on? Where does that leave us then?”

“This is bad. If the merchant group can’t move, we’ll suffer losses for contract violation…”

“What in the world is happening? The temples were all destroyed, and people who are careless with their words are disappearing without a trace.”

“Gotta watch your mouth.”

The merchants and mercenaries gathered in a tavern within the capital knitted their brows with worry. Plague had broken out so suddenly, and with it, came a ban on leaving or entering the city. Naturally, for the merchants, it was terrible news.

“But did a plague really break out?”

“Not sure… I don’t know too well either. I did hear that various infectious diseases have been breaking out simultaneously in places other than the Empire.”

“Sigh, I hope the plagues blow over quickly. There should be a lot of merchant groups other than us that are tied up in the Empire.”

The Laviter Empire’s demesne was so massive that it nearly matched the Opern Empire in the south. If a travel ban was issued in such an empire, that would mean that all the caravans going to the Yukane and Baerkain Kingdoms would be stopped as well.

“Let’s just drink.”

“Right, there’s nothing to do anyway.”

No one could defy the Emperor’s command. Everyone knew that the Lord of Nerman, Kyre, had invaded Laviter territory and killed Duke Yanovis. The merchants and mercenaries knew that they would be caught between a rock and a hard place if they slipped up in these uneasy times.

Sighing, they tipped their glasses in silence.

* * *

“Are you going already?”

“We’ll see each other again soon. At that time, let’s have a drink together. With Draco’s Tears, I mean.”

“Th-That’s…”

Draco’s Tears, the alcohol so strong it would make most men crawl around on the ground in a hangover for a day after drinking one glass. Only after using detoxification magic was I able to escape the clutches of that fearsome drink. Chrisia, who was able to easily down one bottle of it, reddened at my words as she ducked her head.

‘Heh, you wanna look innocent, huh.’

But well, it wasn’t just women who wanted to look good in front of the opposite sex. It was natural that men also wanted to look cool in front of someone they were interested in.

‘She’s cuter than I thought.’

Becoming a fleet commander in a pirate kingdom wasn’t something you could achieve with a princess status alone. Garnering the respect of men who survived on the rough, unpredictable seas would demand an insane amount of charisma. However, the sight of her shyly ducking her head at my joke was the very picture of a cute woman.

“Haha, I’m joking. Also, this is a gift from me.”

I never did get my evening feast in the castle, but they did house me for a night and give me a breakfast full of seafood dishes, one that fully satisfied my longing for an evening feast. I couldn’t leave without giving anything. I overheard the maids saying that Chrisia had commanded the royal chef to prepare a feast early in the morning for my sake.

“Oh my, this is—!”

I handed her the gem I collected from the king squid I caught on the way here.

“It’s not much, but please accept it.”

“Lord Kyre, thank you. To give me such a precious Kerpia’s Patience… It’s something even the Kingdom only has one of…”

‘Wha…? It’s that precious?’

I was planning on using the fishy prize as a moodmaker for my newlywed chamber later… I just took it out from Bebeto’s leather pouch because I had nothing else, but Chrisia’s entranced expression said it all. If it was so rare that even a maritime kingdom only had one of it, you could leave its value to your imagination.

“I am the one who is thankful that it has pleased you.”

“Lord Kyre…”

I’d already given it, and I wasn’t narrow-minded and shameless enough to take back something I gifted to a lady.

“I will be in need of much help from you next time. When that time comes, please help me with all your strength.”

“Yes! Hoho, you and I aren’t outsiders.”

‘Uwah…’ I was momentarily dazed by Chrisia’s sudden bombshell statement. ‘No wonder why he accepted so easily.’

Last night, I achieved what I came to Kesmire to do. After a long moment of contemplation, King Havirock nodded and accepted. And from what Chrisia was saying this morning of us not being outsiders, it seemed the King had told Chrisia what I said.

“Ha-Haha. Right. We’re not outsiders, are we.”

‘Let’s get filthy rich and live well together.’

For the sake of peace in Nerman and my paradise, the unconditional support of the ruler of the seas, the Kesmire Kingdom, was necessary. If I could also snag a beauty like Chrisia, that would be the cherry on top.

“Have a safe trip back.”

I rejected their offer of sending me back with a transport carrier. I had to go back quickly and meet again in Kesmire Capital in half a month.

“Well then, until next time.”

I gave a casual bow and jumped onto the waiting Bebeto. The Kesmire Kingdom had no prejudices towards hybrid wyverns. Judging from the luster of Bebeto’s hide, he had definitely enjoyed a hot night of luxury. The Skyknights and female wyverns even in such a faraway nation had to know that Bebeto possessed some top-notch genes.

“Let’s go! Bebeto!”

Guoooooooooooo!

At my energetic command, Bebeto flapped his wings. Kicking off the Kesmire Royal Covert, he surged into the air.

* * *

* * *

“May green blessings be with you always…”

“Welcome, friend of our people.”

I was at the Elven Village for the first time in a while. I flew here as soon as I returned from the Kesmire Kingdom.

“The village looks very lively.”

The bubble of the Elven Village protected 24/7 by an illusion magic array had previously been filled with expressionless elves. Now, the lively footsteps of elves rang out all over the village.

“It is all thanks to you, Kyre.”

“No, sir. I didn’t do anything…”

I really didn’t do much. The only thing I could think of was that I exploited them hardcore for labor in order to fix their disease.

“That is not true. If not for your wise advice, us elves would have lived like dry dirt here and faded away one day, without knowing the meaning of our existence, much less the joy that existence provides us.”

Every time Elder Parciano and I talked, it was like coming face to face with a teacher of philosophy. As one might expect from a hermit who had lived 400 years, his way of speech was super high level.

“I am simply thankful that you put it like that.”

It was because of the elves that the Nerman of today could exist. I only earnestly wished that this beautiful relationship of mutual assistance would persist forever.

“You seem to have come because you have a request for me. Go ahead and ask.”

‘Was it written on my face?’

Elder Parciano was as adroit in mind reading as Master. He gazed at me with a generous smile.

“I need the assistance of the Elder and the other elders skilled in magic.”

“You yourself are a 7th Circle mage, yet there’s something I can help you with? As you know, due to the taboo our elven ancestors have prescribed, we cannot assist in human wars or other important matters.”

I was already familiar with the unwritten law of the elves. They were a meditative race to begin with. Knowing that humans liked to see blood, they had set an unwritten law.

“I am not asking you to participate in war. Please help me make a secret defensive magic array around my home.”

“A defensive magic array?”

“Yes. The sort of magic circle that will hold up perfectly against an 8th Circle mage’s spell.”

“Are there any 8th Circle mages left in the human world? Is an 8th Circle-level magic circle merited?”

Elder Parciano didn’t usually express his curiosity, but he seemed to find my request odd.

“Though they have not revealed themselves yet, I am trying to prepare in advance because there’s some kind of suspicious energy going around.”

“Hm… a defensive magic array…”

Elder Parciano fell into deep deliberation. Unlike the young elves, the older or elder-level elves never left the village, which they could bear because the passion in their blood had cooled and they were no longer curious about the outside world.

“Please help me.”

I felt uneasy these days. To be honest, even the current me could not win against the 8th Circle magic swordsman Alpacas. It would already be pushing it to face a regular mage, but he was a magic swordsman like me. Add to that the fact that he was at the 8th Circle, and a black mage who used more violent and destructive magic. I felt a pressing desire to set up precautions against such a foe.

But the only defensive magic circle I could establish in Nerman was limited to the 7th Circle. If he were to come and unleash an 8th Circle Hell Fire while I wasn’t in Nerman, my dream would fly far, far away, never to be seen again.

“Since it is a request from you… we must oblige. After all, it is one of our fated elven laws that we must give when we receive.”

‘Oh! Niceee!’

“Thank you very much! Elder Parciano!”

I was so happy I wanted to give him a big hug. The 8th Circle was still far off for me. Like the 7th Circle, I couldn’t come up with any enlightenments about the 8th Circle.

“But as you know, an 8th Circle magic circle requires not just magic knowledge, but magic crystals, top-grade magic crystal dust, and liquid mithril alloy. The most important among those things is a Grade 1 magic crystal… but even our Elven Village only has one and none to spare. Will you be able to acquire one?”

As expected of a powerful defensive magic circle, only a Grade 1 magic crystal could handle the mana load.

“I have already prepared everything we need.”

“Hooh, is that so? You’re truly impressive.”

Me being impressive was something everyone in the world already knew.

“When do you think you can spare the time? I am fine with starting right away, today.”

“Haha, are you so hasty to see it done? Alright. I will immediately convene the elders and discuss with them.”

“Thank you so very much, Elder Parciano.”

‘Whew, this is why a person’s gotta live on the straight and narrow.’

So far, no one had discovered yet that my insides were very different from my exterior, and I wanted to keep it that way. I wanted to give off the appearance of a kind and cool fellow for the rest of my days.

* * *

“My liege, is something going on these days?”

After returning from the Kesmire Kingdom, my days were hectic. I invited Elder Parciano and the other elders, and we completed an 8th Circle defensive magic array in secret over Nerman Castle. I was able to add mana detection and automatic defensive arrays of the 7th Circle with my magic knowledge. And then, I shamelessly dragged the elders to the border fort to make a magic array there as well.

I did my best to ensure that the security was tight and had the elders cover themselves with robes, so everything was finished in secret. If the 8th Circle black mage Altakas was active somewhere, it was possible he was keeping tabs on me and Nerman. The enemy was hidden, while I was exposed. The game would only be fair if I had an emergency measure up my sleeve.

“Why? Do I look tired?”

“No, sir. Rather than tired, you seem tense. Is something the matter?”

Now, Derval could read me with one glance. ‘Operation King Wedgie’ was going to begin in five days, so it was only natural that I would be tense.

“Does it look that way to you?”

“Yes, my liege.”

Derval looked straight into my eyes as he nodded. His eyes were full of worry for me.

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry.”

I hadn’t told Derval about the Laviter attack preparations yet. The only people who would sortie from Nerman were the beastmen, so I didn’t even tell him we were going anywhere yet. Derval already had a lot on his plate, so I didn’t want to make him worry about me.

“My liege, although it is nice to see you doing your best for Nerman… Please know that to me, your safety is my greatest concern.”

‘What a valiant fellow he is.’

Derval’s loyalty was as pleasing to the ear as ever. He was a true retainer, one who would gladly follow me into fire and flames.

“I understand. However, be mindful of your own health as well.”

Derval was missing an arm, but even so, he was a secret workaholic who created the Nerman of today. The fact that he was behind me taking care of things behind the scenes while I charged forward was something I knew, and everyone else knew.

“I will take care not to worry you, my liege.”

Derval could probably feel how much I valued him as well.

“That aside, did you say the plague has gone all the way to the Delphiran Kingdom?”

“Yes. The weather is still hot and humid, so the plague has been spreading quickly.”

“Has the holy water been sent to the Havis Kingdom?”

“As you commanded, we sent our surplus holy water to the Havis Kingdom.”

‘This damned plague. There’s definitely someone behind it, I just know it.’

The more time went by, the more the infectious diseases took root, to the Continent’s horror. They appeared in diverse types and sprang up all over the Continent. Someone had to have planned it.

“Still no movement from the temples?”

“Because they lack the cardinals and the upper echelon priests to give commands, there was confusion and chaos at first, but now, the individual temples are tackling the plague individually. If things continue the way they are, I believe the plague will be controlled before long.”

‘I feel bad for the people.’

Be it here or on Earth, it was the poor and powerless, the common people, who suffered. Even if a plague went around, the rich nobles, merchants, or knight class would have cured themselves with holy water they had purchased in case of emergencies from the temple. On the other hand, the commoners, who had nothing to rely on but the gods in their hearts and their own bodies, had to fight it off on their own.

“At this rate, we’ll have a bumper crop of wheat this year as well, yes?”

“I believe so. As long as no significant natural disasters occur, we should be able to harvest at least three times more than last year.”

The rainy season was rather long this year, but there weren’t any problems in the territory. Some of the grain we sowed in the spring was already beginning to show kernels. Our arable land was about three times greater than last year, so we should be able to get a harvest three times bigger as well.

“Be sure to do your best to the very end.”

“Please allay your worries, my liege.”

Even though I gave the command, I felt apologetic. Derval was taking care of Nerman more passionately than me, the lord. He was, as usual, my reliable knight.

“Has salt production resumed?”

“The rainy season has ended, but we still have intermittent rain, so we have only made preparations to resume. I believe we can go into salt production again in about ten days from now.”

“Our stock must be running low.”

“The merchant groups were competing and rushing to buy our salt, so the stock has been depleted faster than expected. Even so, we have enough to hold out for a month.”

“All of the weapons we had in the warehouse have been settled, yes?”

“Of course. They would need retouching if they took in the summer humidity, so we took care of them all just before the rainy season began. They were weapons and armor used by elite soldiers, so we were able to sell them at good prices.”

Whatever the topic, Derval answered without delay. A satisfied smile hung on my lips.

“Well done, Sir Derval.”

“I am undeserving of your praise, my liege.”

‘Everything is ready. Emperor of Laviter, I’ll get to see your precious face very soon.’

Because I had blitzed them first, the Laviter Empire’s army wouldn’t be able to directly attack Nerman for a while. After finishing all of the precautionary measures, my heart finally became carefree.