As soon as the mages left, Gillian asked Ghislain.
"Young lord, a personal mage? What do you mean by that? Weren't you originally planning to only hire the mages?"
Since Ghislain had given them a rough overview of the plan, Belinda and Gillian were aware of his intention to employ mages.
Though they hadn't actually expected him to succeed so well.
"Well, might as well add that. After all, we didn't get the full ten mages."
"Judging from what the elder said, she doesn't seem to be particularly talented. She's probably just doing menial work. Are you sure about this?"
"It's fine, it's fine. How someone is useful depends entirely on how you use them."
Since Ghislain was confident, Gillian refrained from further questioning.
How to use people was up to the lord; it was not a subordinate's place to interfere. All he hoped was that this new addition wouldn't become a burden.
Kaor, meanwhile, wore a puzzled expression even after hearing the explanation.
Replacing the missing four mages with a single maid didn't seem like a good deal.
Not to mention, taking her on as a personal mage—what kind of noble would appoint a tower maid as their personal mage?
'Seriously, I can't begin to understand what he's thinking.'
In truth, it didn't matter to Kaor who his employer took on as a mage, nor whether it resulted in a loss.
Still, there was one point he felt he needed to clarify.
"Young lord, is hiring the mages truly to prepare for a territorial war?"
"Yes, just in case. There's no harm in being prepared."
"Even if their affiliation with the tower is a secret… wouldn't it be better to say they're mercenary mages? If we say we're training soldiers with Runestones, others might be more hesitant to provoke us."
Kaor's suggestion was reasonable. Sometimes, showing strength could deter conflict.
But that reasoning didn't apply here.
The Duke Delphine was bound to attack Perdium. They were not the kind to be deterred by a few hired mages.
If anything, it would only amuse them.
Since Perdium was still outmatched in every way, they could only win by concealing their strength.
"I'd rather keep it hidden for now. Kaor, you must keep this secret as well."
"Who, me? Hey, I'd sell my own wife's underwear color for the right price."
Ghislain chuckled at his cheeky reply.
Soon after, Hubert and the elders returned, bringing a group of mages with them.
Six mages stood in their splendid robes, exuding confidence.
And behind them, a woman stood timidly.
'Finally, we meet.'
Ghislain looked at her with a pleased expression.
She appeared to be in her early twenties.
Her dark red hair was disheveled, and her robe, unlike the others, was worn and tattered.
She looked around nervously, betraying just how harshly she was treated in the tower.
With a smile, Hubert introduced the mages to Ghislain.
"These are the mages who will assist you over the next year. I've personally stressed the importance of secrecy, so you needn't worry."
One of the younger men stepped forward to introduce himself.
Judging by how naturally he led the other, older mages, he seemed quite skilled.
"My name is Alpoi. I've been entrusted with leading the mages. Per the tower lord's orders, I will serve you wholeheartedly."
His words were respectful, but his expression was not. He gave off a clear sense of obligation, as if he was only following orders from above.
Alpoi smirked slightly, looking down at Ghislain as if he were some country bumpkin.
Despite the irritating expression, Ghislain paid him no mind. After all, they were only temporary help.
"I'm Ghislain Perdium. I look forward to working with you. To be a 3rd-circle mage at such a young age is impressive."
Hubert coughed and responded on his behalf.
"Hmm, not to brag, but he's one of our tower's brightest prospects. It's rare to find someone his age with his talent. I've personally taken great care in training him."
One of the elders added with pride.
"Alpoi is the tower lord's disciple. He's practically the successor of our tower. Quite an effort on our part, don't you think?"
In reality, they had been forced to bring in their cherished successor only because they couldn't find anyone more trustworthy, but they seized the opportunity to boast.
"Really? I didn't expect the tower lord's own disciple to join us."
Ghislain replied with a smile, though he wasn't particularly impressed.
After all, the person he wanted was someone else.
Still, he praised Alpoi; empty compliments cost nothing.
"A successor to the tower. That's reassuring. I have high expectations."
Alpoi bowed politely in response.
"You needn't be so formal. The tower lord has ordered us to treat you as a highly valued guest."
He emphasized his humility, subtly conveying how much Hubert valued Ghislain.
Hubert looked pleased, and Alpoi felt satisfied with his display.
But Ghislain was in a different league altogether.
"Understood. I look forward to your efforts. You all have much to do in the territory, so stay on alert from now on."
As Ghislain spoke with an authoritative tone, Alpoi's expression faltered.
Usually, when one showed humility, the other party reciprocated.
As the tower's successor, no one had ever addressed him so bluntly.
Yet this disheveled man acted as if he were Alpoi's superior, not even pretending to respect him.
'This ignorant peasant… Know your place!'
Alpoi clenched his teeth in humiliation but couldn't let it show.
He only managed to hide his flushed face by lowering his head.
'Fine, I'll endure this for a year since it's an important contract. But… let's see if you can still act this way when I become tower lord.'
As Alpoi seethed silently, the other mages introduced themselves to Ghislain one by one.
After all six had finished, the woman at the back fidgeted nervously, unsure of what to do.
One of the elders pushed her forward in annoyance.
"What are you doing? Greet the young lord already! All you do is waste food, and you're clueless, too. Tsk tsk."
Shoved forward, the woman couldn't hide her frightened expression as she spoke in a trembling voice.
"G-greetings, young lord. M-my name is Vanessa."
Ghislain smiled warmly at her and extended his hand.
"I'm Ghislain Perdium. I look forward to working with you."
Vanessa, flustered, rubbed her hands on her robe before awkwardly taking his hand.
She kept bowing her head repeatedly, and Ghislain smiled as he spoke again.
"No need to be so nervous. The tower lord must have explained everything, right?"
Vanessa shook her head, still trembling.
"I-I haven't heard anything… I was just cleaning, and then…"
She trailed off, and Ghislain frowned, looking at Hubert.
His silent glare asked what was going on. Hubert looked flustered and hurriedly explained.
"In our haste to bring her here, we hadn't yet informed her. Vanessa, you are to leave the tower and serve this young lord. Do you understand?"
"What?"
Vanessa looked at Hubert and the elders in shock.
She had always feared she would be cast out of the tower one day, but to be told so abruptly was beyond what she'd imagined.
"M-my master told me I should stay in the tower…"
Vanessa stammered, trying to protest, but Hubert silenced her sternly.
"Ahem! Lonato is dead. Do you mean to disobey the tower lord's command?"
"But…"
After a quick glance at Ghislain's displeased expression, Hubert softened his tone and whispered.
"This is a good opportunity for you. Isn't it better to serve this young lord than to do menial work here?"
"B-but I can barely use magic…"
"Enough! Why so many words!"
Fearful that her lack of magic ability might be revealed, Hubert cut her off sharply.
Vanessa looked around helplessly, on the verge of tears. An elder next to her tried to soothe her.
"We've taken care of you, an orphan, for years now. Shouldn't you repay that kindness by serving the young lord properly?"
Vanessa bowed her head.
The reality that she was being abandoned finally hit her, and she felt tears welling up.
Since her mentor's death, she had lived in constant fear of being expelled.
She had lived in the tower her entire life; how could she possibly survive on her own outside?
She had even accepted doing menial work to remain in the tower, but it was all in vain.
Vanessa glanced up at Ghislain, then quickly looked down again.
'He… he's scary.'
Not knowing why this person wanted her, or what fate awaited her, only added to her fear.
'I wanted to be a mage so badly… I worked so hard…'
Tears gathered in her eyes.
Lonato had been captivated by Vanessa's intellect, taking her in as an orphan and teaching her magic.
But no matter how hard she tried, Vanessa's body couldn't accumulate mana.
Though she had mastered the theory, she couldn't cast spells without mana. Her mentor had been sympathetic, but he couldn't find a solution.
After his death, she became seen as a burden in the tower.
Still, she hadn't given up. She cut back on sleep, studying and researching, hoping that one day, she too could wield magic.
'I don't want to leave…'
If she went with this young lord, she wouldn't be able to study magic anymore.
In the tower, she could at least continue her studies, even if she was treated like a servant.
But in a noble's household, she would be nothing more than a maid.
As Vanessa hesitated, unable to respond, Hubert snapped at her impatiently.
"What are you doing? Greet the young lord properly!"
Hubert had just managed to reduce the number of mages by passing her off to Ghislain. If he delayed too long and Ghislain changed his mind, it would be a hassle.
Growing anxious, he couldn't help but reveal his true nature.
"Do you think you'll get to continue learning magic here if you ignore my words?"
Startled by his shout, Vanessa shrank back.
The elders threw in their own harsh words.
"Going with the young lord is in your best interest."
"Your talent is too great to remain here. It would be best for you to go now."
"We've taken care of you all these years; don't you have any sense of duty?"
Under the weight of the hostile atmosphere, Vanessa's face turned pale.
It was already decided that she would go with Ghislain. She had no right to refuse.
They were right that she owed the tower for looking after her.
"Y-yes, I… understand…"
Though she understood, her voice caught in her throat, and she couldn't speak properly. In the end, she burst into tears.
Unable to watch any longer, Ghislain sighed and stepped forward.
"If you speak so harshly, won't she be frightened? You should speak more gently."
"Ahem…"
Hubert and the elders coughed awkwardly, looking away.
All they wanted was for him to take her and leave quickly.
Ghislain patted Vanessa's shoulder and said gently.
"I need your help. I truly want you as my mage. Will you come with me?"
Vanessa looked up at him.
His eyes held a warmth, as if he were greeting an old friend.
Moved by his kindness, Vanessa asked in a trembling voice.
"If… if I refuse… can I stay here?"
"Really? You won't regret it?"
"Y-yes…"
"You'll regret it."
Ghislain's expression turned serious as he answered firmly.
"If you stay here… you'll die."
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]