"What? You can't sell the Rune Stones? That wasn't our deal! Didn't we send out our mages, covering costs and offering three times the market rate? This is too much!"
Ghislain sighed, as if he, too, were in an impossible situation.
"As you know, we nearly faced a catastrophe this time. There will likely be more lords looking to claim our Rune Stones."
Hubert's eyes narrowed, but he couldn't deny the truth of Ghislain's words.
"If rumors spread, more lords could indeed take an interest…"
Ghislain nodded gravely.
"We lack manpower and resources. Sure, we could make a fortune selling Rune Stones, but it's a finite resource."
"That's why I'm saying to sell them to us! If that's the issue, I'll offer five times the market rate!" Hubert shouted, desperation evident in his voice.
But Ghislain only shook his head with a troubled expression.
"It's not just about money. Even if we secure funds, it'll take time to build up forces and resources. What if someone attacks us in the meantime?"
"…Another war, I suppose."
It was hard to believe, yet war had already erupted sooner than anyone expected, and Hubert could not take anything for granted.
Seeing Hubert's reaction, Ghislain inwardly smirked. These bookish types really were easy to handle.
"If another war breaks out, I'd have no choice but to use the Rune Stones again. There's no other way to stop a large army."
Hubert's eyes widened in alarm.
"That's madness! Using the Rune Stones again? At that rate, you'll run out in no time!"
"I have no choice. Do you think I wouldn't rather spend the money developing the land, training soldiers, and building up the estate? But if we lose the war, all that effort will be for nothing."
"Isn't that an excuse? You can't just say anything you like!"
"And isn't it unreasonable to suggest that I sell the Rune Stones and let my land fall to ruin?"
"Ugh…"
Hubert bit down in frustration. He couldn't argue.
With the estate's survival on the line, he couldn't simply demand Ghislain sell the Rune Stones. But he had to try.
"Then…what if we support you in gathering forces?"
It was a desperate suggestion, but Ghislain scoffed.
"Tower Lord, how long do you think it would take to raise thousands of soldiers? Soldiers don't just fall from the sky, and our population is small."
"Then hire more mercenaries."
"Do you know how hard it was just to gather the three hundred mercenaries we currently have? There aren't enough to hire. I already nearly exhausted the region."
"Isn't that enough?"
"It's not a small number, but it's also not nearly enough. Last time, thousands came marching toward us."
"…."
Feigning a look of regret, Ghislain continued, "I would love to sell all of it. I've told you how much I value our partnership. But what's the use if the estate falls?"
Hubert felt faint. He couldn't exactly suggest Ghislain abandon his land and flee.
And if Ghislain left Perdium, the Rune Stones would disappear too.
"Well…we could serve as a guarantee and provide as much aid as possible. What about paying tribute to the royal family in exchange for protection?"
Hubert tried various ideas that came to mind.
"Or perhaps form an alliance with other lords? Working with a temple could help, or even becoming a vassal to Duke Delphine…"
Ghislain barely contained a laugh at the mention of Duke Delphine. He couldn't reveal they were the enemy; otherwise, the tower might turn on him as well.
"That could work, but wouldn't that be available to other lords as well? Who would refuse if Perdium's lord pledged to offer Rune Stones after a war?"
Ghislain shook his head with a look of resigned bitterness.
"I've thought it over so many times, and this is the only way. With every invasion, I'll just have to detonate more Rune Stones."
Finally, Hubert said the only thing left.
"Mages! We'll send more mages! If you can't rely on the royal family or the nobles or temples, we'll help!"
At that moment, Ghislain quickly hid a smirk behind his hand, suppressing his satisfaction. His act had to be maintained to the end.
"Ah… I hadn't considered that option. If the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower could lend its powerful mages, then I'd feel at ease. Are you sure, though?"
"We've already sent mages, so we're essentially in the same boat! Once word spreads, the other lords will find out."
"But it hasn't spread yet, has it?"
Hubert glared at Ghislain.
"Can you swear you won't… or haven't spread the word yourself?"
"What kind of person do you take me for?" Ghislain feigned a wounded look.
Still, Hubert's sharp gaze lingered.
To trigger a Rune Stone explosion, a mage was needed. And yet here was a land that supposedly lacked them.
Anyone would eventually dig for information, risking their mages' cover.
Hubert sighed. All he'd wanted was a steady supply of Rune Stones, but this man kept leading him down these strange paths.
With a genial smile, Ghislain sought to reassure him.
"Really, what kind of person do you think I am? I'm fully committed to building a lasting relationship with the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower."
"Talks like that are easy," Hubert muttered.
Ignoring him, Ghislain continued, "Your willingness to risk sending more mages touches me deeply, Tower Lord."
"Ahem, so… you'll be selling the Rune Stones as planned, then?"
Ghislain lowered his voice conspiratorially.
"Well, since you're willing to take on more risk, how about taking it a step further?"
"What? Further? How?"
Ghislain's expression turned serious.
"Why don't you establish a branch of the Tower in our land?"
"A branch? We don't establish branches. Not just our tower but none on the continent does that. Surely you know that?"
Mages gathered in one place, sharing knowledge and progressing toward transcendence. Scattering would only weaken their strength.
The towers also aimed to prevent their secrets from leaking outside.
"I understand. But if you're already planning to send more mages, wouldn't it be better to formalize a branch?"
"But a branch goes against the tower's founding purpose…"
"You're already worried about the presence of mages being revealed. A formal branch would eliminate any suspicions."
"What?"
"People will assume the Tower's branch is naturally protecting Perdium. Who could object?"
Hubert's face shifted subtly.
The idea had never crossed his mind because it was unprecedented.
'That's true… I could receive Rune Stones more easily… just a few more mages pretending to form a branch…'
Tradition dictated that the Tower shouldn't form branches or meddle in politics. But did that apply in all situations?
Tradition often becomes a restrictive mindset.
Ghislain, however, seemed free of such restrictions, brushing aside complexities and pushing for what suited him.
A progressive thinker, or a brute with no regard for custom, depending on perspective. But to save the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower, he had to adopt a more flexible mindset.
Better to endure some criticism and survive than to cling to tradition and fall into ruin.
Hubert was lost in thought when Ghislain spoke, jolting him back.
"If that's unacceptable, I'll just go. Once we've built up enough strength, I'll see if I can spare any Rune Stones and reach out then."
As Ghislain made to leave, Hubert quickly rose, blocking the door.
"Hold on! That's just the way it's been, but as Tower Lord, I have the authority to make exceptions. Sending a few more mages and forming a branch shouldn't be an issue. I could even have Alpoi complete his successor training there."
Mages were inherently independent, focused on personal achievement. If the Tower collapsed without Rune Stones, what use was the founder's old creed?
If he framed this as a necessary measure, the elders and mages would likely agree.
"Thank you for your generous decision."
Ghislain's relaxed smile betrayed his satisfaction.
'Mission accomplished.'
With mages supporting him openly, his territory's defense and development would improve significantly.
And unlike before, when he hired them like mercenaries, he could now receive their aid formally.
Mages were much harder to nurture than knights. Even with his knowledge of the future, training mages would take more time than he had.
This would accelerate things considerably.
'As if I'd detonate the Rune Stones again… they'll be essential for the plans I have.'
Any future enemies certainly wouldn't fall for the same trick twice.
"Ahem, since this is our first branch, it'll take some time to prepare."
"Of course. Understood."
"Is there suitable land in Perdium? Even as a branch, the Tower will attract people, so it needs to be spacious, accessible, and aesthetically appealing."
This was non-negotiable. The area around the Tower was its pride.
Ghislain nodded.
"I'll set aside a prime location for you. But it won't be in Perdium."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
He was inviting them to his land, but it wasn't Perdium?
Talking to this man was like trying to predict the wind.
"So where exactly are you suggesting?"
With a sly smile, Ghislain answered.
"The Fenris Barony, where I am lord."
"A lord? You're a lord?"
This rogue a lord? A sign of the kingdom's decline, no doubt.
Hubert turned pale.
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]