"Wait… did you just say… you're really a lord now?" Hubert's voice trembled, barely able to contain his disbelief.
"Yes," Ghislain replied calmly. "After this recent war, Perdium took over Digald County. In recognition of my contributions, I was awarded the lands of Fenris and have united three baronies, roughly half the size of a county."
"A lord… you, really…" Hubert murmured, still in shock.
Though a tower lord like him could look down on a mere baron, protocol required a certain degree of respect for those with land and title. But it felt awkward to switch to formalities with someone he'd always spoken so freely to.
"Ahem. Well, congratulations, then," Hubert muttered.
He realized he'd still treat Ghislain as before, though he secretly hoped Ghislain's rank would stay at baron and not climb any higher.
"It seems we're truly in the same boat now," Hubert added, reluctantly extending his hand. "Best of luck to both of us."
"You'll see that you made the right decision. There will be no regrets."
Ghislain shook his hand with a confident smile. Though there was still a risk that they'd be dragged into future conflicts, the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower really had no other choice at this point.
After all, even if Ghislain's story was exaggerated, he had still won an impressive victory in battle, using cunning tactics.
The waste of precious Rune Stones was infuriating, but the audacity of it was also, in some strange way, remarkable.
Having achieved what he came for, Ghislain stood up immediately.
"Well then, I'll take my leave. Let me know when everything is ready."
"Yes, yes. We'll make the arrangements. Safe travels," Hubert replied.
As Ghislain left the tower, he allowed himself a satisfied smile.
'They might see it as a gamble, but it's the only way for the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower to survive.'
In his previous life, the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower had been destroyed by none other than Delphine, working through their puppet, the Crimson Magic Tower Lord, Delmud.
***
Back in Perdium, Ghislain wasted no time in gathering his belongings and calling all his people, including the recovering Vanessa and the other mages. As he surveyed his gathered comrades, he quickly began giving instructions.
"Gillian, you'll go to Fenris ahead of us with the others. Leave the current administrative work to the old officials, and focus on maintaining order with Kaor's help."
His followers, expecting Ghislain to accompany them to Fenris, looked at each other in confusion.
"Young lord, aren't you coming with us?" one asked.
"No, I have a quick stop to make first. I'll just take a few mercenaries as escorts."
"Where to now?" asked Belinda, crossing her arms suspiciously. "Don't tell me you're abandoning the land entirely?"
"I need to handle something critical first. I'm going to Auston, in the Seiron Kingdom."
Auston was in a neighboring kingdom, not far over the southwestern border. Although close, it was still an unexpected destination. Belinda looked at him as if trying to read his mind.
"Auston?" she said, narrowing her eyes. "That's the city famous for gambling! Are you going there to gamble?"
Several mercenaries perked up at the word "gambling," while Alpoi and the other mages clicked their tongues in disapproval.
"No, I'm going to bring someone back," Ghislain replied, grinning.
"Who?"
"Someone who'll handle the administration of Fenris. He's got quite the mind for it."
"You're bringing an outsider for that?" she asked incredulously. "And you happen to know someone in Auston?"
"Yes, a very well-known someone," he replied, a glimmer of nostalgia in his eye.
Belinda looked even more suspicious. As far as she knew, Ghislain had never been to another country. Who on earth did he know there? She shook her head in disbelief.
"Young lord," Gillian interjected, "you questioned that man Lowell about the territory's administration. Are you not going to use him?"
"Let him stay in prison a bit longer. He has a debt to pay. I'll bring him out eventually," Ghislain answered nonchalantly.
Gillian nodded, then added, "Allow me to accompany you to Auston. I've been there before."
"I need you here to manage things," Ghislain replied.
"I can leave it to Toran," Gillian assured him.
Since the war, Toran and Gillian had grown quite close. After a brief hesitation, Ghislain nodded.
"Alright. Gillian, you and a few others come with me. Bringing too many might raise suspicion at the border."
"I'll go too!" Belinda said, jumping at the chance.
"I want to travel!"
"This isn't a vacation, you know."
"Fine! Then I'll come along just to make sure you aren't taking one!" she teased as she rushed off to pack.
Even though Ghislain clicked his tongue in annoyance, he didn't stop her.
Once Belinda was set on something, it was impossible to change her mind. Gillian briefed Toran, who began rounding up the rest of the mercenaries.
Turning to Vanessa, Ghislain said gently, "If anyone bothers you, let me know. Don't keep it to yourself, alright?"
"Yes, young lord," she replied, head lowered.
Since the end of the war, people had treated her with more respect—even Alpoi now avoided her gaze.
"Alright, then. See you all soon."
"Safe travels, young lord."
Without another word, Ghislain spurred his horse forward. Belinda, who had just finished packing, scrambled to catch up.
"Are you in that much of a hurry?" she asked. "Did you make an appointment or something?"
"I need to get to him before he loses his hand," Ghislain said with urgency.
"Loses his hand…?"
"He practically lives in the gambling dens, so who knows how long he'll last."
Belinda was bewildered. "You're hiring him to manage your land? Aren't you worried he'll gamble it all away?"
"Don't worry, he's decent enough—except for the gambling," Ghislain replied with a grin.
Belinda opened her mouth, but eventually just sighed and shook her head. "Well, I guess we'll see."
"Amazing at everything—except gambling. Trust me," Ghislain laughed, a hint of fondness on his face.
He had delayed recruiting him due to pressing matters, but it was time to bring him into the fold.
'Soon, I'll see you, Claude.'
Claude had once served as his strategist in a previous life.
The Mercenary King didn't have just one or two mercenaries under his command.
There was no one more trustworthy to handle administration than the guy who managed and looked after all of them.
More than that, during war, he executed ingenious strategies that made even enemies covet him as a top strategist among strategists.
Despite not being able to fight, he didn't hold back his sharp tongue with the rough mercenaries, and he'd even dared to challenge Ghislain at every turn with his terrible attitude.
Thanks to that, the mere mercenary corps managed to hold out against the kingdom in war for an entire year.
'In his past life, he couldn't fully unleash his potential.'
No matter how brilliant his tactics and strategies, there was a limit to what he could achieve with a mercenary corps that had no secure base.
But now things are different. Ghislain had territory to gain and forces to grow.
Claude had shown his skill even under harsh conditions. This time, he could achieve much more.
'This time, don't waste your life on gambling.'
In the past life, Claude had already lost one hand when he joined the mercenary corps, and even the tendon in one of his ankles was severed.
Even after ending up in that state, he'd still been compelled to cling to gambling for reasons he couldn't escape.
Though his situation had been irreversible in that life...
This time, Ghislain intended to solve the problem before Claude got hurt.
***
After several days of travel, they arrived in Auston, and Ghislain immediately sought out the largest gambling den there.
The companions, accustomed to Ghislain's habit of acting first and explaining later, followed without question.
[Kraken Casino]
A massive octopus sign above the entrance sparkled.
Judging by the sheer amount of expensive magic lighting on the sign alone, it was clear how much money this gambling den raked in.
This was the heart of Auston, the city of gambling.
Belinda and the mercenaries marveled at the surroundings, admiring the lavish casino surrounded by bustling taverns.
"Young master! This place is amazing! It looks like the perfect place to have fun!"
Gordon, who'd been enticed by the mention of a gambling city, rubbed his hands and grinned.
"Hoho, seeing this casino is making my blood boil. Should I put my skills to the test after so long?"
Ghislain shook his head and said, "Don't bother. Even decent skill won't cut it here. They're all swindlers."
"How do you know that, young master? Have you been here before?"
"Well, I did come here once, a long time ago."
"You've only been in the estate. When did you come here?"
"I have, a long time ago."
He had come here in his past life to solve Claude's problem.
Though he couldn't restore the hand Claude had already lost, he'd come here to at least resolve the cause of it.
While he was there, he'd taken the opportunity to relax and try his hand at gambling...
That day, Kraken Casino had been ruined.
One of the Seven Strongest on the Continent, the Mercenary King, had been swindled, and in his rage, destroyed the place. Who would dare complain?
Even the Seiron kingdom had no choice but to overlook it.
With fond memories surfacing, Ghislain smiled.
"Alright, now let's find him."
Belinda nodded and asked, "Do you know what he looks like? Last time we looked for Mr. Gillian, we spent ages because you didn't know his face."
"Just wait over there. He's probably still inside."
In his past life, Claude had practically lived at Kraken Casino.
Whenever he ran out of money, he would earn a few pennies by ghostwriting or giving lessons, then lose it all again in the casino in a vicious cycle.
Until he joined the mercenary corps, he'd lived his life here. So if they waited around, he was bound to show up.
Ghislain and his group entered the casino.
However, something seemed off about the atmosphere.
People were whispering all around, and several were tidying up the place.
"Hmm, did a fight break out or something?"
As Ghislain muttered, a man who looked like an employee approached them and gave a respectful bow.
"Welcome. May I escort you to a VIP room?"
Judging from Ghislain's attire and his escort, the employee seemed to have pegged him as a noble.
As expected from a casino employee, he had a keen eye.
Ghislain glanced around and shook his head.
"The mood here isn't great. Did something happen?"
"It's nothing serious. Just a bit of commotion. Such things are common in casinos."
"Well, that's true."
In a place dealing in money, it would indeed be strange if no fights broke out.
As Ghislain was about to brush it off, he overheard people murmuring nearby.
"That bastard Claude, I always knew it would end like this."
"He'll probably lose a hand, right?"
"Of course. He picked the wrong fight. Still, you've got to give it to him for his nerve. Hahaha!"
"But Claude wasn't one to mess around like that. He was an educated guy, wasn't he?"
"Hey, how can you tell what's going on inside someone? Even smart guys lose their minds in gambling."
Hearing the same name as the one they were searching for, Ghislain's expression hardened as he asked the employee.
"Is the person who got in trouble named Claude? Smart-looking guy, but with eyes like a dead fish?"
The employee replied with a reluctant expression.
"Yes, that's him. Do you know him?"
"What trouble did he cause?"
"He tried to pull a fast one on the leader of a notorious local gang and got caught. They've taken him away."
"By any chance… What's the name of this gang leader?"
"He's called Crank."
Upon hearing the leader's name, Ghislain couldn't hide his disbelief as he muttered, "So, it was today?"
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]