Chapter – 24
Piranceva had heard the full situation of Count Amand from the Eastern Marquis.
“So hurry and find the cabin in the Silent Forest.”
“Do you know what happened to Father?”
“I will find out now. I’m going to the palace on this path. I also need to keep some check on the nobles’ movements.”
“Yes. Thank you for taking care of me all this time. I will never forget the grace you have shown me, Marquis.”
After bidding farewell to the Eastern Marquis, Piranceva left the marquis’ castle.
He felt a bit regretful that he couldn’t say goodbye to the knights who had cared for him, but he thought it was more important to prioritize safety.
Watching Piranceva leave, the Eastern Marquis exhaled deeply.
“Truly different from children these days. To stay so calm at eleven years old, hearing about the situation his family is in…”
If he were just a clueless kid, it might be understandable, but Piranceva was rumored to be a prodigy among prodigies—and he was also a 3rd Circle wizard.
“I’ve had him for over four years, but he really doesn’t realize some things.”
Once Piranceva disappeared from sight, the Eastern Marquis also began to move.
Piranceva wore leather armor underneath, covered by a robe with a large wide-brimmed hat that concealed the armor.
He had a sword strapped to his waist, giving the appearance of a wandering swordsman practicing swordsmanship, and after leaving the marquis’ castle, he moved through secluded areas to avoid being noticed.
“First, let’s go to the count’s territory. No one will recognize me as Piranceva with how much I’ve grown, so I can deceive people’s eyes.”
Compared to when he had left Count Amand’s territory, he indeed looked like a different person.
“I’ll assess the situation myself and then plan my next move.”
Before heading to the cabin in the Silent Forest, Piranceva decided to visit the Illya County first to understand the state of the domain.
“If it weren’t for the gold and jewels I got from the Hobgoblin Cave, this would’ve been tough.”
With money to spare, he could take his time gathering information on the territory.
Rumors about Illya County had spread quickly, reaching Piranceva as he traveled there.
Hearing urgent news might make most people anxious, but Piranceva remained even calmer.
While eating at a restaurant to satisfy his hunger, he overheard most of the conversations were about Illya County.
“That can’t be true, everyone. Not anyone, but Count Amand himself! The Count learned black magic? I’d rather believe the Empire has fallen; that seems more plausible.”
Many people didn’t believe the rumors, which showed how highly regarded Count Amand was. His loyalty to the Empire, pride, and dignity as a hereditary noble were well known, not just among the domain’s people but anyone who knew him.
Listening to people talk about his father, Piranceva felt a slight swell of pride.
“My father really lived well.”
Yet, despite such trust from the people, he knew the situation could turn badly.
“Those who envy our family will seize the opportunity, and those plotting the scheme probably prepared contingencies to ensure Father can’t escape.”
While he couldn’t know the full extent of the plot, he had seen in dramas and movies how meticulous conspirators plan to frame someone to achieve their goal.
“So does that make me the protagonist? Clearing the name, crushing the plot, and restoring peace to the Empire…”
He chuckled to himself.
“No matter how detached I am from emotions, this is my family’s issue, and I’m talking about it as if it’s someone else’s story. Maybe I have a problem.”
After a moment of reflection, he nodded to himself.
“Still, it’s my father and our people who are suffering. Even if it’s tough now, avenging Father for the glory of the family is the right thing.”
It was only natural to act so.
“First, let’s go see the domain.”
After eating, Piranceva headed toward Illya County.
On the way through the Lebros Mountains in the Lebros Estate of the Marquis Lawrence, he encountered bandits who blocked his path, threatening to kill him if he didn’t give up all he had.
“I’ve never had my possessions taken from me. Even if this is a game world, I may take from others, but I’ve never lost anything. So I’ll let you go—how about you turn back?”
Piranceva spoke boldly, showing no fear.
“So, you really want to die, huh?”
The bandit leader drew his sword toward Piranceva, but a sudden arrow flew toward him.
Whoooosh!
The arrow was stopped just in front of him by something and fell helplessly.
“A wizard?”
The bandits were shocked as a Fire Arrow appeared in the air, flying swiftly with explosive force. Screams followed shortly.
“Argh!”
The bandit leader roared in rage.
“He’s a wizard! You can’t fight him in close combat!”
At his command, the bandits charged.
Piranceva, however, didn’t fear them; he smirked at their decision.
“They should’ve run when I offered mercy.”
Drawing his sword, he charged toward the bandits. Their initial sneers vanished as they realized a wizard was using a sword.
The bandits were quickly defeated—not just by his swordsmanship, but because they underestimated a wizard wielding a sword.
“Wizards can use swords…?”
After seeing the bandits lying on the ground in blood, Piranceva looked at the sword in his hand.
“Even if they tried to take my life, is it okay for an eleven-year-old to kill people so casually?”
For a while, he stood there, reflecting.
Then he collected all the valuables from the bandits’ bodies.
“Weapons can be sold to a blacksmith for some money.”
He placed the money into his infinite pocket and bundled the weapons on his shoulder.
“Life went from sweet to tiring in an instant… from a diamond spoon to no spoon at all, I guess.”
“Life’s sweetness comes after hardship… I see the hardship, but not the sweetness.”
Piranceva fought multiple bandits and monsters on his way to Illya County, gaining practical experience.
Upon arrival, he observed the imperial soldiers guarding the castle gate from a distance.
To enter without being noticed, he used magic.
“Invisibility!”
He cloaked himself and ran swiftly, careful to avoid other wizards detecting him.
Once past the gate, he headed straight to the slums of Illya County.
Seeing no one nearby, he removed the invisibility and walked slowly through the streets.
He didn’t cover his face with a hood to avoid unnecessary suspicion.
Some people he passed did not recognize him.
“They don’t recognize me after I grew so much.”
Even sharp-eyed people might notice resemblance but wouldn’t immediately realize it was him.
The domain’s atmosphere was tense.
The once lively streets were filled with unease, and merchants’ faces were full of worry.
Piranceva ordered food at a restaurant, listening to conversations around him—the best way to gauge the domain’s mood.
“At least Marquis Eastern believes it’s a plot by black wizards, so maybe Father’s name will be cleared soon.”
“They say the Count is struggling because of envious people. Especially Count Rossman, trying to take over Illya County by bribing Duke Durand.”
“A greedy raccoon, indeed.”
They criticized Rossman and said he must not control the territory.
“If Duke Durand hands over the territory to Rossman, wouldn’t the other dukes protest? Their power would diminish.”
“Exactly. Count Amand belongs to Duke Prazka’s line, so he won’t stay idle.”
Listening quietly, Piranceva grasped the political balance among the three dukes.
“The balance is maintained, but Father’s situation could tip it. What won’t people do for power?”
He ate quietly, considering if the conspirators accounted for the Empire’s politics in their scheme.
“Father was trapped by black magic, so black wizards must be involved. If they knew the Empire’s situation, they’d target nobles who could stir others. That implies they’re likely hereditary nobles themselves.”
Piranceva was puzzled.
“But why would a wealthy noble risk learning black magic? Exposure could ruin the family.”
Studying probabilities with all his earthly knowledge, he still couldn’t understand.
“Well, it’ll reveal itself eventually.”
He decided to set it aside and listen to the conversations around him.
“So, what will happen to Count Amand? He went to prison voluntarily, asserting his innocence.”
“No one knows. There were many traces of black magic in the domain. Father claims innocence, and the Emperor can’t ignore the power of Illya County, so he must be deliberating.”
“Also, the family that black wizards fear is also a wizard family.”
“Thus, they plotted this scheme.”
The domain’s people were convinced it was a plot by black wizards.
Piranceva looked at the Count’s castle.
“First, I need to see Father.”
