Chapter 308
Master Tolga’s decisiveness was truly swift as lightning. On the spot, he threw out a piece of flying equipnt, the sa cloud of dark clouds Garrett had first seen him with, pulling Garrett directly onto the cloud.
Andrew Lynn, Aurora Worton, and Bernard followed in quick succession. Mr. Troka owed once, jumping into Garrett’s arms, while the golden skeleton, as usual, transford into a chain of bones, collected by Mage Lynn into a spatial bag. Master Tolga stomped his foot, and the cloud surged, lifting off the ground.
His departure was indeed resolute. The next day, Baron Hopman himself received the news of his eldest son’s death in a duel.
"What? Clayton is dead?!"
The Baron clenched the silver cup in his hand, engraved with exquisite patterns, instantly crushing it into a crumpled ss. The crimson wine spilled through his fingers, like blood dripping from between his fingers, or even bleeding from his heart. He glared at the count’s knight standing straight before him, teeth gritted, facial muscles twisted in anger:
"Who did this? Who killed him?"
Sir David bowed slightly, stepped forward, and calmly presented the count’s handwritten letter. After the Baron took the letter, he stepped back, standing straight again. From beginning to end, he said not a word.
He was only two years younger than Count Inverness, raised in the Count’s manor and grew up alongside the Count. It was well known in the count’s territory that he was the right-hand man of the current Count, able to represent the Count himself in so informal situations.
This ti, due to the death of the important son-in-law of a neighboring lord, Count Inverness had sent him to deliver the letter, rushing over night and day. And from the mont Baron Hopman t him, there had been no seat offered, no greetings exchanged, not even a proper address!
Therefore, Sir David kept his lips sealed. After Baron Hopman swiftly read through the letter, trembling hands turned back to the first page and read it again, then once more. Finally, he raised his gaze, staring hard at Sir David, and said in a deep voice:
"What does the Count an?"
"The Count expresses his deepest condolences for the death of your son," Sir David bowed slightly, his tone formal and precise:
"He extends his sincere condolences to you and your lady. The Count said he and his wife will definitely attend your son’s funeral on the appointed day."
...
Baron Hopman’s fury blazed even brighter. Though he had three sons, the second was frail, and the third had been sent to the Spring Water Temple to beco a priest. Only the eldest was promising, already a level 7 knight at a young age. And now, this son, on whom he had pinned his hopes, was dead!
Dead!
Dead!
And Count Inverness was unwilling to help him seek vengeance on those who killed his son!
"What’s the background of that mage?" he asked, suppressing his rage. Sir David lowered his gaze slightly, then looked directly at the Baron after a mont, his mind already organizing the answer.
He had watched the young lady grow up, and Knight Hopman had dared to disrespect her; he deserved his death. Since Mage Nordmark had stood up for the young lady, from the perspective of the Count’s manor, he should not be disturbed!
He disclosed a bit about the young mage’s background, hoping to dissuade the Baron from any rash actions and from bothering the young mage:
"He is a guest invited by the lady. A fourth-ring arcanist, a third-level mage. During the duel, two fifth-level mages claid to be his followers, one of whom is said to be a disciple of a grandmaster. Additionally, there’s a barbarian follower whose combat level is suspected to be seven.
—After the duel, a thirteenth-level grand mage activated a flying artifact, imdiately taking him and his followers away from the scene."
...
The Baron silently gasped.
The convention of the Magic Council is that only mages of level 10 and above can be called grandmasters. If that thirteenth-level grand mage and the teacher of the fifth-level mages are not the sa person, it ans that the murderer of his son is backed by at least two grandmasters!
And could the Baron’s territory oppose two grandmasters?
Baron Hopman knew without having to count: Absolutely not.
Their barony’s overt highest combat power was himself, a ninth-level knight; the highest combat power in secret was an assassin they sheltered years ago, level 7; and the highest-level magic force was an old priest who had just returned, level 8...
Even combined, they were no match for a single grandmaster.
What to do then?
Just swallow this grievance?
Sir David bowed and took his leave. Baron Hopman tossed and turned, unable to make
a decision. Until two days later, from Priest Farley, who escorted his eldest son’s body, he heard another distressing piece of news:
"What? That little priest said our family’s bloodline—is a hereditary disease?!"
"He did say so!" Priest Farley cried with tears streaming. He had no choice but to clear his responsibility; after all, he depended on the family for his retirent:
"Hundreds of people heard it at the scene! If not for this, the son wouldn’t have insisted on dueling to defend the family’s honor! I couldn’t persuade him, nor could I! If I were 20 years younger, I would have taken the matter into my own hands, how could I let Clayton..."
Baron Hopman’s brows furrowed deeply. Now it was not just about a son’s death, but about the family—what’s worse, his son’s sudden death in battle, practically proving the other party’s claim!
If the words of that little mage spread, it would greatly affect the family’s external marriages and even the education of the family’s children elsewhere. What grudge did that little mage have against Clayton to simply utter a sentence that could destroy their family’s foundation?
If it was still bearable before, or if they could temporarily endure and plan revenge, now it was unbearable!
Baron Hopman sat dry in his study all night. The next day, he personally visited Count Inverness’s territory and t with the Count. On the fourth day, a letter was passed through several hands and delivered to Garrett’s mage tower.
Master Tolga personally ca to deliver the letter. He accepted the coffee Garrett offered, stirred it with a spoon, and wore a bitter smile:
"Little Garrett, well... how should I put it, soone has asked
to request a favor of you..."
"You are too polite, Master." Garrett smiled sincerely:
"You once invited
to join the School of Transmutation, and though I didn’t join, I’ve always been grateful for your kindness. Please, just say it, and if it’s within my power, I will agree."
Master Tolga sighed with relief. "Baron Hopman, his son died, didn’t he? The Baron implies that since his son died in a duel, he doesn’t wish to pursue the matter..."
Garrett’s expression froze slightly, out of politeness, not objecting. Master Tolga found it difficult to speak but had to continue as he was entrusted:
"The Baron hopes you could attend his son’s funeral, apologize in front of the guests, and retract what you said before."
Garrett had begun to nod at "attend the funeral." However, upon hearing the last part, his neck stiffened mid-nod, and he asked:
"Which statent?"
"The one... about their family having a hereditary disease..."
Garrett pondered, his head bowed. Master Tolga, though reluctantly, urged him:
"Little Garrett, I know it’s hard for a mage to retract their research findings, but it’s just a word after all. You’re young, a slip of the tongue occasionally won’t be held against you. Look, they’re very sincere..."
He pushed forward a list of gifts, densely written with at least ten lines of presents, starting with various amounts of gold coins, silk, etc. The gift was quite valuable, yet Garrett didn’t even glance at it, just murmured quietly:
"But it’s true..."
"But this statent concerns their life and death! If it spreads, no noble would marry into their family, effectively cutting off their lifeline..."
"But it’s the truth, a truth that won’t beco false just because I deny it." Garrett suddenly looked up:
"Master Tolga, you said other families not marrying into theirs cuts off their lifeline. But if I claim this statent is false, what about those n and won who marry into their family without knowing anything? Aren’t their lifelines also cut off?"
Master Tolga was montarily speechless. After thinking, he solemnly said:
"But they also said if you refuse to retract, they will accuse you at the council of maliciously attacking their family, tarnishing their honor! Are you confident?"
There was deep concern in his tone. Garrett’s face darkened:
"Let them co! Truth is truth, it won’t beco false! Master, please convey my words back, I won’t apologize, and they should take back their gifts. At most, I won’t actively promote their family’s matters in other contexts.
—If they really sue
for defamation, I’ll publish a paper in ’Arcane’, and explain the hereditary disease clearly!"
"That, that’s not necessary..."
Master Tolga, flustered, smiled bitterly. ntioning ’Arcane’ was not a threat; in just over a year, Garrett had published two papers in ’Arcane’, and it wasn’t hard to publish another.
Once the hereditary disease issue is published in ’Arcane’, it wouldn’t just be a small
circle of nobles in one region knowing, but the entire kingdom, even nobles from across the continent, would be aware within a few months!
Even the Radiant Church’s court, not to ntion, secretly subscribes to ’Arcane’ and ’Magic’...
He sighed in frustration and took his leave. Well, Garrett agreeing not to promote it publicly was also a result of negotiation...
However, Baron Hopman was not satisfied. Or rather, a marriage negotiation that was about to be concluded suddenly changed, forcing him to intensify the pressure. It wasn’t long before Master Tolga visited Garrett again:
"Little Garrett, how about making a concession? You know, the Hopman family has always had a good relationship with the council, and they provide stable supplies to our Alchemy Guild for several goods. For example, the rubies from the southern black continent, they recently claid a ship didn’t arrive, and now there’s no ruby supply..."
"Is it troubleso?" Garrett inquired with concern. The Master sighed:
"For the large, gem-quality ones, we have a year’s supply. The trouble is with ruby powder, which is used in enchanting the undying fla, the largest consumption, and we only have a month’s supply left. The council’s ships to the new continent haven’t returned yet..."
A month, huh? Garrett pondered. Regarding the enchantnt of undying fla with ruby powder, he had so ideas previously but had been too busy to implent them. Now that they had approached him with this issue, it was a good opportunity to try...
"Master, give
so ti, maybe I can solve this problem. In any case, I won’t let the Alchemy Guild be in a difficult position."
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