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Chapter 372
In hindsight, Ian's surrender turned out to be the perfect choice for buying time.
"We've captured both Ian and the Emperor."
Regent Antios spent more time discussing matters with Duke Roxlan.
They were establishing a close cooperative relationship.
"I've also dealt with my son."
Е n̂ u m̀а
Antios had obtained everything he wanted.
The black wizards no longer needed to hide.
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With the most troublesome interference gone and no ruler to control the empire—
It was time to spread the name of the Golden Rule Society throughout the empire!
Who could stand against an army led by powerful magic and the dragon Predius?
"First, I need to gather my followers."
Е́ n u m̂ а. і̆d
Duke Roxlan needed to assemble his pure supporters, excluding those who followed his son, Count Francis.
Beyond his direct territory, the Duke had also nurtured various smaller forces.
The reason was... naturally to use them in his schemes.
These were very useful allies in the current situation.
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"We'll help you."
"As expected of the Regent. You truly deserve that noble title."
Wе b_n.ŏv е̃.l Ë n̊ū m̈а̌
Duke Roxlan praised Antios with a satisfied smile.
When things went well and a new empire was established, Antios would become Duke Roxlan's right hand.
Just like Maronius and Emperor Lupus!
Antios and Duke Roxlan were busy organizing a new force.
It was a fresh power structure composed purely of Duke Roxlan's faction, excluding Count Francis's supporters.
Black wizards would join as court wizards.
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'This actually works out better.'
Antios believed he had already won and completely subdued Ian.
So he didn't monitor Ian closely.
Ian, sensing this, played along with Antios's mood.
After all, Ian had landed in the middle of enemy territory.
Gaining Antios's favor wasn't an option but a necessity.
Е.n̈u m̄ӓ . і̃d̆
Fortunately, Ian and Antios had something in common.
It was stories about the Golden Empire...!
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"The duties of the Imperial Regent back then were completely different from what people in the current empire imagine."
"I suppose it would depend on which Regent you're talking about."
"Hmm...?"
Antios looked at Ian with interest.
Èn̊ û_ṁ ӓ . і d
"You know something about the Golden Empire?"
"I've studied it a bit in the past."
A lie.
Ian had never studied the Golden Empire's history in detail.
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But Ian had 'experienced' the Golden Empire.
Through Maronius's soul world.
W̃ е́ b̂ n о v̆еl̊ Enù mа̊
"An imperial citizen should know the 'true' roots of the empire, after all."
"Oh..."
Antios was delighted by Ian's statement.
As evident from the organization's name, the Golden Rule Society, Antios genuinely loved the ancient Golden Empire.
And here was someone saying such conceptually perfect things in front of a person obsessed with the ancient empire!
"How much do you know about the empire? Have you seen the capital?"
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Antios asked Ian without thinking.
If other black wizards had seen him, they would have groaned, "Ugh! The empire teacher!" in disgust.
People with obsessive interests naturally feel good just talking about their subject.
So he asked out of habit.
But surprisingly...
Ian's knowledge was incredibly comprehensive.
Еn̊u m а̀ . і̌d
"The Golden Empire's capital? Of course. Once you pass through the south gate, you can see the Ancient God's temple."
"Ah, that amphitheater? The one beyond the eastern market? That was rebuilt after burning down during the Grand Festival. It was originally below the courthouse."
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"Maronius didn't really like bathhouses. He worked there part-time when he was young. He much preferred to draw water and bathe at home."
Antios stared at Ian in genuine surprise.
'Wait... how does he know that?!'
Ian's knowledge was of a kind that one couldn't access without a serious love for the Golden Empire.
Е̃n u̇ m̂ă.і̂d̈
Wizards are generally interested in the Golden Empire and curious about Maronius...
But Ian's knowledge was on a completely different level from such surface understanding.
As if... he had directly experienced that era! (Which was true!)
So Antios thought:
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This guy...!
He's genuinely passionate about the Golden Empire!
W е b̌n̄оv е̇ l Ӗn ům а̄
"Why did you research so much?"
"Well, it's the history of my ancestors."
"!"
"This black hair is inherited from the ancient Golden Empire people. So my roots are closer to the south than the north."
Antios almost applauded.
Perfect... perfect...!
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Ian correctly recognized that his black hair came from the south.
Beyond that, he had voluntarily studied the empire's history!
'As I thought... he was destined to join the society...!'
Antios could imagine.
How much bullying Ian must have endured since childhood because of his black hair.
He must have been teased by the neighborhood children for being like a crow...!
È n̆um̊.a . i d
By those despicable fake imperial people!
"Ian."
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Antios spoke to Ian in a much softer voice.
"We'll be relocating soon."
Ian already knew this.
A move to combine forces with Duke Roxlan.
Е̃ n̈ ùm а
"Until then, talk with the other wizards and consider joining the society."
"Understood."
In truth, Antios could have pressured Ian more harshly.
After all, Ian had been the society's greatest enemy.
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But after conversing with Ian, such thoughts completely vanished.
He judged Ian to be a wizard who understood (?) him.
Ĕ n ů.ṁ ӑ._і d̂.
Because he believed Ian shared his profound interest in the Golden Empire!
Someone who loves the Golden Empire couldn't possibly dislike the Golden Rule Society.
How could anyone dislike reviving the ancient empire?
Afterward, Antios became busy coordinating schedules with Duke Roxlan.
At the same time, Ian gained tremendous freedom.
***
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Ian invested all his time in gathering information.
Even if he openly investigated the society, no one said anything!
This was because Antios, the only wizard who could restrain Ian, had completely lost interest in him.
"Ian! You bastard! What are you doing there!"
"Teaching shape transformation magic."
"...?"
Ёn̂ um а. іd̆
Bertholdt alone could never stop Ian.
Bertholdt was an excellent necromancer, but... that's all he had.
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He didn't possess the charisma to control other black wizards.
His personality was gloomy, and he wasn't well-liked.
He was a one-trick pony who supplied the society with mass-produced undead (though that was quite significant).
But Ian had extensive experience interacting with other wizards.
Wе̌ b̊ n о v e l̂ Еn um̄ а̄
His experience at the magic university proved very useful.
"Bertholdt! This guy is really amazing!"
"Elemental magic, shadow magic, and even transmutation... there's no magic he can't do!"
"Ian! About the magic you taught yesterday! There's something I don't understand!"
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"What is it? Show me."
At some point—
Е́ ṅ umа̂
Black wizards constantly surrounded Ian.
It couldn't be helped.
From the black wizards' perspective, Ian was indeed an ultra-elite wizard.
He had studied under a famous wizard for ten years, and then studied at a magic university with research funding!
There was an enormous qualitative difference between him and black wizards who had studied by dissecting corpses in dark caves.
Moreover, Ian was a wizard overflowing with talent.
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The "basic knowledge" Ian shared naturally fell like sweet rain to the black wizards.
'A wizard is a wizard.'
Ian thought as he taught magic to the black wizards.
Despite their dabbling in evil magic, they weren't fundamentally different from regular wizards.
They thirsted for knowledge and craved new magic.
Ian understood such wizardly desires well—
W ӗ b n о v̆е l Е̊ n̆ u m а̀
In less than a few days, Ian had completely erased the black wizards' suspicions.
"Hey! Is this right?!"
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Bertholdt was so dumbfounded that he confronted the black wizards.
Ian is the society's enemy!
Yet they so easily accepted the enemy's teachings?
But the black wizards just snorted.
Е ǹŭḿa. і d̊
"Shut up. You can't do anything except necromancy."
"What...?"
"Unlike you, I'm a smart one. I just never had the chance to learn! But now Ian is teaching magic for free. Why wouldn't I learn?"
The black wizards had always secretly envied orthodox wizards.
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They thought orthodox wizards had comfortably learned magic under good teachers.
But Ian offered these street-born black wizards an opportunity to learn.
Ẁ еb̄ n̈о v́е̃l̆. Еnuma
No matter that Ian was the society's enemy, it was an irresistible temptation.
There was no one here who had been directly defeated by Ian...
Executive-level wizards like Antios or Bertholdt might hold grudges, but the rank-and-file didn't care.
"Ian. What other magic can you do?"
"I know earth magic. Want me to teach you?"
"Yes! Teach me!"
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Ian secured the black wizards' trust by teaching them magic.
Antios was busy, and Bertholdt couldn't stop Ian.
'Well... time to make my move.'
The society's relocation would be the perfect timing.
Ian continued his investigation calmly, waiting for the right moment.
'Is Maria this way?'
W̄е b ñ öv.еl Е nŭm a
Ian had already checked the location of the prison where Maria and the Emperor were confined.
He hadn't been able to meet them due to caution, but he was thinking of showing his face soon.
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'...Looks like there's a guard.'
But Ian couldn't approach the prison.
He felt the gaze of a guard.
Even if Antios wasn't paying attention, minimal surveillance still existed.
Е n̆ ŭ.m ӑ
Despite gaining much trust, he couldn't be completely free.
Ian cleanly abandoned the prison visit and moved to investigate elsewhere.
No need to arouse unnecessary suspicion.
But just then.
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"Stop right there, Ian."
"...?"
Е́n ù ṁ ӓ
For a moment, Ian wondered if he had done something suspicious.
But there had been no mistake.
Ian confidently faced the stranger.
And was surprised.
"Aesis?"
"Yes, it's me."
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The person who had stopped Ian.
It was none other than the assassin Aesis!
"Why are you here?!"
"It's complicated... but let's just say I followed Lisa Silverwind."
Aesis briefly explained his situation.
He had been monitoring Duke Fargar at Ian's request.
Ĕ ń u m̊а . ì d̂
He was waiting for an opening to do something.
But Duke Fargar had no weaknesses.
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The war proceeded as planned...
And Duke Fargar was defeated and captured.
Aesis was a bit confused but regained his composure like the professional he was.
With Duke Fargar gone, who would be the most important person to Ian?
W ėb̈n̂ o v е̃ l Е n ü m а
Lisa Silverwind.
Aesis began monitoring Lisa Silverwind and,
With uncanny timing, she was kidnapped.
Aesis's mission was essentially complete, but like a professional, he continued the job.
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He couldn't do sloppy work after being paid!
That's not what a professional does!
W е b ňоv̆е̇ l Ӗ n̈ũ mã
"So you followed her all the way here?!"
"Somehow... yes. That's what happened."
Is he crazy?!
The dedication of a professional assassin was frighteningly impressive.
Aesis had infiltrated the Golden Rule Society by following Lisa Silverwind.
"Here. This is the location of the prison where Lisa and Maria are confined."
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"Oh."
"And this is the Emperor's location."
Aesis immediately provided Ian with information.
All the information Ian needed...!
"Thank you so much, Aesis."
"Don't mention it. When I'm paid, I do the job."
Е ǹ ù m а..іd
Aesis spoke as if it were nothing.
"I'm a professional, after all."
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