Under the coercion of the guards, Ivan arrived at this manor-style residence located in the center of the city for the second time, where the steward was waiting at the main gate. Led by the old steward, he was taken into the manor and brought to a place that was clearly the main hall.
“Young man, welcome to Karl Manor once again.”
A middle-aged noble with a warm greeting was none other than Baron Karl, whom he had met once before.
Ivan said, “Baron, your way of welcoming people is truly memorable.”
Baron Karl laughed and said, “Hahaha, it was a necessary measure. I hope those underneath me didn’t act too brashly and injure you.”
Looking at the Baron’s attitude, Ivan was filled with suspicion. The guards before had almost drawn their swords in threat, and now he was putting on this act for whom exactly?
He didn’t speak, and Baron Karl didn’t mind.
“To get to the point, I invited Mr. Ivan here because of the last test. Didn’t you ask me where you could find a sorcerer? Well, now there is one. This is a very good opportunity.”
Ivan asked, “In Flying Fish Port?”
Baron Karl shook his head slightly, “A sorcerer apprentice has come to Flying Fish Port, along with another special individual.”
Ivan, surprised, asked, “Only a sorcerer apprentice?”
Baron Karl replied, “That’s enough. They represent a true sorcerer, and sorcerers are the rulers of human realms, including the Aromatic Wheat Dukedom and even Flying Fish Port.”
From the Baron’s earnest words, only then did he realize that nobles were so wary of sorcerers, enough to show the terrifying power controlled by sorcerers or the exceptional strength of the organization they formed.
“Must I go?”
“Isn’t this what you wanted?”
“But the previous group who went, one after another, they died. I am quite fond of my own life.”
Upon hearing this, Baron Karl’s face showed a touch of embarrassment. They had failed to adequately control the spread of information, allowing too many people to know the inner details; it was a dereliction of duty on his part.
He paused, then looked at Ivan seriously and said, “You had better go; this is the City Lord’s request.”
Ivan took a deep breath, then asked, “Can you tell me the real situation? I certainly don’t want to go meet my death without knowing what’s happening.”
To this question, Baron Karl did not conceal the truth.
It turned out that, a few months ago, an old sorcerer appeared nearby and chose to live on a small island within this sea area. The nobles originally thought this was a retired old sorcerer who had set aside their pursuit of power and was willing to wholeheartedly teach students.
This was undoubtedly good fortune for the nobles near Flying Fish Port, and they were very willing to send those with potential there, including the City Lord’s niece and Baron Karl’s own illegitimate son.
However, the result was a harsh blow to the face for all the nobles as bad news arrived one after another.
Now that the other party had come knocking again, they had no choice but to increase the testing scope, giving commoners a chance to walk the path of a sorcerer.
‘Using commoners to replace the children of nobility, you frame it so righteously.’ Ivan did not voice this thought, as it was futile to say, and he couldn’t even ensure his own safety.
Ivan looked at the Baron and tentatively asked, “If I agree to take a trip on behalf of Flying Fish City, what benefits can the Marichadon family get?” The Baron was surprisingly agreeable today, which gave him the courage to make this request.
Baron Karl replied, “I can promise to appoint your father to a position in the government office, making him an official of Flying Fish Port.”
“`
“Baron, your proposal lacks any sincerity.”
After hearing the terms, Ivan snorted in disdain. It was a very awkward situation for an official to not be nobility or to lack noble backing. Leider’s appointment was unlikely to yield much success. Moreover, Leider would eventually be unable to carry out his duties and would have to give up the roots of the Marichadon family—Giant Shield Mercenary Group.
If it had been an offer to join the knights and serve Earl Hobson, that might have at least been plausible.
Seeing that Ivan was not fooled, Baron Karl revealed the true terms: “If there is an opportunity, I will recommend you to the Sorcerers Academy, or another person from the Marichadon family. This is the assurance given by the City Lord, on the honor of the Hobson family.”
Ivan understood what the Baron meant. If he himself never returned, it would give another member of the Marichadon family a chance to go to a place where they could truly learn sorcery—the Sorcerers Academy.
He thought of another question and asked, “After this batch, there won’t be a third one, right?” Heaven knows if any other members of the Marichadon family had the talent to become sorcerers.
“I assure you in the name of the Karl family that we will not seek anyone else from your Marichadon family in the future.”
It seemed that the question had hit a sore spot for the Baron, as Baron Karl’s complexion turned somewhat dark, but he still gave the assurance.
Ivan nodded silently, thereby accepting Baron Karl’s request.
“Regarding whether that pharmacist has any students, someone once asked me, and I said no.”
“Furthermore, the sorcerer is not only looking for apprentices but also recruiting servants. Your relatives and friends won’t be going, but I can send your enemies as a gift to you.”
Before sending the butler to escort him away, Baron Karl gave a few instructions and mentioned a gift he wanted to present to Ivan.
Ivan paid no attention to that, taking it merely as a warning and a threat.
“Ah! I need to make preparations as much as possible in about fifteen days.”
Leaving Karl Manor, Ivan sighed deeply—truly, he had no other choice.
Flying Fish Port might seem like just a medium-sized city, but it boasted a squad composed entirely of knights—the Flying Wings Knights Squad. This knight squad was the direct force of City Lord Hobson. It was said to have twenty to thirty members, at least half of whom were high-level knights.
Flying Fish Port also had patrols and guards for city defense, and neither force was something he or the Marichadon family could contend with. Even if he could escape Flying Fish Port, he could only become a wanted fugitive, living in hiding and exile in the wilderness. The nobility alliance was not something to trifle with.
Better to take some advantage of the situation. In his pocket, he had a letter sealed with the mark of the Golden Fire Flower and the crest of the Hobson family. This was the security offered by the City Lord, a commitment from the Hobson family.
Elsewhere, the old butler returned to the manor to report to Baron Karl.
The old butler was a trusted servant of the Baron and couldn’t help asking, “Baron, why extend such courtesies to that commoner lad? His father is just an Intermediate Knight, and they have but an incompetent Mercenary Group.”
Baron Karl gazed up at the ceiling, seemingly deep in thought.
After a moment, he responded, “David, have you forgotten the horror of sorcerers?”
“But he’s not a sorcerer, not even a sorcerer apprentice.”
“Yet he has the chance to become a sorcerer. Even the City Lord is willing to offer a condition in exchange. Why would I incur death upon us? If he truly becomes a real sorcerer in the end, the Karl family would turn into dust in the annals of history because of one oversight.”
Baron Karl had researched Ivan’s history; he was a young man skilled in learning and prone to creating surprises. Such a person’s future value should not be overlooked, which is also why the City Lord was willing to offer some benefits.
“You’re right; your wisdom shames me,” the old butler conceded.
Remembering the horror of sorcerers, the old butler wiped sweat from his forehead and had to admit that the Baron’s words and actions were the wisest.
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