At dawn, Yuric arrived at the eastern gate of the city after passing through the hot blacksmith district. There, he saw a familiar face from the holy magic circle, Gerbus, who was leading this subjugation team.
“You’ve come at the right time. Wait there,” Gerbus said, gesturing with his thumb towards a group of four people huddled together. They looked like seasoned warriors, worn by years of service. When Yuric approached, their faces showed surprise at seeing a mage.
“I am Mage Yuric.”
Upon identifying himself as a mage, they nodded in understanding.
Although they had only exchanged a few words in the reports, it was appropriate to introduce oneself and one’s role when joining an operation where lives were on the line.
The largest among them, wearing shiny leather armor over a yellow tunic, introduced himself first.
“Miles, I’m a vanguard. I use an axe.”
Next was a woman with half her hair in a tight braid and the other half loose, looking barbaric.
“Jena, I’m a warrior.”
She wore a sword at her waist and a round shield on her back.
Then came a thick-bodied archer who looked almost as broad as a vanguard.
“Tuluud, I’m an archer.”
Finally, a young man with a gentle appearance introduced himself.
“Tyrell, I’m also a warrior.”
As they casually discussed the mission, more members of the subjugation team arrived. Yuric didn’t know, but some of these individuals seemed quite famous in this field.
The large man with a bushy beard and a red face was Parathis, another vanguard.
The muscular woman, Zaloa, was a warrior positioned right behind the vanguard.
Albert, a middle-aged man wearing a pointed hat, was one of the three mages in this team.
With Gerbus included, the subjugation team totaled nine members. As expected, they couldn’t find one more mage.
Soon after, two knights dispatched by the count and their attendants joined the team.
“Everyone, get into the carriages.”
They split into two carriages. The first carriage, leading the way, carried the two knights, their attendants, and the team leader, Gerbus, along with the vanguard, Miles.
The remaining seven climbed into the second carriage. Yuric, as usual, got in last and watched the scenery pass by outside. The carriages started moving, and Yuric watched the castle walls fade away in the dust.
It was a pleasant journey despite the cool night air when camping. During the day-long jostling in the carriage, the team members became quite close. Such camaraderie was essential in this line of work, where meeting new people constantly could be challenging.
Yuric quickly integrated into the group, and the mercenaries liked that he wasn’t as prickly as other mages. The middle-aged mage, Albert, playfully remarked,
“Did you want me to hear that, pup?”
“Fast learner for a mage!”
Laughter spread around the campfire.
After a brief conversation, most of them fell asleep except for one guard on duty. The next morning, they woke up early, filled water bottles at a nearby stream, washed their faces, and had a light breakfast. They reached the mining village around noon.
The mining village was always filled with smoke from smelting minerals, making it look gloomy even before they departed in the morning.
The village, surrounded by stone walls as tall as men, existed solely for mining and refining minerals. The villagers’ skin, exposed to sunlight and heat, was all reddened.
The subjugation team headed toward a mansion on the east side of the village. Baron Bernstain, who governed the village in place of the count, welcomed them.
“You have traveled far. Thank you.”
While the knights and team leader Gerbus talked with the baron, the team unpacked and enjoyed a hearty meal.
After eating, Yuric wandered around the village, sketching its impressive scenes. The drawings of the mining village exuded a strong masculine vibe.
When the knights and Gerbus returned after discussing the situation with the baron, they informed the team.
“They’re currently wandering near the iron mine. Stay alert. The operation begins as soon as we leave the village.”
Gerbus instructed everyone to check their equipment thoroughly before leaving early the next morning and cast the strongest spells available to both Yuric and Albert.
“The curse that feeds on minerals appears often. It appeared in the south ten years ago, but curses can be effectively countered with magic attacks. So, our success will determine the extent of the damage.”
Both nodded in agreement.
“Trust the rest of the team. They are experienced veterans. Focus solely on your magic.”
“Understood.”
The team spent another day in the village before setting out early the next morning for the iron mine.
Normally, carriages carrying miners would move in a line, but the road to the iron mine was nearly empty except for the two team carriages. This made the atmosphere feel strangely eerie.
The distance from the village to the iron mine wasn’t far. By the time the morning sun had risen sufficiently, they reached the end of the road leading to the iron mine. In front of them stood dozens of carts loaded with ore.
“Wow, incredible.”
The numerous deep cone-shaped pits indicated how much ore had been mined. Nearby, shanties where miners lived were scattered, with about half of them damaged.
Curses were most active during the late hours. The team planned to set up camp and wait for the curse to appear.
Gerbus, a specialist in curse studies, used a unique barrier spell specialized against curses. Yuric observed curiously and quickly analyzed the circuitry. He found several spots that needed adjustment.
To maintain the barrier spell, Gerbus installed three mana cores, which looked expensive at first glance.
The middle-aged mage, Albert, also practiced the spells he intended to use against the curse throughout the day, muttering runes. Even if a spell was frequently used, practice was necessary to avoid mistakes, especially in such critical situations where errors could lead to death.
Yuric closed his eyes and meditated. His palm repeatedly visualized and then released the entire circuit, a unique skill he possessed.
Since approaching the iron mine, Yuric’s index finger had gradually warmed up, a clear warning that danger lurked here.
The heat from his warmed finger spread throughout his body due to a magical inscription on it. Despite the chilly autumn breeze, he hardly felt cold.
Yuric recalled the surveillance towers he had seen on the southern front lines.
Those menacing eyes and demonic magic.
This curse might also originate from demonic magic.
Sitting in a meditative posture, Yuric sensed someone approach quietly beside him. He knew it was Gerbus without opening his eyes, recognizing the scent of alcohol and tobacco.
“Are you scared?”
Yuric shook his head, saying no.
“Curses are vicious. Don’t let your guard down until it’s completely eradicated. I’ve seen many die from carelessness.”
“I understand.”
“Good. A mage like you shouldn’t die here… But why did you choose to study curse studies? There aren’t many mages in this field.”
Gerbus smiled bitterly.
“I lost my family to a curse. After that, I resolved to eradicate all curses from this land.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. It’s been a long time. I don’t feel anything anymore.”
But Yuric could see sadness in Gerbus’ eyes.
“I consider it my mission. Fewer people like me should exist.”
Despite appearing like a drunk mage, Gerbus held admirable intentions. Yuric could sense this.
“It’s a boring story.”
“Not at all. It made me think a lot.”
“That’s good. Keep practicing your magic. I’ll go now.”
Gerbus ruffled Yuric’s hair and stood up.
Yuric watched Gerbus walk away, silently thanking him.
Heroes aren’t always those whose names are known.
Many live invisibly, driven by a sense of purpose for humanity.
Yuric realized that the dedication and love of these individuals built the history of humanity, piece by piece.
He deeply imprinted Gerbus’ silhouette in his mind, resolving to capture it in a drawing when he returned to the village.
