Yuric entered the Baron’s Estate located in the center of the city with two knights. Although the estate wasn’t heavily guarded, it was not careless either.
By the time they reached the central part of the castle where the baron might be, the sky was almost dark. The three of them walked through the complex corridors of the mansion, which was rarely visited by servants now. Lightly dressed soldiers patrolled periodically along the corridors.
They arrived at the magnificent arched door where two armed knights were standing guard. Though they were from the same Iron Cross Knight Order, they only exchanged glances silently.
“His Excellency, Sir Louis has arrived.”
“Come in.”
The knight cautiously opened the door, and the three of them entered inside.
The baron’s office, illuminated by a single magic light, was more modest than Yuric had imagined. He thought to himself that Baron Rebek didn’t seem to be a man of luxury.
The middle-aged man, who appeared to be around the same age as Yuric’s father, had a sharp appearance. As a noble owning a territory, an aura naturally emanated from him.
Yuric stopped in the middle position with the knights.
“The mage has arrived.”
Yuric realized it was his turn for self-introduction.
“My name is Yuric, Your Grace.”
Baron Rebek stared intently at Yuric, scrutinizing him thoroughly.
“Young indeed. I have heard of your reputation. A mage, you say. Is it true?”
“Yes.”
“How strong are you? Please be honest.”
“I believe I can take care of myself.”
This implied he was a mage capable of handling one person’s worth of magic.
While he may not be proficient in martial arts, a young mage could still be orthodox in their abilities.
…Even if his skills fell short of expectations, Baron Rebek currently needed every mage he could get.
“From now on, please keep this conversation confidential.”
“Understood.”
It seemed the conversation would be lengthy, so Baron Rebek opened a drawer, lit a cigarette, and took a deep puff.
“A few days ago, there were numerous attacks on the southern road.”
“Attacks…?”
“Indiscriminate attacks. No distinction was made between merchants or commoners. There were no survivors. At first, I thought it was bandits. As you know, many mercenaries have been moving towards the southern front. Once mercenaries turn to evil, they become bandits immediately.”
Yuric listened attentively to the baron’s words.
“However, it wasn’t bandits. The money and goods were left untouched. Even bandits dealing in human trafficking wouldn’t leave valuables behind. Therefore, we concluded it was the work of a monster and discreetly sent out a subjugation team.”
The baron took a deep drag on his cigarette, exhaling a thin cloud of smoke.
“But the subjugation team was also defeated. The enemy was not just any ordinary monster… It was a demon.”
A demon!
Yuric’s intelligent mind raced.
“…It must have come from the front line. A bird-type demon, perhaps?”
“Yes. You must be a mage to discern that quickly.”
A demon was a different level of creature compared to a monster. Not only were they powerful, but some were known to possess weak magical abilities as well.
One reason why demons, even in small numbers, could push humans back was their ability to control these fierce demons.
“So I understand why you called me here and explained in such detail.”
A bird-type demon would be extremely difficult to handle without magic. If the demon used magic, it would complicate things further.
“If you join our subjugation team, there will be four mages. That should be sufficient to deal with the demon. Can you give me an answer now? Or do you need more time to think?”
Yuric hesitated slightly but did not think it necessary to prolong the matter.
“In that case, I will join as well.”
He thought it would be good experience for him.
Besides, his brother’s shop was in this city, so impressing the baron couldn’t hurt.
“That’s straightforward. We’ll pay you fairly.”
“Thank you.”
They agreed to discuss the rest outside, and Yuric and the two knights left the baron’s office.
The two men led Yuric to a room where the baron’s subordinates worked. They placed a contract in front of him.
“If you wish, we can pay the advance now.”
“That’s fine. I’ll collect everything once the job is done. By the way, can I receive payment right after defeating the demon? I plan to head south immediately after the mission ends…”
“It’s possible. In that case, let’s proceed like that.”
After adding additional clauses, Yuric signed both copies of the contract.
“The departure is in three days at dawn, and the assembly point is the southern gate.”
“What is the scale of the team?”
“There are two mercenary bands and six knights. Including you, there will be four mages.”
“Understood.”
The knights personally escorted Yuric to the outer area of the estate.
“We will also join the subjugation team. See you then, Mr. Yuric.”
They exchanged casual farewells before parting ways.
As the night grew darker, Yuric slowly headed toward Luke’s shop.
*
At dawn of the gathering day.
Yuric, having completed his preparations, left the shop. His older brother, Luke, who had woken up and prepared with him, watched him with a distant look.
“You’re really leaving.”
“Yeah, it’s time to go, brother.”
The brothers hugged, warmth passing between them.
“Be careful. I’ll always pray for you.”
“I’ll be careful. I don’t know when I’ll return.”
“Don’t worry about this place. Take your time and enjoy it as much as you want.”
“Okay. Then, I’ll go. …Brother, you don’t have to come out. Stay inside. It’s okay.”
“No, I need to see you off.”
“No, it’ll make my heart feel empty. I’ll go alone. It’s better that way.”
His brother nodded in understanding.
“Yuric, have a safe journey. Be sure… be very careful!”
The younger brother waved to his brother, and the brother waved back to his younger brother.
Goodbye, my dear brother, my homeland.
May you stay healthy until I return.
Mage Yuric wrapped his scarf tighter around his neck and walked down the quiet morning street. The deserted streets gave him a mysterious and dreamlike sensation. Lost in deep thought, he found himself near the southern gate.
The southern gate, in stark contrast to the quiet morning streets, was bustling with people. There were mercenaries, knights, mages, and workers who would handle the rough tasks during the expedition.
“Are you the youngest?”
“Never seen you before.”
The mercenaries mistook Yuric for the youngest member of their group. He walked past them to join the knights.
“Did I come too late?”
“I arrived exactly on time.”
A line was drawn under Yuric’s name on the list.
After the slow-moving mercenaries arrived, the representative leading the subjugation team stepped forward. The middle-aged man introduced himself as Thomas Deron, deputy commander of the Iron Cross Knight Order.
“You’ve already received detailed information from each responsible party. Remember, given that the enemy is a demon, even a moment’s carelessness could cost not only your life but those around you. The expedition is expected to last up to ten days, but I don’t expect it to take that long.”
Commander Thomas paused briefly and scanned the subjugation team.
“As long as everyone remembers their roles, we shouldn’t have difficulty dispatching the demon. Good luck. Let’s depart. Everyone, get on the carriages!”
Five carriages were prepared, each capable of holding up to eight people. With a total of ten mercenaries, there were plenty of seats available.
Before boarding the carriages, the mages gathered together. Among the three mages excluding Yuric, one belonged to a mercenary band, another was a wandering mage, and the old mage was a court mage serving the baron directly.
The court mage introduced himself as a Dunmer.
“Are you Yuric?”
“Yes.”
“How old are you?”
“This year, I’m seventeen.”
“Seventeen…”
The Dunmer’s eyes, which scrutinized Yuric’s entire body, did not seem ordinary.
But he said nothing further and assigned the mages to different carriages.
Yuric was assigned to a carriage occupied by a mercenary band consisting of four men and one woman.
“Oh, a mage has graced us with their presence in this humble place!”
“Let’s get along well during the expedition.”
“Even if the smell of the youngsters is a bit strong, bear with it.”
Yuric smiled humbly and shook hands with them. He was not lacking in social skills.
The female mercenary, upon seeing Yuric’s outstanding appearance, grinned widely.
“At last, some eye candy. It’s been a while since I’ve seen someone like you.”
“Do you not think about your own face?”
“Shut up. What’s wrong with my face? It’s a face that can eat anything!”
“Hey, kids. A mage is here. What do you think they’ll think?”
“They’ll probably think we’re idiots.”
They all chuckled quietly.
Moments later, with a whistle, the carriages passed through the southern gate.
The dawn light, slowly rising from the horizon, cast a pale glow over the fields. Yuric’s heart swelled with anticipation at the majestic scene.
The procession of carriages heading south,
piercing the dawn light and stirring up dust, was bound for the south.
