Sernerd was a common, declining rural territory. It had two small villages based on agriculture and hunting, and two scattered slash-and-burn farming villages in the mountains.
And at the center of the territory, there was one “sizable village” that was almost laughable to call a city.
When all the people of the territory bowed their heads to the nobles of Sernerd, they didn’t realize it, but now it was clear that it was just a rural territory, nothing more.
“Once, this village was my entire world.”
The man walking ahead said nothing. His face was pale, his lips blue, and he was dying from blood loss, cold, and exhaustion.
Fernandez knew the man could faint at any moment. But what did it matter? Fernandez smiled and untied the rope around the man’s neck.
“Go. Let them know you’ve come. After that, get treated.”
The man glanced at Fernandez’s face and staggered back. Leaving him to reach the village entrance first, Fernandez slowly guided his horse toward the village.
The guards on the wooden rampart hurriedly jumped down and surrounded him.
“Y-young master? Why have you returned? You should flee now…”
“Ah, thank you for your concern. You seem to know me well.”
“Young master?”
“Sorry. I don’t remember you. I’ve returned to see the regent.”
“It’s dangerous! You should leave immediately…”
“Fernandez Sernerrrrrd!!”
Then, a rough shout was heard. The guards flinched and stepped back, and a sturdy-looking man walked out from among them.
Alejandro Sernerd. The son of the regent and his cousin.
“Oh, Alejandro. Long time no see.”
“Long time no see? Are you crazy? You just ran away yesterday, and now you’re talking about a long time?”
Alejandro smirked and approached him, threateningly clenching his fist. Fernandez, instead of being intimidated, smiled and looked down at him.
“Calm down, cousin. I’ve come to see Daniel.”
“Now you’re even calling your uncle by his first name!”
“I’m sixteen now. When I become an adult, this territory will be mine. Why should I address the people of the territory with respect?”
“You’re completely insane! Get down here now!”
“Hmm. Cousin, you seem to be mistaken.”
Fernandez slowly dismounted and drew his sword. Alejandro, momentarily startled by the cold, sharp aura, soon laughed fiercely.
“You didn’t get enough last night, did you, Fernandez? Do you know what it means to draw your sword?”
“It means I’m not responsible for killing under the Noble Duel Code. A good excuse.”
“No need to throw a glove then.”
“Do you know how battles between mages are fought?”
At Fernandez’s sudden question, Alejandro looked blank. He reflexively replied.
“With magic?”
“Only half right.”
-Stab!
“Ughhh!”
Fernandez slowly approached Alejandro and stabbed his thigh.
Alejandro, startled by the sudden attack, tried to react, but Fernandez’s sword skillfully avoided his arm and dug into the flesh of his inner thigh, then pulled out.
Alejandro collapsed in pain.
“To disrupt the opponent’s magic, throw a dagger and then approach to stab with a sword. The basic skill of a mage is closer to basic martial arts than magic.”
And I spent my life as a Wildcast (Wandering Mage). Fernandez looked coldly at the fallen Alejandro.
He shouted to the soldiers and people surrounding him.
“Everyone, I hope you treat him. I’ve severed his femoral artery, so without stopping the bleeding, he’ll die within 10 minutes. Take him to the priest. And you.”
Fernandez spoke to the soldier who had initially approached him warmly.
“Take me to Regent Daniel Sernerd.”
“Yes, yessir!”
Fernandez spun his sword once, flicked off the blood, wiped the blade on his pants, sheathed it, and mounted his horse again.
This was the second time he had returned to the Sernerd Barony on his own after running away. In the past, he had come as the Dark Mage Faijashi, seeking revenge and destruction for Sernerd. But now…
‘Now, it’s more like an experiment.’
The Sernerd Lord’s Mansion was the only stone building in the village, but that didn’t mean it could serve as a particularly splendid fortress.
