8 A Genius In The Making?

"You just nonchalantly used all of the elements... How old you said you were again?"

Relocating into the mansion that we've been able to rebuild and renovate into a better one, Juri and I, Grantt, faced each other in my office.

"I'm 17."

"Just... how were you able to re-establish this town from nothing?"

It has only been a year since I transmigrated into this body.

But inside of that small time frame, I was able to rebuild this small empire from a desolate winter-drought village, into a clear-sky paradise.

"Long story..."

I began to reminisce about that past year.

My people doubted my words at first, but seeing was believing.

I always made it rain back then. I had them dig huge water reservoirs and canals to lead them to the city.

Everything was made out of stone. It was the only resource we were abundant with.

The saplings were already planted, but it will take years for us to harvest them, and at that time, it was just necessary to trade our excess stone for wood.

It was the village from the east. One where we would mostly buy food.

However, we were able to rear pigs and cattle, adding on the effective farming of wheat and potatoes due to the soil being rich in minerals.

A huge chunk of land was dedicated for that, and there were four owners of those farmlands, which I had loaned them with.

Food was already secured, and the laborers began to be reduced as jobs increased.

There were blacksmiths among the remaining residents, and they were more than skilled as Lilith judged their works.

They were half-dwarves that had been exiled from their country, only hiding in the most less conspicuous place, the abandoned Hellsburg.

"You traded with other villagers without informing the Kingdom of your activities. This might just as be a rebellion!"

"The very same Kingdom that had let this land rot? The Kingdom that ignored the cries of those poor peasants you call?!"

I slammed my fist into the desk.

The soldiers from behind her wanted to move, but Marcus, Lilith, and Sai who stood behind me were there, intimidating them.

She was getting too comfortable asking questions. It was time for my turn.

"I'd like to ask again. What is your reason for visiting here and almost destroying a place under the Kingdom? " I asked with a heightened sense of voice.

"I've already sent the necessary documents for the re-establishment of trading with the Kingdom," I added on. I didn't plan on stopping.

"So, why are you here, trying to cause trouble, especially in a land that you do not have power in?"

I clenched my fist right beside my face.

It became enveloped in the raging fire as its illuminating light reflects into my eyes.

These idiots dare to trample upon what I've worked for. I will not waste a second to kill them all here.

However... diplomacy was the first phase I've thought of.

Killing a councilor sent by the Kingdom is treason. I might be stronger than the average but against an army, I cannot protect myself and my people at the same time.

A land without an army is like a sitting duck, waiting to be eaten. I realized that just now.

"I only came here to acquire the truth!"

She leaned back, crossing both of her arms.

Was she an idiot or an airhead?

"I already told you everything you need to know."

"There has never been someone able to become a Saint with water whilst the rest is Intermediate at such a young age other than The Blessed Knight!"

She was doubting the validity of my abilities despite witnessing it.

It was the same thing the others had told me before as well though, with the same surprised face.

For me, it was only science. A set of compounds that relies on conscious knowledge to make one phenomenon happen.

Mana was the invisible hand that let you touch the elements and create something.

It was easy to control for me.

Visualizing water as mana, as something intangible but existing.

"Anyways. You launched the first attack, there are light users here that had been able to record your actions."

Light Users. If I haven't mentioned it before, other elements aren't categorized as the main.

They are considered only useful for lights and visualizing images but I had trained them to specifically record moments seen by their own eyes using mana.

"Attack Royalty is the same as treason."

"Are you blackmailing me, Maximilian?!"

She stood up, slamming the table.

I feel pity for this desk, surviving these strong hits from both of us.

"Blackmailing is a poor choice of words, Councilor... what was your name again?"

"Juri."

"Councilor Juri, yes. It was you who acted wrongly against me. It would supposedly be right for you to receive punishment but..."

I snapped my fingers.

Instantly, some maids rushed in as the soldiers were pushed back by them to make way.

They were carrying bags made out of leather.

"What is this?"

Juri asked as she faced no one other than me.

Her eyes were only focused on my face. Trying to pursue the truth that had always been apparent.

"Gifts. It had been years since we were able to last provide the Kingdom. As a feudal lord, I still must do such."

Opening the bags, the maids revealed their contents.

It was gold bars, high-quality demi-beast leather, and food alike. It was more than sufficient for twice their group's current number of troops.

The gold specifically was even more valuable. There were more than fifty bars in one bag, it was Grace who carried them with ease.

"Perhaps, this will suffice for the trouble?"

Even though they were the ones that had troubled me, it was courtesy for me to offer gifts to visitors that would have to spread a word to the Kingdom.

An exposure I can get for free if I were to play my cards right.

"Tsk. This is more than sufficient."

She had no other choice but to accept it. There was news in the Kingdom that they had been running out of gold after the King spent it on his extravagance.

"Oh, and also. These swords might become much handier than those fragile swords and spears of yours."

The last rolled leather was opened, revealing a set of swords that was meant to replace the weapons Marcus destroyed.

"Think of it as reimbursement."

There was nothing in particular inside of those words. They were very durable, and normal.

There was nothing completely suspicious about them.

"Knights. Take it away."

They all took one for themselves as they carried the goods outside. Juri was the one left as she keep her eyes on me.

"This is getting interesting, Maximilian. I will keep my eyes on you."

Women like these were the most annoying. Very intricate and doubtful. They will bring nothing but trouble.

However, I respect her dedication to her convictions.

It was the least of my concern if a fight happened but I had to think of my place and power.

I might have this unique capability of wielding the main elements but I was clearly at the bottom of the power chain.

"My liege. Are you sure of those swords...? They were ones of the indestructible ones."

After we were able to see Juri's convoy leave with the cavalry, Marcus began to ask me.

"Don't worry, Marcus. They will be useful to us in the future."

I reassured him, tapping him by the shoulders. I was just about to exit the office but with a simple tug on my arm, Lilith stopped me.

"Where do you think you are going? There are still lots of work to be done."

I had almost forgotten. Hellsburg was still in its state of progress.

If I could call it with modern terms, it would be an extended period of "Hell week."

△▼△▼△▼△▼△▼

In the outskirts of Hellsburg. I, Juri led my soldiers out of the village. It was time they go back report the things we've discovered in my stead.

If anything, staying here would be akin to them being ambushed if the village was truly but a trap.

"Councilor Juri. Was that fine? They aren't still out of the clear. Even if the will was true, we cannot factor out the possibility that he is an imposter and a corrupt."

Treading slowly in the path, the lead commander of the Knights conversed with me, wielding the same sword that suspicious lord, Grantt, gifted them with.

"His father never held such a strong ability in the first place. The son shouldn't be able to wield such a broad range of elements."

He added, looking into the reflection of himself in the blade before sheathing it back.

"You're right, Zabal."

I agreed, but a moment after, I halted my horse, unmounting it.

"—?!"

"I will stay here in this town for a week and I will see for myself if he is indeed running a dirty business in here."

From a ring that I wore, there was a black sphere that appeared. I pulled out a robe from it, wearing it over myself as my appearance changed.

This ring was no normal ring. It was a storage ring, where I also pulled out another item that would change one's appearance while wearing it.

I planned on going undercover in that suspicious town.

"I'll come with you, Councilor!"

"—No! You tell Councilor Franklin of what conspired here, but tell him not to intervene with me."

I held my hand out, stopping Zabal from going closer to me with his horse.

This wouldn't be as much as a stealth mission if someone like him would join me.

He would stick out like a sore thumb in a town with the way he spoke.

I gave the reins of the horse to one of the soldiers that were with me. I couldn't just bring this in with me.

I will have to travel back to the Kingdom through different methods.

"You all carry valuable resources that one small city was able to provide. Proceed with caution."

"But what about you, Councilor Juri? Those two... they were no normal magic users."

Zabal showed me concern, but I would be fine as long as everything goes as planned.

"I will be fine Zabal. I will send letters each day to report. If I don't send a letter for a day, then you can move as you wish."

This is a foolproof plan.

I will be able to observe this town from within it, and if anything would happen to me, the Kingdom will strike this town down.

"Do you understand?"

I asked one last time before turning to face them.

I held my chest out in confidence, knowing that my ability is enough to face the risks.

I am Juri, one of the few Councilors of the Kingdom.

Just like the Hero, I aspire to help the world become a better place.

"Yes, Councilor Juri!"

They all raised their hand, slamming them to their metal chest plates. It was a salutation the Kingdom did every time.

I was no exception to it. I returned that salutation subtly.

"Be safe."

The last words I said before they went on their way, and the last words I heard from them.

Hellsburg. I began my mission to uncover the truth that was hidden there.