Chapter 61

The scenario Galadin envisioned went like this:

First, Galadin, as someone with deep knowledge and abundant common sense, perfectly executes the most important ritual when meeting a strange wizard, [Calling a Wizard].

"This fake wizard! Can you even do magic?"

"Me, a fake wizard? Unbearable! Witness my awesome magic!"

"Oh! Impressive. So, you're not a fraud?"

Then, the wizard, moved by Galadin's profound knowledge, says:

"I've never seen anyone perform [Calling a Wizard] so perfectly! Who are you, and where do you come from?"

"I am Galadin, serving Baron Devosi. Wizard! I offer you the opportunity to work for the Baron!"

"Oh, Baron Devosi! I will gladly follow you!"

...And then, Galadin whistled and took the wizard to his domain.

It was a perfect plan.

In theory, that is.

But things did not go as Galadin expected.

'What? How did you know?'

Ian genuinely thought his fake potion-making had been exposed.

So he panicked...

'Wait a minute.'

But soon, Ian grasped the situation and regained his composure.

'He didn't draw his sword, did he?'

This is the Middle Ages.

A romantic(?) era where the sword is closer than the law, and judges need to carry swords for law enforcement to barely function.

But complaining from a distance, like this man did to Ian, without any action...

That was too peaceful and gentlemanly.

If this man had genuinely been harmed by Ian's fake potion, he would have brought mercenaries and shouted while pouring crossbow bolts, saying, "Ian Eredith Raven, you scammer!"

Only then would Ian have realized, "Ah. I've harmed this person."

But just shouting "You scoundrel!" without firing a single arrow...

That wasn't very Middle Ages-like.

It would have been a protest understandable to modern people.

Modern people, accustomed to laws and morals, think that protests involving violence are cruel and barbaric.

However, Ian was already getting used to the medieval way of thinking.

When he heard "You scoundrel!", his first thought was "Why didn't he draw his sword?" rather than "I'm sorry! It was my fault!"

'That means...'

Ian narrowed his eyes and observed the man.

Cursing Ian verbally without shooting arrows meant there was a very good chance the man wasn't truly angry at Ian.

In other words, it was all for show, a demonstration to provoke Ian.

Furthermore, the man addressed Ian as "Wizard Raven."

This man knew he was a wizard.

Ian briefly recalled his experiences of being insulted and realized something.

'...Calling a Wizard?'

This man was...

Inviting him, Ian, the wizard!

Ian found the situation absurd.

'No, what kind of invitation is that...'

Ian boiled with anger at the medieval way of treating wizards, as if hurling insults at the first meeting was an "invitation."

Wizards were inherently kind and benevolent, but perhaps they became peculiar because others treated them this way.

If every encounter began with such insults, even a sane wizard could become odd.

Complaining, "Wizards are too weird~" after provoking them like this...

Ian's wizardly sensibility exploded.

"Belenka. Get rid of this madman from my sight."

"Um. Okay."

Belenka gave Ian a "Is this really okay?" look, but seeing Ian's displeasure, she immediately drew her sword and charged at the man.

"Wait! Stop! Knight! I am the son of..."

"Step aside."

"Argh!"

The man's escort knight stepped forward but was no match for Belenka.

After dispatching the knight, Belenka was about to deal with the man, who was now in panic.

"I'm not a madman! Wizard Raven! Where does it say this is how you should act!"

Ian stopped Belenka and stepped forward.

"What way are you talking about?"

"Do you really not know? I was merely performing [Calling a Wizard]!"

As expected.

He was indeed attempting [Calling a Wizard].

But Ian, already infuriated, paid no mind to the man's excuses.

Ian smirked at the man's excuse, which wasn't really an excuse.

"Why are you performing [Calling a Wizard] on your own accord?"

"Based on history and records... the norms of the Golden Empire..."

"Bullsh*t. Have you mistaken the era by a thousand years? This is the Holy Empire, sir. Not the Golden Empire."

Ian lashed out at the man without holding back.

Yet, no one thought Ian was being odd.

As Ian said, the decision to perform [Calling a Wizard] was up to the wizard.

Why would it be called [Calling a Wizard]?

It was a procedure meant to honor and summon a wizard.

For [Calling a Wizard] to be conducted, it had to be mutual, and the onlookers also had to be worthy of witnessing [Calling a Wizard].

Just hurling insults without even revealing who you are, like this man, was not [Calling a Wizard] but merely throwing insults.

Even with the many variables considered and the situation deemed appropriate, if a wizard decides against it, [Calling a Wizard] cannot proceed.

Of course, backing out from [Calling a Wizard] in a situation where the public expects it can be detrimental to the wizard.

Being seen as odd, even for a wizard, is unwelcome in any era.

However, refusing in the current circumstances was not an issue.

The purpose of [Calling a Wizard] lies in verifying the wizard's skills and showcasing them to the public, not in mutual insults and belittlement.

In short, this man didn't know how to properly perform [Calling a Wizard].

"I am Galadin, serving Baron Devosi! Let's keep to the courtesies, wizard!"

Galadin remained rigid in his approach, and Ian genuinely started to feel annoyed.

He would have understood if it was a misunderstanding about how to perform [Calling a Wizard]...

But it seemed like the other side was determined to make it a documentary rather than a variety show.

So, Ian had no choice but to go documentary-style too.

"Ah, yes. Galadin. It appears I was too rude for our first meeting."

When Ian bowed first, a smile appeared on Galadin's face, relieved to see Ian becoming compliant.

So, he is a wizard who knows his place after all!

But that was Galadin's misunderstanding.

"Since, as Galadin said, I am a scammer selling fake potions... I must apologize."

"...Hmm?"

"I'm sorry for selling fake potions."

He wasn't lying.

Ian did indeed sell fake potions and was truly a fraudster.

However, no one present believed Ian's words...!

"To treat Ian as a scammer!"

"What are you doing? Really?"

To the people of Talian's domain, Wizard Ian is a genius wizard of unprecedented talent.

And now, to spout nonsense about him selling fake magic potions!

The atmosphere had been set for [Calling a Wizard].

But when Ian responded seriously, Galadin's words were taken seriously too.

As the surroundings started to react aggressively, Galadin was baffled.

"What are you talking about all of a sudden, Raven!"

"I said, I'm sorry for selling fake potions."

Galadin was flabbergasted.

A wizard denying his own potions? Why would he suddenly act this way?

But soon, Galadin realized.

Because of what happened earlier, Ian was now being spiteful...!

'What a peculiar character!'

The "fake magic potion" Galadin mentioned was, of course, nonsense and a lie.

It was an insult concocted for the sake of performing [Calling a Wizard]!

But with Ian's apology, Galadin's nonsense turned into a serious insult.

Naturally, the onlookers were outraged.

"What the hell is this guy doing calling our wizard a scammer?"

"What a f*cking bastard!"

"Should we just hang him?!"

The mercenaries who had fought alongside Ian against Graham's army were especially vocal in their protest.

Our potions are fake?

That's impossible!

The mercenaries raised their voices in respect and care for Ian, not because they were worried that the potions they received were fake.

Lucy, as well as Inglan and Belenka, gave unfriendly looks.

"We shouldn't welcome such people as guests in the future."

"He said he served Baron Devosi. Judging by his attitude, Baron Devosi must be no better."

As the situation turned out this way, Galadin was so indignant he could jump.

I was just performing [Calling a Wizard]!

Why am I the only one getting blamed for something everyone does!

'What do I do now...!'

As the situation turned against him,

Cornered, Galadin didn't run away but instead bowed his head and apologized to Ian.

"I, I'm sorry! I didn't know what I was doing! I thought this was how [Calling a Wizard] was done!"

In admitting his fault, Galadin was better than the shameless people of modern times.

Though it was also true that Galadin was desperate.

Galadin desperately wanted to bring Ian before Baron Devosi.

Miss the chance to save the Baron by arguing with a wizard? Only a fool would do such a thing.

Although he wasn't familiar with customs like [Calling a Wizard], Galadin was a scholar who had diligently studied.

As Galadin humbly apologized, Ian sighed deeply.

He wasn't a bad person, just terribly clumsy.

"[Calling a Wizard]. You don't know how it's done, do you?"

"I've... read about it in books."

"Not everything is written in books."

There were some misunderstandings.

But now that he had received an apology, Ian had no intention of pressing Galadin further.

He was curious about why this person had come all this way, so he wanted to hear him out at least.

"Let's go to the Talian Hall first."

Lucy led the way.

Galadin explained the situation that had befallen Baron Devosi.

Ian understood.

"So... you want to know what caused the Baron to collapse?"

"That's right. I believe that the reason Baron Devosi collapsed is due to some kind of magical curse."

It was a suspicion he had harbored since remedies and prayers had no effect.

Lucy spoke up.

"Does that mean someone deliberately made the Baron ill?"

Galadin nodded.

If it were a disease, taking medicine should have shown some improvement, but the Baron's condition didn't get any better at all.

Therefore, Galadin believed the Baron had fallen victim to someone's wicked magic.

But the real wizards, Ian and Inglan, couldn't fully agree with Galadin's speculation.

"It might be a disease you don't know about."

"The professor is right. It's foolish to automatically link the unknown cause to something magical."

However, at the same time, both somewhat agreed with Galadin's opinion that the situation might involve the mysteries.

Whether it's an illness or something magical, it was impossible to know without a direct examination.

Even if someone had intentionally caused it, whether they used magic or not also needed verification.

"Please, I beg you! Wizard Ian! Could you personally check on the Baron's condition?"

Ian pondered for a moment.

Unless one is medically trained, it's impossible for a modern person to cure someone else's disease.

After all, modern people go to the hospital and take medicine to get treated, don't they?

They wouldn't have medical knowledge.

So, if it were a serious illness, there was nothing Ian could do.

But if it was related to magic, that was a different story.

If it was a mystery he hadn't encountered before, he could possibly gain skill points.

And with some luck, he might learn new magic.

"It seems worth visiting once."

Inglan viewed Galadin's request positively.

"Why?"

"Hmm. Are you not curious? About what's afflicting Baron Devosi."

It was the curiosity of a wizard.

Ian agreed on this point.

As Ian continued as a wizard, he found himself increasingly curious about mysteries.

"I am curious."

"Getting acquainted with various nobles could be very useful. You might need their help later, and it's also an opportunity to make your name known."

Inglan was a power-oriented wizard.

Unlike Eredith, who wandered in pursuit of only mysteries, Inglan thought it important to establish relationships with powerful figures and secure funding.

Ian couldn't ignore the advice of a university professor of magic.

"It won't take long."

Since there was nothing else to do in Talian's domain anyway, just conducting an examination was something he could easily do.

"Alright. Let's go together."

"...! Thank you! Really, thank you!"

Ian decided to take some time to visit Baron Devosi's domain.