Chapter 73

After the downfall, the world became a lawless place.

With the disappearance of what was known as the government, the strongest rulers of society, all that was left were nobodies.

That's how it was after the fall of the Golden Empire.

Those called kings still had an air of rulership about them, but those below them were nothing more than local gang leaders.

From an individual's standpoint, it was a harsh time to live.

Without public authority, it was natural for a state of all-against-all to emerge.

However, for those with some strength and luck, it was clearly a time of opportunity.

Since everyone was equally worthless, the one who grew first took it all!

Of course, it's easy to say, "Just grow stronger."

But it's not easy to simultaneously pick on the weak, appease the strong, and cautiously climb the ranks.

Even gamers accustomed to medieval simulation games despaired at the reality of the Middle Ages.

What about the uneducated commoners?

They were prone to messing up at every turn.

"…Thank you."

"Don't mention it. It's nothing."

Ian gave Baron Damon various practical advice.

It wasn't anything remarkable.

Find a Count worth serving, be friendly with the neighboring Barons, if you're going to rob, then go on a raid to the South.

Don't rob those heading to Talian, and so on...

It was common sense and obvious advice, nothing that would harm the Baron.

However, the Baron had no one around him to offer even that common sense and obvious advice.

"If you become my personal wizard..."

"Are you out of your mind? Oh did I say that out loud? Haha."

"..."

There was no reason for Ian to become the right hand of a bandit boss.

One would have to be at least of count-level to consider making an offer.

Accepting such an offer, unless one was hit in the head with a crossbow, was impossible.

"Yeah. It'll be tough."

"If you need talented individuals, start by building a temple."

"A temple?"

"If you build one, then you can ask the Pope to send a priest to the domain. They will send one."

The problem was the lack of temples, not priests. Priests could be easily produced.

Having a priest to offer advice would make managing the domain much easier than now.

"Ah. But building a temple requires money..."

"You'll have to earn it, then."

Ian smiled lightly.

After all, it wasn't his problem.

Ian casually offered several pieces of advice to soothe Baron Damon.

Since all it took was a bit of smooth talking, Ian generously shared information.

Enough so that the Baron considered releasing Kira.

When Kira displayed her aggressive fire wizard persona, the Baron quickly lost any desire to keep her around.

"We're nearing the end of the road."

They were approaching the edge of the Baron's influence.

Though the Baron showed his regret, he couldn't bring himself to hold Ian back.

Ian had done too much for him.

"You're right. I was thinking about it all wrong."

Baron Damon willingly let Ian and his companions go.

"I'll make a feudal contract with a decent Count. And once my domain stabilizes, I'll make a trip to the south."

"If you're short on supplies, visit the Talian domain. If you say you're introduced by the wizard Ian, they'll treat you well."

"...Thank you. Really."

He heard there was war brewing in the South.

It was information shared by Baron Kaltz of Riverville.

If Baron Damon leads his army (or bandits) to war and makes a significant contribution, he might not only gain wealth but possibly additional lands.

If he's capable, he will succeed.

That's the kind of era it was.

"I never really understood why they said to be kind to wizards."

"?"

"Seeing you, I get it now."

Baron Damon patted Ian on the shoulder.

"Why you should be kind to a wizard."

Wizards were valuable personnel, especially for the nobility.

But even more so for a commoner thug; a wizard was an invaluable resource.

Wizards had the experience and knowledge gained from interacting with nobles.

"Continue down the Epari River. My friends are there, and if you say you are introduced by Baron Damon, they'll treat you well."

"Let's do that."

Ian and his party exchanged warm farewells with the bandits.

No one was dead, and they shared information and connections. It could be considered a very successful meeting.

Ian shared the conversation with Galadin.

Galadin looked skeptical.

"The Epari River? Not bad, but I heard rumors about river pirates there."

"Ah. Those guys must be friends of the Baron."

"...River pirates?"

River pirates are thieves who operate on water.

Mountain thieves are bandits, sea thieves are pirates, and river thieves are river pirates.

That's how it goes.

"Sure, taking a boat would be quick, but..."

Galadin was visibly wrestling with the idea.

He wanted to take the boat, but the idea of heading into a den of river pirates was unnerving.

But the dilemma didn't last long.

"Walking is a hassle, why don't we just take a boat?"

"Is that okay? What if the river pirates have bad intentions..."

Ian wasn't really concerned by Galadin's worries.

River pirates also have eyes; would they openly attack a group that included a knight and a wizard?

Baron Damon had many men and even a wizard with him, yet they had only blocked Ian's group.

Then what about some river pirates?

If it was an army the size of Baron Damon's, it might be intimidating, but they could just avoid them if they had to.

There wasn't a need to take a boat.

Ian felt no need to persuade Galadin.

In this party without any high-ranking individuals, the majority ruled.

"Belenka, I actually want to meet the river pirates. You're not... scared, are you?"

At Ian's almost cute provocation, Belenka just smirked.

"As if a bunch of thieves could scare me."

"Ah. What about the other knights?"

"..."

There were two knights accompanying them as Galadin's escorts.

They glanced at Belenka, then bravely shouted.

"How can we call ourselves knights if we're afraid of mere thieves!"

"I'm actually looking forward to it! Thinking about taking their heads!"

Little braggarts. All talk.

Knights are human too.

No one's a match for a beating.

If they were wearing the legendary [Full Plate Mail], maybe they could brush off hits and rampage through enemies.

But in this era, full plate mail didn't exist yet.

Chain mail and scale mail were the endgame.

If river pirates threw nets and jabbed from afar with spears, even knights would die.

But they couldn't say they didn't want to fight even if it meant dying.

A cowardly knight?

Their value would plummet immediately.

"What about Kira..."

"It sounds like a hassle."

The knights looked at Kira.

Kira spoke indifferently.

"If I accidentally set the boat on fire, we'll have to swim, right? I hate moving."

"..."

You win, Kira.

Kira was the champion of the World's Biggest Bluff Contest.

With everyone bluffing, the mood naturally leaned towards meeting the river pirates.

Galadin's influence? Did that even exist?

Ian's party headed for the Epari River.

A deadly showdown with the river pirates!

Didn't happen.

The moment the river pirates met Ian's party, they bowed their heads first.

"Oh my! What esteemed guests have we here!"

The river pirates' targets were, of course, merchants.

Their first target was merchants, followed by heretics, to capture and sell as slaves...

There was no reason to be hostile towards Ian's party, a mix of a wizard and knights, especially since they didn't outwardly appear to have any valuables worth taking.

Sure, there might be a temptation to farm equipment, but even that should be done considering the opponent, as common sense dictates.

"We came introduced by Baron Damon."

"Baron Damon? Oh, the new Baron!"

Though self-proclaimed, the river pirates were unaware of this fact.

Ian immediately sweet-talked the leader of the river pirates.

"Baron Damon spoke highly of you."

"Me?"

"He said he plans to undertake a big venture soon and will need your help."

"Oh!"

It wasn't a lie.

When the Baron sets out on his expedition, having the help of the river pirates would indeed be convenient.

"We're heading to the domain of Baron Devosi."

"Ah. That place is a bit..."

The river pirates were reluctant to go down to the Devosi Barony.

"We could be killed if they see us there."

Galadin stood by with a triumphant look.

The Devosi Barony, being situated along the river, had a few boats.

If river pirates were caught meddling, they'd be sent straight to the gallows.

"It's okay. They won't have the leisure to worry about you."

"Really? Why?"

"Haven't you heard? The Baron has fallen ill, cursed or something."

Galadin looked downcast.

Only then did the river pirates smile.

"Then it's worth a shot!"

"And this man is a servant of the Baron. Galadin. Say something."

"In the name of Baron His Excellency, I vouch for their identity."

"Is that so. How about giving us a ride?"

Ian pointed at Kira and said.

"By the way, if you don't give us a ride, we'll burn you."

"...What?"

Kira, without blinking an eye, shot a firework.

The mercenaries were thrilled at Kira's fire magic.

"Wow! It's Kira's fire magic!"

"It's always so cool to see!"

The river pirates gulped.

Getting burned was far less beneficial than giving a ride...

"Welcome aboard!"

"Thank you."

The departure was prepared as smoothly as water flows.

There was just one minor issue.

The boat was too small for the number of people.

Galadin resolved this issue in a flash.

"Hey. You guys. Walk."

"Yes!"

It was agreed(?) that the servants and slaves would walk.

Since the Barony was just ahead, they were no longer needed.

Not satisfied with just offloading the servants, Galadin also made the river pirates disembark from the boat.

The river pirates cursed under their breath, but what could they do when they were told to leave by those higher up?

They had no choice but to comply.

Thanks to that, Ian could comfortably travel by boat to the Devosi domain.

With some room to breathe, Ian called Kira to sit down with him.

The cabin was so cramped they had to sit tightly next to each other on a bed.

"..."

"Don't be so nervous. No one's going to eat you."

From the moment she entered the room, Kira couldn't calm herself down.

It was necessary to calm her before they could have a conversation.

"I didn't call you here to scold you or anything, just wanted to have a chat."

Kira looked up at Ian with frightened eyes and asked,

"Really...?"

Seeing her like this, it was almost like she had a dual personality.

The wizard Kira and the ordinary girl Kira.

Just to be sure, he asked.

"Is this still an act? Or..."

Then Kira, startled, responded.

"N-no! How could I dare to act in front of a wizard..."

Ian nodded.

From the moment her fire wizard persona was discovered, Kira had lost all will to act in front of Ian.

If she had been acting out of a desire to survive, she would have tried some trickery.

All Kira had done was to quietly stay near Ian.

It was as if she had given up halfway.

"Anyway... anyway... sob"

"???"

"You're going to kill me...! sob, or sell me into slavery...!"

Kira burst into tears, releasing the anxiety she had been holding back all this time.

Ian wasn't aware of it.

After all, he had never once criticized her for her wizard persona.

So, Ian thought as he pleased.

Ah. This friend.

Contrary to her appearance, she has a tender heart.