Became a Medieval Fantasy Wizard-Chapter 340

Hiding his true intentions while leading the other party to walk willingly into a trap.

It was a cunning approach typically mastered by nobles who managed large cities.

City nobles would understand this perfectly.

They had to navigate countless personal interactions while securing their own interests.

But Ian was a wizard, wasn't he?

How often did wizards need to engage in such maneuvers?

Moreover, there existed a culture of mutual respect between wizards and nobles, making such scheming unnecessary to get what one wanted.

In that sense, Ian's cunning was unwizardly.

"...Perhaps among the mysteries Ian wields, there is one that grants a cunning disposition."

"Or he's simply meticulous by nature."

The Emperor shook his head.

He'd been caught off guard, assuming his opponent was just a typical wizard.

It felt like he'd been thoroughly outplayed.

"As one problem disappears, another emerges."

"Surely it's nothing compared to a civil war within the Empire."

"That's true enough."

Not the best scenario, but a passable second choice.

The ideal situation would have been for the Emperor to freely decide Maria's fate.

First, use Maria to invalidate Duke Fargar's justification for war—

Then select a suitable person from House Roxlan to marry Maria.

This would naturally merge the Roxlan and Silverwind titles.

A (forced) marriage alliance, in essence.

In this case, the Emperor could suppress Fargar while simultaneously creating a debt with Roxlan. Without shedding a drop of blood.

...Of course, the girl Maria might suffer unimaginable pain.

As everyone familiar with the situation knew, Duke Roxlan viewed Silverwind as a thorn in his side.

The return of a daughter from a house he'd previously drowned couldn't possibly please him.

And now she's to become his daughter-in-law?

Without question, Maria would become the Duke's plaything.

The Emperor knew Duke Roxlan's eccentric personality all too well.

However...

For the Empire's balance, the Emperor could readily sell off the daughter of a long-extinct house without hesitation.

Does that seem cruel? If so, that's normal.

In the machinations of state affairs, individual happiness tends to be torn to shreds like a rag caught in machinery.

"If we hand Maria over to Duke Roxlan, everything would be resolved."

"But that's impossible."

"...Yes. I made a promise to Ian."

The Emperor had not the slightest interest in a Silverwind survivor.

How many fallen noble houses existed within the Empire?

A loyal noble who served the imperial family might have remembered them, but...

Like most margraves, the Silverwind family had been nobles with little interest in central politics, including the Emperor.

Silverwind had conflicts with Roxlan, and consequently disappeared.

If there was one contemptible aspect, it was that Roxlan had sold imperial lands to the Rashin Kingdom and pretended ignorance.

Since Duke Roxlan himself had created grounds for the Emperor to catch him, the Emperor merely pretended to tolerate it.

Frankly speaking—

The Emperor had nothing to gain by making Maria the Countess of Silverwind.

What good would creating a countess do?

She'd just end up being crushed by Duke Roxlan again.

How could the Emperor possibly intervene in affairs happening at the southern edge of the empire?

If that were possible, he would have long abandoned this role as a mere group project leader.

The Emperor grappled with his thoughts repeatedly, but only one idea kept surfacing.

Ah-! I want to sell off Maria-!

I want to make her a ducal daughter-in-law-!

"Should I ask Ian?"

"...I suspect he'll refuse."

"Let's try anyway!"

With his heart pounding, the Emperor went to meet Ian!

***

"...That's what I think. What do you say, Ian!"

"I refuse."

A razor-sharp rejection!

The Emperor didn't take it... as a personal wound.

His position was far too harsh for such trifles to cause injury.

"Haha. Indeed. You care for the girl."

Forendal laughed and added:

"I saw you several times at the university. You were diligently teaching Maria magic."

Naturally, because she had talent.

Maria possessed the gift of a necromancer.

Ian simply wanted to nurture Maria's potential.

'Just as my master made me a wizard.'

Ian had never been stingy about teaching magic to others.

Now, carrying on Maronius's will, he was even more open to it.

'Marrying Maria into House Roxlan...?'

Though he'd immediately refused, Ian gave it serious thought.

Perhaps it could be a good opportunity for Maria.

Maria was a black-haired girl who possessed the Silverwind signet ring, but—

A mere ring wouldn't transform a country girl into a countess.

Army, money, or the support of many people.

Without such practical power, she would merely be an easily exploited item.

But what if Maria became a daughter-in-law of House Roxlan?

On the surface, it seemed reasonable.

Ian still vividly remembered his first meeting with Maria.

Her miserable state, tied up in a village granary, condemned as a witch by the villagers.

If Ian hadn't rescued her, Maria might have been burned at the stake.

And now that girl could become a ducal daughter-in-law overnight?

Here was a medieval social-climbing story that put Cinderella to shame!

Wow! When does the serialization begin, medieval author?

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Becoming Countess Silverwind might be impossible, but becoming a daughter-in-law of House Roxlan was entirely feasible.

...However, Ian also recalled Count Dranheim's words.

[Duke Roxlan, you know. I heard he lost a woman he wanted as his concubine to the Margrave?]

[There had been friction between Roxlan and Silverwind before, but the stolen lover issue was decisive.]

Duke Roxlan viewed the Silverwind family with disdain.

...So what about Maria?

'Simply handing Maria over seems too irresponsible.'

Ian had no intention of making Maria a ducal daughter-in-law.

Not yet, at least.

His thoughts might change after assessing the atmosphere in House Roxlan, but—

Maria's own will was most important.

'If it's possible, it could be good for Maria.'

Ian nodded, thinking this way.

Consider this.

Maria, though somewhat eerie, was undeniably a beautiful girl who captured men's attention.

She was young now, but by her mid-twenties, her beauty would be extraordinary.

Should such a beautiful girl struggle through life as a traveler?

Especially while becoming a necromancer who converses with the dead?!

Being part of a ducal family, bossing around maids, would be a hundred times better.

Having reached this conclusion, Ian called for Maria.

"You called for me?"

"Yes, Maria."

Ian relayed the Emperor's proposal to her.

Would she consider becoming a daughter-in-law of House Roxlan?

Surprisingly, Maria showed little reaction.

She quietly gazed up at Ian with her large eyes.

Maria spoke.

"Do you want me to marry someone from House Roxlan?"

"..."

That wasn't really the case.

Just... it seemed better for Maria.

Why, daughter-in-law of a ducal house. Sounds impressive, right?

Ian answered honestly.

"Well. I'm satisfied as long as you're living happily."

"...Really?"

"Of course."

Maria then closed her eyes briefly before saying:

"I'm... happiest when I'm by your side."

Ian asked, just to be sure:

"If you become part of a ducal family, you'll become nobility too. You know that, right?"

"Yes. Of course."

"You can live in a nice house eating delicious food. The Duchess of Roxlan might make your life difficult, but Elia and I could help with that somehow. You still don't want to marry?"

Suddenly, Maria reached out.

She wrapped her arms around Ian's neck with a speed that startled even him.

Ian tried to step back in alarm, but—

Maria clung to him like some face-hugger and wouldn't let go!

"Wait, hang on—"

Ian was flustered.

He could feel not only Maria's slender arms but also the soft touch of her chest and thighs.

This girl Maria—!

She was clearly doing this knowing full well that her body was pressing against Ian!

Maria narrowed her eyes and whispered:

"I don't want to marry anyone else."

Ian briefly met Maria's eyes and panicked.

Maria's long eyelashes were eerily, yet disturbingly seductive.

He thought he'd grown accustomed to women after meeting Lucy and Kira.

But Maria was different.

She had an innate sensuality that was on another level.

Lucy from Talian was practically a kindergartener in comparison! (Sorry Lucy, but that's the truth!)

"I can't even imagine... marrying someone else."

"Maria, let's talk with a bit of distance..."

"I have wishes too, you know."

"..."

Ian felt Maria's body trembling slightly.

Indeed it was.

Maria buried her face in Ian's shoulder and spoke slowly.

"Duke, count. I don't care about such things."

"But this is about you, Maria."

"...Please."

Maria looked up at Ian. Her eyes were moist with tears.

...Ian barely resisted the urge to embrace her tightly.

"They say my family is already gone. Honestly, I don't even know if I'm truly a member of that house."

"..."

"My memories are... nothing but pain."

Squeeze

Maria's grip tightened around Ian.

As if she never wanted to let him go.

"I grew up without parents. I worked as a maid in other houses just to feed myself."

"Maria."

"And... the whispers of the dead have tormented me my entire life."

Ian slowly stroked Maria's head.

As his confusion subsided, only one girl remained before his eyes.

An orphaned girl who had struggled against pain and fear.

"The one who freed me from that suffering... was you."

A tear rolled down Maria's cheek.

In her short life stained with pain—

Wizard Ian had been a savior, like a beam of light.

"If not by your side, where else in this world could I possibly belong?"

Ian realized anew.

Maria's feelings toward him were...

Much heavier than he'd thought.

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