Dragon Knight Chronicles ~ From a mere mercenary, rise to success through tactics! A small harem with the princess and the lord's daughter!? I'll also develop my territory! ~

MAP

Chapter 62 Master’s Degree!?

Unified Calendar Year 565, November—

I was diligently training under my master, Schneider.

“Next!”

“Yes, sir!”

I honed my eye-related magic, known as “Eye Techniques,” which I had been practicing for some time. I tested the magic on my sparring partner.

“O Spirit of Earth, bind the enemy reflected in my eyes with chains of the mind!”

As I chanted, my opponent lost consciousness, his body stiffening.

“…Well, in reality, opponents won’t fall for magic so easily… But, Shinker, you’ve passed.”

“Thank you very much!”

In addition to my swordsmanship, I received a certificate of mastery in magic from my master. With this, I was now recognized by my master as skilled in both swordsmanship and magic.

“You’re still not proficient in the newly learned ‘Spatial Transfer’ magic, but if you wish to advance further, you’ll need a master greater than I… Let me write you a letter of introduction.”

“Thank you.”

My master handed me a letter of introduction to a magic user named Ebikurotia. Apparently, he resides in the Garland Trading Nation. Feeling confident, I set off toward the west.

◇◇◇◇◇

Heading West.

I visited the villages under the control of the Owen Alliance Kingdom.

In every village, there was a shortage of people due to the chaos of war. The farmlands were neglected, and the scene of poverty persisted.

It is said that the wars will not end unless someone establishes a strong and large nation. If a country becomes large enough, other nations won’t easily provoke a war.

Therefore, both the Owen Alliance Kingdom and the Garland Trading Nation are indeed striving to create a larger country for the sake of their people’s safety. Well, underlying that, there is also the swirling ambition of the nobles for more territory and the merchants for a larger trading area…

I crossed the western border with only Pokorina accompanying me.

“Pokoo~♪”

“We’re coming in!”

“Welcome!”

We entered the dining hall attached to an inn in a border village within the former Merchant Nation’s territory.

The village was bustling, and now, one wouldn’t even feel that this place was part of the kingdom…

Despite the wartime, there were many items listed on the menu.

“I’ll have the oyster gratin! And some warm goat milk, too.”

“Sure thing!”

I ate the seasonal gratin that was brought to me and gave Pokorina some goat milk to drink.

Then, I noticed cold stares coming from the table next to us.

“That raccoon, not even human, is sipping on goat milk… while children affected by the war are starving to death…”

Such murmurs reached my ears.

Indeed, humans might deserve priority.

However, my most important comrade in arms was Pokorina…

“Pokoo?”

“We’re leaving!”

I grabbed Pokorina’s front paw, who was reluctantly licking the plate, and left the dining hall attached to the inn.

The sky held a perfectly round moon, and a chilly wind was blowing down the highway.

◇◇◇◇◇

I continued westward, further into the contested lands between the Kingdom and the Merchant Nation.

Naturally, I often encountered soldiers from both armies.

“You there, what are you doing?”

Even while trying to move stealthily in the darkness, there were times when I was caught by scouts holding torches.

“I’m not a suspicious person!”

“Who honestly admits they’re suspicious?”

…Indeed, that’s true. But I wasn’t keen on revealing my identity.

“Spirits of the earth, bind my enemies before me with the chains of the heart!”

As I chanted these words, red symbols appeared in my eyes, and immediately, my opponent lost control of his body.

I confirmed that he had fainted and collapsed with a thud. Then, I continued westward on my path.

This time, I was merely a wanderer in training. I belonged neither to the Kingdom nor the Merchant Nation. In a way, I felt like I had returned to the mindset of a mere mercenary.

I stayed in inns in two villages and camped in the open air in three forests. After borrowing a horse in an open town, I rode for two days to reach my destination—the fortress city of Salamander.

By the time I arrived, it was evening, and the sun was about to set.

“Show me your pass!”

The guard at the gate said this, so I handed over the forged pass I had bought from a local merchant.

“Here you go.”

“Pass!”

This fortress city had incredibly high walls towering above when I looked up. The double gates seemed sturdy, with a remarkably strong defensive structure. It truly lived up to its title as a fortress city.

Once inside, I could hear lively voices all around. Many shops lined the streets, bustling with people. It was clear that the administrator of this fortress city was doing an excellent job governing.

I entered an inn on a side street. The dining hall on the first floor was bustling with many laborers.

“One well-chilled ale, two servings of barley porridge, and one portion of dried mutton, please.”

“Got it.”

I filled my empty stomach with Pokorina. The ale, which I hadn’t had in a while, was delicious as well. Feeling a little tipsy, I asked the serving girl a question.

“I’d like to ask you something—do you know anything about a wizard named Ebikurotia?”

When I asked, the girl looked surprised.

“Wizard Ebikurotia, you say? Why, he’s the lord of this fortress city, Salamander!”

…What!?

This was news to me.

I spent the night at the inn and decided to visit the government office the next day.

The government office was a sturdy building, and the guards were strong, imposing men.

“Um, here’s my letter of introduction. Might it be possible to have an audience with Lord Ebikurotia?”

I asked the guard politely.

“Wait a moment.”

I was told to wait, and after about five minutes,

“The lord will see you. Follow me!”