21st Century Archmage

Chapter 57: Theres No Such Thing as Free

“What of the migration of the monsters?”

“They have not yet begun moving south.”

“Be certain to not let your guard down.”

“I will bear that in mind, sir.”

It was now late at night. Though I was tired because of the continuous patrols, I called for a meeting.

“Sir Ryker, is the organization of soldiers complete?”

“Of course, haha. Who am I? Two infantry battalions have been made with the most decent soldiers, including 500 mounted units, and two battalions have been made for the reserve troops. At the same time, I took volunteers from the mercenaries and turned them into a detached force.”

“You did well. From tomorrow onwards, we will formally come to possess 20,000 soldiers, including the defense force stationed at Denfors, so just be aware of that.”

“Huhu. 20,000 soldiers… A force of that size makes it greater than that of a duke.”

Ryker, who was somehow quite knowledgeable, made a cunning smile. Well, a woman might see that smile as charming, but I could only see it as almost perverted.

“My liege, how do you wish to proceed regarding the mage? He is, at least in name, part of a magic tower that controls the continent…”

Once the conversation was at its end, Derval asked with a worried expression how we should deal with the rude mage.

“Lock him up. If I dont stamp down his high and mighty nose this time, hell continue to make things annoying in the future.”

“Understood.”

Derval didnt ask twice.

‘You dare covet the wealth I acquired with my blood, sweat, and tears? Youre dead meat!

If I were an archmage like my teacher, Bumdalf, I would want to fly over with Warp and let loose Hellfire. Whoever fearlessly tried to persecute me would only receive a Gundam Shining Finger.

“Ryker, do you know if there is an Information Guild in Nerman as well?”

“Information Guild? Of course. Those guys are vicious bastards who have even planted guild members among the Temir.”

“Really? Then you must know where the Information Guildmaster must be?”

“Naturally. We are friends who drink alcohol together as we enjoy life.”

‘Enjoy life, my ass.

It was obvious that their friendship was a rotten one where they spent a fiery night together in that place which stimulated my imagination and only made me have empty dreams.

“Go lock him up.”

“Huh?”

“Right now.”

“B-But…”

“It seems you havent read over the contract well; if you defy a command, your months wages are revoked.”

“*Salute* I will go lock him up right away!”

As soon as money came up, Ryker turned serious and let out a salute. He then scrambled out the door with utmost haste.

“Everyone, go rest. There will be much to do tomorrow as well.”

“As you command!”

Even if there were 48 hours in a day rather than just 24, it wouldnt be enough right now. I felt gratitude towards these knights, who believed in a mere kid like me as their liege and toughed it out.

‘In a time like this, it would be perfect to lounge in a pension with a sea view and eat grilled pork belly…

I had tagged along on my parents vacations a few times and reminisced now on the magnificent views of the east and west coasts and the breaks spent in beautiful pensions.

‘I have to make a summer house for sure! In the most cool and beautiful place in the world!

Yet another humble dream was planted in my heart.

Nothing big, just a 7-star hotel and one small lake-sized swimming pool and a palatial villa on, oh, just 300k sq. meters of land.

Here, your imaginations could come to life.

That was possible on the Kallian Continent, a land of opportunity.

* * *

“Attention!”