Chapter 171
In a calm woodland not far from Reinhardt stood a man who had just been defeated for the first time. He was Theta, and he wore a wide smile as he thought about the previous day’s events.
“They say that there is another sky above the sky. If the saying is accurate, then there is an infinite number of interesting people out there.”
The match ended yesterday, so the Magic Tower should have learned of his defeat yesterday as well because Reinhardt was using communication crystal balls to inform
the entire continent about the Reinhardt Masters’ Battle in real-time.
As such, word of his defeat had to have spread throughout the entire continent by now, but for some reason, Theta didn’t feel horrible about his loss.
Honestly, he was thrilled. He was happy after discovering yet another goal.
“That magic was like nothing I have ever seen—perhaps it wasn’t inferior to Master’s magic at all.” Theta thought about it for a moment before shaking his head. It was meaningless to compare the two.
The white beam of light was the most amazing sight he had ever seen—as a child. It was an impressive feat of sorcery, but if he saw it today, Theta had no doubt that he wouldn’t be as impressed.
Theta chuckled. “To defend and to become the emperor… what a weird and funny person. He reminds me of myself in a lot of ways. Maybe…”
Theta stared into the sky. “Maybe it’s going to be an excellent partnership...”
A buzzing in Theta’s pocket awakened him from his stupor. He grinned and produced a glowing crystal ball.
“Can you be more worried about your disciple? Stop calling me, please.”
“I thought you would be saddened by your defeat, but I guess I was mistaken.”
“God, that hurts. Why would Grandpa Tower Master think that I would get hurt by a mere defeat.”
“It isn’t a mere?defeat. You got defeated by someone younger—no, half your age.”
“...” Theta frowned. Tower Master Ian’s words felt like they were salt rubbing on his wounds.
“There’s no way you’ll say that if you were in my shoes,” muttered Theta with a pout. He looked like he wanted to throw a tantrum.
“Was he that good?”
“...” Theta remained silent for quite a while after hearing that.
Theta eventually awakened from his stupor, but the smile could no longer be seen on his face as he said, “He’s better than anyone else I have ever met so far.”
“...” Tower Master Ian fell silent at Theta’s words. He had decades of experience when it came to magic, so such an evaluation was a bit hard for him to accept.
“Hey, even I didn’t believe it until I saw it,” muttered Theta, breaking the ice.
Tower Master Ian decided to change the topic. “I have something to say.”
“Hmph!?If you’re just going to scold me again, then I’m going to hang up the—”
“I’m looking for a Vice Tower Master.”
“...!” Theta's eyes widened. He didn’t see that coming at all.
“The Thunder seat is still empty, but you’re already trying to look for a Vice Tower Master? It’s a seat that has been empty for over twenty years, so what made you change your mind?”
“Haven’t I told you that I’m getting old? You’re not interested in the Magic Tower at all, so I have to look for someone else who will eventually replace me to become the Tower Master.”
“...”
Upon hearing that, Joshua’s ominous words suddenly popped up in Theta’s mind.
Theta shook his head to shake off the thoughts before asking, “So, who do you have in mind?”
“...” Tower Master Ian remained silent for a while, and as time went on, Theta became increasingly anxious. Unfortunately for Theta, Joshua’s prophecy came true.
“Evergrant con Aswald. I’m planning on giving him a chance.”
***
“Congratulations!”
On the evening right after the semifinal match of the Reinhardt Masters’ Battle, Joshua returned to his lodgings for the first time in a while. However, unlike the usual silence, Joshua was greeted warmly upon entering.
Joshua stared alternatingly between the two people who welcomed him upon entering before saying, “Did you two just barge into my room?”
“Oh, um… the door was unlocked, so… um, I wasn’t planning on doing anything.” Iceline was astonished upon hearing Joshua’s indifferent voice. Iceline arrived here first before Akshuller, so it was evident that she rushed here as soon as the match ended.
She wanted to get to Joshua’s room before Joshua could do so because she wanted to surprise and congratulate him. But now that Joshua had asked if she just barged into his room, Iceline finally realized that what she had done was out of the line.
After all, who would want their privacy to be invaded? Iceline realized that even she would be mad if she were in Joshua’s shoes. Still, she didn’t expect him to answer in such a cold voice, and it made her sad as she laced her fingers together in dismay.
Akshuller saw that, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. He tried to hold his laughter in, but anyone could see that he was having a hard time because his shoulders were bouncing up and down.
Of course, he still addressed the elephant in the room by saying, “Tonight is a fine night, and we didn’t really come here with bad intentions. Plus, aren’t we close friends? Anyway, there is a saying about how fame could change a person overnight…”
”I believed that you wouldn’t be affected by your fame, but if I was mistaken, then I apologize. Sorry, Joshua.”
“You’re making me sound like a villain here when everyone deserves their privacy.”
“Oh, come on, don’t be such a stranger!” Akshuller waved his hands exaggeratedly. “Be a little kind, will you? She came here bearing a gift, and who knows? What if it’s a gift you really need?”
“...”
Joshua remained stoic, but Akshuller was undeterred.
“If the rumors are to be believed, you desperately need this information.”
“Information?” Joshua looked a bit interested.
“Before that…” Akshuller lowered his voice as if what he was about to say involved top-secret information. “I need to verify something—it’s related to the rumors I just mentioned. I thought it’d be best to ask the man himself.”
“...?” Joshua revealed a perplexed look.
Fortunately, Akshuller quickly spoke up, “Apparently, there are rumors going on with His Grace Agnus and the Pontier Family, and there are some about how your troops are aiding the Pontier Family.”
“...!” Joshua's eyes widened slightly. He didn’t expect to hear that while in Reinhardt.
Of course, Joshua knew exactly what Akshuller was talking about. Marquis Crombell’s successor, Gehog, had bad blood with Joshua as well.
“Of course, everyone decided that this was a clever ploy by Duke Agnus to save his face amongst the nobles—because even the Imperial family has no motivation to assist a doomed family. However, that changed a little while ago.”
“...” Joshua remained silent.
At the sight of that, Akshuller shrugged and said, “No matter how talented you are, you’re only fifteen years old, and you were widely known as nothing but a B-Class Knight until recently. However, against all odds, you joined the ranks of the Imperial Knights Order and attracted the attention of His Majesty that he even provided you the title of Reserve Battalion Commander…”
Akshuller sighed and said, “A mere brat with milk on his lips showed incredible power in the Reinhardt Masters’ Battle, where all of the continent's finest congregate. The same brat also ended up becoming one of the most promising Masters of the continent…”
Akshuller seemed startled as well as he added, “In Avalon, the name ‘Joshua Sanders’ has become hotter than the name of even the princes of Avalon. Right now, we can say that you have become, more or less, a hero in Avalon.”
“...”
Joshua’s journey so far could be considered to be an epic tale of a hero that even Iceline looked excited upon hearing his feats.
“A lot of people are already wondering about what kind of magnificent present His Majesty the Emperor will bestow on you. He’s a tyrant—yes, but he’s a master of the carrot and the stick as well.”
“So…” Joshua finally spoke up. He seemed annoyed because he noticed that Akshuller looked like he was about to get to the point, but he hadn’t done so just yet. “What exactly do you want to ask from me?”
At that, Akshuller said, “Are you sure you still have no idea despite what I said just now? I mean, it’s pretty obvious, right?”
“...” Joshua merely stared at Akshuller, confused. Upon seeing that, Akshuller shrugged and finally addressed the elephant in the room by saying, “Are you assisting the Pontier Family out of your own will, or is it by His Grace Agnus’ will?”
“...” Joshua remained silent.
Akshuller added, “If you aren’t sure, then I’ll make it clear. My congratulatory gift to you will change depending on your answer.”
“I…” Joshua was a bit dumbfounded to hear that. Eventually, he continued with bright eyes. “Your will cannot be bound to a choice. Taking action depending on someone else’s demand or order cannot be considered your will.”
“And it means that…” Joshua swept his gaze across Akshuller and Iceline before saying, “I am assisting the Pontier Family with my own will, and I will also voluntarily assist Iceline in uncovering the truth behind Count Rebrecca’s passing.”
“Joshua…” Iceline muttered. Her eyes sparkled in a subtle, tangled mix of complicated emotions, but Joshua’s words had evidently moved her heart.
“Hehe.” Akshuller chuckled and said, “I knew you would say that.”
“Now that I’ve answered you, it’s your turn to answer me. What’s going on?” Joshua seemed agitated.
Akshuller didn’t dare to delay any longer as he answered, “The Pontier Family is in danger, and your people there—wait, you had no idea about it?”
“...” Joshua stiffened.
Akshuller groaned and said, “I don’t know if they didn’t tell you because they didn’t want to distract you from the Masters’ Battle, but… he’s already on the move.”
“No…” Joshua gasped.
Akshuller shook his head without saying anything, but his silence was an answer.
The Mercenary King Barbarian stood at the summit of a million mercenaries.
“Apparently, he reappeared after his long absence in the Crombell Marquisate.”
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