Chapter 116: The King Has a Story ②
Translated by AmaLynne
「Of the court wizards?」
「Samuel, have you not wondered? Only you and Günther stood up in the face of a national crisis. Magnolias is not a good fighter, but the rest of the court wizards are in a state of shock.」
「I must confess, I am appalled. How could they be court wizards?」
Clyde nodded to Sam, who told him.
「I agree with you, but I also agree that we have no choice.」
「No choice? What does that mean?」
Sam, at least, could not say that he had no choice, for he could not even stand up in the face of a national crisis.
The king responded with a sigh.
「The court wizards present, except for Magnolia and Günther, were not capable of being court wizards. The only exception was Albert.」
「Didn’t have the ability? If so, why?」
「 Except for one who is still fighting monsters in the distance, the rest of the court wizards were the pushovers of the aristocrats. Their relatives became court wizards, increasing the influence of the aristocrats.」
「From my knowledge, the king has the authority to make decisions regarding court wizards.」
Clyde looked somewhat tired and arched his back.
「I do not have absolute power either. It is not uncommon for my opinions to be rejected, partly because the aristocrats have been gaining power since my grandfather’s time.」
「……ohh.」
「The only people who could truly be called court wizards were Magnolia, Günther, Delight, Albert, Ulrike, and you. Taking advantage of this, the aristocrats have made a list of court wizards who have little experience in actual battle and can only use magic to a certain extent.」
But it seems that no great harm was done.
「Fortunately, those who didn’t deserve it were merely decorations. The most important thing to remember is that the court wizards are not the only ones who can be called upon to do something. Besides, it wasn’t all that bad for me either.」
「What do you mean?」
「The court wizards are our greatest strength. It would not be good if the twelve seats available were empty. If the Kingdom of Skye did not have decent wizards, there was a possibility that other countries would take advantage of us. Therefore, even if we were not convinced of their abilities, it was just right to fill the seats.」
Sam understands what he is trying to say, but he doesn’t agree with it.
However, Sam did not speak out in front of the king.
The king, who runs the country, and Sam, a wizard, are in different positions and have different ways of thinking.
「I beg your pardon, but what do you intend to do with these court wizards?」
「Well, to return to the subject, I intend to strip all the other court wizards of their ranks as being unqualified. And of course, the titles you have been given.」
「――I am surprised, but I think it is a good idea.」
「I have my thoughts on the matter. I need your help.」
「I am at your service.」
「I’m sure I can count on you. Then I will ask you to fight a duel.」
「A duel? With who?」
The king chuckled at Sam’s question.
「Of course, with the court wizards.」
「What?」
「Anyone who refuses to fight you in a duel will be stripped of his rank and title as a disqualified court wizard.」
Sam tilted his head.
That was too good a deal.
He can’t read the king’s intentions.
「I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I think a person who doesn’t want to give up his position would at least accept a duel.」
(I don’t think so, but he doesn’t want me to make the court wizards dead, does he?)
Of course, Sam not going to say that he doesn’t want to exchange life for life now.
He has lived in this world long enough to know that sometimes you have to take a life if necessary.
He doesn’t know what it was like when he and Ur first started moving from place to place, but today Sam has no hesitation in taking another person’s life.
Furthermore, it is unforgivable that some are court wizards based on their authority and not their ability as a wizard, and that there are those who act like they are high and mighty, but when the time comes they are too scared to make a move.
They will bring harm to this country.
They may even cause big problems like Albert did.
To protect this country where our loved ones live, we are willing to take their lives in a duel.
However, there is also resistance.
Sam is a wizard, not a killer.
Sam doesn’t want to think that taking someone’s life is his job.
「No, that’s impossible. No one would want to duel with you.」
「Of course…」
「No one would want to repeat Albert’s mistake. It’s a shame, but Albert could do it. Who would want to fight you who killed Albert in an instant? Especially a mere court wizard with no real talent, who would never have the guts to do so.」
「Is that how it is?」
「That’s about it. Leave the rest to us. Now is the time when the aristocrats are out of power, and I want to clean out the pus that is in the country. Is that all right with you?」
Sam nodded.
「Of course. As a court wizard, I will live up to the king’s expectations.」
「I thank you. If anyone is prepared to duel with you, feel free to do so. No one can fight you properly anyway.」
「Yes.」
Sam sighed inwardly.
He had to fight for his country, but he didn’t want to.
But he is beginning to resign himself to the fact that, as a court wizard, he will probably have to deal with this kind of tie-up in the future.
For now, all he could do was devote himself to making this country, where he and his loved ones live, a better place, even if only a little.
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