I Don’t Want To Be the Main Character

93. Verification (2)

1.

The Empire’s court magician.

As the Crown Princess explained, even though the taxes collected by this huge empire were no joke, it was not so overflowing with money that it could support almost unlimited research funds. If the land area was large and there were many subjects living there, and if taxes were collected in large quantities, it meant that there were also many places where those taxes could be used.

However, the position of a court magician was not one that was neglected by others, and existed only for the purpose of studying the science of magic for the advancement of magic.

It could be said that the true purpose of its existence was to replace the military in cases where the military had to be mobilized and the Knights Templar had to be mobilized.

Another nickname for the title of Court Magician is the Empire’s Ultimate Weapon.

Whether it was a riot near the border, or a large-scale monster extermination, it didn’t matter. If they were human opponents, they would avoid conflict because they knew how powerful a wizard, especially a great wizard who had reached the realm of the Archmage, could be on the battlefield. In addition, when it came to mindless monsters, they could mobilize only one person instead of an army, so it was much cheaper.

“If you call it verification……”

“In any form, if necessary.”

Ludrick, who knew that fact, asked quietly, and the Crown Princess answered while sweeping her hair back with an elegant movement.

“Originally, it would have gone through a rigorous verification process… but as you know, this is an unprecedented case where the position of court magician has become vacant in this way.”

“…….”

“Since it is a position that cannot be left vacant for a long time, the process will need to be simplified to some extent. However, it cannot be handled hastily.”

Ludrick remained silent, and the Crown Princess continued to speak. Elena, as if this was a matter that had already been agreed upon in advance, simply listened to what the Crown Princess had to say. If it had been her usual self, it would not have been strange for her to have lingered on and on about the matter.

Ludrick’s expectation that since they had already invited a magician to the Magic Tower, they would also handle the verification process together, was dashed when the Crown Princess brought up a completely unexpected topic.

“Do you know why the Norse Duchy is divided into principalities?”

“……No, I don’t know.”

“The land in the north is barren. It has many resources, but the climate is harsh and, above all, there are many monsters even if you go just a little beyond the barrier.”

Although he was curious as to why the Norse duchy ruled by Eileen had suddenly come up as a topic, Ludrick answered honestly that he didn’t know.

As if she had expected this, the Crown Princess continued her explanation.

“If you think about it simply, the Norse Duchy is a breakwater.”

“…A shield that protects the empire’s mainland from attacks by barbarians and monsters, that’s what it means.”

“You’re quick to understand. Fortunately, there haven’t been any large-scale monster attacks in over ten years, but instead, the barbarians are raiding the walls every day.”

“Then, that verification means that I will go and deal with the barbarian raids…….”

“Similar but different.”

As Ludrick trailed off, the Crown Princess shook her head.

Ludrick also let out a sigh of relief at the firm denial. Even if they were barbarians who had come down south to pillage the border, they were completely different from humans in appearance, and they were monsters that looked like real games or novels, and they were a different breed from humans when they used magic.

“The reason why the barbarians try to cross the wall without fail is, of course, because the land of the principality is relatively better than outside the wall. At least the land inside the great wall is farmable. But that’s not all.”

“What if you say that’s not all…?”

“The environment outside the walls is harsh. It’s not only difficult to farm properly, but it’s also difficult to enjoy the benefits of civilization, which is a problem… but the biggest reason is survival.”

“……You’re saying that the barbarians are trying so hard to get over the barrier because they are threatened by monsters?”

“That’s right. The barbarians outside the Wall aren’t stupid, and they won’t rush over like moths to a flame without ever having crossed the Wall properly. They’ll only be able to survive if they cross the Wall, so they’re just making the most likely choice.”

The crown princess nodded.

The Empire’s intelligence power is by no means shallow. Furthermore, in terms of simple exchange rates, the battles at the Great Northern Wall had been at a rate of nearly 50:1. Fifty barbarians, not even properly armed, had to fall in the cold snow, splattering blood, for one soldier of the Norse duchy guarding the wall to die.

It’s stupid not to feel strange that the barbarians, despite having suffered defeat after defeat, are trying to get past the wall and fighting a losing battle.

Naturally, the skilled rangers of the Norse principalities went on several expeditions beyond the Wall to investigate, and those who returned came back astonished at what they had seen.

Beyond the Wall is an extreme environment where scattered barbarians fight for survival day after day against Orkney trolls, ogres, and other monsters over a small amount of prey.

The conclusions that Eileen and the Crown Princess reached also came from that.

The recent surge in the number of monsters beyond the barrier may also be related to the increasingly frequent invasions by barbarians.

“……It’s a preventive war.”

“okay.”

The Crown Princess nodded again at Ludrick’s carefully brought out muttering.

A vicious cycle in which barbarians, whose survival was threatened by the sudden increase in monsters, were pushed down and frequently invaded the Norse principalities in an attempt to somehow overcome the wall.

Establishing a stronghold beyond the wall and dispatching troops to hunt monsters naturally requires the mobilization of large numbers of troops. When troops are mobilized, the military organization naturally consumes supplies without producing, and since it is a preemptive attack rather than a defensive battle, it will naturally spend a huge amount of military expenses.

The conclusion reached was that it was much more cost-effective to send one excellent wizard to reduce the number of monsters than to spend that much on military expenses.

That was the gist of this ‘Palace Magician Verification Process’.

Being sent alone to the harsh environment beyond the barrier to eliminate a significant number of monsters. Even for a superhuman, it is not an easy mission to be optimistic about, so it has become a device to select the best of the best for the position of court magician.

“Of course, even if you fail, there will be no penalty for you. And if someone as talented as you gets hurt, that would also be our loss.”

Elena, who had been listening silently until now, chimed in.

In short, it meant that since it was a somewhat dangerous and difficult mission, sufficient safety measures would be put in place to prepare for it.

In reality, Elena was worried that Ludrick might get hurt by a blind attack, but she couldn’t send a large number of people as escorts. If she did, the tables would turn.

thus.

“To take charge of the royal guard, and to subdue the demons anyway, some additional knights will be mobilized from the Nord Duchy.”

“……And the Grand Duke of Nord said he would go to his hometown.”

The Crown Princess, who had heard Elena’s words, frowned as if she was not very pleased with them and added:

Just thinking about it, it was a task that involved mobilizing one Archmage class magician and the Empire’s Black Lion. Although the number may be small, judging by the fighting power alone, it was comparable to an army.

And this was also the greatest advantage of a superhuman who transcended human standards. It was the most basic of basics: achieving maximum efficiency with the minimum number of people.

“Of course, as you know, I don’t like it when my fucking cousin gets involved in things like this. But I can’t help it, since Kyung’s safety is the top priority.”

Elena shook her head, whining.

No matter how much she was wary of Eileen and Ludrick becoming closer, she was able to at least distinguish between them. Keeping Ludrick and Ludrick together for a while would be much better than Ludrick getting hurt.

And that concludes the explanation.

In order to verify whether Ludrick is truly a wizard fit for the position of court wizard, the first thing to do is to subdue the monsters that have been rapidly growing in power beyond the barrier recently.

There was no reason for Ludrick to refuse, as even Eileen had come forward and had already confirmed that she would become a court magician.

“I will do …….”

A rather blunt answer.

Although my mind was still in disarray with unorganized thoughts running wild, and I was still somewhat mentally shocked by the sudden incident.

Just as Elena made rational decisions, Ludrick was also capable of at least a modicum of discernment.

“It’s decided.”

And as if she had been waiting for that answer, the Crown Princess issued an order to expel guests.

“I will schedule it as soon as possible. Once the practical side is done organizing, I will notify the former court magician’s laboratory.”

Just yesterday, the lab was where his teacher Lorenzo and Silphia were. If he went back, there would be no one there to greet him, and only Ludrick would be there.

Ludrick bowed his head and paid respect to the royal family, then turned around without hesitation and left the office.