Became a Medieval Fantasy Wizard

The banquet continued for several days.

The knights ate and drank to their heart's content until they could no more.

Eating a lot was a virtue among medieval knights.

Just as a wizard's reputation increased with their eccentricity, knights were also held in higher esteem the more they ate.

The reasoning was... simplistically medieval.

Eating a lot = being strong.

Roughly, that was the logic.

By such logic, food fighters like Tzuyang would be nothing less than Herculean strongmen, reincarnations of Hercules himself...

[A/N: Tzuyang is a South Korean YouTube vlogger known for her mukbang videos]

But without delving into that comparison, the common image was simply that strong men eat a lot.

It's something you just get the feel of, right?

Hence, knights devoured food as if to showcase their physical prowess.

Wow! To think someone ate an entire pig by themselves!

How strong must that person be!

That was the general sentiment.

Ian, too, in his quest to cosplay as an eccentric wizard, saw no reason why the knights couldn't cosplay as gluttons.

"The Lungen brothers have decided to stay by the count's side."

Throughout the several days of the banquet, the count had gently persuaded the Santiago Knights.

The Santiago Knights are a chivalric order of the capital.

It means they are knights affiliated with the monastic order.

To become a knight of the order, one must join the monastic order and, upon proving their worth, be awarded arms.

This process was supposed to be stringent but often, due to various reasons, if one had the skills, their admission was somewhat expedited.

If you're good in combat, even if your faith is lacking, they'd readily knight you.

And the monastic order... in principle, allowed free withdrawal.

While entry followed a procedure, most often, withdrawal didn't require an explanation.

Leaving the order was referred to as "returning to secular life."

Knights like those of the Santiago Order often "returned to secular life" upon finding a noble lord.

In fact, there were a few who from the start, became knights of the order to build their reputation.

They made their names hunting monsters, then pledged loyalty to a fitting lord to become secular knights.

From the monastic order's perspective, this was clearly a loss of force.

But... what could the monastic order do about it?

Simply put, the monastic order was like a club.

Like a hiking club or a cycling club. Just because a member doesn't show up doesn't mean the club can do anything about it.

If they disliked the loss of force, they wouldn't have let them roam the continent in the first place.

Thinking of it as receiving compensation for hunting beasts in the name of God without a penny was more comfortable.

Even when hearing about the Lungen brothers leaving the Santiago Knights, the other knights remained calm.

"Actually, I've also decided to join forces with the Lungen brothers."

"Not a bad choice. Count Catina seems generous and broad-minded."

Just as a lord assesses their vassals, vassals also assess their lord.

The relationship between a lord and a knight was contractual for this reason.

Therefore, for a lord, generosity and magnanimity were important virtues.

It's not for no reason that the guy with big ears in the Three Kingdoms roamed around cosplaying as a man of character.

[A/N: The historical text Records of the Three Kingdoms described Liu Bei as someone with ears so large he could see them.]

To attract more followers, Count Catina was willing to do whatever it took.

He summoned each knight individually, offering them generous rewards for their manticore hunt.

Of course, this was bait to entice the knights to switch allegiances.

The knights who took the bait became new vassals of Count Catina.

The wizard Mani also received a satisfactory reward.

She secured a promise from the count that she would not be interfered with by the clergy for some time.

She would continue to live quietly, cultivating crops in the forest as usual.

Ian, too, was gifted with riches and treasures.

Among them, what stood out was a scroll adorned with gold.

"How do you like it? Does it please you?"

Count Catina, seeing Ian intently examining the scroll, smiled inwardly with satisfaction.

This was among the real treasures in the count's collection, an incredibly expensive item that could buy a whole village if sold!

Why so expensive?

Because it was a magic scroll, a high-quality one made by the wizards of the ancient Golden Empire intended for royal tribute.

'He's enraptured.'

The count thought Ian was utterly captivated by the gift of the scroll.

Of course! How expensive and precious it was!

...However, contrary to the count's expectations, Ian felt only pure academic curiosity.

"This is..."

The count knew only that this scroll was from the era of the Golden Empire.

But Ian, being a wizard, saw more.

'It's written in Maronius.'

The scroll detailed a plea to the wind, a large-scale wind-summoning scroll.

Ian admired the working principle of the magic scroll.

The scroll had sentences written in halves, which, when torn and extended, formed a complete sentence.

Meaning, while intact, it had no effect; only upon tearing did it become effective.

Moreover, being a creation of ancient wizards, the writing was elegant and beautiful.

To someone like Ian, a science major, it was mesmerizing!

'Wow... This writing is incredible.'

With such writing, it was as if even the divine would be moved and lend their power.

"Thank you for this precious item."

When Ian expressed his gratitude, the count laughed it off as if it was nothing.

"There's plenty more magical items where that came from! Don't feel too pressured!"

Typical deception.

'Guys, I've got this gold scroll? Is this good? I have plenty more...'

In an online community, this would have surely earned a ban.

In reality, the count's treasure vault was filled with magic scrolls.

Overflowing with fakes, that is.

"You've already done so much for me. Not only did you slay the monster, but you also safely brought back my niece."

At the count's signal, a woman dressed in silk walked gracefully forward.

It was Lucy Talian.

Ian struggled to hold back his laughter at Lucy's attire, finding her fashion sense utterly bizarre to a modern eye.

The dress, with its fluttery design, could pass for something on a fashion show runway.

But the long, pointed hat she wore on her head raised the question, "Why on earth would anyone wear that?"

Wow! A female character with a pointed hat!

No matter how pretty Lucy might be, Ian didn't feel any emotions towards her...

"My niece has told me a lot about you."

Lucy Talian offered a small, polite smile.

It was a cosplay of a demure woman.

Ian understood all of Lucy's actions.

After all, if he was cosplaying as an eccentric wizard, there was no rule saying Lucy couldn't cosplay as a lovable niece.

"I have a proposal for you."

"Please, speak."

"I would like to borrow your power on the journey to assist my niece."

This was the reason the count had lavished expensive gifts from the start.

It was to create an atmosphere that made it hard to refuse.

"If the matter is resolved satisfactorily, I will ensure you are well compensated. What do you say?"

'So, this was a linked quest after all.'

Although Ian had anticipated this to some extent, it felt like the linked quest wouldn't be complete until after participating in a territorial battle.

It was a proposition with no downsides for Ian.

The mysteries could wait to be uncovered later.

It wasn't as if Ian was being asked to risk his life on the battlefield.

Hadn't he experienced it during the manticore hunt?

In battle, a wizard's role was to provide magical support.

And indeed, quests were all about the final reward being the sweetest.

By helping Lucy reclaim her territory, Ian could expect decent compensation from both the count and Lucy.

"If you believe the assistance of an insignificant wizard like me is needed."

"Ah! Hold your tongue! Who would dare call you an insignificant wizard!"

The count, fearing Ian might make a fuss, hastily praised Ian's abilities.

This is why modest wizards were harder to deal with than arrogant ones.

Having secured Ian's agreement, the count began preparations for the territorial conflict in earnest.

And about 3 days later, the Santiago Knights left Count Catina's domain.

Since the Count was busy with expedition preparations, Ian and Lucy saw off the knights.

"So, that person is Baron Talian..."

The Santiago Knights set off on their journey to find new commissions.

With many members leaving, it was a journey to purely practice the teachings of scripture.

The knights weren't too surprised to see Lucy transformed into a noble.

"Well, I did suspect the identity might be fake..."

Lucy attempted to offer the knights additional compensation, but they refused, citing that too much wealth would weigh them down.

"When you visit Talian territory, I will ensure you are warmly welcomed."

Elder smiled at Lucy's words.

"I hope that will be the case."

This time, Elder extended his hand for a handshake to Ian.

"Come visit Triphalos Island sometime."

"Triphalos?"

"It's one of the islands in the Coral Sea... It's a bit far from here. But you're a wizard, aren't you?"

As one who wanders in search of mysteries, Ian might someday visit the Coral Sea as well.

"I suppose it's alright to tell you. My name is Salvador of the Orcus family. If you mention you're looking for Salvador, everyone will welcome you."

"Salvador... Yes, I'll remember that."

Lucy, who had been listening, suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

"Orcus's Salvador...! Are you 'the White Wolf' Salvador?!"

The White Wolf?

Ian looked at Elder... no, Salvador.

He wasn't sure about the wolf part, but he could see the white, especially in his hair.

"Haha. There's no need to remember the name of an old man like me."

Ian nudged Lucy slightly.

"The White Wolf? Who's that?"

"You don't know the White Wolf Brotherhood?"

Lucy looked at Ian as if he were someone who had been holed up studying in the mountains... then realized that was indeed the case for Ian.

Right. A wizard might not know.

"That man is a famous 'Sword Master'."

"...What?"

Ian was taken aback. He had often heard the term "Sword Master."

Wow!

Sword Masters!

Slicing through the air with their swords, fighting dragons with aura blades!

... Of course, that was not the case.

That was a story from old fantasy novels.

The 'Sword Master' Lucy referred to was a title.

"Back in the day, during the wars of Emperor Shakraine the First with the feudal lords, the mercenary group that served directly under the emperor was the White Wolf Brotherhood."

Therefore, the nickname for the White Wolf Brotherhood was the Imperial Army.

The relationship that started 50 years ago continues to this day, and the White Wolf Brotherhood still pledges allegiance only to the emperor.

"The emperor bestowed the honorable title of 'Sword Master' to the leader of the White Wolf Brotherhood."

Lucy pointed at Salvador.

"... This man is the former leader of the White Wolf Brotherhood, Sword Master Salvador."

Lucy felt an indescribable aura emanating from Salvador.

A figure worthy of being called a living legend, that's Sword Master Salvador.

He helped the emperor win numerous wars and climbed to the emperor's side with just a sword.

Yet, he threw away all he had achieved to wander the continent aiding knights for the sake of humanity.

Even nobles from remote areas like Lucy knew his name, showing how famous Salvador was within the empire.

That's why Salvador had concealed his identity.

Naturally, there was no TV or radio in these times.

All stories were passed down orally, moving from mouth to mouth in the form of old tales.

Lucy grew up listening to the heroic tales of the empire told by her nanny.

So, for Lucy, Salvador was as if a character from superhero movies had jumped out right in front of her.

"Hmm. I see."

...But for Ian, the story held no excitement.

To a modern person reincarnated in another world, what does it matter if a hero from this world stood before them?

To Ian, Salvador was just a remarkably healthy old man.

A seriously healthy one.

However, Ian's nonchalant attitude was exactly what Salvador liked.

"I thought you wouldn't be bothered."

"Sorry? About what?"

"Haha. Just that."

Salvador had seen too many fools who recklessly sought to elevate their reputation by challenging him.

'I beat the Sword Master lol' — idiots who threw their lives away for the sake of that one sentence!

That's why Salvador deliberately hid his identity.

It wasn't because he wanted to play some power-hiding game.

To Salvador, who was tired of dealing with such fools, Ian's straightforward reaction was truly refreshing.

Indeed, a smart wizard is better than stupid knights!

"When you come to Triphalos Island, I'll introduce you to some mysteries that might interest you."

"Oh? Like what?"

"Haha. If I told you, wouldn't it spoil the interest?"

Ian thought to himself that not telling might make him too frustrated to visit... but wizards typically have a very strong innate curiosity.

Being creatures of such strong curiosity that they'd rather die than suppress it, Salvador was confident Ian would come to Triphalos Island.

In reality, Ian was more curious about what the south of the empire was like than about the mysteries themselves, thinking of visiting as a tourist.

"Well then... we'll be off."

With their farewells exchanged, the Santiago Knights slowly disappeared beyond the horizon.

Ian waved energetically at the knights and Salvador until the very end.

Dehitri, who had stayed by Ian's side until the last moment, said,

"Ian, you are undoubtedly an apostle called by God. I will report every miracle I've witnessed to the order without omission, so please make sure to visit the order."

'Not this again...'

Dehitri had seen something at the brink of death, but no one knew what it was.

Ian wasn't too pleased with Dehitri's nonsensical talk, but he had no intention of reprimanding him.

After all, Ian knew very well what 'mystery' Dehitri had experienced.