(EP-282.2) King #1

282 – Bandit King #1

“The White Mage Tower’s Master. He’s also known as the Great Dolches.”

Ah, the Tower Master of the White Mage Tower.

No wonder the name sounded familiar. I recalled hearing about him from the Sage Council, back when they talked about famous mages.

The Great Dolches. If I remembered correctly, he was renowned for both his exceptional magical skills and his gentle temperament. The fact that someone like him had come to greet us personally made me feel a bit tense.

Dolches spoke.

“I heard you were on your way here from Bilshukrim Village, heading towards Sandora. Since you’re staying in Big River, the city of the Mage Tower, we’ll make sure to treat you well.”

We followed him to the building known as the White Mage Tower. I imagined a tower that stretched high into the sky, but the building turned out to be a surprisingly modest three-story mansion.

Seeing such, Narmi asked.

“Why isn’t there a tower?”

The elderly gentleman Dolches smiled lightly.

“The tower was destroyed during the war with Demon King Solomon. The battle that took place here was one of the fiercest ever fought….”

Seuk.

Dolches gestured around the garden.

“If you look over there, you can still see the fragments of the broken tower. We chose not to rebuild it as a reminder of that fateful day.”

‘I see.’

Led by Dolches, we were shown to our rooms within the headquarters of the White Mages, known as the White Mage Tower. After showering and dining, we settled in.

Just as Dolches had promised, the accommodations were luxurious, with every detail meticulously attended to. There was nothing to complain about—if anything, it was almost too much. I felt uneasy with how closely they catered us.

Such lavish treatment might have a reason behind it.

After the meal, while I was relaxing my body and mind with a cup of tea, the elderly gentleman struck up a conversation.

“You must be Sir Theo.”

“That’s correct.”

“I watched the recording of your trial by combat. It was an impressive fight. And I’ve heard rumors that you also resolved the turmoil in House Bellhawk and even dueled with Lord Reinhardt…?”

News traveled fast, it seemed.

It wasn’t surprising that this man, who already knew we were coming, was also aware of the rumors.

For a while, he praised my magic and achievements, making me feel increasingly uncomfortable, as if my mental stamina was being drained by the excessive flattery.

Unable to take it any longer, I interrupted him.

“So, Lord Dolches, what exactly is it that you wish to ask of me?”

“Ask?”

“I can tell you have something you want to ask of me. Since we don’t have the luxury of time, I’ll forgo the formalities and ask directly.”

There was no such thing as a favor without a motive.

At my straightforward question, Dolches let out a slightly awkward “Ahem,” and the people around him also seemed to grow somber.

Maybe I shouldn’t have asked…

Just as I was beginning to regret asking, Dolches said.

“I assume you’ve already heard about the disappearance of the White Mage Tower’s prodigy, Tefer-yang. It’s a story that has spread far too widely to contain.”

“So, are you asking us to take action?”

At my question, the darkness on Dolches’s face deepened.

“Yes. Even though the bandits used underhanded tactics, the bandits who targeted a 5th Rank prodigy…. If we leave this situation unchecked, won’t it also cause a big problem for the royal family?”

He had a point.

“There is a branch of the Black Robes located in a cave by a waterfall, not far from Big River. Their leader, Gid, is notorious for killing mages. Please, we need your help….”

“Hmm….”

I thought for a moment.

“Why not just request reinforcements from Angmar Palace?”

“If word gets out that we’ve requested military support from the palace, who knows what they’ll do. They could become desperate and harm the hostages…. I believe a small, elite force is the best approach for an operation against their stronghold.”

“That makes sense.”

“Also, I’ve heard that Sir Theo has an interest in the rights of imps. There are witnesses who claim that imps have been dragged into the bandits’ hideout.”

“Imps?”

Imps captured by bandits.

The thought made me feel a little worried, especially since Marmar had mentioned she was going for a trip to Sandora.

“Do you know the names of the imps?”

“I’m afraid we don’t. But I’ve heard that several groups of imps were taken into the cave hideout. Tefer-yang entered the bandits’ lair to rescue the imps….”

Unacceptable…

How dare there still be evils tormenting imps!

I began to feel impatient, even the time I was spending listening to this story felt wasted, as I worried that Marmar might have been captured.

Did the people of the White Mage Tower—concerned about Tefer-yang, felt the same way as I was now? With that realization, I knew I couldn’t just sit still.

Seuk-.

“Where is it located?”

I asked urgently as I stood up from the table. The archmage Dolches, who had brought up the matter, seemed taken aback by my sudden urgency.

“Sir Theo, but the sun has already set. Night is the bandits’ domain. Moreover, you must be cautious—they might be deliberately trying to lure high-ranking mages like yourself.”

Deliberately trying to lure high-ranking mages?

Before I could even ask why, Stella spoke up.

“Imps disappearing, bandits targeting mages… There could only be one reason. The Demon King’s Crown. Could it really be true?”

At Stella’s question, archmage Dolches appeared noticeably shaken. After a moment, he nodded in acknowledgment.

“… It seems I cannot deceive the blood of Hero Opal. The Absolute’s Crown…, those scoundrels must have it…”

Edited by: faker