Blacksmithing Is Child’s Play for a Dark Mage - Chapter 44

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 44
Tei splurged freely at a high-class inn and spent the entire day thoroughly at rest.
Being such a fine establishment, even the food was exceptional and exquisitely prepared.
While he rested deeply throughout the day,
the notification window continued blinking incessantly.
The Skeleton Soldiers left behind at the Settlement were slaughtering the monsters that had invaded.
Yet despite the automatic hunting killing quite a number of monsters, he had not leveled up.
‘So it’s getting harder to level up from here on, then? Or maybe… killing with undead gives fewer experience points?’
Tei pondered this as he began his morning meal.
He could have had the food brought to his room, but this morning he’d wanted to eat in the dining hall, so he’d made his way there in person.
Few guests were taking breakfast, so the elegant dining hall was rather sparse.
While he ate at a leisurely pace,
someone approached and spoke to him.
“Are you Tei?”
A rather youthful voice. Yet there was considerable power behind it.
When Tei turned to look, a female knight stood there.
“I am, but…”
“The Marquis commands that you present yourself for an audience. Come to the Inner Castle after the lunch hour today.”
The female knight finished speaking and turned to leave.
-That knight. She’s quite strong.
-You can tell too, can’t you?
Tei whispered with Ars, the demon in the shadows.
She was likely one of the Marquis’s inner circle, yet she’d come just to deliver such a message.
What was she plotting?
* * *
After the morning passed and the sun reached its zenith, Tei set out for the Inner Castle.
He couldn’t possibly bring the Skeleton Soldiers to the Marquis’s castle, so he left them in the inn’s storage.
And he didn’t dare ride in a palanquin with such arrogance, so he rented a carriage instead.
“Please show your travel permit.”
Surrounding the Inner Castle was Platinum Street, where only nobles could reside.
There was a checkpoint there, and the guards stationed it spoke to him.
“I’ve received the Marquis’s command for an audience.”
“…Your name?”
“Tei.”
The guard checked the roster and nodded.
“Confirmed. You may pass.”
Platinum Street, which he was entering for the first time, was a different world from Silver Street.
The roads were neatly paved with stone slabs, and every building was grand and beautiful.
Enchanted lampposts glowed softly even in daylight, and the streets were utterly pristine.
‘No foul smells either—not bad. Maybe I could live here someday…’
When he arrived at the Inner Castle’s main gate, a guide was already waiting.
A young man in formal attire.
“Ah, you must be Tei. I shall show you the way. Please follow me.”
The interior of the Inner Castle was far more impressive than what he’d seen from outside.
A crimson carpet lay along the corridor. Paintings hung on the walls. Suits of enchanted armor stood along both sides like mannequins.
But they were far from mere decorative pieces.
-Contractor. Those are all Summons.
Ars whispered from the shadows.
-Beings from another dimension, manifested in the form of armor. They say Grimoire is a master summoner, and this certainly proves it.
-All of them?
-Every single one.
The suits of armor lining both sides of the corridor numbered in the dozens by rough count.
These were all Summons?
‘Insane. This is Continuous Summoning, isn’t it? Maintaining this many simultaneously?’
Continuous Summoning.
A summoner maintaining their Summons in the material world indefinitely.
It consumed an enormous amount of mana.
Just this alone gave him an inkling of what level Grimoire’s power truly reached.
‘A monster, truly.’
With that thought, he followed the guide up the stairs.
‘And quite eccentric in temperament too.’
How was it that a marquis—a marquis, no less—kept his study atop such a towering spire?
He’d heard the rumors, understood them intellectually, yet still found it difficult to grasp.
As they reached the pinnacle of that tall spire, the butler spoke toward the interior.
“I have brought the Black Magic mercenary, Tei.”
“Show him in.”
The voice that came from within was low and measured—a woman’s voice.
The door opened, revealing a space that resembled part library, part administrative office.
A study.
Bookshelves lined all four walls of the spacious chamber, while a massive desk occupied the center.
Through the windows, the entire sweep of Harundel lay spread below.
And.
Seated behind the desk was a woman.
Grimoire Arcane Spell Elfin Harundel.
Commonly known as the Marquess of Harundel.
Tei’s first impression upon seeing her was simple.
‘She’s young. Remarkably beautiful.’
She appeared far younger than the title of marquess would have suggested.
Early twenties, perhaps. Long silver hair tied back, sharp eyes, cold expression.
Yet what struck him even more than that was.
The overwhelming mana radiating from her.
‘What is this mana……’
Tei was a Black Magic user. He possessed the ability to sense mana.
And the mana he felt now was as deep as the ocean and as vast as the sky itself.
A depth that seemed to have no end.
The claim that she ranked among the Empire’s top ten was no exaggeration.
“The commoner Tei, who is establishing a settlement in the frontier, has come in response to Your Lordship’s summons.”
Tei lowered his head with proper courtesy.
In truth, he wasn’t even certain if this was the correct form of address—he’d never learned such things to begin with.
“Raise your head.”
Grimoire spoke.
As Tei lifted his gaze, Grimoire’s eyes swept over him from top to bottom.
A brief silence fell.
“You’ve established a pioneer village in the Southern Wilderness, I hear?”
“Yes.”
“Three hundred people. Three hundred soldiers. In nine months.”
“That is correct.”
“Impressive.”
Grimoire lifted her teacup and took a sip.
The fragrant aroma of black tea drifted through the air.
“And I’m told the profits are substantial as well.”
“…….”
Tei remained silent.
“It is business conducted within my domain. There is no reason for me to be ignorant of it, is there?”
Tei clicked his tongue inwardly.
‘As expected. She already knew.’
Lant had warned him. Word of the profits could spread.
But against a marquess, there was little to be done about it.
The ruler of this city—she would naturally know.
“I dislike wasting time, so I shall speak plainly.”
Grimoire set down her teacup.
“Become my vassal.”
Direct. Unadorned.
No circumlocution, no evasion.
Vassal.
In other words, she was asking him to become her direct subordinate.
It was an entirely different matter from receiving a baronial title.
Should one establish a settlement and receive a title.
One would not become a feudal vassal bound by bilateral contract.
Rather, one would become a sort of independent lord.
However, since the Settlement was being created within the Harundel Marquisate, it technically belonged to the Harundel Marquis family.
In practice, non-interference was the principle.
Of course, given the vast difference in power, any attempt to overstep or directly oppose would invite annihilation, but as things stood, they typically ignored each other like chickens pecking at grain.
But becoming a Vassal—that changed everything.
One owed direct loyalty to the Marquis and had to obey his commands.
In return, one could receive the Marquis’s protection and support.
It amounted to gaining a powerful backer.
But it also meant surrendering one’s freedom.
“I am grateful for the honor. Yet I cannot comply with your offer, Your Highness.”
The study’s air grew heavy.
Grimoire’s eyes narrowed.
But it was not anger—her gaze held something closer to pure curiosity.
“I would hear your reasons.”
“I am confident I can build a greater power through my own strength.”
Tei met Grimoire’s eyes directly as he spoke.
“Becoming Your Highness’s Vassal would grant me protection, certainly. But that protection would confine me within your boundaries. I intend to build my own.”
Silence fell.
Grimoire regarded Tei steadily.
A crushing pressure emanated from that gaze, but Tei did not look away.
After a moment.
“Ha.”
A short laugh escaped Grimoire’s lips.
“Bold.”
Grimoire leaned back in her chair.
“I like it. ‘Build my own boundaries’—I haven’t heard those words in a long while.”
“You honor me with such words.”
“It is no exaggeration. Judging by what you’ve already accomplished, you’re not one for empty boasts.”
Grimoire picked up her teacup again.
“Very well. Let us see where this leads, then.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ve had the paperwork sent to the administrative office. Billent.”
The butler, who had been standing in the corner of the study, stepped forward.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The Marquis handed the butler documents along with a Seal of Authority.
Taking them, the butler approached Tei and presented them to him.
And so.
Tei became a Baron with hereditary title.
“I am deeply grateful for Your Highness’s magnanimity.”
“Trite flattery. I shall watch to see how you acquit yourself going forward.”
With that, the audience ended.
As Tei turned to leave the study.
Grimoire’s voice reached him from behind.
“Tei.”
“Yes.”
“I look forward to seeing the boundaries you build.”
Tei did not turn around, only bowed his head, then departed the study.
The door closed.
Walking down the corridor, Tei muttered to himself.
‘A Vassal to the Marquis…… it was tempting, I’ll admit.’
Tempting, indeed. Frankly, who would dare touch someone who had become the Vassal of one of the empire’s top ten powers?
But the moment he became a Vassal, Tei’s every profit would be laid bare before the Marquis.
The secret of the mad engineer would become impossible to hide.
The very existence of the Hunter System could be exposed.
‘That would be problematic.’
What mattered most to Tei now was freedom—to grow in his own way, without anyone’s interference or oversight.
For that to be possible, he needed his own Settlement and his own forces.
‘Right. I have the Baron’s title now. Next comes the proper work—building up the population.’
* * *
Bronze Street in Harundel was, despite its grand name, a quarter where the poor lived.
It was here that Tei had once established his first foothold.
Land and buildings are cheap there.
In that Bronze Street, a man was making his way through the plaza at the heart of the street with heavy steps.
Anton. An ordinary pauper of Harundel, he had failed to find work once again today.
He went to the harbor. He’d heard they were looking for porters and rushed there, but the positions were already filled.
He went to the market. He offered to do odd jobs, but was turned away with a simple “not needed.”
He went to the construction site. He heard they were recruiting laborers and joined the line, but the hiring ended before his turn came.
Black Magic Blacksmith Is Too Easy
Author |
Automaton G
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Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.
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Editorial Department
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The contents of this book may not be used in any form or by any means without written permission from Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. – Dream Books.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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