The Mage’s Nemesis Has Reincarnated - Chapter 64

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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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The Natural Enemy of Mages Has Been Reincarnated – Episode 64
“Zeke learned magic? Is that why my spells wouldn’t activate? Did he learn Dispel magic?”
‘Dispel?’
Esca, intrigued by the sudden revelation, settled back into his seat.
“What are you saying Zeke did?”
“Dispel, sir. Now that I think about it, Zeke must have used Dispel.”
“Explain in more detail.”
Alex continued, searching his memory.
“It was when that bastard Zeke came to find me disguised as an assassin. I cast a sleep spell on him, you see? But then suddenly the spell was cancelled.”
“The spell was cancelled?”
“Yes. It felt like all the mana I’d gathered just vanished. Without mana accumulating, there was nothing I could do.”
“Hmm.”
“I didn’t understand it at the time, but now it makes sense. If he had talent in magic, he could have blocked my spells with Dispel…”
“No, that’s impossible.”
Esca immediately objected.
“Dispel is a high-tier ninth-circle spell. Only Arch Mages can use it, and it’s treated as equivalent to Silent Casting.”
“Ah…”
“You’re telling me he used such an extraordinary technique a mere year ago? At the age of fifteen? That’s impossible. Even the 12 Pioneers, who are said to have mastered magic, couldn’t do such a thing. And you call yourself a mage while lacking such basic knowledge.”
“B-but it’s true! My magic simply wouldn’t work. Not just once or twice, but for several seconds straight!”
‘Several seconds straight?’
It was a remarkably specific statement, but Esca dismissed it without serious consideration.
The ravings of a drunken fallen nobleman lacked credibility.
“Do you have any other information?”
“Well, not particularly…”
‘So there’s no useful information after all.’
As Alex could recall nothing further, a sigh escaped Esca’s lips.
“Fine then. If you have nothing more to say, I’ll be going. But first…”
Vast mana erupted from Esca’s body as he rose from his seat.
“Gasp, ugh, ugh!”
“You should return the money, shouldn’t you?”
Clink.
Esca caught the falling purse and turned to leave.
Alex’s body, which had been trembling for a while, collapsed the moment Esca departed.
Thud.
Moments later, bright red blood streamed endlessly from Alex’s face as he lay prone on the floor.

* * *
Hamilton Territory was a peaceful domain.
Though situated in a mountainous region with its share of inconveniences, abundant mineral deposits lay in the nearby mines.
This meant no shortage of work and complete self-sufficiency for the territory.
The lord’s character was equally exemplary.
A lord who drastically reduced taxes for injured subjects unable to work and shouldered that burden himself was rare to find in the region.
Thus, Burke Hamilton, the Count, was revered among his subjects as a virtuous and upright ruler, yet he harbored one critical flaw.
He was hopelessly doting on his daughter.
In other words, he easily lost his reason when it concerned her.
“M-My lord. Do you truly intend to wage war?”
“Our territory’s finances cannot bear such losses.”
“Should we suffer defeat in a territorial war, it means bankruptcy. Bankruptcy!”
“And yet, how can I ignore that shameless scoundrel!”
Despite his retainers’ desperate pleas, Burke Hamilton’s stubbornness remained unshaken.
The domain he sought to strike was the nearby Agos Territory.
While wars were typically waged to seize enemy lands, Burke Hamilton desired only one thing.
The head of Gary Agos, the Count.
His reason was simple.
“That bastard violated my precious daughter. You expect me to endure this?”
The rival lord had laid hands upon his daughter.
What father could stand idle while his daughter confessed through tears that she had been forced?
Especially when she was his only child, cherished and doted upon—how could his eyes not burn with fury?
“That beast knew she was my daughter and shamed her before all! This is a challenge to me and an insult to my entire domain! For my daughter’s honor and the territory’s name, I cannot ignore such provocation!”
“But my lord! You must consider not only the young lady but your subjects as well. War will not resolve this matter.”
“Indeed. Our circumstances are already strained, and waging war would incur catastrophic losses. What if we suffer defeat?”
“Defeat? Why do you speak of defeat first?”
The lord rebutted, though he spoke in ignorance of the enemy’s true strength.
“The Agos lord’s regular forces are renowned for their solidity. I hear most are Aura Experts. He also possesses the wealth to employ multiple Mage Towers.”
“Even if the Agos lord loses, his losses are manageable. We must stake everything. The risk far outweighs what we stand to gain!”
“Why… why do you only refute my words! Why…!”
Burke Hamilton exhaled as if sighing, yet even now he dimly perceived the truth.
That a territorial war was far too reckless for him to undertake.
That this war would cost him more than it would gain.
This was why his retainers pleaded so desperately.
To endure this once and hold firm.
“What befell the young lady is tragic indeed, but this time you must bear it and withdraw.”
“Yes. If you endure and persevere, a day of vengeance will surely come. Why not wait for that moment instead?”
“Sigh…”
The lord’s sigh deepened as he faced the frustrating reality of unanimous opposition.
Yet not everyone opposed him.
“Tsk, tsk. Look at you all wallowing in defeatism like cowards. Is this how you’ve resigned yourselves to being a minor territory?”
The one clicking his tongue was Kierus Barton, one of the lord’s retainers.
“My lord. May I offer my thoughts?”
“Please do, Sir Barton.”
“Do you know why enemies haven’t invaded despite our territory being treated as minor? It’s because of this terrain connecting the mines.”
Barton unfolded a map and continued his explanation.
“Our territory is situated in mountainous terrain. Mountain terrain is advantageous for defense. See here? How these narrow passages and the mines effectively seal off our territory like a fortress?”
“Hmm, I see it.”
“Thanks to these geographical advantages, we’ve remained safe from external invasion. How can we think of defeat when we possess such advantages?”
“But Sir Barton. That’s only useful for defense, not for siege warfare, is it not?”
Barton’s expression remained composed despite the retainer’s objection.
He’d anticipated such a question.
“You mentioned siege warfare is the problem. Then why not simply avoid a siege?”
“We’re the ones who need to strike first, yet you speak of avoiding a siege? What nonsense is this?”
“Do you have some strategy in mind?”
As the retainers exchanged puzzled glances, Barton spoke of his plan as though it were obvious.
“First, we use a small force to provoke the enemy. Then we deliberately retreat, drawing them into our territory. That way, we can fight efficiently with fewer troops by utilizing the terrain, can we not?”
“So you’re saying we lure them in and turn it into a defensive battle.”
“But will the enemy fall for such an obvious tactic? They surely know our defensive position is strong?”
“That’s why we must make it appear appetizing. We position our forces loosely, making them think the siege will be easy. We even open the castle gates.”
“Surely opening the gates poses a risk, no matter what?”
“Not at all. If we station an ambush near the gates, there’s no problem. And we simply close the gates once enough enemies have gathered.”
“So the crux is to open the gates and lure them right to our doorstep.”
“Precisely. Then we naturally transition into a defensive battle and secure victory.”
The strategy itself wasn’t flawed.
Use a small force to lower the enemy’s guard, bait them, and crush them using the terrain.
For Hamilton Territory, lacking troops and supplies, this was the best strategy to stand against Agos Territory.
“Remarkable, Sir Barton! Your reputation as a former tactical instructor hasn’t diminished one bit!”
“You’re too kind, my lord.”
“Excellent. I shall fully incorporate your strategy and take revenge on the Count of Agos.”
“My lord! This is not a decision to be made in haste….”
“Enough! I’ve already decided! Stop your objections and focus on how we’ll defeat the enemy!”
“….”
Though the retainers protested, the lord’s mind held only one thought.
To teach that wretch a lesson for humiliating his daughter.
Knowing the lord’s temperament—how he’d stop at nothing when his daughter was involved—the retainers fell silent.
There was no point in saying more.
“Sir Barton! Since this strategy is yours, I’d like you to serve as commander of this territorial campaign.”
“It would be my honor, my lord. I shall certainly annihilate the enemy.”
Both war and commander were decided in an instant.
The lord’s vassals were displeased that he made such a momentous decision alone.
Regardless, the lord’s mind was consumed entirely with thoughts of war.
“How many soldiers can we muster for deployment?”
“Our regular forces number around 300 at most, and even with conscripted troops, we struggle to exceed 1,000.”
“We’ll need mercenaries then. Which mercenary companies excel at territorial warfare?”
“The Red Wolf Mercenary Company and the Golden Eagle Mercenary Corps are the most renowned. They command the largest numbers of mercenaries and both maintain dedicated battle mage units—they’re truly professional operations.”
“In territorial warfare, mages are paramount. Which mercenary company possesses the highest Circle?”
“A 6-Circle mage recently joined the Golden Eagle Mercenary Corps, though he’s still quite inexperienced….”
“6-Circle?”
Mercenary companies typically employ mages no higher than 5-Circle.
The prospect of a 6-Circle talent joining their ranks was enough to make anyone’s eyes widen.
“Word travels fast in this industry, so the lord of Agos Territory may also be eyeing the Golden Eagle Mercenary Corps. If we compete for their services, the price will likely skyrocket.”
“No matter. Spare no expense—hire the Golden Eagle Mercenary Corps.”
Preparations for the territorial war were proceeding at a breakneck pace.

* * *
Clatter, clatter.
Among dozens of moving carriages, Zeke and his party rode.
Their destination was the Hamilton Territory, characterized by its mountainous terrain.
They had been hired by the lord of Hamilton to participate in the territorial war.
“After riding in magical carriages, regular ones make my backside ache terribly.”
“Please stop complaining. Zeke is sitting quietly too, isn’t he?”
“Ha, look at this one.”
Mary’s rebuke made Peter’s brow furrow, but he refrained from snapping back.
He noticed Zeke’s gaze from the seat beside him.
‘They’re definitely that kind of couple, aren’t they? Otherwise, why would that woman follow him around?’
Peter had learned from Mary herself that she was the daughter of the Bryant Estate.
She wouldn’t answer questions about her relationship with Zeke, but intuition was a powerful thing.
‘Seeing her blush around Zeke, it’s clear she’s at least interested in him.’
With that thought, Peter smiled wryly at himself.
Here he was, heading to war yet entertaining such pointless musings.
Peter, letting out a hollow laugh, turned to look at Zeke.
His expression was utterly devoid of tension.
“Zeke. You don’t seem nervous at all? Is territorial warfare not new to you?”
“It’s my first time.”
“Then why are you so composed?”
Peter asked out of pure curiosity, but Zeke answered casually.
“Does it matter?”
“It doesn’t matter much…. It’s just that I’m the only one who seems nervous.”
“Why are you leaving me out? I’m nervous too, you know.”
“Ah, is that so?”
After traveling together for several days, Mary and Peter had grown quite close.
They conversed frequently and occasionally played pranks on each other.
Zeke watched the two slaves with quiet satisfaction.
It was rather like a parent observing affectionate siblings.
“Zeke. The Captain mentioned something—do you know why the lord who hired us started this war?”
“Well, isn’t it because he coveted the land?”
“No. Apparently someone touched his precious daughter. So he’s scraping together every coin he can find to wage war just to behead the opposing lord. Isn’t that absurd?”
“Absurd? If my daughter were in such a situation, I think I’d lose my mind too.”
When Mary interjected, Peter let out a scoff as if she understood nothing.
“But still, to wage war over something so trivial? If he loses, his castle falls and his people are slaughtered. From the perspective of his subjects, he’s completely mad.”
“I suppose, but I can understand a father’s heart.”
“Ah, well… I see?”
When Zeke agreed, Peter found nothing more to say.
No matter what, Zeke held the upper hand now.
And he always would.
‘A territorial war… shouldn’t a Quest related to this appear?’
As Zeke pondered this thought.
As if reading his mind, the system promptly provided a Quest.
But.
‘What?’
Zeke could only stare at the message with wide eyes.
Two Quests had appeared.

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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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