Chapter 23: One Strike, One Sentence

At Gaon’s question, Rotes glanced at Oris.

Oris answered, “When I received the report, they were at Gatian Plains in the southeast. By now, they’re likely passing through Grik Grasslands. They’ll reach the southern gate in about two hours.”

“Two hours, huh…” Gaon trailed off, turning to Rotes.

“Rotes.”

“Yes?”

“What kind of guy is Gallagher?”

Rotes’s eyes gleamed.

Memories from the past surfaced.

Gaon wasn’t asking about Gallagher’s Circle level or primary magic.

He was likely asking if Gallagher deserved to die—and if killing him would cause issues.

“Gallagher, in a word, is someone who deserves divine retribution,” Rotes began.

Gaon listened briefly and made his decision.

He needs to die.

There was no need to hear more.

Fifteen years ago, Gallagher, in a drunken rage, killed everyone in a tavern.

Ten years ago, his reckless magical experiments caused dozens of nearby residents to die or suffer severe injuries.

Those incidents alone were enough to justify his death.

Gaon raised his hand, and Rotes stopped speaking.

Turning to Oris, Gaon asked, “Is there any connection with Rud Tower you haven’t mentioned? I’m planning to kill him.”

“None whatsoever,” Oris replied.

“Then I can kill him without worry.”

Oris swallowed hard.

Gallagher was a 6th Circle High Mage.

Yet Gaon spoke of killing him so casually.

Of course, Gaon was a 7th Circle Archmage, but the gap between 6th and 7th Circles, while significant, wasn’t insurmountable.

Moreover, Gallagher wasn’t alone.

With the support of numerous mages, things could get complicated.

Come to think of it, I didn’t mention…

Oris realized he’d only mentioned Gallagher due to his prominence, which might have led to Gaon’s casual attitude.

Before any misunderstanding deepened, Oris clarified, “For your information, Gallagher is accompanied by 30 mages: three 5th Circle, five 4th Circle, eight 3rd Circle, and fourteen 2nd Circle.”

“Oh, really?” Gaon nodded, then asked Rotes, “What’s the general vibe of Rud Tower’s mages?”

“Are you planning to kill them all?” Rotes asked cautiously instead of answering directly.

“Depends on the situation. Would it cause problems if I did?”

“It shouldn’t be an issue. We’re at war, and they attacked first.”

Gardion Tower and Rud Tower were at war.

Why else would Rud Tower come to Rabes?

Conversely, if Gaon wiped out Rud Tower’s mages, it wouldn’t cause any issues.

“But…” Rotes hesitated, glancing at Oris.

“Is that okay with you?”

Gardion Tower and the Alion family weren’t officially allied or deeply connected.

Oris’s relationship was with Gaon personally.

But to outsiders, it might look like an alliance.

If Gaon killed all of Rud Tower’s mages, Rud Tower would likely view the Alion family as an enemy.

“Hmm…” Oris understood Rotes’s concern and let out a low murmur.

After a moment, he replied, “It should be fine. They’re practically enemies to me anyway.”

Rud Tower was closely tied to the Sailer family.

While they hadn’t been openly hostile so far, there was no guarantee that would continue.

They were a ticking time bomb.

If Rud Tower’s power weakened, it would benefit Oris.

“Then I have one request,” Gaon said.

“Please, tell me.”

“Can you provide notarization?”

“Notarization?” Oris echoed, surprised by the unexpected request.

“Yeah. I’m worried they might spread false rumors for a smear campaign.”

Rotes had explained how the war between Gardion and Rud Towers was unfolding.

The towers were far apart, so full-scale battles didn’t occur.

Skirmishes were small and happened about 20 times a year—relatively few given the animosity.

Instead, Rud Tower engaged heavily in smear campaigns, framing Gardion for things they didn’t do to tarnish their reputation.

They might do the same this time.

But with Oris’s notarization, any smear campaign could be easily countered.

Oris thought briefly and nodded. “Understood.”

***

Gallagher read the letter with disbelief.

It was sent by Gardion Tower’s mages through the Alion family.

At first, he thought he’d misread it and checked again.

But he hadn’t.

The contents were clear: Gardion’s mages weren’t fleeing.

They proposed a final confrontation at Damen Plains, with the Alion family notarizing the outcome.

Are they insane?

Gallagher was incredulous.

Just three of them?

The letter stated only three Gardion mages were present.

Do they have reinforcements?

It didn’t make sense, but he considered the possibility of hidden forces.

However, that seemed unlikely.

The Alion family was notarizing the battle.

If there were reinforcements, it would play into Gallagher’s hands, giving him a chance to further damage Gardion’s reputation.

Do they not know I’m here?

It seemed they were unaware Gallagher was leading the group.

Otherwise, this reckless challenge from just three mages was inexplicable.

As Gallagher stood silent, Max, a 5th Circle High Mage waiting nearby, cautiously spoke.

“Vice Tower Master…?”

“Read it,” Gallagher said, handing over the letter.

Max read it and furrowed his brow. “Could they be planning to escape?”

“No, if that was their plan, they wouldn’t have mentioned Alion’s notarization.”

If they intended to flee, they wouldn’t have involved the Alion family.

They’d have just run.

“May I see it too?” Tomen, who had been quietly observing, asked.

“Here,” Max handed him the letter.

Tomen quickly read it, his eyes gleaming.

Oris is coming with only the 1st Knight Division…

The letter stated that Oris, head of the Alion family, would attend with his 1st Knight Division as escorts for the notarization.

Tomen’s mind raced.

This is a good opportunity.

If he eliminated Oris now, it would draw significant criticism.

But in the long term, it would be a massive gain.

At that moment, Gallagher spoke. “I have a request.”

Tomen paused his thoughts.

“Can you have your knights scout the Damen Plains? I suspect they might have prepared something or hidden troops.”

While reinforcements were unlikely, the possibility wasn’t zero.

Even if not reinforcements, they might have set up something else.

It was best to check in advance.

“Understood,” Tomen agreed without hesitation.

He had a reason for his quick acceptance.

“I have a request as well.”

“Speak.”

“I want to eliminate Oris during this opportunity.”

“…!”

Gallagher was stunned.

He knew relations between the Sailer and Alion families were poor, but to kill Oris during notarization?

This wasn’t just a matter between the two families—Rud Tower would almost certainly be implicated.

Seeing Gallagher’s hesitation, Tomen continued, “I know killing Oris now will draw widespread criticism and immediate losses. But for the future, this is a rare opportunity. If our family grows stronger, it will greatly benefit the tower. And…” Tomen grinned. “We don’t necessarily have to take the blame. It depends on the situation.”

“…?”

Gallagher was puzzled.

Killing Oris would inevitably lead to blame.

What did Tomen mean by “depending on the situation”?

“For example, the battle between our towers is quite intense, isn’t it?”

“Ah.”

Gallagher let out a sound of realization, understanding Tomen’s implication.

Smiling back, he said, “Exactly. The battle will be fierce. So fierce that Oris might accidentally die due to Gardion’s mages’ mistake.”

***

“Hmm…”

Oris let out a silent murmur, looking at Gaon, Rotes, and Taylor in the carriage.

Will it be okay?

He was traveling to Damen Plains with the three and the 1st Knight Division to notarize the battle between Gardion and Rud Towers.

I told them everything, and they made their choice.

He had explained the entire situation, yet Gaon remained unfazed.

Rotes and Taylor were the same.

The gap must be larger than I thought.

Oris wasn’t a mage, so his knowledge of the gaps between mages came from hearsay, not experience.

This was his first time encountering a 7th Circle Archmage.

The real gap must be far greater than the rumors suggested.

His biggest concern wasn’t the battle’s outcome.

The problem is Tomen.

Tomen, head of the Sailer family, worried him most.

He wouldn’t do something foolish, would he?

Tomen was cunning.

Even if not openly, he might meddle in the battle or target Oris, who was there to notarize.

At that moment, Gaon let out a puzzled sound. “Hmm?”

He looked at Oris, who, sensing his gaze, asked, “Is something wrong…?”

“Are there any additional forces you brought separately?”

“Forces? No, there aren’t.”

“Really?” Gaon’s expression turned intrigued.

Oris, with a nervous look and voice, asked, “Are there people ambushing us…?”

Why else would Gaon suddenly ask about forces unless unknown individuals had appeared?

Oris’s guess was correct.

“Yeah, they’re blocking the retreat path right now. Fifty knights and 500 soldiers.”

“…!”

Oris was horrified.

Why would they block the retreat in this situation?

They weren’t targeting Gardion Tower.

That crazy bastard! He’s really doing it!

The worst-case scenario had come to pass.

“Don’t worry too much,” Gaon said, smiling faintly at Oris’s expression. “There’s no Swordmaster among them, and their levels are mediocre.”

The knights blocking the retreat weren’t particularly strong.

The strongest was about Abel’s level, with the rest weaker.

Oris’s knights alone could hold them off for a long time.

“With Rotes and Taylor, you might even overpower them.”

“Y-Yes, I see,” Oris nodded, slightly relieved.

Then, a sudden realization made him look shocked. “Are you planning to face them alone?”

He had assumed Rotes and Taylor would assist.

“Yeah, they’re not that tough,” Gaon said with a smirk, turning to Abel at the driver’s seat. “I’m getting off here.”

Abel stopped the carriage immediately.

Gaon addressed Rotes and Taylor, “Focus on defense. I’ll be back soon.”

“Yes, understood,” Rotes replied on their behalf.

Gaon stepped out of the carriage, drawing the attention of nearby knights.

“Haste, Strength, Iron Skin.”

He cast buffs on all the knights.

“They’ll last an hour.”

With that, he began walking forward.

In the distance, he saw a large group—Rud Tower’s mages.

Thirty meters behind them was another group, likely the Sailer family.

Bone-and-Flesh Reforging is impressive.

Even without vision-enhancing magic, he could see clearly.

The second reforging is supposed to be even better…

Cheon Muhyeok had said he underwent two reforgings.

If the first was this impressive, Gaon was eager to see what the second would bring.

At that moment, a lone mage stepped forward from the group.

Based on his aura, it was Gallagher.

Why’s he coming alone?

He’s not here to apologize, is he?

Gallagher’s voice, amplified by a Shout spell, echoed across the plains.

Gaon noticed the Rud Tower mages smirking—every single one of them.

Activating all his Circles, Gaon thought, What’s with them? Haven’t they fought much?

This was a life-or-death battle, yet they were so unprepared.

Gallagher and the other mages seemed utterly inexperienced.

With all his Circles activated, Gaon chanted, “Thunder Stroke.”

A magic circle appeared above Gallagher’s head, and lightning struck.

Crackle!

Gallagher hastily cast a shield, but it was weak, formed in a rush.

Worse, it was an ice-based shield, poorly matched against lightning.

The shield shattered on contact, and the lightning struck Gallagher.

Gaon saw him, charred black and dying.