Return of the Class 8 Mage
41.1. fashionable society (3)
"Mr Oliv?"
Ian's surprised. That's Captain Oliver.
The reason Ian was surprised was because of Oliver's tuxedo.
Ian had never seen her wearing anything but heavy armor.
He looked very awkward wearing formal clothes.
“Mr Ian.”
It seemed that he did not like his current appearance either.
Even without Ian asking, though,
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince ordered me to do so."
He told Ian why he was wearing a tuxedo.
It seemed that the crown prince had invited her as well, and she might have been ordered to wear formal attire instead of armor.
"I think you're better suited to wearing armor."
“Khm!”
With Ian's joke, he coughed.
He had never shown this shy side before.
He was not the type of man for the Fashionable Society.
“.........”
The silence happened after Ian's joke.
Oliver broke the silence first.
“........ I heard it.”
"What did you hear? What are you talking about?"
“People say that you defeated archmage Helene in battle.”
“You heard it? That's odd; Ivory Towers usually prefer to keep their internal activity a secret.”
"Without intelligence activities, there is no use for knights in this era."
In this era.
It was an era where magicians were considered the strongest power available.
The swordsman is just a consumable unit. Or considered as a housekeeper.
Or even as a decoration.
Oliver's voice had a bitter tone.
"And I also read the letter you sent to His Majesty."
"So, is that part of the 'intelligence activities of the knights' as well?"
"No. His Highness the Crown Prince showed it to me directly. ”
Ian tried to make a joke, but Oliver was unaffected this time.
"I'm surprised. Your innate talent could explain why you became an Archmage at such a young age, such things. However, the contents of your letter ..... It seems that you not only know the political state of the crown prince, but also look through his characteristics as well. ”
The current circumstances facing the crown prince and his characteristics.
As in Ian's previous life, it was headed for the worst-case scenario.
No one considered the crown prince capable of taking the position of emperor.
Even his royal servant, Oliver.
“That makes me suspect whether you are just a young boy.”
"Haha, I just lived a complex life ......"
Ian made excuses.
Oliver gulped alcohol.
Although he did not look drunk, he was drunk.
“However, the most surprising thing is His Majesty, the Crown Prince tries to listen whenever you say something. He even ignored the Emperor's orders, but he listened to the advice of a young witch.”
For Oliver, that's an amazing thing.
It seemed that the crown prince might be able to turn into a better man.
"So, I have to confirm."
"Confirm?"
“Who did you choose?”
Oliver has to find out.
Is Ian a powerful ally or a dangerous enemy.
“It doesn't matter who you support. It's more going to be who you fight for. As I know, the Ivory Tower supports the 5th prince. So I want to ask. Do you stand with Ivory Tower?”
Question's straight.
That's not a proper question for a child.
Oliver is serious.
Age is no problem for him.
He's seen Ian Page's power.
Because of Ian's letter, he already knew Ian's ability.
Also, he had already felt his courage in his mansion a few months ago.
“I think you're drunk. I didn't make a choice ......"
“Sorry, but I need a clear answer. So I can judge,”
Suddenly, Oliver's eyes shone.
His terrifying mental focus had withdrawn from the drunkenness at once.
"Allies or enemies."
The Ivory Tower's magician, who might be able to control the crown prince.
Oliver must define this dangerous child clearly.
Oliver could choose different princes and become the most famous and noble knight in history.
However, he chose to be the crown prince's first knight.
So, he wanted to find out.
Ian opened his mouth slowly.
Not the answer Oliver wanted.
"Who will tell the truth in this situation?"
What he said made sense.
He could only lie to her that he would support the crown prince.
There's no point in that question.
"Are you talking lies or the truth."
Oliver is not stupid.
He's already considering that.
However, the reason he was so desperate was,
"I'll decide to believe it or not."
Because he saw some possibilities from Ian.
He concluded that Ian might support the crown prince.
“Yeah, I don't know yet.”
"I just want a clear answer."
"But I really don't know."
Ian answered seriously.
He never planned to support anyone.
He did not care who would become the next emperor or about the unity of the continent.
He just wants to disrupt Ragnar's every plan.
And he wanted to take revenge on her at a very critical point.
At that moment, he had probably recovered most of his strength.
Then, he will live happily with valuable people.
"But."
Ian looked Oliver in the eye straight.
Captain of the 2nd royal knight, Oliver Reywood.
The last knight who guarded the crown prince before he died.
Ian could have given him a different answer.
"I'll never support the 5th crown prince."
Surprised, Oliver looked around.
It was a much easier confirmation than he expected.
However, it was impossible for anyone to hear what Ian had said.
Ian had already hidden his surroundings with a spell of silence.
Only Oliver could hear Ian's answer.
“Is that enough?”
“For now, very.”
"That sounds good."
“Then, may I request one request from you?”
"Speak first, I'll decide later."
“Before you choose which side you want to support, be my duel opponent.”
"Attack duel?"
With an unexpected question, Ian shook his head curiously.
Not just checking Ian's position but now Oliver asks Ian to be his dueling partner?
"I need strength to face."
“A witch?”
"It's so thick."
It was an extremely rare opportunity for knights to duel with a magician.
There's no chance at all.
And Oliver needs him badly.
"Your sword will probably be directed at me later, won't it?"
“I won't deny it.”
"You're thick-skinned."
Oliver also did not deny it.
He's desperate, though.
He needed to have experience fighting against a witch.
"I refuse."
“Can I ask your reason?”
“Nothing in luck to me.”
That's a straight and clear reason.
There's no benefit.
"What if I give you a gift?"
"I don't know if any gift will satisfy me."
Whenever Ian had time, he trained himself.
From finding which breath to improving spell formulas.
For Ian, time is important.
There is not enough money to move it.
He might have to do it if the emperor or the crown prince asked for it.