Chapter 58

Ordinary sorcerers dedicate themselves to the Magic Tower, focusing on developing new spells or nurturing the next generation. Just doing that is already fulfilling enough, satisfying the desires of sorcerers who are obsessed with their own research or passing down knowledge to future generations.

So, what do Imperial Sorcerers do?

Imperial Sorcerers, like regular sorcerers, are responsible for research and education. But that’s only when they have free time. Normally, they serve as the Imperial’s special forces. They go on expeditions with the Knight Order to exterminate monsters or participate in wars. Since they’re constantly called to war or monster hunts, they often die.

Being sorcerers fit for the Imperial, they’re required to have exceptional skills and handle various difficult tasks. Battles and monster hunts are dangerous, and they often witness gruesome things… It’s a classic 3D job: Difficult, Dangerous, and Dirty.

According to official records, Werner rejected offers to become the next Tower Lord and chose to be an Imperial Sorcerer instead. When other sorcerers heard the news, they clicked their tongues in disbelief. A promising talent in academia choosing the “up-and-down” industry? Naturally, they lamented. Werner, that fool, chose a 3D job just because he wanted to work closely with his older brothers and sisters.

“Damn that Lorcha bitch…”

At least being an Imperial Sorcerer isn’t about tattooing strange symbols on the Emperor’s slaves or making stamina potions for the Emperor’s nightly escapades.

The Emperor, ruling a polygamous nation, was a pure-hearted romantic who never touched any woman except the Empress. Though a bit foolish, he genuinely loved his people. To compare it to the Three Kingdoms, he’s like Liu Shan with a slight buff in loving his people. However, all the heroes, the Zhuge Liangs of the nation, were out on expeditions except for one.

Whatever the Emperor was like, my priority was my own business.

“Brother Melchior, Sister Melissa… You won’t look at me with disdain, right?”

For now, Werner’s memories were too jumbled to recall everything he’d done or his reputation. So, I needed the help of those around me.

At my question, Melchior and Melissa burst out laughing.

“Hahahaha! Werner, are you seriously asking that…?”

“Pfft! Youngest, do you really not remember…?”

What’s so funny? These geeks are getting excited over something only they understand…

“Why are you laughing?”

“Those Imperial bastards who hold a grudge against you… No, it’d be faster to count the people who *don’t* hold a grudge against you.”

“What did I even do? This is so unfair.”

Holding a grudge against this kind-hearted Archmage? They must be villains. Werner probably only struck down those who attacked him with the hammer of justice. But to hold a grudge after getting hit by that hammer? Seems like they need more “proper education.”

“First, the Crown Prince probably hates you the most.”

First thing after reinstatement, I’ll give that Crown Prince brat a Confucian punch—no, a “proper education” punch. While shouting, “Hey, Crown Prince, two bucks!”

“What did I even do?”

“When you were teaching the Crown Prince magic at 15, he dozed off, so you smacked his head… Then when he protested, you froze him for a whole day. Don’t you remember?”

Werner, you damn bastard… You crazy villain. How bad was your middle school syndrome to pull that crap on the Crown Prince? The hammer of justice? More like swinging a hammer to your own tune and causing chaos.

“How old was the Crown Prince then…?”

“You were 15, so he must’ve been 10?”

So, you were just a trashy middle schooler bullying an elementary school kid. Why do I have to clean up this damn bastard’s mess? What was the best outcome Werner could’ve reached? Getting beheaded by the Crown Prince wielding the sword of power? I wanted to rush to that white room, give Werner a wasabi enema, then punch him in the face and kick him with a Phoenix Kick.

“How’s the Crown Prince these days? What does that brat even look like?”

“Well, he’s got the Imperial’s signature golden hair, and since he likes radishes, his skin’s pretty tanned.”

Damn, it’s the Golden Sun. That brat… He wouldn’t pull some crap on Airi, Camelian Peony, or Glacia for revenge, would he? If it’s just me, fine, but if he touches the people around me, I won’t forgive him. Of course, I won’t forgive him touching me either.

“Is that brat a pervert?”

“A pervert? He vomits just from making eye contact with women. He only recently got married.”

Ah, that’s a relief. He just has a misleading appearance but is actually a pure-hearted Golden Sun. This is why you shouldn’t judge people by their looks.

“Anyway, the Crown Prince must hate me, right?”

“Youngest, are you seriously asking that? Of course, he hates you. Though he’s mellowed out a bit after getting married.”

“How did he even get married?”

It’s a mystery how the Golden Sun, who vomits at the sight of women, managed to get married.

“Dunno, maybe he found a woman who doesn’t make him vomit. I’m not really interested in Imperial affairs.”

“Then, besides the Crown Prince, who else holds a grudge against me…?”

“Probably all the Crown Princesses?”

“Why the hell do the Crown Princesses hate me?”

Did I freeze them and turn them into Dooly? Even if middle schooler Werner was a jerk, he wouldn’t harm innocent young ladies, right? If he really did, I’d genuinely despise him.

“You rejected their confessions.”

“If I’m not interested, I can reject them, right?”

Some people hold grudges just because their confessions were rejected. The kind who live in their own delusional world. Personally, I don’t like those types.

“It wasn’t just a rejection.”

“Did I tear up their love letters or something?”

“Don’t you remember what you said when you rejected them?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Sigh… Then I’ll tell you what I heard.”

Melissa cleared her throat and tried to imitate me with a deep voice.

“Ugly? What nonsense! Hey, get lost. I’d never date a girl with a face like yours. Not leaving? What are you crying about? What did you even do right?”

“Hey, you think I don’t know how rotten your personality is? Stop bothering me, I’m busy.”

“I heard you lost your cat once and made the Imperial Sorcerers find it? Do you know how much I suffered then? Just get lost.”

“Hahaha, date you…? I’d rather lick a boar’s ass than date someone as vain as you.”

“Hey, if I cross-dressed, I’d be prettier than you. Why would I date you? I’d rather wear a skirt.”

Instead of physical—no, magical violence, you went all out with verbal violence. I have no idea how to handle the massive pile of crap Werner dumped on me. Even without Airi, wouldn’t this bastard have gotten his head smashed by the Imperial family for causing such problems? Crushing the hearts of shy Crown Princesses who confessed their love? What a cruel bastard.

“Did I really say all that…?”

“Honestly, even I think the Crown Princesses’ faces look like sandwiches run over by a carriage, but you went too far.”

“Sister, your words are harsher than mine…”

“At least I don’t say that to their faces. It’s pitiful.”

Now that I think about it, that’s true. It’s fine to curse the king behind his back, but saying “your face is smashed” to his daughter’s face? That’s just insane.

“And I’m still alive?”

Melchior answered that question.

“Leader, Media, and that unlucky knight brat probably bowed their heads every day.”

“So, I’m supposed to reinstate as an Imperial Sorcerer without that protection now?”

Lorcha’s grudge, like aged kimchi, must be extra spicy.

“Why don’t you bring the people around you to the capital? My daughter and the others would definitely help.”

That’s a good idea. With Zick and Media’s daughter, Airi; the hero’s fragment, Camelian Peony; and Melchior and Melissa’s daughter, Glacia—if these three help, they should be able to handle some threats.

Convincing those three to go to the capital with me is a whole other issue, though.

“But Brother, isn’t Glacia busy with northern affairs? Is it okay for her to leave?”

“Don’t worry too much about that. The busy period with monster problems is over, and other issues can be left to my subordinates.”

If he’s that confident, then it should be fine.

“Brother, you said those three are detained now, right?”

“Yeah, why don’t you go and try to persuade them?”

“Of course, I will.”

From now on, I’ll have to stake everything to persuade these three women.