Became a Medieval Fantasy Wizard-Chapter 351

TL/Editor: raei

Status: 5/week mon-fri

Illustrations: none

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Count Francis's information was truly 'important.'

Ian quickly organized his thoughts.

'The woman Duke Fargar has might actually be a true Silverwind survivor.'

The process of confirming her identity would have been somewhat crude.

Just as Duke Roxlan had seen his former lover in Maria's face—

Someone might have recognized the former Count of Silverwind in her features.

To put it coldly... she just resembled her parents.

"Why do you think Duke Fargar's representative is legitimate?"

When Ian asked, Count Francis answered with a chilling smile.

"Wandering wizard. I have more spies than you might imagine."

"You take after your father."

Count Francis flinched slightly but maintained his smile.

Somehow, his manner of controlling his expressions resembled his father exactly.

"Blood will tell, as they say."

Count Francis acknowledged his own devious side.

"But someone must do this work. Without my information, Duke Fargar would have succeeded in staining the Empire with blood."

"Perhaps so."

Count Francis continued to explain.

In truth, his explanation wasn't much different from Ian's expectations.

The survivor presented by Fargar was... a woman who 'strongly resembled' the Count of Silverwind.

"They say she looks very much like her father."

"If she didn't resemble him that much, they wouldn't have presented her as the heir."

Count Francis agreed.

"True. The truth doesn't matter. A face that can convince everyone. That's what's important."

This was probably possible because they were in a medieval fantasy world.

There was no magic to verify birth—

The most effective method to prove identity was none other than [appearance].

A child resembling their father?

Must be legitimate!

"But our side has the signet ring."

"I know. But being too complacent will ruin everything."

Yet a resembling face alone had its limits.

As a noble, one needed a way to prove their identity.

Maria had that item.

The signet ring.

'...Something feels off.'

Ian sensed a strange awkwardness.

If Fargar's survivor was truly the Count of Silverwind's daughter,

Shouldn't the family signet ring be in her possession?

Why had the ring ended up in the hands of Maria, who was a bastard?

But Ian quickly shook his head.

He wasn't a medieval detective.

Whatever the reason, the ring was in Maria's possession.

That gave her far more legitimacy than a woman who merely looked similar.

"Those who support Duke Fargar won't acknowledge Maria's existence."

"How troublesome."

Count Francis patted Ian's shoulder and said:

"That's why we need you."

The situation favored Maria, but sitting idly might lead to defeat.

That was Count Francis's thinking.

What should they do then?

Count Francis wanted to quickly make Maria the Countess of Silverwind.

It was a kind of preemptive occupation.

If both were claimants, wouldn't the first to claim it be the rightful owner?

He wanted not just to grant a title, but to establish a complete household.

With a wizard husband(?) and children, it would be a complete noble family by anyone's standards.

Of course, simultaneously, Count Francis's [spies] would ensure Fargar's survivor ceased to be a survivor...

"I'll make your wife the Countess of Silverwind."

Ian sensed something was seriously wrong...

"I'll arrange the engagement ceremony as well."

"Um... Count?"

"I promise there will be no disadvantages regarding past matters."

Count Francis looked at Ian with satisfaction and said:

"As long as you marry Maria."

"..."

Wait, something seems really off about this?!

Ian couldn't bring himself to respond.

Count Francis moved boldly forward.

He confirmed that Duke Roxlan was unable to perform his duties.

He immediately declared himself the Duke's proxy.

"Currently, Duke Fargar is advancing toward Roxlan with his army. In such a situation, we cannot leave the Duke's position vacant."

"..."

The nobles looked at each other, but no one raised objections.

Well... he was right.

Oddly enough, a leader's authority strengthens during a crisis.

Strong unity is needed to face external threats.

The leader must fulfill that role.

Therefore, crisis is opportunity for a leader.

Lose and you lose everything, win and you become supreme.

"As the proxy of Duke Roxlan, I declare."

Count Francis took advantage of his father's collapse to reign as the nobles' leader.

"Roxlan stands with the Silverwind heir."

"...!"

Nobles who didn't understand the situation were greatly bewildered.

But those familiar with the events reacted as if they'd been expecting this.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Actually... I heard the Silverwind heir secretly approached Duke Roxlan."

"But then...!"

"The Duke tried to capture the heir... and ended up like this."

The rumor about Duke Roxlan setting a trap was no longer something that could be concealed.

The nobles despised the Duke's vile behavior.

"How could someone of ducal rank, for such a petty reason...!"

"Duke Roxlan was always a mean-spirited man."

A minority of nobles defended the Duke, but most condemned him.

Many had already harbored doubts about Silverwind's downfall.

They were furious that instead of showing grace to the survivor who appeared, he had schemed against her.

Therefore, there was no issue with Count Francis acting as the Duke's proxy.

He chose a different path from his father, just as he had initially told Ian.

He recognized Maria and sought to restore her position as Margrave of Silverwind.

From House Roxlan's perspective, this offered little benefit.

But... the Count did it 'anyway.'

"Rectifying my father's wrongdoing is only natural."

If weighing the gains and losses, this did benefit Count Francis personally.

It clearly demonstrated that he was different from the previous Duke Roxlan.

Nobles who disliked Duke Roxlan's characteristically sinister personality applauded Francis's 'fair' actions.

"Um... Count?"

"No need to thank me, Wizard Ian. I'm merely doing what should be done."

Ian could hardly hide his uneasy expression.

With the sudden change in leadership, the situation had shifted greatly in Maria's favor.

Not only was Maria being granted a title, but the Count had declared he would return the margraviate territory to her.

Was that good?

Honestly... yes, it was.

It was good, but...

"Behold this young bride!"

"Ohhh!"

Count Francis introduced Maria to the nobles with a shout.

"Though she endured harsh humiliation, she survived and blossomed! Isn't it beautiful and moving!"

Clap clap clap!

The nobles applauded without exception.

They had already decided to switch their allegiance to Count Francis.

This meant they were prepared to roar with laughter even if he told a terrible joke.

And merely celebrating a newlywed couple?

Piece of cake!

"The birth of a new House Silverwind!"

"Blessings to the young couple!"

"Hahaha! How enviable! Wizard Ian!"

"..."

Ian wanted to shut all the nobles' mouths.

Take it easy, you bastards!

'Wait, why is this...?'

Ian's reason for pretending to be Maria's 'fake fiancé' had been simple.

He just wanted to help Maria!

The initial plan was for Ian to take Maria away, while using the land to appease Duke Roxlan.

But things started to go wrong when the Duke showed excessive greed.

Ian somehow found a way to survive...

And now, he was actually going to marry Maria...?

"How the hell did it end up like this!"

Ian muttered in disbelief.

But no one cared about Ian's thoughts.

After all, he was publicly known as Maria's real fiancé!

The future duke candidate, Count Francis, had already decided to support Ian—

And the nobles following Francis would naturally recognize Ian's marriage.

Whether Ian wanted to get married or not!

***

"Ian!"

After the storm of events had calmed,

Imperial Princess Elia hurriedly came to see Ian.

She clearly knew what had happened from reports...

But who could have imagined Ian would actually end up marrying Maria!

"Did you take down Duke Roxlan because you wanted to marry Maria?!"

"No!"

Who takes me for someone obsessed with collecting wives!

Ian was speechless, but had nothing to say.

Could he possibly escape now by saying, 'Hehe~ Actually, I was just a fake fiancé~'?

Even stray dogs barked "There's Silverwind's fiancé! Wow!" when they saw Ian.

"Count Francis said he'd restore her title on his own!"

"That's great!"

"Yes! It's great!!!"

Ian shouted while clutching his head.

He had wanted things to go well for Maria!

But not like this!

Elia was about to say something but flinched and turned away.

"Well... the problem was that you're too competent."

"?"

What kind of nonsense was that?

It sounded like she was saying Ian should have fallen for Duke Roxlan's plot and ended up in a dungeon?

"Anyway, I don't know. Just think of it as a good thing and enjoy it!"

"..."

"I'm leaving!"

Elia left as if fleeing from something.

What's wrong with her—Ian wondered as he turned around.

He couldn't help but flinch in surprise.

...Because Kira stood there with folded arms, staring at Ian with an odd expression.

"Oh, w-when did you get here?"

"I've been here for a while. You didn't notice?"

Ian knew Kira's personality well.

Kira was... a pure-hearted girl who greatly valued sincere love between men and women.

She was someone who had felt extreme terror at the thought of approaching a man who already had a fiancée.

And now Ian was suddenly setting up to marry Maria?

...Ian didn't want to imagine what would happen next.

"It's a misunderstanding, Kira."

"What is? That you're actually going to marry Maria?"

"..."

Hearing it from his fiancée's mouth made it truly shocking.

Kira sat in a chair and crossed her legs.

Then with a faint smile, she said:

"Care to explain?"

...Ian's mouth went completely dry for no reason.

Why was he so nervous over this?!

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