Chapter 199: Ignored Temptation

The camp where the Legion Commander was stationed was also a small castle, with a large number of Fifth-Tier warriors guarding the outside. After inspecting the orders carried by the mages, a soldier led them to the room where the Legion Commander was located. However, along the way, the mages still underwent many inspections. Just as Shaoke was growing impatient, those inspections finally ceased.

The Legion Commander’s room was spacious, with tall wooden doors carved with many beautiful patterns and inlaid with finely crushed gemstones. There weren’t many people inside—only a dozen or so mages scattered around chairs surrounding a long table. The long table was covered with a layer of crimson silk, on which dozens of ornate lamp stands of gold and silver were placed. A hundred sandalwood candles burned silently, illuminating the entire room brightly. All of this made Shaoke extremely uncomfortable.

He tried to find a spot with less exposure to the light, pulled his cloak tighter to block out the soft glow. The fragrance from the sandalwood candles calmed his somewhat agitated spirit. Since the host had not yet arrived, he sat there and began reviewing his Spell knowledge to deepen his understanding, using this to kill time while waiting.

As time passed, people who were mostly officers entered one after another, but there weren’t many mages—only over twenty, most of whom were Fourth Tier Mages, with only three or five at the Fifth Tier. However, this didn’t hold his attention for long, as he was almost completely immersed in his spell knowledge, leaving only a sliver of mental energy to detect his surroundings so he could promptly notice the Legion Commander’s arrival.

The door opened once again, and the graying-haired Legion Commander, standing tall and straight, entered surrounded by several high-ranking officers. After he sat down, he gestured to the Scribe beside him to take a headcount. Of course, it was only to tally the number and names of the officers, as the scribe didn’t know the mages’ names. Moreover, the Legion Commander had already instructed that there was no need for a detailed count of the mages.

A document filled with the continent's common script was handed to Shaoke. The Legion Commander said, “Fellow mages and officers, I’d like you to propose solutions to the matters described here. Of course, even if a solution isn’t fully developed, it doesn’t matter. I think my advisors will surely gain some inspiration from your proposals.” Although the Legion Commander said this, his gaze mostly swept over the mages, as he was already quite familiar with the capabilities of his officers. The officers, aware that the Legion Commander’s main target this time was the mages, merely skimmed through the document before closing their eyes to rest.

The mages, however, only read the contents of the document in detail and proposed solutions based on their own knowledge. The content of the document wasn’t extensive—it simply mentioned matters like transporting ordinary supplies to the front lines and constructing roads, with a brief mention of how to handle prisoners of war sent back from the front lines.

After reading it carefully, Shaoke quickly formulated an answer and then sat upright, waiting for the Legion Commander’s next inquiry. When all the mages had finished reading the document, the Legion Commander waited a little longer before asking each mage for their proposed solutions, while the scribe beside him meticulously recorded the proceedings. When the Legion Commander asked Shaoke, he simply stated his thoughts. Like the mages before him, the Legion Commander gestured for him to sit down.

After the questioning concluded, the Legion Commander had all the officers leave, leaving only a scribe by his side to record. “Fellow mages, would you be interested in participating in some simple administrative tasks?” At this point, the Legion Commander looked somewhat helplessly at the mages. “You should know that most officers focus their energy on training, while very few specialize in administrative affairs. Moreover, the empire’s training has consistently lagged behind the needs of the major legions. Therefore, I hope that you, with your extensive knowledge, can take on some of these tasks.”

The Legion Commander’s words quickly caused a stir among the mages. They whispered to each other, finding it difficult to accept the sudden proposal. After all, they needed to devote a great deal of time to studying spell knowledge and had no desire to waste time on tedious administrative tasks.

Seeing the unrest among the mages and the dissatisfaction some displayed, the Legion Commander felt even more helpless. Many areas of knowledge weren’t accessible to ordinary people. Moreover, although the empire had promoted large-scale education for tens of thousands of years, various reasons had resulted in a shortage of trained administrative personnel to meet the empire’s needs. Thus, thousands of years ago, legions began eyeing these knowledgeable mages, hoping to train them to handle simple administrative tasks. The Blizzard Legion had also attempted and continued this method.

“If you can accept handling some simple administrative tasks that don’t consume much time, your allowances will be doubled. Moreover, you’ll have access to books exclusive to the military department, as well as some precious magic materials for your use.” At this point, the Legion Commander added, “Many mages have already taken on such positions, and there’s even a Sixth Tier Mage currently handling agricultural administrative affairs.”

The temptation offered by the Legion Commander stirred the hearts of some mages. Upon hearing that higher-tier mages were engaged in such administrative work, they all expressed a need to consider it. Of course, a few mages, including Shaoke, rejected the proposal. He simply didn’t value the books and magic materials provided by the military department, as the Death Mage Corps offered far more precious resources and ample funds for his use—insufficient to tempt him.

For the mages who refused, the Legion Commander allowed Shaoke and the others to leave first, as the following issues were not for them to know. Naturally, the mages didn’t feel dissatisfied, as every mage had experienced such situations a few times before.

When Shaoke returned to his room, Roman, dressed in golden robes, was leaning over the writing desk, reading the books Shaoke had placed there. As soon as she saw Shaoke, she reminded him to address her as an Alchemist from now on, as she had successfully changed her profession.

Facing the smiling Mage Roman, Shaoke readily agreed. He then asked about her purpose for visiting, not believing that the Female Mage Roman had taken time out of her busy schedule just to chat with him.

“I now have the ability to craft the empty stone bead into a permanent magic item, though it will still require some time,” Mage Roman said, closing the book and holding it in her arms, apparently intending to take it with her.

Shaoke nodded. He noticed that the thin cord that had always hung around the female mage’s neck was gone, indicating that, as she said, she had already begun crafting the magic item. After discussing some changes after her profession shift and preparations before the shift, the female mage made a request Shaoke couldn’t refuse.

“Lend me a few more books. I’d like to read them,” she said, gently patting the thick book in her arms, hoping Shaoke would agree.

Although he didn’t understand why Roman, who had lost her Spellcasting abilities, still wanted to borrow these books, Shaoke readily agreed. He took out a large number of precious books from his magic bag and placed them on the bed. With some pride, Shaoke said, “What would you like to read? Feel free to pick any here! I won’t refuse your request.”

Although Female Mage Roman knew through her uncle, who worked for the Death Mage Corps, that Death Mages received many books and precious magic materials when leaving the corps, her uncle hadn’t given her detailed information. Thus, seeing Shaoke continuously take out those precious books, she was so surprised that her small mouth opened.

Seeing Mage Roman’s astonishment, Shaoke stopped taking out more books. “Could it be that the Legion Commander asked you to come here to borrow books?” he guessed.

Faced with Shaoke’s guess, the female mage blushed and turned her head away, ignoring him, though her eyes wandered somewhat nervously over the books piled on the bed. “Can I take all of these? I promise these books won’t be damaged,” she said, casting an envious look at Shaoke, as possessing a large number of precious books was every mage’s dream. Moreover, many of the books Shaoke had taken out were not available in the Blizzard Legion.

Staring intently into the female mage’s eyes, Shaoke waited a moment before finally agreeing to her request. “Will the Blizzard Legion reward you for my contribution?” he asked, gently stroking her long hair. It had been a long time since he had been intimate with her, and it stirred some impulses in him. Fortunately, reason prevailed, as now was not the time.

“Yes,” the female mage said, slightly tilting her head, allowing Shaoke to stroke her hair. “Everything you need, the Blizzard Legion will provide unconditionally. Hmm… me too.” Then she suddenly whispered, “Reduce your medication intake. The amount you’ve been taking recently has exceeded three times that of many mages of the same tier.”

The female mage’s words caused Shaoke’s movements to stiffen slightly, but he didn’t pay it much mind. Even in the Death Mage Corps, his medication intake had never decreased. Moreover, the High-rank Mages in the Death Mage Corps had never questioned him about it, let alone anyone in the Blizzard Legion.

“I’m worried that long-term medication use might affect your body’s recovery,” the female mage said, shyly touching Shaoke’s cheeks, which had regained only a little flesh. She felt they were somewhat more substantial than before.

“Don’t worry,” Shaoke said with a soft laugh. “You know my constitution is special. This only slows down the recovery speed.” With that, he gently embraced the female mage, sensing her concern for him.