Chapter 239: Conversation and Mage Roland

Even if he was dissatisfied, he had no right to change anything, as even the high-rank warriors in the legion rarely received rewards. All of this greatly angered the professionals of the Blizzard Legion. Fortunately, the Blizzard Legion eventually provided a large number of valuable items to these mages and other professionals, which suppressed their anger and prevented further trouble.

Shaoke patiently listened to the complaints of this Fourth Tier Mage until he sensed Mage Roman’s mental fluctuation, at which point he stopped the mage’s grumbling. “If possible, I hope to see you next time as a successfully promoted Fifth Tier Mage.” Shaoke’s words left the Fourth Tier Mage somewhat embarrassed.

His talent was poor; after being promoted to a Fourth Tier Mage, he joined the small mage team Shaoke was in, and by the end of the war a year later, he still hadn’t been promoted to a Fifth Tier Mage, which was why he was here on guard duty. “It’s almost there. If all goes well, in a year, I’ll be eligible for promotion to Fifth Tier Mage,” the mage said in a low voice. Shaoke didn’t dwell on the matter, but instead turned his staff, thanking the mage for delivering the message. Then he left, heading toward where Mage Roman was coming from.

Fortunately, Mage Roman hadn’t come out of the castle; otherwise, Shaoke, who no longer belonged to the Blizzard Legion, wouldn’t have been able to go inside to greet her.

Upon seeing Shaoke, Mage Roman happily quickened her pace. Her golden robe, embroidered with many magic scripts and patterns, made her look stunning, and her silver-white hair fluttered in the air as she walked, much better than Shaoke’s hair, which rarely moved when he walked.

“Xueye, why didn’t you come a bit earlier?” Mage Roman affectionately touched Shaoke’s fuller cheeks, nodding in satisfaction. She knew that Shaoke’s physical condition had returned to its former state. Thinking of this, a woman’s unique blush appeared on her fair little face, making her even more charming.

“I just wanted to get my health back fully before seeing you,” Shaoke said with a slight smile, explaining in a low voice. “Got time? Let’s grab a seat at the tavern.” He looked at the mage, waiting for her answer. Shaoke wasn’t disappointed; Mage Roman readily agreed, abandoning her work tasks for today and tomorrow. The Blizzard Legion wouldn’t give a Fifth Tier Alchemist a hard time over such a minor decision.

They went to the same tavern as before, and Shaoke led her to the top floor again, but this time they chose a seat by the window, where the mages could still see some outside scenes. The tavern was crowded with many mages and other professionals, though Infiltrators were the fewest, as they weren’t used to being seen.

After a toast with a glass of blessing wine, Mage Roman started the conversation. “Mage Yisier is really upset you didn’t make it to her wedding feast. She said that when you get back to the capital, she’ll drain you dry.” Mage Roman then chuckled softly, wondering how a Sixth Tier female mage could say such things.

The topic didn’t linger long on Mage Yisier but quickly shifted to the final war. Regarding the last war in the capital, Mage Roman wasn’t very clear either, as only professionals of Seventh Rank and above participated, while low-rank professionals like them had followed the army back to the capital early.

“But that war, I heard many died. The capital of the Esor Empire, three or four times the size of ours, was completely erased from the map,” Mage Roman said, habitually placing her small foot on Shaoke’s leg and slowly sliding it. “Just the Blizzard Legion lost five Legion Commanders in that war, and the Blizzard Warriors suffered heavy casualties.” She sighed softly, picked up her glass, and drank. “But after the war, the Blizzard Legion received almost no honorary rewards. Not even a minor baron title was given to the legion.”

“Baron?” Hearing Mage Roman’s words, Shaoke suddenly felt an inexplicable sadness.

Once upon a time, the lofty mages had to compete with commoners for such insignificant titles? “What use is a title? Didn’t those nobles get slaughtered by us back then? Without your own power, even a duke can be easily killed by others.” Shaoke then raised his voice slightly, adding, “How can a noble’s title compare to a mage’s dignity? Don’t forget, our status is no lower than theirs, even higher!”

Mage Roman was about to say something when a familiar voice reached Shaoke’s ears. “Mage Shaoke, your view is completely wrong. Now, mages’ status has declined and can’t compare to nobles.”

Following the voice, Shaoke saw it was Mage Roland, whom he had known in the Bloody Fortress. Now, Roland wore a silver-white noble mage robe, with a viscount’s badge on his chest, almost covering his rank insignia. He held a silver-white staff, inlaid with dozens of different precious gems, and occasionally magic scripts flew out of the top gem, only to merge back into the staff. He wore a few magic items, which, though somewhat flashy, were well-matched and didn’t show off, instead enhancing his handsome face.

“Mage Roman, the guard said you had been invited out, so I knew you were here and came looking for you,” Roland said, pointing to an empty seat nearby. “May I sit there?” He moved toward them, his gaze shifting between Mage Roman and Shaoke.

Mage Roman let Shaoke decide, and Shaoke unhesitatingly refused. “Mage Roland, the topic we’re discussing isn’t suitable for others to join.” Shaoke gestured for Roland to stop approaching. Of course, his words had no effect; Roland quickly stood beside the two mages and spoke again.

“What if Mage Roman agrees?” He looked at Mage Roman, smiling, waiting for her answer. But her reply left Roland very embarrassed, as she also refused him. Naturally, Shaoke was pleased with her response.

Refused, Roland didn’t leave but continued standing there. “I heard you’ve left the Blizzard Legion and the military. I suppose you’re now a Wandering Mage, aren’t you?” He raised his voice, making it clear to the nearby mages and professionals, sparking some low murmurs, as Wandering Mages rarely rested in such places.

Shaoke didn’t answer but stood up, staring at him. “If you’re still a mage, then speak to me with proper etiquette.” He lowered his voice slightly. “Mage Roland, is it because of Mage Roman that our friendship from the Bloody Fortress is ending like this?”

“Are you forbidding me from pursuing Mage Roman?” Roland’s smiling face stiffened a little. “I don’t think you have the right to stop me from pursuing her.” He looked at the frowning Mage Roman. “I like you. If not for other reasons back then, I would have started pursuing you in the Bloody Fortress, not waited until you left.” His rapid speech left him breathless. After calming down, he chuckled softly.

“I’m a noble mage; I don’t need to bow to you. Don’t force this issue.” He then examined Shaoke’s robe and cloak, finding them unchanged from last time, which excited him, as he knew Shaoke’s promotion speed.

“Let’s leave here,” Mage Roman said helplessly, gently taking Shaoke’s arm. She didn’t want these two mages to argue here, especially since they had once been good friends in the Bloody Fortress, and she had even developed some feelings for Roland after leaving.

“Alright,” Shaoke agreed, nodding to Mage Roman. He then nodded to Roland and led her out of the tavern. Upstairs, Roland gripped his silver-white staff tightly, so hard that his palm was cut by his nails, but he didn’t care. The woman he had once loved most had left him for some reason after he returned to the capital. Now, falling for another woman, he faced the same result. Only after Shaoke and Mage Roman disappeared from the street did Roland close his eyes, stand for a while, and then leave the tavern, returning to the small castle of the Blue Feather Legion.