Shepherd Wizard (Novel) - Chapter 106

Chapter 106

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It is often said that knowing something will happen and preparing for it doesn’t necessarily make it any easier to endure the shock when it actually occurs.

Like being beaten by someone or receiving a breakup notice from a lover.

Similarly, the shock Turan felt when Talis mentioned his name was truly immense.

As he took a deep breath to calm himself, a voice came from behind.

“What do you mean ‘probably his grandson’? Don’t you even know if he’s your grandson? Just how much did you let your lower body run wild to not know that?”

“I understand. What pleasures are there to enjoy in this world? It’s not like we created condoms for no reason.”

“That story is from ages ago…”

The one who raised his hand to stop the noisy Carmine nobles was their leader, the family head, the Advocate.

“So, why has this person you mentioned escaped from your control? I heard that in Zahar, you prepare tracking mediums for talented children from a young age.”

“Ah, yes. I heard that too.”

“Then no matter where they flee, they’d definitely be caught, right?”

“Wow, your family runs things so oppressively. I’m glad I didn’t join your faction.”

“Still, it would be convenient for finding someone if they were kidnapped from afar. Or for harvesting corpses.”

Ignoring the grumbling voices, Talis continued his explanation.

“To answer that question, it’s because he wasn’t born within the family to begin with.”

“An illegitimate child?”

“Something like that. During the war twenty years ago, one of my sons had his way with an Arabion prisoner, and later when that son caused trouble and was purged, the child was apparently born from the prisoner who had escaped.”

“Ah, I know this genre well. Wasn’t there a trend of pregnant women escaping?”

“I think it’s more like an epic hero story. With a perfect motive for revenge against his father.”

“A child from an enemy family makes this Romeo and Juliet!”

“So Zahar is the Montague family?”

The gods who had fallen to being human cackled, treating the story of his parents as if it were material for a play.

Briefly disgusted by their frivolous attitude, Turan listened as Talis explained to the other gods how he had discovered Turan’s identity.

“At the time, I was too busy, and since he didn’t seem particularly strong, I thought his son wouldn’t have a chance to be born a noble, so I didn’t bother searching. But recently, a vassal said he had seen someone who looked like my illegitimate son. I wondered what he was talking about, so I investigated, and it turned out to be him.”

The port city of Komad in the Enril Desert, where he had purchased Bije.

The lord ruling that place, Karl Dirmin, was the first person who had commented that Turan resembled Talis.

This implied that Karl must have had occasions, if not frequent ones, to meet Talis face to face.

Later, Karl must have mentioned to Talis that he had “seen a young man who resembles you,” and Talis hadn’t dismissed it but had investigated.

‘Should I have killed Karl there?’

Turan briefly had such a thought but shook his head.

Aside from the fact that the noble hadn’t done anything wrong to Turan, even if the head of a vassal family had been killed, an investigation would have revealed Turan’s existence anyway.

In truth, entering the Enril Desert to investigate his birth background had been a mistake from the start.

At that time, he hadn’t realized how much his appearance resembled his relatives, so it couldn’t be helped.

“But why wouldn’t a Zahar noble join his family and instead wander around? Surely he hasn’t teamed up with another family?”

“It seems he’s hiding his bloodline and acting as a lord in a gray zone while investigating traces of his parents. We’ve lost track of him since then. He might even suspect we killed his father.”

“So, why are you telling us this?”

The Carmine family head stared at Talis with calm eyes and asked.

“Are you asking us to eliminate him if we find him?”

“I just wanted to let you know that if he’s causing trouble somewhere, it’s not on our orders. If he causes conflict, you can eliminate him if you wish… but it would be better if you informed us first. He seems quite skilled, and I’d like to recruit him.”

“Talented mages are rare indeed. No matter how much we try to breed them, capable ones seldom emerge.”

“You’re not planning anything suspicious with him as an excuse, are you?”

“I’m not.”

Though their threatening tone didn’t seem sincere, they soon burst into laughter.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the conversation about Turan ended there, and what followed was mostly nostalgic chatter.

This gave Turan time to quietly analyze the conversation.

‘So what they know about me is that I bought Bije in Komad and stayed in Kalamaf to investigate the past. Plus they probably know I participated in defeating the dark elves with Arabion nobles…’

Of course, he couldn’t be certain that what Talis had revealed was all he knew.

Judging by the atmosphere, these beings had a long history of antagonism and were just now tentatively extending a hand of reconciliation.

In such a situation, it was unlikely that everything had been disclosed.

However, if that truly was how Talis had learned about Turan, there was a good chance he didn’t yet know other important facts.

For example, that Turan also possessed Arabion bloodlines, or that he owned a top-tier Holy Relic that could mimic bloodline abilities and appearances, or that he had quasi-family-head-level magical power and two even stronger companions.

And most crucially, that he already knew the gods’ secret and had even killed one of them.

It’s often more dangerous to know something vaguely than not at all.

Perhaps he could use this to his advantage.

As the gods continued their conversation, Turan kept one ear open, absorbing their dialogue.

The more he understood about what they knew and how they thought, the easier it would be to deal with them.

“Remember when Caesar kicked me out of the party because of that YouTube link you sent me?”

“Ah, I remember. You were also roasted on the forum for that.”

[TL Note- seems like this world is set in actual earth but way ahead in future by the sound of it?]

“That guy who kept posting about buffing production jobs was a net-karmer… he’s dead now.”

“If he had survived, our civilization level wouldn’t be this bad. All of us with scientific knowledge died, so this is what we got.”

“Most of the things needed for advancement are treated as ‘items’ anyway, so they don’t get made properly.”

Naturally, Turan could barely understand what they were talking about.

It was probably the culture of the forgotten ancient empire… Perhaps if he asked the librarian, he might get some meaningful answer.

Several hours passed.

Though he was in a somewhat shaded area, the lounge itself was so bright that the magical power consumption was considerable, and Turan was wondering when he should break off and leave.

Fortunately, such a decision became unnecessary as the gods rose from their seats and exchanged farewells.

“We used to tear at each other’s throats, but seeing your faces after so long isn’t bad. Let’s meet often from now on.”

“Sure. As long as you don’t try to kill me.”

At Talis’s words, Jemel chuckled and shook his extended hand.

Meanwhile, Turan tried to use tracking magic to collect even a strand of hair that Talis might have dropped, only to realize something surprising.

‘He didn’t… leave any trace of himself.’

There were no naturally fallen hairs or eyebrows, not even a flake of skin or saliva that should have been on the teacup, which would have provided tracking effects though less persistent.

He must have been constantly using telekinetic or fluid manipulation magic to prevent any trace of himself from remaining.

While appearing to talk casually like friends, in reality, he hadn’t revealed a single vulnerability.

Astonished by such paranoid caution, Turan left the lounge along with the Carmine nobles as they opened the door and exited the room.

‘I’d like to follow Talis, but… I don’t have much magical power left.’

If things went wrong, he might end up isolated with depleted magical power inside the family head’s residence.

Of course, if he lost track of Talis here without a tracking medium, it would be difficult to find him again, but it wasn’t worth risking capture or discovery for that.

Continuing to move together down the corridor and out of the family head’s residence, Turan slipped away when no one was looking and released his invisibility in an empty alley.

At last, the infiltration mission that had kept his heart pounding with tension was over.

* * *

Late at night, Turan returned to Oneil’s mansion with an exceptionally confident stride.

Though he wanted to flee immediately, Oneil couldn’t simply disappear.

If someone who had attended the meeting suddenly vanished, they would naturally search for him, and if the existence of the mimic who had extracted Meisa from Arabion became known, they would realize the same person had been active here.

If that identity were later connected to Turan, the consequences wouldn’t end with a simple conversation like earlier. He needed to continue impersonating Oneil for at least a few days.

It would be even better if he could make a natural exit.

The butler and servants lined up in front of the mansion, which was still lit despite the late hour, bowed as they greeted him.

“Welcome back, master.”

“The carriage has been maintained as you instructed.”

He had sent back the carriage he had arrived in, using the excuse of having business to attend to for his infiltration. Perhaps fearing he might rage about it, the coachman explained apologetically.

Feeling quite tired, Turan dismissed them with a simple gesture.

“Fine. I want to sleep, so everyone get out.”

Even while exhausted, Oneil’s rough manner of speaking that he had practiced for days came out naturally, which Turan found remarkably interesting.

Thinking that he might try his hand at acting properly if given the chance in the future, Turan bathed with the maids’ assistance and then lay down on the bed.

“Um, master. Tonight…”

“I’m tired.”

After chasing away the concubine who had approached to serve him for the night, Turan immediately took out the hand mirror and activated it.

Since it was close to midnight, Meisa’s face appeared after a short while.

[Hello.]

“Good evening. Did you eat?”

[Yes. I had fried frog today. Solif is still horrified by it. He looks completely like a noble young master despite his appearance.]

Having already had conversations while wearing Oneil’s face for several days, Meisa wasn’t surprised to see his transformed appearance.

After briefly chatting about what had happened in the settlement, Turan got straight to the point.

“I don’t have much magical power left today, so I’ll be quick. I overheard a meeting of the gods.”

[…A meeting of gods?]

“Yes.”

[You start with such an incredible story.]

Turan quickly relayed to Meisa what he had heard in the meeting room and eavesdropped on in the family head’s lounge.

Her face turned pale when he told her that his identity had been partially exposed to the Zahar family.

[Come back right away! No, it would be better if we came to you. We could be there in a few days riding Bije…]

“There’s no need for that. As I said, they still think I’m just an ordinary high-ranking noble. And they have no idea I’m here at all.”

He even thought it might not be a bad idea to pretend to join the Zahar family and infiltrate from within to gather information.

After all, isn’t the most dangerous enemy the one inside?

[Wouldn’t that be too dangerous? If they investigate further, they might learn that you were close with me during your stay at Arabion, or that you traveled with Solif near Ravitas.]

“If they try to use me to track you two, I could feed them false information to keep you hidden. Anyway, let’s think about this more carefully. It’s not something we need to decide right away.”

The immediate issue was that war between Arabion and Carmine was imminent, and that Zahar was subtly trying to support Carmine.

Of course, there was no guarantee they weren’t just pretending while actually planning to stab Carmine in the back, but still.

What Turan needed to do now was use this opportunity to somehow widen the gap between Arabion and Zahar, preventing the two families from communicating with each other.

Additionally, he needed to find a way to naturally shed Oneil’s identity.

[Just hearing about it makes my head spin…]

“It can’t be helped. Living in this world isn’t easy for anyone.”

Just as he was grumbling, Turan’s eyes widened as he sensed a presence approaching from a distance.

The owner of this magical power was certainly the one he had felt earlier…

“Sorry, I have to go.”

[Huh? Why-]

Turan hastily cut off the magical power to the hand mirror, put it in his large-capacity pouch, and lay down on the bed.

With his eyes closed, focusing his consciousness on the Holy Relic’s perception, he sensed someone calmly walking down the corridor and opening the door.

Though a noble’s sensitive senses could easily detect even distant footsteps in the corridor, he couldn’t hear even the sound of the door opening.

It was the result of a high-level invisibility spell.

‘Talis…’

His grandfather, Talis, was standing beside the bed, looking down at Turan while invisible… in almost the same position as when Turan had cut Oneil’s throat two days earlier.

Turan pretended to be asleep while trying to calm his chaotic thoughts.

Why had he come?

Could it be that he had sensed something suspicious from the emotions Turan had displayed when they first met?

For such a trivial reason?

Should he counterattack if attacked?

Even if Turan killed him, without the ability to capture his soul, the information would be transmitted, revealing that Turan could detect Zahar’s invisibility.

One of his greatest weapons would be exposed for the most trivial of reasons.

“Mmm…”

After brief consideration, Turan deliberately furrowed his brow, tossed and turned, and let out a groan.

Like someone having a nightmare.

Talis had likely already smelled the anxiety emanating from his body. If Turan appeared to be sleeping peacefully, Talis would realize he was awake. The calculation was that someone in the midst of a nightmare would naturally feel fear or anxiety, making it more convincing.

After desperately acting this way for several minutes…

After quietly looking down at Turan, Talis placed his finger over Turan’s nose to check his breathing before finally leaving the bedroom.

Once he confirmed that Talis’s presence had completely disappeared from his detection range, Turan opened his eyes and let out a deep sigh.

Just to be sure, he tried using a tracking spell again, but Talis still hadn’t left any trace that could serve as a medium.

“This really isn’t easy…”

His impression of meeting his grandfather for the first time was that he was an extremely sensitive and persistent person whom he never wanted to face again.

* * *

Several days after the meeting.

Turan continued his daily routine as Oneil, acting as if he hadn’t noticed the previous night’s espionage at all.

He grumbled about various things and caused trouble around the house, invited friends who were practically subordinates to gamble, and indulged in expensive alcohol and food…

Ironically, the reputation of Oneil, whom Turan was impersonating, had improved significantly compared to before.

Reluctant to cause bone fractures or permanent disabilities as the original had done, Turan had moderated the behavior, but even this felt considerably tamer to the servants compared to the previous Oneil.

Hearing them whisper, “Our master has improved,” even while cursing him, Turan clicked his tongue.

An added realization was how challenging it was to impersonate someone who was such a scoundrel.

Perhaps because such stories had spread widely?

About a week after the meeting ended, Oneil’s father, Jemel, came to see him.

“I’ve heard you’ve been behaving quietly lately.”

“Yes, father…”

“What are you thinking? I hope you haven’t caused another incident I don’t know about and are now lying low.”

Turan recited the excuse he had prepared in advance to the sharp-eyed Jemel.

He claimed that through the recent meeting, he had realized the family was in a more precarious situation than he had thought, and had resolved to change his attitude.

He added that he was even practicing magic for an hour or two each day at home. At this, Jemel placed his hand on Turan’s shoulder with a moved expression.

“Please don’t let that heart change. If you continue on this path, this father will always be on your side.”

His voice sounded so earnest and his gaze so gentle.

He appeared to be the very image of a strict but caring father to anyone watching.

It was impossible to imagine that he was one of the vessels of the god controlling Carmine.

Perhaps, like Ymir who had resided in Lenod Nagin’s body, he too had a separate surface personality.

Hadn’t someone said that in such a state, the host’s personality was like a worn shell?

One that couldn’t be maintained without the god’s soul.

While comforting his son, or rather the person pretending to be his son, with an exceptionally generous expression, Jemel came to his point.

“A mission has been assigned to you.”

“A mission, you say…”

“For several days now, there has been a magical beast rampaging on the northern coast, at a level that the local nobles are finding difficult to handle. I specifically recommended you as the leader of the subjugation team because I’ve heard your behavior has been good lately. If you handle this well, people in the family will view you differently.”

The protection of territory was the very reason they, as nobles, ruled over commoners from above, making the repulsion of invaders their most important duty.

Just as Meisa had previously led the dark elf subjugation team.

And such tasks were typically assigned to young, powerful nobles with remaining magical potential who were close to influential figures, like Oneil.

Turan combined Oneil’s manner of speaking that he remembered, speaking in a tone that seemed childishly trying to appear mature.

“Yes, I will not bring shame to father’s name!”

His seemingly joyful voice wasn’t entirely an act.

A battle with a magical beast.

This was the perfect excuse to shed the identity of Oneil Carmine, which he had seen enough of.