Shepherd Wizard (Novel) - Chapter 147
Chapter 147
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Discord
In the early evening, some of the Parsha family mages gathered at the mansion’s training ground after finishing their meal.
Starting with Haram, an upper-rank mage, along with five mid-rank mages, ten lower-rank mages, and one hundred and twenty knights, making a total of 136 people.
This was the result after leaving behind Melo and Asiz as stewards, along with the minimum necessary forces to maintain order.
Standing before these warriors assembled for battle, Turan slowly opened his mouth.
“Shortly, we are leaving for war.”
Murmurs spread at this sudden announcement, but the mages’ faces showed resignation rather than confusion or fear, as if they had been expecting this.
This was because days earlier, before summoning them, he had instructed them to write their wills in advance.
The fact that the Parsha family had taken in Meisa and thus stood in opposition to Arabion was now common knowledge.
One of them bravely voiced what everyone was thinking.
“Are we attacking Arabion, Family Head?”
“No.”
At Turan’s denial, bewilderment finally showed on everyone’s faces.
If not Arabion, then who?
Surely they hadn’t been made to write wills only to be sent on some magical beast subjugation mission.
Perhaps one of the vassal families in the gray zone was planning a rebellion and needed to be punished?
Or could it be Zahar?
Or maybe they were invading that family in the western forest?
As the mages’ minds raced with possibilities, Turan made a statement none of them had anticipated.
“We are going to attack Baraha.”
“Baraha…”
Why was that distant eastern great family suddenly being mentioned?
Some didn’t even know exactly where Baraha territory was located.
Being mages didn’t necessarily mean they were more intellectually capable than ordinary people, and many lacked scholarly interests.
The one thing most of them did know, unlike ordinary people, was that one of the three powerful figures of the Parsha family, Solif, had once been Baraha’s heir.
“You all must have many questions. Why we need to attack Baraha, how we will attack.”
“…Yes.”
“Please do tell us, Family Head.”
Over the past few months, thanks to Turan’s consistent magic training, the Parsha mages had developed respect for their young family head.
But that was entirely different from suddenly invading a distant eastern great family.
It might be understandable if they had invaded Parsha first.
But in the absence of such provocation, to suddenly demand that they embark on an expedition that would take months?
While a family head’s orders in a great family were considered divine, Turan and the Parsha family had not yet accumulated that level of authority.
This was something that couldn’t be solved through ability alone—only time could build such respect.
Therefore, Turan now needed to persuade them.
Why they needed to fight in that distant eastern land.
Why they needed to risk their lives—without proper explanation, he could hardly expect them to fight at full strength.
“About a year ago, Baraha committed a truly terrible crime.”
Turan began, using wind magic to ensure his low voice reached everyone’s ears.
An advanced technique that allowed his voice to reach dozens of people strongly without shouting.
This was far beyond simply amplifying sound—even nobles of Arabion skilled in wind magic would wonder how he achieved such finesse.
“Their leader, Lesion Baraha, ambushed the head of Ravitas, our ally. Even while they were being hosted as guests.”
The assembled mages stirred, looking at one another.
For a family head, not just anyone but the head of a great family, to violate the absolute custom of hospitality among mages?
If anyone other than Turan had made such a claim, they would have dismissed it as nonsense.
Of course, there was the minor issue that, contrary to Turan’s words, Parsha and Ravitas hadn’t actually been allies when the Baraha family head launched his ambush on Ravitas, but no one paid attention to such details.
“And as you all know, our Military Commander Solif was originally Baraha’s heir with legitimate succession rights. Therefore, we shall join forces with Ravitas, who rightfully demands blood payment, to help establish a proper master over Baraha.”
Thus, Turan explained in easily understandable terms why they needed to fight alongside Ravitas.
Legitimacy, justification, and practical benefits.
“Are there any questions?”
“If I may, Family Head.”
The one who immediately spoke up was Moson, the second son of Bigen City’s lord, to whom Turan had once transferred Kalamaf.
A mid-rank noble, he served as something of a representative for the mages assigned to Parsha.
“We all understand why we must fight. However, wouldn’t it be too dangerous for such a large force to travel there and back? I know your divine beast is large and powerful, but it would be difficult to move quickly with all these people, and if Arabion attacks while we’re all absent—”
“There is a way.”
Turan interrupted him with a measured breath as he looked around at everyone.
In the night that was gradually darkening, those who met his gray eyes gleaming in the torchlight trembled.
“The method is confidential, but we will soon arrive in Baraha territory. And after completing the battle, we will return as quickly as possible.”
“…Then I have no objections.”
Though it was difficult to even imagine what method could make this possible, Moson bowed his head without further argument.
If Turan’s mentioned transportation method proved impossible, he could raise objections then.
Several others asked additional questions.
Where were Meisa and Solif, and would they participate in the battle?
Were Ravitas’s supporting forces sufficient?
To these, Turan answered that both would participate in the battle, and that the Ravitas family head himself was leading his army.
If they were going to war, it was better to boost morale by letting them know their allies were formidable.
“We depart now. Everyone follow me.”
Shortly after, they followed Turan’s lead to a small building adjacent to the training ground.
“Has this place always been here?”
“I don’t recall seeing it when I passed by before…”
In fact, this building had been hastily constructed by Turan using earth manipulation magic not long ago, so naturally they hadn’t seen it before.
Turan pointed to a pile of dozens of leather blindfolds inside the building.
“Everyone wear one of these now. From this point until we reach our destination, you are not permitted to have your sight, and anyone who removes their blindfold without my instruction will be summarily executed.”… The cold pronouncement was so different from the warm, resolute voice of the boy hero just moments ago that it seemed like a lie.
The Parsha mages instinctively shuddered, sensing that Turan’s words were no empty threat.
With their blindfolds on, unable to see, they stood in a line with hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them.
At the front of the line, Turan led everyone while occasionally turning to check if anyone was removing their blindfold.
Fortunately, no one was foolish enough to risk their life out of curiosity.
“This way.”
The blindfolded Parsha mages followed like blind sheep behind their shepherd, moving through a narrow corridor.
Those with relatively keen senses could feel that they were gradually descending underground.
“We’re going downward, aren’t we?”
“Yes…”
After moving for some time, they heard Meisa’s voice from up ahead.
“You really brought them like this?”
“It’s the best way. Is the other side taken care of?”
“Yes. I’ve even visited to check. I think we can join soon.”
“Good. Let’s move immediately.”
From this brief conversation, the Parsha mages were somewhat relieved to confirm that Meisa would indeed be joining the expedition.
As they continued walking with hands on the shoulders of the person in front…
Just as they thought they heard a humming noise from ahead, those walking blindfolded suddenly felt the air around them change dramatically.
The surroundings, which until moments ago had smelled only of earth and dust, were instantly filled with a cool autumn breeze.
Had they somehow stepped outside in just one second despite only walking forward?
“Good, you can close it now.”
“Alright.”
“Everyone, remove your blindfolds!”
Taking off their blindfolds, the Parsha mages were shocked to find themselves in some sparsely populated forest.
Even the ecology was completely different from what could be seen near Kalamaf.
No, at this point, it might not be the gray zone at all…
“Could we really have come to the eastern lands?”
“Yes, it’s true.”
The knight who had mumbled to himself straightened up with a start at the family head’s divine-like answer.
Only then did they notice that Meisa and Solif were standing nearby, along with the masked man of unknown identity, Aren, who had been staying at the mansion recently.
“Everyone, move out.”
Following Turan’s instructions, the Parsha mages felt both fear and excitement at this difficult-to-accept reality.
Though hard to understand, something was clearly changing.
* * *
“That must have been tough.”
“Not at all. Bije had it worse than me.”
Of course, to use the Jade Mirror, someone had to go to the destination first, so Solif had flown east with Armani on Bije several days before the operation began.
From there, they had maintained communication through hand mirrors, installing the mirror to coincide with the arrival of the Ravitas army.
Turan looked at the clearing in the forest where the massive mirror had been installed just moments ago.
Thanks to Armani’s prompt recovery of the mirror, no trace remained at the site.
“It’s an incredible technology, no matter how many times I see it.”
“Imagine how terrifying it would be if enemies used it.”
What if a mirror connecting to Kalamaf opened from distant Arabion, or even Zahar’s capital?
If hundreds or thousands of mages poured through without needing to worry about defending their home base, the Parsha family would be finished that very day.
“I see them over there.”
Soon after, the Parsha army, having emerged from the forest, encountered the Ravitas army waiting for them.
Turan exclaimed softly when he saw Osel standing at the front.
“Oh.”
Unlike his usual casual attire, the Ravitas family head’s appearance in battle was quite intimidating.
From the spear on his back to his cloak and clothes, seven types of accessories, and even his crown.
Every single item appeared to be a Holy Relic.
Of course, it was difficult to find dignity in the fact that all these items were worn by someone who appeared to be in his mid to late teens, but…
At least Turan could sense from the explosive power emanating from Osel’s body just how tremendous his abilities were.
“It’s been a while, Parsha Family Head.”
“Good to see you, Osel.”
Instead of bowing as before, Turan shook hands with him, reaffirming their equal standing.
The Ravitas family head, Osel, looked back and clicked his tongue.
“I heard about it, but… you really brought an army, Parsha Family Head. How on earth?”
“I promised I would. And you’ll adjust the compensation as planned, right?”
“Of course.”
Turan had notified Ravitas that he would send a substantial supporting force on the promised date, but hadn’t revealed the method.
This wasn’t due to distrust of Ravitas, but rather concern that spies from other factions might have infiltrated their ranks.
‘Perhaps one of the Ravitas nobles is a vessel.’
While it would be difficult to take over an entire family and make the family head a vessel, it wouldn’t be particularly challenging to kidnap one or two members and replace their contents.
Without opening his spiritual perception, even Turan had no way of identifying their true identity.
Even the Parsha mages who had accompanied him knew nothing beyond what they could infer from the result—that some kind of “unknown group teleportation technique” existed—so thoroughly had security been maintained.
“I see Lady Rida has come too.”
“Of course I’m fighting too. How could I just wait while our family head goes to battle?”
“I had hoped my sister wouldn’t come.”
Osel lamented, looking at Rida.
Apparently, even this time, the young family head had been unable to refuse his cousin who had been his wet nurse.
Unlike her usual appearance as a charming lady, Rida, with her hair tightly pulled back and wearing scale armor for battle, looked like a seasoned female warrior.
“The Parsha Family Head, Miss Meisa, and Mr. Solif… truly, this is a battle we cannot lose.”
“We still shouldn’t let our guard down.”
Even as he said this, Turan also believed that the possibility of defeat was virtually nonexistent.
Initially, he had been somewhat anxious but had even considered sending only Solif.
And now, not only had he brought himself and Meisa, but also other Parsha mages—if anything, they had excessive force.
He wouldn’t have deployed this level of forces if they couldn’t immediately return to Kalamaf if they wanted to.
‘In the absolute worst case, we could even ask Armani for help…’
Of course, that would only happen if the situation was dire enough that the Parsha-Ravitas coalition was on the brink of annihilation.
If stories of a Giant Sea Serpent suddenly appearing in the center of Baraha’s capital spread, anyone with sense would guess the identity of their hidden guest.
Shortly after, the united armies of the two great families began advancing steadily to the northeast.
“Where are we now?”
“Below Lake Okin. At this pace, it will take about three to four days to reach the capital, Helio.”
“Three days… what about the signal fires?”
“They’ve already been lit for some time. They’re probably preparing over there too.”
Turan examined the current situation while discussing with Solif over a map.
The place they had teleported to was within the Land of Five Lakes controlled by Baraha.
While there was a possibility they might attempt a defensive battle using the capital as a base, Solif believed it was more likely they would engage in battle on the plains spread out before it.
This was because if a war between great families took place in one family’s capital, the city would be devastated regardless of the outcome.
If the recent war between Parsha and Arabion had taken place in the center of Kalamaf rather than in some plain and forest, one could imagine how terrible the devastation would have been.
* * *
Two days later, Turan, and indeed the entire coalition forces, realized that Solif’s prediction had been even more accurate than expected.
On a field about one hundred kilometers southwest of Helio City.
The identity of the thousand or so mages blocking the coalition army’s path was unmistakably the Baraha army.
“It seems they’ve come to greet us.”
“Sigh…”
Was he feeling burdened by the fact that he would be fighting the family head who had once almost possessed his body?
Solif tugged at his collar with an expression more tense than usual.
Of course, it wasn’t just him—most members of the coalition forces showed similar signs of tension.
This was enemy territory after all.
Compared to Ravitas, who had left some forces in their homeland, Baraha, having scraped together every last knight, naturally had far superior numbers.
Even if the coalition forces would overwhelm them in actual skill, the momentum provided by visibly superior numbers couldn’t be ignored.
“Do we need time for a speech?”
“We’re already prepared on our side.”
“That’s fortunate. Everyone! The vile Baraha clan stands before us!”
“[OH!]”
Osel’s thin voice, not yet past puberty.
Despite lacking the dignity befitting a family head, the Ravitas mages responded with loud shouts of affirmation.
That’s how deep the wounds and humiliation from the previous ambush had been.
Now knowing the full truth, the Ravitas mages would not be satisfied without taking the Baraha family head’s neck.
“What more needs to be said! It’s time to deliver punishment!”
With this cry, a torrential surge of power erupted from the spear Osel raised high into the sky.
Ravitas’s Holy Relic, the Whale Hunter.
As the spear made of pure white bone was aimed at the Baraha mages, thousands of javelins rained down from the sky, announcing the beginning of the war.