The Direction Ahead

Lucian Bachmann, Banneret of the Purple Dragons, was a close friend and comrade-in-arms of Aaron's father, Manuel. He was a Master Purple Dragon Knight with a thick beard and long, curly hair. After the Time of Troubles, Lucian had been appointed Banneret in recognition of his achievements as a knight-captain.

The Master Purple Dragon Knight had always felt guilty over the death of his old friend. After Manuel's death, he had therefore actively worked on Aaron's behalf and even volunteered to become Aaron's knightly mentor, responsible for teaching him the ways of the Purple Dragon Knights.

Aaron had not given him a formal answer. Since Lucian had been busy with other matters at the time, he had told Aaron to think it over and not rush into a decision.

Unexpectedly, he had come calling again.

Aaron set down his knife and fork, furrowing his brow as he began to think.

Seeing that he seemed to be considering something serious, Eleanor also knew this was not the time to settle accounts with him. Miss Cleric lowered her angry gaze and shifted her fury onto the hare stew with cream in front of her.

Hmm~ This fellow may be detestable, but his household's food is truly excellent.

Lady Silver, this rabbit tastes amazing.

Was it a domesticated hare?

"I guess he deliberately came while I wasn't home." Aaron spoke to Aunt Mellie. "That was so I'd have a chance to refuse."

"Yes, Mr. Lucian is very calculating. Aaron, I think he's right. You can't go on like this. You have no actual position and only the title of Viscount." Seeing that Aaron seemed to be seriously considering the matter, Aunt Mellie cautiously continued, "Putting everything else aside, you know this, Aaron. You're the last Salian, and you already qualify to become a Purple Dragon recruit. Why not take this opportunity to formally join the order and receive training?"

"Besides, you know this, Aaron. You're a Viscount. Although the family has fallen into decline, if Her Highness the Princess Regent calls for a wartime levy, you'll still have to go to the battlefield. Otherwise, your eight hundred Golden Lions in annual stipend..." Uncle Lothair added, "If you refuse the call-up...given the temperament of our Princess Regent, she'll definitely..."

Uncle Lothair spread his hands and left the rest unsaid.

The others showed no particular reaction, but Miss Cleric instinctively knitted her brows.

Eleanor vaguely felt that Mellie and Lothair were not entirely acting for Aaron's sake.

Of course. Having moved into a mansion and grown used to a good life, no one wants to leave and return to a frugal existence in the Lower City.

People are all like this. Lady Silver, everyone comes and goes while living for their own interests.

At that thought, Miss Cleric's resolve sank again.

She was not a member of the Salian family, so naturally it was not her place to speak.

Yet after thinking it over, Miss Cleric felt that although Aaron's aunt and uncle had some selfish motives, what they said was not without reason.

As a noble of the kingdom, a Touched One of the Lady Silver, and a Sorcerer with Extraordinary Charisma, if Aaron really stayed home and wasted away on the fixed stipend provided by the royal family, that would truly make him contemptible!

The Lady Silver had spent so much divine power healing him, and Lady Silverstar had exhausted decades or even centuries of accumulated faith from the temple. It had not been so that he could stay home and waste his life!

As your watcher, I have a duty to make sure you don't become one of those brutal, heartless wastrels who drown themselves in wine and women!

You won't disappoint me, will you?

Eleanor secretly watched Aaron. Her impression of this man had always been quite good. He was proactive and ambitious, acted with order and strategy, and had his own bottom line.

The Lady Silver had chosen him correctly. At least, there were no problems for now.

Everyone in the dining room had different thoughts, all waiting for Aaron's answer.

Aaron lowered his head and thought for more than a minute.

"I need some time to think this over. I'll make a decision within the next two days." Aaron ultimately gave a vague answer. He then turned to Lothair. "Come to my study after dinner, Uncle. I have some things to entrust to you."

"...Yes." Lothair looked somewhat dazed.

Aaron actually had something for him to do?

Lothair wondered whether Aaron was joking, but Aaron's expression was serious, with an unmistakable air that allowed no refusal. Lothair could only agree.

After going on a mission, this nephew of mine really does seem a little different!

And so, the lavish dinner came to an end. Mellie had the household maids clean up, and arranged for hot water to be heated so Miss Cleric could bathe. She also kept glancing worriedly toward the upper floor.

Yes, Miss Cleric had ultimately stayed the night.

The reason was directly related to the thunder and lightning outside and the sudden downpour.

With the heavy rain outside and Aaron's hint, Aunt Mellie had been especially enthusiastic about blocking the doorway and insisting that Miss Cleric stay. Cousin Yuta had even gone straight up and hugged Eleanor's leg, sweetly calling her "Sister" over and over.

Eleanor herself did not even know when she had agreed. In any case, she had stayed.

These clothes are expensive, and these shoes are expensive. I mustn't get them dirty!

Miss Cleric kept finding excuses for herself. Although she helped clear the dining table in the sitting room, she occasionally cast her eyes toward the upper floor.

After dinner, Aaron had entered his study and shut himself inside.

What is he doing?

Inside the study, Aaron stood before the window, his expression cold.

Outside, lightning flashed and thunder boomed across the pitch-black night sky as a steady rain fell. The dim streets were occasionally illuminated by flashes of lightning, only to sink back into darkness at once.

The rain tapped against the glass and also pounded against Aaron's heart.

"Lothair, listen carefully." Aaron clasped his hands behind his back, his left hand clenched into a fist and his right hand wrapped over it. The Viscount spoke calmly. "Tomorrow, go work at the Stables. When a Knight comes by, take the initiative and ask them whether they know of a suitable Sorcerer mentor here in Suzail. Tell them that someone has awakened Extraordinary Charisma and become a Sorcerer."

"A Sorcerer mentor? Aaron, could it be...you've become a Sorcerer?" Lothair was initially confused, but his face soon lit up. "Gods, Lady Silver! Why didn't you tell us this wonderful news?"

A spellcaster? Aaron became a spellcaster?

To Lothair, who had lived in a narrow world and raised horses for thirty years, spellcasters were lofty members of the elite. They could easily earn vast fortunes and receive the respect of nobles. To ask one to cast a spell meant handing over a bag of gold coins. At the very least, they could work as librarians or scholars, become instructors at the War Wizard Academy, and sit around collecting money like lords!

The title of "Archmage" was not given for nothing!

"The current circumstances aren't suitable for making this public." Aaron's voice deepened. His bright, handsome eyes suddenly became sinister and violent, while a purple-gray vortex spun around his pupils, sending chills through the air.

Lothair swallowed. Indeed, his nephew was now a spellcaster, while he was merely a horse breeder. "Aaron, tell me again. What exactly should I do?"

"Tomorrow, go to the Stables and handle your usual work. When a Knight comes to choose or use a horse, tell them that someone has awakened Extraordinary Charisma and become a Sorcerer capable of casting spells, but doesn't know how to use this newly awakened power and hopes to receive proper guidance." Aaron gestured for his uncle to sit. "Remember, no matter whether they agree, do not say that I'm the person who awakened Extraordinary Charisma."

"But how is that possible? If I do that, how will I continue working at the Stables afterward?" Uncle Lothair immediately raised his objection. "That's impossible, Aaron. I can't do it."

"You can tell them that it isn't because you don't want to say, but because that person won't let you." Aaron gestured with his hand. "Don't reveal it too quickly. Wait. Naturally, someone more senior will come ask you. Then you can consider whether to tell them."

"Oh! I understand!" Uncle Lothair immediately got it. "It's like choosing a horse. You first bring out a disguised inferior horse and deliberately let the customer see through it. Then you pretend to be forced into bringing out a better horse. The customer will feel clever, and most will immediately pay to buy the good horse."

"Exactly. Which people are the inferior horses you can't tell, and which are the good horses you can tell? That will be up to your judgment. At the right time, bring out the good horse—in other words, spread my information." Aaron nodded.

"Understood, understood." Uncle Lothair now completely understood. Unable to hold back a laugh, he wondered why his nephew was making things so complicated. "But why do this? If you report directly to the royal family, the duke, or High Grand Marshal Stavalar, wouldn't it be the same? The royal family would certainly do everything they could to find you a magic mentor! Aaron, you're a native of Cormyr, and Manuel's son!"

"It's different." Aaron shook his head, his expression calm. "Uncle, when selling horses, do you get a higher price when the other party comes to choose one, or when you take the horses to market yourself?"

"Of course, when they come to choose one. That means they're in urgent need of it...Oh! I understand!" Lothair slapped his thigh.

Why has this nephew of mine suddenly become so clever?

Does going adventuring really temper a person this much? If so, should I have him take Robert along on an easier mission next time so he can broaden his horizons?

After giving his instructions, Aaron waved for his uncle to leave. He sat alone in the study, gazing at the books filling the room, the map of Cormyr hanging on the wall, the swords and weapons on the racks, and the many animal heads beside the fireplace. He stared at the enormous head of an Owlbear, lost in thought.

Neither his previous self nor his current self understood much about spellcasting. At present, he relied entirely on the instinct flowing through his bloodline to cast spells.

Yes, even a naturally spellcasting Sorcerer—a "handsome, wealthy, and talented" member of the spellcasting world—still needed a spellcasting mentor. It was simply much harder for a Sorcerer to find one than it was to find a general Mage mentor.

After Lothair left, Aaron sat in his chair, his body relaxed and his posture tilted back. He propped his left hand against the cherrywood armrest and lightly tapped the sandalwood desktop with the index finger of his right hand.

Why had Aaron asked his uncle to put on this performance with him?

The reason was simple. To use an analogy, Aaron was now a young man with the technical expertise to start a business, but he lacked startup capital. Under those circumstances, there was a world of difference between taking his technology door to door to solicit investments and sponsorships, and having someone discover its potential and take the initiative to approach him with angel funding.

The former meant that he would essentially lose most of his initiative. The latter meant that although he would face some constraints, he could still keep control of the initiative.

Aaron knew that given his identity, status in Cormyr, and relationship with his parents, it would not be difficult to approach the royal family and ask them to arrange a mentor for him. But if he did that, he would owe them an enormous favor.

He already owed the Lady Silver, Selûne, an immense debt. As he had promised, he would certainly repay it. He had already thought of how to use his "gift package" to repay Selûne.

But in Cormyr, Aaron did not want to owe anyone too great a favor.

He was not even certain what the current Princess Regent, Alusair, thought of him.

He did not want to become too tightly bound to Cormyr just yet. With his talent, he could obtain the magical guidance he needed in Waterdeep or Silverymoon to the west, or in Aglarond, the Dalelands, or the Kingdom of Halruaa to the south. There was no need to become extremely passive simply because he was looking for a mentor.

That was not what he wanted. It did not fit into his "grand plan."

The appearance of the Queen's Blade had sounded an alarm for him.

He also needed to test the Obarskyr Royal House's attitude toward him.

When a "Touched One of the Lady Silver," a "Sorcerer with Extraordinary Charisma," and a "descendant of a Martyr" appeared before the royal family, how would the Princess Regent, who was known for her sternness and ruthlessness, treat him?

Aaron was looking forward to it.

"Knock, knock." Not long after his uncle left, there was another knock at the study door.

"Come in." Aaron rubbed his brow, instinctively restoring his sincere smile with a hint of charm.

Hey, I'm always saying that Miss Cleric has two faces. Don't I have two faces as well?

People all live behind masks.

As Aaron had expected, the person who entered was Miss Cleric. She was clearly uneasy. Because of the way they had communicated earlier, Eleanor saw that there was no one else around, closed the door, and marched up to him aggressively. "Aaron, what have you decided? Do you want to join the Purple Dragons as a recruit and receive training?"

Aaron glanced at the closed door and slowly nodded. "Yes, that's what I intend to do. My strength is extremely weak right now. My plan is to enter the Purple Dragons and undergo six months of recruit training, first raising my strength to Elite."

"At the same time, I need some time to master my magic." Strange blue flames spurted from Aaron's palm. "As you said, I need a magic mentor."

He really hasn't disappointed me. The light in Miss Cleric's eyes grew brighter as she nodded. "Lady Silverstar has also asked me to help at the Church here in Suzail. If you need me, you know where to find me."

"You're not going to protect me anymore?" Aaron immediately put on a deeply wounded expression.

"This is Suzail, not the King's Forest!" Miss Cleric said helplessly. "If you'll be in danger even in Suzail, then what use would it be for me to stay by your side?"

"We can go see the Lady Silver together!"

"Aaron!!! That wasn't funny at all!"

Miss Cleric was clearly angry. "That's not how you make jokes! You're a Touched One of the Lady Silver. Our Lady spent so much divine power to heal your soul. What do you take that for? A farce?"

"I know, I know." Aaron hurriedly raised his hands in surrender. He rose from behind the desk and walked over to Eleanor, placing both hands on her shoulders. "I was just worried that I wouldn't be able to see you in the future."

"...Didn't I tell you? You know where to find me." Faced with Aaron's advances, Eleanor was clearly at a loss. Her exquisite, delicate face flushed faintly, and under the pressure of Aaron's presence, her perfect figure instinctively retreated two steps. The tip of her high heel traced circles on the floor. "I'll be at the Church."

"Then it's settled. I'll come find you in the future. You can't hide and refuse to see me!" Seeing that his goal had been achieved, Aaron decisively stopped pressing her. He returned to his seat and noticed that Miss Cleric still had not left. "Ask whatever you want."

"Since you plan to join the Purple Dragons as a recruit, why didn't you simply accept Banneret Lucian's invitation?" Miss Cleric finally voiced the question that had troubled her all evening.

"My dear Eleanor, that's because nobles and members of the clergy think differently." Aaron was perfectly calm, speaking as though he were stating an obvious fact.

"The Salians revere the Lady Silver. When I face the Lady Silver, I can hold nothing back, because she is my goddess, my Lady."

"But that sort of relationship does not exist between nobles. Even with family, even with marriage alliances, even with master and apprentice, we must always hold something back."

"From Cormyr as a whole to this household, you're the only person I can trust without reservation, my dear Eleanor!"

Faced with Aaron's earnest expression, Miss Cleric—who was completely unable to resist it—retreated repeatedly in panic.

"I-I-I, I'm not talking to you anymore, you scoundrel!"

Eleanor pulled open the door and fled. The crisp sound of her heels striking the floor echoed down the corridor, leaving Aaron smiling in the study.

It's time to begin the next stage of the plan.

Everything is part of the plan.

Everything is part of the plan! Plan! Plan! Plan!

(End of chapter)