Into The Unknown World

Chapter 17. Lord's manor incident

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Sprigg who kept silent all of these moments said that she is going to appraise everything including how the mana works here. She said that nothing is strictly distinct when the mana crosses from the pocket worlds. It is still inside this world, it's just hidden from the common people.

This entire region is certainly not that large, people will come to know each other one way or the other. If not, those are the freemen that can cross borders from one city to another.

I, who retained my youth can still go anywhere I want since younger kids are allowed to pick up branches anywhere or if asked for an errand. Meeting a stranger along the way feels like I am living in a different village. The good thing about having an occasion in here is the Knights are stationed outside and a handful of them are only inside, which Sir Lyol happened to be outside.

Looking at the back of the broad torso of the fine tall man walking gallantly outside. Talking to the other armoured Knights. I approached and greeted him with sullen eyes. When he turned in my direction I can see that he's also surprised to see me. I received a very tight embrace from an armoured knight officer the moment he ran into me. I know well how he treats me as a younger brother. Although he looked like my father now that he aged so much, I can still remember him as a young squire of a knight.

"How are you alive and... young?" he asked.

Really? I've been hearing that question all day long. How is missing me sounds like? Ever since I arrived, everyone keeps asking me the same question. Sprigg doesn't have an answer to that question... yet. So, I don't have answers either. Then I glanced at the mansion where mana is unstable. Huh. There seems to be a magic wielder inside.

"Uh. I don't know?" I laughed awkwardly. I scratched my head and thought, what's happening inside. I asked him, "Are you a knight officer now?"

"Master, mana fluctuation is increasing from that mansion." Sprigg interrupted.

"Yes, I know" I replied telepathically. "Analyze it for me, Sprigg."

"Yes, Twig. You can be a squire now. Would you like to pursue your dreams?" he asked me with a serious face. I know that he knows how I want to be a squire, however, I have a different goal now.

"It is an honour to be your squire, Sir Lyol, but I would like to know my siblings' whereabouts first and if the new Lord would allow me to visit them."

"Magic caster is initiating fire magic," Sprigg announced.

We've talked about everything that I can think of as an excuse for being lost in the forest and keep rejecting his proposal. I know this is my lifelong dream but this time is different. I have never been so dejected from this world before as I was from the past. All I truly want is for my family to reunite again.

"Magic caster is finalizing the fire magic. Let's run, master." Sprigg announced again.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Twigg." he placed his right hand and I snatched it as I dragged him to run far enough to witness an explosion happening.

"Ho...How did you... know?" baffled, he asked as he brushed up his frizzy and lustrous golden hair.

"I can sense mana," I answered him while looking at the destroyed Lord's manor. I added, "Where's the new Lord?"

"Right," he gestured to the other knights who survived the explosion, "Protect the Lord" and then turned on me. "Come with me, Twig" he ran towards the mansion as I gathered my mana to create an air barrier. I also happen to learn this by chance since the last fight and tried covering Sir Lyol the same barrier.

"What's this?" He looked at me and added, "are you a magic caster now too?"

I didn't answer but nodded. I know it's a lot to take in but I can't answer that question right now. Rescuing the Lord comes first. I still need permission to travel to another city or else I will be a deserter. We ran until we arrived at the entrance of the manor. Yet, another explosion happened which caused another portion of manor obliterated. Rubbles and blocks of stones are falling from the sky. Sir Lyol blocked them using his arms but my air barrier automatically removed it from falling onto him. He looked completely amazed and said, "We'll talk later."

Someone is walking unhurriedly dragging a fat guy with ridiculous embellishments. That guy is a tall slender man with long rusty-coloured hair wearing a long black robe.

"Release the town's Lord."

Sir Lyol furiously walked in and uttered those words with his hands clutching on his broad swords. I hid at the huge rubble to ready myself as I protect him if any unnecessary action this caster will do.

"A mere warrior cannot defeat me." the caster replied, spreading one of his arms to summon his long wooden staff with a crystal at the top and added, "Wizard, show yourself."

"Get ready, Sprigg." I ordered her while she's working on the magic spells I can use and said, "Got it."

I slowly showed myself next to Sir Lyol who's still standing with his stance against a foe.

"Why did he know you're hiding?"

"Simple!" The caster laughed vigorously and added, "He's a high tier wizard, and if I am not mistaken, you are an archmage, correct?" he sneered diabolically.

"Sprigg," I asked her again through our thought link while Sir Lyol and I are showing ignorance to his words.

"It is a powerful spellcaster dedicated to the study of the arcane arts and usually quite old. They are well-versed with almost all types of mana manipulation," he answered.

...and Sprigg agreed with her high-pitched joyful voice, "Well, that sounds right, though."

"W-what do you mean?" Sir Lyol asked the magic caster while I furrowed my brows.

'I don't understand anything either.'

"Why side with these frail beings. You already reached the peak of power and as I can see it, you didn't pursue the next stage which could be lichdom. Instead, you reverted as a scrawny little child to disguise with." he faced me and spoke nonchalantly waving his arms. "You can become one of the elders in our kingdom! We can give you what you desire. You can become whoever you want!"

"Twigg, don't listen to him!" he grabbed my shoulder while tightening its grip on it.

"Master, mana fluctuation is increasing again. He's performing a space manipulation spell secretly. He's trying to get away."

I don't know how you are doing that kind of spell but I will obstruct that. I slowly gathered all the mana around us while secretly storing it on the artefact using the space inventory hindering his space manipulation to take effect. Although it's the same magic, mine is only limited to one place currently. As I am rendering its effect, I signalled Sir Lyol to start attacking him. He can still evade it skillfully.

"How... are you doing that?" the magic caster asked me then let go of the Lord.

I temporarily stopped removing the mana while protecting the Lord by granting an air barrier then the magic caster slowly got the chance to vanish using the same magic spell.

"We'll meet again, Archmage!" 

Then his presence faded away.

After the incident, Knights and guardsmen were gathered in the main hall to tend to all the injured guests inside. They were having a simple celebration for the admission of the new Lord's daughter into the Kingdom's academy when one of the wizards attacked the new Lord's using explosion magic.

On the other hand, I was being summoned to the main hall's private room by the Lord's to be rewarded with an audience with him. While we are waiting for the new Lord's presence, I am being bombarded with questions with Sir Lyol and the other Knights that responded to the incidents, including the Knights from the Garrison.

"Can you also use divine magic?"

"Lyol must be proud to acquire such a competent squire," said Cole while sitting on a very soft green couch with flower embroidery.

I think this is wrong. Sir Lyol told me that this room is used only for announcing great people's achievement and I haven't done anything aside from covering the new Lord with my air magic. Yet, I was summoned to get an audience. No matter the reason, I will obey since that aligned with my intention of getting here. He also told me to speak politely when conversing with the Lord and to just speak truthfully. For now, I am flooded with questions all over the roof when they found out that I can use magic and saved the town's Lord.

"You're only like that since you don't have any magical aptitude and was sent to Knighthood's building instead," said Rad while pulling his long and thick orange beard.

"That same circumstance happened to you as well," said the knight with jet-black hair. "You should all know that you are talking to a strong magic caster. Don't forget why we are guarding this place." still sceptical, he added.

"Alright, that's enough." Sir Lyol spoke and added, "I have known this kid since I was young and I have never seen any faults from him. Yet, he saved the town's lord. Don't you all agree that he warrants respect from you?"

"That's true. He helped to save our Lord the day of the assault. Isn't that just a huge coincidence, Lyol?" the knight with jet-black hair refuted, crossing his arms.

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