The First Magic World War

The team from Strasbourg was quite imposing, consisting of a knighthood of about three thousand, over two thousand accompanying staff, at least more than twenty carriages, and a massive merchant convoy...

Gazing down from the ramparts of Silver Pigeon Fort, Charles could see fluttering on the flags a golden pheasant tailflower, a privilege only the royal relations could brandish, as well as a crest representing noble rank. The visitor was a baron related by marriage to the Royal Family.

Charles hesitated for a moment, then opened the gates of Silver Pigeon Fort, leading everyone out to welcome the guest. He didn't want to create an image of defiance, especially since Mama Karen had already sent word, informing him of the visitor's identity.

Silver Pigeon Fort, a Baron's Domain, could never be handed over to a clerk chief of the third or fourth order. After complex political struggles within the Empire, the Emperor enfeoffed his brother-in-law, Baron Fabolais, to Silver Pigeon Fort.

This little brother-in-law of the Emperor was coming to take over his own domain.

Charles had everything arranged and the maze-ification of Silver Pigeon Fort completed. He had transferred his assets and even made certain arrangements, so when he went out to receive Baron Fabolais, he wore a smile and his attitude was humble and gentle.

Baron Fabolais was a fat middle-aged man in his forties. Upon seeing Charles, he actually deigned to wave his hand from inside the carriage, bypassing the Westwind Knights and the local militia of Silver Pigeon Fort, and went straight into the city.

The baron's attitude was that exclusive arrogance of the great nobility.

In his view, merely waving at Charles was already a great favor, and that was considering he had "reclaimed" Silver Pigeon fort. After all, it was now his domain.

Charles didn't care; he knew nobles were like that. After all, when they died, their blood was red too. However, the Westwind Knights and the local militia of Silver Pigeon Fort were filled with anger. Charles was their idol, and during this time, his achievements had conquered everyone.

He could fairly arrange everything, lead the charge into battle, slay the leader of Lady Southseraph's forces, allocate land to every fallen warrior, bestow Gold Eglu, promote every soldier who had distinguished himself, never treating anyone with arrogance. He shared hardships with his soldiers, always at the forefront of the war...

Ah, a transmigrator's basic playbook!

After all, the land belonged to Baron Felar, and the compensation was paid from the baron's coffers. How much money did Charles himself even have?

When Charles received Mama Karen's tip-off, he had a bold idea. As he now saw the procession with the fully loaded carriages and the splendidly dressed attendants, his heart swelled.

"The wealth of Baron Fabolais might not match that of Baron Felar, given that he previously had no domain, but it certainly won't be a small sum..."

"All this… it's my wealth!"

"If things keep disappearing frequently in Silver Pigeon Fort, surely they can't blame me for it."

"These great nobles won't miss a few cheap trinkets."

After the complete maze-ification of Silver Pigeon Fort, Baron Fabolais was still unaware that his belongings might just vanish without a trace, ending up hundreds of kilometers away at Machu Picchu stronghold...

Yep, that's very Charles.

Charles suddenly quickened his pace to catch up with the baron's carriage, then said in a low voice, "The forces of Lady Southseraph are still nearby. Your Excellency, your life is worth more than all the Gold Eglu; please do not take unnecessary risks. Enter your faithful Silver Pigeon Fort quickly, and take refuge in your palace."

"I will vow to protect your team from the rear."

Although Baron Fabolais didn't think much of a commoner who had become a fourth-level Clerk Chief, Charles's words were indeed pleasing. What about 'a golden body worth a fortune'? He truly was a big shot, a supreme plutocrat of the Empire, utterly different from those commoners.

In response to Charles's flattering attitude, the baron said indifferently, "Those Lady Southseraphs will no longer come to Silver Pigeon Fort."

He added a bit proudly as an explanation, "Before departing, His Majesty the Emperor had the Augusladin High Priest accompany me."

"Below the Sacred Order, how could that bunch of homeless dogs dare to come."

Charles thought to himself, "South Serif also has the Sacred Order." But he wouldn't say this out loud, instead he spoke with an envious tone, "Your Excellency Baron Fabolais truly is unlike the other barons."

This compliment made Baron Fabolais feel great, both body and soul. Originally, before he came to Silver Pigeon Fort, he wanted to give Charles some trouble, and he had another duty: to thoroughly investigate the true cause of Baroness Phyllis and her family's death.

He had always felt that the truth wasn't important, what was important was to let Charles know who was the real master of Silver Pigeon Fort. But Charles's performance made him think that Charles's report was the truth! Who the hell cares how Baron Phyllis's whole family died? If not for their deaths, where would Baron Fabolais of Silver Pigeon Fort be?

He intentionally stuck out his chubby face and gave Charles a smile, considering this to be the greatest honor bestowed.

Charles didn't keep up the act, he almost threw up continuing the performance. If it weren't for seeing this baron bring a large amount of wealth, a walking treasury, he would have directly rewarded him with a Magic-Breaking Bombshell Bullet. After all, Hockwell Silver Rhinoceros killed Archduke Ferdinand, killed Jonathan, the last prince of South Serif, so, killing one more little brother-in-law of Axel VI wouldn't matter much.

Soon, a carriage full of sacred meaning passed by Charles, an old man leaned out, and with a smile said, "Mister Charles Mecklen, congratulations!"

Charles knew that this must be the Augusladin High Priest and quickly said, "I have also arranged lodging for you, High Priest. Everything is set up just like Strasbourg's Temple of Glory, only, due to the rush, there may be some oversights."

The Augusladin High Priest nodded and Charles conveyed a hint that he knew of his arrival. What this represented, the High Priest understood very well. He was curious about Charles and said, "Please arrange for me a guard, a young, handsome virgin youth."

Charles immediately thought of Dobin but quickly dismissed the thought, as Dobin would not be able to meet the High Priest's requirements.

Cyrus could, though...

As expected, Lady Southseraph did not attack. Once the convoy entered Silver Pigeon Fort, Baron Fabolais didn't head to the fort, but stood atop the city wall, gazing over the city that now belonged to him, feeling an endless excitement, mumbling to himself, "From now on, in Silver Pigeon Fort, if I want people to cry, there should be no one laughing. If I want them to laugh, even if their whole family has died, they must laugh like squealing pigs."

"I, Baron Fabolais, am about to become the master of Silver Pigeon Fort."

Charles muttered in his heart, "No, you're about to become an NPC of Silver Pigeon Fort."

"Hmm? The High Priest actually failed to convert?"

"It seems this darn labyrinth can't convert Sacred Order!"

It appeared the High Priest sensed something; when he gazed towards the distant mountain peak where Mama Karen was drinking tea, a look of realization dawned on him.