He was wearing a black suit, holding a glass of red wine, gently swirling it from ti to ti, as if he were a true noble.
Although he didn't speak, Riddle's gaze swept across the decorations in the hall, his eyes full of satisfaction from his vanity being fulfilled. Clearly, attending such a banquet was sothing that put him in a very pleasant mood.
"Mr. Prince, you certainly appear to be a wizard of extraordinary ability. I believe you will undoubtedly educate Morgan into an outstanding witch." Lady Igraine, whom he had t in the garden earlier, was also raising her glass.
She looked at Ian's face, her eyes full of admiration.
"Even without my guidance, Miss Morgan is destined for greatness." Ian spoke again, leaving no room for error. He noticed that the Duke's wife's gaze seed to carry a few strands of admiration for his appearance as well.
Clearly.
The Duchess also adhered to the belief that beauty equated to justice. One wonders what she would think if she knew that Ian's first lesson for Morgan included several Dark Arts, even so unforgivable ones.
"I certainly believe our daughter will grow to be very exceptional, but you can surely make her even better," continued Duke Rojas, whose flattery of Ian was not without reason or purpose.
"Mr. Prince, I have a request, and I hope you will consider it." Indeed, Duke Rojas' reason for elevating Ian throughout the evening now beca apparent, and it was obvious that Ian had been waiting for this mont for a long ti.
He certainly knew the Duke had a motive.
After all.
Even if the Duke was deeply shrewd, Ian had the reputation of being a 'born Legilins' and a Master of the Mind. Just a slight sense of the Duke's emotions would roughly reveal that the Duke had so ulterior motives.
"Please, speak, my Lord Duke."
Ian gently put down his utensils.
His gaze was calm.
The Duke took a deep breath and slowly voiced his well-considered thoughts, "Mr. Prince, I hope you will settle in my domain and beco the exclusive wizard that I will patronize within my territory."
"Not only will this give Little Morgan better education, but it will also give more confidence in these chaotic tis... Of course, I will provide you with the best treatnt, including a separate tower, generous rewards, and all the resources you may need."
"You will be revered as a sage within my realms, possessing power second only to mine, and you will receive the admiration and faith of my subjects. I will spare no effort in collecting various magic books and secrets that are spread across the world for you." The Duke revealed his intentions, but one could hear his sincerity; the terms were very generous and clearly inspired by the privileges King Uther established for rlin.
What can one say?
In a world with extraordinary beings, sotis even kingship has to bow to the extraordinary. Having a wizard like rlin is oppressive to every ambitious ruler, so it's understandable that Duke Dingtajier wants a powerful wizard of his own.
A powerful wizard is like a nuclear weapon.
This is also why he is willing to pay such a high price.
"Uh..."
Hearing the Duke's allurents, Ian swallowed and then revealed a slight apologetic smile, "Your sincerity touches deeply, my Lord Duke, but I'm afraid I can't accept this proposal. I have my own mission and journey and cannot stay in one place for an extended period."
It's hard to express how much regret and conflict churned in the Little Wizard's heart, or if any tempting thoughts flashed through his mind. In any case, the stance he displayed was one that resisted temptations most n would probably find irresistible.
Regarding this.
The Duke's face showed no disappointnt, only regret, as he nodded, seemingly anticipating this response.
"Alright, then I certainly can't force you to stay," the Duke glanced at his wife, "but I still wish to offer a treasured item in exchange for a small favor that is trivial to you."
He seed to be aiming for a lesser request.
"What kind of favor?"
Ian did not refuse.
"My wife is pregnant again, and I hope you can na this child." The Duke spoke once more, his smiling expression and the affectionate gaze at his wife sowhat surprising Ian.
So... Duke Rojas actually knows about Lady Igraine's pregnancy!? Morgan's father. Could this Duke be a Minotaur Warrior living in Green Grassland!? The Little Wizard's heart surged with waves at this thought. He had never encountered a version of King Arthur's origin story like this, even in the wildest historical accounts!
"Mr. Prince?"
Seeing Ian seemingly dazed, the Duke gently called, baffled, pulling Ian back to reality from a confusion that might last a year. The Little Wizard scrutinized the Duke several tis, puzzled.
"Is there sothing wrong?" The Duke, under Ian's gaze, couldn't help but start explaining, "You know, the blessing of a wizard such as yourself is an opportunity one can only dream of."
"Of course, we don't want to miss it." Indeed, his words were not inappropriate, for in such tis, there exists such a belief. The image of a powerful wizard is akin to an alchemist from an Ancient Eastern Country, where ordinary people firmly believe that wizards can foresee the future, avoid misfortune, and bless others. Therefore, a na given by a powerful wizard would be a blessing.
However.
Is that the main point?
Seeing not only the Duke's confused look but also Morgan's and her mother Igraine's inquisitive gazes, Ian quickly cleared his mind of distracting thoughts, nodded after so consideration.
"Alright, no problem."
He looked at Lady Igraine's belly.
"How about Arturia?"
Faced with everyone's attentive ears, the Little Wizard touched his chin, letting his whimsical thoughts speak. He certainly wasn't trying to rewrite history, just couldn't resist the urge for mischief.
Indeed.
This must be the residual effects of becoming that damned Raven! Not his true nature!
"Uh... Mr. Prince, I think my wife is likely carrying a boy. The other wizards I patronize have already confird this." The Duke wasn't sure whether to doubt Ian's abilities for a mont.
Or suspect that all the wizards he patronizes got it wrong.
"Who says a boy can't be nad Arturia?"
The Little Wizard blinked, his rather justified words left the Duke and Duchess Igraine looking slightly puzzled, even Morgan and Riddle, who was busy eating, couldn't help but want to speak.
"Could we... choose a na... that's less prone to misunderstandings?" Lady Igraine finally couldn't help but voice her concern, because despite everything, the child in her womb was undoubtedly her own.
The thought of her son having to live with such a feminine na made her feel faint.
"Alright, alright, let think, how about Arthur? This na symbolizes courage and glory, and this child is destined to achieve great feats in the future, leaving a mark and achievents known throughout the world." Ian, sticking to the 'script,' spoke with a natural self-assuredness. His manner made the Duke overjoyed, thinking it was a blessing from Ian, and the Duchess also bead with happiness.
"Arthur... such a powerful na." The Duchess gently caressed her slightly bulging belly, a gentle smile appearing on her face, clearly very pleased with Ian's na and 'blessing.'
"Great! Arthur it is!"
The Duke laughed heartily.
With the Duke finalizing the na, Ian's mind trembled suddenly, as if sothing had been awakened. He closed his eyes, vaguely seeing his Proof of Legend, the image within his mind.
A sharp sword slowly erged.
As if.
It bore a... legend.
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