Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 190: The Young Mage

TL: Etude

Count Marltz Kent of Emden had been feeling restless lately.

He couldnt quite put his finger on it, but it was an inexplicable sense of unease.

He wondered if it was because Master Barnett hadnt visited in a long time.

Although this mysterious mage had always been elusive, appearing in his domain only occasionally, his sudden neglect after revealing his future plans seemed unusually out of character.

Fortunately, Barnett had left detailed instructions for the tasks ahead during his last visit, advising Count Marltz Kent to proceed with the plan if he was too entangled in other matters to intervene personally.

This at least prevented the Count from floundering aimlessly like a headless fly.

However, things didnt seem to be going smoothly on Barnetts end.

According to the plan, Barnett was supposed to incite pirates in Northwest Bay to attack the coastal territories, allowing the Kent family to quell the pirates and accumulate prestige among the coastal lords, thereby creating conditions for his eventual succession to the position of Duke of the Northwest.

But there had been no significant movement so far.

There were indeed rumors about pirates, but they had been annihilated by the Grayman family of Alda. These pirates were useless, failing even against such a minor family.

And it was that Paul Grayman again. Count Marltz Kent had spared him before, and now this man was causing trouble, spoiling his plans.

With Master Barnetts prolonged absence, Count Marltz Kent wondered whether to bypass the pirate scheme and move directly to the next phase of the plan.

Tormented by these worries, the Count found himself drinking more of that special beverage.

That day, while flipping through books in his study to alleviate his anxiety, a guard reported the arrival of a child seeking an audience. Furious, the Count wondered why anyone felt they could just demand to see him. He was about to berate the guard when the latter hurriedly added, He says he knows Master Barnett!

You idiot! Why didnt you bring him in sooner! roared Marltz Kent, fuming at the guards incompetence.

Bring him to the hall! the Count bellowed, and the guard scurried away.

Marltz Kent quickly changed into clean clothes and hurried to the castles main hall, taking his seat to await the visitor.

Soon, footsteps echoed in the corridor, and the guard led in the visitor. 𝔣𝖗𝖊𝖊𝖜𝔢𝔟𝔫𝔬𝖛𝖊𝔩.𝖈𝖔𝔪

Is is is it really a child?

Count Kent could hardly believe his eyes.

He had initially thought the visitor might just look young, which was why the guard mentioned a child. But the person entering the hall was indeed a young boy, barely over ten years old, clutching an oddly shaped wooden staff taller than himself, which looked quite disproportionate.

Count Kent! Good day to you! My name is Andy. I am here to assist you as instructed by Master Barnett, said the boy, his chubby face endearing yet his speech stammered with evident nervousness and timidity.

The Count was taken aback. Seeing him speechless, the boy grew more anxious, standing awkwardly at the doorway, unsure whether to enter or leave.

Uh cough! You are? the Count asked, not having heard the boy clearly.

I Im Andy, here to assist you as per Master Barnetts instructions, repeated the boy.

Andy repeated himself, stammering again.

Come here and talk! the Count demanded, trying to maintain his usual authority, though he was honestly at a loss for how to respond to the current situation.

Yes yes, Lord Count! Andy quickly trotted over to Count Kent.

How can you prove youre not lying about being sent by Master Barnett to assist me? the Count interrogated.

This Andy tilted his head, seemingly puzzled about how to prove himself.

How about this? Suddenly, the young boy uttered an unintelligible language and firmly stamped his wooden staff on the ground. In an instant, a flame burst forth from the top of the staff.

Ah! You are you are The Counts eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets in amazement. The boy before him wielded the power he had long coveted.

Yes, I am a mage of the Arcane Society, Andy admitted softly.

Master Andy please, take a seat! Count Kents attitude shifted dramatically, his voice softened, and he spoke much more gently out of reverence for the mage.

Im not worthy of the title Master; please, just call me by my name, Andy replied, clearly uncomfortable with the honorific. He shook his head uneasily and quickly corrected the Count.

So, young Andy, please sit down, the Count invited the boy to sit next to him.

Lifes unfairness screamed in the Counts heart. Such a young child could navigate the vast sea of magic, while he was still barred from entry. It was truly frustrating.

Of course, he didnt show his disappointment and immediately asked what concerned him most. Where did Master Barnett go?

Andy shook his head. I dont know. I was ordered by him months ago to come to your castle at this time, to assist the lord here. I thought I would see him here.

Count Kent felt a deep sense of disappointment.

Where did you come from?

A base of the Arcane Society, but I cant reveal its exact location.

And how did you get here?

Dont tell me a child like you traveled over mountains and rivers to the Northwest Bay, or that your base is right under my nose.

But Count Kent prided himself on his tight control over his territory, noticing even a flys entrance and exit.

I was escorted here by other companions. We disguised ourselves as merchants and made our way here smoothly.

There are other mages coming and going in the Northwest? I wonder if I can manage to meet one of them.

Now that Master Barnett is not here, can you help me on your own?

The young boy said uncertainly, I can control brainworms, can that help you?

Yes, yes, yes! Count Kent was overjoyed. Barnett had told him that they had used a special worm to infiltrate Duke Ferdinands body, controlling the Dukes brain with this worm.

The Count felt chills just thinking about it. The thought of a worm wriggling in his own brain was terrifying.

As long as he could control the Duke, even without Barnett, other matters would be more manageable.

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