Chapter 5, Air Corps

"Simit, I would like to introduce to you Elder Bosoru, the court magician, the president of the Magic Association, and the advisor and think tank of our supreme King Your Majesty," said Count Tartinis with a beaming smile.

The "ban" that only allowed passage during the day has been lifted, and those who are bolder are no longer willing to travel the night roads with lanterns in hand.

"No, no, no, Yali, you are overpraising me. It is currently impossible to completely eradicate the demon race. We can only wait until all the paladins gather in Montsente, and the reinforcements from the surrounding counties arrive in large numbers before the counterattack can begin. What I can do now is merely to restrict the actions of the demon race to a relatively small area." Elder Bosolu adjusted his glasses as he spoke.

"His Majesty the King has acknowledged your contributions, and he is very interested in your adventurous experience of crossing the Qisilat Mountains alone to return to your homeland," the general said with a smile

Mit remembered that his mother loved to hear his father talk about the interesting stories and curiosities he encountered on the road. If it had not been for the fact that his father was a terrible painter, his mother would have certainly asked him to depict the beautiful scenery he saw along the way and bring it back for her to enjoy

He is very eager to see the brilliant ideas and exceptional wisdom of that wise old wizard

Upon hearing his brother's words, Ximit did not have anything to say. After bidding farewell to everyone in the study, he walked towards the east building where his mother resided

The door opened, and Ximi Te stepped out from inside

Although the other elderly man had never been seen before, it was not difficult to guess that he was a colleague of Mr. Ali, given his dry, wrinkled skin and surprisingly thick eyes

For General Grellet, the liberation of Olmai was not something he had never considered, but he had never truly planned such an operation.

"His Majesty the King has sent me to visit you on his behalf," said the old wizard, meeting him for the first time.

Master, when will we be able to strike back at Olmai and rescue the people there?" asked Simit.

Thus, the steward became even more respectful towards this young master, Mr. Smith.

Upon hearing these words, Ximit did not feel much. If it had been the old him, he would have certainly jumped up in joy, and might even have boasted about it to everyone he met

Although retaining Montsent requires a heavy price, it is certainly better to contain the fierce fighting in the north—this small area that is not crucial to the overall situation—than to allow the flames of war to spread throughout Danmore

As long as General Grellet provides support, coupled with the resources I already possess, achieving this goal is not impossible.

The Earl and the General often engage in private discussions in the study, and Master Mit is usually the only person invited.

Although this young Master Mit, like other younger sons who cannot inherit family property and titles, is highly valued, he may easily receive recommendations for public office. Furthermore, due to his contributions in quelling the demon race, he might directly receive the king's grace and be elevated in rank.

The city of Borzh has gradually regained its former prosperity and bustle

"Mr. Smith, the general and the count request your presence in the study," the steward replied

The room downstairs is a reception area, which is used to host very close friends and family.

When Gelete first arrived in Montsente, he did not even believe that Montsente and Tushte could possibly hold out.

"Master Bosoru, when do you plan to launch an attack on those demon tribes?" asked Simit.

By that time, they will be able to attack other places in Danmore safely and conveniently

The steward merely wishes to pass this period in peace. Although he cannot compare himself to those servants and housekeepers, it is prudent for him to maintain this cautious attitude until he has served the count for a full year, has obtained his own small piece of land from the count's estate, and has received the count's recommendation for a certain official position.

However, every loss comes with a gain; although the members of the Tartness family are poor painters, they possess exceptional talent in poetry and music

Mitze felt puzzled as to why these few prominent figures, who were rarely free, had gathered here

The old man's words were filled with humor

However, how do we deal with those demons that have fled into the forest?" Symit asked, "Once we move too far from the river, we lose the ability to conceal our forms.

However, due to possessing an abundance of memories from the Templar Knights, these skilled warriors, each a sage surpassing ordinary people in spirit, have influenced Simit, making him much more mature and composed.

This is not my responsibility; I am an assistant and do not wish to overstep my authority. When to launch an attack is up to General Grellet. However, I hope to initiate the offensive as soon as possible, as I am very concerned that my troops are facing a significant crisis and their numbers are dwindling

Simit walked to the window, and the scenery outside was harmonious and enchanting

Hehe, Yali is absolutely right; you are quite a clever little fellow

Seeing his excited demeanor, Simit could easily surmise that the servants were likely already tidying up and cleaning the parlor that had not been opened for many years

Upon hearing this from Ximit, everyone was taken aback

I wonder when I will also be able to possess such wisdom

In the eyes of his elder brother, there were no distinguished guests in Berzh that were worthy of his invitation, and his relationship with the general was not close enough to warrant opening the reception room for him

Although there are still barricades blocking the roads on the streets, and although crossbowmen on the wooden platforms atop the roofs remain vigilant, watching the distant sky, and although knights and soldiers clad in heavy armor and wielding crossbows can still be seen in every corner of the city, and although the city gates are still firmly blocked by massive stones, requiring the use of a lift set up on the city walls to enter and exit, this bustling city has nonetheless regained its former splendor. Knights and soldiers clad in heavy armor and wielding crossbows can still be seen, and although the city gates are still firmly blocked by massive stones, requiring the use of a lift set up on the city walls to enter and exit, this bustling city has nonetheless regained its former splendor

Moreover, not long after, exciting news arrived; it was on that day that General Greet achieved a significant victory.

If you take a stroll around the lakeside outside the city, you can easily find my aerial legion. Of course, if you wish to use them for other purposes, I won't mind too much either. This old wizard is clearly not the serious old fellow that most people imagine.

She shed her luxurious fur coat and donned a set of light garments. Although it lacked the grandeur and opulence, it added a touch of youthful vitality

Although they have won several consecutive victories and the soldiers are in high spirits, eager to completely eliminate the demon race, General Gelete is well aware that he does not possess sufficient strength to eradicate those demons. Being able to confine them within the forest is already the greatest effort he can muster

What was unexpected to Mr. Mi was that, in addition to the original four gentlemen in the room, there were actually two elderly gentlemen present.

"Esteemed Elder, this is my younger brother—Ximi Te Tatenis. You should have already heard about his matters," the Count said with great enthusiasm.

A portion of them has already arrived here. Have you forgotten that it is now spring? I have no interest in undertaking a long journey with so many birds to reach here, nor do I wish to expend a great deal of magical energy to transport them to Montsente. Therefore, I have chosen those migratory birds that are flying north in flocks; they know the way to Montsente themselves. All that is needed is to give them the command to gather at Bourge.

Master, what is your method? Could you please tell me?

It was also these words that caused those officials who suggested abandoning Montserrat, fearing that their homes and territories would become battlegrounds, to retract their recommendations, and it was they who were sent here.

The place where he resides is an independent room in the west wing of the mansion, which was originally intended for accommodating guests

It is evident that Smith is no longer satisfied with the clever tricks that once brought him the most pride

The only aspect of Beiruz City that has not changed much is the presence of those noble families

Count Tartinis hoped fervently that his brother possessed special magical potential

Despite being under lockdown for such a long time, the shops and markets surprisingly displayed a thriving scene

On the contrary, Count Tartinis was all smiles there; although these achievements were not his own, his brother's accomplishments undoubtedly contributed to the family's prestige

When my father was about to embark on a distant journey of adventure, my mother would always smile as she prepared his luggage

However, now that we are acquainted with the great magician Bosoru, the position of the governor of Montsente is no longer regarded by the earl.

The earl was wholeheartedly intent on enhancing the grandeur of the door frame

However, to be honest, Ximit felt that he could easily deal with that ostentatious swordsmanship teacher with just one finger

Since the day when Ximi Te was covered in blood and personally escorted back to his residence by the general, everyone who saw him showed a bit more respect

Elder Bosoru's arrival this time has brought with it a powerful artifact capable of securing victory; the esteemed elder has already discovered a method to defeat the demon race

One of them is indeed the Arid Mage who once performed the miraculous invisibility magic

In the presence of true wisdom, cleverness resembles a mischievous child before an elder, which indeed aligns with my own image before that great sorcerer

Descending from the upper floor, there is a corridor connecting the west building where he resides and the main building where his brother lives, with exquisite oil paintings hanging on both sides of the corridor

Everything has returned to its former state, except that all the boats have been requisitioned by the military, and thus the nearby rivers remain tranquil.

Moreover, not all servants are completely ignorant.

It was precisely because of these words that His Majesty the King was moved

There are even many who speculate that Master Simit knows how to detect and evade the surveillance of the demon race

Within the luxurious mansion of the Tartinis family, Simit quietly remained in his bedroom. Since the battle two weeks ago, he had not left this grand residence.

Pigeons and eagles are among the most common types of birds. What I have done is merely to enable these birds to completely obey human commands, while also creating specialized weapons for them. These weapons may not have much effect on the resilient bodies of the demon soldiers, but they are a lethal blow to the demon ships and those flying fiends. The old wizard said this in a calm manner, as if everything he had done was inherently so plain and simple.

In fact, His Majesty the King had even considered relinquishing Montsente and several other northern counties, as these regions are quite distant from other parts of Danmore, and the roads leading here can easily be blocked by the demon race

Whenever he thinks of his father's artistic talent, Simit cannot help but smile

"Mr. Schmidt, is there something you need?" he inquired

Although it is not entirely clear, it seems that I have heard that my brother intends to showcase his talents in a certain competition

This is not without basis; it is certainly a conceivable matter

Unlike those high-ranking officials and ministers, the influence of the court magicians will not change with the replacement of the king or shifts in political direction

In the following two weeks, the general mobilized all troops for continuous assaults

Although Montsent appears to be safe in the short term, who knows when those demons will return? If one could reach the capital and gain the favor of His Majesty the King, it would undoubtedly be a promising path that is both safe and offers an easy ascent to success

Although the steward was reluctant to make arbitrary guesses, he understood that the truth of the matter might not differ much from his speculations, based on the hints inadvertently revealed by the earl

"Please rest assured, I have already taken steps to ensure the protection of those birds; no one will be able to harm them again," the general stated emphatically.

The wisdom of the elder left Simit in awe; it is only now that Simit truly understands the distinction between intelligence and wisdom

If it had not been for the arrival of the Knights Templar, Montserrat would likely have fallen completely within the first week

The earl originally planned to wait until the current turmoil caused by the demon race was quelled, and then find a way to secure the position of the governor of Montsente.

The members of the Tartness family seem to lack talent in this regard; the two works of the esteemed father were once humorously referred to by Wensiton as masterpieces of a child prodigy

Ximit wants to know what unique methods a magician might have. For instance, in this case, his original idea was to have the soldiers approach the demon tribe by submerging in water, completely unaware that Master Yali actually created a magical water dome.

Although it is impossible to ascertain the brilliant tactics devised by the general, since that time, the sight of victorious troops returning each day has become a common occurrence. One can hear the knights and soldiers excitedly discussing the glorious achievements of the day, and the demon race's ships have not appeared in the skies over Borzhi since that day

The name of the bard "The Wind of Freedom" is surprisingly well-known in Danmore

"Ximit, please wait a moment as many guests are about to arrive. Most families here will send representatives. I want everyone in Berzhi to share in this joy, and let everyone in Mengsente know that the days free from the harassment of the demon race, where we no longer need to live in fear, are not far from us."

Although the people outside do not know the inside story, and the Earl has never mentioned anything to his family, the servants are speculating that this young master, who escaped from Olmai, may know some unknown secrets

People who had been imprisoned for over a month due to the invasion of the demon clan began to step out of their homes, and shops and markets once again became lively

From that cautious movement, Smith was able to discern which steward it was.

Like most noble families in Danmore, swordsmanship and horsemanship are regarded as essential skills that a noble offspring must master proficiently

Simit, I have good news to share with you. The recent military operations have been extremely successful. We have consecutively eliminated over ten demon bases and killed nearly 50,000 demon soldiers. The demons in Montsente County have essentially been confined to the forest.

At that time, those demon tribes appeared to be invincible, and their tenacious vitality, along with their fearless combat style, instilled fear in the soldiers, causing morale to plummet to an all-time low

In the memory of Ximit, his mother was not originally such a fragile woman

Smit's age has not yet reached the threshold; if he were to grow one year older, he would have to accept the guidance of that frail swordsmanship instructor

Count Tartinis expressed a deep sentiment, stating, "Among the guests I have invited, many are old friends of my dear mother. I hope that my mother can also share in this joy... However, you know, ever since my father passed away, my mother has been engulfed in sorrow. I have been unable to reach her, and you, who have always been my mother's favorite, may be the only one who can help her emerge from the shadows of the past"

Upon hearing the words of the great magician Bosoru, Simit felt deeply impressed

When will your great army that traverses the skies arrive?" asked Simit.

In fact, my approach is quite simple. Since those demon ships can fly in the sky, wouldn't it suffice to find something that can fly to deal with them? In this world, there are countless flying animals, and among them, there are also many willing to obey our commands.

That is indeed too risky; unless it is winter, no one would be willing to enter the territory controlled by the demon race, as it is truly a death zone

However, by that time, it is hard to imagine how many people in Aolmai would still be able to survive

Upon arriving at the study door, the aide had already opened the door early.

Father returns from afar, and Mother always joyfully welcomes him into the home, sharing the happiness of his journey at the dining table

In this household, caution and prudence are of utmost importance, for the count is an exceedingly strict individual

The general fell into silence, and of course, Count Tartinis could see that this question left him at a loss for words

"The arrival of Elder Bosoru this time has filled all of us with confidence; we will surely be able to defeat the demon race," General Gelete said, his tone brimming with assurance

Although his temperament and character are completely different from those of his father, his serious older brother is also well-known for his talent in composing poetry. It was this skill that won him the affection of his sister-in-law back in the day

The steward is absolutely certain that several servants are aware of the situation, but they have all been instructed by the count not to reveal a single piece of information

There is no need to be so harsh; do not let the common people feel that we are more ruthless than the demon race just for the sake of a few birds," the old and *Tu* book magician said淡淡.

It is precisely for this reason that the steward dared not ask too many questions, nor did he dare to interfere excessively, but instead cautiously focused on doing his own tasks well

However, since my brother inherited the title of Earl, the reception room has never been opened.

However, although it had only been a few days since returning home, Ximit had clearly noticed that the deep affection between his brother and sister-in-law had faded over the years. They were merely maintaining a facade of mutual respect on the surface.

The swordsmanship instructor comes to the residence every Wednesday morning without fail, and my brother is receiving his special guidance

Although Montserrat is his hometown, after living in Olmai for such a long time, Simit has already developed deep feelings for that place, for the vast forests, for the simple and honest customs of the people there, and for those kindred spirits who are warm and approachable. He sincerely hopes to convey his joy to this beautiful second hometown, filled with the essence of the wilderness

Although most people did not take the words of the old wizard seriously, Ximitte felt that these words contained profound meaning, an indescribable feeling

If it were not for the Marshal's insistence on declaring that this vast expanse of land cannot be relinquished, and convincing His Majesty the King that once this land is lost, the demon race would be able to completely control the Qisilat Mountain Range

It can no longer be considered early spring; the green leaves on the branches have grown quite lush, adorned with a few hints of new red.

Certainly, this is not his own wish, but he could never remain indifferent to his mother's sorrowful pleas.

Moreover, Ximit felt that this method was so simple that perhaps its very simplicity had prevented anyone from thinking of it before; most people were more inclined to trust the powerful bows and crossbows in their hands

Only when the harsh winter arrives, when those cold-blooded creatures find it difficult to move, will it become possible to enter the northern forest to liberate Aolmai and destroy the lairs of the demon race

If this great magician took a liking to the younger brother and accepted him as a disciple, then the Tartenis family would essentially have an unassailable backing.

He hurriedly walked to the side of Ximit and said with a pleasant expression: "Rest assured, as long as we have sufficient preparations, General Gelete will definitely lead the troops into Aolmai, but the timing is not yet ripe."

The steward is already well aware of the consequences for servants who disobey orders, and therefore he will not bother to inquire about such matters

Knock knock knock! A gentle knocking sound came from the door.

Mother and aunt once mentioned that father often disguised himself as a wandering minstrel during his adventures

Although the Earl has not yet devised a step-by-step plan for moving forward, securing the allegiance of the court sorcerer is the most pressing matter at hand. This elder has a keen interest in his younger brother, which provides a significant opportunity for closer engagement.

"Oh, remarkable young man, I have heard the Marquis of Grete speak of you. He said you have brought good news to everyone, and with your discoveries, it has become much easier to deal with those demons," the old wizard said approvingly

The Tatinis family can indeed only be described as having a superficial appreciation for painting

The remarkable achievements are secondary; this battle further demonstrates that the general's tactics are entirely correct

It can also be seen from this that Master Smith is not only valued by the Count but also highly regarded by the General

The ground floor is the training room