Chapter 81 - The Recruitment of Mages
Watson’s reward ceremony ended very quickly. Then, the three handmaidens were sent to Allen and the other two to sign the master-servant contract.
In addition to the manor and the handmaidens, Watson also rewarded Allen and the other two men with 100 Rainbow Phoenix Chicken eggs each. Then, the ceremony had ended. Watson left after he delivered an encouraging speech to the other knights.
When Watson’s figure disappeared into the castle hall, the Blackmoon Knights burst into a discussion.
“I’m so envious of Captain Allen. The Zangwill Manor he chose is a well-known manor! It has flowerbeds and grasslands that cost a lot of money to cultivate. The air is fresh, which is helpful for cultivation. Even if it’s not for cultivation, the medicinal herbs in the flowerbed are also worth a lot of money.”
One of the guards looked at Allen; his tone could not hide his envy.
“I prefer Vice-Captain Liszt’s choice, the Wilber Liszt Manor. Oh, it should be called the Liszt Manor Now! If I can get this manor, I can bring my family with me, and occasionally invite guests too. How grand would that be?” another guard said.
“Look at William’s silly smile! I’m sure he didn’t pick that cute and cuddly servant girl to do housework. How hateful! William looks like that, but he got a woman before us! I wonder if the servant girl would be able to stand him?”
The few men gathered together and cursed William in their hearts; they gnashed their teeth in hatred.
“Alright, stop talking about it! We have many people coming to Blackmoon Castle these days. We need to double our efforts in training and patrols to ensure there is no trouble. If any of you drag me down and embarrass the Blackmoon Knights, then don’t blame me for being rude.”
As he listened to the discussions around him, Allen glanced at the obedient and silent servant girl beside him. He waved his hand and spoke in a dignified manner.
“Yes, Captain!”
The guards at the scene responded one after another.
After they saw Watson’s generous reward, they would take the initiative to work hard. Sometimes, actions were better than words. They were the same; there was no reason other people could get the rewards, and they could not. No one would be willing to accept it.
..
After they left the castle hall, Watson told Capella to arrange work for the other servants. After he left them to familiarize themselves with the castle environment, he walked down the stairs to a room on the second floor.
That room was reserved for his second sister, Nindy, and her best friend, Indix.
Ever since they had killed Folson, the mages who had been with him had stayed behind in Blackmoon Castle. It was not that they did not want to return to the Mage Guild, but that they could not go back.
Every silver-tier mage was a precious asset to the Mage Guild. Unfortunately, there were only more than ten silver-tier mages in the whole of Monte Town, especially for a mage like Folson, who had a chance to advance to gold-tier; he was a treasure.
If Folson had died in a ruins exploration or to a magical beast, then the guild would still be able to accept that. It was a pity that he had died at the hands of those in Blackmoon Castle. So, they could not let those mages go in case they would report about what had happened. However, the mages were also afraid to go back. Even if someone else had killed Folson, it was still their fault because they did not stop it. The guild would punish them.
Watson heard the discussion in the room before he entered it.
“Miss Nindy, what should we do next? We can’t stay in Blackmoon Castle forever. Of course, I’m not saying that this place is not good. In fact, this is the best place I’ve ever lived. I think some noblemen don’t even have a better environment. If it’s possible, I would like to stay here forever.”
One of the male mages had said that.
“Yes, for the past two days, I have been lucky enough to eat a Rainbow Phoenix Chicken egg. That magical taste still leaves me with an endless aftertaste. Not only that, but the egg has also increased the magic elements in my body! I really want to be a mage here and use my craft as a way to get paid. I don’t need much. I’m already satisfied with eating a Rainbow Phoenix Chicken egg daily, but—”
That was the voice of another male mage, who seemed hesitant.
He did not finish his words, but his meaning was clear.
Would Blackmoon Castle hire them?
They were only bronze-tier mages, and Watson was already at the silver tier. Watson had been kind enough to not punish them since they were Folson’s associates. Why would he hire them?
‘So these people want to stay in Blackmoon Castle? Well, I was thinking of a way to recruit them.’
Watson leaned against the door with his ears pressed against it; he listened to the movements inside the room. The corners of his lips curled upward.
Folson had selected those mages specifically to cast a joint attack spell. Watson was most proficient in water-elemental magic. During the battle with the Allied forces of the manor, he had discovered that the biggest problem he had was not a large number of troops but the fact that the enemy had many powerful mages. A mage’s role in a battle was irreplaceable.
He had created the Blackmoon Knights to sweep their enemies, and he would need a mage regiment amongst them.
The warriors rode on the magical beasts to charge to the front, while the mages would follow behind them to cast magic. They would protect their companions while knights destroyed the enemy. Watson was excited when he thought about that scene.
As he had made up his mind, Watson continued to listen to the movements in the room. He wanted to see if all the mages wanted to join Blackmoon Castle.
Inside the room.
The five mages sat around a large bed. A sky-blue magic staff and a simple small bag were on the bed. They were the Heart of the Sea magic staff and storage bag that Folsen had left behind after his death.
Nindy and Indix took off their shoes and socks and leaned against the headboard. The three male mages sat on the side of the bed. Their eyes glanced at the pale and slender feet of their two female companions occasionally as they swallowed their saliva discreetly.
Of course, they could only watch. The Mage Guild had a rule—they were not allowed to lay hands on their companions. Plus, Nindy’s status as Blackmoon Castle’s Second Young Miss was enough to keep them at bay.
“Nindy, what they said makes sense. I want to stay in Blackmoon Castle too.”
Intix hugged Nindy’s shoulder and shook it gently. “I don’t want to go back to the Mage Guild. We worked so hard on missions and promotions, but in the end, we can’t even get much materials! Unlike here, when you’re tired, you can take a bath, and when you’re hungry, you can eat good meat and bread, and you have the chance to eat the Rainbow Phoenix Chicken eggs too. It’s like heaven.”
After a pause, Indix continued to say, “Nindy, for the sake of our friendship, please let me stay here! Even though I’m only an iron-tier mage, I’ll work hard on becoming stronger. I’ll try my best to contribute to Blackmoon Castle. If it really doesn’t work out, then I’ll offer Elder Folson’s belongings. For the sake of these things, I believe that your brother will accept us.”
Folson’s belongings include two precious silver-tier items, and there was half a gold-tier magic scroll too. They had wanted to send them back to the Mage Guild, but they did not want to go back there. Those items could be used to please the castle’s master.
“Do you all think so too?” Nindy pondered for a moment before she looked up at the male mages across from her.
“Yes, we do.”
The three male mages nodded like chicks pecking at rice.
Nindy pursed her lips, and after some hesitation, she said, “Alright, I’ll try to ask Watson later to see what his plans are. I also hope that you can stay, but I can’t make any promises.”
If Watson were still the same young boy she had last seen him, then he would do as she said. However, she had not seen him for so many years; she was unsure that he was still the same. Watson had matured, and he had admirable bearing; she did not dare to say anything like that in front of him.
At that moment, the bedroom door opened. Watson walked into the room as he tidied his clothes.
“There’s no need for an introduction; you should know me by now. I managed to listen to some parts of your conversation. Second Sister, there is no need to feel burdened. They can stay. However, I will need them to sign a contract to say that they will never betray me. Then, they can become Blackmoon Castle’s exclusive mages. Also, Folson’s relics should be mine.”