Wizard: I Have a Cultivation System-Chapter 45: Wizard Apprentice (Part 1)

Lawson rode his packhorse up a familiar path to the high ground behind the outpost.

From this vantage point, the entire border landscape lay before him. The outposts of Vilt and Rosenia each occupied a highland, with the valley floor between them a former battlefield where blood once flowed like rivers.

On either side of the highlands stretched a continuous primeval forest and steep mountain ridges. The terrain was complex and difficult to traverse, nearly impassable for horses.

This was a strategic chokepoint that any army would fight to control.

Without passing through the main route where the outposts stood, any army attempting to cross this border would pay a heavy price.

The dense jungle and steep cliffs would not only drastically slow an army’s march but also sap the soldiers’ stamina and morale. It could even cause units to scatter and men to die.

Even if a small contingent managed to cross by some stroke of luck, they would be exhausted by the time they reached their destination, their combat effectiveness all but gone.

Even for extraordinary individuals like followers or Knights, crossing such treacherous land was no easy feat.

Setting aside the potential dangers lurking in the dense woods, the long trek alone would consume a great deal of stamina.

More importantly, warhorses were completely unable to navigate such terrain.

A Knight without his warhorse was like an eagle with clipped wings. Even if he successfully infiltrated enemy territory, he would find it difficult to retreat in one piece.

This was precisely why Murphy believed he would be safe hiding in the mountain forest.

In an era of poor organization, any army that entered the dense forest would lose its formation and devolve into disorganized stragglers, rendering them combat-ineffective.

Pursuing these deserters into the primeval forest was, by any measure, simply not worth the cost.

However, Lawson’s purpose on this trip wasn’t to cross the mountains and infiltrate enemy territory.

He tied his packhorse to a tree on the outskirts of the woods and headed deeper into the forest alone.

After walking through the dense woods for some time, he finally arrived at a clearing.

The clearing was about half the size of a paddock, with an open line of sight on all sides, making it unsuitable for an ambush.

In the center of the clearing lay several fallen ancient trees covered in moss.

Lawson walked to a particularly thick oak tree at the edge of the clearing and noticed a new mark carved into the bark.

Surrounding this new mark were older carvings of varying depths.

After confirming the signal was correct, he sat down with his back against the trunk and began to wait.

Before long, the faint sound of footsteps rustled through the woods.

A tall man emerged from the trees on the opposite side.

He was dressed in Rosenia Style Leather Battle Armor, a dark cloak draped over his shoulders. At his waist hung a uniquely shaped Knight’s Sword, its blade slightly more curved than the standard-issue Knight’s Sword of the Vilt Kingdom.

"Igor." Lawson stood up. "The patrol frequency at your outpost has increased recently."

The man called Igor nodded slightly. "These are sensitive times, after all, Captain Lawson. As the person in charge of the Rosenia outpost, I must ensure the security of the border."

Lawson sneered. "The border war nine years ago left both sides with heavy losses. Neither can afford another conflict now. There won’t be any large-scale battles on this border for the next ten years."

Igor’s gaze was deep. "History from one hundred and twenty-four years ago teaches us that peace is often shorter than we imagine. Back then, less than five years after the Battle of Blood Crow ended, both sides believed they could maintain peace for at least twenty years."

"But in the last week of the harvest season, your Duke Douglas suddenly tore up the armistice and led three Knight Orders across the Black Water River. My great-great-grandfather was lost forever in Twilight Canyon in that battle."

He took a step forward. "The historical records are very clear. Both sides claimed to have suffered heavy losses and needed to recuperate, yet war broke out anyway. It’s too early to say there will be no war for the next ten years, Captain Lawson."

Lawson’s expression was grim. "Duke Douglas marched on the Black Water River in the Hans Viscount Domain. What does that have to do with our Duval Territory? If you came here today just to dredge up these old stories, then there’s no need to continue."

"Haven’t we been meeting for the past two years precisely to maintain a practical peace along this border, right under our respective Lords’ noses?"

Indeed, while large-scale wars wouldn’t break out between their territories, small-scale conflicts were inevitable.

The followers considered themselves noble and were unwilling to die for nothing in pointless skirmishes.

Even though tradition dictated that captured followers could be released for a ransom, it was naturally best to avoid casualties altogether.

This was the true purpose of their secret meetings: to preserve each other’s lives as much as possible in the face of unavoidable conflict.

As for the fate of common soldiers, that was never a consideration for these followers.

Igor gave a meaningful smile. "Speaking of maintaining peace, I’ve noticed Arthur has been visiting the outpost often lately. It seems Kelvin is paying special attention to border affairs."

Lawson’s eyes darkened. "Isn’t he just here to kill time? Kelvin is worried sick about the territory’s finances; what attention could he possibly be paying to this? Heh, he even brought a Groom along—that one named Murphy. He’s Kelvin’s new favorite now."

His tone was laced with unconcealed sarcasm. "A Groom, personally appointed by Kelvin as the sole caretaker of the warhorses." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Igor sighed heavily. "At least your problem is just a Groom. My situation is worse. The Volkov Clan sent one of my distant nephews, named Roger. They say he’s here for training, but in reality, he watches my every move all day long."

"The kid doesn’t even understand the basics of border duty, yet he throws his weight around the outpost because of his family background. Last week, he changed the patrol route on his own authority and nearly caused a clash with your patrol. In the end, he blamed it on one of my old subordinates."

Lawson said, "Oh, you mean that time... We almost misjudged the situation on our side, too."

The two of them continued to chat idly.

In an era of predestined peace, those sent to a border outpost were essentially the disillusioned men from their respective domains.

But this was a resentment born of disillusionment that they could never express to the low-ranking soldiers, much less to their peers who were enjoying lives of comfort in castles and manors.

This was the second purpose of their meetings: for two disillusioned men to get together and vent their frustrations.

The sun began to set, and the light in the forest gradually dimmed.

Igor stood up, brushing the grass from his robes. "It’s getting late."

Lawson also got to his feet, about to say goodbye, when he saw Igor flash a strange smile. "By the way, Lawson, I want to introduce you to my distant nephew."

"Distant nephew? Isn’t your distant nephew..." Lawson’s words died in his throat.

Out of the corner of his eye, a figure in a black robe appeared out of thin air.

Lawson’s first reaction was that it was impossible; the spot had been empty just a moment before.

However, he was robbed of a second reaction. When he looked at the robed figure, he saw a pair of strange eyes from beneath the hood.

Those eyes were like a swirling galaxy, emitting an eerie green light.

Lawson felt his consciousness being dragged into an endless vortex, and all his thoughts came to a halt in an instant.

He stood there dumbly, his eyes becoming vacant and lifeless.

Seeing this, Igor dropped to one knee and bowed his head deeply to the robed figure. "Praise be to my Lord. Your will has been done. This lost Warrior has been brought under your command to become your faithful servant."

Roger slowly lowered his hood, revealing a young, slightly pale face.

He sighed softly. "Finally found a stable place to break through to a Third-Class Wizard Apprentice. Those Bishops in Rosenia are too persistent; I couldn’t even find a peaceful place for Meditation."

A faint glow appeared at his fingertip, which he gently tapped on Lawson’s forehead. "As long as I can break through to Third-Class Apprentice within two years, I can finally leave this godforsaken place."