Chapter 138 - Episode 135: Recruitment ②
After that, Noein continued to demonstrate by casually manipulating the two golems. He showed a variety of movements, having them perform something like martial arts forms, making them take a running start and leap with all their might, and having the two engage in something like a mock combat sparring session.
The puppet mages watching this could no longer find words; they simply stood there with vacant expressions. Even Count Burkhard remained frozen, a look of astonishment on his face.
"...As I thought, it's not quite like the golems Daphne made to order for me. They're a bit difficult to handle."
"Yes, it seems the golems cannot keep up with Noein-sama's skill,"
"Indeed, if they were Noein-sama's usual golems, their movements would surely be sharper,"
When Noein muttered this, Matilda and Dant replied accordingly. Hearing this, the puppet mages turned toward Noein in shock. Count Burkhard did the same. They were horrified to realize that he was still not operating at full capacity.
"...I suppose this is enough for a demonstration of my skill. Thank you both. I shall return the golems."
Even as Noein spoke and returned the golems to the two puppet mages, they remained silent. While it was rude to be silent before a noble, Count Burkhard, who should have cautioned them, was still frozen.
"...I had heard that you were an excellent golem user, but this is beyond my imagination... incredible. 'Incredible' is the only word for it. You are undoubtedly the best in the kingdom. Perhaps the best on the continent."
"To be praised so by Your Excellency, the Minister of Military Affairs, is the height of honor... Now then."
Noein replied with a relaxed smile to Count Burkhard, who had finally opened his mouth, and then turned back toward the puppet mages.
The puppet mages flinched as he looked at them. Perhaps they felt fear toward Noein after being shown such monster-like ability.
"As you can see, I pride myself on being an excellent puppet mage. And on this occasion, I have decided to welcome other puppet mages as subordinates to my territory and teach them this technique. For the purpose of that recruitment, I was given this opportunity to speak with you all."
Ignoring the stir his words caused among them, Noein continued.
"To those who are willing to come to me, I will first pay double your current salary. Then, you will undergo training in golem manipulation under my guidance. Once I judge that you can manipulate a single golem with about half of my skill, I will formally employ you in the territorial army with a salary five times your current one. After that, your salary will increase according to your performance."
Upon hearing the word "five times," the puppet mages were shocked. Although they were currently Royal Mages, they could not perform any significant work, so they received salaries not much different from ordinary soldiers. However, if it became five times that, they would be considerably high earners even by the standards of the entire kingdom.
On the other hand, Noein believed that if anyone reached the level he specified, they would be worth that salary. Even if they could only manipulate one golem and their skill was only half of his, it would likely equal the military and labor power of dozens of ordinary people.
Paying double even during the training phase was the bait to make them decide to migrate.
"...I am aware of how puppet mages are generally viewed. You have likely experienced many frustrating moments until now. I wish to show you a new path, but whether my guidance and your efforts will bear fruit is something I do not yet know myself. There is no absolute guarantee."
Noein looked at each of them one by one.
"However, those who wish to challenge themselves to bloom with new abilities and carve out a new life, please come to the Arqvist Baronetcy, which I govern. Let us show everyone that puppet mages are strong, that they can fight, and that anyone can acquire such abilities. Together with me, let us create the first step toward the future of puppet mages."
Noein knew that his words were still visionary and lacked any concrete basis. It seemed those words did not resonate with every single puppet mage lined up before him, but for some, their expressions had changed slightly compared to when he first saw them.
"Tomorrow afternoon, I will come here again. Those who are willing to come to my territory, please wait here again."
.....
The next day. Noein visited the Royal Army Headquarters once more. As he had the day before, Count Burkhard guided him.
The fact that the Minister of Military Affairs personally accompanied him for two consecutive days was likely because this was a reward recognized by the Royal Family.
"...There are more than I expected."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. To be honest, I thought I'd be lucky if five people remained."
Looking at the puppet mages gathered in the same training ground as yesterday, Noein let out this impression.
Seven people were lined up. Four men and three women. Among them was the youth who had lent Noein a golem during yesterday's demonstration. There were no women among those who had lent golems.
It was believed that magical technique depended more on innate talent than on acquired effort. Noein had not expected so many people to move to the far frontier to take on a challenge where results were uncertain, when they could have received a salary for stable, easy work by staying in the Royal Capital.
Among the seven puppet mages lined up, Noein approached the one at the very end—the youth who had lent him a golem yesterday.
"Your... no, what is your name?"
"M-my name is Gustav, Your Excellency,"
the youth answered, his eyes wandering. As usual, he seemed to lack confidence, but Noein felt that his voice had a bit more strength compared to yesterday.
"Why did you decide to come to me?"
"...M-my wife comes from a lower-ranking court noble family, and she is mocked by her relatives, who say 'your husband is an incompetent golem user.' Even so, my wife l-loves me. I want to become a more capable mage, a man she can be proud of."
Though he stumbled over his words occasionally, Gustav spoke with all his might.
"...Next, your name?"
"M-my name is Cecilia, Your Excellency!"
Noein spoke to the woman next to him and asked her name.
"Why are you coming to me?"
"My mother is ill... with my current salary, I cannot buy very good medicine, and my mother cannot go out to work. The doctor says she won't live very long at this rate. I want to become a more distinguished mage, give my mother better treatment, and have her l-live a long life..."
Cecilia answered with tears in her eyes.
"...Next,"
Noein asked the remaining five for their names and motives.
For their families. For honor. Because they wanted a more affluent life. The reasons varied, but it could be said that all of them were "to become happier." Hearing these, Noein was satisfied.
"Very well. I shall welcome the seven of you to the Arqvist territory. I thank you for your decision... Matilda, Dant."
" "Yes!" "
When Noein called to the two accompanying him as guards, they approached the puppet mages and handed them small pouches. From the sound upon receiving them, it was clear that coins were inside.
"...Your Excellency, what is this?"
Cecilia asked in confusion, having been suddenly handed a pouch with considerable weight.
"I depart tomorrow to return to my territory. I want you all to properly hand over your duties so as not to inconvenience the Royal Army, and then come to the Arqvist territory on your own after your discharge. You may migrate with your families as well. This is for your travel expenses. There are 20 large silver coins, 20,000 Rebro each... Of course, this is separate from the monthly salary. Please think of it as a celebratory gift or a preparation allowance from me."
" "!?" "
The puppet mages were horrified upon hearing the amount. They had been suddenly gifted a sum close to their current annual income.
"Well then, please be very careful on your way to the Arqvist territory. I'll be waiting."
As Noein said this and turned his back to them, a voice called out to stop him.
"...A-Arqvist-kakka!"
To Noein, who turned around, the owner of the voice, Gustav, spoke.
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving us such an opportunity. I will w-work myself to the bone so that I may meet Your Excellency's expectations!"
As Gustav saluted, the other six followed suit.
"...I'll do my best to show you all a new path as well. I look forward to working with you."
Noein smiled and returned the salute lightly.
.....
After parting with the puppet mages, Noein expressed his polite gratitude to Count Burkhard and left the Royal Army Headquarters.
Once he climbed into the carriage and sat in the seat, he let out a long sigh.
"...Ah, I'm tired. It's exhausting when it's nothing but appointments to meet people. Besides, the Royal Capital is fun, but it's too noisy. For someone who has grown accustomed to life in the territorial capital, Noeina, staying too long is tough."
"Thank you for your hard work, Noein-sama."
"I understand. Everywhere you look, it's crowded with people."
As Noein grumbled in a drained voice, Matilda offered words of appreciation, and Dant showed empathy with a faint smile.
"As I thought, my own territory is the best. I can finally go home."
With this, all of his work in the Royal Capital this time was finished. Tomorrow, he could begin the journey back to his beloved Arqvist territory.