Shepherd Wizard Chapter 47

Translator: Pai_

“A Barrier Master… Not very helpful in combat, huh?"

“Well, even so, with magic power like that, he should be able to hold his own even without a bloodline ability.”

As expected, once Turan’s bloodline ability was revealed, the suspicious gazes directed at him immediately dissipated.

Of course, there were Barrier Masters among the vassal families of House Zahar, but considering the number of bloodlines to suspect was in the double digits, no one thought to dig that far.

With the relaxed gazes behind him, Turan felt the magic power of the Barrier Master bloodline that had dwelled within him completely dissipate.

‘Good, that’s perfect. All that practice was worth it.’

When he had discovered the true power of the Mimic Sacred Relic, he had absorbed the magic power equivalent to that of ten nobles in the underground labyrinth, along with the powers contained within their bloodline abilities.

The composition was three Hunter-Trackers, one Illusionist, one Berserker, one Healer, and finally, four Barrier Masters.

The unusually high number of Barrier Masters was due to the fact that this bloodline ability belonged to the family that had once ruled Vanipel, the city where the Tomb of the Gods resided.

They had even sent their family head to rescue Ferga at the time.

During his time working as a protector in Kalamaf, Turan had conducted several experiments using the excess magic power of Barrier Masters, as well as the magic power of Zahar, which he already possessed and found to be of little value.

One surprising discovery he made during those experiments was that when using the Sacred Relic, it wasn’t necessary to consume all the magic power of a single individual.

To fully manifest the power of a bloodline ability, like when he had used the power of the Fighter Bloodline, it was necessary to absorb all the magic power of one individual. However, for simple feats like the one he had just performed, just a few drops of magic power were sufficient.

Even accounting for the magic power consumed during various experiments, there was still the equivalent of about three and a half individuals’ worth of Barrier Master magic power left. By dividing it appropriately, it wouldn’t be difficult to continue mimicking a Barrier Master.

After a brief silence, Meisa spoke up.

"Is anyone still not satisfied?"

"It's sufficient."

“I have no objections either, my lady.”

“Hmm.”

"Good. I'll consider this matter settled. Everyone to the conference room."

After confirming that all the nobles agreed, she led Turan and the other nobles to the conference room located in the center of the House Arabion barracks.

The tables and chairs were fairly well-furnished, but the lack of consistent style suggested they had been scavenged from various destroyed cities and villages.

“We will now begin the strategy meeting. Project the battlefield.”

At Meisa’s command, one of the nobles extended his hand over the table. Light began to flow out, taking shape and projecting the illusion of a canyon.

This was the power of the Illusionist Bloodline, which could delicately manipulate light to create projections.

It was the same ability that was contained within the Mimic Sacred Relic.

‘If I practice enough, I wonder if I’ll be able to do something like that too.’

With such thoughts in mind, Turan observed the hideout of the Dwarves, which was to be the battlefield. While doing so, Meisa pointed to the illusion.

“As you can see, the location where they are hiding is a canyon. Last time, we suffered heavy losses because we sent an excessive number of troops into such a narrow space. Therefore, this time, only about a hundred skilled knights and nobles will be sent in.”

"Wouldn't we need about one hundred and fifty?"

"That many would include those who are still injured. Against these kinds of foes, they’d just be dead weight.”

“Still…”

“Last time, they lost nearly half their necromancers. That’s more than enough.”

After some discussion among the nobles, it was decided that 120 knights would enter.

Once they had also discussed the formation of the troops, Meisa gave another command to the noble with the Illusionist Bloodline.

“The most important thing to watch out for is the weapons the Dwarves use. Since the battlefield was so chaotic, some of you might not have seen them. Show them.”

Soon, a second illusion appeared, and Turan saw something he had never encountered before.

It was a long metallic device with several cylindrical attachments on the side and a long, tubular barrel extending forward.

At a glance, it looked somewhat like a spear, but it appeared far too cumbersome to be used as one.

“This is the Dwarves’ magic artifact. When they use it, smoke billows out in all directions, and a lump of metal is fired. There are both larger ones that they drag around and smaller ones that they carry. Even the smaller ones can cause fatal injuries to knights if they hit vital spots, while the larger ones can deal significant damage even to nobles.”

The other nobles only nodded, likely because they were already familiar with this information.

After all, Turan was the only one here who hadn’t participated in the previous battle, so this explanation was clearly intended for him.

Following this, they introduced a few more of the Dwarves’ strange magic artifacts, such as a device that spewed sticky flames, before the meeting concluded.

“The gates will open in three hours, and we will move in immediately. If we wait any longer, the casualties from the last battle will reanimate as undead spirits and join the enemy.”

“Yes!”

“Alright, then. Everyone is dismissed. Turan, you come this way for a moment."

Perhaps because he was called out separately, the nobles glanced curiously at Turan and Meisa as they dispersed.

***

On the upper floor of the hastily constructed barracks was a room that Meisa used as both her personal quarters and an office.

She closed the door and surrounded the office with wind to prevent sound from leaking out, then shed her cold, expressionless facade and exclaimed.

“How did you just use the Barrier Master bloodline ability? Don’t tell me you succeeded in reproducing it through practice!?”

Back when they had practiced magic together at the Berg mansion, she had taught and made Turan try various kinds of magic in an effort to uncover his bloodline ability.

Since that included Barrier Master magic, Meisa knew that there was no way Turan could actually possess the Barrier Master bloodline.

Having anticipated this kind of question, Turan calmly replied.

“Of course not. It was a magic artifact.”

“But for it to look that seamless... It didn’t seem like one at all.”

If it had been a Guardian magic artifact that directly affected the body, perhaps. But reproducing an external bloodline magic with an artifact would usually leave clear traces.

For example, if one used an artifact to mimic the Pyromaniac bloodline ability, the flames would rise from the artifact rather than from the body.

If Turan had used a magic artifact to create a barrier, the nobles would have obviously noticed it.

However, the Mimic Sacred Relic displayed none of those unnatural signs.

This was because the relic temporarily granted the actual bloodline ability itself.

Despite having traveled extensively, Turan had never heard of any power that could steal or mimic bloodline abilities.

That’s how rare and extraordinary the relic was.

“It’s a special item. But it comes with a lot of restrictions, so I can’t use it freely.”

“If you were going to use something like that, you should’ve told me beforehand. We could’ve coordinated our explanations.”

“I wasn’t certain if I’d use it. If they had accepted me willingly, I wouldn’t have brought it out. But from the way they acted, it was clear they wouldn’t accept me unless I revealed a bloodline ability.”

The pressure of having untrustworthy allies at your back during a battle could severely compromise performance.

Since the Barrier Master ability wouldn’t be of much use during the upcoming assault anyway, Turan had decided it would be better to reveal it as a way to ease their suspicions.

Thanks to that, the nobles likely wouldn’t worry about Turan using Concealment mid-battle to stab them in the back.

While explaining this, Turan noticed a faintly relieved expression on Meisa’s face.

He could roughly guess why.

Back at House Berg, though Meisa often seemed indifferent about most things, she was filled with pride and competitive spirit when it came to magic, convinced that she was the best.

She had even once pushed herself to the point of collapse while attempting advanced decay magic.

For a moment, she must have thought that her rival, whom she had considered to be on the same level as herself, had reached the point of replicating bloodline abilities through sheer skill. That realization would have startled her. But upon learning that wasn’t the case, she was likely relieved to know she hadn’t fallen behind.

People kept visiting her, and it seemed Meisa had a lot of responsibilities as the leader of the subjugation force. To avoid bothering her further, Turan left her room and went to find Keorn.

Keorn was sitting alone among the magic lamps, which were lit so brightly that they were almost painfully dazzling.

“Elder.”

“Ah, Turan. From what I’ve heard, it seems the discussion went well.”

“Yes.”

Unlike Meisa, Keorn didn’t ask how Turan had managed to mimic the power of the Barrier Master bloodline. In this place, it wouldn’t be strange for someone to overhear their conversation.

For this reason, rather than discussing anything sensitive, Turan simply repeated what he had heard earlier.

“They plan to attack in three hours, and they’re going to select 120 people, nobles and knights alike, based on their strength.”

“A good idea. Based on what we experienced last time, sending more than that wouldn’t be particularly useful. Unfortunately, it seems I won’t be going with you.”

“Have you been given standby orders?”

Though Keorn was old, he wasn’t injured, and his magic power was still excellent. If they were selecting elite fighters, there was no doubt he would qualify.

In response to Turan’s question, the old knight nodded gloomily.

“It would’ve been better if I could fight alongside you, but now I’ll be nothing more than an old man sending the young to the battlefield while standing idly by. It’s shameful.”

“They probably think it would be improper for the hero Keorn to die fighting against mere Dark Elves.”

“That’s exactly it. Up until now, I’ve been fighting in relatively safe places, but this battle won’t allow for such luxury.”

Perhaps not in the mood for joking, Keorn simply let out a deep sigh instead of feeling embarrassed about the mention of the plays that carried his name.

“In that case, while you’re staying behind, could I ask you to look after Bije until I return?”

“You plan to leave her behind?”

“Yes. The terrain isn’t ideal, and I’m worried she might get hurt by those magic artifacts the Dwarves use.”

The canyon where the enemies were hiding was said to have strong turbulence blowing at higher altitudes, and its winding terrain made even Arabion’s nobles struggle to fly through it.

In such conditions, if Bije were to be hit by a magic artifact firing chunks of metal, it would undoubtedly be dangerous.

Keorn was someone Turan could trust to take care of Bije.

“I’ll guard her as if she were my own life. Make sure you come back safely.”

When Turan pulled out the perch that Bije was sitting on and handed it over to Keorn, she clicked her beak in protest as if throwing a small tantrum. However, she didn’t resist too much or make a fuss.

Having listened to the strategy meeting alongside him, she seemed to understand that she could become a liability if she went.

“You’re a clever one.”

[Come back soon!]

When Turan patted its head, feeling touched, Bije etched those words into the wooden wall.

***

“Move out.”

At Meisa’s concise command, a total of twenty-six nobles and one hundred and twenty knights began to march.

Their target was the Dwarves' den, where the Dark Elves were hiding.

At the very front were the strongest nobles, including Meisa, Cadrum, and Turan.

The center was occupied by the relatively weaker nobles, flanked and followed by the knights, forming a long, narrow column.

It was the most efficient formation for penetrating such a confined space.

In that formation, they waited for a few minutes in front of a massive boulder. Then, with a cracking sound, the boulder split apart, revealing an incredibly deep and expansive canyon.

Turan let out a quiet gasp as he watched.

“To think I’d actually get to see this…”

Even the author of 'Journey Around the World' had likely never seen this cave in person, only having heard of its existence as legend.

What’s more, the movement of this boulder didn’t register as any kind of magical activity, even through the Mimic Sacred Relic’s senses.

If the Dark Elves hadn’t left traces when they fled here, this place might have remained hidden forever.

A few moments later, the Arabion army entered the canyon, their nerves stretched taut.

The stench of blood and rotting corpses suddenly hit them, though it had been undetectable just moments earlier.

Perhaps the boulder’s mysterious mechanism had suppressed the smell until now.

Scattered across the canyon were faint traces of past battles: dried bloodstains and scorch marks. But there wasn’t a single corpse to be found.

The bodies of Arabion soldiers were likely taken to be turned into undead spirits, while the Dwarves and Dark Elves may have either consumed their dead or performed burial rites.

As Turan observed the scene, the relic’s senses picked up faint movements on both sides of the canyon.

It seemed the enemy had noticed their advance and was positioning their forces.

Focusing his senses, Turan fixed his gaze on the approaching forms of Dwarves several hundred meters away.

‘Quite… unusual.’

Unlike the merfolk prince Armania, whom he had observed through the relic in the past, the magical structure of the Dwarves seemed more similar to the monsters he had encountered in the underground labyrinth.

The main difference was a strange, chaotic glow emanating from the flames near their heads, giving an eerie and tangled impression.

Could Dwarves also be creatures created by the gods?

The thought only lasted a moment before the relic’s senses detected another lifeform.

It had a humanoid shape, but its ears were elongated and stretched vertically. A strange light flickered within the brain area.

'Those must be the Dark Elves.'

Although he had encountered Dark Elves before, this was his first time observing them through the Mimic Sacred Relic’s perception.

Among them, only about twenty had glowing brains, those were likely the necromancers.

Meisa seemed to notice as well, narrowing her eyes as she raised her hand to halt the army.

“They’re coming. Prepare for battle!”

Turan smelled intense tension and fear from those around him.

Given the army had suffered heavy losses during the previous ambush, the memories of that battle must have come flooding back.

Click.

The sound of metal echoed as holes began to open on either side of the canyon, and Dwarves started crawling out.