A mage's journey begins with a battle mage.

Chapter 110 Old Road

The ancient and dilapidated dirt road, like a dying giant python, stretches helplessly through the hills.

Dozens of cavalrymen escorted a magnificent carriage, moving forward in silence.

"What kind of lousy road is this?"

Jiang Shuzhou had been walking along this broken road for a whole day. Fortunately, the carriage he bought was not cheap and had strong shock absorption, otherwise he would not have had the energy to complain.

"My lord, please bear with us. This path is quite good. Other paths are more or less dangerous. This is so that you can study magic in peace without being disturbed."

The speaker was not Hayes, but Griffith, the leader of the mercenary group that Jiang Shuzhou had hired from the nearest city.

The leader was kind and generous, and seemed trustworthy. However, the way he looked at the mercenary group's adjutant, Gus, made Jiang Shuzhou feel a little strange, as if it contained some unspeakable emotion.

Perhaps they are good brothers.

Jiang Shuzhou didn't pay much attention to the personal feelings of these mercenaries; he just wanted to get to his territory as soon as possible.

"Sir, do you have any dreams?"

Perhaps Jiang Shuzhou's silence made the mercenary leader feel a little awkward, so he had to find a topic to talk about on his own.

"My dream is to discover the truth."

Jiang Shuzhou replied.

"My dream is to create a country."

What? You want to rebel?

"Thank you for your sponsorship. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would have..."

"Let's not talk about that."

Griffiths's words reminded Jiang Shuzhou of their first meeting a few days ago.

In short, Griffith caught the eye of a nobleman.

At the time, the mercenary group was short of money and was on the verge of disbanding. Fortunately, Jiang Shuzhou was looking for the mercenary group, otherwise Griffith might have really become a nobleman's male concubine.

In fact, Jiang Shuzhou offered quite a good deal, and many mercenary groups came to inquire about him at the beginning.

However, when they learned that they needed to go to Hamlet's territory, they all chose to give up.

This was mainly because Jiang Shuzhou not only demanded that he be escorted there, but also required the mercenaries to stay there for at least three months and to be at his beck and call during that time.

Of course, the money was definitely paid in full, even twice the market price.

Unfortunately, while Jiang Shuzhou dared to give it, the mercenary groups didn't dare to accept it.

Alchemists, if they stay in the wilderness for an extended period, must obey.

All the elements are there.

Will they be able to return intact in three months?

Based on their stereotypes about alchemists, this isn't about finding mercenaries, it's more like they're looking for test subjects!

Only Griffith, in dire straits, risked his own life and that of the entire mercenary group.

"I will follow your instructions."

After saying this, Griffith rode away from the carriage window, leaving the tranquility to Jiang Shuzhou.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned, and Jiang Shuzhou didn't get to enjoy peace for long.

"Enemy attack!"

With a mournful roar, the sounds of clashing swords, firing guns, and neighing horses gradually rose together.

"My lord, shall we make a move?"

Hayes asked.

"No need. I have to do everything myself. What's the point of hiring them?"

Hayes nodded and said nothing more.

Soon, the sounds of fighting outside the car went from intense to subsiding, eventually fading into silence.

"Hays, report the situation!"

"My lord, one mercenary has died and fifteen have been wounded."

"There were about twenty robbers, only five of whom survived; the rest were all killed."

A 20 to 1 exchange ratio.

Armored soldiers fight unarmored soldiers; gun-wielding soldiers fight unarmored soldiers.

It's barely watchable.

However, Jiang Shuzhou didn't expect these people to have any fighting ability.

It would be quite good enough to use it as a security team.

"Sir, what should we do with these prisoners? Kill them, or...?"

Griffiths, covered in blood, approached the car window.

"Of course we'll keep it."

The experiment needs materials, and Jiang Shuzhou couldn't just grab anyone to use as materials.

"Your will."

The handsome silver-haired man showed no displeasure, bowed to Jiang Shuzhou, and then left.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Hamlet's collar.

"When will that person arrive?"

This was Brad's fifth time asking.

"It should be today."

The butler responded from the side.

"That's for the best. I don't want to stay in this awful place for even a second longer."

"This is your ancestral property."

"To hell with our ancestral land! It's all over wild forests, teeming with wild beasts, and the people I govern are a bunch of filthy bastards."

Clearly, this nobleman had considerable dissatisfaction with the people of Hamlet's territory.

"Besides, I'm also subject to the checks and balances of that old man Louis. This wretched place is only worth coming to by alchemists who can turn the rotten into the magical."

Upon hearing this, the old butler remained silent.

"What's wrong, Magee?"

"It's nothing, I'm just suddenly feeling a little sad, after all, I've lived here for decades."

"It's nothing. On the bright side, whichever official is in charge will surely be able to manage this place very well."

"At least you're better than me, aren't you?"

With a self-deprecating laugh, Viscount Brad showed no aristocratic airs whatsoever in front of his old butler.

His years as lord of Hamlet had worn away all his ambition.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Is this Hamlet's Territory?"

Looking at the town surrounded by mountains, Jiang Shuzhou frowned.

To put it nicely, it has abundant natural resources and a tranquil environment.

To put it bluntly, it's a desolate place, a godforsaken wasteland.

However, it's not a big problem. Jiang Shuzhou has plenty of strength and means; it's just a small territory.

It's about having nothing at all; that's how you build something that feels truly rewarding.

Suddenly, a convoy of vehicles appeared in the distance, carrying something in large and small boxes.

"Are you Master Navis?"

Upon seeing Jiang Shuzhou, the leading man hurriedly got out of the car and then asked...

"Yes, it is. What's wrong?"

"I've finally found you."

Then, the man began to explain himself.

"I am Brad, the lord of Hamlet's territory."

As he spoke, the nobleman produced a letter.

"But now, you are the true lord of Hamlet's territory."

The man knelt on one knee and handed the handover documents to Jiang Shuzhou.

"Please double-check. If there's anything you don't understand, please feel free to ask."

Seeing how anxious the man was, Jiang Shuzhou still took precautions.

He added a clause to the handover document stating that if Brad caused any damage to Hamlet's territory, he would be fully responsible, and the compensation would be determined by the extent of the damage.

However, Brad's behavior made Jiang Shuzhou realize that perhaps there was nothing special about Hamlet Territory at all, and that Brad was simply too eager to escape.

After a cursory glance at the supplementary terms, Brad stamped his seal without hesitation.

It was a book dripping with blood, a very strange mark; not many nobles would use such a mark.

However, Jiang Shuzhou didn't care. After all, this nobleman was very likely a descendant of that mage, only that the descendant did not become a mage.

As for Hamlet's territory, in the presence of everyone, it officially changed hands.

Brad's territory was exchanged for the warm and prosperous South, where he went to live the life of a wealthy old man.

Jiang Shuzhou will become the lord of Hamlet's territory.