Chapter Text
The following months pass, with their new living arrangement. Conrad’s presence alone, even through the walls within their now, pseudo shared living quarters, proved itself to be an effective deterrent against the entity which ceased to pursue him whenever the Wizard King was around.
With this, Julius is able to catch up on his sleep and return to a healthier sleep schedule, though he does have some fun staying up with Conrad to occasionally play a few games of chess on occasion. There was chess, and then there was othello, checkers, and moments where either one one of them tried to cheat, only to be caught by the other. Effectively, they were roommates.
Conrad is relieved to see that his friend was recovering, even if the fact that the creature’s existence persisted. He aimed to bring as much normalcy back to his friend’s life, even with the unknown curse that persisted on his person. He’d have to contact the Agrippa family with regards to their expertise in such magic.
Soon enough, Julius watches from the sidelines as the captains establish themselves into the roster he was familiar with, with a surprising combination of Charlotte and Jack teaming up to go up against Conrad.
Yami had been particularly ecstatic to watch the soon to be Green Mantis Captain get beat up, but it was all the more amusing when Charlotte kept shooting the dark magic user a few glares every now and then.
Ah, he did recall that she had her heart stolen by his protege.
Julius did have to admire her ability to ignore Yami’s comments and boisterous laughter during the match when Conrad called the both of them to focus on the match lest he’d eliminate them and also kick Yami out from the booths for being a nuisance.
This time, not all of the captains were in attendance; some were sent out to fend off the increasing invasions by the Diamond Kingdom and guard the towns which were strongholds for their defence. So, it left them with a relatively small crowd in attendance, namely Yami, Fuegoleon, Dorothy and the new Grey Deer captain, Jien Du. The previous captains of the Green Mantis and Blue Roses were in attendance, watching how their incoming successors would fare.
Needless to say, the coordination both of them exhibited could be greatly improved in the future, as Jack seemed to be the kind of person who enjoyed doing his own thing, forcing Charlotte to improvise with whatever openings he made for her. Slash Magic and Briar magic, especially once laced with a curse, made for a formidable combination when used well.
This time, Charlotte took it upon herself to act as a supporting mage, but she held very well on her own as an attacker, even if she let Jack run off and play along with that role.
He recalls her using her magic as a sort of anti-curse spell, or something to that effect. Jack, on the other hand, Julius remembers the rather rambunctious and overenthusiastic captain being cut down by Lucius and his forces relatively early on during Judgement Day.
Julius resolves to ensure that he will live this time round.
Both of them end up passing, with both giving up upon realising how outmatched they were, and having exhausted a significant amount of their reserves and mana. Conrad had acknowledged their surrender, and deemed them to have passed the trial. To both their captain’s relief, seeing how the process to promote a captain became thrice as hard now with the new policy in place.
Dr Owen, who had been on standby, gives them a once over as Conrad returns to give the remaining captains a debrief.
The new captains slip into their new roles with surprising ease, especially Jack, which Julius had been surprised with since the latter had been a commoner. His penchant for threatening to slice and dice up anyone who stood in his way did help a lot at cementing his position of power within the Green Mantis, and he filled up his paperwork with a surprising level of detail, even if they were often submitted late.
Charlotte Roselei had already been well trained by her predecessor to take on the role, so he did not see any issues with her rise to captaincy.
Now, with the conflict against the Diamond Kingdom heating up, he found himself juggling between more work on planning defences, raids and assaults on the strongholds the enemy kept trying to mount against Clover. In fact, he’s certain both him and Conrad had to put off much of their research to double down on finding a way to end the ongoing conflict against Diamond, especially with their Eight Shining Generals.
From all the major conflicts he could recall, he noticed discrepancies in places and numbers they used in their attacks, which diverged and differed from how it had originally been. His actions had changed the timeline, which he had predicted, considering how Conrad was still in power now, but it would also render his knowledge of the future moot beyond a certain point.
He wonders if Yami will still face off against Lotus of the Abyss.
“Julius, do you think we can end this skirmish within the next year or so?”
His friend asks him, as the two of them pour over the maps and reports within the meeting room.
“I don’t see why not. Though, it would take a significant loss on the Diamond Kingdom’s side to retreat and give up. Perhaps…removing at least half of their Eight Shining Generals from the equation.” It would be a major loss on their part, one they would have to take a long time to recover from before they would attempt another invasion.
Julius looks at the point where Kiten was located on the map.
“Then let’s do it.” Conrad looked at his advisor, a greedy gleam in his eye.
The Wizard King himself was sick of having to constantly scatter and deploy half of the Magic Knights to continuously defend the borders. Having waited for an opportunity to change their current defensive position into an offensive one and beat the Diamond Kingdom back, he would take it as soon as it presented itself.
“We’ll need to orchestrate a situation for them to show themselves at full strength.”
Julius looks at the map, as he considers what it would take to set up the circumstances to lure four of the Shining Generals out. Or any significant number of them, really.
“They’ve always been coming after us because of our resource rich land, right? Seeing how all of the towns they have targeted are always those that specialise in some sort of agricultural or valuable resource. Perhaps we could bait them out with something they deem highly valuable, enough that they will send out four of the Eight generals just to ensure they will definitely secure the goods.”
The time magic user flips through the reports, analysing the descriptions of the towns that have faced significant conflict over the past year.
“Hm, it seems that there is a pattern here. They’ve been targeting towns and areas that specialise in producing and processing crops to be sold to the other parts of the Kingdom.”
However, Julius was not certain if this would be enough. For the generals to rally together and not simply disperse themselves into separate platoons to target each town…they needed something more valuable.
Conrad looks at the report that Julius handed over to him.
“What makes for a more tantalising bait than just agricultural resources?” Conrad threw this question out, as the Wizard King considered what other resources of value their kingdom possessed. Magical artefacts? Gold and currency? People? Other resources? Or perhaps…a golden opportunity to strike down and cripple the Clover Kingdom’s military force. In the long run, if they removed someone prominent, such as a captain or even…the Wizard King, they would be emboldened to do so with overwhelming numbers, luring out most of the generals.
Julius, from where he was seated across the table, arrived at the same conclusion.
“...If I personally make an appearance on the battlefield, now would that be an opportunity they cannot afford to miss.” The key magic user deduced, as he looked at the spots on the map where his advisor had marked out future targets would be.
Julius nodded, even if he was reluctant to let his friend put himself in such a position.
Conrad glances at the map, formulating a plan as he shifts a few pawns and markers around. “I can visit Kiten under the pretence of paying the people a visit to raise morale for the constant invasions the people there have faced. In the meantime, we can slip some news that the Magic Knights stationed will be recalled to the Capital, and leave the place minimally guarded.”
“That is what the Diamond Kingdom will think.”
Conrad dips his head with a grin.
“Well, that, together with my reputation to not bring bodyguards or other Magic Knights whenever I make such visits should help to make the trap more convincing. We still do have to send a large portion of Magic Knights back, since Kiten is a place of interest the Diamond Kingdom forces have been eyeing for some time.”
That was a dilemma of itself. They could not fake an outflow of Magic Knights leaving the place undefended without having them physically leave.
“...Say, how long has it been since you’ve completed a mission?”
Julius blinks, as his friend asks him a question.
“An official one? Not since my very last mission as the Grey Deer Captain. Nearly three years back, I suppose.”
“Are you keen to go on one?”
Oh. He could see where this was going.
“I see, you want me to accompany you on this trip?”
Conrad’s eyes look into his, a smirk on his lips.
“If you aren’t too rusty, and you don’t mind fighting against the strongest warriors the Diamond Kingdom has to offer. Frankly, you’re probably the only person I need by my side in pulling this plan off.” Conrad admits, as Julius looks up at him, interested in his proposal, but also surprised at how much faith Conrad put in him.
The two of them, fighting against the four of the Eight Shining Generals? That would be absolutely delightful. Besides, the remaining Magic Knights could simply be in charge of evacuating the citizens whilst he and Conrad could force the fight further away from the town’s vicinity.
Still, he is awed at how Conrad had declared that he was the only person he needed for this plan to work.
“You think too highly of me, Conrad. But of course, I shall support you as your advisor.”
“As you should. Also, don’t think I haven’t seen how you fight. I’m certain you could wipe the floor with half of the generals if you really went all out. Your magic and experience in tandem could have you considered a national asset.” Conrad grins, as he approaches his friend, and Julius blinks, somewhat abashed by the flurry of compliments.
The time magic user does understand why some of the things Conrad spoke about him were indeed, actually grounded on past achievements he had made, and it was true that he had been considered and nominated to be the Wizard King due to his abilities. Those who were chosen for the spot had to be considered a national asset, a military might whose presence could single handedly turn the tides of war with their presence alone. That, he did not deny.
Seeing how much Conrad’s eyes gleamed as he spoke so confidently, was another thing.
“I cannot turn you down now, can I?” The time mage chuckles, as he looks at Conrad.
“No, you can’t.” His friend jests in response.
The upcoming trip is quickly planned for.
-
There was something highly satisfying about hearing from Yami that he had managed to wrangle a young Zora into his squad. He had complained that both Zora and Nacht got along far too well, both enjoying hurling insults and passive aggressive comments at each other, and then directing them towards him.
Julius noted that Nacht would have to leave for the Spade Kingdom soon, and had advised him on the whereabouts and existence of a resistance group. Both him and Conrad had seen Nacht off at the edge of the Forsaken Realm, before he would need to traverse past the Grand Magic Zone on his own strength and power, something he had more than adequate skill and power to do so.
On the other hand, he had been watching William slowly gather members of his squad, forming the Golden Dawn and building it up with the calm, patient charisma he held which naturally drew people in. A part of Julius wonders how William had been able to hide Patri’s existence from him for so long, for the nature of 2 souls sharing a body meant that one’s thoughts were often intermingled with another.
He should know that much, if only Lucius had not been as selfish as he had been.
Apart from that, Conrad had brought him over to Swallowtail one night, and his friend had shown him the repaired Swallowtail, which made a significant difference in storing time magic. He had thanked him profusely for that, knowing that this would make all the difference in the fight against the reincarnated elves when the time came, and Conrad had merely said that it was a rather fun project to handle and that he was more than happy to do something like this again for him.
In response, Julius brought Conrad over to the hidden musical hall (with Noelle’s permission to use it in the day, and having had a few servants tidied up) and had played a song or two from him. He could tell that his friend was rather touched, but also surprised at how well he could play the piano, which to his knowledge, he had rarely touched, apart from playing the instrument at Lovilia and Conrad’s wedding.
Thinking back, this life felt so much more…lively than his previous one.
This time around, he was able to write a few letters to Zora, and received a few snarky responses back from the ash magic user.
A young Noelle had also asked him for stories of her mother, the late Acier Silva, when the two of them stayed up in the music hall.
Mereoleona pays the Capital more frequent visits as well, saying that she wanted to be around to watch Conrad beat up any potential incoming captains, and to spar with the Wizard King himself. At some point, Julius had been dragged along to watch the match, and it was absolutely what one would expect.
The arena and surrounding area effectively levelled, but Conrad had emerged victorious, even if Mereoleona had fought against him well into a standstill on occasion. To think that he would get the chance to see Mereoleona fight, when she had always been so illusive and much of a lone wolf back in the original timeline…
He learns now that Conrad and her do get on very well, unleashing the competitive spirit in the other.
Now, as the both of them were travelling towards Kiten on broom, without an escort, because Conrad decided that the two of them did not need one, and his reputation for waving off protocol such as this was already well known amongst the staff at the palace, Julius looked forward to this trip.