Transmigrate to another world

King Raden says, "Well, how bad is it?"

"Your Majesty, all enchantments in the castle and all enchanted objects inside the castle, including those in the vault, have completely dissipated. The adventurer confirmed that both the dispelling and the spell that killed the court mages were cast by Zamart, so he has definitely betrayed her."

The king goes into a rage and smashes everything that falls into his hands. I calmly stand aside and wait for his tantrum to pass. After all, it's not the first tantrum the royal guards and I have witnessed, and the king will be more serene after exhausting himself. A few minutes later, the king collapses on his throne panting.

King Raden says, "Huff, well, what's next?"

"The Illium Wizards Guild has asked for twenty thousand gold to send a group of wizards to re-enchant the castle."

King Raden says, "Very well, do it. Oh, and create a residence tax for those nobles who choose to live in my castle and constantly bother me. If they will live here, they can help pay for the enchantments."

"Yes, my king."

"Why, I suppose from time to time you might have a good idea. But it doesn't compare to the former queen."

"We must also consider the court magicians. We'll have to hire a trainer for them once we find new mages. May I suggest we open up recruitment to include commoners? There are few noble children left who have magical potential."

King Raden says, "Never! I will not entrust power to commoners! Just recruit all the nobles who have magical potential and hire a trainer for them. After all, if we just wait a bit, there will be more noble sons, all nobles always produce children. In fact, order all lords to check their illegitimate children, those who have magic should be legitimate and given to the crown to become court magicians."

Yes, that should give us approximately ten times as many children to choose from. If I phrase it correctly, some of those children will have a much better future ahead of them than they do now.

"So shall it be done, my king. The last point you must consider is Tarrik's replacement as knight commander. Unfortunately, his second in command and the most capable candidate is a commoner by birth."

King Raden says: "No, by no means. Choose the highest ranking nobleman serving in the army."

"I think that would be Sir Raveos."

He's just like Tarrik, all bluster and no brains. With him at the head of the army we'll be lucky to win any battle where we don't outnumber the enemy.

King Raden says, "Then summon him and I will promote him and explain his duties."

"At once, my king!"

King Raden says, "If that is all, then you are dismissed."

I bow to the king and leave the throne room. The king waits until the doors close behind me.

King Raden says "Quill!!!"

Spymaster Quill steps out of the shadow cast by the throne and kneels next to the king.

Master spy Quill says "Your orders, Your Majesty?"

King Raden says: "Spread rumors that Zamart sold himself to Gundar's Empire and put a bounty of ten thousand gold on his head."

Master spy Quill says, "As you wish, Your Majesty, is there anything else?"

King Raden says: "Someone keep an eye on Marvok, he's too soft on commoners for my taste."

Master spy Quill says, "By your command!"

Quill disappears into the shadows, leaving the king pondering and planning his revenge.

Out of the Forest of Fangs Zamart's point of view.

I have been walking for a few days now and have enjoyed the freedom it affords me. Now I am entering the boundaries of the Fang Forest and pause to cast some spells. I'd better be ready to defend myself in case I run into real bandits or a mana beast.

While I'm at it, I cast a spell to peek into the castle's past and see what happened after I left. When I see that Tarrik is dead, a big smile appears on my face and then I walk into the forest. Wow, I really underestimated that beast man, to think he took out Tarrik, if I ever find him, I owe him an apology and a thank you.

So I walked further into the forest, in such a good mood that I whistled as I walked. Of course, that made it easier to find me. Half an hour later, the "bandits" surrounded me and confronted me.

Bandits says, "Stop where you are and identify yourself!"

"Well, you didn't ask for my valuables, so I expect you to be part of the rebels. As for me, I am the former head mage of the Zamart court and I have valuable information for your leaders."

The armed men chat for a while and then surround me and escort me into the forest. About an hour later we arrive at the rebel camp. There are several defensive ditches surrounding the camp and some tents scattered inside.

I am taken to the largest tent under guard and told to sit on the ground and wait. I do as I am told and wait for about five minutes before someone new enters the tent. I am surprised to see that it was a woman and I am even more surprised when I recognize her. She is a striking woman with bright red hair that would be hard to forget.

"Miss Alexa, I heard you were dead!"

Alexa says, "No, despite the king's best efforts, I'm still alive and well, and you can forget about the 'lady', I'm Alexa or the commander here. Now, Zamart, what are you doing here and why are you the former chief wizard of the court?"

"Well, that's a bit of history, but first I have much more important news. Somewhere in the northern part of the kingdom, an army of ten thousand new soldiers is currently being trained, plus, the king was able to summon the fifty summoned early."

Alexa stares at me in shock upon hearing the news. She staggers over to a camping chair and plops down in it.

Alexa says, "Are you sure about this, it's not just a rumor you heard?"

"Yes, absolutely sure, I was there when the king ordered Tarrik to double the size of the army in secret and I also helped with the summoning spell, to my shame."

Alexa says "I don't understand, the army is strong enough to wipe us out."

"There is no need for him to double it just for us anymore."

"You are not the target, he is planning to launch a surprise attack against the other nations. He wants to unify the continent and become emperor."

Alexa says "That's crazy, I can't believe it!"

???? says "Sure I can."

I turn around to see who is speaking. I see a young woman in her early twenties, with short blonde hair and green eyes. When I recognize her, my eyes widen and my mouth opens wide. After a second, I drop to my knees.

-I thought you were dead! Please forgive this old man for waiting so long to act!

Mercy says, "You can stand up and please call me Mercy, that's how the rebels know me. What do you mean by acting? What have you done?"

I stay kneeling and say, "Princess, forgive me for not being able to save your sister. Let me convey to you everything I know about the king's plans and what has happened recently and then you can execute me."

Mercy takes my shoulders and pulls me to my feet, then bends down and kisses me on both cheeks.

Mercy says, "Whatever happened to my sister is my father's fault, not yours. You were my favorite teacher when I was a child and the magic you secretly taught me is the only reason I am alive today. So there will be no more talk of executing you! Now sit down and start from the beginning."

So I end up sitting at a table with Mercy and Alexa and telling them all about the summoning they sacrificed Princess Mericel for and everything that has happened since. Including the level zero beastman who killed a level ten dire wolf and Knight Commander Tarrik.

Alexa says, "If Tarrik is dead, then the army is leaderless and now would be the perfect time for the raids we've been planning."

Mercy holds up a hand to stop Alexa from leaving and says, "Zamart, you still haven't explained what it was you did that you wanted me to spare you for."

"In order to have enough power to flee the castle, I dismantled the castle's enchantments. With the additional power, I dispelled everything in the castle and killed all the wizards in the court."

Mercy says, "So, you weakened the castle and killed some of my enemies, and you think you should be punished?"

"No, I should be punished for not acting when the Queen died, if I had acted instead of looking for evidence, I could have prevented much of this misery!"

Mercy smiles sadly and says, "I know how loyal you were to my mother, and I know she considered you one of her few true friends. I have no doubt that the news of her death destroyed you. Besides, if you had acted sooner, we would have no idea what the king is planning. For what it's worth, if you need it you have my forgiveness, but more importantly, now that you are here you can help us."

"Mercy, you are the rightful queen, if there is anything this old man can do to serve you, I would be honored!"

Alexa laughs and says, "Old man? You may be old, but you are still the most powerful wizard in the kingdom!"

Mercy says, "Alexa is right, I can think of hundreds of uses for your magic and I don't even know what you're really capable of. So yes, I will accept your service and loyalty, and together we will make my father pay for all he has done!"

I kneel once more before Princess Amercy and take her hand, pledge my allegiance to her and then kiss her hand. Mercy smiles and helps me to my feet.

Mercy says, "Now, Alexa, go ahead with the plans for the raids and also find me our best messengers. We need to warn the other countries of what my father is planning."

"I can help with that. If you give me a day to prepare, I can create a gateway to the mage guild in the city-state of Illium. The guild master is an old friend. If I explain the situation to him, I'm sure he will help the messengers get where they need to go."

Mercy says "See, you're already invaluable to us!"

I smile at Mercy as Alexa goes to start making preparations.

Mercy says "What else can you tell me about the beastman, do you think he'll escape, do you have any idea where he might show up?"

"I don't know much more, but I'm sure he'll survive. And even if I don't know...

I don't know where he'll come from. I know we'll find out. I doubt he can move quietly anywhere in this realm.

With that I begin to prepare a site for a gate while the princess and her knight send out raiding parties and prepare messengers. they will do what they can to disrupt the king's plans and buy time for the other country to prepare its defenses.