The Shepherd Alone on the Hill is a Genius Wizard

Chapter 61 One of the Spoils of War (1)

After several more tests, it was confirmed that the silent stone throw was not just quieter but an incredible technique with more than twice the original speed and even greater penetrating power.

Given that it would be difficult to perceive and dodge even with a noble's reflexes, it was essentially a guaranteed lethal technique if properly aimed.

Of course, there were drawbacks as well.

First, he couldn't throw freely while running around like he used to with regular stone throws.

Even for relatively close targets, he needed to spend at least one second implementing the wind path, and for distant targets more than five seconds—because if he moved, the starting point would change and he'd have to create a new path entirely.

And second—

"Another failure..."

Watching the stone fly with a bang, Turan sighed in disappointment.

He could see the deer that had been his target frantically running away in shock.

The principle of silent stone throwing was to control the wind path by extending mana in advance, then accelerate by clearing the air to eliminate resistance as the stone flew through.

Because of this, if the target moved during flight and the trajectory deviated, he couldn't quickly correct it.

If the stone moved even slightly according to guidance magic, it would catch partially on the wind and ruin the entire trajectory.

Of course, he could forcibly apply power with mana to correct such situations, but from that point both efficiency and power would be shattered.

Though he tried various tests, there seemed to be no way to overcome this.

'Since no opponent will stay still during a fight, I'll have to use it strictly for surprise attacks. Or against targets that can't move...'@@@@

Of course, even with just that it was a terrifyingly fearsome technique.

If he launched such an attack while concealed, and even enhanced its power by channeling maximum mana, the opponent wouldn't even be able to react.

Even a top-tier wizard like Meisa would probably faint or suffer similar damage if hit in a vital spot by this attack without defensive magic devices.

'I guess I'll end today's practice here.'

As the sun was already setting, Turan called Bize who was playing far away and returned to Kalamaf City.

"I am Turan of Kalamaf."

Alos, the lord of Bigen, was a middle-aged man with a shrewd—or one might say cunning—impression similar to his son who had visited before.

He lightly gauged the mana and immediately took a humble attitude toward Turan, who looked at least a hundred years younger than himself.

"My foolish son visited before—I hope he wasn't discourteous."

"Not at all. Though I was a bit taken aback when he suddenly brought up marriage."

"Haha, that was more the unanimous opinion of all the lords in this region rather than my own..."

Based on his experience so far, lords of regions without a monarch to serve, like this Grey Zone, were often somewhat arrogant and inconsiderate, but this one seemed used to being mindful of others.

Just look at how skillfully he deflected responsibility.

"Anyway, that's the reason I came personally this time."

They both knew what "that" meant without having to say it.

The condition for becoming the city's lord—investigating the whereabouts of Turan's mother.

As expected, being the city closest to Zahar's territory, the Enril Desert, they likely had the highest chance of success.

"Have you found any clues?"

"I pride myself on having discovered quite certainly who that woman was. I doubt any other lord here has learned as much. Have others come before me?"

"No, not yet."

Turan's heart beat roughly at the confidence in those words.

However, for some reason, after making such a bold claim, Alos scratched his eyebrow with a somewhat less confident expression.

"However... based on this information, it's difficult to guess where that woman is now, so honestly, if that's what you're looking for, I won't be much help."

"That's fine."

After all, Turan already knew his mother had arrived at Hisaril Hill, given birth to and raised him, then passed away.