The Shepherd Alone on the Hill is a Genius Wizard

After all, it's not like he would die from infections like commoners.

But unlike his usual self who would quietly follow any order, Daruk firmly shook his head and shouted.

"You are this city's guardian deity and father figure! We cannot take even small injuries lightly! If you refuse treatment, then take this inadequate old man's head instead!"

He hadn't even acted like this when told about transferring the city's ruling rights.

In the end, Turan had to have his wounds examined before he could even wash.

"Ah, ah—it's an honor to meet you, Guardian..."

The doctor called in the middle of the night was so nervous his hands were shaking.

Was it the pressure of examining a noble, or imagination of what could have injured even such a noble?

After examining Turan's body here and there with his upper clothes removed, he said only two wounds on his back and side needed stitches.

Both were injuries from being stabbed by the dwarves' spears.

But when he took out needle and thread from his bag to suture the wounds, a surprising fact was revealed.

Namely, that needles wouldn't penetrate a noble's body.

Come to think of it, it was ridiculous for a needle to work on a body that wouldn't even get scratched when stabbed with swords and spears by sturdy pirates.

"Nngh, ugh... why won't this go in..."

"Forget it. These kinds of wounds will heal completely by tomorrow anyway. They're not even bleeding anymore."

Finally, after applying some medicinal herb extracts said to be good for wounds, the doctor packed up to leave, and Daruk quietly approached to threaten him.

"Naturally, the fact that the city's guardian was injured and received treatment must not be revealed. If rumors spread, not only you but your family as well won't be safe."

"Y-yes... I'll keep that in mind..."

He'd always seemed so servile in front of Turan that he hadn't noticed, but seeing him intimidate the doctor, he now carried the scent of someone with power.

Well, among commoners there was no one with a higher position than him, so of course they'd be scared.

After the doctor left, Turan put on his upper clothes that would probably return to normal by dawn and spoke to Daruk.

"Come to think of it, I should tell you in advance. The western threat is gone."

Having said it casually like announcing tomorrow's sunrise, Daruk seemed unable to understand the meaning for a moment.

He rudely asked "What?" before his eyes widened enormously, incomparable to just moments ago.

"W-what do you mean..."

"The Arabion army will withdraw soon too, and the west will become completely ownerless land, so there will probably be several who want to expand there."

Just as House Baltas had once ruled both Orem and Murei together, when there was lots of land and many cities but few nobles, houses naturally tended to expand their reach here and there.

Of course, expanding to such a distant region like now would essentially mean becoming a separate house.

"Did you perhaps eliminate the western threat together with the Arabion army, Guardian?"

It was a natural conclusion given that he'd suddenly disappeared and returned covered in wounds while saying such things.

"Yes."

"Ah, this city is once again indebted to you..."

"Don't speak of this anywhere. It won't be good if rumors spread about being too deeply involved with Arabion."

The previous rumors were just about receiving contact, but fighting together was somewhat different.

Of course, right now Zahar's side would be busy investigating Ferga's death, but it wouldn't be good for either side if misunderstandings arose about Arabion extending its reach into the Grey Zone.

"Anyway, start letting others know too. That this city has become completely safe and will soon be managed by another house."

"Understood."

Unlike earlier, Daruk nodded heavily.

==

As expected, by the next day, Turan's wounds had already healed leaving only small scars.

Though he could have erased even those without leaving traces using the healer bloodline power contained in the holy relic, he didn't.

It seemed wasteful to use it on small wounds on his side and back rather than his face.

When word spread that the western threat was completely gone and Kalamaf's ruling rights would soon be transferred, the city's people showed different reactions.

Those who had come after stabilization welcomed having proper management from an established house rather than a single noble, but citizens who had been saved during the collapse period even gathered in front of city hall crying and begging Turan to continue ruling them.

Finding it uncomfortable to watch their behavior, Turan flew each day to a rocky mountain overlooking the city to develop his newly gained storm bloodline power.

The first things he tested were application techniques like flying more skillfully or increasing running speed by momentarily wrapping wind around his body.

He also tried things like the sound-blocking barrier Meisa had shown, and while some didn't work as well as expected, many proved quite useful.

Next, he researched ways to use wind power offensively.

The simplest method was crushing the entire body with impact force by pushing outward, like when he'd killed the bandits.

He also tested methods like adding cutting force by mixing in rough sand and making it swirl, or creating impact by firing compressed air and making it explode.

But after practicing such techniques several times, the conclusion was that there was a reason Arabion nobles stuck to lightning magic.

'The offensive side is more disappointing than expected.'

Since both were forcibly using non-aggressive powers offensively, not only was the mana efficiency poor, but the destructive power itself was lacking.

At best it might be useful for subduing much weaker opponents?

Rather, the familiar method of throwing a stone with a catapult would be much better.

While pondering if there was any way to increase attack power, Turan threw stones with a catapult for practice.

He had to consistently train like this to use magic more efficiently too.

The stone thrown with all his might cut through the wind with a bang as usual—

"Ah."

Suddenly he recalled natural laws he'd learned from the librarian.

First was that wind is created by the movement of air that fills this world.

Second was that the boom heard when objects move quickly comes from tearing through the air...

While winding up another stone, Turan recalled sailing in the northern sea with Arma.

Wasn't the key to easily moving a ship clearing the water blocking its path rather than trying to move the ship directly?

'Create a path in front, with the feeling that the air in front of the stone parts to the sides as it passes through...'

The moment he threw with all his might, Turan realized his prediction was correct.

Instead of making a sound cutting through the air, the stone flew much faster and more quietly than usual, piercing through the huge cliff.