Chapter 111

I Quit Being a Court Magician Apprentice to Become a Magical Item Craftsman

One of my closest aides, Ekvar Kroas Karlsroar, has returned to the country after a long absence. He has come to report that his mission has come to a conclusion.

However, according to the prior report from Enkaruna, he seems to be deeply involved with the person he’s been assigned to protect and is hiding something. Ekvar, of all people, having special feelings for the person he’s guarding…?

It’s hard to believe at first, but indeed, he made a statement about quitting the elite guard, which doesn’t seem like him. This was the same person who swore to risk his life for me, even going so far as to consider suicide after failing a mission.

I’m not the kind of person to take someone’s life after a single failure, am I?

It’s time for an audience with him. Since I had already been notified, everything is prepared. Now, how will he present himself?

“I would prefer if you and Arens returned. If a guard is needed, I will send someone in their place.”

“…Your Highness. I have a report regarding that matter.”

As expected, he doesn’t seem to be agreeing easily. The secret, or whatever it is, will likely be revealed soon. He had requested that no one be present beforehand, asking that I ensure no one overhear.

“Are you familiar with something called ‘Albedo’?”

“The incomplete Philosopher’s Stone, right? It’s said that a perfect Philosopher’s Stone was created long ago. However, the precise method of creation has been lost, and various records give different processes—it’s uncertain whether it can truly be completed. Our country prioritizes magic and magic item creation, but such an uncertain endeavor is disregarded. I haven’t heard of any other country successfully completing it either. Though they might be keeping it quiet…”

Why is he suddenly bringing up such a mythical item? He’s kneeling and not raising his head. Maybe he doesn’t want me to read his expression.

“…She has succeeded in creating the Albedo, the white stone. Although she has only created a few small fragments, that’s the current state of things…”

“No way! She’s accomplished such a feat and hasn’t told anyone!? No, but is it really Albedo? How could you determine it’s Albedo if no one has ever seen such an item?”

“Sebirino  Osa Arens has confirmed that it is Albedo. And she wishes to complete the Magnus Ops alongside it… I’m not well-versed in this, so I don’t understand what that term refers to, but she expressed a desire to continue her research on the Philosopher’s Stone with Arens.”

I’m stunned as he calmly informs me.

Did Sebirino  Osa Arens, the greatest mage of our country, truly acknowledge this? He has profound knowledge of both magic and magical tools.

Magnus Ops is the process of turning that white stone into a perfect red Philosopher’s Stone.

The final stage…!

Is she that far into her research…? She’s ahead of any organization in any country.

Ekvar, I understand now. He deliberately avoided looking up unfamiliar words, using them to enhance the credibility of her claim. He knows this term has crucial significance in alchemy.

He’s testing me… how sly.

“If that’s true, it’s not wise to recall Arens… The completion of the Philosopher’s Stone is a goal of every nation. How typical… She probably thinks she won’t be called back if this gets reported.”

“Arens is quite the player. Showing me Albedo… Even if the Head Mage’s issue is settled, if she’s not going to conduct her research here, then I shouldn’t stop Arens… And I still want to continue protecting her.”

“If others learn of this, they’ll offer her extraordinary treatment… She’ll be snatched up by some other country. It’ll become a battle to win her over.”

This is a tough situation. I can’t bring her back like this. I’ve lost.

“She likely doesn’t wish to serve the country, but if she agrees to any terms, she’ll be constantly pursued. It’s better to take preemptive action and secure her.”

It seems Ekvar is thinking about the nation’s interests too.

“…That would be the best course of action. You continue to make sure this fact remains undisclosed. Don’t let her trust waver, no matter what.”

“…Yes!”

His response is as if he’s been waiting for this moment. Calling Arens a manipulator, but Ekvar himself is quite the schemer too.

“Do you like her?”

“…I suppose so.”

“I heard from Enkaruna that you haven’t explained everything to her? I don’t want to punish you, but if you continue, you’ll need to properly keep a firm hand on the reins.”

With a sigh, Ekvar gives me a vague smile.

“She is like a bright, distant sun to me. Almost unforgiving, which makes her just right.”

Unforgiving… what kind of woman is Iriya ?

“Are you the type who likes being led around?”

“…I suppose so…”

Ah, he’s holding his head in his hands. He seems to be somewhat aware of it.

There’s no way to change this now. I’ll stop the formal talk and ask him about life in Chenkaslar . There seem to be a lot of small sparks smoldering, but he’s probably handling things well.

Still… is he enjoying this too much?

Ekvar. One day, I’ll pay him a surprise visit.

After Ekvar leaves, I instruct my attendants and head outside the castle. I’m going to meet a certain woman.

Since the scouts had confirmed her whereabouts, I head straight there. She’s sitting on a bench in the park when I arrive.

“Hello. Are you Iriya ? I’m Tobias, Ekvar’s friend.”

“Ekvar’s! I’m Iriya , nice to meet you.”

She immediately stands and greets me, giving a beautiful bow. She must be used to court life.

“…You have quite the serious friend.”

I’ve been caught. Ekvar’s guards have been spotted. As expected, a noble demon.

“I can’t walk freely without them. Last time I tried to slip away, I was put under house arrest.”

“As expected of Ekvar’s friend, you’re quite a suspicious man. Get to the point.”

She seems to be feeling distrustful… Having guards is unavoidable.

Did she notice I had checked her whereabouts? Is it possible that Ekvar is being suspected by this demon?

“I wanted to give this to you, Iriya .”

A platinum medal, resembling something a court magician might possess.

Without any further preamble, I dive straight into the matter.

“What is this…? Why would you give this to me?”

“This is something we send to external advisers of the court. It’s to show that even if you leave the country, you still have ties to Egdoarm.”

Upon hearing these words, her expression darkens. She’s pretending to be dead as a court magician apprentice to leave the country, so it’s only natural for her to feel uneasy.

“…I’m honored, but I can’t accept this. I have already left the country.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not trying to make you work. I can’t let you be taken by another country since you’ve seen the forbidden archives, so I want you to show this and decline if that happens. In return, if you wish to continue your research, I will not hold back support.”

She’s still hesitating, but the demon standing behind her seems to have understood everything. Just as Ekvar reported, she’s not easy to deal with…!

However, I can’t openly talk about the Philosopher’s Stone. I don’t even want my attendants to overhear.

“Just take it. It’ll act as a bug repellent.”

“Lord Belial… does that mean I shouldn’t serve another country?”

She seems to have become more positive after hearing the demon’s words, though she was initially uncertain.

However, calling the medal a bug repellent… I assume she means that it will help keep away unwanted recruitment or interference from other nations. It’s likely that other countries will notice her talent and try to contact her in the future.

We are also concerned about that.

“Exactly. Also, Arens will be going there again, so I’d like you to mentor him. He’s been asking about you.”

“…Sebirino… this is so embarrassing!”

She doesn’t seem like the merciless type, does she? But when it comes to magic, she seems to be quite clueless, which helps with negotiations. At least things are going smoothly.

Of course, the conditions aren’t unfavorable to her. I can’t afford to be rejected now. If that head mage weren’t in the picture, I could have kept this talent firmly in my country…!

“If you get involved in any trouble, just pass everything over to Ekvar. Feel free to make things difficult for him.”

“…Huh?”

“Hahaha, I mean that you can rely on him that much.”

That way, everything will be reported to us as well. I want her to make full use of that schemer and make him dance to her tune.

“Yes, I hear you’ll even fight alongside an upper dragon.”

“…Are there jobs for item craftsmen that involve fighting dragons?”

“We’ll need Dragon Tears.”

“Oh, right… yeah…”

Is she really planning to bring her own Dragon Tears!? Only Arens has that… oh! She’s Arens’ teacher, isn’t she!?

It looks like her guard is going to be much more dangerous than I thought. She’s planning to have her guard fight upper dragons? Truly merciless.

Ekvar might be just the right person for that…

Her smile is so innocent it makes me very uneasy…

I hope the next report from Chenkaslar  isn’t about Ekvar’s death.