Volume 1 Chapter 14-2 Not Knowing Is Amazing. But, Since I Can't Grasp the 'What If,' It Is 'Regrettable
After Tiaris's body shivered, she took out a pen and paper to organize his notes.
* * *
"Oh, so an antenna is coming from the Diamante Kingdom?"
"Yes. I asked for it in exchange for reducing their debt."
"...But I don't plan to get involved in the kingdom's management."
"If we can expand the scope, I think you can create higher quality golems. Just preparing some items won't expand master-level operating ability."
"I see."
Horace was drinking coffee in the lobby.
Naturally, it was Rangella talking to him.
Rangella wore a smile like a blooming flower, looking very happy.
It was clear that she was happy because she had gotten 'an item to help Horace.'
"Sure, that thing is really useful."
"But I heard it wasn't used in the royal capital. What's that about?"
"For it to be complete as an antenna means that the 'flow of magic' had to fit its specifications. However, the kingdom's magic didn't meet that standard."
"...So that antenna wasn't made in the kingdom?"
"No, it's said to have been made by 'Zethya Oracion,' a super-ancient magical tool creator. The kingdom just happened to have it stored."
"I see... So, why didn't they create magic suitable for that antenna?"
"It was probably because they didn't know what the specifications were."
"...I see."
From Horace's perspective, it was a waste of treasure, but this was clearly a difference in technical ability.
"...Oh, and by the way, an 'extra' came with the antenna."
"Extra?"
"Yes. It seems to be a metal stored in the castle basement."
"There was such a room..."
"It arrived earlier, so I'll go get it."
Rangella stood up and walked away.
"...An extra, huh? I wonder what kind of metal it is."
...A few seconds later.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Here it is."
What Rangella brought was a red ingot.
"..."
"What do you think?"
"Well, I can tell that they probably sent it without knowing anything."
"Huh?"
"It's amazing that you don't know this. With this one thing, my research would jump ten years ahead!"
"What!?"
Rangella looked truly surprised.
"Yeah. If I wanted to get this, it would be pure luck from my perspective. I have more than one path for my research, so I was avoiding using this. But just having this makes a big difference."
"So, um..."
"If, after defeating the Demon Lord, my work was recognized and they said, 'Please keep working in the castle, and I want to bring the hero into the kingdom,' and offered me this in return for my research lab, I would definitely say yes."
Horace wore a truly happy smile.
There was no falsehood in that.
"...Is it that much?"
"It is. The King of Valzeil probably thought he didn't know how things would turn out when he sent this, but it's the best gift."
"Hmm... So, is there still a future for working in the castle of the kingdom?"
"No, there isn't. I still have no desire for the kingdom, and if I stay at the castle, I won't be able to enter the Great Mine of Gold World. Even if I was moving toward that future, I would have left eventually."
"I see."
Rangella thought something like... 'That's disappointing.'
If the order had been different, if they had the knowledge, the Diamante Kingdom, the largest kingdom in the world, would have continued to thrive.
...Well, let's just say that it's 'better than having no chance' that such a future might come.
"Then, what about wiping out the debts of the Diamante Kingdom, can we do that now?"
"That should be fine. Anyway, they have money they can't use. Since they gave such a great gift, if I ask them to save face, Rangella and the others would likely forgive the debt."
"That's true."
The hero community lends money to prevent nobles from getting too arrogant with 'debt leverage.'
However, the nobles who underestimate heroes don't mind being arrogant even if there's debt, so another approach might be better.
"After the debt is gone, maybe they will get even more arrogant... But, well, let's see how heavy the title 'Hero' really is when the time comes."
"...Could it be that you're trying to provoke stupidity with the 'rebound' of paying off the debt, and make some of them 'show off'?"
"I don't think that's wrong, Master."
"Oh well... That's not really my place to say. I'll go do some research, see ya."
Horace stood up from his chair and went back into the room holding an ingot.
* * *
And the next day.
A letter arrived for Valzeil saying 'The kingdom's debt is wiped out,' and he apparently looked 6 times.
Of course, he was happy that the debt was gone, but he also felt gloom because he thought, 'There will definitely be someone who gets arrogant.'
Many don't listen when told, 'Don't mock the hero.' Many just don't understand.
What should I do?
Even with the debt gone, Valzeil's stomach is in a dangerous state.
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