Chapter 59 Crossroads
I left Yuruyana with the princess, then followed Lord Osric out of the royal residential area.
"This way."
I thought I'd been here before, but I still can't figure out the way around this castle.
Once outside, I ended up next to the training ground I trashed the other day ── the headquarters of the Court Arcanists.
"Can't remember the way even after coming several times, huh?"
"I got lost at first too."
It's all these identical hallways with no good landmarks, and too many corners.
"Well, you get to know your way around when you wander around every day."
"I see..."
I'll never get it.
Lord Osric stopped in front of an impressive door, chuckling as he reached for the knob.
"Alright, this is the enemy's stronghold. Ready to be grilled with questions?"
"Go easy on me."
"Haha!"
As soon as we entered, the Court Arcanists in uniform turned to look at us, and as soon as they confirmed my identity, they swarmed in.
"Aren't you [Maga Ex Machina]? Did you finish your business with Her Highness the Princess?"
"Yeah, sort of."
"Good, because I wanted to ask you about that [Flame] incident."
"Why did I become an Arcane Engineer when I'm so good at magic?"
"Is the army full of strong Arcanists like you?"
"Someone, anyone, speak up. I'm your superior, after all."
It was a real interrogation.
Did my earlier rampage work?
Lord Osric must have said something, because there seemed to be more friendly faces than expected.
But I could still spot a few who seemed to hold some resentment, just glancing at me from afar.
I'm not used to being surrounded by so many people.
It's intimidating.
"Today, you installed a machine in He Highness the Princess's room, right?"
"Yes, kind of..."
"Was it an air conditioner? Can magic replicate that? I mean, we've been ignoring it, but it sounds like an interesting story..."
Pride isn't going to help against this heat.
The younger generation seems more and more eager to ask about air conditioning, fidgeting with curiosity.
Only Lord Osric would be casual enough to visit the princess's room like that... It'd be a problem if nobles started coming into the shop like that too.
I have a feeling we might end up creating another room outside the royal quarters to test it soon.
It'd be nice if we could have a prototype ready by then, but coming up with budget-friendly ideas is tough.
Just like how they're stuck thinking like Arcanists, I'm stuck with my mindset as an engineer and a soldier.
Maybe I should ask for advice.
"The one we installed in Her Highness's room uses a magic gem. If we could do without it, it'd be cheaper to make..."
"So, we just need to replicate the magic that the gem activates, right?"
Even though they're part of the royal Arcanist faction, their budget's still probably limited.
After hearing about the possibility of something cheaper, Lord Osric cut in.
"Can't you just use the same method as a refrigerator?"
"I tried, but it's not powerful enough to cool the entire room. If I make it stronger, it'll drain more magic."
"I see. So, unless it can maintain a few days of cooling with a small storage device, it won't be practical."
"If we're aiming for a standard household, I think the size we used in Her Highness's room is the limit. I'd prefer to make it smaller if possible."
One of the Arcanists crossed his arms and groaned.
"Ah, so we're talking about magic efficiency. That's not exactly my strong suit..."
"Well, this might be a good chance to start researching that. ...Hey, Ricardo, you take care of it."
"Me!?"
Ricardo, who had been watching me surrounded by colleagues with a complicated expression, suddenly found himself being addressed and instinctively pointed to his own face.
"You've got time to mess with Kreis, right? Come up with a better idea than him and save face for the Court Arcanists. The reward? You'll get the first new model of the air conditioner."
Ricardo can't defy his superiors' orders, and everyone's giving him those pitying looks, muttering, "Poor guy."
"I'd really like to take care of it myself, but I never wanted to be the lead Arcanist."
He's got this cool look on his face, but even he seems to be feeling the heat.
"...Back when I was active, I'd cast a spell just to chill my body, you know?"
"Brilliant! Teach me, please. I'll trade you for access to my library."
That's a bit too cheap for the largest arcane art library in the country.
"And to be honest, today's heat is just unbearable. I wish I'd gone to the princess's tea party instead."
He heaves a dramatic sigh, playing up his exhaustion, and lifts his hand to his face.
Over there must be nice and cool by now.
──Not too worried, but I hope Yuruyana's doing okay.
* * *
The teacup, with its delicate floral pattern, is a world apart from the ones used in the shop──so thin it's almost translucent.
Yuruyana watches intently as the rich, reddish-brown liquid is poured, his hands clasped on his knees.
"You're such a dear. A boy might not like being called cute, though?"
Seated across from Yuruyana is an elderly lady with a serene aura──the former queen dowager, Lady Riv.
"Thank you, I'm honored by your praise."
Studying under Elmer, he'd learned some noble manners and etiquette, but he'd never expected to deal with royalty.
"Sorry for inviting you out of the blue. I know it's hard, but try not to be too nervous."
Despite her years, the queen dowager's elegance is unmistakable, identical to her portrait──she gives a regretful smile.
"I apologize... I have a poor upbringing, and I worry I might say something impolite to Your Majesty."
Her readiness to apologize even to commoners suggests a casual demeanor might be forgiven.
But without any warning, Yuruyana's sales smile is strained.
"Please don't worry about it. I hope the tea suits your taste."
"Yes, it smells wonderful."
To be honest, he can't really taste it.
But thinking of Tsukumo's feelings here, and how that cold-hearted guy acted... it helps him relax a bit.
By now, he's probably surrounded by that esteemed Arcanist, all nervous and fidgety.
"Let me get a better look at you... So you really do have golden eyes."
The Dowager Queen narrowed her eyes, the same golden hue.
At the sight of her eyes, Yuruyana felt a pang of nostalgia.
"See? Just like I said, Grandmother."
"...Yes. Ellen told me, something about being from Norvalen?"
"But I only remember up to about 5 years old, not much else."
For a moment, he tilted his head in a strange sensation, but quickly shook off the doubt, focusing on the conversation.
"What were your parents' names?"
"My father was Johan, my mother was Aila... I think."
Yuruyana only had hazy memories of them.
They were close, often calling each other 'you' or 'dear' in front of him.
"Johan... what was his surname?"
"Silven."
The Dowager Queen then stared at Yuruyana with a look of sorrow, yet resolve, as if something she had prepared for had come to pass.
She gently set down the cup she had lifted.
Her hand trembled, the handle clinking softly.
"Grandmother?"
Alarmed by the Dowager Queen's sudden increase in blinking and her unusual demeanor, Princess Ellen called out and gently wrapped her quivering hands around the cup.
"Ah, sorry, Ellen. Thank you."
The princess layered her hand over the other, slowly stroking it to calm her nerves.
Once the trembling stopped, she let go and placed her hand on her knee, turning back to Yuruyana.
"Calm down and listen. The Silven family... they were originally the Lilicheska royal family. ...My sister's in-laws."
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