The discussion quickly shifts to the next topic, which is the future plan of the empire.
“F-for the time being, just as Founder-sama said… I have dismantled the buildings we previously developed, returned the units to magic power, and released the land we occupied, but… Ehehe… In exchange, the money and magic power we used to develop them came back at once… So, our current national treasury ended up quite amazing…”
A window screen pops up in front of me.
I-it is certainly amazing… Well, of course I know we wouldn’t be able to restart from 0…
“Then, what should we do with this money?”
I then gave her the answer that I was already prepared.
“If we continue to do large-scale actions with short-sighted thinking, we will be ruined. Numerous nouveau riches in history have taught us how amateurs who don’t know how to use money properly fall into hell when they start trying to manage all the wealth they aren’t used to having. Also, we couldn’t stand out too much. There is a possibility that the other demons may become aware of us at the same time, resulting in us receiving multifaceted attacks from every direction. In the worst case, even the devil herself might awaken and then game over.”
In fact, there is a condition for awakening the devil in Esco. Although its awakening conditions are varied, one thing is clear: she won’t miss some actions that could change the world.
For example, if I use this money to try to achieve world peace… The devil will wake up, and we will be annihilated without being able to do anything.
“Good grief, you are correct.”
Unusually, Arshariya appeared, crossing her legs in the air while yawning.
“Since you are a rare idiot, I thought I’d give you some advice… Don’t try to save everything, even something that your hands can’t reach. Because it is nothing more than brute and stupidity, and it is the path of destruction that the idiots who were called heroes in the past took. If you don’t want to be manipulated by people and die miserably, at least make a distinction between what you can save and what you can’t save. Do you understand?”
“Even if you don’t tell me, I understand that much. Also, die.”
“I wonder.”
I smiled wryly as Arshariya disappeared.
“Let’s use that money and magic power for the future management of this empire. However, we can still use what we are allowed to do. At least, for something within the reach of my hands.”
That’s right, within the reach of my hands… In other words, I will use it only to aim for a happy ending, a flower garden full of Lillies, by the hands of Tsukiori Sakura. Anything beyond that is an act of abusing one’s authority. At least, that’s what I think, and as Arshariya said, I shouldn’t mistake savagery and courage.
Well, at least for now, that’s it.
“Thank God.”
Relieved, Hizumi exhales.
“I’m worried that you will say some unrealistic fantasy such as awakening the other demons and going on a full-scale offensive to defeat them, or save all the Yuri in the world.”
“…”
“Please don’t ever say that… really…”
“It’s a joke. Don’t worry, I understand. Let’s continue to run the country lightly until the right time comes. There will probably come a time when we will need this power.”
With a grin, I laughed.
“Well, that scene may come sooner than you may think, though.”
“… What do you mean?”
I began to speak– Hizumi sighed and frowned.
—–
A magic society is a group of magicians who gather and formed a society based on a single objective and ideal. Their objective ranges from advanced to shallow.
A first-class magic society like Qualia Heights is operated just like a good company and continues to grow economically. They gained their profit by commercializing and selling the by-products of 『Conceptualize magicians’ imagination and create a universal structure based on that concept』, which is their objective.
『Conceptualize magicians’ imagination and create a universal structure based on that concept』. To put it simply, Qualia Heights tries to make magicians’ imaginations into a console, so anyone can use them.
For example, my Lux (light sword) was constructed with a common uchigatana as a reference. From its length, which is 70 cm, its width at the base, which is 3.2 cm, its width at the tip, which is 2.1 cm, layers, to even the clamshape1 of the sword created with reference from the collection of Otori Magic Academy’s large library.
If anyone other than me tried to create Lux like me, it would probably take them several weeks, as they aren’t familiar with the image of the uchigatana. From there, it will also take a few weeks to stabilize the image, and a few more weeks to speed up the process. If things don’t go well because it seems that person’s talent is far below mine, it may take that person decades to build the same Lux as mine in his/her brain.
However, what if you could turn that image into a console, resulting in everyone being able to make it into a reality just by pouring their magic? Then the answer is: it will only take a few seconds for someone to learn it.
Qualia Heights is trying to create such a miraculous thing. The higher-ups of Qualia Heights spent a lot of money to scout Chris Esse Eisbert to help them realize that objective, and she accepted it. Just like that, a society and an individual became a partner.
Today, I, who tried to cut in between that partnership, stepped into the magic society and was led through a glass-sided reception room.
Sitting on the leather sofa, I watched the approaching Chris while shrugging my shoulders. As soon as she comes in, her magic power bursts out.
“… what did a trash like you come here for?”
“Well, sit down first.”
“What did you come here for, you lowly 0-score? You thought I could stay calm after being summoned by someone like you–”
*Boom*
Hizumi slammed the attaché case on the table.
Startled, Chris reacted. I then opened the case with my foot– showing off a large amount of money– in shock, Chris stopped moving.
“What did I come here for, you ask?”
Smirking, I wrap my hands around the sofa and cross my legs.
“We’ll be having a fun talk. I’ve come to present you with the most efficient way to solve a problem with money (friend). This young master of the Sanjou Family went out of his way just to make friends with the daughter of the Eisbert family, you know?”
Brushing my bangs up, I stared at her.
“For now, how about you give your business card to this customer?”
Looking at her, who was standing with a dumbfounded expression, I called out to her with a smile.
“I accidentally tore it the other day. So, although it may be troublesome, let’s start over like this was our first encounter. That’s why–”