Chapter 91

Chapter 91 – Loom River

Rudolph, a city in the territory of the marquisate Cliffdorf. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Cleifel, which was destroyed by the Empire about a hundred years ago and had a population of about 30,000. It was the largest city in the south of the Empire. In the center of Rudolph was a castle built on the ruins of the former royal palace. It was the residence of Marquis Cliffdorf, the lord of the city. On the site of the mansion there were still several isolated stone detachments, which were the remains of the former royal palace. Jade walked toward one of them.

“Even though it’s only been a few days, is it possible for the atmosphere to change like this just because there are inhabitants inside again…?”

As he approached the tower step by step, the air became heavy as if clinging to it. It emanated a foul stench. The castle grounds should be well tended in every corner by those who served the marquis’s family, but only one corner of the tower seemed strangely desolate. In that corner alone, there was no sign of birds or insects. If you continued down the hallway, you would find a staircase leading down to the basement. Relying only on the light from the sconces on the wall, Jade carefully descended the stairs one step at a time. He opened the door at the deepest part. As soon as he reached the source of the pungent odor, Jade reflexively held his nose and wiped tears from the corners of his eyes with a handkerchief.

“Tch, tch, tch. Wow, Jade. You’re late.”

The one who said his name was Reynard von Hoffman, an old mage still wearing a sloppy tunic and hood. The chandelier lights over the desk were arranged in such a way that Jade couldn’t see Reynard’s expression.

“…You’re in a good mood, aren’t you? You were attacked in the tower where you were doing research in Simurgh, and then fled here on your own… How can you be so brazen about it?”

Reynard, who was assaulted by the knights in the underground laboratory of one of the towers built in the imperial palace, escaped the chase and disappeared, only to return to the research facility given to him by Household Cliffdorf. And he spent his time just as before, with a carefree look on his face. Even with Jade’s accusation, he just laughed and didn’t give it any more thought.

“Tch, tch, it was really a pity that we were prevented from investigating in the Imperial Capital, but the investigation itself had progressed quite a bit. The reason I wanted to do my research there was because it was getting harder and harder to get materials here. But now that we’ve seen some satisfactory results, there’s no reason for us to be stuck there.”

“Satisfactory results? Even though all your puppets were cut up by the knights?”

“Tch, didn’t I wipe out two platoons of knights with only ten of them?”

“And only two no more! Didn’t you say that, with Conrad Heisenberg’s legacy, a single puppet could take on a platoon of knights or more? After spending so much money, do you have anything else to add?”

“Huhuhu…” However, Reynard glanced at Jade with a leisurely motion and sat back in his chair. “Tch, tch, okay, calm down.”

When Reynard, who was sitting in the chair, quickly raised his hand, the sconces on the wall suddenly lit up. As the room lit up, Jade’s eyes were filled with the horrific scene inside that the darkness had been hiding.

“Ugh…” Jade involuntarily clamped his hand over his mouth and had to fight back the nausea that was building up in him.

Reynard chuckled at the sight of him in such a state, whose mood had completely changed.

“Tch, tch, this magic that Conrad-sama created was originally intended to deal with the Demon King. Instead of mere knights, we might be able to wipe out an entire country. However, that is only if the best materials and lengthy rituals are used. Unfortunately, the materials we used in the imperial capital were certainly the best that could be found there, but that too has its limits. After all, it’s only a prototype.”

“…Do you think the reason you can’t show the performance you claim to achieve so much is because of the material?”

“Tch, well, not only that. There are parts of the legacy that are missing, and analysis of those parts hasn’t progressed. Although, if fighting the Demon King isn’t what you want, they’re not necessary.” Reynard dropped his shoulders and opened a thick book. “Tch, tch, tch, the material Conrad-sama needed for his magic was a Saint, right, do you understand? If a material comparable to that is used, I think even I, with what I have now, could create a puppet of considerable strength. But, as expected, it wouldn’t be strong enough to defeat the Demon King.”

“Can’t you make something like that with the materials you have now?”

“Tch, tch, oh, it’s impossible. It will be much weaker. But you… what’s the word? …Well, you know. I can guarantee that with the materials you’ve provided now, I’ll be able to have a much stronger puppet than before.”

“…It’s true that there’s nothing better than being able to make something strong. But we don’t have an unlimited amount of time or money. And the time has come to show the results. I have already invested a lot of money in you. And don’t you think you have to show us that you are worth that money? I want you to show us something we can be satisfied with, not just a prototype. Otherwise…”

“…I get the point. As I said before, if we use the materials we have now, we should be able to make a good puppet. I’m sure it will be something you can be satisfied with.”

“I hope so. For both of us…” Hearing the reply, Jade glared at Reynard and left the room with a loud slam of the door.

Reynard clicked his tongue sharply and glanced at the door before looking back down at his book.

Is it still so difficult to fully recreate this magic in a situation where the entire Conrad Heisenberg legacy is not available? Reynard stood up with the books spread out and took some from the pile of books by the wall and stacked them on the desk. Then he sat back in his chair and went through them with great vigor. Conrad decided to use the princess of the Kingdom of Thane as a vessel, the descendant of Melvick IV, in whose body the Demon King had descended. She is even canonized as a Saint. But if the condition for a vessel is a person with strong magical power, then why use a princess? For example, elves and avians, why bother with avians who are thought to be extinct, if there are the elves who are said to have more magical power than humans?

Liara Thane had the title of Saint, but she was not canonized just because she was a companion of the Brave. She had been canonized even before that. This was because Liara’s healing magic had reached a level worthy of being called a miracle. Her healing magic regenerated lost limbs and healed severely injured people who were on the verge of death. Not only her own wounds, but also those of others. By nature, magic was terribly difficult to cast on others. This was because the subject’s magical power resisted magic cast by others. However, Liara’s healing magic was still immensely effective even with such magical resistance. According to reports, Liara could heal most wounds with magic, as long as they were not immediate death.

When it came to healing magic alone, not even Tiara, who held the title of Great Sage, was a match for her. However, the one thing Liara was a genius at was healing magic. Indeed, she was excellent as a magician, but her magical power itself was only superior to that of humans. Although there were exceptions, the elven race was said to have more magical power than humans in general terms. If compared to the best, Liara’s magical power would not reach them. If it was the noble race of elves, the High Elves, it would not even be comparable. Of course, it would be easier to kidnap Liara in the monastery of Emerdia, which was in the realm of men, than to break into the elven capital at the foot of the World Tree and kidnap a High Elf. But if it was only a single Elf, it would have been much easier than kidnapping Liara.

Being a human and a candidate for Great Sage, Conrad Heisenberg probably could have burned to the ground one of the resisting elven villages. But for some reason he cared only for Liara Thane and made her a sacrifice. For Conrad, Liara was his main source of power and had to be respected. Unfortunately, Reynard did not have in his hands the part of Conrad’s legacy that talked about why he was obsessed with Liara.

If so, what method did the “Apostate” attempt?

As he sped up his hand to turn the pages of the book, Reynard kept thinking. Besides Reynard, there was another person who tried to restore Conrad’s magic: Sarah Ferrule A person who was proposed for canonization but was branded an “apostate” for her abominable studies.

“Tch, I think it was… Lyon? I guess I’ll have to try to go there. But first, let’s take care of Jade’s request.”

Tossing the book on the desk for the time being, he headed for the door that led further inside.

Even if it’s just a formality, the Cliffdorfs are my employers. I’ll have to do some work, won’t I? That’s what I’ve been told from Petersia….

◇◆◇◆◇

The Majil Mountains stood on the southern border of the Lemmrousell Empire. The name of the great river that flowed into the sea to the north, dividing the Empire into east and west, was the Loom river. This river, which also ran through the Imperial City Simurgh, had long been an important traffic and distribution route for the coastal regions.

The abundance of water that made river transport possible nourished the fertile land, and the rich veins of mineral and forest resources in the Majil Mountains brought them to the cities. The forests produced abundant firewood, the abundance of water and the high-quality mines were sufficient reasons for the development of the blacksmith industry. Armor produced from the high-quality iron backed by these resources gave rise to an elite order of knights that overwhelmed the surrounding countries.

The role played by the Loom River in the rise of the Empire to a great power was extremely important. Count Elstead ruled the area at the foot of the Majil Mountains. The population of the territorial capital of the county, Erz, was 5,000. Although it was much smaller than the imperial city Simurgh, which had a population of forty or fifty thousand, it was one of the largest cities on the continent. Erz, with a population of 5,000, was a rather large city in comparison with the large cities of the continental countries. Its lord, Count Elstead, was the superior of Wynn and his team, Royce.

“So that’s why your captain wasn’t with you.”

“Yes. I heard he’s waiting to go to the Elstead territory first to greet us as lord of the lands, and not as a knight.”

“Erz, eh? It’s a place where ironworking thrives, isn’t it? When I was in Emerdia, I saw many people carrying swords made in Erz.”

“I hear you can get good quality iron. Oh, Letty. this way is a good place?”

The road, which stretched through the forest continued along the river after passing through the town of Clennad, and the Goodwill Visit to the Kingdom of Lyon group was about to enter Elstead territory tomorrow. Arriving at the village where they were to stay at three o’clock in the afternoon, the group made camp as they had done throughout the trip. Alfred, Leticia (Lino) and the officials and knights of the nobility were the only ones in the house they had rented in the village, while the soldiers and servants pitched their tents outside the village and, as soon as they drew water from the Loom River, began to prepare to boil and cook it. Among them were Leticia, who was dressed as Lino, and Wynn. The two of them lowered the baskets they carried on their backs to the riverbank. There were a lot of potatoes stuffed in them.

“Well, here will be fine, even if the water is dirty. Let’s wash them quickly.”

“Sure.”

As they were going to fetch water for drinking and for the pots upstream, the two had come much farther downstream from where the group was camped. On either side, there were women working in the kitchen and young soldiers washing vegetables. The two, Wynn and Leticia, crouched down on the riverbank and set to work.

“You’ll wash them? Then I’ll peel them.”

“Okay.”

Leticia washed the potatoes one after the other, and Wynn, who received them from her, peeled the skins with a knife. Their hands were very familiar and skilled with the task, and a woman working beside them paused to watch a little. They spoke in whispers without stopping their work.

“I know it’s Letty on the inside, but it’s a little weird that I’m working with Lino.”

“I’m the same as always, though.”

“You’re using magic all the time, aren’t you tired?”

“Maintaining bestowal reinforcement magic by casting it on yourself doesn’t consume that much magic power, so it’s fine. Also, Onii-chan, I have much more magic power than other people, so this is as easy as breathing, so I’m fine. More than that, I’d say I’m worried about Lino-san.”

“Ah, I wonder if Lino is okay.”

One of the strengthening magics, “Illusionary Suit”. The effect of this magic caused the user to be covered in an illusion that made them look different. It was developed for the purpose of disguising knights and soldiers so that they would camouflage themselves with surrounding objects. As it was cast on oneself, the duration of the effect was long. It could also be used to change one’s appearance, as in the case of Leticia’s Lino disguise.

To prolong the duration of “Illusionary Costume,” Lino was using the effect only around the eyes and nose, where it was difficult to disguise with makeup. However, although the spell was meant to be easy to maintain, it must have been exhausting to use for a long time. Arriving in town, Wynn saw Lino, transformed into Leticia, getting out of the carriage, but her footsteps seemed somewhat weak. She was trying to conceal with her makeup, as it was now a bit thicker, but she couldn’t seem to hide her tiredness. The way she walked with her head down made those who knew the real Leticia nervous, but most of the group, including Stacia’s maids, had never been in contact with Leticia before.

“Oh, what an effort, I must be tired from the trip.”

Because of this, Lino was easily able to fulfill her desire to be alone, both in the carriage and when sleeping. When sleeping, as expected, she was unable to maintain “Illusory Costume”.

“Do Lino-san and I have to change so quickly?”

“The longer you two takes to change, the greater the feeling of discomfort you give to the people around you. The captain said it would be less likely to be noticed if you changed right after the trip started.”

Lino was shorter than Leticia, but thanks to the fact that they changed before the people around them got used to seeing her, she didn’t have to deceive them about her height.

“Well, now that we’ve finished peeling the potatoes, shall we go back?”

“Yes.”

After greeting the women beside them, they began to walk upstream. The sun had not yet dipped below the horizon, shining from the west over their profiles. Wynn watched the majestic flow of the Loom River. A large boat was making its way downstream.

“Is that ship coming from Erz?”

“Perhaps it left Erz and will pass through Clennad and Simurgh to the sea.”

“The sea… the Loom River is big, but the sea is even bigger, isn’t it?”

“Yes. Not only that. The ships you find there are also huge.”

“I see Letty has been on a ship at sea before.”

“For a distant land called Cassiat, sailing along the coasts of Lyon, Lemmrousell, Queenseria and farther north.”

“The sea… I’d like to see it sometime.”

“Lyon, the capital of the Kingdom of Lyon, faces the sea, so you can see it there.”

“Wow, I can’t wait to get there already.”

“Yes, you’ll be surprised!” Leticia smiled brightly at Wynn, who let out a high-pitched voice. “The seafood is very delicious. There are many types of fish and shellfish, and they’re delicious both grilled and made into soup.”

“Haha, I knew Letty didn’t have eyes for anything but food.”

“Th-That’s not true. Geez, how cruel you are.”

Leticia pouted. She had adopted Lino’s form, but her mannerisms were definitely Leticia’s, and Wynn chuckled as he noticed. Looking down at Wynn’s face from below, Leticia narrowed her eyes.

It tasted delicious even then, but I’m sure it would taste even better with Onii-chan.

Leticia was ten years old when she first visited Lyon. At that time, Raul had just become her companion and Tiara still didn’t quite trust him. It was under those circumstances that she went to the city. The street in front of the port of Lyon. The market was selling fish and seafood from the sea that she had never seen before. On the griddle of a stall fresh mollusks were roasting, bubbling and giving off an appetizing smell. Even Leticia, who had not eaten much even at the royal banquet and had been eating even less than usual, could not resist the smell and ate some grilled mollusks, imitating Raul, who had bought and eaten them earlier. The taste of then remained as a vivid memory. He hoped that someday Wynn would have the opportunity to taste them.

When I go to Lyon, I will definitely invite Onii-chan to that place.

Leticia had a happy expression on her face. Wynn was relieved to see that, although she had Lino’s appearance, inside she was Leticia, and quickly lifted the basket on his back.

“We have to finish preparing the food before the sun goes down and it gets dark. Shall we hurry?”

“Yes.”

However, just as the two were about to quicken their steps… First Leticia, and then sometime later Wynn, stopped dead in their tracks. It was someone’s presence. The two prepared themselves for what they sensed in the bushes in front of the river.