Volume 3: Chapter 002: Thor – The Great Nobles’ Schemes
Author: かっぱ同盟／友麻碧
Link: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n3862be/
Translated by Zzonkedd
Edited by Gumihou
The scent of winter has reached even the Southern Continent Ruskia.
Though it was not a country that got much snow, the grey sky above looked heavy with the promise of snow. The hanging gardens of the Royal Palace were also fully prepared for winter.
Cold-resistant plants had replaced warm-weather ones, and the garden was now filled with waxy camellia, spiky hollies and fluffy little fir trees. Broad-leaved trees have been pruned in preparation for winter hibernation.
“It’s the active season for chimney sweepers…”
I still remember the time when I was a chimney sweep.
Mother’s health was poor, and I had no choice but to work. Cleaning the chimney was quite hard, but there were no other good-paying jobs for a child. Part of the reason was that Karted had fairly strict rules about child labour. Therefore, even though chimney sweeping was hard and dirty work, no one actually died on the job. I heard that in other towns, chimney sweepers were brought in from poor families and worked till death.
“… …”
I looked down at the royal gardens of Miradreed, inhaling the crisp, cold air. I don’t hate the cold. A moderate amount is good for thought clarity and promotes alertness.
In my hand was a letter from the Lord of Delia Fields.
It was about Mother.
It had been a year since the last time I saw her. It was not that I didn’t care about her, but amidst the hustle and bustle of life at the Royal Capital…
Well.
I had been told that she had only six months to live when I approached a nobleman back when I was still working as a chimney sweeper. Thanks to the excellent medical advancements and attentive doctors from the Royal Capital, my mother is still alive today.
Makia had asked, “Can’t we just have Ulysses cast healing magic and make her sickness go away?”
However, I knew that there was a limit to White Magic healing. Ulysses could heal pretty much any kind of serious injury in an instant. However, his magic is not based on some straightforward principle. According to him, White Magic was something like a game between time and fate.
Fatal illnesses and injuries have a good chance of being healed, but this ‘chance’, if looked at in terms of percentage, could change due to a variety of factors such as time of discovery and how quickly the treatment was given.
The higher the percentage of success, the higher the opportunity for success.
[1] For cases where the percentage of success was high, it was not necessary to cast magic. In fact, it was better to use a potion instead of expending the effort to cast White Magic
That is why White Magic is especially important for cases where the chances of healing are low.
[1] The lower the percentage, the more difficult and time-consuming the magic. A White Mage like Ulysses may be able to cure sickness even if there is only a 1% chance of success. However, once the percentage falls to 0, ‘Healing Magic’ will lose its effectiveness and transform into ‘Fate Changing Magic’.
The outcome may be similar, but the risk taken by the mage would be exponentially higher. Even if ‘fate’ could be changed, it involved considerable risk,
[1] My mother had been suffering from a terminal disease for a long time, and her percentage of healing had already reached 0.
She may still receive magical treatment to extend her life, but no magic treatment could completely cure her terminal disease.
[1] However, I never asked Ulysses to change her fate.
That’s because it was not what she would have wanted.
“Is it time…”
The Lord had asked me to return before spring, and I could tell that he hinted that Mother only has until spring to live. Really, the Lord cared too much for us.
I strolled through the hanging gardens, making for Makia’s room.
[2] “Hey, what’s the deal going through the garden in the cold? Can’t you just go through the hallway like normal people?”
“Are you stupid? There are maids in the hallway. It’s easier to just go through the garden.”
“Haha~n, you really don’t like being fussed over, eh?”
As I sipped warm herbal tea in Makia’s room, I noticed that she had been rushing around her room for a while.
The other day, Sir Raymond told me that he had something he wanted to discuss, so I decided to take Makia with me. Makia wasn’t the type to spend a lot of time getting ready, but she had been wandering around for a while now.
“Are you looking for something?”
“There’s a pair of earrings I usually wear… I leave them here every night…”
When she opened up the dresser drawer, I could see lots of accessories lined up.
Most of them were gifts from the Royal Palace, and the majority of them were large and flashy. To be fair, flashy accessories and brightly coloured dresses suit Makia very well, thanks to her brassy attitude and more than developed figure at 15-years-old.
However, she had always preferred small, modest earrings for her everyday wear. From what I could remember, the ones she usually wore were small, round rubies.
“Don’t you have plenty of others?”
“You idiot, this is why men are… You know that these big flashy things hurt my ears. And I get a headache when my ears are sore.”
“Hahh… sounds troublesome…”
That said, I can’t just let her keep looking for her earrings like this. So, with a little spatial magic, I searched the room, but could not find anything that fit the description. [3] “It’s not here. Although I should also say that my magic is not meant to be used like this.”
“You’re the one who went ahead and used your magic. It’s not like I asked you or anything… what a shame. I really liked them.”
Makia doesn’t actually buy her own accessories. So, she doesn’t have anything like the ruby studs. Therefore, she had no choice but to pick out a set of long, thin earrings set with emeralds and rubies that matched her red dress.
“Well, I think those flashy earrings suit you better. It emphasises your brassy character.”
“Hmph, it’s a crime to be more glamorous than a princess.”
“… …”
I stared into the distance.
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“By the way, I heard the First Princess, who was studying at Gibraltar, is expected to return soon. I believe that is why Sir Raymond called for us today.”
“Really?”
“That’s what Captain Dante had said,”
I brought up the rumours about the princess, but Makia didn’t seem to know anything about it.
“She is the First Prince’s sister.”
“As in, Adalzelza’s daughter?”
“Her Majesty Adalzelza. Even if we don’t want to be too involved with the person, it is still better to be careful as long as we’re at the palace. You never know who might be listening.”
“Yeah, yeah,”
For those who are interested, the First Princess is now 16 years old. She had been sent to study abroad at Gilbraltar to avoid getting caught up in the battle for the throne.
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“Hey, hey, come on in~~!☆”
“… …”
Even after becoming the viceroy, Lord Raymond was still the same.
Even at this age, he was still flashy and winky. His winks are so sparkling and aggressive that they felt like they could shatter rocks. Makia often refers to Sir Raymond’s winks as ‘High-Pressure Winks’.
I wonder what the secret to his youth.
“The Four Nation Conference is over, and our nation’s military police has finally been decided. After the Grand Noble Council this winter, all will be made clear. It’s been a long time since the Giant Soldiers’ attack, but…”
“I believe that’s efficient enough, though it’s best to have these things decided quickly,” I said.
“Your proposal to use the Residual Magic Spaces as a military resource is already being researched by the Medita Magic Research Institute, Thor.”
“Then, we should construct something that blocks off the coastal area…”
While Sir Raymond and I discussed the details, Makia was engrossed by the Chocolate Fig Tart. This girl really doesn’t know anything about acting coy or feminine.
“Is it good, Lady Makia?”
“Yes, I was surprised to find that it’s as good as it looks.”
“Hahahaha, seeing anyone eat as heartily as you do does my heart good, Lady Makia,” said Sir Raymond as he kept dropping sugar cubes into his tea.
He only stopped after 6 cubes. Isn’t that too sweet?
“If word of how Lady Makia could stay slim and gorgeous while enjoying so much food were to spread, I’m sure there would be fewer ladies on extreme diets.”
“… …”
After clearing her plate, Makia grinned and said, “You say that you want me in the public eye, but then again, you also say that I am not allowed to use magic. You’re certainly an interesting person, Sir Raymond.”
“Hahahaha. Indeed, indeed, you got me. Since you’re my trump card, I must not allow news of your magic be spread around too much. There are many enemies within this country.”
“… …”
His tone was casual despite the grave words. Even so, from the tight expression on his face, it looked like the time for small talk was over.
“By enemies within this country, are you referring to the demon race, Sir Raymond?”
“That is one side of the factions. The damage caused by the demons has been steadily increasing. I believe that as part of the Magic Knights, Thor would know better than the others.”
“And the others?”
“Indeed, there had to be someone in the shadows guiding and sheltering the demon race. To have brought them into this country… they must be someone of considerable power…”
“Traitors among the palace officials?”
“Can’t say that they don’t exist. It’s quite suspicious, isn’t it? However, the ones I am most wary of now are part of the 12 Great Nobles.”
A black-robed man stepped forward and handed a map of the Southern Continent to Sir Raymond, who spread it out on the table and placed 12 sugar cubes on it, marking the area ruled by each of the 12 Great Nobles.
Only the Medite and Esta families do not have their own territories; their sugar cubes were placed on top of the Magic Research Institute and the Royal Palace.
“The 12 Great Nobles who rule over Margilia include the Beigrates, who gave you a hard time; the Medite, with whom you get along fairly well. In place of a territory, the Medite clan holds the real power behind the Magic Research Institute. Similarly, the Esta, as a clan of magic users, is the de facto head of the Royal Palace of Magic Academy.”
“It’s not like I get along with them in any special way,” Makia said with a grumble.
“There are many other clans and families who have supported Ruskia for a long time outside of the 12 Great Nobles. However, if there is one family who has the means to guide and smuggle demons in…” Sir Raymond gave a significant look. I stroked my chin as I studied the map.
“I don’t know much about the 12 Great Nobles or their feuds with each other. However, if we were to look at the geography alone… access to Ruskia, indeed, access to the whole of the Southern Continent would involve ship travel. Not to mention, a port city or town is a place where strangers come and go every day. Therefore, it is one of the most feasible ways for demons to get into the country.”
“As expected of Thor. I believe you’re from a port town, yes? Indeed, a large port city would be the most logical way for demons to enter the Kingdom. Temporary gaps are made in the Green Curtain to allow a certain number of ships to come and go every day. Therefore, it is not impossible for them to get in that way.
Naturally, ships were screened before they were allowed to sail through the Green Curtain. For Miradreed, the checkpoints are under my direct authority, it is unlikely that we would miss so many demons coming in. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that they may have entered through other port cities under the authority of someone powerful. Thus, eventually making their way into the Royal Capital.”
“Therefore, if any of those 12 Great Nobles have a port city under their authority…”
“It is also possible that my people may have been deceived somehow. But for now, let us go with this narrative.” Sir Raymond gestured to some of the sugar cubes on the map. “There are 3 port cities under the rule of the 12 Great Nobles. There’s Velette, west of Miradreed; Mileno, the southernmost point and Fischika to the east. They are all large port cities.”
[2] “It would be quite tricky for Mileno,” I observed as I considered the port cities and their proximity to the Capital City. Surely it would be close to impossible to move demons all the way north without leaving a trace.
“As expected. Well, my money is on Velette. It is close to Miradreed. On top of that, I heard that there’s been a mysterious death of a woman. Valette belongs to the Terzier clan, one of the 12 Great Nobles. They tried to hide things from me, but I have eyes and ears on Valette. One other thing, both the Prime Minister and Princess Adalzelza belong to the Terzier clan…”
“……!?”
“Velette is located on the border of Gilbraltar. Because of this relationship, it was chosen as First Princess Lulubeth’s place of study.”
“… …”
“… …”
Makia had been quietly devouring cakes for a while now.
Normally, she leaves this kind of discussion to me, but it is not like she did not pay attention.
“If we assume that the Terziers are guilty, then, the reason why they would hide and smuggle the demon race would be… to get the First Prince on the throne?”
“That is the most likely reason. The First Prince’s faction’s only chance to gain imperial power is through a rebellion. It is possible that this was why they wanted to borrow the demon race’s strength. It is also possible that the Terziers were being used…”
“The First Prince’s faction was the one that opposed opening up the country, weren’t they? To think they would open up gaps in the country to let demons in…”
“That is exactly why I believe that there is a mastermind behind the Terziers who encouraged them into it.” Sir Raymond pointed at the map, a place west of Velette.
It was the Kingdom of Gibraltar.
“So, it’s them?”
“There is no evidence, [4] but if the Terziers are involved, Gibraltar can’t be far off. Furthermore, for the First Princess to return at such a time…”
“The timing is certainly suspicious.”
Valette is a large port city that borders the Kingdom of Gibraltar. The Terziers were the clans of both the Prime Minister and Queen Adalzesa. Not to mention, there’s also First Prince Alfredo, son of the Queen and First Princess Lulubeth who had just returned from studying at Gibraltar…
“I don’t want to believe that Lulubeth is involved in any of this, but there is a good chance that she was being used without her knowing. It is as though they had strapped all kinds of explosives onto her before sending her back to Miradreed… well, Lulubeth’s return party will be held at the royal palace soon. That’s when the game begins.”
“I see…”
I’m not entirely convinced of all this cloak-and-dagger business, but let’s nod for now. Sir Raymond took another sip of his overly sweet tea. Was he sending the extra sugar to his overworked brain or something?
Or was it just a serious sweet tooth?
“That is only one of the many assumptions we can make of the situation now. However, it is good to keep this assumption in mind when dealing with true evil. Do keep my words in mind, please? I may be half joking but… it is still true that the Demon Race have already invaded this country, which means…”
“Hermedes Federation had turned its hand against Ruskia.”
“Exactly!” Sir Raymond exclaimed with a snap of his finger. “So long as the Green Curtain is in place, it would be difficult for outsiders to invade. Therefore, the best way for them to take us down is from within. It’s like dripping sweet honey at the gaps and waiting for prey to come out. Ruskia’s biggest gap is the First Prince’s faction. With so many people eager to get him onto the throne, they were willing to do anything. Even if it meant setting him up as a puppet king.”
“… …”
Is Sir Raymond planning to use this opportunity to plug the ‘gaps’, as he calls them? [3] By saying that the Terziers are guilty, the First Prince’s faction will all be guilty by association.
“If they are involved with demons, that would mean they are also borrowing the hands of Hermedes. Do they mean to obtain the throne while under Hermedes’ control? Surely they can’t mean to rule as Hermedes’ puppets?”
Sir Raymond laughed as he slapped his knee, “Who knows~ Perhaps they only have eyes for the throne and forgot about the enemy that stalks them from behind. Maybe they think that the Green Curtain would protect them from Hermedes once they have the throne? Hahaha, we don’t need people like that in this palace anymore.”
Then, he sighed heavily.
Well, if those people plan to use demons to start a rebellion in the Royal Capital, we could expose them and eliminate the extended power struggle for the throne in one fell swoop. We can also expel the deeply rooted First Prince’s faction from the palace, too.
“Hah, are you planning on turning Miradreed into a battlefield?”
“I am asking for your cooperation to prevent that from happening~☆”
There’s that coercive wink again.
The detestable part about this person is also what makes him special.
“I wonder if the First Prince really wants the throne,” Makia suddenly said.
Looks like she had had her fill of cake for the moment.
“Prince Alfredo had since shut himself up in his room. Ever since the invasion of the Giant Soldiers, he must have lost faith in many things. Still, even if we want to contact him, it’s not like the people in his faction would let us. So, there’s nothing we can do on that side.”
“So spineless for his age…” Makia snorted.
Well, while she did not say it. Makia appears to have something on her mind.
[Gumihou: Oho~ I’m interested to see this Prince too.]
[1] The concept is kind of difficult to understand in its original form. Adjusted
[2] Makia-like dialogue
[3] Thor-like dialogue and thoughts
[4] Sir Raymond’s weird leadership style dialogue
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