trail (7)
“It’s an ancient magic… … .”
Called to Prince 1’s office, Wilford, the deputy chief, carefully examined the research records that Layton had brought with him.
After that, I began to tilt my head, flipping through the other research papers I had already read.
“hmm? Are there no other things?”
“Yes, yes.”
“… … Right.”
All that was included in Layton’s modest baggage were research records.
The expression that he was really devoted to research was appropriate. Wilford scratched his head as he felt someone rise.
“Your Highness, I know about ancient magic. If so, what department do you plan to place interest in?”
“There is no need to be bound by the existing format. Create a new department.”
Esteban’s Mage Tower didn’t have a department that studied ancient magic. However, Layton’s true value came from studying ancient magic.
Placing such Layton in the existing research department is tantamount to wasting manpower.
Conversely, the problem was that additional budgets could be required.
“However, that would not be irrelevant to Esteban’s development.”
I said that and looked at the owner of the mage tower. Then, the Master of the Magic Tower, who understood my meaning, nodded.
“There are several possibilities, but with Lee Ja’s help, the first thing you can do is interpret the defense magic engraved on the magic stone. And it could hasten the revival of ancient magic right away.”
“Hmm… … .”
The sub-tap owner was also one of the people to whom the facts about ancient magic were delivered.
That’s why it was a very positive story about being able to interpret defensive spells and the possibility of revival of ancient magic.
“And this is a story I came up with after discussing with Your Highness… … .”
“hmm? Was there anything else?”
“It seemed like it could be used by grafting ancient magic into modern ones.”
“Is that really true?”
A mixture of ancient and modern magic?!
The butler looked at me with a surprised expression. In response, I shrugged my shoulders and expressed an affirmation.
“Basically, a full revival of ancient magic would be a long-term goal.”
And to make the knowledge of ancient magic learned in the process naturally melt into existing magic. That was my ‘final plan’ and the final goal of the Magic Tower.
Upon hearing my plan, Wilford let out a drool.
“… … It will be a long story.”
“No, it won’t be too far.”
Originally, the mage tower was supposed to take on the role of assisting the knights as originally intended. In fact, my plan right after the return was like that.
However, the birth of the existence of the Archmage did not stop at the role of an assistant to the knights, but presented a stepping stone to become another main axis of Esteban.
It was called the country of knights and it was Esteban who came to suit it, but now it is not biased to one side.
And the link that made it possible would be ancient magic.
‘If that happens, Esteban’s biggest weakness will be removed.’
… … Yes, that would actually satisfy the minimum conditions.
I said after lightly stroking my right arm.
“Assistant Lord Wilford, arrange your schedule so that Lee can adapt to the Mage Tower for the time being. I’ve entrusted the work-related instructions to the owner of the Mage Tower, so you don’t have to worry about that part.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
And my gaze turned elsewhere.
“With that in mind, I will give you an assignment.”
“… … yes?”
These were the words he said to Layton, who was unable to come to his senses from the series of events.
He asked blankly, looking at the book George had brought with him.
“that… … .”
“These are ancient records brought from the royal palace library. The quality will be different from anything you can get on the market.”
“Ah, an ancient record… … !”
It was his field of study and his whole life. Upon receiving it, Layton’s eyes began to come alive as if he had found his calling.
I slowly twisted the corners of my mouth looking at him.
“Within four days, finish the arrangement and deliver it to the owner of the mage tower. Subsequent tasks will be based on that. If it’s you guys, it’s possible.”
“Ah, I see! I won’t let you down!”
“hmm.”
My theory that if you roll, you can quickly catch up with your skills before returning, was also applied to ancient universities.
Using tools in the right place was the shortcut to development.
* * *
The moonlight, which came a few days later, gracefully fell on the first prince’s office. To put it mildly, it was very quiet and quiet.
However, it was not the report of George who came to the Oval Office.
“News came from the Federation Empire.”
“Let me listen.”
“They have dispatched personnel to keep watch all over the empire, including small and medium cities. It seems that they view the work of the old imperial palace as a kind of terrorism caused by magic.”
I shrugged at those words.
Foolish bastards.
Hey, it must be strange to see such traces and not think of it as terrorism. I don’t even know if it’s a misunderstanding.
“Well, that’s right. Thanks to you, you must have escaped the line of suspicion.”
“However, there will be many restrictions on space travel to the Federation in the future.”
It was a question I had been holding on to all along. It was also an expression of concern as to why he had done such a thing.
Of course, the reason for that was simple.
“It was a simple venting of anger.”
“yes?”
The boy asked back, not knowing that his expression was distorted.
I put the absurdity behind and lifted the wine glass that was on the desk. Then he laughed lightly.
“I didn’t want to see that dazzling appearance.”
“… … .”
“But isn’t this situation bad?”
It was clear that if I used teleport in a situation where their surveillance was spread, my tail would be discovered. It was clearly a loss.
However, if you think of it the other way around, it sounds like their magic forces are spreading widely and starting their activities.
“Release the wizards, and let them monitor them by regularly releasing their mana… … Indeed, can the guys who have been repeating research in the workshop survive?”
“surely… … I can get tired of the constant surveillance work.”
“okay. Wizards will gradually experience dissatisfaction due to stress and exhaustion.”
And that would give the seeds of division to the high-class wizards.
A small division between the imperial family, who wanted to prevent the same thing from happening, and the Mage Tower, which suffered from manpower shortages.
If that happened while the war was already going on with the barbarians in the north, it was like seeing a lot of benefits.
“… … Otherwise, dissatisfied personnel may leak out.”
“okay. The mere fact that such a possibility exists would weaken their cohesiveness.”
Thanks to their shenanigans, they were cleared of charges, and in the midst of the war, they distracted the magic forces.
And it succeeded in causing the discontent that would result.
And the impact won’t stop there.
I smiled and continued talking.
“How long do you think the war between the Federation Empire and the barbarians will last?”
“There was this and that, but… … Well, even so, considering the potential of the savages, the next two years or so… … .”
“No, the war will be over before next winter.”
“Next winter?”
George rubbed his chin with a surprised expression.
Even if there is a brief lull, it seems that it will be a long time before the war ends completely.
Certainly, even now, the two forces were burning with enmity towards each other as if they would never fade away.
“Of course, predicting the future is a matter of many variables. But even so, it won’t deviate from the basic gist.”
“… … Are you sure, then, that their gaze will return to us before winter arrives?”
“okay. Of course, war won’t happen immediately.”
“her.”
And I was the only one aware of the signs. I am the only one who knows the flow that I called the ‘basic outline’.
… … Yes, the 4th prince must already be wary of me. At least, if the time had been narrowed down, it would have been narrowed down, and it would never be pushed back by later work.
As expected, George put on a very complicated expression. It was because I knew the meaning of the word.
“It’s winter… … War cannot be avoided, but it is too soon. I’m not even ready for ancient magic yet… … .”
“So we have to use all available means. The same goes for the imperial palace. It’s about instilling maximum awareness in them.”
“yes?!”
What does it mean to plant more on a board that would not be enough to reduce alertness?
At this, George made a goal between his eyebrows as if he couldn’t understand, and calmly said,
From noble mtl dot com.
“If we plant a sense of alertness, the preparations of the Federation Empire will be more thorough. Wouldn’t it be better to catch them off guard?”
“Not like that.”
“why… … .”
“Because we have the double-edged sword of the Holy Empire.”
“What the hell is that… … .”
The condition for negotiations with the Holy Empire was a strong diplomatic break with the Commonwealth.
And if the contents of such an agreement were to be made public, they would have no choice but to strengthen their vigilance against Esteban in the first place.
That’s why it’s called a double-edged sword. Even if they move cautiously in return, the time they will have to spend preparing for war will be longer.
After a brief explanation, I spoke again.
“But that means that Esteban is given the same amount of time to prepare for war.”
“… … Since their preparations will be thorough anyway, are you saying that we should delay the war by standing out?”
“okay. It is as it is said.”
In that sense, revealing the work in the imperial palace and the existence of the Archmage was the same reason as bringing in the Holy Empire.
and much before that. The same goes for inducing a war between the Commonwealth Empire and the barbarians.
I said, looking into George’s concerned eyes.
“In the end, the important thing is that Esteban and the guys will have the same preparation period. Anything else is just a means.”
“But they are an empire. The gap with Esteban, who is not ready for anything, will gradually widen… … .”
“Am I not moving to avoid that?”
“… … !”
George’s eyes widened at that confident statement. On the contrary, my lips were slightly curved.
“Even basic magic research is a process of preparing for war. There is not a single thing that I have done with my own hands that I have not prepared for.”
“That, that… … .”
Commonwealth Empire technology. capital. manpower. He already knew that such things were nothing compared to Esteban, a weak country.
That’s why I’ve been moving without resting for a moment until now. Beyond what they are preparing for, let this flow be an opportunity for Esteban.
“I once told my father that relations with the Federation Empire would deteriorate further out of control.”
“… … .”
“And I have been waiting for that moment since I bought Asus.”
So I have been prepared for this. No, I made it with my own hands.
So that I can eventually crush the Federation Empire under my feet.
“You just have to go slowly and reap the fruits. Because there is still a lot of time given to Esteban.”
It was anger forged in shameful death.