Chapter 77

Once the incantation is written down, the rest will be Alfred and Viola's job. All I have to do is wait for the prototype of the aerial combat equipment to be completed.

The potion for magic recovery was also ready, so after cooling it down, I was dividing it into small bottles with a funnel when I noticed Marian peeking from the shadows at the corner of my eye.

Alfred is busy with his work, and Grace and the others seem to be busy with measurements, right?

When I looked towards where the measurements were being taken, my gaze met Ashley's, who was also watching Marian, and she smiled at me.

Understood. I'll take care of Marian.

When I directed my gaze at her, she hid her head back in the shadows. She seemed quite serious, as if she wasn't just playing around. ...Ah. Maybe it's because the potion is glowing purple and looks mysterious?

It could be mistaken for poison, but if it's traumatic for her, she probably wouldn't want to get close at all. The fact that she's watching suggests—perhaps she's worried about what it's for.

"Hmm."

After holding a small bottle up to the sunlight and gently shaking it, I opened the cap and drank it in one breath.

Marian made an "ah" face.

...To be honest, the taste is a bit peculiar, even though I made it myself. The ingredients give it a unique grassy flavor.

It feels like a nutritional drink, with a warmth spreading from deep within after drinking it. The effect is working well.

"I'm making a potion. Drinking it can heal wounds and restore magic power."

I told Marian, who was watching me.

She seemed to understand and nodded solemnly, though she still looked a bit wary. Her caution seemed to have decreased somewhat. When I offered her a chair a little away, she hesitantly sat down and watched my work.

"I'll be done in a bit."

Once I've divided today's batch into small bottles and sealed them, my work will be done.

Grace and the others will take a bit longer. They seem to be discussing what kind of equipment to make. It's natural for them to be serious, as it involves their fighting style and teamwork.

Marian was looking at the alchemy equipment with interest. Indeed, it's something you wouldn't see in the royal castle. She seems to be a shy but curious child.

...Hmm. Since I've been entrusted with her, I'll try to provide some entertainment that she wouldn't see in the royal castle. It might be a good distraction for her, given the suppression she's experienced there.

"Marian, do you know about this?"

I folded a piece of paper on the desk into a paper airplane and showed it to her. Marian shook her head. Well, that's expected. It's a simple toy, but I doubt she's ever heard of paper airplanes in this world.

When I gently threw the paper airplane and watched it fly, Marian's eyes widened as she followed its flight with her gaze. It seemed to catch her interest.

When it started to lose altitude, I used wind magic to create an updraft, making it turn around and circle Marian.

I then used water magic to create bubbles in the air and made the paper airplane fly through them. I noticed that not only Marian but everyone else was watching.

Hmm. I've stopped my work, so I might as well put on a more spectacular show to meet everyone's expectations.

I made the bubbles follow the path of the paper airplane and added various colors of light with light magic.

This was the first time I used magic in such an entertaining way, but it turned out to be much more fantastical than I expected. It felt more like a magic trick or an illusion. Still, it had a certain charm as a magician's performance.

After letting the paper airplane fly around the room for a while, I made it land on my hand and, with a snap of my fingers, the water bubbles and the light disappeared as if by magic.

I handed the paper airplane to Marian, who was looking up at me with sparkling eyes.

"I'll give this to you, Marian. You can make it fly even without magic, for short distances."

Marian alternated her gaze between the paper airplane in her hand and my face, and for the first time, she showed a happy smile. She hugged the paper airplane to her chest and ran to Alfred.

"---That's great, Marian."

Alfred smiled gently and said to me.

"Thanks, Theo. You showed us something interesting."

"It went well for an impromptu performance."

"That was impromptu... You really surprise me."

Using magic, I could have made the paper fly indefinitely, but it might have looked better to make something like an origami crane fly. I'll try that next time.

"Is it interesting? Can it fly without magic?"

"Yeah. If you fold it like this... see? It's easy to make."

This time, I demonstrated folding the paper airplane and showed everyone how to make it fly without magic.

Everyone seemed more interested than I expected. Maybe the magic show earlier served as a good promotion.

I intended it as a simple entertainment, but it ended up stopping my work for a long time.

"Is that all the luggage?"

"Yes. The small items are mostly moved into the room."

"Is there anything else to do?"

"Well, we'll unpack the items ourselves... Yeah, we're good. Thanks, Theodore."

When I called out to Ilmhirld, who was inside the house after returning from the carriage parked in front of the house, she nodded. It was already evening, and most of the work was done.

We had moved the belongings of Shira and Ilmhirld from their house in the western district to the new house using a carriage. Since they didn't have many household items, and we used levitation to move large items like beds and wardrobes through the windows, it didn't take much time or effort.

"The meal is ready."

Grace called from the kitchen, so we decided to have dinner first. We quickly dusted off and washed our faces and hands with water before moving to the dining table.

A colorful array of dishes was laid out on the table. It was supposed to be a welcome party for the two of them, so we planned to make it a bit more lavish.

"Mmm. Grace's cooking is delicious."

Pasta with sauce, white bread, boiled fish, vegetable soup, grilled shellfish, salad. And the black sausage—this is made by frying blood, right?

I've heard of similar dishes on Earth, but Grace probably bought it for Ilmhirld. She might even start making it herself at some point.

"Oh, this is delicious."

Ilmhirld also seemed to enjoy it, smiling as she took a bite.

"I'm glad. I've heard of a few more dishes like this, so I'll serve them on a rotating basis."

"Really? That's great, Grace. Can I learn how to make them too?"

"Of course. Let's make them together next time."

"I'll learn too."

Shira and Ilmhirld both had a long history of cooking, so they could prepare meals. They had apparently been preparing meals for Ilmhirld, including slaughtering birds and fish.

We continued the meal in a warm atmosphere, but then someone knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

When I went out, I saw a man in a civil servant's uniform.

"Excuse me for the late visit. Is this the residence of Theodore Gartner?"

"Yes, it is."

It's not that big of a mansion, but...

"I have come as a messenger from the royal family."

The man bowed and introduced himself. A messenger from the royal castle, huh.

"King Melvin wishes to invite you to dinner in three days. Here is the invitation. He also wishes for Grace to accompany you. The attendance of others is left to your discretion."

A dinner, huh. King Melvin had mentioned he would invite me eventually.

Grace's accompaniment, huh. Hmm.

"The king said it's a private dinner without others, so there's no need to be overly formal. He also mentioned that he has a few things to discuss and consult with you."

"Understood. I will definitely attend."

"Thank you. I'm relieved to have completed my duty."

The messenger bowed again and left in the carriage.

"Who was that?"

"A messenger from the royal family. He said King Melvin wants to invite me to dinner in three days."

Talk and consultation, huh. He mentioned it would be private and without others.

In other words, it might be a discussion that can't be made public. At this timing, it could mean some progress on the sealed door. I wonder what kind of talk will come up, including the details that were previously kept secret.