Chapter 69

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Using Lucian's abilities to gather information seemed like a good method.

The Royal Management Office and the palace had considered various countermeasures.

One proposal was to send spies to the academy to gather information, but the academy had shown resistance to this idea, and it was ultimately rejected.

Another idea was to use the information from the surveillance magic devices installed for security purposes.

These devices are placed at various strategic locations, such as entrances, exits, warehouses, and corridors.

When incidents or accidents occur, the footage from these devices serves as evidence, and the data is stored for a certain period.

However, the amount of data is enormous, and without a way to narrow it down, finding the desired information would be difficult.

In this regard, if Lucian could simply ask the magic plants, "Can you tell me about someone named Emile?" and get an answer, it would be much more efficient.

However, using Lucian's abilities must be done with caution.

It would have to be used within certain limits.

Euseus was deep in thought.

--- Lucian can 'listen to what magic plants and trees have to say'...

I'd love to use 'evolved plants,' but maybe it's better not to.

"Evolved plants, like Goratsi, right?"

Euseus, who had been introduced to Goratsi by Lucian, knew him well.

"Goratsi apparently had special qualities."

Lucian answered proudly.

"Does that mean he was originally aggressive?"

"No, it's not that. He received earth magic when he was a seedling or something like that.

Goratsi isn't aggressive!"

Lucian denied it seriously, but Euseus, who had seen Goratsi's thorns, thought, "Those are too dangerous." The first time he saw Goratsi, the small, knife-like thorns made his spine shiver. Moreover, those sharp knives were gleaming all over Goratsi's body.

"Can the plants you raise with magic do so many things?"

Euseus asked, ignoring Lucian's defense of Goratsi.

"There are individual differences, so I can't say for sure.

But they have evolved more than ordinary plants. The excellent ones can strengthen their vines and leaves and move them with magic. They can even recall old memories and tell stories.

Even if they were just ordinary plants before. But not all plants can do this.

If I raise them from seeds, they can become quite powerful.

In other words, innate qualities and early evolution are both important."

"Does innate quality mean receiving earth magic?"

"Yes. If the soil is enchanted with earth magic even once, it makes a big difference.

Also, magic plants that naturally have magic power seem to be more compatible with my magic.

Father said it's because they have a quality that accepts magic.

In extreme cases, I think it might be easier to control plant-type magical beasts."

"That's true. When we were attacked by the 'created magical beasts' of the Arles Empire..."

Lucian nodded, recalling the memory.

"That's quite interesting. It's the opposite of Odine's power.

Odine said that magical beings don't easily obey her."

"Yes, that's how it felt at the time. The king also said something similar..."

The magical beasts that Odine ordered to lie down were desperately resisting.

"I thought those aggressive ones wouldn't work."

Lucian recalled his impression.

"Of course, that might be one reason.

Odine also said it was 'less effective,' which is a vague way of putting it.

It might vary by individual, but generally, those with magic power are less obedient."

"I see.

But maybe it's a bit different from Odine's power and mine.

Plants without magic power don't resist me; they just don't have the ability to do anything. They are weak.

All the plants I water with my magic-infused water accept it willingly. They grow in their own ways, though."

"I see..."

"Anyway, there aren't many plants that can provide information.

But powerful ones are hard to keep outside because skilled mages can tell they're not ordinary plants."

"...The Royal Academy is full of mages."

Euseus thought, "That's not good."

"Because of that, if we can't prepare them properly, what we can do is limited.

With ordinary annual flowers, there's no detailed information. At best, they can show strong impressions... like the face or shoes of someone who stepped on them.

Even if someone tramples a flower bed, they might still be a good candidate as a close aide."

"No, not someone like that."

Euseus shook his head in disgust.

"Maybe it's not good if they abuse animals. But stepping on a flower bed might be forgivable?

He's just a 12-year-old kid."

I wouldn't want to associate with someone like that, Lucian muttered.

"If he's a candidate for a close aide, being called a kid at 12 is even worse."

Euseus shrugged.

"Understood.

There's also the matter with Odine. Odine's fiancé shouldn't be someone who tramples flower beds."

"Of course.

Odine doesn't have much time.

The Royal Management Office has bought some time by giving the empire a vague excuse for why Odine's fiancé hasn't been announced."

"What excuse did they give?"

Lucian was curious.

"They said they won't announce it until the engagement party."

"...Then what's the reason for not having an engagement party?"

"They didn't write that."

Euseus answered matter-of-factly.

"Are you provoking the empire?

Or did you just come up with it on the spot?"

Lucian was almost exasperated by the response.

"We're not provoking them.

They probably just couldn't think of a reason. After all, the real reason is, 'I don't want to marry someone from the empire.'

The true reason can only be guessed."

"Of course, but still..."

Lucian thought the Royal Management Office's handling of the empire was rather casual.

"The third prince of the empire is said to be good-looking.

Odine said, 'He has a good face.'"

"...Odine is so carefree.

It would have been nice if he didn't have the fatal flaw of being a prince of the empire."

Lucian remembered that Odine was a bit of a face person.

After all, her first love was Brad Bantoran, known as the most handsome knight in the country.

"Yeah. Anyway, no matter how handsome he is, Uncle Jules wouldn't allow it."

Euseus remembered that Odine had also said, "But maybe my cousins are better," but didn't mention it because it wasn't important.

Moreover, it was "maybe better," not "better," so it was even less important.

"But how much time can we buy with this?"

"Since it's official communication between countries, it should take some time.

We should be able to buy at least a month."

"Got it.

I'll do my best to help."

"I don't just want you to do your best; I want you to help properly!"

Lucian nodded in agreement, seemingly intimidated by Euseus's firmness. It seemed that the pushiness ran in the family.

Lucian hadn't realized that his weakness for this pushiness also ran in the family.

After the strategy meeting, drowsiness overcame him.

As he was about to doze off, Lucian mentioned something that had been on his mind.

"About the summoning class..."

At this, Euseus, who was half-asleep, opened his eyes.

"Are you considering taking it?"

"Ah, yeah, a little.

Let's talk about it tomorrow..."

Lucian yawned.

"Okay, see you tomorrow..."

Euseus also yawned as they both closed their eyes.

In a half-dream state, Lucian thought:

What I saw lying on the grass today was probably a spirit or a fairy...

Euseus is a bit hesitant about Odine and Lucian getting together because he thinks it might be a bit too much for Lucian with the prickly Odine, but it's out of friendship.