Chapter 93

While Aristine's mind was becoming increasingly complicated, the magical power facility was steadily progressing. With the incantations of the mages, blue and red flames rose, and as the formulas unfolded, the ordinary smelting facility began to be newly constructed.

"Wow..."

Aristine watched the scene in amazement. In fact, it was not common to see mages construct something on such a scale. She had seen it a few times through the imperial eye, but it was definitely different to see it in person.

After a sharp storm of magical power passed, a shiny smelting facility was completed. A dozen mages collapsed at once, gasping for breath. Their faces were pale, and cold sweat dripped from their foreheads.

"Huff, huff... It's complete."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, you said it was urgent, so huff, I did it specially..."

Aristine felt a lump in her chest. Good contract workers were really the best.

"I'll pay you double for your hard work."

The faces of the mages, who were almost skin and bones, instantly regained their vitality. It was as if magic had truly happened.

'Indeed, money is the universal cure. Hiring mages on a temporary basis and earning a lot of money is worth it.'

This was the taste of money. Although the mages' labor costs were high, it would have taken months to build the magical power conduit by human hands alone.

The blades collected by the blacksmiths were inserted to check if the magical power conduit was functioning properly.

"It's a success!"

Lithren ran over, wagging his tail like a large dog, and shouted, "Your Highness!"

Aristine nodded with a smile. The blacksmiths and mages were all immersed in joy and cheered.

"With this, we can make scalpels even when the supply of wrought iron is interrupted!"

"We can focus on distributing the scalpel blades without any problems."

"It was worth staying up all night to design the formula."

"With this, there will be no obstacles to Your Highness saving the world!"

'No... Where did this idea of saving the world come from...'

Aristine thought with a frown.

"In fact, there are rumors circulating. I was worried, but this should put an end to them."

The representative of the mages whispered to Aristine in a low voice. Aristine nodded, understanding what kind of rumors he was talking about.

〈Stupid apprentices have been incited, saying that iron should be used to make swords, not scalpels.〉

〈The supply of wrought iron is insufficient for mass-producing scalpels, making distribution difficult... Even those who know the situation are acting this way.〉

〈They say that making something as good as rust-proof iron and using it only for scalpels is selfish... Anyway, I'm sorry.〉

This was what Bolten, who had brought the wrought iron, said, apologizing for something. He didn't say it, but there were also rumors that the empire would become weak like this.

It was a statement aimed at Aristine. However, not all the apprentices acted on their own, so Bolten's apology was not necessary.

'There must have been jealousy towards Lithren.'

Even those who had taken bribes from the queen expressed similar sentiments.

'Anyway, I expected it.'

Given the enthusiastic response to the scalpels, she thought all sorts of rumors could arise. Fortunately, even if negative comments were made, the overall public opinion was on Aristine's side.

"If it becomes known that the scalpels are made from smelted scrap iron, people will think it has nothing to do with the shortage of wrought iron."

"Yes, they will appreciate the recycling of scrap iron even more."

"First, please don't set up the magical power conduit elsewhere for now."

If the magical power conduit became known, it was natural that requests would come from mages.

"I understand. Since Your Highness has some authority over the design of the magical power conduit, I will follow your instructions."

Aristine smiled at the representative of the mages. By saying 'some,' he was emphasizing that they also had rights.

While showing a friendly attitude, his quick calculation was not unpleasant.

Aristine smiled and gave the mages what they wanted to hear.

"I won't do business with other mages regarding the magical power conduit."

"Hehe, thank you. We will also be careful to ensure that the formulas and designs of the magical power conduit do not leak out until Your Highness orders otherwise."

The representative of the mages, Azena, smiled.

A warm business atmosphere flowed between the two women.

Aristine had no intention of monopolizing stainless steel or the magical power conduit. She planned to spread it to other places as well.

It wasn't a decision made to contribute to the world.

'If I transfer the technology for a certain royalty, I can make more money in the long run!'

Aristine clenched her fist.

'I'll be a landlord in the capital of each country!'

Given the current situation, it wasn't an unrealistic dream.

Aristine proudly watched the blacksmith's workshop, where the process had started again.

* * *

At the same time, Tarkan sat in his office with a serious expression. The warriors couldn't say anything and just watched his reaction.

'Dione did such a thing, so his feelings must be complicated...'

'Who would have thought Chandra's sister would do that...'

After a deep silence, Tarkan finally spoke.

"I think I love Aristine."

'Huh?'

'Is that what he's thinking about now...'

'Isn't that obvious...?'

Why was he so serious? Was he really thinking about that?

"Why are you all reacting like that?"

"Well, it's just... Now, all of a sudden..."

"Anyone could see that you two were in a sweet relationship."

"Especially you, my lord..."

He was truly the embodiment of jealousy, to the point of being scary.

Tarkan's lips twitched.

"Say it again."

"Excuse me? I didn't finish my sentence."

"No, before that."

"Anyone could see that you two were in a sweet relationship?"

This time, Tarkan's cheeks twitched.

The warriors looked at the hero who had saved their country with a hazy gaze. Was this really the same person who used to cut down flatterers in one stroke?

But since he liked her so much, they moved their lips soullessly.

"You two are truly a match made in heaven."

"Anyone can see that you two are a perfect pair."

"Your presence together is magnificent. It's a beautiful sight, a gift from the gods."

Each time, Tarkan's shoulders trembled.

"Indeed, that's true."

Muttering, he stroked his chin and frowned.

"But Aristine doesn't seem to have any particular thoughts about it."

"Your Highness is a bit slow in that aspect. Maybe she lacks self-awareness."

"Then, shouldn't we make her more self-aware?"

At Jikaren's words, Tarkan's eyes widened.

"Make her more self-aware?"

"Yes, creating a romantic atmosphere... Or continuously highlighting aspects that Your Highness particularly likes. If she keeps seeing the things she likes, she can't help but develop a liking for them."

"That sounds good."

Tarkan nodded. As expected, a strategist's mind worked quickly.

'Aristine's likes...'

Tarkan recalled the times he had spent with her.

The things that made her eyes shine. Food, business talk, or...

'My chest...'

Tarkan unconsciously placed his hand on his exposed chest.

〈It was a really well-risen, warm bread. The texture was amazing.〉

She had spoken dreamily after thoroughly touching his chest, as if in a daze.

'Even when she was in pain, she did that...'

How passionately and actively she had explored his chest.

"Ahem, ahem."

He cleared his throat and placed his hand back on the table.

The warriors looked at their lord with raised eyebrows. They wondered if there was anything wrong with him, given his red ears.

Chapter 29. The Rat in the Poison

The queen's faction, which monopolized wrought iron, ended up incurring losses rather than gains.

Thanks to the hard work of the blacksmiths, there were no disruptions in the supply of scalpels, and the recycling of scrap iron became a celebrated event.

When the queen's side pointed out hygiene issues with recycling scrap iron, it was promptly refuted, and it was widely publicized that there were no problems.

Moreover, Duke Skiera, who had monopolized key materials, received a warning from the king.

As the reduction in surgical infection rates due to the use of scalpels became evident nationwide, interest from abroad began to grow.

Aristine and Tarkan's marriage was already a matter of continental interest, so the news of Aristine making scalpels was well-known in other countries.

However, they had only considered it as a charitable event.

But when the results were presented in clear numbers, inquiries began to come from all directions.

Although they were skeptical about the barbarian nation of Ailugo making such advanced medical scalpels, they were soon amazed by the actual products.

〈I thought Ailugo was only interested in swords and knives, but they made these...!〉

〈They really don't rust.〉

〈Well, Ailugo has always been excellent in metallurgy. Meeting Your Highness has brought out the best in both.〉

Previously, countries that had looked down on Ailugo due to the influence of the dominant nation, Silvanus, had changed their attitudes.

Now that Silvanus and Ailugo had reconciled, and given the desire to import medical scalpels, which are closely related to human life, their attitudes had shifted.

This was what the king of Ailugo wanted.

The stainless steel received even more explosive attention than the scalpels.

Naming the stainless steel became a nationwide interest.

The problem was the names Lithren had selected.

The blessing of the goddess's iron

The pure iron of the pure white angel

The goddess of steel

Aristine almost crumpled the paper with the list of names.

She was suspicious of Lithren's taste and asked for the full list of submitted names.

The list included:

Long live our Highness

Will you marry me?

What about a second child?

...

It was a mix of things that could be mistaken for a letter rather than a name for steel.

Aristine couldn't even finish reading the first page of the list and put it down.

Her head hurt, and she didn't even want to comment.

Tarkan, with a very amused look, said, "You're going to vote on the candidates Lithren selected?"

He had clearly anticipated this.

Although he was a troublesome husband, it was a matter already promised to the people.

However, since the names were unusable, Aristine had no choice but to make a decision.

'I need to use a trick!'

Feeling a bit cheap, she had to prevent names involving goddesses and angels.

If such names were chosen, she would be embarrassed and it would affect her business.

Fortunately, the voting method had not been announced.

Originally, she planned to vote with her excellent staff, but Aristine decided to vote alone.

Thus, Aristine half-coerced Lithren into adding the name she had chosen to the list and conducted a one-person vote.

As a result, the name of the stainless steel was decided unanimously (or so it seemed).

Sten.

A name lacking in imagination, but it was fine.

Familiarity is the best.

She also thought it was good to leave a trace of something from Earth.

Interest in the magical power conduit for recycling scrap iron was also shown at the industrial level.

This was the reason she had asked Azena not to open the magical power conduit to other places.

Aristine happily received their inquiries.

While she was busy with work, Dione was banned from entering Tarkan's palace.

Originally, a more severe punishment was planned, but Aristine intervened.

She had learned about Chandra, Dione's brother.

When the warriors heard that Dione would receive a severe punishment, they were inevitably shaken.

They all had affection and a sense of debt towards their fallen comrade.

Since Aristine had no major grievances with Dione, she told Tarkan that a period of confinement was sufficient.

She thought it was more rational to unite the warriors.

Contrary to Aristine's intentions, the warriors looked at her with even more admiration.

〈Such a benevolent person...〉

〈She must be the goddess of peace to be so generous.〉

〈And for Tarkan to change his decision... Indeed, Your Highness...〉

Aristine brushed off their comments.

She was getting used to the warriors' overreactions.

Anyway, it was a pretty good daily routine.

The only problem was...

〈Aristine.〉

It was night.

Every night, Tarkan whispered in a more moist voice into Aristine's ear.

At such times, Aristine felt an odd sensation on her shoulders and back, causing her to shrink.

They used to sleep side by side, but recently, Tarkan said the bed was too narrow and lay next to her, clinging to her.

Due to his position, his firm, soft, and warm chest kept touching Aristine's arm.

Sometimes, when Tarkan moved, the contours of his chest were clearly felt.

The problem was that the sensation was so good that if she lost her mind in sleep, her hand would unconsciously slide over.

It wasn't just once or twice that she woke up with her hand on Tarkan's chest.

She started having more frequent dreams about eating warm, well-risen bread.

'This hand! This naughty hand!'

Just as Aristine was scolding her hand, her husband said:

'I'm done being a husband, I want to make money.'