Chapter 29

There is a dragon called the "Little Flying Dragon." As its name suggests, it is one of the smallest species of pterosaurs, being no larger than a crow. It is the only pterosaur among the four types of dragons that humans have successfully domesticated.

The "Running Dragon" serves as military power, the "Dull Dragon" as labor, and the "Meat Dragon" as a source of meat. So, what is the role of the "Little Flying Dragon"? It essentially serves as a messenger pigeon.

Compared to the relay system of messenger cavalry riding "Running Dragons" to deliver letters directly, the "Little Flying Dragon" has a much higher risk of the letter not arriving due to unforeseen accidents, but its speed is overwhelming.

A distance that would take five days for a relay of messenger cavalry riding "Running Dragons" can be covered by a "Little Flying Dragon" in just one day.

On that day, at noon, a "Little Flying Dragon" flew from the eastern border fortress to the palace.

"From the eastern border, you say?"

That afternoon, while diligently working in her office, Aura tilted her head in puzzlement upon hearing the report from Secretary Fabio.

"Yes. A report from the eastern border fortress via a 'Little Flying Dragon' just arrived. Here it is."

Saying this, the slender middle-aged secretary placed three small wooden cylinders, each about the size of a pinky finger, on the table.

The letters inside were likely all the same. Given the danger of the "Little Flying Dragon" getting lost or preyed upon by larger dragons, it was common practice to send multiple "Little Flying Dragons" with the same message.

Aura picked up one of the cylinders, opened the lid, and took out a thin piece of dragon skin paper, quickly scanning it. Since the general of the border fortress had sent such a valuable "Little Flying Dragon," it was likely that a situation of considerable urgency had arisen.

With a sense of foreboding, Aura read the small piece of dragon skin paper and sighed softly.

"Your Majesty?"

"..."

In response to the secretary's inquiry, Aura silently extended the small piece of dragon skin paper she held. Given that the "Little Flying Dragon" method of communication, while incredibly fast, was vulnerable to interception by adversaries, it was generally used for information that, while urgent, was not highly confidential.

It was not unusual for Fabio, who was one of Aura's closest confidants, to read it.

"Then, I will take my leave."

Taking the dragon skin paper, Secretary Fabio read the small piece of paper and his cheek muscles twitched.

"At dawn today, Princess Isabella of the Shalowa Gilbert Dual Kingdom, accompanied by three hundred guards, visited the eastern fortress and requested entry. Based on the treaty, they were allowed to enter the city on the condition of disarming within the city. Additionally, three hundred cavalry from the eastern fortress accompanied Princess Isabella as her guards."

This text was followed by the date the letter was written and the signature of the general in charge of the eastern fortress.

While Fabio was reading the first piece of dragon skin paper, Aura opened the remaining two cylinders and, as expected, found the same text inside.

After carefully reading the short message several times to ensure he hadn't missed anything, Fabio spoke in a flat voice.

"Princess Isabella, visiting? Has there been a critically ill person among the nobility of neighboring countries who needs her help?"

"Yes, likely so. If Princess Isabella herself is coming, they must have offered a substantial amount of money."

Isabella Gilbert, as her name suggests, is a princess of the Gilbert Papal Family, one of the royal families of the Shalowa Gilbert Dual Kingdom in the central part of the southern continent.

Though she is a princess, due to the current pope being over sixty, she is in her forties and has three children. What stands out about her is that she is one of the top five users of "Healing Magic" in the papal family.

Many people visit the dual kingdom to benefit from the "Healing Magic" of the Gilbert Papal Family. However, only a small number of people who are on the brink of death from injury or illness can make the journey from their home country to the capital of the dual kingdom.

For those who are too ill to be moved, a member of the papal family is invited, often at a cost that would make a financial officer pale.

"Three hundred guards, you say. From the small number, it seems there are quite a few 'Magic Tool' wielders among them."

"Yes, that's likely. It seems they have thoroughly prepared, though we don't know from which country."

"Look into it immediately. Depending on the situation, there might be a political upheaval in neighboring countries."

"Understood."

When a member of the Gilbert Papal Family is invited to another country to treat a patient, they usually bring an unusually large number of guards.

Around a thousand elite knights would be the minimum. The papal family members bring such an excessive number of guards for a reason. They are the only users of "Healing Magic" in the world. It is only natural that a royal or noble who has been saved from the brink of death would not want to let them go.

There have been several instances in the past where a patient has been held hostage and a statement issued that "he (or she) wishes to seek asylum in our country."

Learning from these past experiences, the Gilbert Papal Family now insists on bringing a sufficient number of armed forces to cause significant damage if the host country acts maliciously, as a condition for visiting another country (of course, the travel and accommodation expenses for these guards are also borne by the host country).

However, the larger the number of troops, the slower their marching speed. If a thousand troops are protecting a patient during a long march, there is a risk that the patient might not survive.

In such cases, the 'Magic Tool' wielders, as Aura mentioned, are used as a trump card.

These are knights armed with 'Magic Tools' created by the other royal family of the Shalowa Gilbert Dual Kingdom, the Shalowa Royal Family. By deploying these knights, the number of guards can be significantly reduced, and the marching speed can be increased.

In other words, the fewer the number of guards, the more critical the patient's condition is likely to be.

"In any case, since they are heading here, it means the treatment is already over. I should prepare the schedule for using 'Time-Space Magic.'"

"Yes, please do."

In response to Aura's words, the secretary bowed slightly.

The reason for Princess Isabella's visit to the Kingdom of Carp is clear. She intends to ask Aura to use the 'Instant Teleportation' magic to send her back to the capital of the dual kingdom.

'Instant Teleportation' is a powerful magic that requires a long incantation and a great deal of magic power, so it cannot be used easily. However, if a princess of the Gilbert Papal Family asks, Aura cannot refuse.

This is a good opportunity to do a favor for a user of 'Healing Magic.' Normally, Aura would welcome such a guest.

"The problem is the groom."

Saying this, Aura placed her hand on her chin and pondered.

Yesterday, Zenjiro, who had received the 'Blessing of the Forest,' was still in bed.

"Considering the eastern border fortress, Princess Isabella will likely reach the capital in five days?"

"About that long. If it takes longer, Zenjiro might still be recovering from the 'Blessing of the Forest.'"

The duration of the 'Blessing of the Forest' is three to seven days. For someone as severely affected as Zenjiro, there is a good chance he will still be bedridden when Princess Isabella arrives.

Aura frowned slightly.

"...It's troublesome. I don't want to let a foreigner into the groom's room. We should prepare a separate bedroom for him, and in the worst case, have Zenjiro stay there during Princess Isabella's visit."

Zenjiro's room is filled with electrical appliances he brought with him. While it's not something that would cause immediate problems if discovered, it's information she'd rather not spread.

The simplest solution would be to have Zenjiro temporarily move to another room. The harem, designed to accommodate multiple women, has plenty of empty rooms.

"That would be the safest option. There's no reason to refuse Princess Isabella's visit."

Indeed, the 'Blessing of the Forest' is not a fatal illness, and it would be better to recover quickly with 'Healing Magic.' However, there are simpler spells like 'Stamina Recovery' and 'Mental Healing' that can alleviate the patient's suffering without directly curing the illness.

If Princess Isabella insists on visiting, there is no option to refuse.

"In that case, I might have to introduce the feverish groom to Princess Isabella."

During the illness, Zenjiro becomes somewhat prickly and aggressive. Princess Isabella, while appearing as a slightly plump, refined middle-aged woman, is a pure-blooded member of the Gilbert Papal Family with over thirty years of experience as a healer.

She has the magnanimity to not take offense at the rudeness of a sick person but also the shrewdness to extract information from their words.

"I hope it doesn't become complicated..."

Aura, muttering to herself, was half-prepared for the worst.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

Six days later.

Aura welcomed Princess Isabella to her private room in the palace and set up a private meeting under the guise of casual conversation.

Princess Isabella's party arrived at the Carp Palace yesterday evening, and the formal meeting in the audience hall was completed this morning. However, in a formal setting, they could not speak freely.

Thus, Princess Isabella's first words were as follows.

"It's been a while, Your Majesty. First of all, congratulations on your marriage."

The slightly plump middle-aged woman, sitting with her knees together on a leather sofa, bowed slightly with a refined gesture.

At the formal meeting in the audience hall, both Aura and Isabella were dressed in formal attire, but in this setting, they had changed into lighter dresses. Aura wore a deep red sleeveless long dress, while Isabella wore a white, relatively loose, short-sleeved dress.

In the Kingdom of Carp, white dresses are a privilege of young girls, and older ladies generally avoid them. However, in the dual kingdom, white is the symbolic color of the Gilbert Papal Family, and they usually wear white-based clothing unless there is a special reason.

The shape of the dresses also differs significantly from the typical ones in the Kingdom of Carp. While long dresses with slits are common in Carp, Isabella's dress has a flared skirt and a very small neckline.

This is in stark contrast to the typical Carp dresses, which have a deep neckline that reveals the cleavage. The central part of the southern continent, where the dual kingdom is located, is not as hot as the western part where the Kingdom of Carp is located, which might be a factor.

"Thank you. Thanks to you, we were able to complete the ceremony without any issues. We are deeply grateful for the splendid gifts from the dual kingdom."

In response, Aura did not bow but rather puffed out her chest. Although Isabella is over ten years older, Aura, as the head of a country, is in a much higher position. Isabella is just one of many royals.

Isabella covered her mouth with a small hand and smiled gracefully, more like a refined merchant's lady than a royal.

"I am delighted if you like them, Your Majesty. Normally, I would bring a personal gift, but due to the emergency, I was unprepared... I will make up for it at a later date."

"Can't I hear about the 'emergency' in exchange for that?"

Aura's slightly provocative words did not faze Isabella in the slightest.

"No, even if it is Your Majesty's request, I must decline. It concerns the trust of a healer, and I must ask for your understanding."

The soft smile and gentle tone conveyed a firm refusal.

Of course, that's understandable. If information about who, where, and when someone was injured or ill were freely disclosed, no one would dare seek treatment. The Gilbert Papal Family, like the 'doctor-patient confidentiality' in modern society, adheres to a similar moral code.

Knowing that Isabella would not agree from the start, Aura quickly moved on.

"I see, that's a shame. By the way, I have something I'd like you to see."

Then, as if just thinking of it, Aura rang the bell on the table.

The door, which had probably been guarded outside, immediately opened, and Secretary Fabio appeared.

"Did you call for me?"

"Yes, bring the 'rings' and 'that' for me and Zenjiro."

"Understood."

Fabio bowed and immediately left the room.

"Rings?"

Tilting her head, Princess Isabella looked at Aura, who smiled meaningfully in response.

"Yes. In the groom's country, it is customary for the man to give a pair of rings to the woman during marriage. I would like to have these rings made into some kind of 'magic tool.'"

"Oh, how lovely. Yes, if that's the case, I will take full responsibility for it. I will mention it when I request the Shalowa family."

"Thank you."

As they were talking, the door was knocked, and Fabio returned with a silver tray in his right hand.

"Excuse me, I have brought them."

"Thank you for your hard work. You may leave after placing it here."

"Understood."

Fabio placed the silver tray on the table where Aura and Isabella were seated and bowed before leaving.

On the tray were two rings and two pouches. When Isabella saw the pouches, she looked a bit puzzled, but her eyes widened in surprise as soon as she saw the rings.

"These are..."

"Please take a look. I'd like to hear your honest opinion."

With a sly smile, Aura encouraged Isabella, who picked up one of the rings and held it up to the sunlight.

The ring, made of Earth materials, sparkled with the gold and diamond brilliance of the otherworldly sunlight.

The wedding ring Zenjiro had given to Aura was a wide diamond ring. On a yellow gold base, three small, colorless, brilliant-cut diamonds were set in a row.

Zenjiro had considered getting pink diamonds to match Aura's eye and hair color, as suggested by the store clerk, but the deeply colored pink diamonds were surprisingly expensive. There were some with a slight red tinge that were within Zenjiro's budget, but he ultimately chose the colorless, standard diamonds, as he didn't want to compromise on the color.

"What a magnificent... Are these crystals?"

"No, they are diamonds."

"Diamonds!? Diamonds like this?"

Isabella's exclamation of surprise was understandable.

Diamonds do exist in this world, but the technology to process them does not. Let alone the precise cutting to maximize their brilliance by calculating the angles of light incidence and reflection, which requires exceptional skill.

The art of gem cutting has evolved alongside the advancement of precision machinery.

The same applies to the metal base of the ring.

"How did they manage to create such fine, uniform lines...?"

The wedding ring, with its high fashion, has simple but intricate lines, like the crosshatching in a comic. Even in the Shalowa Gilbert Dual Kingdom, a leading country in gem cutting, no one could replicate this.

While the overall artistic quality of jewelry in this world is not inferior, the technical aspect makes it impossible to reproduce.

It's like asking the world's best calligrapher to write as neatly as a computer printout.

Seeing Isabella's reaction, Aura realized her prediction was correct and felt relieved.

(As expected, it's a remarkable piece when shown to someone with a discerning eye.)

On the night of the wedding, after their first intimate encounter, when Aura saw the ring Zenjiro had sent, she had also exclaimed in surprise, much like Isabella.

The precision of the work, the dazzling light from the three stones from any angle. When Zenjiro happily showed her the ring, Aura had it placed on her left ring finger but quickly explained the reasons to Zenjiro and convinced him that neither of them should wear it regularly.

The brilliance was too strong. If Aura wore it regularly, the keen-eyed nobles would immediately notice and ask about its origin, drawing attention to Zenjiro. At that point, if Zenjiro had drawn too much attention, the deadline for his debut in society might have been accelerated by external pressure.

While Aura thought she might be overthinking it, seeing Isabella's reaction, it seemed her concerns were not unfounded.

Eventually, noticing Aura's sly smile, Isabella laughed and put the ring back on the silver tray.

"Ah, I apologize, Your Majesty. I was completely captivated."

"Isn't it magnificent? I would like you to turn it into a magic tool."

"Yes, with a piece this magnificent, the Shalowa family will surely put in extra effort."

Generally, items turned into magic tools are often weapons or jewelry. As a result, the Shalowa royal family, who wield 'Enchantment Magic,'