Chapter 68

A few days later.

In one of the rooms of the royal palace, four members of the royal families of two countries gathered together.

From the Kingdom of Kaerpa, Queen Aura and her consort Zenjiro. From the twin kingdoms of Sharowa and Jilbert, Prince Francesco and Princess Bonna.

Currently, all those who hold the title of royal family in the Kingdom of Kaerpa are gathered here.

The stated purpose is an apology for Prince Francesco's recent request to be admitted to the harem and gratitude for using the 'Secret Stone of Healing' for Prince Carlos, but the true purpose is not that.

In fact, when Princess Bonna said, "I am sorry for the other day," Queen Aura replied, "No, I am the one who should be grateful. I have no words to express my gratitude for using the precious 'Secret Stone of Healing' for my child. I will certainly repay this debt someday," and that was the end of it.

The originally serious Princess Bonna had already settled on the outcome of that incident through prior written correspondence, and Queen Aura, who knew the hidden circumstances of Prince Francesco, had no intention of reopening the matter.

Therefore, the meeting of the four royals quickly moved on to the next purpose.

"Is the talk over? It's over, right? Then, my business is this.

The completed 'Future Compensation' magic tool. I thank you for your cooperation, Your Majesty Aura."

With that, Prince Francesco took out a small piece of goldwork from his pocket and placed it on the table.

"Hmm, this is it. It's wonderful."

"Amazing. This is splendid."

Queen Aura and Zenjiro, unable to resist, leaned forward over the table and gazed at the small magic tool. Zenjiro, who had not touched it at all, and Aura, who had cooperated multiple times to imbue it with magic, were seeing the completed product for the first time.

It was small enough to fit on two fingers. More specifically, it was a thin blue marble provided by Zenjiro, completely covered by an octahedral metal frame.

Was the metal frame made of pure gold? It emitted a dazzling shine.

It was simple, but the overall design was magnificent. At least to Zenjiro's eyes, the thickness of the metal frame appeared uniform, and the holes through which the marble could be seen were all perfect equilateral triangles of the same size.

It was a simple design, but precisely because of that, it was a magnificent skill that could not be faked.

In response to the praise from Queen Aura and Zenjiro, Prince Francesco, looking pleased, explained his responsibilities as an engineer.

"The part that actually functions as a magic tool is the transparent gemstone inside, which I received from Emperor Zenjiro. The outer frame is to protect the gemstone.

A spherical magic tool loses its function as soon as it gets a little scratch, so I designed it to be less likely to get scratched.

However, as you can see, it's not completely scratch-proof, so please handle it with care."

"Ah, I understand."

Prince Francesco, who had been listening to the explanation with a serious expression, nodded and reached out for the magic tool.

"Hmm. It's small."

"Yes, but it has almost all the functions you requested.

Magic tools can be broadly divided into 'disposable type,' 'automatic recovery type,' and 'manual recovery type.' This one is the third, 'manual recovery type.'

To use it, touch the gemstone inside the frame directly with your finger and say the magic words, 'I offer my X days of sustenance.' X is the number of days of magic power you are offering.

Also, as you requested, 'topping up' is possible. You can store one day's worth of magic power today and another day's worth a week later, for a total of two days' worth of magic power.

Conversely, when you want to use the 'Future Compensation' magic power stored in the magic tool, touch the gemstone part directly with your finger and say the magic words, 'I activate it.' This will prepare the magic tool for use.

However, the 'fine extraction of magic power' you requested is not possible. So, when you say 'I activate it,' all the magic power stored, whether it's one day's worth or one year's worth, will be released at once. Please be careful when using it."

When explaining the magic tool, Prince Francesco, who usually speaks in an elusive tone, adopted a sharp and clear tone, a serious expression that Zenjiro had never seen before.

"Amazing. To create such a highly advanced magic tool with such a magnificent design, Prince Francesco, you are indeed a top-notch 'Enchanter' and 'Jeweler,' as the rumors I have heard with my own eyes confirm."

With a polite tone, Zenjiro praised him excessively, and Prince Francesco responded,

"Ah, I'm flattered. But, it was worth it to hear you say that."

He recovered his usual innocent smile and scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

"Hmm, I have received a fine item. Prince Francesco, I thank you again."

On the other hand, while maintaining a flat voice and a calm expression, Aura was inwardly impressed by the power of the magic tool before her.

The fact that all the magic power is released at once when used is a bit of a drawback, but even so, the significance of this magic tool is extremely great.

With this magic tool, there might be effective uses for spells like 'Time Reversal' and 'Dimensional Barrier Great Seal,' which were almost unusable due to the large amount of magic power required.

The only drawback was that the magic power stored with 'Future Compensation' could not be released in small amounts. If it could, it would make the most frequently used spell in time-space magic, 'Instant Teleportation,' much easier to use, but the world is not so accommodating.

(But, if we can mass-produce 'Future Compensation' magic tools in the future, we might be able to do something similar.)

Of course, it can be said with certainty that the enchanters of the twin kingdoms will not mass-produce magic tools for the Kingdom of Kaerpa.

Therefore, the only option for mass production is to teach Prince Carlos enchantment magic or to have Zenjiro create illegitimate children who can use enchantment magic.

Children with Aura would have too much of the Kaerpa royal family's blood to awaken the talent for enchantment magic.

Unless they are as blessed with magic power as Carlos, which is too optimistic to expect two such exceptional magic power holders to be born in the direct line.

In fact, until today, Aura knew of no one with magic power comparable to Carlos except for the blonde prince sitting in front of her.

Moreover, compared to them, Aura herself, who has only 70-80% of their magic power, is the most powerful person she knows, excluding the two of them.

Considering this, it becomes clear how absurd it is to expect children after the second to have magic power equal to or greater than Carlos.

Continuing the development of glass manufacturing technology and eventually mass-producing marbles.

At the same time, Zenjiro should be asked to take multiple concubines and create as many illegitimate children as possible within a controllable range to mass-produce users of 'time-space magic' and 'enchantment magic.'

From a simple perspective of strengthening the country, this is a choice that should be implemented without hesitation.

Of course, reality is not that simple, and there are many points to consider, such as the problem of powerful relatives gaining power through concubines and diplomatic issues with the twin kingdoms if the bloodline magic is stolen.

(Still, it might be best to think that the option of the consort not taking a single concubine in the future is no longer viable.)

Just as Aura was about to reach a painful conclusion in her heart,

"Excuse me, Your Majesty Aura. It's almost time. Is it alright?"

The door was knocked, and the familiar thin-faced middle-aged man, Secretary Fabio, entered.

Compared to the other three, Aura, who had a much busier schedule, had planned to leave this meeting first from the beginning.

"It's already that time? I understand. Prince Francesco, Princess Bonna, I will take my leave.

Zenjiro, I leave the rest to you."

With that, Aura stood up, and Zenjiro and the others also stood up.

"It was fun today, Your Majesty Aura."

"Thank you for taking the time amidst your busy schedule, Your Majesty Aura."

Prince Francesco, with a short smile, and Princess Bonna, as always, with a serious bow.

"Yes, I leave the rest to you, Your Majesty."

And, accompanied by the respectful words of her husband, whom she never hears in the harem, Aura left the room.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

After leaving the meeting to Zenjiro, Aura headed to a room she was most familiar with in the palace—her office.

"Hmm..."

A gloomy sigh escaped from the lips of Aura, who sat in her accustomed chair.

The chief secretary, who did not miss the queen's emotional outburst, asked,

"What's the matter, Your Majesty Aura? You seem to be sighing in a way that doesn't suit you."

Recently, he had been lending his services to Zenjiro, so it had been a while since Aura had heard his blunt words, which made her feel a bit nostalgic rather than angry.

"No, nothing. It seems I'm putting the burden on my consort again. To be honest, it's a bit disheartening."

With that, Aura leaned back in her chair, which creaked, and looked up at the ceiling.

The secretary, who usually maintained a mask-like expression, raised an eyebrow and said in a teasing tone,

"Oh, oh, is this love? Are you that afraid of making Lord Zenjiro angry?"

It was a clear tease, but Aura, narrowing her eyes in a bad mood, propped her cheek on her hand and spat out her answer.

"Yes, I'm afraid. Honestly, I'm most afraid of the current situation. Do you understand the fear of making my consort angry?"

"Hmm? Well, it's often said that the more reasonable a person is, the more uncontrollable they become when their emotions explode."

Unusually, Fabio gave an unsatisfactory response, and Aura, with a slightly superior tone, denied it.

"No, no, it's not that simple.

Let me give you an example.

Suppose you anger Manuel Marques. Whether the righteousness is on your side or his, it doesn't matter. But, you must appease Marques to avoid a significant negative impact on the country. If you were in my position, what would you do to appease Marques?"

Although it was a vague but realistic example, Fabio, tilting his head, quickly gave an answer.

"Appeasing Marques, you say? Well, if it's urgent, the quickest way would be to exempt the Marquesate from taxes to the royal family for a certain period. He judges things based on practical benefits, for better or worse."

Satisfied with Fabio's answer, Aura nodded and gave another example.

"Then, what if it's not Marques but Pujol Gijen? Under the same conditions, if you must quickly repair your relationship with General Pujol to affect the country's fate, what would you do?"

"Pujol, you say. The only thing that would work is the rank of 'Marshal.' He is ambitious, but his ambition is more as a military man than as a noble."

Satisfied with this answer, Aura smiled and asked the final question.

"Right, right. Then, the final and real question.

Under the same conditions, if you must urgently repair your relationship with my consort, Zenjiro, what would you do to appease him?"

"..."

Fabio remained silent for a while.

"..."

But, no matter how much he thought, the answer to this question did not come to Fabio's mind.

"I give up. I can't think of anything."

He shrugged his thin shoulders and declared his defeat.

Aura deepened her smile and said,

"See? You can't think of anything, can you? I can't either. Now, do you understand why I'm so afraid of making my consort angry?

There's nothing. When Zenjiro is angry, and the relationship is strained, there's nothing I can do to get him to listen to me. I have no cards to play."

"Indeed, I don't know anyone as unattached as he is."

This was something Fabio had to admit.

He does not seek wealth. He does not show any interest in status. He has no collector's obsession with anything specific. He is not uninterested in women, but he does not look at any woman other than his wife, Aura, and he strongly resists taking concubines.

"When he gets angry, there's no way to calm him down. And yet, he's someone whose strained relationship would have a significant negative impact on the country. Is it so strange to be afraid of upsetting such a person?"

"No, that was a slip of the tongue. I apologize."

The secretary, under the queen's glare, sincerely apologized.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

"So, what was today's work schedule? Responding to the petitions from the eastern nobles?"

Trying to end the casual conversation and get to work, Aura recalled and asked, but Fabio replied,

"No, that was the plan, but in the morning, a 'Small Dragon' message from General Pujol, who is on the Salt Road dragon hunt, arrived. Please review it first."

Saying this, he placed four small cylinders containing thin dragon skin paper on Aura's desk.

As is customary with 'Small Dragon' messages, all the letters are expected to contain the same content, but just in case.

"General Pujol is sending a 'Small Dragon' message? It must be some unforeseen event."

Aura, reflexively clicking her tongue, took one of the small cylinders, opened it, and quickly read the contents.

"..."

After reading, Aura's mouth twisted in displeasure.

"Your Majesty? Is it bad news?"

When the secretary asked, Aura exhaled and said,

"Yes, it's bad news.

Pujol Gijen failed in the dragon hunt. More accurately, he judged that the forces at his disposal were insufficient and is requesting reinforcements."

"..."

Hearing this, Fabio, who rarely showed surprise, opened his eyes wide in shock.

But, Fabio's reaction was not unreasonable.

It was an unexpected situation.

For Pujol Gijen, leading the elite 'Dragon Archer Cavalry' directly under him, to fail in a mere carnivorous dragon hunt was a story that would make anyone in the country doubt their ears.

Aura, tapping the small dragon skin paper in her hand, shrugged her shoulders.

"If the content here is true, it's not Pujol Gijen's fault. I would request reinforcements in this situation too."

"If both you and General Pujol say so, then it must be so. Shall I arrange the reinforcements?"

"Yes. The goal is a large-scale mountain hunt. Quality is important, but quantity is more crucial. However, this is a time when human casualties are especially undesirable.

I want to reduce the burden on the soldiers as much as possible. We should send more supply dragon carts and supplies."

"That will be a significant burden on the treasury."

"I understand. But, it's a necessary burden."

After a moment of silence, Fabio nodded in agreement.

"I understand. Still, I'll hear the details later, but it's quite a big deal for a mere carnivorous dragon hunt."

"Indeed. I've never seen 'optimistic predictions' hit the mark. It's a harsh world."

With that, Aura exhaled deeply, as if taking a deep breath.