Chapter 71

Even if events from distant border regions ripple through, for Zenjiro, who lives in the capital, the more immediate events are those that occur in the capital itself.

On that afternoon, Zenjiro was in one of the palace rooms, facing the two royal family members of the Shalwa-Gilbert Dual Kingdom—Princess Bona and Prince Francesco.

In a room where the sunlight, somewhat less aggressive after the intense heat had passed, was shining through, Zenjiro sat opposite Princess Bona and Prince Francesco and began to speak.

"I see. So, if it's the general 'Four Major Magics,' Princess Bona can transform them into magical artifacts on her own, correct?"

"Yes. I have mastered most of the Four Major Magics known to the world, so I can manufacture magical artifacts of the Four Major Magics alone."

The topic of discussion was the content of the magical artifacts to be sent from Princess Bona to the Kingdom of Carp.

As payment for the long-term stay of Prince Francesco and Princess Bona at the Carp Palace, magical artifacts were to be provided. Zenjiro had already received the magical artifact of 'Future Compensation' from Prince Francesco, but Princess Bona had not yet started creating hers. Given that he had already received a national treasure-level magical artifact, 'Future Compensation,' it was decided in a prior negotiation involving Aura that the magical artifact from Princess Bona would be a relatively common 'Four Major Magics' artifact.

"Hmm. Bona is very skilled. When it comes to delicate manipulation of magic, there might not be a better Enchanter than Bona."

Prince Francesco, sitting next to Princess Bona, also agreed with his usual innocent smile.

Incidentally, there was no real need for Prince Francesco to be present at this meeting. Princess Bona, fearing that Prince Francesco would be left unchecked in places she couldn't see, had pulled him into the meeting with a suitable excuse.

"Your Highness Francesco's endorsement is reassuring. The magical artifacts you created were also magnificent."

Prince Francesco, known for his exceptional magical skills, was highly regarded.

"No, if something as simple as that is good enough, I can make it right away. If you like, once Bona finishes, I can make the next one..."

"Your Highness!"

Prince Francesco, easily flattered and making an imprudent promise, was sternly stopped by Princess Bona, who sat next to him. She was almost out of her seat, ready to pounce.

(Still, no matter how many times I see it, Prince Francesco's seemingly natural foolishness is too convincing. Could it be that this is his true self?)

Zenjiro, maintaining a composed expression, thought to himself.

A person with both foolish and wise aspects. In such a case, it would be natural to think that the wise person is usually pretending to be foolish, but Prince Francesco claimed that he is "naturally foolish and only tries to be serious when necessary."

Zenjiro, who had been skeptical of this, began to wonder if it might be true, given how natural his foolishness seemed.

In any case, one must not forget that this seemingly careless and foolish golden-haired prince has intelligence and rationality on par with or even exceeding the average person.

"In any case, let's focus on Princess Bona for now."

Zenjiro said this, forcibly steering the conversation back on track. Princess Bona, visibly relieved, gratefully accepted his help.

"Yes, that's right. What do you think, Emperor Zenjiro? Do you have any ideas?"

In response to Princess Bona's question, Zenjiro, maintaining his kind smile, nodded slightly and replied.

"Yes, I have a bit of an idea. It's a bit of a whimsical thought, but I do have one. It's the 'Heat Resistance' spell of Earth Magic. Has Princess Bona learned it?"

"'Heat Resistance,' you say?"

Princess Bona, taken aback by Zenjiro's question, responded with a puzzled tone.

It's understandable. The 'Heat Resistance' spell is quite obscure and, to put it bluntly, not very practical.

Originally, it was a spell created to protect castle walls from fire arrows and flame-based magic attacks during siege battles. However, in actual combat, the 'Heat Resistance' spell proved to be ineffective.

Magic, in general, has the fatal weakness of having a short duration. Even with the 'Heat Resistance' spell, the increased heat resistance of the outer walls lasts only about a minute. In such a case, it would be more efficient to use the 'Water Manipulation' spell to douse the walls with water.

In fact, there are a considerable number of spells that were created but found to have no practical use. Useful spells have been developed based on such impractical spells.

And, as Zenjiro is now attempting, spells that were once deemed valueless can later be used effectively in unexpected ways.

"Yes, 'Heat Resistance.' It's a rather obscure spell, but has Princess Bona learned it?"

"I think I can use it, yes."

Princess Bona, however, seemed to lack confidence in her answer. She probably hadn't had many opportunities to use it since learning it.

The reason Zenjiro wanted a 'Heat Resistance' magical artifact is, of course, for the glass manufacturing kiln.

Currently, the kiln used for glass manufacturing is a common earthen kiln, which is destroyed after a few experiments. If, as Zenjiro plans, the 'Heat Resistance' magical artifact can extend the life of the earthen kiln, the experiments for glass manufacturing will proceed much more smoothly.

Of course, a kiln equipped with a magical artifact would be far too expensive for mass production, but it would be a great help for the current technological development.

"That's excellent. I would be very grateful if you could do it. The continuous operation time should be at least five days. If possible, automatic magic recovery would be ideal. In exchange, the magic recovery time for reuse can be longer."

"Understood. I will proceed along those lines. I will need to finalize the details later, but can I have your time for that?"

The moment the topic turned to magical artifact creation, Princess Bona became visibly enthusiastic, leaning forward with a genuine smile.

"Of course."

Zenjiro and Princess Bona exchanged smiles and made a future appointment.

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"Set up a meeting with the Margrave Gazier?"

"Yes. And it should be in as natural a form as possible. The deadline is within about a month. Is it possible?"

At the same time, in another room of the palace, Queen Aura was having a serious discussion with her secretary, Fabio.

As usual, Aura was sitting in a tropical-style chair made of withered vines and wood, while Secretary Fabio stood diagonally in front of her.

The middle-aged secretary tilted his narrow face slightly and said in a calm tone,

"If we have a month, it shouldn't be too difficult. However, why is it necessary to set up a meeting between the Margrave Gazier and 'Lord Zenjiro'? I would like to know, if possible."

On the surface, he maintained his usual expressionless demeanor, but Aura, who had known him for a long time, could see the curiosity in his eyes. In any case, she had intended to explain the situation to this trusted man, so she adjusted her position in the chair and began to explain.

"To put it simply, it's a countermeasure against Pujol Gijen. I realized this from Lord Zenjiro's comments, but perhaps Pujol Gijen is seeking something more than just a simple achievement from this dragon slaying."

"Hmm? More than just an achievement?"

"Yes, that's right."

To the secretary's puzzled tilt of the head, the queen asked with a slightly veiled tone,

"The Margrave Gazier is currently in the capital. His successor, Xavier Gazier, is on the Salt Road. Then, who do you think is managing the Margrave Gazier's territory now?"

This was a question designed to provide information.

Secretary Fabio, who had a more detailed memory of the internal affairs of powerful nobles than Aura, quickly provided an answer.

"Most likely, it would be Lady Lucinda. She is the eldest daughter of the Gazier family and both an older sister and a second mother to Xavier. I have heard that during the last great war, she protected the young Xavier and performed her duties as a caretaker admirably."

Recalling that this had caused her to miss her marriage window and remain unmarried well into her late twenties, Secretary Fabio understood what Aura was getting at.

"Indeed. Lady Lucinda is in her late twenties. While it is a bit late for a noblewoman, she would be a perfect match for General Pujol, who is over thirty and still unmarried."

The marriageable age for noblewomen is considered to be from mid-teens to twenty. After that, it becomes extremely difficult to marry, but in reality, it is just a custom, and there are no real issues with marriage or childbirth after twenty.

Many men believe that a young woman is necessary for a marriage partner, but General Pujol is not of that type.

What General Pujol seeks in a marriage partner is a woman who will benefit his advancement and the future of the Gijen family through marriage. As long as she can bear children, he has no further preferences.

Considering this, Lucinda Gazier, who is past the marriageable age but is the daughter of a powerful local lord and has a strong influence over the next lord, Xavier, is a very 'attractive marriage partner' for General Pujol.

Feeling that her concerns had been understood by her confidant, Aura nodded with a grim expression.

"Yes, in terms of age and family status, it's an excellent match. However, I do not want to recognize the marriage between a local lord with his own army and financial power and a powerful court noble with strong influence in the capital."

The reason is obvious. If powerful nobles form strong alliances, they could eventually become a threat to the royal family.

That is why the domestic law explicitly states that the 'king's permission' is required for the marriage of upper nobles.

In principle, the marriage between a local lord and a court noble is not allowed. However, there are always exceptions.

"General Pujol's unusual status as a still-unmarried man at his age is due to the fact that he was a candidate for the king's engagement until recently. If he were like another candidate, Sir Raffaele, who is still not the head of his family despite his age, it would be fine, but General Pujol is the head of the Gijen family.

Since the royal family has delayed General Pujol's marriage for its own convenience, it is a clear debt to us."

"Indeed. Therefore, to some extent, we need to accommodate their needs. Moreover, Xavier Gazier is currently with General Pujol."

"In terms of family status, General Pujol and Sir Xavier are almost equal, but the difference in age and achievements is too great. It is unlikely that Sir Xavier will develop a competitive spirit against General Pujol."

"Indeed. It is more likely that Xavier Gazier is under the influence of General Pujol. While this is not necessarily a bad thing in itself."

General Pujol is generally good at mentoring those under him. Moreover, he is a great hero of the last great war.

For a young noble like Xavier Gazier, it is more natural to admire General Pujol rather than to compete with him.

What would happen if such an admired general approached him, recognized his immaturity, and then proposed to marry his sister?

"Lady Lucinda has already passed the marriage