Chapter 70

While talking with Yuel, I headed towards the room.

Yuel had been studying various things with Astel since this morning, but it seems that was cut short.

It seems the saintess was going out of the mansion, and Astel had to accompany her.

"By the way, has Astel already told you about the poison?"

"Yes. Today, she taught me how to use paralyzing poison and how to mix the antidote. She even gave me a small vial of paralyzing poison. She said she will teach me more tomorrow."

Elise and Ruruka are following a bit behind me.

When I turned to check, both of them had deliberately kept their distance from me.

...It seems that trying to take a bath with the two of them was quite a bold move.

I don't want to bring it up, and I can feel the atmosphere telling me not to.

Well, I certainly don't plan on suggesting we take a bath together again now.

Especially with Yuel here.

I'll try to heal this sadness by having a casual conversation with Yuel.

"Wow, you worked hard. What will you learn tomorrow? If today was paralyzing poison, will it be bleeding poison next?"

"Tomorrow, it's an aphrodisiac."

"...What did you say?"

"It's an aphrodisiac."

"S, so... an aphrodisiac, huh?"

Why an aphrodisiac?

Why an aphrodisiac?

We were just having a casual conversation.

We were just having a safe conversation.

...I looked into Yuel's eyes.

They were the same as usual.

She wasn't particularly anxious or embarrassed.

She was looking at me naturally.

What was Yuel thinking about aphrodisiacs...

No, I'm overthinking this.

Yuel wouldn't use an aphrodisiac with ill intentions.

Not like me.

There must be a legitimate reason.

"To study how to make the antidote for aphrodisiacs. If a succubus uses it, the master might not be able to use Dispoison."

"S, so that's it, that makes sense!"

There, a legitimate reason.

There's no need to worry about Yuel.

I was overthinking it.

I was definitely overthinking it.

"Also..."

Yuel suddenly muttered.

Then, blushing as if embarrassed, she shook her head as if to clear her thoughts.

She grabbed the hem of her dress and looked down.

"...Never mind."

"S, so it's nothing. If it's nothing, that's fine."

If it's nothing, there's no problem.

There shouldn't be a problem.

—While having a casual, problem-free conversation with Yuel, I saw a figure at the other end of the corridor.

That distinctive blonde drill could only be Fran.

Sera was behind her.

"There you are. I've been looking for you."

And she called out to me.

"Looking for me?"

"Yes, I just heard the knight report to the saintess. They found Darneau's hidden storage in the church basement. I thought you might want to come along."

At first, I wasn't sure what she meant, but it seemed like an invitation to go somewhere.

I'm not sure why she's inviting me.

"Come along... me?"

"I said I would teach you magic, didn't I?"

When I confirmed, Fran said with a slightly angry expression.

"I don't intend to leave things half-done. That archbishop probably has many valuable magical tools that can't be bought in the market. There are probably many that can be used for magic practice."

I see.

So, this time, she wants to continue the magic lessons that were left unfinished before.

I clearly remember that Darneau was wearing many rings to increase his magic power.

Indeed, if he had a hidden storage, it's likely that many expensive magical tools would be found there.

As Fran said, there should be many that can be used for magic practice.

"...But, is it okay?"

Is she... not angry?

She can't be not angry.

—When I taught her magic before, I lied about having almost no magic power.

While Fran was teaching me seriously, I lied about my abilities.

I remember her speaking to me kindly, which was rare for her.

Considering Fran's usual behavior, I wouldn't be surprised if she hit me with a Fireball as soon as we met.

As I was thinking this, Sera leaned in and whispered in my ear.

"Fran apparently wants the magic power-boosting magical tools that the archbishop had. However, even as the daughter of the lord, she can't just take such expensive magical tools, so she's using the pretext of teaching you magic to get them."

"Ah, I see."

Just a pretext.

Magic power-boosting magical tools are something any mage would want.

They are also very expensive.

Even as the daughter of the lord, she probably can't afford them.

"But, I think she genuinely wants to teach you magic."

However, Sera whispered, dispelling my thoughts.

"The poison mist incident. The person who cast Area Heal on the town... is probably the one Fran is most grateful to."

I remember Fran was the most worried when we heard the poison mist had entered the town after returning from the forest.

When I looked at Fran, she turned away.

I did it just to stop Yuel from crying... but maybe it was a good thing.

Fran led me to the church.

Yuel, Sera, Elise, Ruruka, and several guard knights formed a considerable group.

When we entered the chapel, many magical tools were already spread out on the stone floor.

"S, Saint!..."

A priest called out as soon as we entered.

"I, I'm S, Sariina! I serve directly under the saintess. It's an honor to meet you!"

"A, ah."

She's quite well-endowed and pretty.

A subordinate of the saintess.

She seems nervous because of my title as a saint.

...I wish the saintess had introduced me to her before Astel.

"What are you doing here?"

"This is Fran-sama. I'm in charge of managing the magical tools here, as ordered by the saintess. The inventory process for the discovered magical tools is complete, and I'm now waiting for the appraiser. By the way, what brings the saint and Fran-sama here...?"

"We came to see if there are any magical tools that could help improve the saint's combat abilities in preparation for the succubus attack."

"I see. In that case, I'll inform the saintess and the lord. Please take a look."

"Father doesn't need to know..."

Fran's cheeks twitched when she heard about informing the lord.

...She's been keeping it from the lord.

Well, originally, these were the archbishop's possessions.

Given that the saintess's subordinate, not a knight, is managing the magical tools, they should be collected by the church.

Fran seems to be using me as an excuse to get some magical tools, but her real father would easily see through her plan.

Fran will probably get a severe scolding later.

"But, since that's the case, I'll take a look."

However, Fran seems to really want the magic power-boosting magical tools.

I think she can cast spells that can turn things to black char, so she doesn't really need magical tools.

But, the last time, it was charred but not instantly killed, and if it had more power, I wouldn't have fallen into the river and caused trouble.

I can understand it, though.

Fran walked quickly to where the magic rings were.

"Then, we'll take a look too. There might be something good."

The title of saint seems to carry a lot of weight, as permission was easily granted.

I'll take advantage of this and take a look.

I'll ride on Fran's coattails and take any magical tools I want.

Considering how much the archbishop enriched himself, there might be some rare magical tools.

I'd like a pair of glasses that can conveniently see through clothes.

"Master, there are many collars."

Looking around, there were rings, bracelets, books, staffs, and various other items, but the most numerous were the collars.

In fact, about 80% of the magical tools spread out here were black collars.

...These are probably the magical tools used to control the monsters during the Miss Contest.

They must have been mass-produced, as there are a lot of them.

There must be over a hundred.

"The evil cultists were apparently distributing these collars, and it seems Darneau was behind it. He probably used the funds he illegally accumulated to develop and mass-produce them..."

The saintess's subordinate priest said with a regretful look.

Well, to have an enemy of humanity like an evil cultist come from a high-ranking church official like an archbishop...

The church must have a lot to think about.

"I see... But, there are really a lot of collars. Is this all of it?"

"Yes, but... many of the magical tools other than the collars haven't been appraised yet, so their uses are still unknown. The appraiser should be here soon..."

"I can appraise them, so it's fine."

"That's... as expected of the saint!"

I casually used the appraisal skill on a nearby collar.

...As expected, it's the same as the one I saw before.

It's a magical tool that allows you to control a monster as you wish when worn.

...With this many, I could probably create an army of monsters like a succubus.

The ability to create an army of monsters and my area healing ability are very compatible.

According to the succubus, it's enough to conquer the world.

If I can create even a small army of monsters, I could probably beat a large army led by a succubus.

"...The problem is how to gather the monsters. Besides, the succubus probably doesn't have the time to gather an army and attack... she'll be petrified in a few days."

It seemed like it could be useful, but before the succubus attack, it's not necessary now.

By the time I gather the monsters, the succubus will probably be completely petrified.

But, I'll take them just in case.

"Can I take these collars until the matter with the succubus is resolved? I'll return them if I don't need them."

"Yes! Please, Saint!"

With the saintess's subordinate's permission, I put them in my item box.

—Then, I noticed Yuel looking at me with a blank expression.

...?

What's wrong?

Yuel was holding a slightly more luxurious collar while watching me put the collars away.

Is that the same collar?

...It's decorated with gems, so she might have mistaken it for an accessory.

What if she asks me to put it on her.

"Can you use the appraisal skill, Master?"

"A, ah... yes?"

I realized.

Yuel's blank expression was probably due to surprise.

...I had used the appraisal skill to guess Yuel's skills and the abilities of magical tools in front of her, but I hadn't told her I had the appraisal skill.

I was a bit careless.

...If she calls me a liar and cries, what should I do?

No, to be precise, I didn't lie.

I just found it funny to see Yuel's surprised face and didn't tell her the truth that I have the appraisal skill.

"Really? Being able to use the appraisal skill is amazing, Master!"

I was a bit anxious, but Yuel just nodded.

Then, she started looking at me with sparkling eyes.

"Master, this one is a bit different from the others!"

Then, Yuel, as if remembering her original purpose, held out the collar she was holding.

She didn't want me to put it on her.

She just noticed it was different.

"This... that archbishop even developed this?"

When I appraised it, it was indeed different.

But, it's too late now.

With the succubus's petrification almost certain, it's not necessary.

But, I'll take it just in case.

"Is it okay to take this too?"

"Yes, if the saint needs it, please take it! ...The saint healed me from petrification. If there's anything I can do..."

...It seems this priest was one of the saintess's subordinates I healed from petrification.

So, the saint's title was just an excuse to give me permission.

Is it really okay to take this?

And, I don't think you should use "anything" so casually.

Elise and Ruruka, who were looking at the accessory-type magical tools with interest, were clearly watching my actions.

If I said, "Did you just say anything?" here, it would give a bad impression to Yuel, Elise, and Ruruka.

"Even without the appraisal skill, you can tell if a magic power-boosting magical tool works just by wearing it. I'm done here. Did you hear that the saint can appraise? Did you find any magical tools that could be used for magic practice?"

As I was thinking this, Fran, looking satisfied, joined the conversation.

She must have secured her share of magical tools.

"Wow... that's a lot of jingling."

Ruruka muttered, looking at Fran.

...Indeed, it's jingling.

She's wearing magic power-boosting rings on her fingers, just like the archbishop.

"Does it suit me?"

While responding to Ruruka, Fran brought her fingers in front of her face and spread them out like a fan.

Then, she snorted.

But, somehow...

"Kind of... tacky... like a nouveau riche."

"N, nouveau riche!?"

Ruruka's comment seemed to shock Fran, who swayed.

I also think it's tacky.

With her luxurious hairstyle and accessories, it's making me feel queasy.

...But, there's something else that's bothering me.

"Hey, how much are all those worth? These magical tools will probably be sold somewhere to fund taxes or the church. Isn't it bad to take so many?"

I'm just borrowing them, so it's fine.

I'll return them after the succubus issue is resolved.

"Just trying them on, I'll return them later! ...But, did you find any magical tools that could be used for magic practice!?"

...Is that true?

Well, I don't intend to pry too deeply.

Actually, Fran's comment reminded me that I was looking for magical tools to practice magic.

I hurriedly started appraising them one by one.

...I don't need magic power-boosting magical tools.

...I already have a legendary staff from the saintess, said to have been used by a former saint...

...That bracelet seems to be just a decorative piece made of gold.

...There's nothing that seems useful.

Well, the archbishop didn't seem like the type to practice magic seriously.

Besides, the staff I got from the saintess is enough for magic practice, even without searching through the archbishop's magical tools.

"Well, I remember getting a staff from Philine. There doesn't seem to be anything better. I'll practice with this."

"Right. ...I feel bad for making you come along. It's difficult here, so let's go back to the mansion."

We didn't find anything useful, but Fran seems satisfied.

Well, I'd like to try using an attack spell at least once in my life.

I'll accompany her a bit longer.

The next update will be in about 3 days.