Chapter 36

Melfiela had entered Sier's room, and I retreated to my own room, Tail's room, with Mulan. Tail's room and Sier's room are adjacent, connected by a bedroom, forming what is essentially a 'couple's' room. We had only recently become engaged, but I thought no one else would use this room except Melfiela. The bedroom has a door, but it is locked now, so there is no ulterior motive.

I untied the leather belt around my waist, removed my sword, and placed it on the desk. I was about to take off my chest armor but decided to keep it on for a while. The Flame Eagle Squadron that Chaos left at the scene might find something. If we don't eliminate the escaped magic birds, it could become a problem.

"Mulan, did you see the leader of those birds?"

Even though magic birds hunt in groups, I had never been so persistently targeted before. I thought Mulan, who had plunged into the group, might have noticed something unusual.

"That largest Bergenion was probably the leader. When we passed by, only it didn't avoid me."

"A Bergenion that doesn't fear the Greschel Dragon. Do you think it was in a berserk state?"

"Probably. By the time I looked up from the ground, it had already exploded, so there's no way to confirm now."

If Mulan, the captain of the Wyvern Squadron, says so, it was likely in a berserk state. The largest magic bird, which had swallowed the cloud crystal without any caution, must have gone berserk due to the accumulation of magic poison and led the group in a rampage. This explanation made sense.

"Still, sir, when did you develop such a brutal spell?"

Mulan laughed sarcastically, saying, "Thanks to that, I almost died."

That spell was activated by me, but it was Melfiela who devised it. What does she mean by calling the magic circle Melfiela worked hard on 'brutal'? While it's true that the byproduct could be a weapon that shakes the nation, it depends on how it's used, so she's not at fault.

(To activate Melfiela's magic circle requires skill. How many people have that level of knowledge and skill?)

Probably not many, even among the mages in this country. But I realized that to protect Melfiela, the cooperation of a trusted person is essential. For example, a loyal knight like Mulan is absolutely necessary. In fact, I think Mulan does a good job leading the Wyvern Squadron. She is capable, we have a long history together, and she is straightforward, so she should be fine. Just as I was about to tell Mulan about Melfiela's abilities and the cloud crystal...

"I would also like to know, sir. I always thought you had bottomless magic power, but what was that? Did you become part of the forest because you loved the Elsenei Great Forest too much? Should we call you 'Walking Volcano' or 'Magic Power Generator' instead of 'Duke of Mad Blood'?"

"Who are you calling that?!"

There was a thud, and Chaos suddenly appeared from the hidden door. I was careless, but it's not my fault that the hidden door in my room, which is usually only used in emergencies, opened, and I instinctively drew my sword that I had just placed on the desk. Chaos looked at me with a cold gaze, like the depths of winter.

"What is this, sir? This sword?"

"Don't surprise me like that. What is it, Chaos? Is it an emergency?"

"Yes, sir, your head is the emergency. Why did you already take Melfiela to Sier's room? I used 'Acceleration' to rush back and was waiting in front of the main door."

"Sorry, I thought I needed to prepare Melfiela first."

"Of course. I recruited maids urgently and managed to find some who were qualified. You didn't leave Melfiela alone in Sier's room, did you, sir?"

Chaos looked at me with a glare, and my cheek twitched. Behind Chaos, there were three women who had apparently been recruited. This is completely my fault. In an emergency or battle, my mind works, but I'm weak in these situations. 'Sir, you're floating' is a harsh way to put it, but I can't deny that I was a bit excited.

"I've called the Blanche Squadron. Despite appearances, Blanche is good with people. They are Melfiela's guard knights anyway, so it's not a bad idea to have them meet her early."

"Captain Blanche, huh? That's a passing grade for the current you, sir."

Chaos turned around and apologized to the three women in a gentle voice.

"I'm sorry for calling you here. Madame Laforgue, Madame Jordane, Madame Serow. Melfiela is currently meeting the Blanche Squadron. Please bring the dresses and other items we prepared to her room later."

"Oh, Chaos, there's no need to apologize."

"That's right, Sir Chaos. Sir is just a little excited."

"But since Sir values Melfiela so much, we want to meet her soon."

The three women smiled and left. One of them, Madame Laforgue, is Chaos's mother. She took care of me when I was a child and is a capable woman who runs the Laforgue household after her husband's passing.

"Do you usually put your own mother as a maid?"

"She is the most trustworthy person. She is the best to protect Melfiela."

"Um... Assistant Chaos, why is my sister here? She's just a baker, isn't that strange?"

"Just for now. We will properly select maids later."

Mulan, who was stunned, stared at the door the women had left through. Madame Serow is Mulan's older sister. She took over the bakery by marrying into it after Mulan became a knight. The other, Madame Jordane, is also the wife of a Galbreath knight. I have no complaints about Chaos's choices, but his thoroughness is a bit scary.

Chaos confirmed that the door was closed and activated the magic circle for the meeting. This prevents voices from leaking out. Changing the atmosphere, Chaos became serious.

"Sir, let's talk about that spell."

"You already know, don't you? Do you think there are others who noticed?"

"Perhaps not. The Wyvern Squadron doesn't have anyone familiar with ancient magic. Mulan, what about you?"

Mulan, who was asked, seemed to not understand. She didn't see the magic circle on the cloud crystal directly, so it's understandable that she didn't know.

"I don't understand what you mean."

"Mulан, the spell that turned the Bergenions into ashes and then into splinters was constructed by Melfiela. Sir only activated it faithfully. Right, sir?"

"Yes! Melfiela created that... um, incredible explosion."

I glared at her, and Mulan quickly corrected herself. Melfiela is not at fault. She was just trying to help me.

"I used Zanas's magic power, not mine. You saw the magic power stored in the cloud crystal, right? Melfiela drew the magic circle on it and handed it to me to activate."

"No, no, no, no... Is Melfiela a genius?"

Mulan shook her head in disbelief. Mulan is skilled with wyverns, but she is not well-versed in ancient magic. This is true for most people in the modern era.

Modern magic is simplified and rationalized, with shorter incantations like 'Sweep away, muddy stream' or 'Burn, inferno.' Even simpler, it can be 'Fire,' 'Water,' 'Wind,' and ultimately, non-verbal activation. This applies to everyday magic like lighting.

Ancient magic, on the other hand, is a 'lost magic' studied by only a few. It is said to be the wisdom given to humans by spirits in the age of gods. To activate it, one must use ancient magic language. Melfiela can draw magic circles in ancient magic language, but it takes a tremendous amount of time to construct and activate them. One must also be proficient in ancient magic language. I learned it from mages in the royal library, but how did Melfiela learn it? Even if it was impromptu, her ability to draw a magic circle in such a short time makes her a 'genius,' as Mulan said.

"Chaos, did you properly store Melfiela's research materials?"

"Yes, they are securely stored. The cloud crystal containing Loaymoodler's magic power is especially well-sealed."

"That's fine for now. There are many peaceful uses. Until the environment is ready, don't mention it to anyone, Mulan."

"Yes, sir! But why me?"

"I won't stop Melfiela's research. As the Duke of Galbreath, I believe her research is beneficial. If her research makes it safe to eat monsters, it could lead to a better future for Galbreath. That's why..."

I looked at Mulan. She was tense, waiting for what I would say, and I nodded.

"Mulan, I want you to join the Blanche Squadron in guarding Melfiela. You will still be the captain of the Wyvern Squadron, but I want you to guard her when she goes hunting."

"Does Melfiela go hunting?"

"The research here is too public. In the Elsenei Great Forest, fewer people will enter. We plan to use oil paper to draw the magic circle to extract magic power from monsters, as we did with Zanas."

"I see. Until the preparations are complete."

"Exactly."

Mulan saluted, saying, "I will do my best." It should be fine if I surround her with knights who have seen her use the magic circle. I also need to talk to her about this. She must not show the magic circle to others recklessly. She is a good person and might not fully understand that there are those who would misuse her research.

"By the way, sir."

After our conversation, Chaos, who had been silent, spoke up.

"What is it?"

"What about Zanas?"

I realized my mistake. Damn, that's why I'm called 'sir, you're floating'! Chaos's gaze became cold again. He looks calm, but his eyes were painful.

"Sir."

"What?"

"You ate it, didn't you?"

"Uh..."

"And you, Mulan?"

"Yes..."

"You ate it without me... the seasonal Zanas."

In an old story, there is a saying, 'The grudge of food is terrible.' Seeing Chaos quietly angry, I thought it was indeed true.