Chapter 62

The thick, pitch-black blood floated up above the magic circle. How much of the demonic poison could be contained in that tiny drop, no larger than a fingernail?

(The magic power is glowing black... such an ominous and eerie color.)

When I carefully drew it in, the first drop was absorbed into the smoky quartz. I didn't use the compression spell to measure the exact amount. This smoky quartz can hold about 300 riltes of liquid, which is equivalent to a regular glass of wine.

From Tenro's physique, the maximum amount of blood that can be collected in a day is four darte. Any more would be dangerous as his body wouldn't recover in time. I focused all my strength on the incantations "Lunatic Noe Vledous" and "Magics" to extract as much magic power as possible with the least amount of blood.

"Guvu..."

Tenro looked at me with his murky eyes. Immediately, the Duke, who was standing next to me, flickered a golden flame of magic in his left hand, as if to restrain Tenro. The knights surrounding the magic circle also lowered their stances, ready for battle. If Tenro were to bare his fangs at me, the Duke would really cut off his head without mercy.

(He told me not to overdo it...)

I continued to concentrate. How fast, how much, and for how long should I extract the magic to avoid burdening Tenro? It was a trial-and-error process, but failure was not an option.

(By the way, how did Mother do it when she extracted magic power?)

Unlike me, who used the smoky quartz, Mother extracted magic directly from the monsters. I remember that when Mother moved her fingers, the magic power would gather as if it were a living thing. When I tried to extract the magic earlier, I did it with my bare hands, but I hesitated to continue touching something that looked so harmful.

(No. There's no time to hesitate. I have to do this in my own way.)

Before long, I could no longer hear the Duke's voice or Tenro's growls.

◇

Lady Melfiela's red hair glowed as if it were on fire, and despite the lack of wind, it gently swayed. The incantation continued without pause, and one drop after another of the black magic power gathered in the smoky quartz she held.

"Kaosu, it's been three hours. Considering Lady Melfiela's physical condition, I think it would be better to take a break."

Blanche, who was waiting by the magic circle like me, looked worriedly at Lady Melfiela's back.

"Yes, the smoky quartz is almost full, so it might be a good time... However, to activate the magic circle again, the same level of concentration is required. Odilon, what is your opinion?"

For matters concerning the magic circle, it would be better to ask the mages. I asked one of the mages who was staring at the magic circle with uncontainable excitement. His usually lifeless brown eyes were shining like a child in front of a dragon. He was Odilon, the head mage of Midleague, wearing the blue cloak that was the symbol of a Galbreath mage.

When he didn't respond, I called his name again.

"...Odilon?"

"Huh? Ah, what...?"

Odilon, who had a blissful look on his face, clearly hadn't been listening to me. When I sighed, he scratched his messy, withered grass-colored hair and returned to his usual lackluster face (he claims this is his serious face).

"I'm asking for your judgment on whether it's okay to let Lady Melfiela continue the incantation. You should know, as it's your area of expertise."

Then, Odilon, who glanced at Lady Melfiela, shook his head.

"I'm not good with ancient magic. Nowadays, there's no need to use such outdated, troublesome, and unrefined dead magic."

"Odilon, what a way to put it!"

Blanche's voice was tinged with irritation. However, Odilon, with a carefree expression, continued.

"But I'm praising it. I admit that ancient magic is difficult, even for me. The language of the spirits is incomprehensible unless you're a poet. To think that she can so easily... Is the Northern Princess a favorite of the castle's mages?"

Despite his harsh words, Odilon didn't seem to be belittling Lady Melfiela.

"A poet... I see, so Lady Melfiela has the talent of a poet. Hmm? Then, you too, sir? You, a poet?"

Blanche was shocked by something else. I can understand her feelings, as I have my own thoughts on the matter. However, now is not the time to pursue such things.

"Right now, Lady Melfiela's background is irrelevant. Odilon, what I want to know is whether it's okay to interrupt the incantation and suggest that Lady Melfiela take a break."

"I don't think it's okay. The Northern Princess seems to be adjusting the amount of blood she's extracting. As long as she doesn't collapse, it's probably best to let Captain Blanche feed her and monitor the situation."

His words could be interpreted as dismissive, but Odilon didn't take his eyes off Lady Melfiela and the magic circle. The light in his usually lackluster eyes suggested that, as a mage, he recognized ancient magic as a subject of study.

"...That's what he says. Captain Blanche, please take care of Lady Melfiela."

"Understood. Still, Lady Melfiela, despite her frail appearance, seems to have the stamina of a knight."

"From what I understand, she spent her days in the Martial Raid in constant research, so her physical condition might be similar to our eccentric mages."

Lady Melfiela, who had been standing still, hadn't moved a muscle. Occasionally, her green eyes would blink, and her hair would sway due to the force of the magic power.

(Well, if anything happens, the Duke will stop her.)

Knight Lillian, who was attending to Lady Melfiela, diligently wiped the sweat from her forehead. The Duke, who was standing next to her, was casting a spell with his right hand while pointing his left hand at Tenro.

(Tsk, the Duke is the same. Despite the injury on his left shoulder...)

The Duke seemed to have forgotten about his injury from yesterday. He had torn off the bandages that were tightly wrapped around his shoulder, perhaps because they were hindering his movement. His eyes glowed golden with magic power as he tried to protect Lady Melfiela with all his might.

Indeed, the Duke was using a spell to hide Lady Melfiela's appearance from others. This was to prevent the ancient magic circle from being seen by the general public. Since the Martial Raid, the Duke had always cast a wide barrier when Lady Melfiela used ancient magic.

This was not only because the consumption of magic was taboo, but also to prevent the technique of extracting and compressing magic power from objects and storing it in smoky quartz from being exposed to the outside world.

(I don't think anyone here would misuse it...)

I wasn't directing the knights based on Tenro's condition; that was Mullan's job. My task, as given by the Duke, was to look for any suspicious movements. I didn't want to doubt the knights and mages involved in this treatment, but I couldn't rule out the possibility of someone with ill intentions.

(Ancient magic is so difficult that even Odilon has trouble with it, so I hope my concerns are unfounded.)

Galbreath mages are not weak. They accompany knights to the Elsenei Great Forest to fight monsters and have the skills to use magic. In battles with monsters, one must be able to analyze the situation calmly and act quickly to survive.

Earlier, Odilon had stated that ancient magic was difficult. Even the head of the mages, who possessed such skills, had openly admitted that he couldn't control ancient magic.

(I doubt there are any warriors who can use the magic flowing underground in the Elsenei Great Forest to create the mythical 'Ancient Magic Weapon'.)

If they can't do it themselves, it's not impossible that someone might try to kidnap Lady Melfiela. I rubbed the wrinkles on my forehead, troubled by the various issues that arose.

Currently, Lady Melfiela doesn't leave the castle, but it can't be kept that way forever. The Duke doesn't wish for it either. I, too, want to introduce Lady Melfiela to the Elsenei Great Forest and the various forts.

(The Azerlo fort is where the Pau Pau with winter fur fly in at the beginning of winter. The Duke likes them, and I'm sure Lady Melfiela would be delighted too.)

Galbreath is home to many dangerous monsters, but it also has many good things. With the Duke by her side, Lady Melfiela would be safe, and a trip to deepen their bond might be a good idea.

I was lost in such thoughts when Lady Melfiela's movement caught my attention.

The mages were hurriedly preparing the smoky quartz device. Lady Melfiela received the second smoky quartz from the Duke and had a brief conversation with him. Her concentration hadn't wavered, and despite her fatigue, a smile seemed to grace her face.

(By the way, Tenro has stopped growling.)

Occasionally, he would drink water from the tube in his mouth, and his breathing seemed to have slowed and steadied. The young Tenro, who had been afraid of the unfamiliar magic circle and wouldn't come near, was now wagging its tail in Lillian's arms.

It was almost noon.

The smoky quartz that the Duke had received from Lady Melfiela was filled with thick, black magic power, which was darker and more dangerous than any black I had ever seen.

300 riltes... 300 milliliters

4 darte... 4 liters