Chapter 116
Chapter 116
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: The Usefulness of a Treacherous Subject
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"I'd like to know more about that ruin."
"I'm grateful for your interest. The ruin in the Haldeon region is located near the border between the Imperial territory and the Kmel family's domain. Originally, it was a vast forest inhabited by monsters... Its existence was discovered by adventurers who were subjugating the area. The Imperial side, which obtained the information first, mobilized the Imperial Knight Order and troops, secured it, and gained management rights."
"Hmm..."
"However, it's quite a difficult place to excavate, requiring considerable funds and time. They decided to postpone it until tax revenues increased, and that's what ended up being handed over during this duel."
"A ruin from the Unified Empire era... and they just handed it over in a mere children's duel?"
For Beonald, who knew of the splendid era of the Unified Empire 500 years ago, this was an utterly incomprehensible decision.
"Hahaha, of course, you could see it that way. But ultimately, it's an unopened box. Who knows what's inside? What if they spend a ton of money and manpower on excavation... only to find trivial antiques and nothing of value?"
"Certainly... that risk exists too. In that case, it's better to just post guards and hope others put in the effort."
Not knowing what lies inside or what threats might be present, using it as a discardable card at a time like this could be much more advantageous.
And perhaps, using methods other than direct 'excavation' might be better.
For instance, stealing what others have excavated.
"Anyway, so? What do you want from me?"
"I'll arrange for you to participate in the ruin excavation work."
"Is that all? Ah... will that be enough? No 'bring this from there,' 'find out that,' or anything like that?"
"Yes. However, that site... will be in considerable chaos. Hehehe. Not only the Kmel family but the Imperial side will also sneak in, and other dukes will likely meddle. If you're prepared to get caught up in that, I'd be happy to oblige?"
"I see... So you intend to use me as material for that chaos?"
Beonald had roughly guessed what this Eskal character's scheme was.
He was a guy who simply wanted to see 'ruin' and 'chaos' unfold.
If it's a ruin from the Unified Empire era, who knows what hidden treasures might be there? It was the perfect material. He probably wanted a conflict to start between the Kmel family and the Kalem Empire over it, leading to a bloodbath.
"Hmm, alright. But... let me ask one thing. Which family are you receiving payment from to do this?"
"...Ah~ payment? That's a given, but I can't tell you."
"I see. Understood. So, by when should I be ready?"
"You're an academy student, so... wouldn't it be good after the final exams, when the vacation starts?"
There was no need to be particularly considerate, but having some leeway was good. Beonald immediately agreed.
After sharing future contact methods and means, the two returned to their waiting guards and then disbanded.
A few weeks later.
Beonald returned to his academy studies.
He had become famous due to his duel with President Lloyd, but his attitude of receiving lessons insincerely remained unchanged. However, the atmosphere was such that no one whispered or complained about it anymore.
Still, the increased stares and the noble faculty girls coming to see him from time to time were a bit bothersome.
'...Being famous is troublesome.'
"By the way, I'm a bit worried about Miss Veshia."
"Isn't she adapting well enough?"
"That girl, her beauty is quite outstanding. I'm not sure if the laborers or other servants frequenting the trading company will leave her alone. While she can learn work through repetition, dealing with people is another matter."
Only her hair color had changed, not her actual appearance, so Veshia—no, Zelsi's beauty was still exceptional.
And a woman of low status with outstanding beauty was always prone to attracting those who wanted to lay hands on her...
"I think Sein's beauty isn't lacking either."
"Wha-What are you suddenly saying! Lord Beonald!"
"Anyway, there's no need to worry about that problem. I've already asked Selina to manage her for now. As a mage of the Magic Tower, no one can recklessly touch her. So... I need to catch a little sleep today as I have work to do."
"Yes, Lord Beonald."
After finishing the conversation, Beonald closed his eyes. Sein continued to listen to the lesson intently. After finishing the academy classes, they returned to Darren's trading company and headed to the laboratory.
'Now it's a perfect base.'
The drainage and ventilation construction was completely finished, and water could now be drawn up. The laboratory had clearly changed from before. Several magic lamps that emitted light were installed, making it much brighter, and the clean appearance showed that considerable effort had been put in.
Of course, there was still a long way to go, as the mountain of antiques needed to be cleared.
"Ughhhh! Aaaah! What am I supposed to do with this?"
"...What's the problem?"
"Ah! You came at the right time. The 'spell engraving' you told me about before! Is this really supposed to work?"
As soon as Selina saw Beonald, she grumbled while holding out the small metal plate she had been struggling with.
She had been trying to recreate the 'spell formulas' engraved on those antique magic tools, studying their structural principles.
"No matter what I do, it doesn't come out like this. How am I supposed to do it? Did people in the past really just use this as a tool? Does this 'spell engraving' thing really exist?"
'...It exists, that's why I used and made it. Sigh~'
'Spell engraving.' Literally, it was an enchantment technique where spells were engraved so that they would operate semi-permanently with just the supply of magic power from a magic stone.
It was a vastly more convenient technology than recording on paper or parchment for one-time use, but since the method was lost, most people only used excavated magic tools.
'...I don't know why it was lost. Was the internal strife among those Magic Tower bastards that severe? Anyway, that's why I'm deceiving her.'
However, Beonald, who knew this information perfectly, couldn't completely deceive Selina. He was pretending he had good appraisal skills and had seen the technique's name in a book, but still...
'But the most laughable and absurd fact is... spell engraving was originally a technique created by the Magic Tower. Really, I~'
"As you said, I engraved the formula on the metal plate and filled it with powdered, depleted magic stones... but does it make sense to make it without gaps? It's at the level of having to fit tiny particles one by one."
'...That's why, to fill those gaps and ensure smooth magic flow, we melted and filled it with a mixture of orichalcum and mithril. Of course, this was the very early method. Later, to mass-produce it more cheaply, they mixed depleted magic stones with high-purity steel, melted it, treated it with chemicals, and then poured it into pre-made engraving molds to complete the engraving...'
"Then why not fill the gaps with something else?"
While Beonald was thinking about the original method, a sharp observation came from beside him. The two turned their heads.
Veshia, with eyes full of curiosity, had been watching the scene of Selina's spell engraving and interjected.
Struck by the pointed remark, Beonald looked at her in surprise. Selina also seemed shocked that a solution had come from such an unexpected place.
'Ooh... I never thought the answer would come from here. Does genius intellect transcend eras?'
"Fill the gaps... with what? These tiny gaps? Uuugh... what should I fill it with? Should I try putting in monster blood or something?"
'That's a terrifying idea! But not bad. Blood is also a source of life and an element through which magic flows, so it's not unreasonable. However, there are many problems with using it as a product. For starters, the image alone is horrifying.'
"Hey, are you really sure you don't know the manufacturing method? No matter how I look at it, you have the expression of a teacher enjoying watching me struggle to find the answer?"
"There's no meaning if you don't achieve it through your own research. Besides, plenty of samples of the correct answer already exist. Anyway, I need to continue appraising, so figure it out yourself."
"Eeeek!"
Leaving the indignant Selina behind, Beonald continued appraising the antiques.
He needed to salvage as many usable items as possible before heading to Haldeon for excavation soon, but so far, the results weren't great.
Most were scrap or non-functional spell formulas, but there was a certain pleasure in collecting and reassembling them into simple spell formulas to create various items.
'Lately, it feels more like I'm living for the joy of making things rather than finding them. As long as I have magic stones, I can make them work.'
The magic tool currently brightly illuminating this laboratory wasn't something excavated but a piece Beonald had personally reassembled and created.
Beonald found it strange that he was secretly enjoying something his past self would never have done—starting by making necessary yet simple things.
'Well, maybe this was originally my taste... Hmm, I did enjoy alchemy experiments in their own way.'
"......"
"What is it? Is there a problem?"
While he was diligently extracting 'spell formulas' and necessary parts from antiques, Veshia was staring intently at him.
Her still blazing red eyes sparkled as she watched Beonald and his work with curiosity.
Frankly, it was something anyone would find fascinating, but feeling burdened by the blatant stare, Beonald asked again.
"...What?"
"It looks fun."
"It's not unfun, but... ugh... Ah!"
At that moment, an idea flashed in Beonald's mind.
He had to handle multiple tasks alone, which lowered efficiency, while right before him was suitable talent with both intellect and aura ability who could take over some of his roles.
Remembering that if she just helped with disassembling scrap, he could focus solely on appraisal, potentially doubling work efficiency, Beonald immediately began teaching her the basic structure of magic tools and how to safely remove engraved formula sections.
"There, basic training complete! I'll sort them, and you dismantle and crush the parts I indicate, then classify them. Got it? Since it's your first time, I'll mark them with chalk and hand them over. Let's just get a feel for it today!"
"Yes! Master!"
'Wow... This is truly an amazing sight. Her Highness the Princess is one thing, but Beonald... that guy is something else...'
No matter how much she ran away on her own and disguised her status, Zelsi was still Her Highness the Princess... Selina found Beonald's nonchalance in exploiting her without care quite impressive.
But what was even more astonishing was Her Highness Princess Zelsi, who, delighted by Beonald's instructions, grabbed a hammer and tools and joyfully plunged into manual labor.
"Hoo~! Ah! This is quite fun."
'...Who would have thought Her Highness the Princess... had a manual laborer's constitution?'
No matter how much she dyed her hair, she was a woman who could be called the face of the Imperial family—cold yet elegant, with skin so transparently white it was charming.
But now, that appearance was nowhere to be seen. Her eyes shining, she was frolicking like a fish in water. Even Beonald, who had assigned the work, was taken aback by her completely different demeanor.
'...Well, if she likes it, that's good.'
There was a sense of eeriness in her happily working figure, but since the work was becoming more efficient and the Princess seemed satisfied, Beonald said nothing and continued his appraisals.