Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: The Cold Box and the Conversation
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Inside the royal family's exclusive area, study rooms were prepared for each individual member of the imperial bloodline to use.
For safety, armed imperial knights patrolled the corridors, creating a subtly menacing sight.
Following Princess Zelcy into her private study, Beonald tried to calm himself internally, but this was a habit he couldn't break even in his past life 500 years ago, so it was unavoidable.
"Come in."
"Yes…"
As he followed her inside, the interior of the room came into view.
A study room equipped with bookshelves filled with books requested in advance by the room's owner, various refreshments, multiple chairs and desks prepared in case of visits from private tutors, and even a chalkboard. She had arranged a chair and desk for Beonald, positioning them to face hers.
"…So, what test are you planning to conduct?"
"First, please sit. What would you like to drink? We have something cool…"
"Huh? Wh-what is this…?"
Seeing Princess Zelcy take a bottle from a strangely-shaped small box in the corner, Beonald started in surprise and shot to his feet.
A very old steel box with scratches all over. Beonald approached it and examined it closely.
"Wh-what in the world is this?"
"Ah, I see it's your first time seeing a magical tool. It's a relic. When you put a magic stone in the outer slot, the cooling magic inside activates, making the interior of the box cold. They were excavated in large quantities from a very old dungeon."
Listening to Princess Zelcy's calm explanation, Beonald stared at the box that chilled the items inside with wonder.
Princess Zelcy thought he was making a fuss because he was from the countryside, and waited for his excitement to subside while sipping a cooled beverage first. However, the reason for Beonald's surprise was different.
'This was made in our Benofis! I found it! The Hydra crest!'
Finding the small 'Hydra's Imprint' carved in a corner of the box, Beonald realized this relic was made in his own territory.
As a noble and an alchemist, he had initiated various projects to apply magic to practical uses for the prosperity of his territory.
And that habit didn't stop even when he became a Duke and rose to a position governing the Unified Empire, creating numerous items through research funded by money diverted from the imperial treasury.
"Wh-where did you get this?"
"I don't know. Probably something adventurers excavated and are using. After the Age of Fragmentation, monster territories expanded, causing the lost cities and facilities of the old empire to become dungeons. They likely came from there."
'I see… Is that what happened? After the war, monster territories would inevitably expand.'
This was a point he had forgotten while searching for reasons only in the civil war among humans. This continent was home not only to wild animals but also to monsters.
Even at the peak of the Unified Empire, the area actually inhabited by people was only about half the total.
Then, after the Age of Fragmentation and in the current chaotic era, they must be living in an area much smaller than what they nominally rule.
'Anyway, this… We mass-produced these to the point where most nobles or wealthy merchants could have one. Yet now, it's treated as a relic only the royal family can use… How bizarre. The world has really regressed too much.'
"Beonald?"
"Ah, yes. My apologies. I was just so fascinated by this strange object. Hahaha."
A bitter feeling washed over him at the thought of humanity regressing over 500 years, but he had to snap out of it at Princess Zelcy's words.
He was surprised to find a relic with traces of himself after 500 years, but he had to remind himself where he was now.
"Oooh… This is really cool. If you can drink tea this chilled, imagine if you put beer in here to cool it. The taste would be unimaginable."
"All the imperial knights who saw that relic said the same thing. So there's probably one at the Imperial Knight Order headquarters too."
"That's a bit enviable. Then, relics like these must be traded at quite high prices."
"Yes, that's right. Knowing that, countless adventurers still strive to subdue monsters and explore dangerous areas and old dungeons. Also, every country is desperate to find relics of the 'Nameless Treacherous Subject' passed down like legends and spare no expense to acquire them."
"Good heavens…"
Beonald was speechless that his legacy not only fragmented the continent but still exerted such a massive influence.
Especially the absurdity of a simple magic-stone refrigerator being a costly relic made him want to show off all the various magic-stone-powered items that existed in Benofis at its peak.
If they could make a magic-stone refrigerator like that, imagine how far the development of military supplies and various weapons must have progressed.
'But if I say that, they'll definitely think I'm insane. Anyway, this gives me even more reason to find Benofis. And… I think I understand why the Goddess sent me back.'
Beonald thought he must find 'Benofis' as soon as possible.
Having already seen the continent's map, he was halfway there. Considering adventurers and nations across the continent were still searching, it might be quicker than he thought.
'Of course, I'm also a greedy human… I pulled a lot of dirty tricks with the warehouse.'
"Anyway, now that your curiosity about the magical tool is satisfied, shall we get to the main point?"
"…Yes. Though I have no idea what kind of test you'll conduct this time."
"First… what are your hobbies?"
"…Pardon?"
"……."
For a moment, Beonald wondered if he'd misheard the question and tilted his head. Princess Zelcy's expression remained impassive.
Hobbies. Leisure activities one enjoys in spare time, outside one's main occupation.
It would be normal to ask why she was asking this, but Beonald decided this itself was another test and chose to answer honestly.
"I don't really have any hobbies."
"None?"
"Yes. From the moment I wake up until I sleep… no, perhaps even the moment I sleep, I must do various things to survive and take another step forward. Being of noble blood, even if only half, I must acquire the qualifications that come with it, swordsmanship to protect myself, the alchemy I'm studying, additional various academic subjects… I can't find the time to indulge in what you'd call a hobby."
Mentioning some half-baked hobby everyone else does wouldn't be believed, and starting a lie would require more lies to cover it up. So Beonald simply stated the truth plainly here.
When you can't figure out what someone is scheming, a direct approach is as efficient as any.
'I haven't insulted the imperial family in any way… And it's only natural for someone lacking to live while striving.'
"Is that so. My hobbies are reading, watching plays, and opera. Lately, I've been watching plays and opera mostly. Among recent ones, 'The Pilgrimage of Baynard' left a deep impression."
'The Pilgrimage of Baynard'. A novel about a paladin named Baynard who, through love and devotion to the Goddess alone, breaks through adversity and eventually ascends to the heavens where she resides. The paladin Baynard overcomes countless temptations and hardships solely through prayer and endurance dedicated to the Goddess. The poignant prayers for the Goddess moved the hearts of many women, making it a popular work.
"That one… by current standards… isn't it quite a classic?"
And that work, 'The Pilgrimage of Baynard', was a book published 500 years ago, in Beonald's era.
Back then, there was an uproar calling for the author to be burned at the stake for blasphemy against the Goddess or whatnot, but thanks to the overwhelming support of high noble wives and daughters, he fortunately managed to keep his life.
"Even if it's a classic, a masterpiece is a masterpiece. Have you seen it by any chance?"
"…Yes. I have seen it. But the author himself actually… was heard to lament, 'I wrote about the journey of a paladin serving the Goddess with a pure heart! Why is this filed under romance novels!'"
"Huh? Do you… know the author personally?"
"…was written! In an essay. It's just speculation, so you don't have to believe it."
A topic connecting to something from 500 years ago had come up, and Beonald, who almost made a critical slip, quickly glossed over it, his heart pounding.
He wasn't usually prone to such mistakes, but starting with the tension of being in the imperial family's domain and then being shaken by seeing the magic-stone relic had caused a momentary lapse.
Fortunately, it wasn't fatal, so he recovered quickly, but he noticed her gaze at him had become peculiar.
'…Damn, she's looking at me like I'm a complete weirdo.'
"An essay by the author of 'The Pilgrimage of Baynard' would be an incredible relic, wouldn't it? Where is it now?"
"Well… its authenticity isn't yet confirmed, you see. It needs proper verification by a historian."
"I see. Anyway, I'm relieved you're not completely uncultured. And…"
Their conversation continued in this manner, shifting through various topics.
Beonald didn't know what scheme she had in mind to do this, but he simply wished for this time to pass quickly.
After several dozen minutes—they had come straight after the lecture ended and talked about this and that—the tension caused a high calorie burn, and Beonald's stomach growled loudly.
"Ah, my apologies."
"It's only natural since I kept you so long. Then, let's go have a meal."
"…Pardon?"
"Is there a problem with me offering a meal? Follow me."
Watching Princess Zelcy stand up first and leave the room as if it were obvious, Beonald wondered if she was seriously planning to take him to the imperial palace like this. He nervously left the academy library and rejoined his party, only to find that the carriage Princess Zelcy had called was indeed one heading to the imperial palace.
'…Are you serious?'
Looking at the two splendid carriages with the imperial family's crest-emblazoned flags fluttering, Beonald was already quite weary. The thought of going to the palace and being pressured made his stomach ache already.
Having shown no outward signs, Princess Zelcy, completely unaware of his feelings, assigned carriages to Beonald and his party.
"Beonald, you ride in this one. Your party members can ride in the carriage behind."
"Yes, understood."
For some reason, she sent Heidi and Saine to another carriage and got into the same carriage as Beonald, sitting beside him.
Beonald felt pressure from today's inexplicable schedule and the sudden trip to the palace, agonizing internally. Princess Zelcy, still with an impassive face, gazed steadily at him, but the very corners of her lips were raised ever so slightly, imperceptible to anyone else.
It was a tiny movement, unnoticeable to anyone but herself, and since it was just Beonald and her alone in the carriage, no one else saw it.