Life Is Real Combat (3)
"You mean I can research here to my heart's content?"
"That's right."
Groot, the Magic Stone researcher, could hardly believe it. Unlimited Magic Stones supplied as needed, plus a dedicated research space—this was a dream proposal for any researcher.
"Might I ask why you would do all this for me?"
He was a Magic Stone researcher in name only; he had yet to produce any proper results. He had plenty of ideas, of course, but no money to buy Magic Stones for experiments.
"I happened to see the mana extractor you made once."
Ellen set a small cubic box on the table. Groot's eyes went wide at the sight of it.
"How did you get that…?"
It was a tool designed to extract mana from Magic Stones with high efficiency. He had sold it—along with everything else he owned—when his research had left him destitute.
"Looking at this piece, I found the concept remarkably fresh. Going forward, I want to apply Magic Stones across many fields. And I want you to take charge of researching weapons that use them."
Groot swallowed hard.
How many places had he visited, begging for research support? Even when he was turned away at the door, he had never given up. But selling his home had left that resolve badly shaken.
At last, I've met someone who recognizes me.
It did not take him long to decide to enter Ellen's mansion.
"I will repay the trust you've placed in me."
"I place my full confidence in you. However."
"Is there something else you require?"
Ellen paused, and Groot asked again.
"Can you begin research immediately? If moving your belongings will take time, I'll send people. You come to my mansion first and start working."
Groot could not grasp Ellen's intent. He himself could move at once, but spending money just to start a few days earlier made no sense.
"I would not dare presume to understand your reasons. Very well. I'll pack only the essentials and leave right away."
Groot rose and immediately began gathering his things.
The sooner the better, so the rumors spread farther. Now just one more thing to do.
Still missing the decisive blow.
Leonard was elated that everything was falling into place exactly as he planned. The high-ranking mages of the Magic Tower lending their support had been unexpected, but now every minor noble of Prode was lining up behind his petition. Judging by the atmosphere, even the high nobles seemed to be lending it weight through silent acquiescence.
Every real power in Prode is backing me.
The thought alone made Leonard smile. With that kind of support, there was no need to worry about the petition failing.
This alone won't put real shackles on him. I need something that can finish him off for certain.
As he had calculated, the current pretext offered only limited restrictions against Ellen—little more than a check to keep him from acting freely. Even at its furthest reach, it might force him to register with the Magic Tower and submit to their surveillance. But what Leonard wanted was a blow close to ruin.
I will never forget that humiliation.
He could not endure having been shamed by someone whose birth was no better than his own. Yet the flame of that rage was suddenly redirected by an interrupting voice.
"He returned to his mansion last. That is all."
"Nothing more? How is it that all you can tell me is that he trains at the mansion every day?"
Leonard sat squarely in the seat that belonged to the information guild master, glaring at the man standing before him.
Unlike you, he pours everything into magic training and physical conditioning every single day—what do you expect me to do about that?
Guild Master Matthew swallowed the words that nearly burst out of him.
"My apologies."
"Do you think I said all that just to hear 'sorry'? Show me some real effort—real effort! Not this half-hearted garbage."
Leonard flung the papers in his hand. They scattered across the floor.
This bastard…
Matthew clenched both fists. Yet his face never lost its smile. The man before him might only be an adopted son, but he was still of the Coleman family—and a mage.
"Next time I will bring far more useful information."
"Forgive the interruption. I knew you were speaking, but urgent intelligence forced me to be rude."
A guild member who had been gathering information on Ellen hurried into the parlor.
"Ah, it's fine. Report."
The life of intelligence lay in accuracy and speed. Matthew, as guild master, knew that better than anyone. He took no issue with the man's lack of manners.
"We're discussing important matters with distinguished company, and you barge in like that. If this isn't crucial, I'll kill you myself."
Leonard, however, was different. He fixed the guild member with a murderous glare.
"I-it's this…"
Whatever else he was, Leonard was a rising mage of the Magic Tower. The guild member lacked the strength to withstand that killing intent head-on.
"This is it."
Forcing his trembling body under control, he submitted a sheaf of papers.
"Hmph."
Leonard snorted and snatched them up. Ellen's daily movements were recorded—no different from every previous report.
"Still training day and night, I suppose. Wait… what's this?"
He slapped the papers onto the table and shot to his feet. Matthew reacted the same way.
"He's trying to develop weapons in secret?"
The report detailed Ellen's activities over the past several days. One location stood out: a place he had visited without fail every single day recently. They had been unable to enter and confirm details, but the only other person coming and going was Groot.
Someone who primarily researches weapons…
Local inquiries revealed that weapon materials were being delivered there.
And this research differs from what was reported to the royal court?
He gave no thought to how an ordinary guild member had obtained royal information.
Baron Remi Veritati was researching new weapons in secret from the crown.
That fact alone mattered most.
Research into new weapons had to be reported to the royal court and conducted under its direct management and supervision. In Prode's past, a family that developed a sword far beyond the era's standards had used it to stage a rebellion. The uprising had been crushed, but the shock remained. Ever since, the crown managed weapon development itself to prevent any future revolt.
Secret research into new weapons is a grave crime. I'll get to watch you fall all the way to the bottom.
Even imagining the scene made Leonard's cheeks twitch with a grin.
"You. Go find ironclad additional evidence right now—something he can't wriggle out of."
He ordered the guild member. The man carefully glanced at Matthew.
Matthew, well acquainted with Leonard's temper, quickly nodded.
"Yes, sir."
The guild member raced straight for Ellen's mansion.
Several days later, Alberto could no longer completely ignore the petitions from the provincial minor nobles and the Magic Tower. He summoned Ellen to the royal court.
"Having accepted the opinions of my lords, I have arranged a place to examine Baron Remi Veritati."
The nobles arrayed before Alberto bent one knee and paid their respects to the king.
"Haa."
Alberto still disliked the situation. But politics was never something one could simply do as one pleased.
"Bring Remi Veritati."
At the king's command, the great hall's doors opened with a heavy sound.
Ellen walked through the open doors, step by measured step. After eleven paces he knelt on his right knee.
"Remi Veritati. I have not the slightest doubt of your loyalty to Prode. However, there are matters to examine regarding your indiscriminate use of magic, and so I have called you. Do you swear to speak only the truth?"
Ellen placed his right hand over his left breast.
"I, Remi Veritati, swear to answer every question from His Majesty the King with nothing but the truth."
"Very well. Rise."
Royal etiquette was complicated in every respect. Even rising had to follow the proper sequence.
"Why do you not belong to the Magic Tower? By organizing mages, the Tower prevents potential problems before they arise. It also provides systematic support for mages. With your abilities, you would more than qualify for membership."
Alberto posed the question with the petition in mind, reflecting their arguments.
"Originally I was far too lacking to enter the Magic Tower. Only through a chance meeting with a master did my skill improve. That master left me with a dying wish never to join the Tower, and then passed on."
Ellen recited the answer he had prepared in advance.
"I understand the sentiment. Refusing the Tower for such personal reasons is understandable. Yet leaving a high-ranking mage completely unmanaged for that reason is difficult."
"I am Your Majesty's vassal and strategist, striving to strengthen the kingdom's military power. As such, I already stand under Your Majesty's management."
Alberto's questions continued. An hour passed and still they did not stop—proof of how many petitions the minor nobles had submitted.
Yet Ellen answered every one without hesitation, as if he had known the questions in advance and prepared for them.
This isn't working.
He's dodging everything.
We have to catch him on something.
The nobles who had submitted the petitions could observe the examination. They had expected Ellen to be cornered, and now they were growing flustered.
Slippery eel. No choice, then.
Only one man remained calm—Leonard. In fact, he brimmed with confidence.
"Your Majesty, I, Leonard Coleman, have words for Your Majesty."
He seized the moment when the examination briefly quieted and requested the floor.
Alberto's face twisted.
Is that the one who first submitted the petition?
He could have refused, but Leonard had chosen his timing too well. Reading atmospheres like this was Leonard's specialty.
"What is it?"
Leonard smiled the smile of a man about to spring his trap.
"I wish to expose Baron Remi Veritati's act of treason in full."
"Treason?"
"Baron Veritati, treason?"
"What act do you mean?"
The nobles who had been waiting for any chance against Ellen reacted strongly.
"Baron Veritati, who rendered such distinguished service in the war against the Gosen Empire, accused of treason?"
At Alberto's words, Leonard produced the paper recording Ellen's movements.
"This document makes it clear. Recently there is a place he visits without fail every single day."
He pointed to one section. Every gaze focused on the tip of his finger.
"This is the location where he has deceived Your Majesty and is secretly researching new weapons."
His gaze turned to Ellen.
"Baron Veritati, the man you employed—Groot—is a researcher of weapons that use Magic Stones. Moreover, materials necessary for weapon production have been flowing into your mansion."
Ellen said nothing. Seeing that, Leonard was certain of victory.
"Can it be true that you were doing such a thing?"
"Why research new weapons in secret? Did you plan to attack the royal palace where His Majesty resides with those weapons?"
The nobles pressed Ellen as well. It had not been part of the original plan, but they all recognized this as the perfect chance to bring him down.
"Your Majesty, the laws of Prode require that the development of new weapons take place under strict management and control. Yet Baron Veritati violated that solemn law and developed weapons in secret. If this is not treason, what is?"
He knelt on the floor as he spoke. Alberto remained silent.
"Your Majesty, please give your command."
Leonard was skilled at reading the atmosphere around him. And now he felt that atmosphere beginning to flow strangely.
"Of course, developing new weapons without the court's knowledge is a violation of solemn law. It must be punished as a grave crime."
At last Alberto opened his mouth.
"However—only when it is done without the court's knowledge."
Grasping the meaning of those words, Leonard whipped his head around to look at Ellen.
Ellen met Leonard's eyes and nodded with a kindly expression.
"Let's go."