Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The Recorder's Charm
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No one else knew about it except Darsi, which made it even more perfect.
'No. There are rumors that Darsi carries something around with him.'
I'd heard that the thugs spreading malicious rumors in the streets couldn't lay a finger on Darsi.
But no one could pinpoint exactly what his weapon was.
Now it was time to go meet Eaton.
I headed to the room where Eaton was sitting, carrying a small magic crystal and the provisional contract.
Soon after entering the theater, I spotted the recorded play being projected on the wall. I hadn't left it on, so Eaton must have turned it on.
'He's quick on the uptake.'
It couldn't have been easy handling a machine he'd never seen before.
As I approached the screen, I saw Eaton staring blankly at it. He seemed utterly entranced by the play. Even from the side, I could tell how immersed he was.
There were traveling theater troupes across the country, but the play I'd recorded this time was different. Pitol's new work was set for an exclusive screening at this very theater.
I'd planned to get straight to business, but like this, I had no choice but to wait.
I quietly stood beside Eaton, who hadn't even noticed me come in.
Actions speak louder than words, as they say. I decided to enjoy the play with him.
There was no risk of anyone else entering. Everyone was already used to me spending time alone in here.
I sat on the edge of the bed and finished the movie with Eaton.
'It's a completely different feeling from when I'm with Darsi.'
Unlike the times when I was more conscious of Darsi, this felt like taking a kid on a field trip.
I patted the shoulder of Eaton, who was clapping enthusiastically. If you enjoyed it that much, now it's time to work.
Of course, at my sudden touch, Eaton jumped back as if he'd seen a ghost.
"W-What!"
"Did you enjoy it?"
"How did you get here... No, that's not a question for me to ask."
Eaton still seemed completely absorbed in the play.
"Right. This is the Etwar estate, after all."
"..."
I walked over to the wall and turned on the lights. Eaton, squinting at the brightness, looked around and let out a small gasp of admiration.
'If I had a little brother, would it feel like this?'
Unlike with Darsi, where there was that awkward awareness between us, there was no such tension with Eaton. Our conversations felt like those between siblings.
Eaton pointed at the video player with his hand.
"What the heck is that thing?"
I hadn't expected the tools I'd made for myself to be this helpful...
I declared proudly.
"That's the magic tool I want to distribute."
"A magic tool?"
Unable to contain his curiosity, Eaton approached the video player and cautiously touched it.
"This is revolutionary!"
Eaton shouted, pointing at the screen still displayed on the wall. Seeing him so excited, he finally looked his age.
"I've never seen anything like this in my life..."
"That's why I want to distribute it."
"What did I just watch?"
"It's Pitol's play [Despair Beside Us], currently a massive hit. I recorded it myself, so you can watch it anytime. No need to go to the theater, no need to worry about timing, and you can replay your favorite parts as much as you want."
Eaton's eyes sparkled at my words. He tried to hide his excitement with an "oh" but it was already too late—I'd seen right through him.
He cleared his throat and asked.
"...Is there a reason you chose this magic tool?"
"It's easier for it to blend into nobles' lives than other magic tools. They're people too, and there are times when they're bored at home and want something to pass the time."
A product that lets people enjoy cultural entertainment anytime, anywhere. Once basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter are met, people start craving more luxuries they can afford.
That's why the video player was an excellent choice.
"If this magic tool becomes widely used, people's aversion to magic tools will decrease too."
"I can't deny that honestly."
Eaton confessed. Having clapped so enthusiastically earlier, he seemed to have given up hiding his true feelings.
It was impressive how, at such a young age, he prioritized gains over pride.
I sat on the sofa with Eaton and added one more wish.
"And... I think it could reduce prejudice against the mages who make these magic tools."
Afterward, I set down the contract I'd brought along with the magic crystal.
"Here's the provisional contract. I'll show it to the mages later too, but I'm showing it to you first."
Eaton quickly scanned the contract. But he just mumbled to himself without saying a word.
'There's nothing to fix!'
I puffed out my chest proudly. Of course not. If anything, it was more favorable to the mages than to me.
It was possible because what I wanted from this venture wasn't monetary gain.
I slid the lump of magic crystal toward Eaton.
"And this is a little bribe for you."
Honestly, it wasn't little by any means, but that's how I felt.
Eaton, who looked the most shocked by any of my actions so far, gripped the magic crystal tightly in his hand. I could see his hand trembling slightly. I hoped it was from excitement about the situation.
I quickly made it clear it wasn't pity.
"It's to reassure you that I have the funds to pull off this business."
He alternated his gaze between the magic crystal in his hand and the video player. The way he looked at the magic tool was intense.
I chuckled inwardly.
'...Well, look at that?'
I'd thought his youth meant he hadn't considered it yet... but all mages have the ability to create magic tools using magic crystals.
Having just seen how the magic tool could be used, greed must have sprouted in Eaton's heart too.
'It's a chance to see other mages besides Darsi making magic tools.'
Not that that's why I'd given him the magic crystal, but it was a good method.
I casually suggested to Eaton.
"You could use it to make the magic tool you want. If you need more magic crystals, I'll provide them."
"I never said that!"
Eaton startled and shouted loudly.
He shook his head vigorously as if denying it absolutely, but it definitely hit a nerve.
"If you say so. But if you need magic crystals, just tell me. I'll provide them."
"...Brother Airen told me not to even think about making magic tools."
...Who the heck is that? As I frowned, Eaton changed the subject.
"Anyway, when are you coming to our village?"
"As soon as preparations are ready. I have some things to sort out here first, so it might take a bit."
"What kind of things?"
"Social season stuff... and gifts to give along with the contracts to the mages."
"...Gifts? Not just the contracts?"
"I want to make a good impression at our first meeting. I really want this contract to go through."
Should I show him? I could get his opinion on whether kids would like them. Right in one corner of the theater, I'd stacked up gifts for the children.
I took Eaton over and pointed out the toys one by one.
"This is a doll embroidered with jewel eyes... a knight order model carved from emerald, a rocking horse made from ancient wood. What do you think?"
"...Doesn't seem like gifts for adults."
"I prepared separate gifts for the adults."
Eaton crouched down and examined the toys one by one. As he rummaged through them, he muttered softly.
"You're weird."
I'd been waiting anxiously for his opinion, and I barely caught the words. I smiled faintly and asked back.
"...What is?"
"Why do you, who could have everything, make something like this? Why do you care about us?"
"...They're not unrelated to me anymore."
Eaton narrowed his eyes at me.
"Because of that guy?"
"Not just that. I've... been through similar times, though different."
"...There's no way you could understand us."
"Maybe."
My life had looked glamorous on the outside, but before I possessed her, Marso Etwar wasn't happy. And I, in her position, was the same.
We had everything, yet we wandered the desert searching for an oasis.
Eaton asked again.
"...Why did you make something like this?"
His question was more cautious now, laced with deeper meaning. I let out a deep breath.
"I... was tired of everything."
"...Tired?"
"So I made it so I could do what I wanted without running into other people."
I hadn't known that something started out of exhaustion would create this butterfly effect.
"I knew how lonely it would be, but I wanted to be perfectly alone."
I'd thought Eaton would scoff or yell in disbelief.
But he just stared at me with furrowed brows. His blue eyes, similar yet different from Darsi's, darkened like the night sky.
"If you say it with that face, I can't argue."
Eaton squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them, mumbling. His voice had grown even softer.
"I thought all nobles were the same vain lumps."
"...Why?"
"They don't even listen to our stories and just try to use us. Mages have to grovel and sell their pride."
"..."
"When I think about it, I hate the prince and the emperor the most. The others I met didn't even listen and I decided to hate them all."
For someone thinking "what can a boy do," his gaze was fierce and his voice low.
"...But I can't hate your story."
His sullen face, like when he met Darsi, harbored a darkness beyond his years.
'Will all the mages I meet be like this?'
I agreed with him.
"I hate the emperor and Prince Ryan too."
Eaton blinked and asked.
"...The rumors say you liked Prince Ryan for quite a while."
I made the most horrified face imaginable, as if I'd heard the world's most terrible thing.