Chapter 63
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Spark (3)
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"Prince Raymond... well, it's a bit odd for a court mage like me to say this, but he's not all that bright. He comes to Lady Kaela every single day, pestering her with even the most trivial questions."
"Ah, maybe it's because Lady Kaela is so wise and remarkable."
"Could be."
I nodded along casually while lost in thought.
This might actually yield some useful information. After all, he's a court mage.
Barkus looked pleased, then suddenly lowered his voice and leaned in to whisper.
"This is just between you and me, though."
What 'between you and me'?
I barely suppressed the reflexive retort.
Now was the time to play along and clap enthusiastically, letting Barkus ramble on.
"Honestly, I don't like how Lady Kaela is helping that dim-witted prince. All he does is bark orders and expect to be served. 'Do this,' 'do that.'
I connected him with the Goddess Church folks, and even then he tried treating them like servants, so they stormed out in a huff."
"Goddess Church...?"
My voice dropped unconsciously.
Barkus tilted his head as if surprised I didn't know.
"Yeah? The Amadelia Goddess Church. You don't know it?"
"Ah, I've heard of it."
"Lately, they've been trying to expand their influence in the capital. Didn't go so well, though."
Amadelia Goddess Church. A name I'd caught floating around even in Prion.
They worshipped a goddess called Amadelia. I'd seen their churches and prayer gatherings advertised.
They sold talismans, statues, and trinkets in the streets, claiming they warded off magical beasts and demons.
I'd wondered if they actually worked, but they seemed to offer people some mental comfort.
"Anyway, that's just my take. Not that my opinion matters much.
Lady Kaela always has grand plans. For someone like me, just following along is an honor."
"Makes me curious what kind of person she is..."
"Right?!"
Barkus suddenly lit up at my offhand comment, raising his voice in excitement.
Ah, did I applaud too enthusiastically?
He launched back into tales of his first meeting with Kaela, trapping me until we reached the evening campsite.
I flipped through the books rapidly.
Nothing, as expected.
Even scouring the latest edition of A Variety of Magical Tools of the World yielded no mention of the red flower box Barkus had shown me.
Then maybe Advanced Magical Engineering?
I pulled Althur's Library from its shelf in Althur's study.
The hefty weight made me wobble slightly as I leaned against the bookshelf and sat down.
Althur's study formed a cozy, circular nook just for me.
Right after leaving Prion, I'd checked its construction spells and confirmed they were beyond my tinkering.
Someday, when I had time, I'd analyze each one in detail.
Until then, I wanted to keep my private reading haven intact.
Advanced Magical Engineering covered more complex magical tools, delving into 5th-order overlapping spells, linking and expansion formulas, and a host of advanced theories.
But no clues on the red flower box here either.
As I closed the book in disappointment, the tent flap burst open, and Barkus poked his head in.
"Lib, there you are! I saw the barrier you set up—wow, what is that?"
Barkus gaped, eyes wide, staring at Althur's study.
"Did the delegation bring an entire library?"
"Not quite."
I chuckled and shrank Althur's study back to its compact size.
As the massive library transformed into a palm-sized metal box, Barkus recoiled in shock.
"Wh-what?! How did you just do that?!"
"It's a magical tool called Althur's Library. My master gave it to me."
"Althur? You mean that Ragot Althur? The grand mage?"
"That's right."
At least he knew of Ragot Althur.
I reflected a bit on how I'd momentarily underestimated Barkus's common knowledge.
Barkus cackled with laughter.
"Incredible. Prius lives up to the hype! Getting to see a tool from Ragot Althur."
His eyes sparkled intensely.
"Ragot Althur was a true grand mage. Other mages have tried endlessly to replicate his creations, but even approximations were impossible."
"Makes sense."
I replied offhandedly and slipped past him out of the tent.
I had no intention of enduring his chatter all day again, but Barkus doggedly followed.
"Lady Kaela makes fascinating tools too, but she admits Althur's are on another level. Especially among them..."
"Ah, Wedin!"
Just then, I spotted Wedin crossing the campsite—my savior from Barkus's renewed Kaela monologue.
More welcome than ever, I waved enthusiastically.
He glanced at me quizzically, then beckoned me over.
"Catch you later, Barkus."
I quickly bid him farewell and hurried to Wedin.
The Tara River, heavy with sunset hues, flowed lazily.
I wiggled my toes in the cold water, shattering the red surface with sparkles as startled fish scattered.
The delegation's evening camp was in a fertile plain along the Tara River.
A gentle hill rose nearby, with distant canyons and mountains visible far to the west.
Heading north along the Tara would bring us to the small city of Flavria tomorrow for an overnight stay.
After that, Elgrace was just two days away.
"That guy's suspicious."
Wedin said as he wrung out his freshly washed handkerchief.
I looked up from splashing after fish.
"The court mage, you mean. Barkus."
"He does spout some common-sense-lacking nonsense casually."
I sloshed barefoot over the pebbled riverbank.
My feet, trapped in stuffy boots all day, felt refreshed.
The sun dipped low.
Delicious aromas wafted from the campsite as people wrapped up the day's travel and rested.
I leaned against the stump where Ash had settled and stroked his nape.
Ash shook his head irritably at first, then gave in to my touch.
"That's fine to a degree. But... just don't get too chummy with him."
It was unexpected for Wedin to say that.
I paused my stroking and met his gaze.
His face looked complicated.
"Why? He's a court mage. Befriending him could help later."
"He seems dangerous."
He didn't sound like he was joking. Wedin wasn't the type anyway.
"Might be I misread it."
Wedin groaned and ruffled his hair.
His already tousled light-brown locks puffed up more.
"What did you see?"
"Remember when we first met? At that general store. He was arguing with the owner."
"Yeah."
About buying Echronium on credit.
"He had his hand on a dagger hilt inside his robe. From my angle, I saw it clear. If Clemence hadn't stepped in, he looked ready to draw it."
"What?"
I widened my eyes. Wedin's expression was deadly serious.
"No way..."
'Wedin's right, Liberic. Best steer clear of that one.'
Ash, who'd been quiet, chimed in. Coming from him, it carried weight.
"What about you, Ash? See something?"
'Instinct.'
Ash flopped back down, as if that was all.
"What'd Ash say?"
Wedin asked. I had to relay it honestly.
"Ash says to watch out for him too. Instinct."
"Instinct matters. Take it to heart."
I nodded.
Barkus, dangerous...?
Having seen his magic firsthand, my first thought was, dangerous how?
Even setting aside his knowledge as a mage, he couldn't control his own mana properly.
Still, I'd keep Wedin's advice and Ash's instinct in mind.
"There you two are."
Clemence emerged from the trees.
Unlike this morning, her silver hair was tied up high.
She'd spent the day riding in the carriage with her mother, the duchess.
"Clemence, how was today?"
She caught the implication and laughed outright.
"Can't say it was great."
Clemence kicked off her boots at the riverbank and dipped her feet in, just like me.
She splashed around, staring at the fleeing fish.
"But not awful either. Don't worry too much. Mother's deeper than she seems."
"Deeper in disagreement?"
Wedin, who'd finished laundry and stretched his feet on the pebbles, scowled.
"Disagreeing deeply. That's worth respecting."
Clemence parried calmly. Wedin sighed loudly.
"You only see the positive. Your mother's personality seems unbreakable."
"And you're too negative. If I can persuade her, she'll be my staunchest ally."
"How? Did you tell her you won't stay in Elgrace?"
I cut in. Clemence nodded.
"Several times. She knows words alone won't keep me there. So once we reach Elgrace, she plans to show me how I'll live."
"Like a princess."
Wedin's quip flushed Clemence's face.
I smiled faintly.
"Just admit it. Your mother's already queenly. That makes you a real princess."
"That doesn't suit me at all."
Clemence mumbled, head down, cheeks red.
Hm, actually, it suits her pretty well.
I couldn't voice that.
My eyes met Wedin's sidelong glance.
He thought the same but held back too.
"Grandfather doesn't want Father and Mother elevated to king and queen. Restoring their ducal titles is one thing, but the throne is another."
I got it.
The White Guard Knight had earned respect by devoting himself to Prius, forgoing the greatest power he could claim.
His son's family's restoration and enthronement would tarnish that noble choice.
"From his son's view, it might feel unfair. Without the White Guard Knight's decision, they'd have lived as Lesion royalty."
Wedin said, lying back on the pebbles.
"Fine clothes daily, delicious food. Tough stuff left to experts..."
"Elgrace royalty probably can't live that carefree."
Wedin's idea of 'royalty' came mostly from rumors and history books. No royalty in Prion.
Real royals didn't have it easy.
"From Barkus's stories, the duchess, knights, and Barkus don't get along well."
"Yeah, Mother warned me to watch out for Court Mage Barkus too. Orphan stock, crude, and a subordinate to Prince Raymond's closest aide, the Court Mage Chief."
"Ah, Kaela Ermis. Barkus talked about her a ton."
We exchanged what we'd heard about Elgrace.
Clemence from her mother, me from Barkus, Wedin from wandering among the holy mages and knights.