Kays Translations

Chapter 249: A Secret Plan

　Giles and Christopher seemed sturdier than when I had last seen them. That was not surprising; we were all growing quickly, and even a short separation could produce visible changes.

　Giles had grown both taller and broader, while Christopher had grown taller. In a party, Giles would make an excellent shield-bearer. Christopher was somewhat timid, so a long spear might suit him—or perhaps a bow.

“You two have become much stronger. I’m impressed.”

“You have grown stronger too, Lord Julius.”

“Yes. We also heard that you became friends with children from the Royal Knight Order and Royal Mage Corps in the royal capital…?”

　Now I understood. I did not know how they had heard, but the news had apparently made them feel threatened, motivating them to train harder than usual.

“It’s true, but they live in the royal capital. I can rely on them while I’m there, but here, I rely on the two of you.”

　They both smiled shyly. I meant every word. If something happened here, my friends in the royal capital could not simply appear; likewise, I could not rush there instantly if trouble arose.

　Could I install a warp gate? No. Travelling between the royal and territorial capitals instantaneously would be far too dangerous to reveal. Even I understood that. The idea would remain on hold.

“Nero and I still need training too, so let us practise together. Then we can go outside the city to gather ingredients for magic potions.”

　Christopher and I would be the attackers, Nero the scout, and Giles the shield. That was a perfectly serviceable party, and our potions meant we would not need a dedicated healer. Merely imagining it made me smile.

“…Lord Julius, is that really safe?”

“This is something you’ll be scolded for later, isn’t it?”

“Don’t worry. Being scolded will not kill me.”

“That isn’t the point. Nero, please stop him.”

“I would very much like to, but I doubt it is possible.”

“We thought so.”

　Giles looked towards the heavens. Apparently, everyone had unanimously surrendered. Excellent; now we could gather ingredients without restraint. There was still a little time before snow buried the territorial capital, so medicinal plants should remain available.

“Our serious training begins tomorrow. Let us make the first session an outdoor exercise.”

“Immediately? I’m not mentally prepared…”

“There’s no time like the present.”

　Giles tilted his head. Apparently, that proverb did not exist in this world. Careless of me. I had become too excited and needed to calm down.

“If we spend time preparing, someone else will notice. Speed is important if we want to avoid that.”

“You know that means this is a bad idea!”

　The four of us noisily planned our ingredient-gathering expedition. The surrounding apprentices assumed we were merely younger children chattering and paid us no special attention.

　After parting from Giles and Christopher, Nero and I inspected the potions stockpiled by the knights and the magic tools installed in the mansion and quarters. Nothing was wrong; I had designed them to be durable. Rosalia had apparently inspected them regularly and looked disappointed whenever she found no faults. What was that supposed to mean?

“This is my prized greenhouse. I wonder whether the gardener maintained it while I was gone. The easier medicinal herbs are growing well.”

“Amazing! I have never seen anything like it. I never imagined heating an entire room so plants could grow through winter.”

“Most people would probably say the heat should be used for humans instead.”

　It was certainly a luxurious facility, but year-round access to fresh ingredients was a major advantage. It freed people from truly foul-tasting potions. The benefit was immeasurable.

　The greenhouse also needed no repairs. Satisfied, I returned to the mansion.

　I immediately asked for pen and stationery. I needed to write to Lady Fabienne. We had exchanged letters frequently while I was in the royal capital, and I had told her when I expected to return to the territorial capital.

　First I wrote that I had arrived safely. Then I wrote that I wanted to thank her for preparing the medicine and wished to see her… This was unmistakably a love letter. That was fine, but embarrassing. Since I intended to buy her gift before visiting, I would have to propose a date myself.

　While I struggled with the letter, my door opened. The only visitor who entered without ringing the chime was surely Mira.

“Kyu~!”

“Mira, you must ring the chime before entering.”

“Kyu~?”

　Painfully adorable. But why had Mira come? They tugged repeatedly at my sleeve, so there must have been a reason. I set aside the unfinished letter and followed.

　Mira led me to Rosalia’s private workshop. I knocked before entering and found Rosalia and Lelie working together.

　A large, box-shaped piece of metal stood in the room, and I recognised the form immediately: a washing machine. Rosalia apparently intended to turn yesterday’s idea—“Wouldn’t a magic tool like this be convenient?”—into reality at once.

　But could she really have completed the blueprints overnight? Had Rosalia awakened as a master magic-tool maker while I was away?

“Brother! What should I do next?”

　She had not planned beyond this point at all. I nearly shouted a retort, but managed to restrain myself. Calm down. Count prime numbers.

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