Kays Translations

Chapter 444: Mana Stagnation

Both Margrave Draken and Marquis Mulan fell deep into thought. That was understandable. The future of the Mulan Marquisate would also be affected. If the mana stagnation disappeared, the entire region would become safer.

Safety was essential to a major distribution hub. No one wanted to travel through dangerous lands. If the World Tree became a tourist attraction, even more people would visit.

There would be benefits for me too. I could obtain valuable World Tree materials and might be able to make not only Panacea but even a full recovery potion.

“What about using the plant nutrient Julius developed? It might accelerate the World Tree’s growth.”

Ah, he had noticed. Everyone turned towards Ijidol, apparently surprised by his suggestion. He glanced frantically from side to side before lowering his head. He had raised the subject, so now he needed to explain it.

“You mean the plant nutrient Master uses in the herb garden?”

“Huh? Ah, yes… that one.”

“Indeed. Even a slow-growing plant might mature quickly with that.”

Fabienne was beginning to support the idea too. I wanted to stop this somehow, but everyone wished to clear the mana stagnation from the forest.

Naturally, I wanted the same. Perhaps, then, we should at least try.

“We cannot know whether it will work, but if we are going to plant the World Tree seed, the plant nutrient may be worth testing.”

“Then it is settled. Once the forest investigation is complete, I will contact you without fail. Ideally there will be no mana stagnation, but we must be prepared in case there is.”

Margrave Draken smiled with satisfaction. Marquis and Marchioness Mulan were smiling as well. To them, either outcome was acceptable. I desperately hoped no mana stagnation would be found, but that seemed unlikely. A mutated monster had already appeared, after all.

The children later left the salon, while Lady Hilda remained. The adults were apparently going to discuss her wedding and the arrangements that had to be made before she married.

“My elder sister will be leaving before long. I feel a little lonely.”

“Someday, Caro will leave too. I have mixed feelings about it.”

Leon frowned. Come to think of it, what would happen to him? If he became House Mulan’s resident magic pharmacist, whom would he marry? To avoid complicating the succession, would he take a commoner wife?

“What about you, Brother? I’ve never heard you mention anyone you like.”

“Medicinal herbs are my one true love.”

Leon thrust out his chest with a proud “Hmph.” That was hardly something to boast about. Marquis Mulan would probably find him a headache. It would be good if Leon met someone wonderful at the Royal Academy, preferably another aspiring magic pharmacist.

Thinking about it, I had been extraordinarily fortunate. Fabienne had real promise as a magic pharmacist and had already helped me greatly. On top of that, she was beautiful and well endowed. I could not ask for more.

“Is something wrong?”

Fabienne noticed me staring and tilted her head. She was so adorable that I decided to answer honestly.

“I’m glad you’re my fiancée, Fabienne.”

Fabienne’s face turned bright red, while everyone else gave us looks that said, There they go again. This was all part of my strategy to make Leon appreciate romance and seek a sweetheart of his own. Definitely.

A few days later, a letter from Margrave Draken arrived for Marquis Mulan. It reported that mana stagnation had been discovered, and we were summoned to the salon.

“You may already know, but I will repeat the letter’s contents. Mana stagnation has been confirmed deep within the forest. There are currently no signs of monsters nearby, though surveillance is continuing.”

“Then we’ll carry out the plan we discussed the other day?”

“Yes. That is the plan.”

Marquis Mulan answered Leon firmly. His grave expression made it clear that they truly intended to proceed. I was beginning to worry. Would this really be safe?

“We have already reached an agreement with House Draken. If the World Tree grows successfully, House Draken will assume responsibility for its management. Materials harvested from it will be supplied first to House Mulan and House Heine.”

“What?”

The sound escaped me before I could stop it. No one had told me about this. Could they decide such a thing without consulting me? It was not a bad arrangement, so I had no reason to object, but it still felt far beyond my authority.

“Do not worry. We have already sent a letter to House Heine. This is a joint agreement between Houses Mulan and Draken. It is favourable and will cause House Heine no loss.”

Ah. This was the pattern where Father summoned me to his office the instant I returned home, after which his stomach began hurting. I should prepare an especially effective stomach remedy before leaving.

Fabienne and Nero watched me with concern. Why did this always happen?

This time it was not my fault. House Draken owned the legendary World Tree seed; I had merely been swept into their plan. I was innocent.

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