“So, here’s where I need your input,” I began.
“What now?”
“So the thing is, I’ve been thinking about the concept of a certain magical device for a while now…”
“Wait, why are we suddenly talking about magical devices?”
“It’s directly related.”
Borden looked skeptical but shrugged in an “Okay, let’s hear you out” type of way. Good old Borden.
“The magical barrier around our land is maintained by multiple High Mages working in tandem on a shift basis. That is a huge burden on us. As the head of the Third Mage Guild, I’ve been wondering if there’s a way to use a magical device to do the job for us.”
“Ah… Well, I can get on board with that. Constantly casting a magical barrier strong enough to protect our kingdom… That’s not exactly small potatoes.”
“Right. And we have no idea how long we can keep this up… How long will we have the right manpower? So I’ve developed a magical device I believe can greatly reduce the burden on us as mages.”
“You what?”
Borden often looks confused when in conversation with me. He gets this “What are you on about, man?” look, but if I take him through it step by step, he usually gets what I’m trying to say. From prior experience, I knew Borden could follow my clunky explanations. So, I took it bit by bit.
“Coming up with the idea behind the magical device was the easy part. That didn’t take long. The issue was that I couldn’t find a magic stone of sufficient size or purity to make the device run stably.”
“Well, of course not. No existing magic stone can output the amount of stable magical power that a seasoned High Mage can…” Borden stopped and gasped, his brows rising.
“Exactly, yes. If we use a big enough chunk of that huge magic stone we recently found… I think I’ll be able to run my device.”
“I see…!”
“I also think we need to remove as much of that magic stone as we can to weaken the beasts that prowl the forest. If their power is allowed to grow unchecked, the forest might soon become far too dangerous for us to enter.”
“I see that, as well. It’s important to keep things maintained on a stable field.”
“I’ve requested a meeting with His Majesty to report on the concentration of magical energy we’ve found and its source. I also intend to ask his permission to bring back as much magical stone as we can to use in the magical device development. So…”
“So…?”
“I thought I’d discuss it with you first, Borden, because… Well, I’m not the best at explaining things. I knew you’d understand me, though, even if my explanation was a bit bumbling and rambly.”
“Indeed…?”
Borden’s shoulders slumped. I feel like I’ve been making Borden make that face a lot lately. I felt guilty about it, but what could I do?
“I’m sorry for always bringing you issues like this.”
“Well… I can certainly help you get your message across, Viol.”
“Borden, old boy! Thank you!”
Borden smiled weakly. “Your request is something that’ll benefit the country, ultimately. I mean, all you’re asking is that we move to suppress the Kichul Forest monsters… And that we attempt to reduce the manpower needed to cast our protective wall barrier. Right?”
“Yes, that’s it!”
It’s amazing how succinctly Borden can summarize what takes me so many words to say.
“Right. Well, you can count on me.”
“Borden, my friend! I always DO count on you!”
“Ah, you’re in fine spirits, aren’t you, Viol?”
Borden gave me that wry smile again. But I meant it.
Sometimes, when I have to discuss things in parliament, I get tongue-tied because the politicians ask me all kinds of stupid questions. But Borden always understands what I’m trying to say in the end. He’s come to my aid many times.
I could not thank him enough.
“I mean, as long as you don’t come to me with some crazy request, I’ll always help you out. You’ve helped me a lot, after all. You and I… We help each other out.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem. By the way, these snacks are good. I like ’em.”
“They’re made by our young chef, Jean… Newly employed by us, but previously of the duke’s household. He’s all about innovation. He’s got a promising culinary future.”
“I see… So it seems you’ve gotten used to living with servants, then. That’s a relief.”
It surprised me that Borden would be concerned about something like that. I cause my friend a lot of trouble, don’t I…?
“Incidentally, is the lady of the house not here today?”
Borden grinned and winked at me when he said, “Lady of the house.” I knew he was trying to tease me, so I adopted a nonchalant air.
“My wife wanted to see you as well, Borden, but as it transpires, she had an unexpected visitor of her own.”
“I see. I was rather hoping to see Lady Seren. It’s been a while. Oh well.”
After that, we chit-chatted about this and that. The magical tomes I’d discovered at Borden’s family home, the magical devices Seren’s peers had come up with, all about the flying training sessions, and so on.
Borden listened to me talk with a calm smile, but then I realized he wasn’t talking about himself much.
“And what’s new with you, Borden?” I prompted.
“Hmm, well, I can’t really discuss work… And that’s about all I do. Work, go home, fall into bed.” Borden smiled wryly, and I nodded emphatically. That’s about how my life was up until lately, too. “I mean, it’s not like I don’t have concerns of my own, it’s just…” Glancing at me, Borden shrugged and sighed. “It’s not something you talk about to a newly married man.”
“What is it? I’m curious now.”
“No, I won’t say anything. Just enjoy your current happiness to the fullest.”
“Hmph.”
I was curious, but Borden wasn’t going to share. I considered pressing the issue, but he just chuckled and rolled his eyes.
“Seeing you two so happily married… It makes me feel like I’d like to get married, too. But I don’t even have a special lady in my life. See how ridiculous I sound?”
I was flabbergasted. “You want to get married? I thought you weren’t that interested.”
“That’s true. I was so busy with my job as prime minister that I never had the time, or even the inclination, to look for a life partner.”
Wow, Borden was really opening up. I nodded emphatically again.
“But you know… You were the last person I ever thought would get married. And now here you are, so happy and fulfilled. It makes a fellow think.”
“It does?”
“You’re not easily influenced by others, so you probably wouldn’t understand… But just take my word for it.”
Borden chuckled and got to his feet. True, I couldn’t quite understand that sort of sentiment. It also felt weird to imagine Borden getting married someday as well.
“Hahaha, it was worth coming today just to see that gormless look on your face.” Borden clapped me on the shoulder and headed for the door with a jaunty step. “I’ll be back for another visit sometime.”
And with another chuckle, Borden exited the parlor.