The idea of hiding in a hole to dodge attacks reminded me of war trenches from my past life. It would probably be effective against an opponent who was seeing it for the first time, even if coming up with a countermeasure was still possible once you knew how it worked.
“The dirt dug up to form the hole becomes the protective wall, allowing the sorcerer to save their magical energy while still creating a strong wall…?”
“He was clever, wasn’t he? It’s hard enough to implement it even with an idea in your mind, but Liddeus is more than capable. That’s how he manages to get by, even as he struggles in other areas of life.” Director Bodorey smiled awkwardly.
The Bureau of Magic was a place where the most skilled sorcerers in all of Wolfvarte gathered. Liddeus had still managed to climb toward the top of such an elite institution.
“How amazing. This crest tool would probably be a great defense against flying instruments and spells. Liddeus achieved something wonderful with this,” I said.
“Yes, that’s true. Well, there’s only one problem… It cost a considerable amount to create. That Liddeus went and used so many valuable catalysts to get the results he wanted…” Director Bodorey trailed off.
“…May I ask how much it cost?”
I was only curious. But the response I received came as a shock. It was enough money to build a commoner’s house—maybe even a nobleman’s manor. Even I, the queen, would hesitate to pay such a sum.
All I could say was that I’d expect nothing less of Liddeus to spare no cost in his experiments. Everyone knew that his brain’s creations were well worth it.
Once the general formula for the crest tool was completed, it was more cost-effective to finish its actual development with help from everyone else.
“The Ringrard Empire to the south has started to make troubling moves in recent times,” Director Bodorey said. “We’re under lots of pressure to develop useful spells and crest tools.”
“Everyone expects great things from your magic and your minds, after all.” I tried consoling Director Bodorey as I pictured the threats throughout the western continent in my mind.
Up until ten years ago, the Ringrard Empire controlled only a few medium-sized countries throughout the continent. But ever since the reign of the current emperor, Emperor Ishnad, they’d rapidly conquered a number of other countries and were developing into a world power.
I’d exchanged words with Emperor Ishnad just that spring in Elltoria, where I got a very real sense of his character. His powerful and mysterious aura left a strong impression on me during our brief interaction.
Fortunately, Wolfvarte didn’t share a border with the Ringrard Empire. There were a few smaller countries between us. But I didn’t know how things might change over the next few years.
King Glenreed had earned the nickname “Silver Wolf King” after emerging victorious in battles against his neighboring nations. I hoped this was proof that he wouldn’t allow the Ringrard Empire to overpower this country either…
Director Bodorey seemed just as concerned by the many looming international threats. “King Glenreed has greatly increased the Bureau of Magic’s budget since he took the throne,” he said. “We’re extremely grateful for the provisions of magic stones as well. Improving relations with the Wildcat clan played an important role. We owe it to you, Queen Laetitia, for bringing the Wildcat clan together in solidarity with humans.”
“They’re certainly a great help.”
Contributions from Lady Kate’s family and Wildcat clan members in the eastern region were crucial in supplying magic stones for crest tool development.
Most magic stones were harvested from the corpses of demons.
The kingdom of Wolfvarte was surrounded by monster-inhabited land on all sides, earning it the title of “Great Shield.” The borders were heavily protected, but it was impossible to prevent monsters from setting foot in the country entirely. However, these were valuable opportunities to acquire magic stones, and their sale was an important source of funds to the eastern region.
“They used to try to squeeze every penny they could out of those stones, but now that Lady Kate and her father are on friendlier terms with humans, they sell them cheaper to be of benefit to the bureau and the country. We began to sell them our successful crest tools at a lower price as well, but even then, we still come out with a much better deal than before.”
“It’s a clever trade that benefits both sides, yes,” I agreed.
With the plentiful magic stones in the eastern region, the Wildcat clan alone wasn’t able to put them to practical use. Their members possessed incredible physical abilities but were unable to control magical energy and cast spells. Crest tools were usable to anyone so long as a magic stone powered them, although, developing and fine-tuning them was next to impossible without a human’s magical abilities.
By providing magic stones at a low price, the members of the Bureau of Magic could develop crest tools and offer them to the Wildcat Clan. The arrangement suited both of their strengths and was beneficial overall to the strength of Wolfvarte.
What would have been an impractical plan while the two sides antagonized each other was now steadily becoming a reality.
“I myself believed all beastfolk to be brutes who relied solely on physical strength, with no comprehension of magic at all, but when I actually sat down and talked to them, I found we had much more in common than I first thought,” the director admitted. “Even Liddeus spends a lot of time chatting with the young Dog-Fang knight.”
“You mean Keith? They enjoyed eating chocolate fondue together using Liddeus’ crest tool at my villa.” I smiled at the memory.
Liddeus and Keith were at odds with each other after an incident involving the Bureau of Magic, but it seemed that what didn’t kill them only made them stronger. These days, they were entirely friendly with each other. I’d seen them getting along well, even with the occasional bumping of heads and disputes.
“That clumsy, bothersome, homebody and magic-lover Liddeus actually became friends with a beastfolk. It doesn’t seem possible, but personally, I’m glad it’s happened. I’d have no complaints about Liddeus’ character if he could just learn to be even slightly more responsible…”
I had no comment in response to Director Bodorey’s criticism.
Liddeus is not only extremely talented, but his personality isn’t so terrible either… He was like my older brother Claude in that way. They were extremely intelligent, but they just couldn’t develop healthy lifestyles. I wonder why that is?
There were different factors at play, but the two of them could definitely be considered “hopeless.”
“Mr. Liddeus reminds me of Lord Claude,” Lucian said with a strained smile.
Perhaps we’d communicated telepathically as mistress and servant to come to the same conclusion.
Of my three older brothers, Big Brother Claude was the closest to me in age. I got along with him the best as well.
However, it seemed that he’d planned…or rather, used his exceptional brain to guide Prince Fritz into breaking up with me—the event that would later bring me to Wolfvarte.
Why would my brother, who always doted on me with such fondness, ever do a thing like that?
More accurately, my engagement falling apart wasn’t his goal, but one step in a larger plan. His true desire in all of this remained a mystery, however.
“But let me just say one thing. I pray for Letty’s happiness the same as you do, Your Majesty. I’ll always try to avoid hurting her, as much as I possibly can.”
I believed the words Big Brother Claude had said to me. That belief was exactly why I was apprehensive about where he was and what he was getting up to these days.
I only hoped he was taking it easy and drinking alcohol under his kotatsu—not meddling in anything dangerous.
I sent my love out to Big Brother Claude, wherever he was under that distant sky.