“Anyway, primitive though it may be, there’s definitely a stroke of genius in recreating a thermometer.”
“What is a...thermometer?”
“A device that measures temperature, whether in the air or a liquid.”
“It measures air temperature? I have heard that it is possible to do so with the assistance of alcohol.”
“Yes, that’s a...basic method. The thermometer is much simpler to use. Have you ever seen a device that uses mercury?”
“I haven’t, no. Nor have I heard of anything like that.”
“What? You must have. How could this ‘aethometer’ look just like a thermometer otherwise?”
“I am afraid I cannot provide an answer. Is the aethometer not simply the result of making this ‘denatured silver’ easier to implement?”
“I can’t argue with that, but the order’s all wrong! The thermometer should have come first. But if it didn’t, then this aether-measuring device should look completely different. The glass tube would need to be filled with a special gas that blocks out other wavelengths, allowing you to read the aether rays accurately. Oh, but you would need electrodes for that, which can’t come about without astrasia. But I haven’t seen any evidence of mankind using astrasia here... Still, I can’t think why the aethometer looks so much like a thermometer.”
“I am afraid I wouldn’t know.”
“Your uncle made the device, didn’t he?”
“No, my brother.”
“Brother?”
“Yes. That is him over there.” Lecia cast her gaze to the boy in the corner.
He wasn’t in the standard noble dress, but a muted jacket. Much as he deserved to wear something more intricate, it suited him. He was still easy to spot in the crowd with his silver hair and red eyes. Sure enough, the demon followed her gaze and found him.
“You’re toying with me. I know all about him—I saw him at that party. But did he really come up with this thing?”
“He did.”
“Really though? I mean, when did he get the ball rolling on all of this?”
“I believe that he began production when he was eight years old.”
“You can’t be serious! That doesn’t make a lick of sense!”
“Be that as it may, the evidence is right in front of our eyes.”
“While primitive, this device measures aether rays! And it’s obviously based on a thermometer for ease of use, but the thermometer doesn’t exist! All of this without even a device to create denatured silver. It’s just mystery after mystery!” The demon sounded utterly perplexed. Lecia had never heard it lose its composure like this.
Certainly, the aethometer was an impressive invention. Its very existence was close to unfathomable. The demon, however, seemed shocked for a reason that was beyond ordinary understanding. Lecia wasn’t sure, but it sounded like it was saying the device was too advanced.
“Say, he made soma wine too, didn’t he?”
“Yes. I was surprised you recognized it.”
“I was around when it was common.”
“When was that?”
“Who knows?”
As usual, the demon had said something that sounded interesting before completely clamming up when it came to the important details. In truth, Lecia wasn’t even sure that it was a demon. When she’d met Gown at Arcus’s party, the Grave Sprite hadn’t seemed overly concerned at the presence on her shoulder.
“You recall that Gown saw you?” Lecia said.
“Sure. It wasn’t the first time we’d spoken.”
“Are you truly a demon, or was that a lie?”
“Who knows?”
There it goes again.
“Lecia.”
She could imagine it whistling nonchalantly behind her.
“Lecia?”
“Oh! Y-Yes, father?”
“Are you all right? You aren’t feeling unwell, are you?”
“Not at all! I feel fine.”
“Then perhaps you are nervous? The level of prestige among these guests is doubtlessly higher than you are used to. But this will be far from your last time attending such a function, so you ought to get used to it as soon as you can.”
“Yes, father.” Lecia gave her response as heartily as she could so that her father wouldn’t suspect anything. Conversely, she let out a mental sigh of relief. She had been so occupied with talking to the demon that she had failed to pay proper attention to her surroundings. She would have to be careful, lest she give off the impression that she was absent-minded.
“You let your guard down,” the demon said.
“Perhaps, but it was not entirely my fault,” she whispered back.
Joshua surveyed the hall. “This is an event hosted by the royal family. I am not surprised that so many people are in attendance to see the aethometer’s publication either.”
“Yes, father.”
“And each guest holds an important position in our society. It is an honor that we were invited also.”
It wasn’t just Lainur’s highest-ranking nobility that populated the guest list, but several esteemed visitors from abroad. Under normal circumstances, Lecia and her father would not even be permitted the opportunity to lay eyes on them, let alone speak with them.
“Of course, not every guest deserves to be here.”
To that, Lecia had no response. Joshua’s face twisted bitterly. Apparently he had spotted Arcus too, and he was now glaring coldly at him like they were mortal enemies, not father and son. She wished that would be the extent of it, but Joshua began to approach Arcus silently, despite the fact that Craib was still speaking.
“Father?” Although Lecia called out to him, her father’s brisk steps showed no sign of slowing. She hurried after him, but even then he did not stop.
It wasn’t long until Arcus noticed Joshua and turned to face him. Her brother’s expression was overcome with an intense wariness. Both he and her father regarded each other with narrowed eyes, as if confronted with a bitter enemy.
Joshua took up his position in front of Arcus and spoke, his voice taut with a quiet threat. “What are you doing here?”
“I am here as Uncle’s attendant. I hope that doesn’t pose any problems.”
“This gathering has been organized by the royal family. It is no place for riffraff such as yourself to be hanging about. The sensible thing to do would be to remember your place and leave. But I suppose to do so would go beyond your intellectual capabilities.”
“On the contrary, I asked Uncle if I might be allowed to forgo my attendance, but he insisted—and I daren’t defy an order from a state magician.”
Sparks were flying between their glares.
“You could have feigned illness and withdrawn,” Joshua said.
“I have more self-respect than to tell falsehoods that are easily found out.”
“Hmph. That you would be found out only goes to show your lack of intelligence. You are talentless indeed.”
Arcus let out a deep sigh. “Piece of shit doesn’t know when to shut his mouth.”
“Wh—”
“Why do I need to ‘remember my place,’ just because the sight of me offends you? Kinda funny how you’ve failed in all your fatherly duties, but you still feel like you can walk up here and lecture me.” A composed smile took to Arcus’s lips as he gave an exaggerated shrug.
Lecia was by no means surprised to see her father’s face visibly redden.