Lainur did have a number of enemies, necessitating the development of its defenses. The aethometer would no doubt help in that regard, so perhaps it wasn’t an exaggeration to say Arcus had fulfilled Shinlu’s dream. But if there was anyone he didn’t want figuring all of this out, it was Barbaros. Arcus eyed him warily.
“Relax, kid. I’m not about to go spreadin’ it around. Nothin’ in it for me.”
“No?”
“I don’t wanna lose you as a pal. You’ve already done me a solid, right?”
“Are you talking about your capture of Zeilner?”
“That’s the one. Your strategy worked perfectly. We moved the boats, and the enemy couldn’t do squat to fight back when we popped up right where they weren’t expectin’ us! That treasure I sent you was somethin’ belongin’ to their king. It was your share of the spoils.”
“I am not your retainer.”
“What’s this now? Mariners are all about sharin’ the loot. ’Snot about retainers or servants or anythin’ else.” He barked a laugh, as though that would dispel Arcus’s reservations.
But Arcus didn’t want to be regarded as part of his in-group. It might invite suspicion.
“I passed the entirety of your gift to the royal family.”
“Fine. Shinlu’s gonna be joinin’ me eventually anyway. I guess he just got his share of the loot early.”
Not for the first time, Arcus was lost for words. He wondered whether they spoke of counting one’s chickens before they hatched in this world. Barbaros was certainly getting ahead of himself. But somehow Arcus had the sense that he was capable of bringing his ambitions to fruition.
A short while after his conversation with Barbaros, Arcus returned to an antechamber in the palace. The party’s main event, Craib’s presentation, was over; all that was left was for nobles and dignitaries to mingle—excellent conditions to slip away unnoticed.
The Sol Glasses in this room were a little too bright, so he covered them with a thin cloth. Once there was no direct lighting left, he flung himself down onto a couch, no longer caring whether he rumpled his clothing. He let himself sink into the fabric.
“Boy, am I beat.”
As expected of the palace furnishings, the couch was comfortably soft. It was enough to make him consider buying a fancy one for himself. It was a class of excessive luxury that the man from the other world would never even have considered—which was a shame.
Noah smiled thinly at his collapsed master. “You look as though you’ve been through the wars.”
“Wow, thanks for your sympathy. How come you weren’t out there with me?”
“My apologies. Craib requested that I wait in the back.”
“Yeah, I know...” It still didn’t make much sense to Arcus. Having Noah around would have made him feel much more at ease.
“I was under the impression that Lady Louise would be with you.”
“Yeah. She bailed me out when my shitbag ‘dad’ showed up.”
“Then it sounds to me like you had nothing to worry about.”
“I didn’t till Meifa Darnénes and Barbaros came over to talk to me. Even she couldn’t get rid of them.”
“Referring to a king by his first name? Well, I suppose Craib does the same...”
“Whoever put him in charge was playing some kinda joke. I mean, he’s definitely capable, but apart from that...”
“Again, Craib tells me the exact same thing.”
Then Arcus and his uncle were in agreement. Honestly, Barbaros’s more casual mindset impressed him. He was smart and knew how to weave hidden meaning into his words. Perhaps his heavy-handedness was also one of his charms. They said that some people were completely unreadable. Barbaros may well have been a perfect example.
“I wouldn’t mind growing up into someone like him. Not that he has the greatest personality.”
“You are already well on your way, particularly when it comes to your theatrics.”
“At least try and make it sound like a compliment.”
“I had no need to. It wasn’t one.”
Arcus glared at his servant, who still wore the same smile on his lips. He could only imagine the face he was making, but he was confident it was horrendous.
Just then, there came a knock at the door. Arcus straightened himself up as Noah turned to face it.
“Is Arcus Raytheft here?”
“He is.”
Arcus recognized the voice as Eulid Rain’s. At first, he wondered what the count could want of him, but then he realized that Eulid was likely here on someone else’s orders. The next voice he heard was decidedly androgynous.
“Arcus. It’s me.”
He jumped. “Y-Your Royal Highness!”
“I am coming in.”
The door started to open from the other side before Noah could get to it. Arcus may have been sitting up now, but he was still in no fit state to be seen by the prince. He hurried to do whatever he could in the short time before the door fully opened, all while making as little noise as possible. He straightened up and smoothed down his clothes. Then, he jumped to his feet and assumed a posture suitable for meeting royalty.
At last, the door opened, and Ceylan entered the room with Eulid behind him. The prince bore a small smile at Arcus’s exaggerated docility.
“You panicked,” he remarked.
“S-Sir. I was having a lie down...”
Ceylan chuckled. “I came to thank you for today. You have worked hard for this, Arcus.”
“Your words are too kind, sir.”
The prince then lowered his tone, as if to signal that this was his true reason for coming. “Incidentally, there is something I must ask you.”
“Of course, sir. I take it you saw whom I was talking to just now?”
“I was too far away to listen in on the details. What was their business with you?”
“Well... For the most part, they wanted to recruit me.”
The prince smiled. “Don’t tell me you were tempted.”
“By no means.” Arcus smiled back at him.
They both had full confidence in Arcus’s loyalty. And then, Ceylan pouted resentfully.
“It is said that thieves show no restraint. They have proven themselves just as impudent.”
“Your Royal Highness is comparing them to thieves?”
“I am. They attempted to steal you. Only thieves steal.”
“Yes, sir,” Arcus replied, although he was uncertain. Apparently, Ceylan considered him a possession. Having said that, it wasn’t all that far-fetched. He was the prince’s subordinate, in a sense.
“Have I displeased you?” Ceylan asked.
“No, sir.”
He chuckled. “That was in jest. I simply wanted to see your reaction.”
It seemed Arcus’s panic amused him. Unfortunately, most of his face was hidden behind a veil. And even if it weren’t, the prince likely kept his expressions quite cryptic.
“Sir, I should share with you Her Excellency’s final words to me.”
“Yes, I heard them myself.”
“I believe she has identified me as the aethometer’s maker.”
“I agree, and I believe there is no room for an alternative interpretation.”
There was no way the information could have been leaked to the north, and Gown had mentioned altering the memories of those involved in the incident with the hex fiend. It wasn’t clear how solid the evidence Meifa might have was, but either way they would have to remain vigilant around her going forward.
“As for King zan Grandon, he seemed absolutely certain that I was the inventor.”
“Certain? Was that due to the events of your first meeting in the capital?”
“Your Royal Highness knows about that?”
“Yes. The King of Granciel paid me and my father a courtesy visit after the incident and spoke of meeting you. Crucible was present as well. To think such a short meeting would grant him such confidence.”
“Indeed. Though I tried to deny it, I utterly failed to dissuade him.”
“He is a highly perceptive man. Father has told me as much. We mustn’t underestimate him.”
Meifa and Barbaros. Two vastly significant names, and yet they knew that Arcus was the one behind the aethometer. He almost failed to see the point of hiding it anymore, although other nations weren’t their only concern; there were domestic considerations to keep in mind as well. In any case, just because these two leaders had this information didn’t mean that they were going to spread it. Doing so could sever the relationship between their countries and Lainur entirely. That probably wouldn’t be a problem for Granciel, but Barbaros had just voiced his disinclination to say anything, so there was likely nothing to worry about there.
“It seems we will never have a chance to relax,” Arcus lamented.
“Yes. I am overcome with the urge to set aside all concern for damages and simply, if I might indulge in some base vernacular, ‘pop off’ with every offensive spell I know.”
“But your magic is extremely powerful...” Arcus said, beginning to panic.
“It was a simple joke. You need not take me seriously,” Ceylan muttered.
It may have been a joke, but his tone had implied otherwise. The prince’s workload must have been wearing on him. For this, Arcus could only admire him.
“Sir.”
“What is it, Eulid? If you have something to say, you may do so.”
“I would like to point out that it may be considered unwise for someone in Your Royal Highness’s position to make such unscrupulous remarks.”
“So my father’s frequent threats of beheading do not fall into the category of ‘unscrupulous’?”
“I would like to refrain from commenting.”
“You would insult me, but not my father. That is not fair.”
The pair stared each other down in silence. Arcus turned to Noah, who, understandably, just gave an exaggerated shrug and shook his head. It seemed that Ceylan really did let His Majesty slip wherever magic was involved.