Chapter 116

“Charnée, yes? Are you really so surprised?” Tilty asked, her tone grave. “…I—I…!” Charnée seemed about to say something, then just weakly shook her head. With the atmosphere growing increasingly oppressive, it was Tomas who hesitantly broke the silence. “…Lots of people in the lower classes have lost their families at the hands of oppressive nobles. There are people who hate them simply for being what they are. If they got their hands on weapons, I wouldn’t be surprised if they started thinking about revenge.” “…I had no idea…,” Charnée whispered through gritted teeth. “…Well…,” Tomas said flatly. “It isn’t only commoners who are unhappy, you know?” Garkie pointed out. “There have been all sorts of arguments between local aristocratic families in central and regional areas. There could be a conflict even without commoners getting involved.” “Garkie’s right,” I said with a nod. “If we freely distributed magical tools that were designed to be weapons, we’d have to be prepared for anyone to use them. The common people would have access to magic, while nobles who already know magic would have even more resources at their disposal. Power breeds ambition, and all it takes is for someone to be swayed by the darkness in their heart.” “So that’s why you’ve refrained from building weapons, Your Highness?” Priscilla asked. I nodded. “…Yeah. I used to have a rotten reputation, and my social position was no better. If I had started making weapons en masse, I would have been accused of treason. The only reason people went along with the Mana Blades was because I originally designed them for self-defense.” “There must have been some nobles who would have liked to get rid of Commander Anisphia,” Navre noted. “Now that Queen Euphyllia is ushering in reforms and has acknowledged the utility of magical tools, people are beginning to accept them, but there’s still a risk even the slightest misstep could plunge the realm into turmoil.” “Navre hit the nail on the head,” Tilty began. “If you make weapon-type magical tools, everyone will want them. That’s why you need to be absolutely sure of this—all of you. Do you really think this is a good idea, Anis?” she asked, peering into my soul. Everyone stood there expectantly. I had to take a deep breath and place a hand on my chest to calm myself before answering. “I think they can give people the power to build a better future. I want people to reach for a better future. This new city development is the first step to doing that, and I want to guarantee its success.” “You’ll devise new weapons to empower your knights even knowing they could be misused? I hope you realize it’ll be too late for regrets once people start going helter-skelter with them,” Tilty pointed out. “Yep. I know the risks,” I declared, doing my best to flash everyone a determined smile. “If you’re willing to go that far, then go ahead,” Tilty said with a deep sigh. “You only ever see the good in people.” “I’m not doing this out of the goodness of my heart. I’m doing it for the kingdom.” “Yes, yes. You’re an upstanding royal now, I see.” Waving her hands in front of her face, Tilty evidently wasn’t amused. The next moment, however, she turned her sharp eyes on everyone else. “You understand this, I hope? Anis always sees the good in people, and she absolutely adores magic, but she also knows the risk in letting just anyone use it. That also doesn’t stop her from pursuing her dreams, even if they don’t turn out the way she’s expecting. So hear this—if any of you betray those dreams of hers, you’ll have me to answer to.” “Tilty!” I exclaimed. “You don’t need to threaten anyone…” “Shut up for a minute, Anis. The rest of you, if you’re going to serve Anis, you had better be up to it. You had better understand she’s pouring herself into magicology, and you had better not betray her or jeopardize the future she’s trying to build. Make sure you’re well aware just how determined she is in coming to you with this request.” “Of course we understand. I’ll support Her Highness to the best of my ability and keep our inventions from being put to evil use,” Halphys answered proudly. Navre and the others nodded along in agreement. After peering into their souls one by one, Tilty at last breathed a tired sigh and closed her eyes. “If you’re ready, then, I won’t raise any more objections.” “…Sorry, Tilty. And thank you,” I said. “Hmm. I wasn’t fishing for gratitude,” she said with a snort, turning away and crossing her arms. She was as prickly as ever, but my heart went out to her as I thought about how she had said all that for my sake. “So? There’s something else you want besides more Celestials, isn’t there?” Tilty asked. “…What makes you think that?” “If you just wanted to mass-produce something you’ve already made, Tomas alone would have been enough. The fact that you went out of your way to call me here must mean there’s more to this meeting, no?” “Right,” I answered with a light chuckle. Tilty’s lips formed a curious grin. “So what’s the occasion?” “I was thinking about making another weapon-type magical tool, different from a sword this time. I wanted to ask for your help…” “You had another weapon in mind? What kind?” “First, I thought maybe we could make a magical sword out of artificial magicite.” “Artificial magicite—like what you used in those royal robes that Your Highness and Queen Euphyllia have?” Priscilla asked. “That’s right. The artificial magicite used in those was designed for flying, but theoretically, you could incorporate other types of magic, too.” “You’re saying you want to make a sword that can do things like that?!” Charnée was startled—and she wasn’t alone. Tilty was the only member of the group to take this calmly, resting a hand under her chin as she fell to thinking. “Hmm. I see,” she said with an intrigued smile. “That should be possible, yes.” “I’m glad to hear you say that, Tilty. Basically, I’m hoping Halphys can help research what we’d need to do,” I said. “Me?!” Halphys exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise as she pointed to her own face. “I’m counting on you as my representative in the capital.” “But I…!” “Also, I was impressed by that private research paper you wrote recently. I’m confident I can leave this to you.” “Huh?!” “Ah, that paper,” Tilty chimed in. “I read it, too, you know? If you can come up with ideas like that, you’re certainly ready to fill Anis’s shoes.” “Lady Tilty…!” Tilty’s praise only added to Halphys’s distress. In the midst of this exchange, Navre raised an uncertain hand into the air. “Um, what exactly was this paper about? And what does it have to do with making a new magical sword?” “I’m interested in Halphys’s research area, so I often ask her to let me take a look at her work,” I explained. “And I thought her latest ideas might be helpful in making a magical sword.” “Whoa. I knew you were up to something, but I had no idea Lady Anis was singing your praises!” Garkie remarked. “I-it isn’t all that impressive…,” Halphys stammered in embarrassment. Priscilla, no doubt new to this discussion, turned my way. “What was the paper about?” “Hmm. It’s going to take a bit of time to explain, so I guess I should start with the conclusion first,” I answered with a faint smile as everyone turned to me expectantly. “What I want to make is a magical tool based on real magicite.”