Leticiel perked up. Oswald probably hadn’t meant anything significant with that statement. He was simply making a guess after comparing what he’d seen and heard in the past with what he had learned now. That was why he didn’t notice the gleam in Leticiel’s eyes.
A mysterious power? What could it be? Probably not magic, if Platina’s magic hadn’t been able to counter it. Still, if it had been sorcery, Oswald should have been able to gain knowledge of it through his research. Since he was asking Leticiel to do just that, it likely wasn’t sorcery, either.
“And that’s not all,” Oswald continued. “Recently, we’ve once again been seeing disturbing movements near the border. In order to protect our land and citizens, we must raise the level of our national strength and fighting power.”
She understood what he was getting at. In his mind, magic as a skill had already reached its limits. He wanted to augment his country’s skills with the development of a new power to protect his country from its unsettled neighbor.
“In other words, Your Majesty, you’d like to use my power for your country and citizens,” Leticiel confirmed.
“Yes. As king, I must protect this kingdom’s peace and citizens. Your power may be the trump card we need to break out of the standstill we’ve found ourselves in. Will you please lend your assistance for our country’s sake?”
Oswald’s words resonated deeply with Leticiel. She had lived in a turbulent world. She understood how precious peace was and how much Oswald must desire this state for his country.
Plus… A number of faces flashed by in her mind. Mirandalette, Lucas, Ruvik, Nicole, and Zeke…
In her previous life, Leticiel had been unable to protect the people she cared about or the love of her life. That was why, in this life, she was determined to protect those she held dear.
Oswald’s request was in no way disadvantageous to her. In fact, it coincided with her own desire to do research. The king’s eyes met hers as she fixed a resolute gaze on him. “I understand,” she said. “You have my assistance.”
The king seemed relieved that Leticiel had accepted his request. “Good. Thank you for cooperating. I’m thinking of setting up a research institution for you. I’ll support you with all the buildings, personnel, and research funding that you need. Will you work there?” His offer was tempting, but Leticiel immediately shook her head.
“No. I’m grateful for the funding, but there’s no need to prepare a special organization on such a large scale. I can continue to research the spell techniques at the academy as I have been. No one else is using the former seventh laboratory at the moment, so if you could renovate it, that would be perfect.”
Leticiel had been able to achieve a few of the things on her wish list since reincarnating. One such thing was devoting as much time as she wanted into the study of sorcery. She would happily research it for the rest of her life, but she didn’t want to be forced into an institution to continue her research. If that was all she was doing, she could do it anywhere.
“Hmm, all right, if you say so. Renovating the old seventh laboratory should be fine. In that case, may I entrust you with full authority over the research and put you in charge?”
Leticiel lowered her gaze one more, another refusal on her lips. After all, she didn’t care about titles and was happy as long as she could do the research. “That would be a great honor, but I don’t deserve such an extravagant position. I want to be able to focus on my research. If my laboratory is going to be created within the academy, I believe that position should be held by the academy’s headmaster.”
Oswald put his hand to his chin and pondered Leticiel’s suggestion. “Hmm, you have a point. All right, I’ll let Lucas know.” He lowered his hand and nodded once. And so, even more work was added to Lucas’s plate. “Thank you for undertaking this research for the kingdom’s sake.”
“It’s my pleasure.” Leticiel lowered her gaze in deference before raising it once more. Their negotiations weren’t over yet. “However, there are two things I’d like to ask in return. Is that all right?”
She pinned Oswald with a dignified stare. For a moment, the king was overwhelmed by the indescribable majesty and dignity in her eyes.
“Yes. What are they?”
“Thank you.” Having received the king’s permission, Leticiel let out a small breath and broached the subject of her requests. “I’d like permission to view all books throughout the kingdom. I want the right to view all materials, from books that are already circulating to those lying dormant in the forbidden archives.”
Oswald immediately frowned. “You want permission…to read books?”
“Yes. All books, both public and private, including those stored in the royal castle’s library.”
A thousand years ago, Leticiel had reached the limit of sorcery, but that was the limit for that time period. Now that a thousand years had passed, there were other techniques other than sorcery. By applying their knowledge, she might be able to find a new theme in her research. She was also curious about the strange power Oswald had mentioned earlier, but before she could look into it, more than anything else, she would need a great deal of knowledge. It was for her own sake as much as it was to help the king, but he likely hadn’t expected such a request.
After a pause, Oswald asked, “What do you plan on doing with that permission?” His tone of voice had lowered. Naturally, he was suspicious of such a request when made by a duke’s daughter.
“I understand your concerns, Your Majesty. However, since I have undertaken this research for your sake, I’d like to deliver the best results possible,” Leticiel answered without hesitation, not cowering under the sharp looks she was receiving not just from Oswald, but from Sirius as well. “Knowledge is indispensable for conducting advanced research. I do not wish to read documents related to the kingdom’s administration. I simply wish to have as much information as possible since it is necessary for my research. Please understand.”