Claus’s question pierced directly into my heart, earnestly and gravely. I had the choice to stay my course, but I also had the choice to give up out of consideration for their feelings. That was basically what he was saying.
“I won’t change my mind. I’m happy that my sisters are so concerned for me, but I have reasons I need to live out of town. It’ll be fine—I can visit often. It’s not as though I’ll be leaving the country.”
“Hisui... All right.” Armeria nodded her assent at my answer to a difficult decision, though her expression told me that she still didn’t completely accept it. Regardless, I smiled at her.
“Thanks, Armeria. What about you, Cosmos?”
“Well, Armeria’s already given you permission. I’m not such a horrible person that I’d try to force you to stay here. I don’t have a choice but to accept your decision, as your sister.” Cosmos sighed deeply in disappointment.
Including Claus, I now had permission from all three of them. I could officially live outside of town.
“Wonderful outcome, don’t you think?”
“My thanks to you as well, Lord Lycoris, for giving me permission.”
“Think nothing of it. Though I might be the governor, I have no right to restrict the lives and actions of my citizens. You may live as you please, just the way you like. I know you can. But I admit I do have one thing I’d like to ask of you.”
“What is it?” What could he possibly want from me? Was he going to take this opportunity to ask me to do something? He’d already asked me to tutor Rose, though...
I looked curiously at him as I waited for his request. Noticing this, Claus finally spoke, his voice humble. “It’s about the barrier artifact we discussed just now. I’d like you to create a second one that I might use for my own estate.”
“You’d like one too? Would a barrier be that useful to you?”
“It would. You see, as much as it pains me to admit, I don’t have any sort of defense for my estate. It’s not something particularly easy to obtain.”
“What, really?!” Now this was surprising. I couldn’t believe someone of the marquis’s social standing and power wouldn’t have something to protect himself and his assets. In a place like this, most people would try to obtain a means of protection before basically anything else.
My doubt must’ve been obvious, as Claus immediately began to explain. “Perhaps magic artifacts are simple for you to make, but they’re actually quite difficult to manufacture. The creation of artifacts is a secret closely guarded by experienced mages, and even among all the artifacts out there, ones that can create barriers are exceptionally rare. Even setting aside the issue of supply, most barrier-type artifacts are purchased by the king. Even though I’m a marquis, this is an issue I cannot overcome with money.”
“I see... It’s important for royalty to be protected, so I see why that would be the case.” It was easy enough to comprehend—royalty and the palace they lived in were two things that required maximum protection. This was a fact that the nobility and vassals of the crown could hardly disagree with.
If something actually happened to the royal family, it’d be a disaster not only for them, but for the nobles, the ordinary citizens, and the country itself as well. Claus was a kind man, and conscientious too, so asking for a barrier artifact in his own defense must not have been something he was willing to do. It was a sticky situation if I ever saw one.
“Thank you for understanding. That makes it easier for me as well. So, do you think you could do it? If it’s too difficult, feel free to decline. But if you can, I’ll of course give you suitable compensation.”
“Just leave it to me, Lord Lycoris.” I still hadn’t actually created a single magical artifact, but recently, when I’d asked Cult about making one, she’d mentioned that I should be able to now, after all that training. I had no clue why artisans traditionally struggled with making even a single artifact, but I was pretty sure I could figure out the trick if I tried doing it now.
“Ah, thank you ever so much, Hisui. If I had something of a permanent barrier here, then I could ensure not only my own safety, but Rose’s as well. I’m quite delighted.”
“I wanted to ask this earlier, but if you had a barrier that was meant to run permanently, what would you use as the source of energy? Would you supply one of the three energies, like me? Or would you use monstrite as the energy source?”
“The latter. We don’t have the means or wherewithal to sustain a magic artifact that must run permanently. So I would need to use monstrite, even if it costs a large sum of money. That, at least, is something I have plenty of.”
“All right. I’ll make it so it uses monstrite, then.” If I only needed to be concerned about making it compatible with monstrite, it’d be easy as pie. I could simply make it according to Cult’s instructions, problem solved.
“If that’s all, then I’ll get started with the artifact in my room right away. Armeria, Cosmos, go ahead and enjoy the rest of the evening.”
“We will. But be sure to tell us before you move out, okay? If you disappear without a word again, we might just go out there and drag you back ourselves.”
“That, uh... Well, I could do without that happening, honestly.” I chuckled awkwardly. I doubted they’d be able to find me outside of town, but I’d be the one worrying about them—they’d no doubt be hunted down by some monster. Armeria was showing her tactical genius here—there was no battle plan proven to break my focus faster than this, and she knew it.
Armeria laughed. “Glad you understand. Good luck with making that artifact.”
“Thanks. Anyway, I’ll be going now.” I bowed to Claus and Rose, then left the dining room, returning directly to my assigned bedroom.