Though I was surprised to find out the purpose of the mysterious visitor, this was the only answer I could give.
「 I’m very sorry, but that skill orb has already been let go 」
「 What? Who did you give it to? No, did you use it? 」
The Duke stood up, surprised at my answer.
I was freaked out by his reaction because he had a calm and collected mood
「 It wasn’t used, it was sold 」
「 Who did you sell it off to? That’s not something you can sell off so easily! 」
The light magic skill orb is a rare piece.
It’s an expensive item that has no market price, so it’s certainly not something you can toss in a store.
Err, what did he say?
It was a while ago, I’ve already forgotten about it.
Oh, that’s what it was.
「 I think they called themselves an adventurer’s clan of Loureshou. He said that it’s been commissioned by some bigwig. Do you remember, Euphy? 」
「 Yes, If I recall, his name was Zeig? 」
「 Oh yeah, that was the name. Well done remembering that 」
Nia has a good memory too, although not as good as Nia’s.
I remember what happened, but I don’t even remember the names of the people I met only after a few minutes.
When I recounted the details of the occasion, with Euphy’s assistance or otherwise, the duke fell silent, hand on his chin, got deep in thought.
I remained silent as there was nothing more to explain, and then the Marquis who had been silent so far, opened his mouth.
「 That’s an unknown. Did you say that they called themselves the Adventurer clan in Loureshou? If that’s true, then they’re in the country. Who in the world would pay that much. You didn’t know that Davey was using it as a bargaining chip, did you? 」
I’m sure that Gilbert-san communicated with the Marquis in advance of this meeting and told him about Davey’s end, but he didn’t mention the skill orb?
Well, they didn’t talk to anyone except for us three who negotiated the sale.
By the way, their reaction to me offing Davey was along the lines of “Oh well”
「 I heard something that it’s about being exchanged for some territory. 」
「 You knew and yet you let it go… Did you not think about getting the territory for yourself instead? 」
「 So you say, but I don’t know who or where the person who wanted the skill orb was. If it were, we wouldn’t be able to negotiate, and the idea wasn’t in us. Besides, it’s unlikely that we would’ve received the same territory if we had given it personally. So, it’s natural for me to sell it at a higher price 」
Also, the land was almost worth nothing, I don’t have to say that.
I don’t even need that place.
After talking to the Marquis, the Duke finally calmed down and looked up with a stern expression.
「 Loic-dono, what do we do? This is… 」
「 Hmm, this has been a dent to the plan… 」
Both of them look troubled.
I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong, but I do feel a little responsible.,
I looked at Euphy who was silent next to me, and thought, she hadn’t lost her young lady face, but her eyes were swimming around.
She’s thinking “We’ve done it”
She was in favor of the sale at that time, but I’m sure that she feels the same way I do now.
I made the final decision so I don’t want her to feel that way.
Hmm, should I ask if this is necessary or something?
But if I do it poorly, they’ll ask “Why did you sell it? Off with your head,” and I’m scared of that
Then, should I just keep quiet and let it slide?
But you know, that’s a little too much.
Thinking of what to do for a moment, aware of the wrinkles between eyebrows that had been naturally drawn together…Then the Marquis looked back and forth between me and Euphy, and he seemed to be thinking about something.
W-What?
Is this going to be an execution?
As I begin to imagine the horror and wonder how to escape what’s about to happen. The Marquis has to speak up.
「 Kotori, can’t you do something about that? 」
「 Me? Even if you ask me 」
「 I think that you have some means of getting around… 」
Huh?
Does he know that I have level-three light magic now?
No, no, no, no, that can’t be.
I mean, even if they know I have it, they can’t know that I can transfer it to someone else.
But, he can have information about us, so he could be making such predictions.
After all, I have Euphy next to me, a massive evidence for that.
He knows Euphy from the past and he has a fair amount of information about us, so it’s not surprising that he’d suspect that something is going on if she had no skills and could now stand up against several knights.
「 Uhh…what method could you mean? 」
「 I’m guessing that it’s part of your fundraising, but weren’t you buying skill orbs? Have you not found a light magic skill orb? 」
Oh. That one.
I was freaking out thinking that he was onto something.
「 It hasn’t come up in reports yet. Although it’s possible to include light magic in our search, magic skills are rarely available in the market, and even if they’re available, they’re at the lowest skill level, and most of the dark and light skills are immediately offered to the lords of the land. Honestly, I don’t think there’s much hope of finding it the way it is now 」
「 I knew it 」
He already knows that, but hearing that it’s hard, he makes a complicated face.
How badly do you want that light magic skill orb?
I’m really curious so I should ask.
From what I’ve seen so far, I don’t think we’re getting any executions.
「 Uhm, it may be rude to ask but, why do you want a light magic skill orb? 」
I asked. Then the Marquis turned his gaze to the duke sitting next to him.
He thought for a moment, but then his head turned and the Marquis faced him.
「 How much does Kotori know about the state of this country? 」
「 I still have a lot to learn, but I do know some 」
「 If so, let’s skip the details. The Duke, no, the reason we want a light magic skill orb is because the Duke’s Daughter, Lady Silka, needs light magic 」
…What does that mean?
I said that I knew a bit, but they left out a lot of details.
I am wondering if I should ask an additional question, but there’s another voice rising from the next door.
「 Miss Silka? I seem to recall that she’s engaged to the second prince. Oh. I see it now… 」
Euphy-chan, good job.
You said it.
When we get back, I’ll pet you in a lot of places.
But that just makes it even more of a mystery. What’s going on?
I’m lacking information here.
「 Indeed. Their relationship seems to be going well in the beginning, but recently, the prince’s interest seems to have shifted to other girls. So, as a user of light magic, I thought of giving the second lady a boost 」
After hearing that much, I’m starting to get it.
In short, this is just a political story.
To explain this, you need to start with the location of Loureshou.
This landlocked country is bordered by five countries, Sebel, which we passed through in the south, a mountainous country in the north, and a neighboring country in the southeast. These three are smaller than Loureshou in size.
As for the other two, one of them is the Nyhied Kingdom.
The western part of the country, which has a long horizontal shape similar to that of Tokyo, borders the Nyhied Kingdom, and the Western region has a lot of influence.
As for the other country…
Bordering the northeast is the territory of the Order of the Winged Goddess.
As the name suggests, they’re a state named after the cult territory that worships the winged Goddess. That’s Goddess Ru, who’s widely worshipped in this world, and is said to be accumulating power in preparation for a calamity that may come.
They’re actively spreading the Goddess Religion that they promote, and they seem quite aggressive, and interfering in the neighboring countries.
This country is no exception to that rule, and the mother of the second prince that was just mentioned, is the King’s second wife, a daughter of a Cardinal, and a high-ranking figure in the order’s domain.
So, the reason why light magic is considered important is that light magic is the attribute considered closest power to God in the Winged Goddess Order’s territory, and those with high-level light magic skills are treated as saints or saintly women.
In short, if Silka-chan has light magic, then he’ll get the interest of the second wife, who’s from the Winged Goddess Order.
「 Not only the wife but also His Highness Lester, he’s been influenced strongly by the teachings of the order. If he discovers that a lady has light magic, then he would be interested 」
The duke, also a father, lets out some words of disappointment.
So, His Highness Prince Lester is the second prince.
That “should have” stings a lot
As if to shake off the gloomy mood, the Marquis speaks with a louder voice.
「 Well then, now that you heard about it, we need to get you moving 」
「 Huh? Moving? 」
「 You didn’t ask it knowingly? 」
I don’t know anything!
I asked out of curiosity without much thought.
「 Well, it’s too late. You already stuck your neck in. I expect some good work from you 」
「 I also bear responsibility for this, so I’m willing to cooperate. 」
To be frank, I want to say that I don’t care.
I want to punch my few minutes-ago self.
「 I’m happy to hear a good response. Well, I’m not making you work for free. Whatever the outcome, I’ll provide further assistance to the Adicilton house as a reward 」
「 Haa… 」
I don’t have a good response to that.
Well, as long as the payout is good.
The Marquis had a better expression, perhaps because he got my word, so he raised himself a little from the backrest.
We know how difficult it is to obtain skill orbs. It’s not just our country that wants light magic, but also other countries, even more those surrounding the territory of the Order of the Winged Goddess.
「 If you’re not expecting us to get the orb, what do you want? 」
「 I hope you can help Miss Silka and His Highness, Prince Lester with this matter So, first, I want you to get close to Miss Silka and gather information so we can assess the situation 」
「 I think the Marquis is better at that 」
「 Indeed, normally that would be the case. We’ve been exploring that avenue but it hasn’t been successful 」
「 Then why don’t you ask the person? 」
「 Miss Sikla’s a reserved lady. She doesn’t talk about herself 」
「 In short, you two don’t know much about Miss Silka’s situation?
「 Indeed. His Highness Lester and Miss Silka are currently attending the academy in the Royal capital. We’re trying to figure out what’s going on there, but it seems that they turn quiet when there’s a sign of an outsider. However, the right person came when we were in trouble 」
He says, then looks at Euphy who’s sitting next to me.
「 Euphilite, this is something only you can do 」
「 M-Me? 」
Euphy had been listening quietly so far, and so she was surprised that her name was suddenly mentioned.
「 Yes. You’re to head to the royal capital, enroll at the academy, and gather information about Miss Silka and her surroundings 」
Hey, enrolling Euphy in the academy?
Then that means that we’re sneaking into the school?