Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 300

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 300 – The Story at the Castle and the Classmate’s Departure

Meanwhile, around the same time, Ain was attending to official duties in the royal capital’s White Knight Castle.

Truth be told, the capital was also bustling. After all, this was the first time a continent-spanning exchange of this scale had ever taken place. Consequently, Sylvird and the two senior officials were only able to sit down after noon.

“Now then, Warren.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“What are your thoughts on the party in Balt the other day?”

“That is something I’m also curious about.”

Lloyd finally smiled with keen interest, hiding the sharpness unique to his single eye as he spoke.

“We should contact the elf chieftain. She carried on Queen Raviola’s will and kept the secret. Beria and I were there at the time, too. Regardless, Chris-dono’s lineage should eventually be made public. Therefore, we should seek the chief’s consent.”

“So you’re not opposed?”

“The bloodlines are quite close, but the statute of limitations has surely passed.”

“Hm? Did you say something?”

“No, nothing. The divided royal line has been reunited. It’s a beautiful tale, and the people would surely welcome Prince Ain, the hero, to walk that path.”

“I think so too. But I wonder what Krone would think.”

“Your Majesty. You likely think that way because you have also taken only one consort. However, as your vassals, Warren-dono and I feel compelled to speak up about a king of such a great nation having only one consort.”

“I understand. Truly, you have been saying this since time immemorial. It’s so often said that it’s tiresome to count.”

The three people conversing in the room had bright expressions, their attention irresistibly drawn to Ain’s presence.

Sylvird sank deeply into the sofa, resting his elbows on the arms and narrowing his eyes as he regarded the other two.

“Still, it would not be wise for us outsiders to push this forcefully. For now, I will sign the letter as head of the council. Let us use this as an opportunity for consultation.”

In a sense, the elf chieftain was a loyal subject—a patriot on par with Marco and Warren.

Having kept the royal family’s secret in her heart for centuries, Sylvird nodded in agreement that she deserved proper respect.

As Lloyd watched the light streaming in through the window, he noticed something unusual.

“It seems the first snow has fallen. Winter’s embrace is drawing near to the capital as well.”

Nodding thoughtfully at the falling snowflakes, Lloyd rose and pulled back all the curtains covering the window.

“Warren-dono. Sylvia-sama says there is time, but—”

“We’re advancing the deployment of forces. Alongside the magic stone cannons, we’re installing numerous new stationary furnaces as well.”

“That is excellent. It seems that the boy’s worth is truly immeasurable.”

“Hmm, Roland, was it?”

Warren answered Sylvird, who was stroking his beard.

“Indeed. Like Ain-sama, he is only fifteen, yet his intellect and insight are already considered national treasures. Much like his professor at the Royal Kingsland Academy, Professor Kyle, it may be time to prepare a new stage for him.”

“I hear you.”

“Grant them both titles. Roland—no, Roland-dono—shall have the title of Baron. As for Professor Kyle, his mentor, he shall receive the title of Viscount.”

“Good. I agree. I entrust all of that to you.”

“As you command.”

“…And that isn’t all you wish to say, Warren-dono?”

“Oh, you noticed? To be honest, they’re both already employed at national research facilities, but who knows when the private sector might poach them. That path could lead to the future, but this time, it would be too great a loss.”

Saying this, Warren pulled an envelope from his pocket.

“As always, you’re well prepared,” Sylvird and Lloyd said, exchanging glances and smiling.

When Sylvird finally took the envelope and looked inside,

“This seems to be a plan after all: A proposal to establish a new research institute and appoint Kyle as its director?”

“Not bad, right? He has years of proven results. At the academy, Ain-sama successfully graduated as the first in his class. Ain-sama mostly showed the results himself, but he also holds Kyle in high regard.”

“Yes, so we were thinking of keeping Roland-dono as assistant director. There’s also the Leviathan matter.”

“Then there’s the location of the new research facility. Do you have a location in mind?”

“Actually, Her Highness Katima’s trip to Strohm went exactly as I anticipated.”

Just how far ahead did this man think? The two men looked deflated upon realizing this.

Katima had used the pretext of a business trip to research the facility that would eventually be built in Strohm. However, Warren had been advancing discussions even before that.

“We shall designate it as the Strohm Branch. The headquarters will be the castle, specifically Katima-sama’s underground laboratory. What do you think? The First Princess will be the guardian, Kyle, a man of ample merit, will be the director, and an up-and-coming researcher will serve as his assistant. The fact that I see no possibility of failure proves it was a thorough plan.”

They were impressed by his admiration for himself. The two were deeply impressed by his attitude. Sylvird scratched his nose at his thorough preparation.

“Actually, I approached Katima-sama about this matter the other day. Well, there have been a lot of romantic entanglements popping up lately, haven’t there, Lloyd-dono?”

“…What could you be referring to?”

“No need to feign ignorance. Right, Your Majesty?”

“I knew from the moment they arrived in Ishtalika that Olivia would only ever look at Ain, no matter what. With Krone present, I thought that if there were any issues, Chris would also be there. So, I hadn’t worried about Ain. But the problem is that cat girl. I was worried, you know. I consulted with Laralua almost every week, agonizing over what to do.”

Warren nodded at his eloquent speech, while Lloyd crossed his arms and smiled apologetically, pondering what to do.

“With all due respect, perhaps I should leave matters concerning my son to her?”

“That’s splendid, Lloyd. Then I shall leave my daughter to him as well.”

Then, Lloyd cleared his throat and brought the conversation back.

“Rumor has it you’re sending Roland to handle the next-generation ship—the new battleship model?”

“I intend to entrust the main development aspects to the newly established research institute.”

“…Won’t that cause discontent?”

“It will. But those two names are already well-regarded at the major research institutes. With Katima-sama’s endorsement, it shouldn’t become a major issue.”

In other words, the new institute was practically a done deal.

Progressing this far, even before the king’s approval, was likely only possible because it was Warren.

“You’re a kind man, Warren.”

“…Huh?”

“Don’t play dumb like Lloyd. Setting aside the matter with my daughter, this new research institute will only benefit Ain’s governance.”

“Not at all. It’s simply that Strohm was the right choice.”

“Even so, the economic advantage can’t be denied. We could let it pass as a coincidence.”

Then, with his arms crossed, Lloyd spoke.

“Your Majesty, even so, His Highness’s governance is proceeding smoothly, is it not? There are the so-called Prince’s Seal fruits, and with his connection to the August Trading Company, he is steadily expanding the economy.”

“But that’s only with the August Trading Company’s backing.”

“That’s still a merit. We know you’ve conveyed your praise for Ain-sama to Laralua-sama.”

“What… Th-that wife of mine!”

“But Warren-dono? It’s fine to grant titles to Kyle and Roland, but why haven’t you given one to Chris-dono yet?”

She had long served as deputy commander of the Royal Knights and now held the position of commander.

Under normal circumstances, she would have likely been granted a title like Countess.

“I have considered it. However, there’s the matter with Celestina-dono, and I’m hesitant to burden her with the responsibilities of nobility…”

But now, by joining Ain, a title was no longer necessary.

Her name would be inscribed in Ishtalika, both in name and in reality.

Convinced by his words, the two gathered their strength for the afternoon’s official duties.

And now, the two who had just been granted their titles boarded the water train heading for the coastal city of Strohm.

“How am I supposed to explain to Father and Mother that I’m serving under the First Princess!?”

“…I feel like this comes as a surprise to you now. You were registered alongside His Highness during your academy days, weren’t you?”

His achievements may be many, but his mental fortitude was weak.

Seated beside him, Kyle spoke with an air of exasperation. Roland blinked rapidly and stared out the window.

However, even at the Royal Kingsland Academy, Kyle, who had spent years caring for young children, knew how to admonish Roland well.

“By the way, Roland. I thought your goals were lofty, but can you see the path ahead? What about that paper you submitted to the conference the other day?”

“Mine? Ah! You mean the Sky Castle?”

“Yes, that fantastical research theme. Truthfully, I don’t dislike it either.”

“It’s not going smoothly… But I’ll definitely build one someday. Will you help me, Professor?”

“…If we end up in the same lab, there might be opportunities to get involved.”

As Kyle said, Roland’s goal was indeed a pipe dream.

He wanted to build a castle in the sky and needed to create an airship to do so. That was it.

Even Ishitalika, with its advanced technology, sadly lacked the means to keep something that massive afloat and moving. Although they had learned some levitation techniques from studying wyverns, the size difference was simply too great.

Yet this fantastical idea deeply stirred Kyle, a fellow researcher. He wanted to fulfill this wish alongside his former student, Roland.

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