Chapter 424 The Terrible Child
Unlike the downcast Sara, who slumped her shoulders and looked away, Chloe beside her showed no signs of distress.
"With all due respect, I can't believe Mr. Paracelsus was unaware of such issues. He is not like Sara."
"That's certainly true."
"Hey, that makes it sound like I'm the disappointing one."
"You talk as if you're not disappointing at all. It's a fact that Sara caused trouble, isn't it?"
"Ugh..."
Chloe swiftly cut down Sara's retort.
"You may not have expected about Princess Mathilda, but Mr. Paracelsus must have known that heat fever spreads in the Royal Capital. Even without this incident, wasn't Mr. Paracelsus planning to create a magic tool for transportation?"
Chloe, who often accompanied Sara and interacted with the golems, understood Sara's actions better than the adults in Grandchester.
Naturally, her understanding of Rihito and the maidens was also deep.
"Just as Chloe said, I heard from Alicia that Rihito was anticipated. The prototype was likely prepared for that reason."
"I see. So, when will the magic tool be ready?"
"I can't say for sure. The materials have just come together."
"How many can you make?"
"Mass production is impossible. The amount of magic stones needed is extraordinary."
"I know Sara can make magic stones. Skip the formalities."
"To be honest, even for me, gathering the numbers is tough. Have you seen the large Spieluhr on display at the Sophia Merchant Guild?"
"Of course. It's said that it uses legendary magic stones, making it unattainable even for high-ranking nobles. You can't be suggesting we need the same kind of magic stones, right?"
"We need a large number of magic stones of that level."
"Yikes."
Even Chloe let out a small scream.
"Rihito calls this magic tool 'Mobile Portal.' I've prepared enough magic stones to connect the Grandchester territory and the Royal Capital, but I don't know how long it'll take to make another one."
"How many magic stones have you prepared?"
"For now, 200 pieces. I'm planning to use 100 on the Grandchester territory side and 100 on the Royal Capital side. Doesn't it seem impossible to mass-produce at this point?"
Chloe, wearing a refined smile, tilted her head slightly and asked Sara.
"But you'll still supply the royal family, right?"
"Why do you say it like it's a given? I can't possibly offer them for free. The costs alone far exceed the national budget."
"But Sara, you're the one providing the magic stones, right?"
"You see, the magic stones used in the magic tools sold by the Sophia Merchant Guild are processed from mined magic stones. I'm not the one manufacturing them."
"Is that so?"
"Of course! There's no way I could sell products that require me to continually create magic stones. If I were the one supplying all the magic stones, the market would collapse."
"Isn't it the same reasoning as not distributing the gems you make?"
"Exactly. If I don't receive payment for at least the cost, the Sophia Merchant Guild would go bankrupt. Certainly, if there's a need for larger magic stones or a stable supply of magic stones with consistent quality, I might provide them 'specially.' Even so, thinking that just because it's the royal family, I would offer everything for free is a huge mistake."
Sara, irritated by Prince Andrew's recent behavior, stated firmly.
While she had no problem presenting the teddy bear golem to Princess Mathilda, being forced to comply with the royal family's authority was indeed frustrating.
"Still, if the Sophia Merchant Guild wants to continue operating in Avalon, they'll have to deliver the Mobile Portal to the royal family. Even if it takes time, Sara will definitely make the magic stone for the Mobile Portal."
"If it becomes a hassle, I might just leave Avalon altogether with Grandchester, you know?"
At this statement, Marquis Grandchester and Edward changed their expressions, but Chloe remained unfazed.
"So, if the same pressure is applied by the royal family in the next country, will you run away? Similar problems will arise no matter how many times you repeat it. Wouldn't it be easier to operate in Avalon with Grandchester as your backing?"
"I won't deny that, but please stop taking my cooperation for granted."
"I don't intend to step on the dragon's tail multiple times either."
"How about that? Recently, I've become aware that I'm weak to Chloe's requests."
"It's because you know I'll provide proper benefits."
Sara let out a deep sigh.
"I absolutely refuse to set a precedent of offering products that use a ton of magic stones for free. Besides, I've said it many times, but the Mobile Portal consumes an enormous amount of magical energy. Even if it's loaded with plenty of magic stones, it'll be nearly empty after just one use."
"Does that mean it can only be used once?"
"Basically, yes. It can be reused by using magic stones that can replenish magical energy, but of course, that raises the cost. Plus, someone will have to replenish a large amount of magical energy afterward."
"I understand that it can't be used daily like Sara, but isn't an emergency Mobile Portal a good idea?"
"If we were to install it in the royal palace, where would it connect to?"
"Hmm..."
Chloe fell into deep thought.
However, Marquis Grandchester had the answer.
"That must be the Grandchester territory. Even if enemies were to overwhelm the royal palace, moving to the Grandchester territory would mean another Mobile Portal is set up there. They would think there are plenty of magic stones for power, too."
"However, that is based on the premise that the Grandchester family is on the royal side, desuwa."
"Thus, the likelihood of a marriage alliance with the royal family increases. At the very least, my family's bride won't be treated poorly."
Marquis Grandchester smirked.
Yet, Sara could not accept it.
"So, the cost will be covered by the Grandchester family, correct?"
"Wait a minute. I think the Grandchester family is extending considerable favors to the Sophia Merchant Guild?"
"I believe the balance is completely off."
"Can we not negotiate on familial ties?"
"No, we cannot."
However, in the next moment, Chloe turned sharply to Sara and hugged her tightly.
"Sara, please create a Mobile Portal. I promise I will cooperate a lot once I marry into the royal family."
"No way. This is different from dresses and accessories. Do you have any idea how much this costs?"
Chloe slightly sat up, looking directly at Sara, grabbing her shoulders and shaking her back and forth.
"Please, make it happen!"
"W-wait, stop it please."
"Then just make it!"
"Not a chance!"
"I'm begging you for a once-in-a-lifetime requesttt!"
"Besides, you're going to ask for a lot more after this, right? And could you let go of me already?"
"That's that, and this is this, right? You said that yourself, Sara."
"I-I get it, so let go of meee!"
"Yay!"
Hearing the response, Chloe released Sara.
"Ugh, that was rough. I feel dizzy and nauseous..."
"What are you saying? If it's you, Sara, you could easily shake off Chloe. Enough of this nonsense. You understand that you might have to create it depending on the royal family's response, right?"
Rebecca exclaimed in disbelief.
"If I forcefully shake it off, Chloe might get hurt, you know. I'm not that malicious."
"Oh my. It's quite a change for Sara, who used to boast that 'as long as you heal, it's no problem' even after cutting off someone's limbs. I want to believe it's the result of her lady's education~desuwa."
"W-What? She cut off limbs!?"
At Rebecca's words, Chloe quietly distanced herself from Sara.
"Oh, Chloe didn't know? In Sophia's form, she cleanly severed the limbs of the ringleader of the riot with magic. And then, after beautifully restoring them with healing magic, she asked, 'Shall we continue?' The enemy completely lost their will to fight."
"Wow. Hearing that, Father was quite lucky, wasn't he? He only got his cheek cut after angering Sara."
"Don't remind me..."
Edward, who wanted to bury his dark history as soon as possible, shook his head vigorously.
"It's true that I behaved that way, but I also decide my actions based on the opponent. I don't just cut off anyone's limbs!"
"In the first place, a lady doesn't cut off anyone's limbs."
"However, I've heard that my grandmother froze the rioters with magic and ordered the Lady-in-Waiting to break their limbs. From her actions, I learned the importance of showing strength to protect myself and to ensure they never think of attacking me again."
"Sara, really..."
At Sara's words, Rebecca and Robert both held their heads in despair, while Edward clearly looked displeased.
"Um... we've strayed quite far from the topic, but first, we will set up a Mobile Portal connecting Grandchester Castle and the Royal Capital residence. The capacity of the magic tool will depend on Alicia, but considering the number of magic stones, it seems she intends to move about the weight of a carriage. This is just a prediction, so please don't get your hopes up too much."
"Hmm. But there won't be enough magical power to come and go so easily..."
Marquis Grandchester pretended to think while sending a glance at Sara.
"Even if you look at me like that, I won't replenish your magic. If you use it, you'll have to fill it yourself. Well, we have made a unit that can pour the extracted magic liquid, so how about taking the magic that the Grandchester children retrieve daily for increasing their magic? I think Blaze's magic is increasing at a remarkable rate, so there should be plenty. Ah, but perhaps Blaze's magic should be used for aging brandy or cider."
'Besides, I think it's about time we start playing with transformation magic. By the way, the adult Blaze was quite the handsome one.'
Suddenly, Sara recalled Blaze and a slight smile lifted the corners of her mouth.
"The fact that Sara is smiling means she's just teasing us, right? Grandfather, it seems you're going to properly replenish the magic~ desuwa."
"That's an understatement."
"Hey, wait a minute, I didn't say anything like that!"
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