Volume 2 Chapter 26 Will the Stampede Happen？
"Huh!?"
With a resounding CLANG of metal, the <Steel King>'s sword, aimed to split me in 2, was deflected.
Yet, it was a remarkable feat to right my crumbling posture with a swift slide of my body to the side.
"...Oh, success?"
"If it hadn't succeeded, Mr. Ryuuji would be dead..."
After the <Steel King> sheathed his sword, I realized my success a beat too late, and Lene muttered in awe, mixed with a hint of surprise.
"To think you could even block that blow. It's a well-crafted magic stone. It's more than enough to replace the <Magic Stone of Diamond>. You may submit it as such."
"Thank you very much."
The <Steel King>, or rather, His Excellency Duke Hoffman, was beaming with great satisfaction.
Good, it seems the issue with producing high-quality <Magic Stone of Diamonds> has been resolved.
"So, Ryuuji, Lene. There's been progress on that woman's matter. Can you spare some time? Marquis Reichner will join us as well."
"...Understood."
"I am honored, Your Excellency."
The "woman" they referred to must be Adiliana.
I need to listen carefully to what they have to say about her.
* * *
"That Dark Mage woman, Adiliana, seems to have returned north. There were multiple witnesses, it seems."
We shifted the scene to the conference room of the Detention Center, where I, Lene, and Lord Reichner were consulting His Excellency Duke about Adiliana's whereabouts.
"However, there are accounts that others present at the scene did not see her. If she were to assume a guise among you, it would be rather unlikely to go unnoticed..."
Indeed, at this time of year, nearly halfway through the tenth month, her attire was strikingly unsuitable for the cold, making her presence all the more conspicuous.
If no one else saw her... could it be some sort of illusionary magic?
"Your Excellency, Adiliana once told me, 'I appear before those who harbor darkness in their hearts.' Perhaps she's using an illusion, or maybe some sort of Constraint spell."
Ah, I see.
I heard that Lene mentioned something similar when she first met Adiliana.
Come to think of it, Ferron was said to be near Prime Minister Elmer, yet Mr. Dietrich didn't notice him.
Could it be some form of dark art?
As I added this piece of information, His Excellency ground his teeth in frustration, muttering, "How could he have missed someone so close..."
"...Let's get back on track. That's why I intend to send a reconnaissance team to the northern Marquis Strauss territory."
"Your Excellency, about Marquis Strauss..."
His Excellency's words cut off Lord Reichner before he could finish his sentence.
Well, I understand what you want to say.
I've heard the rumors too, but it seems Marquis Strauss has been consistently uncooperative with the country.
Even though doing so could lead to the revocation of his title, I wonder why on earth he would act like this.
"I understand. It might be time for 'appropriate measures' regarding that Marquis."
For a brief moment, a chilling smile crept across His Excellency's face.
No, 'appropriate measures'...
It's terrifying.
"Considering the situation with Cattle Village, there's a chance that the Dark Mage might be connected to Marquis Strauss. If he's defying the country even at the risk of his own position, that adds up. We need to gather intelligence... But right now, we have to focus on the imminent crisis."
"...Will the stampede happen?"
"It will, no doubt about it."
His Excellency answered my question, which I had thrown out there half-heartedly.
It was probably based on intuition, but he had far more life experience than I did.
There must be some elements unknown to us that have led him to this conclusion.
"For that reason, I have a new request for you. I want you to prepare 20 healing potions and 6 normal Magic Stones of Diamond for deployment to some of our units in preparation for the upcoming stampede. The ones you create don't need to be the Greater Magic Stones of Diamond."
Oh? Another request already.
The reason it's not the Great Magic Stone of Diamond is probably because its power is far too great—too dangerous to hand over to ordinary soldiers.
Still... a Magic Stone of Diamond, huh.
With that quantity, it's not impossible, but—
"Your Excellency, I am honored to receive your request────"
The materials for 〈Magic Stone of Diamond〉 are all ready.
"...Is that so?"
When I apologized and explained that we were out of materials, His Excellency didn't even try to hide his displeased expression. He let out a heavy sigh.
But seriously, it's not like I can do anything about the lack of materials!
By the way, creating a Great Magic Stone of Diamond requires the same materials.
The materials synthesized from the original substance are used to create the magic stone, therefore────
"Hm, materials... Ryuuji, where can these materials be obtained?"
"Ah, yes... That's right. They can be found in the Goldmont Kingdom to the north────"
What kind of thoughts do you have, Lord Reichner?
The leaves of Heimun Grass, a key material for the Magic Stone of Diamond, are easy to find in that region—but around here, they're considered rare.
"I see, I see. In that case, I might be able to help."
"...What do you mean?"
Could he have some kind of connection?
As Lord Reichner answered with complete confidence, all I could do was tilt my head in confusion, having no idea what he meant.
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