Volume 3 Chapter 39 Why Does Technology That Isn't a 'Gift' Matter？
Thankfully, Lene and I were staying in a guest room at the royal castle.
Normally, as a married couple, we should be sleeping in the same room, but until Lene's condition stabilized, it was decided that we would spend the night in separate rooms.
While I was feeling much better thanks to Lene's medicine, it wasn't until I had my injured left arm examined by a doctor that we finally reached a state where we could relax together.
"Lene, um, well──"
I stood by the bed, struggling to find the right words, and Lene chuckled as she watched my dilemma.
"I can't believe we have a baby! I didn't get much knowledge about that kind of stuff, so I had no idea how your body would be changing at a time like this."
"...Is that so?"
It seemed like Lene hadn't been treated with much care by her parents.
I had lost my own parents when I was a kid, so I could relate to her situation.
It was a shame that we both lacked that kind of knowledge, making it hard for us to understand what was happening.
According to the doctor, it's rare, but pregnant women──especially those from couples of different races──often experience changes in their condition during the early stages of pregnancy.
Still, he assured me that things should settle down gradually, which brought me some relief.
"But if that's the case, Lene can't go back to Sartzstadt while she's pregnant... Just thinking about what could happen scares me."
"Hmm... It might be a bit difficult. At least after the baby is born, we could manage, but I wonder if Belle and Ai-Ai are okay after their injuries..."
Lene murmured this, her expression tinged with a hint of sadness.
I shared her concern; I was just as worried about everyone.
Especially since Sartzstadt was currently under siege.
"Anyway, I'll be consulting His Majesty about what comes next. It's probably a safe bet that I'll be heading to Sartzstadt to deal with those Dark Mages, leaving Lene behind."
"Yeah, it's going to be lonely..."
"...Sorry."
I gently embraced the shrunken form of Lene, who had curled up on the bed.
* * *
Even though His Majesty the King is swamped with the affairs of war, he still made time for a meeting with me.
Well, there's some debate within the central command about whether or not to hand over the 'Gift' technology as a condition for the ceasefire.
I guess I'm a key player in ending this war too.
"Ryuuji, first, let us offer you the Blessing's words for Lene's pregnancy, truly a joyous occasion."
"Y-Yes, thank you very much."
Standing in the meeting room, I ended up with a slightly awkward reaction after being Blessed by His Majesty, who had arrived with 2 guards in tow.
It's an honor to receive a congratulatory speech from the ruler of a nation, after all.
"...What's with that reaction? Could it be that you didn't feel anything?"
"No, no, that's not it at all."
What's with the sudden question, His Majesty?
If that were the case, I'd be beyond saving by now.
"I was hoping to hear about the Dark Mages from you, but did I miss the mark completely..."
"Hahaha, I mustn't neglect my manners. I only have Cecil as my child, so I must strive even harder."
Come on, cheer up!
There's gotta be a better way to say that, you know?
Are you sure that's how you want to phrase it? I swear, I can practically hear the guards chuckling behind us.
"Well, I, too, am a very busy person. But, let's get down to business. It seems you've encountered someone suspected to be the mastermind behind the Dark Mage?"
"Yes, My esteemed teacher, and Lene's older sister, Dark Mage Emerada. We clashed at the ruins of Orut Village in the east of Sartzstadt. Though, to be fair, I was only shot with the Alchemist's Gun one-sidedly..."
I pointed at my left arm as I answered His Majesty's question.
I managed to protect my head in that moment, so I only got this injury. Honestly, it's a miracle...
If my reflexes had been even a bit slower...
"...Shot?"
His Majesty's expression turned slightly sharp as he heard my answer.
Did I say something wrong?
"Ryuuji, that means...Dark Mage Emerada possessed an Alchemist's Gun without the safety measures in place, wouldn't you say?"
"......Ah."
It was then that I finally realized, and a chill ran down my spine.
All Alchemist's Guns have their ownership fixed with inscription magic, preventing anyone else from using them.
Lene's own original Alchemist's Gun is no exception.
If that's the case...
"...Could it be that someone secretly created an Alchemist's Gun for Dark Mage?"
"The chances are high. There must be only a limited number of craftsmen who possess the technology to manufacture the Alchemist's Gun. If we don't investigate immediately, it won't be long before Alchemist's Guns flood the market without any safety measures. That's something we must avoid at all costs."
The moment His Majesty conveyed something to one of the guards, the soldier promptly left the room.
Most likely, they were tasked with uncovering the identities of the craftsmen.
"It's often said that you can't close a person's mouth, and from the looks of it, discussing Ryuuji's technology is completely out of the question."
"........."
As the person in question, I could only fall silent, unable to respond with a simple "You're right."
It seems His Majesty hasn't considered at all providing the 'Gift' technology to Goldmont.
But then it raises the question of how we're supposed to stop Goldmont's invasion, so I decided to straightforwardly ask HisMajesty about it.
"I'm not worried about Sartzstadt, since Gottfried is there, but yes, Ryuuji. I would like you to teach me the manufacturing technology for the 'Refined Magic Stone'. Of course, I will offer my gratitude in return."
"The technology for the 'Refined Magic Stone', is it...?"
I couldn't quite grasp the intention behind HisMajesty's words, lost in thought.
Unlike the 'Gift', that technology simply creates magic stones from materials crafted through Alchemy.
I had planned to sell it to the kingdom eventually, so this was just moving the timeline up a bit.
But what does that have to do with war──
"...No way, Your Majesty...?"
"Yes, exactly."
As I finally understood the intention behind the words, I looked up to find His Majesty wearing a devilish smirk.
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