Volume 3 Chapter 46 Carrying Unfulfilled Feelings
*We return to Ryuuji's point of view.
<hr>
With the help from His Excellency Prime Minister Schnorr, I used the 'Heimun Grass' to quickly make the 'Magic Stone of Great Absolute' and finished distributing it to the troops.
Also, this is just my share, but Lene thought up new materials to make a new 'refined magic stone,' so I'm keeping some on hand.
I need to be ready to use them when the time comes.
A few days later, after everything was ready, I joined the special unit of the Beistein Kingdom to head towards Sartzstadt.
Or rather, I'm the main guy, but I'm also kind of the bait.
"Be careful, okay?"
As we were about to leave, Lene hugged me tightly inside the castle gates and spoke, then I nodded silently after she let go.
Still, I can't help but feel like Lene's belly is a bit swollen.
"Oh, Lene, don't overdo it. Make sure to listen to what the maids say, okay? And then──"
"Mr. Ryuuji? Men who nag are disliked, you know?"
"Ugh..."
I was thinking about Lene, but I got pierced with a smile by Her Highness the Princess.
My wife seems to be not too worried and is smiling wryly.
"Mr. Ryuuji, losing you would be a great loss for the nation. Please be careful."
"Yes, I understand."
Whether or not His Excellency Prime Minister's evaluation of me is appropriate, I have no intention of dying.
For Lene and for the child who will be born, I absolutely must survive.
Next, it's about Emerada.
Whether I can convince her or not.
If I can't──
"...With this, I just have to cut through."
I touched the hilt of the sword hanging at my waist, which was unusual for me, and murmured that.
* * *
The special forces for Emerada were made up of a mixed group of about one or 2 men and women, and the journey to Sartzstadt was on foot.
Well, I felt relieved since I can't ride a horse.
The captain of the unit was a man named Joseph, who looked to be in his late twenties, and his sharp eyes intimidated those who met his gaze.
I had talked to him once before, and he seemed like a typical intelligent soldier who had logical thinking and didn't say unnecessary things.
"Ryuuji, can I talk to you for a moment?"
While I was thinking about that as I walked, I was approached by the unusual Captain Joseph.
As always, his expression was blank, and I couldn't tell what he was thinking.
"What is it, Captain?"
"I've heard that you have encountered Dark Mages multiple times, but we have no experience in combat with them. I would like you to tell us about the Dark Mage."
"Ah, I see, understood. That said, I think I have conveyed this beforehand."
"Even so. Hearing from someone who has actually fought is better than reading reports."
The captain earnestly pleaded like that.
I suppose he wants to be perfectly prepared as someone who takes care of his subordinates.
Well, I can understand that, and since the journey is long, I might as well talk about it.
"First, their biggest feature is that they can shoot out golden tentacles. These are quite powerful and can easily stab through human flesh. Before we start fighting, everyone, please do not forget to use the <Great Magic Stone of Diamond>."
The other 4 people walking nearby are seriously listening to my explanation.
None of them have fought against a Dark Mage before.
My experience must be very valuable to them.
"I was wondering, but does the <Great Magic Stone of Diamond> have no effect if you don't use it? It seems like just having the <Magic Stone of Diamond> was enough..."
"The <Great Magic Stone of Diamond> is not a continuous type like the <Magic Stone of Diamond>, which works just by having it. It is an activation type magic stone that does not show its effect unless you channel Magic Power into it. Therefore, it is weak against surprise attacks, so we need to be careful. However, its effect is much stronger in comparison."
"Wow..."
After I answered one of the female soldier's questions, she stared at the magic stone in her hand with admiration.
I see, only an enchanter would know the difference in types of magic stones.
I should let the others know later.
"Next is the needles. I think you have already drunk the antidote since I handed it out beforehand, but those guys can stab you with needles that contain a poison called <Mana Crystal>, turning the target into a Monster. While we are immune to it now, if nearby animals are turned into Monsters, that would be troublesome."
We're not able to accept Mana Crystals into our bodies for a while because we're drinking the antidote Lene made.
But we can't stop animals passing by from being changed.
If that happens, we'll just have to deal with it as it comes.
"After that... it's the Alchemist's Gun, right? For some reason, Emerada has an Alchemist's Gun that should be managed by the owner's magic seal. It's dangerous to jump into the range without using the Great Magic Stone of Diamond first."
"The Alchemist's Gun..."
The captain, who had been quiet until then, made a pained expression and muttered.
He must have some thoughts about the Alchemist's Gun.
When asked, the captain let out a big sigh.
It felt like he couldn't quite put his heart into it.
"Actually, Ryuuji, the other day we rooted out the blacksmith from Fulus who was secretly making that Alchemist's Gun and broke into his workshop."
Fulus, that's the town up ahead, right?
Is it possible that there was a craftsman dealing with heretics so close to the Capital City?
"...Did something like that happen?"
"I guess they haven't told Ryuuji about it yet."
Not told me?
Come to think of it, if something like that had happened, I would have heard about it from His Majesty the King or His Excellency the Prime Minister. Why wasn't it told to us?
That question must have shown on my face.
The captain sighed deeply again.
"Their whole family was murdered. It was probably to keep their mouth shut about the Dark Mage."
"........."
I had no words to say back; I could only keep quiet.
The reason they didn't tell us was probably for Lene.
We should be thankful for His Majesty's kindness, not wanting to burden his pregnant wife with a heavy responsibility.
Why did that craftsman help the heretics?
Was it for money, or were his family being held hostage?
We don't know anymore.
We don't know, but──
"This is just too much, isn't it?"
"Totally,"
As if agreeing with me, the captain and the other 5 people nodded.
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